A gaming headset is the most critical tool in a pro gamer’s arsenal. It’s on par with the graphics card and powerful PC to guarantee the best gaming experience. That’s why you shouldn’t settle for less than the best.
Steelseries has been a leading company in this field and from our experiences, we think it’s a position well-deserved. In 2019, we witnessed the release of two of the best selling headsets ever: Arctis Pro and Arctis 7.
Both models tout a ton of great features, though Pro comes at a heftier price. Sure there must be stellar features behind this hefty price tag, but we’re not ready to shell out this amount of cash without enough justification. So, we’re comparing both models and giving our opinion on which is providing better value for the price.
Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro – Short Answer
Arctis Pro is a top-tier gaming headset explicitly designed for pro gamers who don’t want to miss the subtlest sounds. Although it carries a hefty price tag, its stellar audio performance, flawless surround sound, and impeccable mic quality make it worth every penny.
On the other hand, Arctis 7 may not provide the same audio and mic quality, yet it’s still above average and will give you the best bang for your buck.
Comparison Table
| Model | Arctis Pro | Arctis 7 |
| Weight | 0.8 pounds | 0.77 pounds |
| Battery life | 20 hours | 24+ hours |
| Drivers | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Connectivity range | 40 ft | 40 ft |
| Frequency response range | 10 – 40,000 Hz | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Hardware platform | PC, PlayStation 4 | PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobil, Mac, PlayStation 4 |
Steelseries Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro – Full Comparison
To give you better insights, we’re going to play it as a game. We’ll take each feature, examine it in both models, and decide a winner. By the end of the article, you’ll have solid points to base your decision on.
Audio Quality
Let’s begin with the factor that can be either a selling point or a deal-breaker in each model. There isn’t a massive difference from a distance since both models use 40-millimeter neodymium drivers that aren’t the biggest in this category of headsets but deliver audio with high accuracy and fidelity.
However, the Pro offers a frequency response between 10 and 40,000 Hz while Steelseries Arctis 7 covers 20-20,000 Hz only. Although the difference isn’t huge, the Pro’s slightly wider range can be the deciding factor in life-or-death scenes in competitive shooter games.
Upon testing, Arctis Pro performs better in all ranges. The bass is powerful and gives you an edge over other players in action-packed games. High-volume Explosion and shot sounds are reproduced clearly with no distortion, and the prominent low notes in RPG games make the dialogues rich.
On the other hand, the audio of Steelseries Arctis 7 sounds good enough if you don’t care much about all the details. The bass is clear, but the mids and highs need more emphasis. In practical terms, this can lead to you missing some subtle sounds like the noises that reveal your enemies’ positions.
As for the sound adjustments, we have nothing against the Engine 3 customization app that Steelseries Arctis 7 uses since it’s easy to use and provides many controls. However, with the transmitter base station that comes with Arctis Pro, you can tinker with the settings without reaching for your PC.
With that being said, Arctis Pro gets a clean win this round.
Winner: Arctis Pro
Surround Sound Performance
For competitive gamers, detecting the direction of the audio is a crucial point to be able to react quickly and have an edge in the game.
Steelseries incorporates DTS Headphone:X tech in both models. This tech simulates the surround sound experience in movie theatres, where numerous speakers are located on each sidewall to give you a better sense of the sound direction.
The feature is a hit in both units. It works great, making the gaming experience more realistic without that unnatural feel that comes with cheaper models.
Given that they use the same tech here, we conclude this round with a tie.
Winner: Tie
Design
Comfort during marathon gaming sessions lies on top of our priorities list, and in this aspect, Steelseries doesn’t disappoint.
Design-wise, both headsets look precisely the same, though Steelseries Arctis 7 is a bit lighter than the Pro. While the difference between 0.8 and 0.77 pounds may seem insignificant, it can make all the difference when you’re wearing your unit continuously for hours.
They both sport Airweave ear cushions to keep your ears sweat-free. The cushions are suspended from an adjustable ski goggle headband that keeps the unit’s weight off your scalp. It also provides a good fit for all head sizes. Moreover, the mic is retractable so that you can put it away when not in use.
All in all, we conclude that both models are comfortable, but the slight reduction in weight gives Steelseries Arctis 7 an edge in this round.
Winner: Arctis 7
Microphone
Arctis 7’s mic would have passed as an above-average mic if it wasn’t put in comparison with Arctis Pro’s stellar mic. Both deliver the sound to the other line clearly and with high volume. However, Arctis 7’s mic tends to produce some crackling noise when you flip it back or move it accidentally when speaking.
Moreover, it’s not quite as efficient as the Pro is in eliminating ambient noises. So, although it doesn’t perform drastically badly, Arctis Pro would be a better choice if you’re looking for an extra touch of isolation when participating in gaming chat rooms.
Winner: Arctis Pro
Battery Life
The advertised battery life of Arctis 7 is 24 hours, while that of Arctis Pro is 10 hours for each battery, totaling 20 hours.
At first glance, Arctis 7 may seem like a better bargain, but in fact, all you get is 18-20 hours of playtime with medium volume settings. This makes it nearly the same as Arctis Pro, yet with the latter, you can charge one battery while playing with the other, which takes only one hour to charge.
This way, you won’t have to cut your gaming session in the event that you forgot to charge your wireless headsets to the maximum before starting.
So, with this being a close round, Arctis Pro deserves the win thanks to the swappable dual-battery system.
Winner: Arctis Pro
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, both Arctis models offer a strong and reliable wireless connection that extends to 40 feet. However, the difference lies in their connectivity options.
From a technical standpoint, the 24 GHz RF USB dongle supported by both models is enough to ensure seamless and fast connectivity without a hint of latency. Yet, the fact that Arctis Pro offers another connectivity option via Bluetooth is a point in its favor.
Winner: Arctis Pro
Read also: Best Noise-cancelling Headphones Under $200
What We Like and Don’t Like about Arctis 7 and Arctis Pro
Steelseries Arctis 7
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Extended battery life
- Well-designed headset
- Excellent all-around performance
- Supreme 7.1 surround audio
Cons:
- Audio isn’t as clear as Arctis Pro
- Mic picks up ambient noises
- Only one connectivity option
Arctis Pro
Pros:
- Solid gaming surround sound
- Excellent mic quality
- Comfortable headband
- Incredible audio range
- Extra Bluetooth connectivity
- Dual-battery system
Cons:
- Twice as pricey as Arctis 7
- A bit heavier
Check out: Tozo T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds Review
Decision Time
The bottom line is you can expect high-quality sound and impressive surround audio from both sets, yet Arctis Pro takes the sound experience a step further for those who want to step up their gaming skills.
If you can spare the expenses, you’ll be using the best gaming headset currently on the market by choosing Arctis Pro. Nevertheless, you won’t be missing much if you go for Arctis 7. It’s on par with the former in terms of comfort, surround sound performance, and battery life, so it’s still considered a good bargain.
Read also: