The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova represent the next evolution in wireless earbuds by combining Bluetooth connectivity with the low-latency 2.4GHz connectivity found on wireless gaming headsets. This flexibility mixes the convenience and size of true wireless designs with a few gamer-centric luxuries such as RGB lighting, software support on PCs and phones, and PlayStation and Switch console compatibility. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) also allows you to play anywhere and block out distractions, and there's a lot of overlapping sound customization for tinkering.
Our Verdict
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are very good for sports and fitness. Despite their lack of stability fins or over-ear hooks, these buds are very stable and can handle a run. Their ANC helps you focus on your reps at the gym, while ambient mode keeps you safe if you're exercising outdoors. The buds have an IPX4 rating against light water splashes, so you don't need to baby them. That said, they don't fit small ears well and can cause slight discomfort. You're also stuck with the controls as they are by default, and you have to tap the buds four times to change the volume, which most people will find excessive and distracting.
- Great noise cancelling.
- Stable fit.
- IPX4 rating.
- The earbuds put pressure on small ears.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are good for commuting and traveling. Their battery life can power through most flights without a recharge. Meanwhile, their ANC does a great job of handling environmental noises, plus you can adjust it. The onboard controls are responsive, though it's a bit disappointing that you can't remap the commands to your preferences. The earbuds are well-built, don't leak much of your audio, and if you don't have small ears, they're decently comfortable.
- Long battery life.
- Great noise cancelling.
- Stable fit.
- The earbuds put pressure on small ears.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are decent headphones for office use. They're not super comfortable to wear if you have small ears. However, if they fit you, they have very good noise isolation and ANC to block out office racket well. Their connectivity is handy for switching between a phone and a PC using the multi-device pairing with the included wireless USB dongle. Plus, their battery life can last through your workday.
- Long battery life.
- Great noise cancelling.
- The earbuds put pressure on small ears.
- Mic noise handling is fair.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are fair for wireless gaming. With the wireless 2.4GHz USB dongle, they deliver low-latency audio and a stable connection. The dongle works on PCs, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Android/iOS phones with a USB-C port. However, their latency is too high when used in Bluetooth mode for gaming. In their app, you can access effects like compression and EQ to help you hear your teammate better. That said, the default tuning is very bassy and trebly, resulting in an obscured mid-range.
- Long battery life.
- USB dongle provides low latency connection.
- Mic noise handling is fair.
Uneven peaks and dips.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova can't be used for wired gaming because they only connect wirelessly over Bluetooth or with their USB dongle.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova have disappointing audio reproduction accuracy. While their performance in both stereo matching and harmonic distortion indicate clean audio reproduction with accurate stereo positioning, the buds' Achilles' heel is their peaks and dips performance. Their frequency response reveals chaotic fluctuations in the mid and treble range that unpredictably (de)emphasize elements of cutscene dialogue and instrumental soundtracks. It's worth noting that this only applies to their dongle connection, and their Bluetooth frequency response smooths out many of these issues. Sadly, relying on this alternate connection comes with a higher latency.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova have great noise isolation performance. The buds provide solid noise attenuation across the board thanks to their onboard active noise cancelling, so you can focus on your playthrough, insulated from distractions like background chatter or PC fan noise. You also won't disturb anyone around you, as the buds leak very little audio.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova have an okay microphone system. Their recording quality sounds better than the score reports, thanks to improved capture from their bone-conduction microphones and omnidirectional tuning, which our rig can't replicate. That said, they're not the greatest at rejecting noise. Your voice will remain intelligible in mildly noisy conditions like a cafe, but it'll be drowned out altogether near a construction site.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova have excellent frequency response consistency. Our frequency response measurements will likely reflect your listening experience with the earbuds, though you may notice variations in the treble due to your own physical characteristics.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Jan 30, 2026:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. We've added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the Sound tests.
- Updated Dec 23, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.0, which updates our sound tests and adds performance usages. You can read more about this in our changelog.
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Updated May 14, 2025:
The Sound Profile box has been updated to mention the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds.
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Updated Apr 08, 2025:
We've retested the multi-device pairing functionality in Bluetooth Connection.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
These headphones come in 'Moonlight White' or 'Black,' and we expect them to perform the same. Our unit is the 'Moonlight White' model, and you can see their label. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova fall under the niche of truly wireless gaming earbuds (with ANC). While there aren't many rivals in this arena, the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless are a notably similar competitor with a much more balanced sound profile out of the box and lower Bluetooth latency. They're older, too, so you may find them for a lower cost. That said, the ASUS boast even lower latency using the wireless dongle and have a significantly better battery life, and their ANC is a bit better, too.
ASUS also makes a standard Bluetooth set of buds, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless, which sell for considerably less than the SpeedNova variant. They retain features like ANC and RGB lighting but lack the wireless dongle and Dirac Digital Signal Processor (DSP), despite using the same app.
Check out the best earbuds for gaming for other buds in this niche and the best wireless gaming headsets for more conventional gaming options. If you're looking for Bluetooth-only audio, head to the best noise cancelling earbuds.
The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are both multi-use earbuds for wireless gaming with USB dongles at low latency and Bluetooth connectivity. If your priorities are the best noise isolation between the two models, a slightly better mic noise handling performance out of the box, or you prefer very excited bassy tuning, the ASUS are the ones to pick. On the other hand, the SteelSeries are well-rounded with a more comfortable fit, better controls, nicer build quality, a balanced sound profile, and a deep app. That said, the ANC is a bit weaker, and the mic needs finessing in the app settings to possibly improve the disappointing noise handling by default.
If you primarily want Bluetooth earbuds with a wireless dongle, the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are better for most people. The Sony INZONE Buds Truly Wireless are hampered by their limited Bluetooth connectivity, only supporting LE Audio via the LC3 codec, which not every device can use. However, you can use their USB-C dongle for a low-latency connection. The ASUS support a greater variety of devices with a wider net of standard Bluetooth codecs and a wireless dongle. The Sony are more geared towards PC and console gaming with dedicated support, a graphic EQ, and a more advanced virtual surround sound. Their sound profile is more balanced, too. The ASUS have slightly more effective noise isolation in common scenarios, but their battery life isn't as long as the Sony.
The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless are very competent earbuds with Bluetooth and wireless USB dongle connectivity. Their Bluetooth latency is lower than the ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova over Bluetooth, but their dongle's latency is slightly higher. Both have useful apps, though the ASUS have a couple more options. The ASUS also have about twice the battery life and a bit better noise isolation. That said, the Razer have a smoother sound by default, while the ASUS are much more bassy and excited. You can EQ both earbuds to taste.
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are better for most people than the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Truly Wireless. The ASUS' battery life reaches between eight and 10 hours (wireless dongle or Bluetooth) with ANC and RGB lights on, compared to just over three hours of continuous battery life on the EPOS. That said, the ASUS have a high latency over Bluetooth, which makes them difficult to game with (depending on your codec and device) unless you switch to their wireless USB dongle, while the EPOS can be used over Bluetooth for games thanks to the aptX-LL codec. Also, they both sound very different, with the EPOS sound being warmer versus the very excited V-shaped sound of the ASUS, but you can EQ them both, too.
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Test Results
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