The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are wireless gaming headphones that are compatible with Xbox One consoles. These comfortable over-ears have a neutral sound profile and a long 28-hour continuous battery life. However, their audio delivery isn't very consistent across different users. However, the SteelSeries Engine companion software offers lots of gaming-oriented customization features, which is convenient. Unfortunately, some users have reported that their unit disconnects from their console when using Xbox Wireless. They have also reported that their audio sounds clicky, muffled, or stutters. You can read more about these issues in our Sound Profile and Wireless Connection (Dongle) tests. There have been user reports of their units' hinges breaking over a short amount of time, and you can read more in our Build Quality section.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have a neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for lots of types of audio content, though they're lacking a bit of low-bass. You can even customize their sound using a graphic EQ and presets. However, their audio delivery isn't very consistent across different users.
- Comfortable design.
- Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are fair for commute and travel. They can be comfortably worn for long periods of time without a lot of fatigue, and their 28-hour continuous battery life can get you through long international flights. Unfortunately, their bulky design isn't very portable, and they don't really block out the sound of bus or plane engines.
- Comfortable design.
- 28-hour continuous battery life.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- Poor noise isolation.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are decent for sports and fitness. These headphones are comfortable and stable, but they aren't intended for use in a sports setting due to their bulky design that doesn't let your ears breathe.
- Comfortable design.
- May fit tightly on some users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are adequate for office use. These comfortable headphones have a long 28-hour continuous battery life that can easily get you through your day. They don't leak a lot of noise, either. However, they struggle to isolate against background noise typically found in an office, like chatter from nearby coworkers.
- Comfortable design.
- 28-hour continuous battery life.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- Poor noise isolation.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are good for wireless gaming. They're comfortable enough to wear for long gaming sessions and are wirelessly compatible with Xbox consoles, thanks to Xbox Wireless Technology. Their boom microphone lets you easily communicate with your teammates, and the SteelSeries Engine software offers many gaming-oriented customization options. However, their wireless connection has a bit of latency, which can make all the difference during competitive gaming. Some users also have experienced their units disconnecting on their own. They have noted that the audio stutters, sounds muffled, or there's a clicky sound present.
- Great-performing boom microphone.
- Comfortable design.
- Can be used via Xbox Wireless.
- 28-hour continuous battery life.
- Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- Restrictive since they're designed to only work with Xbox One.
- Not compatible for PS4 and non-Xbox One Wireless enabled PCs.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are impressive for wired gaming. You can plug them into your Xbox One or PS4 controller using their 1/8" TRS connection, but they're audio-only compatible, so you can't use their microphone over a wired connection. However, they're very comfortable, and they have low latency over a wired connection.
- Comfortable design.
- Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- No microphone support on any console when used wired.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are decent for phone calls. Their retractable boom microphone has an impressive recording quality, and your voice sounds clear and natural even if you're calling from a noisy environment. Unfortunately, they have a poor noise isolation performance, which may be distracting during your calls.
- Great-performing boom microphone.
- Comfortable design.
- Call/music management controls on ear cups.
- May fit tightly on some users.
- Poor noise isolation.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 26, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Jan 26, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Feb 10, 2023: We've re-evaluated Build Quality based on user reports about the hinges cracking and breaking from regular use. The scoring of this test has changed from 8.0 to 6.0.
- Updated Jan 17, 2023: We've added information regarding user reports of poor muffled sound in theSound Profile and Non-Bluetooth Wireless tests. However, the scoring of these tests hasn't changed.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The SteelSeries 9X are good wireless gaming headphones that set themselves apart by being specifically designed for the Xbox One. They use Xbox Wireless Technology to connect to this console, just like you would with an Xbox controller. However, these headphones won’t be as versatile as other models as they're not compatible with PS4 consoles or with PCs that don't have an adapter. They work with PCs that use Xbox Wireless Technology, though. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets for Xbox One, the best gaming headsets for PS4, and the best wireless gaming headsets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the Astro A50 Gen 4 are both very good wireless gaming headphones, but the Astro perform better overall. The Astro are more comfortable as they have a more ergonomic headband design, and they deliver sound much more consistently than the SteelSeries. They also have a better-performing microphone and come with a full-featured charging dock. However, the SteelSeries connect more conveniently via Xbox Wireless and support Bluetooth, so you can mix in audio from your mobile device while gaming. The SteelSeries battery also lasts longer, and they charge much more quickly.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (and their variants) are similarly performing gaming headphones. The 9X are better built, and their mic does a better job recording your voice clearly. However, the Nova 7 and their variants have better battery life.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless are similarly performing gaming headphones, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. Both are comfortable, but the 9X support Bluetooth. However, the 7X have a dongle that allows you to use them wirelessly on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless. The Arctis Nova Pro have ANC, which can help block some background sound. They also have a longer total battery life, lower wireless latency, thanks to their transmitter bas, and come with a dock that allows you to make adjustments, like tweaking the EQ on the fly. However, Arctis 9X have a better microphone.
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