8 Best SteelSeries Headsets for 2023: Reviews

Welcome to our guide on the Best SteelSeries Headsets of 2023! If you’re in the market for a new headset that is both affordable and high-quality, with top-notch performance, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the internet and compiled a list of the best SteelSeries headsets currently available, based on our own research, customer reviews, and expert opinions. Whether you’re a gamer, streamer, or just looking for a great headset for everyday use, we’ve got you covered. From quality and features to value and performance, we’ve considered it all when narrowing down the best choices possible. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Best SteelSeries Headsets in 2023

So, here are the Best SteelSeries Headsets of 2023. If you want more information and updated pricing on the products mentioned, be sure to check the links in each product we mentioned.

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1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox

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The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a top-of-the-line headset that offers a seamless gaming experience. The wireless transmitter, available in Xbox and PlayStation variants, provides low latency and easy access to controls like EQs, volume, and chat mix. The headset also comes with two swappable battery packs, each with a 25-hour continuous playback time, and the option to use them wired when not in use.

Out of the box, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless boasts a neutral sound profile with a bit of extra boom for emphasis on sound effects in gameplay. However, the companion software allows for fine-tuning and customization with a parametric EQ. The headset also supports Bluetooth, making it easy to stay connected to both your console and smartphone at the same time. The boom mic ensures clear communication during gameplay, and the ANC system helps to reduce ambient chatter.

If you prefer a wired design, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a great alternative. It comes with a GameDAC, which allows for precise sound customization and control. The Arctis Nova Pro also offers the same high-quality audio and communication performance as the wireless version.

2. SteelSeries Arctis 3 Headset

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The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is a versatile and high-performing gaming headset. It is an all-platform headset that works with PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch consoles via detachable 3.5mm cables. The Arctis 3 is designed with communication in mind, featuring a discord certified clear cast microphone with background noise cancellation for clear communication. The microphone is also adjustable, with a sensitivity level of 48 dB.

The Arctis 3’s audio quality is top-notch, thanks to the S1 speaker drivers that deliver crisp highs, detailed midranges, and solid bass performance. The ultra-low distortion audio ensures that you can push these headsets to maximum volume without hearing any distortion. Additionally, the headsets are fully compatible with native surround sound built into Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One consoles, delivering a full-range listening experience with good soundstage.

The soundstage and separation on the Arctis 3 are very detailed, allowing you to hear in-game cinematics and sound effects with added accuracy. The headset has a wide frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a 98 dB sensitivity, and 32 ohms of impedance. The Arctis 3 is also designed for comfort, featuring fabric air weave ear cushions that keep your ears cool and dry and a ski-goggle suspension headband that distributes the weight of the headset evenly, making them comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Arctis 3 also offers the ability to mix chat audio with regular audio using the physical dial on the headset, allowing you to hear both background music and chat at the same time, making the gaming experience much more enjoyable.

3. SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

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The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are a versatile and high-performing pair of headphones in the upper mid-range. These over-ears are specifically designed for the Xbox but are also compatible with PCs and PlayStations, making them ideal for gaming on multiple platforms. The headphones support Xbox Wireless technology for full audio and microphone compatibility, which also includes low latency to prevent syncing issues between audio and visuals. The retractable boom microphone has impressive recording quality, and your voice is transmitted clearly and accurately to your teammates on the other end of the line, even in noisy environments.

Out-of-the-box, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless have a neutral sound profile, but they lack some low-bass. The audio delivery may be inconsistent, and the bass and treble delivery may vary depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head, especially if you wear glasses or have curly hair. However, the included companion software offers a graphic EQ and presets, which can help you customize the sound to your liking. The headphones also boast an impressive battery life, lasting for 28 hours on a single charge.

Unfortunately, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless headphones do not have active noise cancellation (ANC) and offer poor noise isolation, which may be distracting in lively settings. If you’re looking for a pair of gaming headphones with ANC, you may want to consider a higher priced option like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox.

4. SteelSeries Arctis 5 Headset

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The SteelSeries Arctis 5 is a high-performing gaming headset designed for immersive surround sound. The headphones are equipped with premium arctic speaker drivers that produce ultra-low distortion at high volumes and are paired with DTS headphones v2.0 surround sound for a cinematic movie-like listening experience. They feature a USB chat mix dial that allows you to balance in-game audio with chat volume on the fly, and can be connected through USB to a PC, Mac, or PS4, and also to Xbox One via a 3.5mm adapter.

The sound performance of the Arctis 5 is exceptional. They have a wide and spacious sound signature that emphasizes subtle and critical sounds, allowing you to hear everything while gaming. You’ll be able to hear in-game sound effects that you might not have noticed before, such as the sound of the wind or nearby trees. In-game music also sounds great, with crystal clear highs, mids, and decent bass.

Like all SteelSeries headsets, the Arctis 5 is designed for comfort. The headset features a woven ski goggle fabric that contours across the entire head, distributing the weight evenly, and AirWeave ear-cushions that keep ears cool and dry, allowing for long periods of gaming without any ear fatigue. Additionally, the headset comes with a steel-reinforced headband, adding to its overall durability.

5. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

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The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a budget-friendly gaming headset that offers solid performance. While most headphones tend to compromise on build quality at this price point, the Nova 1 retains a similarly well-built design as its mid-range counterpart, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3. However, it is light on extra features and does not come with companion software, customizable RGB lighting, or wireless connectivity.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 headphones have a warm sound profile, similar to the Nova 3. However, they don’t have any EQs or customization features, so you can’t adjust their sound. Despite this, the ski-band headband design ensures a comfortable fit, but they’re prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it’s important to take the time to adjust them on your head each time you use them. The boom mic offers good overall performance, ensuring your voice is transmitted clearly and intelligibly.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a great choice for those looking for budget-friendly headphones that offer solid performance. They are wired headphones, but with a comfortable fit and good overall mic performance, making them a great option for gaming and communication. However, if you’re looking for more customization options and wireless connectivity, you may want to consider a higher priced option like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3.

6. SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Headset

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The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is a top-of-the-line gaming headset that delivers lossless wireless sound performance. It is designed for gaming with high-end sound performance, featuring ultra-low latency and zero lag. The headset uses 2.4G low-latency audio and has a battery life of 24 hours, ensuring fast and consistent sound performance. The built-in discord certified clear cast microphone delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation for a clean listening experience.

The Arctis 7 delivers signature Arctis sound with crisp highs, detailed midranges, and good bass response. It also features DTS:X audio surround sound for immersive in-game audio performance. The headset is compatible with SteelSeries Engine 3, has a chat mix microphone and can connect to PS4 and Nintendo Switch consoles via USB in docked mode, or with a 3.5mm cable in tablet mode. The DTS:X surround sound (PC) makes a significant difference when plugged into a PC via USB, providing a 3D orientation of in-game sound effects, allowing you to hear things based on their direction.

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is designed for comfort and features ear-cups that give your ears plenty of room to breathe. The headband contours around your head, evenly distributing the headset weight, allowing for a comfortable listening experience. The built-in battery delivers up to 24 hours of playtime on a single charge, making it a great option for extended gaming sessions. The headset is comfortable to wear, and the ear-cups provide a good room for your ears. Additionally, the steel reinforced headband adds to the overall durability.

7. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset

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The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a high-end gaming headset designed for PC gaming and offers excellent sound quality with DTS:X surround sound and high-fidelity listening. The headset is equipped with hi-resolution drivers and high-density neodymium magnets that reproduce a full expansive frequency range from 10 Hz to 40 kHz, providing realistic and lifelike sound. The DTS:X v2.0 surround sound provides optimal spatial imaging for a 360-degree sound immersion, allowing for accurate positional cues and making it easy to hear where opponents are in FPS games.

The Arctis Pro also comes with a USB chat mix dial that allows you to balance and adjust the volume between your game and chat audio, making it easy to drown out background noise. The arctic clear cast microphone delivers studio-quality voice clarity with adequate sound cancellation. The headset also features prism RGB illumination with a spectrum of 16.8 million colors and reactive lighting effects, and EQ and microphone side-tone settings that can be customized through the SteelSeries software.

The Arctis Pro is comfortable to wear, with a soft and lightweight headband that does not exert much clamping force while listening to music. The ear cups are well padded and provide a good seal around the ears, which helps to block out external noise. Additionally, the headset comes with silicone side grips for increased grip and durability, making it a great choice for extended gaming sessions.

8. SteelSeries Arctis Pro with DAC Headset

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The SteelSeries Arctis Pro with DAC and amp combo is a powerful option for audiophiles and PS4 gamers. The Arctis Pro is a top-of-the-line gaming headset that, when paired with the SteelSeries GameDAC, delivers incredibly rich and pristine sound performance. This combo transforms a PS4 or PC into a gaming powerhouse with immersive sound.

The Arctis Pro features Hi-resolution audio with DTS surround sound for a wide and spacious soundstage with accurate positional cues. The ESS Sabre DAC and amp provide high-fidelity sound reproduction, allowing you to hear every single detail in the game and subtle noises from opponents. Despite being closed-back headphones, they still sound spacious.

The Arctis Pro also comes with a Arctis ClearCast bidirectional microphone that delivers studio-level sound with clarity and background noise cancellation. It also features an OLED menu and on-ear ChatMix dial for controlling the balance of gaming music and voice chat. The headset is made with premium materials, including polished steel and aluminium alloy, and has a breathable fabric headset cup for comfort during extended use.

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Best SteelSeries Headsets Buying Guide

When looking to buy a SteelSeries headset, there are a few key factors to consider in order to find the best option for your gaming needs.

1. Compatibility: Make sure the headset is compatible with your gaming platform. Some headsets are specifically designed for Xbox or PlayStation, while others are multi-platform compatible.
2. Wireless or Wired: Consider whether you prefer a wireless or wired connection. Wireless headsets offer more freedom of movement, but wired headsets may offer a more stable connection and better sound quality.
3. Sound Quality: SteelSeries headsets are known for their high-quality sound, but consider whether you prefer a neutral sound profile or a bass-heavy sound. Also, look for features like DTS surround sound and Hi-Res audio for an immersive gaming experience.
4. Microphone Quality: Clear communication with teammates is crucial in gaming. Look for features like a discord-certified microphone and background noise cancellation for clear voice transmission.
5. Comfort: Consider the design and materials of the headset. SteelSeries headsets are known for their comfortable fit, but look for features like breathable ear cushions and a lightweight design for extended gaming sessions.
6. Additional features: Some SteelSeries headsets offer additional features like customizable RGB lighting and companion software for EQ and sound customization. Decide which features are important to you and which ones you can do without.
7. Price: SteelSeries headsets come in a range of prices. Decide on your budget and look for a headset that offers the best value for your money.

By considering these factors, you can find the best SteelSeries headset for your gaming needs and elevate your gaming experience.

Best SteelSeries Headsets FAQ

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Best SteelSeries Headsets Conclusion

In conclusion, SteelSeries offers a wide range of headsets to suit different gaming needs and preferences. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a great option for wireless gaming on Xbox, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless is a solid choice for Xbox gaming, and the SteelSeries Arctis 7 offers lossless wireless sound performance, DTS:X surround sound, and a clearcast microphone. For PC gaming and high-fidelity listening, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro with DAC and amp combo is a top choice. And for budget-friendly options, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a great option. No matter your budget or gaming setup, there is a SteelSeries headset that can meet your needs and improve your gaming experience.