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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want the most accurate, high-fidelity sound for PS5 and PC gaming, choose SteelSeries Arctis Pro +; if you need a lighter, more breathable headset you can also plug into a 3.5 mm phone or handheld, choose Alienware Gaming Headset AW520H.
• SteelSeries Arctis Pro + biggest strength: A dedicated GameDAC with an ESS Sabre DAC and amp, certified Hi-Res audio up to 96 kHz / 24-bit, and drivers rated from 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz.
• SteelSeries Arctis Pro + biggest trade-off: It's a wired, USB-tethered system built around the DAC, so it lives at your desk and weighs in at 521 g.
• Alienware AW520H biggest strength: Lightweight comfort with memory foam, breathable fabric pads, a sliding suspension headband, and dual USB plus 3.5 mm connectivity.
• Alienware AW520H biggest trade-off: The premium features like Dolby Atmos, AI mic noise cancellation, and AlienFX lighting only work over the USB connection.
• Pick SteelSeries Arctis Pro + if pristine, uncut high-res audio is your top priority.
• Pick Alienware AW520H if long-session comfort and flexible plug-and-play use across devices matter more.
The Arctis Pro + is the audio purist's pick of these two. Its whole reason for existing is the GameDAC, a dedicated DAC and headphone amp that bypasses the low-quality audio chips found in console controllers, USB headsets, and standard PC sound cards. That matters because those built-in chips tend to be the weak link in a chain. By handling conversion outside the console or PC, the system keeps the signal clean from source to ear.
Where this really shows up is in the numbers. The ESS Sabre DAC and amp deliver 121 dB of dynamic range and -115 dB THD+N, which speaks to a very quiet noise floor and strong separation between quiet and loud passages. It's a certified Hi-Res Audio system that plays at 96 kHz / 24-bit with no down-sampling, and the 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz frequency range reaches well above what most game audio even uses. The drivers use high-density neodymium magnets, and you get DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround for positional cues.
Build-wise, this is a polished steel and aluminum alloy frame — heavier and more substantial, with a steel headband, AirWeave fabric ear cushions, and an elastic suspension band that distributes weight across your head. It's white, over-ear, and USB-wired, controlled through an app with volume control on the unit. Note that SteelSeries recommends keeping the firmware updated via SteelSeries Engine.
Buy it if you game primarily at a PS5 or PC and want the most faithful, full-resolution audio you can get from a wired headset. Skip it if you want something light to carry around or need a 3.5 mm jack for a phone or Switch.
The AW520H takes the opposite approach: comfort and flexibility first. It's built around soft memory foam ear pads with a breathable fabric covering, plus a suspension headband you adjust by sliding it, with an inner strap you can move up or down to change the tension. At 11.84 ounces it's the lighter of the two on paper, and the whole design is aimed at wearing it for hours without pressure building up.
On audio, it's also Hi-Res certified, with drivers rated up to 40,000 Hz and Dolby Atmos spatial audio for positional accuracy. Crucially, those headline features — Dolby Atmos, AI-driven mic noise cancellation, the mic mute LED, and AlienFX lighting — only work when you connect over USB. The retractable boom mic uses AI-driven noise cancellation to focus on your voice and cut ambient sound, which is a genuinely useful feature for squad chat.
The flexibility is the real story. It ships with a 3.5 mm to USB adapter, so you can run USB to a PC or drop to 3.5 mm for other compatible devices. The AlienFX RGB logo syncs with Alienware Command Center if you're in that ecosystem. It comes in the Dark Side of the Moon colorway with circular over-ear cups, and it's covered by a limited two-year warranty.
Buy it if you want one headset that works across PC and 3.5 mm gear, and you value breathable, adjustable comfort above all. Skip it if you're chasing the absolute highest-resolution wired audio and don't mind a desk-bound setup.
• Best for raw audio fidelity → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. The dedicated ESS Sabre DAC, 96 kHz / 24-bit Hi-Res playback, and 121 dB dynamic range put it ahead for signal purity.
• Best for lowest-frequency reach → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. Its drivers are rated from 10 Hz, versus the AW520H's range topping out at 40 kHz with no low-end figure given.
• Best for long-session comfort → Alienware AW520H. Breathable fabric pads, adjustable suspension strap, and a lighter build favor marathon sessions.
• Best for device flexibility → Alienware AW520H. USB plus a 3.5 mm adapter covers PC and other 3.5 mm devices; the Arctis Pro + is USB-wired.
• Best for desk-bound PS5/PC setups → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. The GameDAC is designed to sit in the chain and upgrade a console or PC's output.
• Best for mic clarity in noisy rooms → Alienware AW520H. AI-driven noise cancellation on the retractable boom mic targets ambient sound.
• Best for build materials → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. Polished steel and aluminum alloy is a more premium construction than the AW520H's foam-and-fabric focus.
• Best for a clean look without RGB → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. It's a straightforward white build, while the AW520H leans into Alienware's RGB identity.
In my opinion, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + is the one I'd buy if audio quality is the point. The dedicated DAC and amp, the certified Hi-Res playback, and that 10 Hz–40 kHz range are the kind of hardware that actually changes what you hear — quieter background, cleaner detail, better positional cues. The AW520H is the smarter pick if you want comfort and cross-device convenience, but for a wired PS5 or PC setup, I'd take the Arctis Pro + every time. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since that's the one thing that can tip a close call.
FAQ
The Alienware AW520H is aimed squarely at comfort, with memory foam, breathable fabric pads, an adjustable suspension headband, and a lighter overall build. The Arctis Pro + is comfortable too, using an elastic suspension band and AirWeave cushions, but it's a heavier steel-and-aluminum design.
Yes. It includes a 3.5 mm to USB adapter and supports 3.5 mm connections, so it works with compatible devices beyond PC. Keep in mind Dolby Atmos, AI mic noise cancellation, and AlienFX lighting only function over USB.
Yes. It's designed for PS5, PS4, and PC over a USB connection, with the GameDAC handling audio conversion. It also supports DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround, and SteelSeries recommends keeping the firmware updated through SteelSeries Engine.
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