ASUS’s ROG Cetra open earbuds offer low-latency gaming but struggle to justify their high price against better alternatives.
New York: The ASUS ROG Cetra wireless earbuds feel comfortable even after wearing them for hours. I can wear them with sunglasses and hats without problems. They come with a shiny neck strap that connects to each earbud, but it feels uncomfortable and gets tight on people with bigger necks. When I put them in the right spot, they stay secure, so I don’t need to use the strap even when working outside.
The battery lasts a long time, giving me 10 to 12 hours on one charge when I use them for calls. ASUS says they can last 16 hours, with 48 extra hours from the charging case if you turn off extra features. A cool thing is that you can charge the earbuds while using them if you only have one USB-C port. The earbuds work with a web app instead of regular software, and you can change settings like sound levels and bass through this app.
I wondered who would want these earbuds because they cost a lot of money. If you play games and need fast sound that matches what happens on screen, these might be good for you. People who use computers and game systems might think mobile gamers aren’t serious, but more people now play games on devices like the Steam Deck or games like Destiny: Rising while riding the bus to work. The big reason to get these would be for gaming, but if you don’t game much, other open earbuds might work better for you.