The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X takes the already excellent SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P and introduces additional compatibility with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One consoles through a new ‘Xbox’ switch on its wireless dongle. As a result, this is an absolutely superb mid-range wireless gaming headset that, despite the prominent ‘Designed for Xbox’ branding, still performs extremely well across a wide range of other platforms.

Available for $179.99 / £174.99 / around AU$305, the headset itself feels highly premium, with a sturdy metal top cover and soft memory foam ear cups that keep it comfortable to wear over extended gaming sessions. Its more neutral sound profile is also a pleasant departure from some of the tuning of wireless gaming headsets on the market, making for a reliable all-round performer that delivers quality audio for gaming and beyond.

A convenient retractable microphone with a visible LED mute indicator further elevates the package. Though it can be slightly tricky to position due to its flexible shape, the mic provides more than enough clarity to have you chatting with friends or making vital callouts in some of the best first-person shooter (FPS) titles with ease. Although our testing revealed that the recording quality can suffer when you’re using the Simultaneous Wireless feature, it’s only a minor complaint when the rest of the offering is so compelling.

Design and features

The most significant area where the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X differentiates itself from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is in its altered USB-C wireless dongle. On top of the usual status LED and pairing button, the dongle now features a wireless mode switch that enables Xbox compatibility. While the wireless dongle can be plugged directly into a PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, or PC via a free USB-C port, the package also includes a USB-A to USB-C converter. Although it’s a little more cumbersome to use, this converter is a handy pack-in when the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S lack any USB-C ports of their own.

The design of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X headset is pleasantly understated but still very stylish. Its top is made of soft rubber and covered with a sturdy metal layer that feels very solid in the hands but is, importantly, still quite lightweight. The soft elastic headband is easily adjustable, as are the earcups which can be easily extended by a few centimeters for a more snug fit.

Its left earcup features a retractable microphone, fashioned from a flexible wire, in addition to a volume dial, a pleasantly clicky mic mute button, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. A bright red LED mute indicator is present on the end of the mic, which is always a welcome quality-of-life addition. The right earcup then features a power switch and a Bluetooth connection button, both with small indicator LEDs, in addition to the ChatMix Dial (which decreases game volume while increasing chat volume or vice versa) and a USB-C port for charging.

Pairing a Bluetooth device like your mobile phone automatically enables the Simultaneous Wireless mode, which allows you to hear audio from two sources at the same time. This is ideal if you enjoy listening to music while you game or prefer using chat services like the Discord app. However, I did notice a drop in microphone quality while it was in use.

The headset is offered in two colorways, a plain white paired with a black headband or a basic black with a more eye-catching Xbox-themed green headband. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is compatible with any Nova Booster Pack. These accessories are sold separately for $34.99 / £29.99 / around AU$50 and contain an alternate headband and two speaker plates to further customize the look of your headset if desired.

Performance

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X has an unusually neutral sound profile for a gaming headset. This means that it can deliver clear and accurate audio that’s ideal for a wide range of genres, but lacks the specialist tuning that you would find in some alternatives like the Fnatic React Plus, which has been tweaked specifically for the best FPS games with decreased bass and more emphasized mids. 

Luckily, you can freely edit the sound profile to your liking in the compatible SteelSeries GG software, alongside other useful settings like LED brightness and mic sidetone levels, but it’s worth bearing in mind that this can only be accomplished on PC. While your saved settings will carry over to other platforms, the lack of native console software, or even a compatible mobile app, may prove a source of frustration if you don’t have easy access to a computer.

Even so, the default sound profile will be suitable for most uses and even holds its own when you’re listening to music or watching movies. I often use my PS5 as a media center thanks to its convenient Blu-Ray player and found the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X to be a perfectly enjoyable way to experience audio-heavy films like 2021’s Belle, in addition to my usual Apple Music playlists. The bass is a little weaker than some music-listening headphones like the popular Beats Solo Pro, but a good level of clarity in the mids and high-end more than compensates for it.

Although the headset doesn't feature any active noise cancellation, the earcups also proved to be a formidable barrier that prevented everything short of the loudest background noises from bleeding in. Add in the fact that I was easily able to achieve well over 35 hours of continuous playback on each charge, and you’ve got a headset that’ll go the distance for longer gaming sessions.

Microphone quality also fairs well across the board. While it’s not quite as excellent as the exceptionally clear sound from a headset like the HyperX Cloud 3, it’s very much enough to chat with friends provided that you spend a few moments adjusting the mic into the correct position.

Unfortunately, the recording quality is much less impressive when talking through the Simultaneous Wireless mode. Your mileage may vary but, with a quieter, more muffled sound, I found that it was a noticeable step down from the strong performance with the mode disabled.

Should I buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X?

Compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is a serious contender if you’re after one of the best wireless gaming headsets for multi-platform use. Its neutral sound profile is perfect for a wide range of titles and an enjoyable way to experience some movies and music on the side, while the attractive design looks pleasantly understated and feels premium.

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

How we reviewed the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X

I used the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X as my primary gaming headset for over three weeks, playing a wide range of games on a variety platforms. On PC, I mainly enjoyed high-intensity FPS titles like Counter Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Over on PS5, I dived into another playthrough of the RPG Elex 2 and tested its multimedia capabilities with a range of movies and songs. 

To assess the Xbox compatibility, I used the headset with an Xbox Series S console and played a range of popular titles including Fortnite and Starfield. I also used the headset with a Nintendo Switch OLED, where I enjoyed a few more hours of Splatoon 3 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

For some more headset recommendations, see our guide to the best Xbox Series X headsets or the best gaming headsets for Call of Duty. 

The SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset ranks among some of the best gaming earbuds right now thanks to its superb detachable boom microphone. This offers clear communication in multiplayer games and while using online chat services like Discord with a useful secondary microphone if you prefer a more covert look. The headset’s overall sound quality impresses, too, with crisp and clean audio suitable for top titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Counter-Strike 2.

Its wide compatibility makes the SteelSeries Tusq easy to recommend no matter your choice of gaming platform, though the lackluster performance when watching movies or listening to music means that it falls short of being a better all-rounder.

There’s also the matter of the overall design, which is very compact and comfortable to wear but feels noticeably cheaper than other SteelSeries products overall. This is likely in an attempt to ensure that the headset stays a comfortable weight, but it’s still a little disappointing given the brand’s superb reputation and the product’s relatively high asking price.

Price and availability

The SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset costs $39.99 / £44.99 / around AU$74.99. This price is higher than competing products like the Turtle Beach Battle Buds, which are priced at $29.95 / £24.99 / around AU$44.99, but significantly cheaper than premium wireless options. 

Compared to the Turtle Beach Battle Buds, you’re getting far better audio quality, a more streamlined design, and an improved microphone that makes the additional cost quite a compelling prospect if you have the budget.

The headset is available to buy via the SteelSeries website or at third-party retailers like Amazon in the US, UK, and Australia.

Design and features

When it comes to gaming earbuds, the SteelSeries Tusq boasts a very understated design. The earbuds themselves are on the larger side but rest comfortably and securely in the ears thanks to a rigid section cable that doubles as an over-ear hook. This can be shaped to your liking with a small amount of pressure for a tighter or looser fit. This, alongside a set of alternate larger and smaller ear tips that are included in the package, ensures that they stay comfortable over extended periods of use.

Although the earbuds are plain, black plastic, the sides have a small shiny plate adorned with a SteelSeries logo which helps elevate the overall aesthetic. Unfortunately, this plate is also plastic rather than metal and leaves the earbuds feeling a little less premium in the hands than they might otherwise look.

The left earbud has a small jack on its front that allows you to attach the miniature boom microphone. While I never experienced the boom mic becoming detached or falling out of position while playing, its physical connection feels somewhat weak and could stand to be more secure. Luckily, the design of the microphone itself is much better as it’s constructed of a flexible wire which means it can be easily adjusted and positioned as you play.

In addition to a mute switch and pause button, the SteelSeries Tusq has a second integrated microphone for when you don’t have the boom mic attached. Although the quality of your voice will suffer with the boom mic removed, this greatly enhances the earbuds’ portability. Playing on the go with the boom microphone can be quite awkward, especially if you don’t want to stand out from the crowd on public transport, so the option to remove it while still being able to chat is welcome. 

The package also includes a basic black carrying bag: a solid bonus that makes it easier to store the headset in a pocket without the risk of losing any parts.

Performance

The SteelSeries Tusq performs well across the board for gaming. The 3.5mm jack ensures plug-and-play compatibility with all major consoles in addition to PC, and I found that the light weight made them a very pleasant alternative to traditional wired gaming headsets.

The audio quality is high, delivering solid sound across multiple genres. Key audio cues like footsteps and voice communication are clear in first-person shooter (FPS) titles but there’s also more than enough bass for sound effects like explosions and gunfire to feel suitably punchy.

Thanks to the secure fit, the passive noise cancellation was effective and could block out much of the commotion when I tested them with the likes of Fire Emblem Engage and Pokémon Shining Pearl on the Nintendo Switch Lite during my commute.

It’s only when you attempt to use the SteelSeries Tusq for applications outside of gaming that any audio issues become apparent. While listening to music, the audio has almost sharp quality thanks to some very harsh midrange frequencies. This is not an uncommon configuration in audio products geared heavily towards gaming (as it allows certain sounds in games to be heard more easily) but it does negatively affect the experience if you intend to use the headphones for more general listening too.

Where the SteelSeries Tusq really cements its position ahead of the pack is in terms of microphone quality. With the boom mic attached, your voice is loud and clear with little background interference. It’s not flawless, but it’s easily comparable to a full-size gaming headset in the same price range (such as the Nacon RIG 300 Pro HX wired headset) which is an impressive achievement for such a small form factor. It’s also a substantial improvement on the crackly DualSense microphone, making this a very worthwhile upgrade for players who are currently relying on it. 

On PC or mobile, it’s ideal for voice calls, and the all-black aesthetic means that it won’t look too out of place in a work meeting. The integrated microphone of the SteelSeries Tusq is less impressive, however, as it’s much quieter on the whole and does not provide close to the same level of clarity. It’s an incredibly useful backup option, but there are better all-in-one alternatives like the HyperX Cloud Earbuds if you don’t intend to make use of the boom mic most of the time.

Should I buy the SteelSeries Tusq?

The SteelSeries Tusq is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for a pair of wired gaming earbuds. It's portable, widely compatible, and comfortable to wear. The boom mic provides superb audio quality considering the tiny size too, which more than makes up for some complaints regarding the build.

 Buy it if… 

 Don’t buy it if… 

How we reviewed the SteelSeries Tusq

I used the SteelSeries Tusq as my main pair of earbuds for over a week. In addition to attending meetings and taking calls with friends, this included plenty of gaming across consoles such as the Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch where I was careful to test compatibility. 

I also used the headphones with my iPhone 13 Mini and a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, playing mobile titles like PUBG Mobile and League of Legends: Wild Rift. I took the earbuds out and about with me on several occasions to test their performance in various public settings using both my phone and a Nintendo Switch Lite console.

For other gaming audio recommendations, see our reviews of the Sony Inzone H5 or the JBL Quantum 360X Wireless Headset. 

The Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair is the first gaming product from Sybr, a new division of The Senator Group - the home of the well-known furniture manufacturer Senator. While Senator’s office chairs have a superb reputation when it comes to comfort and quality, it’s hard not to conclude that its foray into gaming has started out on the wrong foot. 

This is a seriously pricey seat that lacks many of the premium features found in gaming chairs for half the cost. The materials here all feel suitably robust, especially the superb castors that make moving the chair around an absolute breeze, but almost everything else disappoints. 

The armrests are uncomfortable, difficult to adjust, and only capable of 2D motion. While the backrest provides adequate comfort, the headrest is awkward and hard with a static position that renders the chair completely unsuitable for those who are much taller or shorter than my height of around 185cm. The harmonic tilt, which sees the back automatically recline with your body weight across four adjustable ranges of movement, works well, but the inability to lock the recline in a static position leads to frustration. 

These issues all culminate in a product that, despite some impressive qualities, seems to have been created without much real understanding of what consumers are actually looking for in a high-end gaming chair and cannot be recommended when you could easily spend less on one of the best gaming chairs instead. 

Price and availability

The Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair costs £699 (around $890). It's currently only available in the UK, where it can be purchased directly via the Sybr website. The chair comes in four colorways: True, a plain black; Saffron, a bright yellow; Lava, a rather soothing shade of deep red; and Glacier, a clean mix of gray and white. Alternate castors intended for either hard or soft surfaces can be bought alongside the chair for an additional fee of £19 (around $25).

This particularly hefty price tag puts this chair near the highest end of the market. It’s considerably more expensive than leading products like the Secretlab Titan Evo, which is available for $519 / £414 / AU$724, and seems intended to offer a more gaming focused alternative to supremely pricey office-oriented offerings like those from Herman Miller.

At the time of writing, the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair is subject to a seasonal promotion that has brought the price crashing down to a far more palatable £499 (around $635). Although this is still more costly than much of the competition, a permanent price reduction to around this figure would go a long way to make the chair a more viable proposition.

Assembly

Although the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair that I received for testing arrived fully assembled, the process of disassembly and reassembly was remarkably smooth. The seat and backrest slide together with ease and are firmly secured by four large bolts. The number of bolts required throughout the process was impressively minimal, as the armrests come partially assembled out of the box and simply need to be slotted into open ports that are already attached to the seat.  

The castors similarly pop readily into the base of the chair, which is covered in a durable layer of hard metal. The use of metal here does make the base quite heavy, though, which is worth bearing in mind if you intend to assemble the chair alone. While I used a standard tool kit for my disassembly and reassembly, an Allen key is provided (in addition a printed QR code that links to a detailed assembly video) ensuring that you are fully equipped with everything that you need to put the chair together from the get go.

Design and features

It’s safe to say that the design of the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair is distinctive. Its striking silhouette draws upon the racing seat look that’s common for gaming chairs, but with several interesting elements that lend it some flair. My model was the Saffron colorway, which sees the seat and backrest adorned in a subtle combination of gray and black fabric with a bright yellow trim. The stitching is impressively high quality across the chair, with no visible imperfections at all.

The fabric itself is pleasantly soft and covers a thick layer of firm foam. The rear of the backrest is coated by a seamless plastic shell that extends up to the static headrest. The rear of the backrest is also home to a large plastic grill, which is intended to provide some form of passive cooling while you play. Although it’s not going to be for everyone, I found the overall aesthetic quite pleasing and it certainly managed to attract a lot of interest from coworkers when it was placed at a desk in TechRadar Gaming HQ. 

Unfortunately, I found that the design of the armrests leaves a lot to be desired. They can be folded down and used as an elbow rest, allowing you to get closer to your desk, which is a novel feature but the wholly 2D up-and-down motion and very imprecise adjustment mechanism is far removed from the easily adjustable, 4D armrests that you would expect to find on a chair of this price. 

The chair utilizes a harmonic tilt motion that sees the backrest recline automatically under pressure. There are four preset ranges of motion to choose from, adjusted via a somewhat bizarre cylindrical control lever, but no option to lock the backrest in a static position. There is even some motion when it's set to the highest recline setting, which I found could be quite annoying as someone who often shifts around while seated. 

Things fare much better down at the chair’s base, though, which is a fantastic height with plenty of room for your feet. Its elevated design also prevents it from catching on any stray objects left on the floor, too, which is a huge benefit for those with an untidy gaming setup.

Performance

By far the best performing element of the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair is its castors, which are truly a cut above the rest. They glide smoothly across most surfaces and are an absolute dream if you’re someone who frequently wheels their chair around. The height adjustment mechanism for the seat also works extremely smoothly, which is a pleasant departure from the much cheaper feeling that will experience trying to adjust some gaming chair models.

The overall shape of the backrest is satisfactory, with a decent level of support and padding. The chair is not exceptionally comfortable in this regard, but it’s certainly not bad. Unfortunately, the armrests are fairly dire and do not offer anywhere near enough cushioning. They feel like unwieldy lumps of rubber and consistently left my elbows feeling fatigued after a few hours of use.

The headrest is a major issue too. It is completely static and quite small, with only a thin layer of internal foam for padding. This makes it very uncomfortable and the chair would instantly become considerably more pleasant to use if it were simply removed entirely. Its static position will also likely be problematic if you are not the ideal height. I’m roughly 185cm tall which meant that my head sat at about the correct level but I doubt anyone much taller or shorter would be able to make use of it.

There’s also the matter of the ventilation grill on the back of the chair, which I found made no perceptible difference in terms of cooling or comfort. Sybr states that the grill “keeps you cool when it counts” but that claim did measure up to reality. With the air conditioning set to high, I found my back getting just as hot as it would with pretty much any other foam insulated chair. Obviously, this is not a major deal breaker but it is very strange considering that the grill is advertised as a headlining feature when it does not appear to actually work.

Should I buy the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair?

It is simply impossible to recommend the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair. Although recent promotions go some way to help mitigate the far too high asking price, there are still several issues like the uncomfortable armrests and poor headrest that spoil the user experience. There are some attractive qualities here, though, like the fantastic materials and brilliant castors that leave me optimistic that future Sybr products could turn things around.

Buy it if...

 Don’t buy it if… 

How we reviewed the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair

I used the Sybr Si1 Gaming Chair as my main office chair for over a month. This meant that I spent a substantial period of time sitting in the chair as I completed my everyday work activities. I was careful to test out all of its features and made frequent notes about its ergonomic performance. As the chair came fully assembled, I also made an effort to disassemble the chair and experience reassembly.

 For some better gaming chairs, see our review of the brilliant Razer Fujin Pro or the Boulies Master Series. 

The best gaming chairs need to ensure you have all the comfort and support you need for your gaming sessions, and the Boulies Master Series gaming chair succeeds in doing exactly that. Despite its simple, all-black appearance, the Boulies Master Series offers a tonne of features to help customize your comfort. So, if you’ve been looking for a high-quality chair that accommodates all, you’re looking in the right place. 

Featuring built-in lumbar support, 4D armrests, and a comfortable cushion, the Boulies Master Series gaming chair has a lot going for it, and its comfort, feature set, and ease of build all mean it does a good job of justifying the price for admission. 

Price and availability

The Boulies Master Series is at the premium end of the gaming chair price spectrum and has a listing price of  $499.99/£349.99. I’d say you’re getting your money's worth though since this product is as top-quality as its price tag suggests with its sturdy build and choice of materials.

The Razer Iskur is one of the closest competitors for the Boulies Master Series, coming in at $599.99/£499.99 and offering a lot of the same design features, but I’d argue the Boulies Master Series is more accommodating for everyday use alongside gaming due to its simple design, and slightly cheaper price tag. 

Assembly

The Boulies Master Series chair is fairly simple to set up and is certainly achievable by one person. I would recommend having a reasonable amount of space around you to ensure you can turn and flip the chair with ease as you attach different parts. Nothing comes pre-assembled, unlike a few gaming chairs which usually have either the backrest or armrests pre-attached (see the AndaSeat Phantom 3 gaming chair, for example) so you do have to build every element of this chair, but it’s not too long a process, as I built the chair in about 45 minutes.

The instruction leaflet that comes in the box is simple but clear and lists the pieces you have and what you need for the next step. The images and instructions are easy to follow which puts a first-time gaming chair builder like myself at ease, and the box also contains spare parts if you find yourself missing or losing screws and bolts during the process. Parts like the tilt mechanism which you fit to the bottom of the chair are labelled with which direction they face too, as are the instructions, making it easier to align and fix parts together. 

Although it is completely achievable to build on your own, having a second pair of hands would undoubtedly make it easier. For example, doing it on my own meant that when fixing the hydraulics and the tilt mechanism to the base of the chair, I needed to either rest the chair upside down and lean on the armrests, or attempt to fix the screws horizontally where gravity wasn’t exactly in my favor. 

Design and features

The seat of the Boulies Master Series is incredibly spacious, making it incredibly comfortable during long play sessions, and ensuring you never feel restricted. The cushion doesn’t feel particularly plush at first and the longer you sit in it the more it starts to mold to your position. I always sit with my feet on my chair, or my legs folded under me (which is terrible for your knees and you shouldn’t sit like that, FYI) and in a regular desk chair this can result in some uncomfortable pretzel-esque positions, but with the Boulies wide seat, I can happily sit cross-legged without any jagged plastic digging into me.

The back of the chair provides support to your lower back to ensure your posture is kept straight, and the support cushion that comes included sits behind your head. As someone who usually struggles with slouching and tense shoulders, I found it a lot easier to relax into the chair knowing that my spine and neck were supported in the right ways. After sitting at my desk for a few hours at a time, I didn’t feel the usual ache I’m used to in my lower back. Plus, because it’s firm but not solid, there’s still enough support in the cushioning of the chair to feel comfortable without feeling stiff. 

The armrests can also be adjusted to your preference, and they are firm enough to provide genuine support. With the amount of space on the seat, I rarely found myself relying on these armrests until I sat back in the chair - unless I was using a controller connected to my PC which is when they came in incredibly handy to, well, rest my arms on. The tilt mechanism and hydraulics move smoothly, freeing you up to move in whatever way is comfortable within the chair too which I appreciate as someone who always fidgets before getting comfortable. 

Performance

There’s a lot to praise about the Boulies Master Series chair outside of its sheer comfort too. The model prides itself on straying from the “one-size-fits-all” design of a lot of gaming chairs. You can adjust the 4D armrests in every way, be it height or how far forward the rest pads are, and this is incredibly easy to do through the built-in levels and buttons on both armrests. With a standard office chair this isn’t usually something I’d worry about, but being able to rest your elbows at a comfortable height helps relax your shoulders and enhances the comfort of the chair; something I really appreciated during my longer gaming sessions. 

The integrated lumbar support means you don’t have to faff around with a cushion either. I get incredibly frustrated if a seat has cushions moving about since it just becomes uncomfortable after a while, and a lot of gaming chairs offer extra lumbar cushions to compensate for a back that doesn’t include it by design. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about a lumbar cushion moving around behind you because of the effective built-in support which you can adjust with two knobs on either side of the backrest which you twist to your preference, which also helps keep your posture upright and comfortable. 

The wide back and seat of the chair accommodate you however you sit, and over long periods it feels as if the chair adapts to you rather than forcing you to sit in one position or change habits to adapt to it.

The tilt rocking function that you can adjust with a lever on the left under the seat also helps personalize your comfort with the chair. It’s an incredibly smooth mechanism that makes movement seamless. Whether you’re sitting back to relax into your game, or looking to sit up to increase your productivity, the 15-degree motion is freeing enough to help you find an angle that works best for you.

Should I buy the Boulies Master Series gaming chair?

As a whole, the Boulies Master Series gaming chair is a dynamic product that suits the needs of any gamer who isn’t fussed about decals or design, and who wants something for everyday work use too. Even though its appearance is incredibly simple, its personalizable features like its 4D armrests and adjustable lumbar support mean it has its priorities right. It’s comfortable and cuts no corners on quality materials, and while its price tag is a chunk investment, it's one worth making if you want a chair that is durable and well-designed with comfort at the forefront of its design. 

Buy it if

Don't buy it if

How we tested the Boulies Master Series gaming chair

I used the Boulies Master Series gaming chair for over a month for work and gaming. Having used a standard, cheap own-brand Amazon office chair for several months before this, I can say with confidence that the Boulies Master Series is a significant upgrade and not only made work and gaming more comfortable but has also massively improved my posture when sitting at my desk working on my PC or laptop.

If you’re looking for alternative ways to improve your gaming space, we’ve got a list of all the best monitors for PS5, alongside the best wireless gaming headsets if you want to immerse yourself deeper into your favorite games.