The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless are feature-packed wireless gaming headphones. Like many other SteelSeries headsets, they have a stretchy ski-band headband design that helps distribute their weight. They offer Bluetooth compatibility, a high-quality boom microphone, and companion software with a broad range of configuration options. These headphones are for PC and PlayStation. If you're an Xbox gamer, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are essentially the same headphones for that console.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 aren't designed for neutral sound out of the box. Their default sound lacks low-bass, so mixes are missing some thump and rumble. They have some extra high-bass that helps emphasize sound effects like footsteps and explosions in games. Thankfully, their mid-range is well-balanced, so vocals, dialogue, and lead instruments sound clear and present. Their companion software also features a graphic EQ and audio presets to customize your listening experience. However, they deliver audio inconsistently, so you have to adjust them to get the same sound every time you use them.
- Feature-packed companion app with graphic EQ.
- Impressive build quality.
- Inconsistent audio delivery.
- Closed-off passive soundstage.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 are alright for commuting and traveling. Since they're Bluetooth-compatible, they don't need their wireless transmitter to function, so you can listen to your music on your phone during your daily commute. They have 20-hour continuous battery life for longer journeys. Unfortunately, they have a bulky design and don't block out much background noise, so it might be hard to hear your audio over the sound of rumbling engines and passenger chit-chat.
- Good battery life.
- Impressive build quality.
- Compatible with Bluetooth.
- Poor noise isolation capability.
- Bulky, heavy design.
- Tight fit won't suit all listeners.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 aren't designed for sports and fitness. They have a tight fit that gives them better stability than many gaming headsets, but they can still slip out of place if you move around a lot. They're also quite heavy and aren't rated for dust or water resistance, like most over-ear headphones.
- Good battery life.
- Impressive build quality.
- Bulky, heavy design.
- Tight fit won't suit all listeners.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 are adequate for office use. They're comfortable enough to wear for long periods and supply more than 20 hours of playback, so they can last you through the whole workday without a problem. However, they don't filter out that much background noise, so you'll hear the chatter of coworkers.
- Good battery life.
- Compatible with Bluetooth.
- Poor noise isolation capability.
- Tight fit won't suit all listeners.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 are a good choice for wireless gaming. Their USB transmitter allows for low-latency audio while their simple control scheme lets you quickly adjust chat mixing on the fly. They have a companion app with a wide range of features to let you fine-tune your gaming experience as well as a high-quality boom microphone that ensures teammates hear you clearly.
- Feature-packed companion app with graphic EQ.
- Great microphone recording quality and noise handling performance.
- Low wireless latency with USB dongle.
- Inconsistent audio delivery.
- Tight fit won't suit all listeners.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 don't come with an audio cable but are partially compatible with wired connections since they have a 3.5 mm audio port. If you have a 1/8" TRS or TRRS cable, you can receive audio from PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X systems, but you can't use their mic.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 are decent for phone calls. Their boom microphone does a great job of making your voice sound full-bodied, clear, and mostly free of background noise. They don't isolate you from much background noise, so it'll be hard to follow a conversation if you call from a loud environment.
- Great microphone recording quality and noise handling performance.
- Poor noise isolation capability.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 18, 2024: We've made minor edits to the text to keep it current.
- Updated Nov 01, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Sep 22, 2021: We've retested 'Multi-Device Pairing'.
- Updated Mar 25, 2021: We've tested 'Breathability' as well as PS5 and Xbox Series X compatibility. We have also updated the Wired 'Analog Audio' results for clarity and added more information to 'Sound Profile' regarding driver mismatch.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless come in only one color scheme: 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across a differently-equipped variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 are premium wireless gaming headphones that are essentially the PC/PS4 version of the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless. They offer impressive build quality, a 20-hour battery life, and Bluetooth compatibility, so you can stream music from your phone while gaming. Unfortunately, they do a poor job of blocking out background noise and are quite bulky.
For alternatives, look at our list of recommendations for the best wireless gaming headsets, the best PS4 gaming headsets, and the best gaming headsets.
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.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless and their variants are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Nova 7 and its variants have a longer continuous battery life. They also come with an analog cable if you want to use them wired, and they have full compatibility with PCs and consoles via this connection. The Arctis 9 are better built.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless are slightly more versatile for day-to-day use than the Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset. The SteelSeries are Bluetooth-compatible, offer on-the-fly channel mixing, and block out a little more background noise. However, the Logitech have more features in their companion software, last longer off of a single charge, and have a better-balanced default sound profile.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless perform similarly overall but suit different audiences. The 9X are Xbox One-compatible and use essentially the same connection as Xbox One controllers to seamlessly connect to Xbox One consoles and PCs that have Xbox One Wireless Technology without the need for a dongle. The 9 use a USB dongle allowing them to wirelessly connect to PC, PS4, and PS5 systems but not Xbox One consoles.
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.
Test Results
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