SteelSeries Arctis 9 Review: Still Worth Buying in 2026?

Our SteelSeries Arctis 9 review in one line: this is one of the most comfortable, easy-to-live-with wireless gaming headsets ever made, with rich sound, a clear retractable mic and the rare ability to run 2.4GHz game audio and Bluetooth at the same time. It launched in September 2020 for PC and PlayStation, and while SteelSeries has since discontinued it, it's still a brilliant buy if you can find one at a good price.

Below, we cover what the Arctis 9 is, how it sounds and feels, which consoles it works with, and whether it's still worth buying in 2026.

SteelSeries Arctis 9 at a glance

What is the SteelSeries Arctis 9?

The Arctis 9 is SteelSeries' dual wireless gaming headset for PC and PlayStation. It connects to your PC or console through a small USB wireless transmitter for lossless, low-latency game audio, and it can pair with your phone over Bluetooth at the same time. That means you can play on your PC while taking a call, listening to a podcast or chatting on Discord from your phone, all through one headset.

It sits at the top of the classic Arctis range, above the Arctis 7, and shares its look and comfort with the Arctis 9X, the Xbox version. SteelSeries has since moved on to its Arctis Nova line, so the Arctis 9 is no longer made, but plenty of stock and second-hand units are still around.

Design and comfort

Comfort is where the Arctis 9 really earns its reputation. Instead of a padded headband pressing on the top of your head, it uses SteelSeries' ski-goggle suspension band, a stretchy strap that spreads the weight evenly under a steel-reinforced frame. At around 375g it isn't the lightest wireless headset, but it never feels heavy, even after a long evening session.

The ear cushions are covered in AirWeave fabric rather than leatherette, so they stay cool and don't trap heat the way pleather pads can. The look is understated, all matte black with no flashy RGB, so it works just as well on a video call as it does in a match. Volume and the ChatMix dial sit on the ear cup, so you never need to dig through menus mid-game.

How does the Arctis 9 sound?

The Arctis 9 uses 40mm neodymium drivers tuned to SteelSeries' signature Arctis sound. It's full and punchy without drowning everything in bass, so explosions and gunfire have weight while footsteps, reloads and dialogue stay clear. It's just as good for music and films as it is for games.

On PC you also get DTS Headphone:X v2.0 virtual surround, which gives you more accurate positional cues in shooters, helping you place enemies and hear where shots are coming from. Through SteelSeries' software you can tweak the EQ and switch surround on or off to suit each game. One thing to know: surround sound is a PC feature, so on PlayStation you get stereo.

Dual wireless: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time

This is the Arctis 9's standout feature. The 2.4GHz connection handles your game audio with no noticeable lag, and Bluetooth runs alongside it, so both audio sources play at once. Answer a call on your phone without leaving the game, or play music from your phone while you grind in the background.

The wireless range is up to 12 metres, which is plenty for moving around a room, and the ChatMix dial lets you balance game audio against chat audio on PC and Mac with a quick twist.

Is the ClearCast microphone any good?

Yes. The ClearCast mic is one of the best you'll find on a wireless headset. It uses a bidirectional design that picks up your voice while rejecting noise from the sides, so teammates hear you rather than your keyboard. It's Discord-certified, sounds natural rather than tinny, and slides neatly into the ear cup when you're not using it, so there's no boom arm in the way when you just want to listen.

Battery life and charging

SteelSeries rates the battery at 20+ hours on a single charge, and independent testing has backed that up. That's comfortably a few days of normal gaming, or a full weekend marathon. When it runs low, the included USB cable charges it, and you can keep playing while it's plugged in.

Newer headsets have pushed battery life much further, so 20 hours is good rather than class-leading in 2026, but it's still enough that you won't be charging it every day.

Does the Arctis 9 work with PS5, Xbox and Switch?

• PC and Mac: full support, including ChatMix, with DTS surround on PC.
• PS5 and PS4: works wirelessly through the USB transmitter, but without surround sound or ChatMix.
• Nintendo Switch: works wirelessly through the USB transmitter when the Switch is docked.
• Phones and tablets: connect over Bluetooth for calls and music.
• Xbox: not supported. Xbox players need the Arctis 9X, the Xbox version of the same headset.

Is the SteelSeries Arctis 9 still worth buying in 2026?

If you can find one at a sensible price, yes. Its comfort, sound and simultaneous Bluetooth still hold up against many newer headsets, and it's a big upgrade for anyone moving from a wired or budget headset. Because it's discontinued, stock is getting harder to find, so check that you're buying the PC/PlayStation Arctis 9 rather than the Xbox-only 9X, and be wary of inflated prices.

If you'd rather buy new, SteelSeries' current Arctis Nova 7 Wireless is the closest modern equivalent, with the same 2.4GHz-plus-Bluetooth trick and much longer battery life.

Final verdict

The SteelSeries Arctis 9 is a superb all-round wireless headset: incredibly comfortable for long sessions, great-sounding for games and music, and genuinely useful with its simultaneous Bluetooth and excellent retractable mic. PlayStation players miss out on surround sound, and Xbox owners need the 9X instead, but for PC gamers especially it remains one of the best wireless headsets you can pick up.

SteelSeries Arctis 9 FAQ

Is the SteelSeries Arctis 9 discontinued?

Yes. SteelSeries no longer makes the Arctis 9, but you can still find it from some retailers and second-hand. Its closest current replacement is the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless.

Does the Arctis 9 work on PS5?

Yes. It connects wirelessly to the PS5 through its USB transmitter, but surround sound and ChatMix only work on PC.

Does the Arctis 9 work with Xbox?

No. The Arctis 9 is for PC and PlayStation. Xbox owners need the Arctis 9X.

How long does the Arctis 9 battery last?

Up to 20+ hours on a single charge, according to SteelSeries.

Can you use Bluetooth and 2.4GHz at the same time on the Arctis 9?

Yes. You can hear your game over 2.4GHz and your phone over Bluetooth at the same time.