The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is suitable for gaming, as it’s comfortable and produces quality recording and mic response. However, it lacks high-quality audio. It also suffers from high latency.
Released in 2021, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a wireless, closed-back, over-the-ear gaming headset that boasts a retractable microphone. Similar to some of the most popular gaming headsets on the market, these headphones are compatible with PCs, Macs, all gaming consoles, and smartphones with 3.5 mm headphone jacks. It sports 40 mm dynamic sound transducers with plush and thick cloth textured ear pads for comfort and breathability.
Despite being mainly a wireless model, this headset comes with a 3.5 mm to USB Mini B 8-pin connector for zero latency analog sound output. But the cable has no in-line controls, as most buttons and volume sliders are side-mounted. These headphones also do not have active noise canceling.
Consensus
our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ works well for casual gaming but isn’t ideal for more intense gamers. One of the main drawbacks is audio quality. The sound profile isn’t clear or balanced, producing strong, overpowering highs and lows that drown out the mids and dialogue. However, the companion app has many great sound customization settings, such as a graphic EQ, which helps curb audio issues. The gaming microphone is of better quality and captures a great, natural tone, helping produce great recordings. The mic quality was rated 7.6/10, ranking in the top 25% of the gaming headset category.
Another drawback to the headset is delays between audio and visuals, as the latency tests in at 37 ms, which is poor for a gaming headset. But if comfort is your priority, the headset is built to avoid fatigue, as it has a special design to distribute weight to relieve pressure.
Reason to Buy
Comfort-First Design
Impressive comfort for long gaming sessions. Given its special ski-band style headband for distributing weight, the headset doesn’t cause fatigue over long hours.
Additionally, the earpads have thick memory foam padding covered in high-quality cloth. However, the adjustment range is limited, making it potentially uncomfortable for those with larger heads.
Good Mic Quality
The detachable boom mic records well, capturing a rich, full, natural tone. The frequency extension ranges and quality was rated 7.6/10, placing it in the top 25% of gaming headset mics.
The headset also excels for in-game dialogue, as the speech-to-noise ratio is 19.13 dB, meaning it separates vocals from ambient noise well.
Impressive Companion Software
Gamers can choose from a robust range of customization options through the Sonar companion software. Here, they can access a 7.1 surround sound feature, graphic EQ, and a handful of audio presets to boost bass, mids, and trebles.
Reason to Avoid
Imbalanced Audio Quality
Gaming sound comes across as imbalanced, as the bass response is boomy and overpowering, and the overall accuracy relies greatly on proper positioning and seal.
Also, the headset has a soundstage that is very passive and has poor noise isolation, given it lacks a noise cancellation feature.
Below Average Latency
There are some noticeable audio/visual synching issues during gameplay, as the headset latency tests in at 37 ms for the wireless USB dongle connection. This is below average for a headset
Steelseries Arctis 7+ Review Specs
Adjustable Headband
Yes
Auto-Adjusting Headband
Yes
Battery Life
30 hrs
Compatible Platforms
Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Connector Size
3.5mm, USB, USB Type-C
Detachable Mic
Yes
Driver Size
40mm
Earcup Foam Material
AirWeave Fabric
Headphone Fit
Over-ear
Max Frequency Response
20,000 Hz
Min Frequency Response
20Hz
Noise Canceling
No
Product Weight
0.78 lbs
Programmable Buttons
No
Wireless
Yes
Wireless Connectivity
2.4GHz Wireless
All Specs
Test Results
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Released in 2021, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a wireless, closed-back, over-the-ear gaming headset that boasts a retractable microphone. Similar to some of the most…
Released in 2021, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a wireless, closed-back, over-the-ear gaming headset that boasts a retractable microphone. Similar to some of the most popular gaming headsets on the market, these headphones are compatible with PCs, Macs, all gaming consoles, and smartphones with 3.5 mm headphone jacks. It sports 40 mm dynamic sound transducers with plush and thick cloth textured ear pads for comfort and breathability.
Despite being mainly a wireless model, this headset comes with a 3.5 mm to USB Mini B 8-pin connector for zero latency analog sound output. But the cable has no in-line controls, as most buttons and volume sliders are side-mounted. These headphones also do not have active noise canceling.
Even though both the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ and the Corsair HS70 wireless headsets boom mics are officially Discord certified, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+’s microphone performs…
Even though both the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ and the Corsair HS70 wireless headsets boom mics are officially Discord certified, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+’s microphone performs a lot better for voice pickup during Discord calls and in-game voice chats. The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ can also be used using a wired mode if you need zero latency, unlike the Corsair HS70, which doesn’t have any analog connectivity. The Corsair HS70 headphones have a much more balanced and consistent sound profile when put against the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ headsets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a direct successor to the older SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition gaming headphones. And the brand has improved upon the…
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a direct successor to the older SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition gaming headphones. And the brand has improved upon the older model in quite a few regards. For example, the newer SteelSeries Arctis 7+ has a much faster wireless latency of 37 ms, whereas the older SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition headphones have a significantly slower sound delay of up to 170 ms. And it has a 60.7-hour run time, whereas the 2019 edition only lasts 25 hours. Read our SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition review to learn more about the older model.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ features a significantly better and more durable overall build quality in comparison to the Logitech G935, which mostly has a glossy…
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ features a significantly better and more durable overall build quality in comparison to the Logitech G935, which mostly has a glossy plastic build that scratches easily and is a fingerprint magnet. In addition, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ headset’s mic is officially Discord certified, which means that it can pick up voice significantly more clearly during in-game chats and Discord voice calls compared to the Logitech G935’s microphone. The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ headsets are also a lot comfier to game on for longer sessions than the Logitech G935.
While both the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro are mainly wireless headsets, only the SteelSeries Arctis Pro supports Bluetooth 4.1 and multi-device…
While both the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro are mainly wireless headsets, only the SteelSeries Arctis Pro supports Bluetooth 4.1 and multi-device pairing, and the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ has its own proprietary method of wireless connectivity through a USB Type-C dongle but doesn’t support pairing with multiple devices simultaneously. This makes the SteelSeries Arctis Pro headphones compatible with a much broader range of devices (e.g., smartphones with Bluetooth) compared to the SteelSeries Arctis 7+, with a better wireless range. For more, check out our SteelSeries Arctis 7P review.
Adjustable Headband
Yes
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Yes
Auto-Adjusting Headband
Yes
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–
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Yes
Battery Life
30 hrs
30 hrs
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20 hrs
Compatible Platforms
Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
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Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
