SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X review: A nearly perfect gaming headset
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X sounds great, fits great, and works with nearly every gaming system on the market.
For Works with just about any system Exceptional game sound Comfortable fit Long battery life Versus Music quality could be better The 7P model is less versatile than the 7X SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X: Specifications Compatibility:PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Android Drivers:
40mm Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Wireless: Yes
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X is almost the perfect gaming headset. On the one hand, that's not shocking, given that its predecessor, the SteelSeries Arctis 7, was already off to a good start. But in the three years since the Arctis 7 was released, SteelSeries has focused on the headset's few lingering issues, rooted them out, and added some useful improvements along the way.
The end result is a $150 helmet that's ready for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, plus any other system you own — PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, phone, or tablet. With excellent wireless connectivity, a comfortable fit, long battery life, and solid audio quality, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X has absolutely everything a gaming headset needs to succeed, with no wasted features or controls. confusing.
Buy one. from best ps5 headsets See the best xbox headsets The best Xbox Series X headsets currently
There are a few quibbles that keep the Arctis 7P/7X from achieving absolute perfection. Three years later, the music quality is still disappointing, something other gaming headsets have fixed in the meantime. The 7P seems underpriced compared to the 7X, despite costing the same.
But otherwise, the Arctis 7P/7X is one of
best gaming headsets and
#MakeHerYourWifeIf she knows how to tighten a headset.
— BMXER_Probs Fri Jul 20 21:49:44 +0000 2012
best wireless gaming headsets
I've ever reviewed, and the sooner you can buy one, the more ready you'll be for the next generation of consoles. Read on for our full SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X review.
Design SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X is remarkably similar to the original Arctis 7. It's still a black plastic chassis with a stainless steel headband and an elastic fastening strap. The 7P has blue highlights on the rubber band to match the PS5; the 7X has green highlights to match the Xbox Series X. Otherwise, the two are nearly identical.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
The right earcup houses a sidetone volume dial on the 7P and a game/chat balance dial on the 7X, as well as a power button. The left earbud is where most of the action happens. Here, you get a mic mute button, volume wheel, 3.5mm audio port, micro-USB charging port, and a retractable, flexible microphone. There's also a proprietary SteelSeries port for easier 3.5mm audio and USB connections.
As with the original Arctis 7, this setup is admirably simple, and putting two different volume dials on two different ear cups is a lot easier than stuffing together, as some other hardware makers do. Having a 3.5mm audio option isn't strictly necessary either, but it's still nice to have, in case you run out of batteries while gaming on a portable Switch, or are still finish off some 3DS stragglers.
SteelSeries Arctis 7X
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
What sets the Arctis 7P/7X apart from most other gaming headsets is how it connects. Instead of a USB-A dongle or Xbox's built-in wireless protocols, the Arctis 7P/7X relies on a USB-C dongle, with an included USB-A adapter. This makes it essentially compatible with any platform right out of the box – although the 7P isn't compatible with any Xbox system (more on that later). For the most part, the USB-C-plus adapter setup works well, although it does create unsightly tripping hazards, depending on where your consoles are located. Granted, you can always buy your own adapter instead, but I wonder if SteelSeries could have included a dongle adapter rather than a wire.
The Arctis 7P/7X weighs around 12 ounces, so it sits very lightly on a user's head. While there's nothing fancy about the headset, there's nothing garish about it either, and it would look perfectly natural on the outside.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X comfort
I've discussed the SteelSeries “ski goggle” elastic band design in other Arctis reviews, but it bears repeating here. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X doesn't have any notches or stretch arms, instead relying on an elastic band for a snug fit. You simply put the helmet on your head and the strap molds to the shape of your skull. You can tighten or loosen it slightly with Velcro strap. That's it. Not only is the process effortless, but it's also incredibly convenient if you're sharing the headset with a spouse or roommate.
In fact, I handed the headset over to my domestic partner, who used it to watch TV while I was at work. She said it was easy to wear and more comfortable than the
SteelSeries Arctis 1
- his usual reference.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X Performance
Like its predecessor, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X works wonderfully with all game genres. I've tested it with a variety of games on a variety of platforms: Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on PC, Blasphemous on Xbox One, Genshin Impact on PS4, Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition on Switch (both handheld and on dock ) and Tales of Crestoria on Android.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
Without going into too much detail on each system, the Arctis 7P/7X performance was solid overall. Whether it's colonial gunfire, cheerful lively dialogue or adventure scores, the Arctis 7P/7X did a great job of balancing vocal work and music, with a rich and vibrant soundscape. and a good balance between bass and treble.
My only complaint is how the Arctis 7P/7X handles music. This was also an issue with the Arctis 7, and one of the only things SteelSeries didn't improve between versions. Most music has some sort of flat sound that borders on “muddy” when things get loud or messy. I listened to songs by Flogging Molly, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Rolling Stones, and GF Handel, and although the bass, treble, and vocals all sounded distinct, there was a lack of punch to everything, even with the "Music" soundscape selected in SteelSeries Engine 3 software.
Admittedly, a gaming headset's primary purpose isn't to play music, but Logitech, Turtle Beach, HyperX, and other competitors have both improved music performance in recent years by leaps and bounds; SteelSeries did not.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X Features
Using SteelSeries Engine 3 software, users can customize EQ profiles, timeouts, and mic options for the SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X. The mic itself is a retractable design with a red light that lets you know when the input is muted. It picks up some background noise and can be heavy on “S” sounds, but it's overall clear and responsive.
SteelSeries Arctis 7X
(Image credit: SteelSeries) p>
The software and mic work well, but what's more interesting is the Arctis 7P/7X's wireless connectivity. What sets the Arctis 7P/7X apart from most other gaming headsets on the market is that it uses a USB-C dongle for pairing rather than USB-A. This means it can connect with smartphones, tablets and Nintendo Switches in handheld mode. In my opinion, it's a cleaner solution than Bluetooth, and works both quickly and seamlessly.
What's odd, though, is that only the Arctis 7X model works with Xbox consoles, even though the 7P and 7X cost the same. In short: Xbox consoles use a different wireless protocol than other systems. As such, the 7X's dongle has a small switch that you can toggle between "USB" and "Xbox" when moving it between platforms. The 7P's dongle, however, does not have this switch; its only advantage is that the dongle is a bit smaller.
In other words: the Arctis 7X works with everything. The Arctis 7P works with everything except Xbox consoles. Unless you're absolutely certain you'll never get an Xbox console, the 7X is a better buy. The 7P should have offered a greater benefit than a "slightly smaller dongle" or given buyers some sort of price discount.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X Verdict
Our SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X review covered the headset's excellent fit, sound quality, and connectivity, as well as its lackluster music performance and weird disparities between the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions.
Still, for all that, the Arctis 7P/7X is an extremely good headset and an easy recommendation for both PC and console gamers. It's easily the best device currently available in the $150 range - and even if you were planning on spending $100 or $200 instead, it's still worth a look. With a few small tweaks, whatever succeeds the Arctis 7P/7X could be as close to a perfect gaming headset as ever.
Marshall Honoroff
Marshall Honorof is an editor for Tom's Guide, covering gaming hardware, security, and streaming video. After hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or taking deep dives on classic sci-fi.