The Creative Outlier Pro Buds are nearly perfect wireless gaming earbuds for me: cheaper, lighter, longer lasting, and more powerful ANC than the JBL Quantums (open in new tab). Even as I write this, I doubt myself for choosing JBL. But the Outlier Pro's objectively positive features are only one piece of the wireless bud puzzle.

I would have been more impressed if I only used it for short periods of time, playing a little game on Steam Deck (open in new tab) or listening to music at work. However, longer periods of consistent use highlighted a friction point.

And it was the basic usability that really got to me. With headphones and earbuds, touch controls are not something I like very much. I don't mind the aesthetics of protruding physical buttons because I can feel them with my fingers and know exactly where the controls are. But touch controls on an invisible device plugged into the ear can be a bit of a lottery.

Sadly, few buds today have physical buttons, but some have successfully implemented touch interfaces. However, the Creative Outlier Pro (open in new tab) Bud does not.

First, the outward-facing flat surface of the bud has very specific areas to tap, and it's not always super easy to nail it when you can't see it. Playback and pause require a double tap, which is crazy because it's the most commonly used control.

Single tap. Only one input.

And then there's the volume control, which is split up and down with left and right buds. Frankly, using both hands to adjust the volume is a hassle, so you're better off pulling your phone out of your pocket or pressing the Steam Deck's physical buttons instead.

Finally, and I think this says more about me than the Outlier Pro buds, I constantly found myself trying to put the wrong buds in the charging case holes.

These were ergonomic complaints that made daily use of the Creative earbuds a struggle. However, while these are certainly annoying, they are issues that you will come to understand in a relatively short period of time as you actually use them. You will learn, as I did, to not mind adjusting the volume, to play the game of trying to insert the relevant buds into the correct slots on the case, and to deal with the frustration of double-tapping.

The actual audio, the actual experience of listening and gaming through the Outlier Pro earphones, is enough to completely offset these ergonomic issues.

The 10mm drivers are powerful and provide excellent, detailed sound. Also, the active noise cancellation is better than any headset I have experienced. The bass is also powerful enough to be there without bumping into the mids and highs and muddying the overall sound.

Standard, flat EQ makes the game soundscape and music experience clear yet punchy.

Battery life is also excellent, with twice the ANC-on time of the JBL Quantum TWS, and the charging case provides several days of use. The case stands out in the package, although there may be some issues with getting the buds in the right orientation. The slightly squashed metal cylinder fits nicely in the hand and is not too big to slip into a pocket or into a Steam Deck carry case.

As far as gaming is concerned, the only technical issue with the Outlier Pro is that we could not find a way to enable Bluetooth low-latency mode for gaming when connected to a Steam Deck or gaming laptop. On my phone, with the companion app, I can easily toggle it in the settings screen, but it doesn't seem to be available otherwise.

However, if I enabled low latency mode the last time I used it via the app, it will stay on when connected directly to my laptop or Steam Deck. Perhaps the JBL Quantum TWS Type-C dongle might have tighter latency, but not so much that you have to listen to them side-by-side to hear it.

Gunshots and other game audio link up well enough that I don't mind the wired connection or the fact that I don't have a dedicated app that I have to cheat with Deck's Linux-based OS.

All of this makes the Creative Outlier Pro Buds a great set for gaming, but with an ergonomic caveat. I love them when I don't have to actually manipulate them. When I can ignore them and focus on music or gaming, they are great sounding buds. When I actually have to do something, they get annoying.