SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless Headset Review

SteelSeries has long been a leading brand when it comes to high-end gaming peripherals. Ever since I started at eTeknix many years ago, I quickly learnt that their gaming headsets we’re pretty fantastic. I’ve lost count of how many variants of the old Siberia headsets I reviewed, but they were all pretty great. Things have changed a lot since then, and SteelSeries has some of the best flagship models out there. Now they’re back again with their latest Arctis 9 Wireless headset, which comes with support for PC, and all of the latest PlayStation platforms, including PlayStation 5.

SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless

Make no mistake, this isn’t a particularly affordable headset. However, you do get a lot in return for your investment. The Arctis 9 series is the top of the range from SteelSeries, which is saying something as the Arctis 7’s are pretty fantastic. You get lossless 2.4 GHz wireless performance, but also built-in Bluetooth so you can pair your phone and take calls, listen to music and game all at the same time. Their latest microphone offers improved noise cancellation, and you get ChatMix to help you find the right balance. Of course, the big feature is the wireless tech, and you get a whopping 20+ hours battery, so even the most involving raids shouldn’t leave you reaching for a charger.

Features

• Lossless 2.4 GHz wireless for lag-free high fidelity gaming audio on PC and PlayStation
• Simultaneous Bluetooth for calls, music, and VoIP chat while gaming
• Discord-certified microphone provides noise cancellation and natural sounding clarity
• Signature Arctis sound with ChatMix control to hear every detail for an audio advantage
• 20+ hour battery life for nonstop wireless usage

For in-depth specifications, please visit the official SteelSeries Arctis 9 product page here.

Product Trailer

What SteelSeries Had to Say

“From the makers of the most award-winning headset line in gaming history, the Arctis 9 combines lossless low latency 2.4 GHz wireless with simultaneous Bluetooth audio for true wireless performance everywhere. Lossless 2.4 GHz wireless is designed specifically for High Fidelity lag-free gaming, and Bluetooth adds extra compatibility. With the noise-cancelling ClearCast bidirectional microphone, the stunningly detailed and award-winning Arctis sound, as well as an industry-leading 20+ hour battery life, the Arctis 9 is the Premier All-day all-night gaming headset for PC and PlayStation.” – SteelSeries

Packaging

The box design is really great here, with a very big and clear photo of the headset right on the front. It’s a bit of a red flag to me when the image is smaller or obscured. I love how it says best wireless gaming headset from PCGamer on the front. Seriously guys, get my quotes on there for the next print will ya.

All the main features are well detailed on the box too, such as the battery life, noise cancelling microphone, wireless connectivity, etc.

I like that the box is slim too, it feels like they’re wasting less materials than most other brands.

The inner box keeps the headset well protected.

The headset its self is resting snug in a plastic mould. With all the cables and connectors tucked into the middle recess.

You got this puck dongle thing, rather than a humble USB stick format. There’s also a USB charging cable.

What’s neat is that the dongle offers some additional I/O, which could come in handy for more complex audio setups and streaming.

Plus it acts as an extension so you can put the puck where you’ll get a good signal; every little helps.

A Closer Look

SteelSeries struck gold with their headsets designs a couple of years ago and well… they stuck with that design. There are a bunch of headsets in their range that looks nearly identical to this one. Fortunately, it’s such a good design I’m 100% glad they haven’t changed it, as I still think it’s one of the best looking headsets on the market today.

The ergonomics are excellent too. You can turn the drivers completely flat to wear it around your neck between games. However, that pivot also ensures a comfortable and balanced fit around your ears. There’s a small amount of tilt to them too, all thanks to that lovely single arm mount that’s contoured around the top of the ear cup.

You get all the main controls built into the headset too, so you’ll spend less time mucking about with software.

One of my favourites is the chat and game volume mix. Tired of listening to your teammates when you really want to listen to the dialogue in the game? Spin the wheel. It works both ways of course.

There’s a power button and a Bluetooth button here. Keep in mind, it’ll automatically pair with its own dongle, the Bluetooth button is purely for hooking up your phone. That way you can take calls on your phone and still enjoy your game too. There’s a USB port for charging the headset, and there’s a small audio jack for the microphone boom.

There’s another wheel too, this one is for master volume control. So again, you can both adjust the mix and the volume, ensuring you always hear what you want to hear. There’s also a microphone mute too, ensuring your teammates only hear what you want them to hear.

The headband is a dual steel layer construction, so it’s pretty darn strong, but also has a good spring and flex to it. The headband its self doesn’t move though, and you actually adjust the headset using the big elasticated Velcro strap.

It’s a really simple but very effective design too. It’s really comfortable for me and I think they’ve made it slightly bigger too. Their models from two years ago were a little tight on my head even on the maximum setting, but this one fits great! Either that or my head has shrunk.

They’ve kept the design really simple too, with a funky monochrome pattern and simple logos. No flashy RGB and chrome logos here.

Overall, it’s just a gorgeous looking headset. It has a good weight to it, but it feels balanced and very well constructed.

Performance

If there’s one good thing about this headset, it’s that the audio hardware is basically identical to the previous flagship models from SteelSeries. Actually, I feel I’m seeing double just looking at it, and hearing double just using it. This is the Arctis 7 headset from two years ago, but it’s just had a few minor tweaks made to it.

It may be a two-year-old design, but it was one of the best made and best looking then, and it still is today. They’ve changed the headband design a little, it’s a black and white pattern rather than black and grey. Plus, I’m sure it’s bigger too.

It’s those drivers that I love the most though, and I’m happy to report that SteelSeries hasn’t tinkered with the magic here. The sad news is that if you already have an Arctis, there’s pretty much no acoustic benefit in upgrading. However, the Arctis 9 Wireless does have dual wireless thanks to the Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz. These can be used simultaneously to use your mobile and PlayStation, or mobile and PC together. It’s great for listening to music, pairing with Discord, taking calls, and still keeping up with your gaming. Actually, it’s great for working from home too, as you can take calls and still hold a zoom call.

The headset offers up DTS: HeadphoneX on PC too, which is basically an object-based audio rival to Dolby Atmos for Headphones. The effect works incredibly well, and while I typically use Atmos myself, both setups sound really fantastic. Especially if you get a game that can really use spacial audio. I’ve found Star Wars Squadrons an absolute blast with this turned on. That being said, the drivers are pretty punchy in stereo or surround mode.

The headset is quite loud, and while the sound is tight and accurate, it also handles a heavy EQ. If you like to pile on some extra bass, it’s easily done. However, keep in mind that you need the desktop app to do this, and while you can save the features then use the headset on PlayStation, you can’t change the EQ via the PlayStation.

The noise cancelling microphone is excellent, nice and clear and great for those family Zoom calls or chatting on Discord. However, it also offers side tone monitoring should you need it.

How Much Does it Cost?

The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless Headset is available directly from SteelSeries for just £179.99. However, it’s on Amazon for just £163.54, so you do the math on that one. Either way, it’s not a cheap headset, but keep in mind the level of technology, features, wireless performance and more you’re investing in. All things considered, it’s very good value for money.

Overview

SteelSeries struck gold when they released their latest Arctis headsets. Amazingly, it’s a design and format that’s been with them for three years now, and each headset is basically a small variation on that design. The Arctis 7 (review) is basically the same headset, but the Arctis 9 adds the Bluetooth functionality, which in my opinion, makes this exceptionally better, as it has a lot of innovative uses for work and gaming. However, there’s also the Arctis Pro wireless (review), which is the same headset again, but with the addition of both optical input, and Hi-Res drivers, albeit that one is very expensive.

Build Quality

I really do think this is one of the best-made headsets on the market right now. The quality is exceptional, and it both looks and feels like a premium quality product. The headband and ear cup mounts are all metal, and what plastics there are, are giving a gorgeous looking matte finish, but also feel durable too.

Sound Quality

Following on from the build quality, the sound quality is excellent too. They’ve used premium components in all the right places, such as those lovely 50mm drivers, flawless wireless technology, a great quality microphone, and more. The memory foam is very soft and comfortable but also helps ensure a great fit, which in turn help improve the sound too.

Should I Buy One?

Right now, you’re spoilt for choice for great headsets on any system. However, at this price range, you’re getting very competitive wireless performance and battery life, support for PC, PlayStation 4 and the upcoming PlayStation 5, and some great dual wireless technology too. If you’re waiting for next-gen consoles before you upgrade, there’s really no need to wait anymore, the Arctis 9 is all you need!