The SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are good wired gaming headphones that have a very good audio reproduction. They have a great microphone for online gaming, and they are also compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software for a good amount of customization and control options. However, these headphones are a bit more plasticky than some other Arctis headsets in the lineup and feel less durable. They also have somewhat high wired latency. On the upside, they offer great value, and you get a channel mixing dial on their USB cable, which you need to access the app.
Our Verdict
Good for neutral listening. They have a deep and powerful bass, a good mid-range, and a well-balanced treble. However, the bass is prone to inconsistencies and is a bit boomy. The treble is slightly uneven too and also prone to inconsistencies, meaning that overall, these headphones will perform differently across different users. They’ll be more suited for bass-heavy music and should satisfy most gamers. You can also customize their sound profile to your liking in their app.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Mediocre for commuting. These headphones are not very portable and their fit doesn’t isolate against ambient noise very well. A lot of noise will seep into your audio. On the upside, if you watch video content during your commute, you won't have any latency thanks to their wired connection.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Mediocre for sports. While they are tight and fairly stable, these headphones are not designed for this use case. Their tightness blocks airflow and you will sweat more than usual when wearing these headphones. Also, you’ll have a wire in your way during your physical activities, which isn’t ideal.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Okay for the office. Unfortunately, they don’t isolate much ambient chatter, but on the upside, you won’t have to manage battery life. Also, they aren’t too leaky so you shouldn’t disturb your colleagues by listening to slightly higher volumes.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
These headphones are wired-only, and you can't use them wirelessly.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Great app support and many customization options.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Can be a bit tight for some listeners.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 14, 2022: Retested 'Connection' in our Wired test.
- Updated Oct 19, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 25, 2020: Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 are good gaming headphones that set themselves apart by the value they provide. The Arctis 5 have a great microphone, a nice app and good sound quality without being too expensive. Unfortunately, they feel a bit cheaper and more plasticky than similar gaming headphones. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets under $100, the best PS4 gaming headsets, and the best headphone brands.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition since they are compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software, which offers plenty of customization options and controls. The Arctis 3 are more versatile since they are Bluetooth-compatible, making them more outdoor-friendly. The Arctis 5 also have channel mixing, but they don’t have the excellent microphone of the Arctis 3.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition. The GameDAC offers plenty of control options that the Arctis 5 lacks. Their out-of-the-box sound quality is slightly more balanced.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha and the SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are both very good wired gaming headsets. The HyperX are more comfortable and feel more durable, but the SteelSeries have a companion program that allows you to customize the way they sound, making them a bit more versatile.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2. The SteelSeries are better-built, have a significantly better overall mic performance, and more robust controls, including channel mixing. However, the Razer come with a soft pouch to help protect them from light scratches and dust.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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