SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Mar 16, 2022 at 10:58am
Writing modified Jan 19, 2024 at 09:41am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 4

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless are the updated sibling of the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless. While they have a similar design to other headphones in this lineup, their chat mix wheel sets them apart, allowing you to adjust the amount of music and chat audio you hear. They also support Sonar, a software integrated into SteelSeries GG software that offers more robust features, including a parametric EQ and a 7.1 Virtual Surround feature for a more immersive audio experience. Overall, they have long-lasting continuous battery life and decent mic performance. They also have low non-Bluetooth wireless latency thanks to their USB-C dongle, and their fit is comfortable enough for long gaming sessions.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are decent for neutral sound. Out of the box, they have a very boomy sound that muddies vocals and lead instruments. They also have inconsistent audio delivery, and if you have thick hair or wear glasses, you may especially notice a drop in bass. That said, you can tweak their sound to your liking using their companion app's graphic and parametric EQs as well as EQ presets.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
Cons
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are passable for commute and travel. They're not designed for this purpose as they're bulky, and you need to use their USB dongle if you want to use them wirelessly. They also don't block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines and don't come with a case to help protect them when you're on the go. However, they have long-lasting continuous battery life and are well-built.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
  • Over 60 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency.
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are mediocre for sports and fitness. They're not designed for this purpose as they're bulky and only support wireless via their USB dongle. They can also fall off your head with moderate head movements. Luckily, their wireless design helps eliminate the chances of something snagging the headphones and pulling them off of your head.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
Cons
  • Can fall off your head with moderate head movements.
0.0
Office 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are satisfactory for office use. They have a comfortable and well-built fit suitable for long days at the office. They also have a long-lasting continuous battery life, so you don't have to worry about charging them back up during your workday. That said, they struggle to block out office chatter, and they leak audio at high volumes, which can bother others around you.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
  • Over 60 hours of continuous playback time.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Leak some audio at high volumes.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are good for wireless gaming. They have a highly customizable performance, thanks to their companion software, which includes a graphic as well as parametric EQ, noise gate, and virtual surround. Their USB dongle also ensures low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming. They have a comfortable fit, and their battery delivers over 60 hours of continuous playback time. If you like to game with others, their boom mic has a decent overall performance, ensuring you're heard clearly, even in a moderately noisy environment.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
  • Decent overall microphone performance.
  • Robust sound customization features.
Cons
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency.
0.0
Wired Gaming 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are very good for wired gaming. These headphones can be used with their mini B 8-Pin to 1/8" TRRS cable with full mic and audio compatibility. Their mic has a decent overall performance, ensuring that teammates hear you clearly, even if you're talking in a moderately noisy environment. These headphones have a comfortable fit for long gaming sessions, and their companion software offers a lot of customization features to help you adjust their performance to your liking.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
  • Decent overall microphone performance.
  • Robust sound customization features.
Cons
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency.
0.0
Phone Calls 

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are alright for phone calls. Their retractable boom mic does a good job of capturing your voice, even in moderately noisy environments. You'll be heard clearly if you're taking a call from a busy street. However, the headphones have a poor noise isolation performance, and they struggle to block out background noise, so if you're taking a call, do so from a quieter environment to ensure that you hear your conversation well.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable design.
  • Decent overall microphone performance.
Cons
  • Disappointing frequency response consistency.
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jan 19, 2024: Sonar software is no longer in beta mode, so we've removed mention of this across the review. You can find more information about this software in App Support.
    2.  Updated Jul 27, 2023: We've received user reports of bugs when using companion software and have updated App Support. We have also updated Non-Bluetooth Wireless after user reports of bugs while using the dongle.
    3.  Updated Mar 16, 2022: Review published.
    4.  Updated Mar 09, 2022: Early access published.

    Check Price

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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ come in two color variations: 'Black' and 'White'. We tested the 'Black' variant; you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ are wireless gaming headphones with low latency and robust customization features, thanks to their companion software, SteelSeries GG and Sonar. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless, they also have a dedicated channel mixing wheel instead of sidetone, which is handy if you like to chat with others while you game. However, you can't use them wirelessly on Xbox consoles, so if you have this console, it's worth checking out the Xbox-oriented SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless instead.

    Check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best wireless gaming headsets, and the best headsets for PS5.

    SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

    Track

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless and their variants are better overall gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless. While they're both comfortable closed-back headsets with non-detachable boom mics, the Arctis Nova 7 have a better mic performance and feature Bluetooth compatibility. However, the Arctis 7+ have a better build quality. Helpfully, the sound profiles of both headphones can be customized via their companion app to your liking. 

    SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless

    Track

    Depending on your preferences, you may want to check out either the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless. The Arctis 7+ are more customizable headphones as they're compatible with Sonar, which is a software integrated inside SteelSeries GG companion software, offering even more features. It offers a parametric EQ and presets as well as adjustable levels for microphone and chat control. These headphones are also compatible with PlayStation 5's Tempest 3D AudioTech, which can help create a more immersive audio experience. However, the Arctis 9 support Bluetooth, which is good if you want to stay connected to your console and smartphone at the same time. They have slightly less non-Bluetooth wireless latency and better microphone performance.

    SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

    Track

    The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are slightly better gaming headphones than SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Arctis Pro come with a wireless dock that offers several connectivity options, as well as features like channel mixing and EQ presets that you can adjust on the fly. They support Bluetooth, and their boom mic offers better overall performance. However, the Arctis 7+ offer a lot more customization features as they're compatible with Sonar, which offers a parametric EQ among other robust customization features.

    SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless

    Track

    The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless have a slight edge over the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Arctis 7+ have a better battery performance, more robust sound customization features in their companion software, and have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency. However, the Arctis 7 2019 have a better overall boom mic performance.

    Show more 
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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes

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    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedN/A
    Android Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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