Asus ROG Cetra Open Review: The Most Comfortable Open-Ear Headphones I've Ever Used

Exploring the unique comfort and sound of Asus ROG Cetra Open open-ear headphones for gaming and everyday use.

Falling for Open-Ear Headphones All Over Again

Lately, I’ve found myself completely hooked on open-ear headphones. So when Asus ROG Cetra Open announced, my excitement hit the roof. If you haven’t encountered this style before, here’s the scoop: these headphones rest on your ear’s outer rim, and the speakers sit just a few millimeters away from your ear canal — no digging inside like traditional silicone earbuds.

Wearing them is an absolute joy. Plus, you stay fully aware of your surroundings, which is a huge safety win when you’re out and about. No fear of accidentally stepping in front of a speeding scooter or bike! The trade-off? You lose passive noise isolation, active noise cancellation, and generally those booming bass hits we often love.

An Unlikely Hero in the Gaming World

Open-ear headphones usually find their fans among runners and gym rats, so calling these gaming headphones might seem odd. But Asus seems to have found an intriguing niche here. The comfort level is off the charts, and personally, I love being able to hear my own voice during those intense Discord battles.

Yet, I must admit, the ROG Cetra Open left me somewhat disappointed. Perhaps it’s because this is Asus’s first foray into open-ear gaming headphones. First off, the price is astronomical. Dropping $230 on earbuds? That’s a steep hill to climb. For that cash, you could snag a top-tier full-sized gaming headset—or a trio of sleek non-gaming alternatives like the Huawei FreeClip. Sure, Asus sounds far better, and their mics outclass most, but in my book, the value just doesn’t match the price tag.

The Charging Case Debacle

The charging case deserves its own mention — and not a flattering one. It’s gigantic to the point of being painful to carry in your jeans pocket. If you need a backpack just to haul your earbuds’ case, the designers clearly took a wrong turn somewhere. Even worse, the case feels hollow and is crafted from cheap, tinny plastic, totally unacceptable for a product costing nearly $230.

All these factors make the ROG Cetra Open a tough sell — unless you snag them on a crazy sale or absolutely need open-ear headphones for gaming. I genuinely hope Asus’s next attempt gets more reasonable in price and thoughtful in design because the concept itself has loads of potential.

Pricing and Availability

While Asus ROG Cetra Open headphones aren’t officially launched here yet, you can find them on marketplaces and specialty gaming stores through parallel imports. The price is biting: expect to pay between $260 to $310, slotting them firmly in the premium niche for the most devoted ROG fans. Don’t expect any price drops soon—these are positioned as a top-tier product, with logistics adding a healthy surcharge.

Using the Headphones Locally

No issues connecting to your devices – these headphones link via Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz wireless adapter without any region lock. A huge plus is Asus ditching the cumbersome Armoury Crate software in favor of the browser-based Gear Link utility. You won’t need VPNs or deal with server blocks — just open your browser to tweak the equalizer and lighting effects. However, warranty service depends entirely on the seller, as Asus doesn’t have official service centers around here.

In comparison, Cetra Open costs quite a bit more than our current favorites like SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds priced around $160. Basically, you’re paying a premium just for the open-ear form factor.

For PlayStation fans, there’s stiff competition from Sony Inzone Buds at around $200 or the PlayStation Pulse Explore, which pairs perfectly with the PlayStation Portal hand-held console straight out of the box.

Even among other open-ear models, Asus appears pricey, costing several times more than Huawei FreeClip or Honor Earbuds Open, and only beaten in price by ultra-premium options like Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

Specs at a Glance

Design and Features: A Mixed Bag

Here’s where I have to be honest: I’m not a fan of the ROG Cetra Open aesthetics. For open-ear headphones, they look too bulky and angular. They lack the lightness and sleekness that competitors like Huawei and Honor boast. Frankly, they remind me more of some generic gadget from a bargain bin than a premium brand item.

The gaudy rainbow RGB lighting (enabled by default) and the cheap-feeling plastic don’t help either — not what you expect for a nearly $230 product.

The charging case matches this vibe: comically huge, barely shorter than the average smartphone, but about four times thicker. Stashing this beast in your pocket? Forget it. Yes, many open-ear headphones have bulky cases, but this one takes the cake. I don’t understand why Asus markets them for sports when any runner or gym rat would prefer a case that doesn’t weigh down their shorts to the knees.

One reason for the bulk is the built-in 2.4GHz dongle with a USB-C connector. It does have a cool feature: a pass-through USB-C port so you can charge your gamepad while playing. But the dongle’s odd L-shape frequently blocks neighboring ports on your laptop or console.

Browser-Based Controls: A Bright Spot

Instead of forcing users to install heavy software, Asus moved all controls to the browser-based Gear Link app. What a brilliant move! No more junk software clogging your system, and you can access settings from any PC or smartphone.

In the interface, you can tweak the equalizer (with presets for gaming, movies, and music), set RGB lighting, and switch on immersion mode. This mode is supposedly like active noise cancellation, but in practice, it’s ineffective — the headphones won’t block even mild background hum.

A big plus is multipoint connection: you can pair the headphones simultaneously with your PC for gaming and your phone to catch calls or podcasts.

Performance: Sound That Surprises

• Excellent sound with surprisingly strong bass
• Secure and comfy fit for all-day wear
• Microphones that hold their own

For an open-ear pair, these sound fantastic. The bass is rich and punchy, yet the overall sound stays crisp and detailed. They come well-tuned out of the box, but I recommend switching to the flat equalizer preset in Gear Link for a balanced experience.

Comfort? It’s next level. I wore them all day and my ears didn’t complain once. They fit like a glove — perfect for walking, running, or even shaking your head around. Plus, you get a nifty neck strap in the box, which is great insurance for anyone paranoid about losing an earbud during workouts.

Being able to hear your surroundings is super useful but a double-edged sword. At the office, you can chat with colleagues without taking the earbuds out, and on a run, you’ll always hear cars rolling up. But in games, it can be distracting; every creak and whisper in your home cuts into the immersion. The “immersion mode” tries to tackle this but falls short.

The microphones are solid for true wireless earbuds. They won’t give you studio-quality streams, but your teammates in Discord won’t complain about you sounding like you’re talking through a tin can.

Battery life is another win: around 16 hours on a single charge, and the huge case can refill them three more times.

The 2.4GHz adapter ensures low-latency connection to consoles, critical for shooters. The dongle’s weird L-shape remains awkward, often blocking adjacent USB ports, but the pass-through USB-C port on the dongle softens the blow.

My Month-Long Test Drive

I carried the Asus ROG Cetra Open everywhere for over a month — my go-to headphones for everything. Hours-long gaming sessions on PC and PS5 with friends on Discord, daily commutes jamming to music, and endless Zoom calls at work.

During testing, I constantly compared them with other top gaming earbuds, especially SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, and also with open-ear models I own like Honor Earbuds Open and Huawei FreeClip.

Considering Alternatives?

If you’re looking beyond the Asus ROG Cetra Open, here are two notable options worth a peek: one gaming-focused, one more versatile.

“The comfort level is off the charts, and personally, I love being able to hear my own voice during those intense Discord battles.”

— Personal experience from a dedicated fan

Wrapping It Up

The Asus ROG Cetra Open delivers a fascinating glimpse into the future of gaming headphones with its open-ear design and stellar comfort. However, hefty pricing, awkward case size, and some quirks keep it from being an easy recommendation — especially when other solid contenders offer more bang for your buck. If you crave the unique open-ear feel and can snag a deal, they might just be your perfect fit.

FAQ

• What makes open-ear headphones different from regular earbuds?
  They sit outside the ear canal, letting you hear ambient sounds while listening to audio, which enhances safety and awareness.
• Are Asus ROG Cetra Open headphones good for gaming?
  Yes, they provide clear sound and low-latency connection but sacrifice noise isolation, which can affect immersion.
• How long does the battery last on a single charge?
  Around 16 hours, with the case providing up to three additional full charges.
• Can I customize sound settings on these headphones?
  Absolutely! The Gear Link browser utility lets you adjust EQ presets, RGB lighting, and other features.
• Do these headphones support multiple device connections?
  Yes, they support multipoint connection so you can connect to a PC and phone simultaneously.

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