ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless: The Ultimate Gaming Earbuds

When it comes to gaming, every millisecond counts. Good sound can really change how much you enjoy playing games, whether you’re in the middle of a fight royale or lost in an open-world RPG. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless game Earbuds are a product that is meant to take game sound to a whole new level. But are these really the best earbuds for gaming?

In this review, we’ll examine every aspect of the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless. If you want to know how these headphones stack up against other wireless game headphones on the market, read on.

1. Notable Features 

For both casual and serious players, the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Cetra True Wireless Earbuds are made to meet their needs. The premium design philosophy of ASUS, the ease of wireless use, and the immersive sound technology in these earbuds make them stand out in the gaming community.

Key Specifications

• • Driver Size: 10mm ASUS Essence Drivers
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Hybrid ANC
  • Low-latency Mode: Yes (45ms latency in gaming mode)
  • Battery Life: Up to 27 hours with charging case (6 hours per charge, with ANC off)
  • Compatibility: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
  • Charging: USB-C and wireless charging

From the outset, it’s clear these earbuds are packed with features that aim to provide a balanced experience for both audio enthusiasts and gamers. But how do they perform in real-world scenarios?

2. Design and Build Quality

Premium Gaming Aesthetic

ASUS ROG is known for its distinctive gaming design, and the Cetra True Wireless doesn’t disappoint. The earbuds have a sleek, angular design with a matte black finish, featuring the iconic ROG logo that lights up, giving the earbuds a futuristic look. The charging case mirrors this design with a compact and durable build that feels high-quality to the touch.

Ergonomics and Comfort

Comfort is essential for gaming, especially for long sessions, and ASUS has made sure the ROG Cetra True Wireless doesn’t fall short here. The earbuds come with three sizes of silicone tips and wings to ensure a snug and customizable fit. The light weight of the earbuds (just 6 grams each) makes them comfortable to wear for hours without causing fatigue.

The charging case is also quite portable, fitting easily into most pockets. It features both USB-C and Qi wireless charging, making it easy to keep your earbuds powered up.

3. Sound Quality 

10mm ASUS Essence Drivers: A Solid Audio Foundation

At the heart of the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless lies a set of 10mm ASUS Essence drivers. These drivers are designed to deliver immersive sound with a wide frequency response, ensuring that both low and high frequencies are reproduced with clarity.

For gamers, the soundstage is expansive, allowing you to hear footsteps, gunfire, and environmental cues with precision. This is particularly valuable in competitive titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Fortnite, where positional audio can give you a distinct advantage over opponents.

Bass, Mids, and Highs: Balanced for Gaming

The bass response on the Cetra True Wireless is punchy but not overwhelming. Explosions and heavy-action sequences have the necessary impact, without drowning out the mids or highs. The midrange is clear, allowing for distinct voice communication and in-game sound effects to come through without muddiness. The high frequencies are crisp, enhancing the finer details of the game, like the clinking of metal or subtle ambient sounds.

Hybrid ANC: Immersive, Distraction-Free Gaming

One of the standout features of the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless is its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). By utilizing both feedforward and feedback microphones, the earbuds can significantly reduce background noise, making it easier to focus on your game. The ANC feature does an excellent job of isolating disturbances, whether you’re gaming in a noisy environment or traveling.

ASUS also includes an Ambient Mode that lets you briefly hear what’s going on around you — ideal for moments when you need to stay aware of your environment without taking off the earbuds.

4. Low-Latency Gaming Mode 

45ms Ultra-Low Latency for Seamless Audio

One of the most critical aspects of gaming headphones is latency—the delay between what happens on screen and when you hear the corresponding audio. ASUS tackles this with a dedicated low-latency mode, reducing the audio delay to just 45ms.

In practice, this makes a huge difference in fast-paced games, where even slight delays can break immersion or cause you to miss critical audio cues. With the ROG Cetra, you’ll never miss a second of the action in any game, be it a racing game, a platformer, or a competitive shooter.

Compatibility Across Platforms

The ROG Cetra True Wireless works seamlessly with various platforms, including PC, mobile, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. While these earbuds are optimized for mobile gaming, especially on Android devices, their low-latency performance makes them a versatile choice for gamers across different platforms.

5. Battery Life 

Battery life is always a concern with wireless earbuds, particularly for gamers who may spend hours in one session. The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless offers a solid 6 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC off. When combined with the charging case, you can get up to 27 hours of total playtime.

If you enable ANC, battery life is reduced slightly, with the earbuds lasting around 4.5 hours per charge. However, the quick-charge feature is a nice bonus, giving you 1.5 hours of playback time from a 10-minute charge.

6. Connectivity and Controls

Bluetooth 5.3: Reliable and Fast

The Bluetooth 5.0 technology in the ASUS ROG Cetra ensures a stable and fast connection. Pairing the earbuds with devices is quick and hassle-free, and they maintain a strong connection over long distances (up to 10 meters).

Touch Controls: Intuitive, But Occasionally Finicky

The touch controls on the ROG Cetra True Wireless are responsive and easy to use. You can control playback, adjust volume, activate ANC/Ambient mode, and switch to low-latency gaming mode with simple taps and swipes. While the controls are generally intuitive, they can be a bit finicky at times, requiring precise touches to register correctly. This can lead to accidental touches or missed commands, which can be frustrating during intense gaming moments.

7. Microphone Quality 

For multiplayer gaming, communication is key, and ASUS has equipped the ROG Cetra True Wireless with dual microphones for crystal-clear voice chat. Your teammates will be able to clearly hear you thanks to the excellent job these beamforming microphones do at amplifying your voice while cutting down on background noise.

The microphone quality is sufficient not only for in-game communication but also for making calls. Though it works fine for gaming, it might not be as good as specialized external microphones for streaming or other professional uses.

8. ASUS Armoury Crate Software 

The ASUS Armoury Crate app provides additional customization options for the ROG Cetra True Wireless. Through the app, you can adjust EQ settings, customize touch controls, and toggle between ANC modes. While the app is user-friendly and offers decent control, it’s primarily available for mobile devices, which may limit customization for PC gamers.

Comparison to Competitors

How does the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless stack up against other gaming earbuds in the market? Let’s compare it to two popular alternatives:

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro

 

The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro is another well-regarded option in the gaming community. It features THX certification, offering excellent audio quality, especially for gaming and movies. However, its low-latency mode is slightly higher at 60ms, and its battery life doesn’t quite match the ASUS ROG Cetra. In terms of design, both have a gaming-centric aesthetic, but the ASUS edges out Razer in terms of ANC performance.

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Though not marketed specifically for gaming, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer excellent sound quality and industry-leading ANC. However, they lack a dedicated low-latency mode, which can result in noticeable audio delays during gaming sessions. While the AirPods Pro might appeal to Apple users, the ASUS ROG Cetra is a better choice for dedicated gamers due to its superior latency performance and gaming-focused features.

Are These the Ultimate Gaming Earbuds?

The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds are a strong contender for the title of the ultimate gaming earbuds, especially for mobile gamers who need portability, high-quality sound, and low latency. Their dedicated low-latency mode, Hybrid ANC, and immersive sound quality make them a standout option.

The Bottom Line

For gamers seeking an edge in sound quality and in-game communication, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless is a top choice, offering high-end performance in a compact, portable form factor. While it might not be the ultimate choice for everyone, particularly those looking for professional-grade microphones, it delivers where it counts most for gamers: low-latency, sound immersion, and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQs) 

1. Are the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds compatible with the PlayStation 5?

• • Yes, they are compatible with PlayStation 5, but for the best experience, they are ideal for mobile and PC gaming.

2. How effective is the ANC on the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless?

• • The Hybrid ANC is very effective in blocking out low-frequency noises, making it ideal for immersive gaming in noisy environments.

3. How is the low-latency mode activated?

• • You can switch to low-latency gaming mode via the touch controls or the Armoury Crate app, reducing audio delay to 45ms.

4. Can I use these earbuds for casual music listening?

• • Yes, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless offers excellent audio quality for music and movies, with deep bass and crisp highs.

5. Do the earbuds support voice assistants?

• • Yes, the ROG Cetra True Wireless supports voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri for hands-free control.