SteelSeries Arctis 9 $170

A LOT OF HEADSETS seem to have at least one or two things that hold them back from being great, either to reduce the cost, or to help one aspect of the headset exceed at the expense of another. The Arctis 9, on the other hand, does everything that is thrown at it very well indeed.

First off, the comfort levels are amazing. When initially looking at the headband, the lack of padding was a little off-putting, but its elastic suspension alternative works exceptionally well. It takes all the weight off the headband and evens it out. Along with the breathable fabric cups, it makes for effortless comfort. It is very well-built, although some more premium materials would be welcome considering the price range. The left cup features a pull-out-style microphone that records very impressively. There is also a toggle switch for party chat/game sound when connected via the supplied PC/PS4 connection hub. On the right side is the volume rocker, mute button, Bluetooth, power button, micro USB for 20 hours of full charge, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

This headset is great for connectivity, and it also features lossless 2.4GHz wireless audio.

But what would all this matter if the audio didn’t match? Luckily the sound quality is excellent too. It can be crisp and punchy at the same—perfect for the crucial details in competitive gaming, one of the Arctis 9’s main USPs. Directional sound is very accurate, and the overall sound is rich and deep. Music is handled well too, with the main focus on the bass. However, it provides good clarity at the higher ends too, with sharpness very rarely being an issue.

It’s a very strong competitor, managing to perform well in all scenarios. With great sound, solid build quality, and pillow-like comfort, it’s very well-rounded. The gripes are minor—more premium materials would be nice, and occasional sharpness in some tracks might push away some.