The Steelseries Arctis 7X is an update to the Arctis 7, one of the most beloved wireless gaming headsets of all time. The original headset offers amazingly comfortable gaming audio thanks to its ski goggle-like headband design and plush ear cups that wrap around your ears. The only drawback is that it does not work with Microsoft's Xbox console.

And now that the next-generation Xbox Series X/S has arrived, it's no surprise that this OG headset has received a timely update: the new $150 Arctis 7X is part of a pair that also includes the Playstation 5-exclusive Arctis 7P. The two headsets are identical, except for the black and green color scheme for the Xbox and the white and blue for the Playstation.

So why two identical headsets? Because it's Microsoft, and Xbox's proprietary wireless protocol does not work well with other devices, unlike Playstation's more universal implementation. This time, however, the Arctis 7X works with both Xbox and Playstation, as well as PC, Switch, and USB Type-C equipped smart devices.

This is thanks to a strange T-shaped USB Type-C dongle that allows you to switch between Xbox's own wireless and standard 2.4Ghz wireless with the push of a button. It works perfectly, but the odd shape can be problematic in some setups. It works fine with laptops, smartphones, and tablets, but its wide width can block adjacent ports on PCs.

A USB Type-C to USB Type-A conversion cable is available to alleviate this, but if you have an Xbox One or Playstation 4, you will have to use it as is, as they do not have USB Type-C ports.

The physical design remains the same, with the distinctive ski goggle headband and Air Weave ear cushions used in the Arctis headset series once again making the 7X one of the most comfortable gaming headsets available. I wear glasses and this headset doesn't hurt me like other headsets do.

Each ear cup has all the basic controls of the headset. On the right ear cup is the ChatMix dial that adjusts the audio balance during gaming and microphone chats, as well as the power button. On the left ear cup is the headphone sharing port, mobile cable jack, headset volume dial, and microphone mute button.

As for audio, the new headset sounds similar to the previous model, for better or worse; Steelseries continued to use the same drivers because of the positive feedback on the Arctis 7. And in fact, these drivers deliver the cleanest gaming audio of any gaming headset.

Clarity and separation are pin-sharp, and everything stands out clearly, especially in games. Positional accuracy is so high that even in the midst of the action, it is easy to pinpoint where the audio cues are coming from. This is ideal for competitive shooters with lots of gunfire.

Bass response is a bit anemic and music can sound cold and clinical; the Steelseries Engine has a variety of EQ profiles, but none of them improved the bass enough to make my music pop. I am not a bass-oriented person, but I appreciate powerful, clear bass to "feel" audio, not just hear it.

The microphone, however, is really great: a Discord-certified ClearCast two-way mic that retracts into the left ear cup. You simply take it out through that hole when you need it and slide it back in when you are done using it. The mic sounds great and picks up my voice clearly without any nasality. I'm a bit of a reclusive gamer, so party chatting is not my thing, but I'm confident in the sound.

Battery life is another thing that hasn't changed from the 7 to the 7X: Steelseries claims 24 hours, and for me that was true: after two days of heavy use, about 13 hours daily, including Spotify, many Zoom calls, and gaming on my PC and Xbox, the 7X I had to recharge it. The headset also saves battery power by turning off after no audio use for a pre-set amount of time. [A console player who only plays games for 3-4 hours at a time could use it for several days. My only complaint is Micro-USB charging. I don't understand why Steelseries is still sticking with this outdated standard in 2020. Just plugging it in is frustrating and there are no other accessories in my house that still use Micro-USB.

In the end, the Arctis 7X inherits all of the Arctis 7's best features and easily replaces the Arctis 7 on our list of best wireless headsets. It has excellent audio performance, a great microphone, and supreme comfort. But it is the versatility that makes the Arctis 7 truly shine. It is a feat no other wireless headset can match.