Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Audio Equalizer Software

SteelSeries Sonar vs EqLume

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SteelSeries Sonar #4 in Audio Equalizer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SteelSeries
EqLume #7 in Audio Equalizer Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit EqLume

SteelSeries Sonar leads on 0 checks, EqLume on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSteelSeries Sonar · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEqLume · 3 of 4

SteelSeries Sonar scores higher on our rubric for audio equalizer software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

SteelSeries Sonar is the better fit for windows gamers and streamers. EqLume is the better fit for mac users wanting automated genre-based EQ.

  • SteelSeries Sonar fits best

    Windows gamers and streamers

  • EqLume fits best

    Mac users wanting automated genre-based EQ

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SteelSeries Sonar 9.0/10 Visit ↗ EqLume 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #4 in Audio Equalizer Software #7 in Audio Equalizer Software
Best for Windows gamers and streamers Mac users wanting automated genre-based EQ
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows macOS
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Features SteelSeries Sonar 0/4 · EqLume 3/4
System-wide control Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Per-app controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Parametric EQ Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Device profiles Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Desktop operating systems Not checked yet Macos
EQ band count Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation
  • Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams
  • Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit
  • System-wide parametric and shelf EQ with per-device profiles
  • Automatic genre detection and preset selection run on-device
  • Free, open-source menu-bar app with no virtual audio driver
Cons
  • Available only on Windows
  • Distributed through SteelSeries GG
  • Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers
  • Supports macOS only
  • Requires an Apple Silicon Mac
  • Requires macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) or later
Our verdict

SteelSeries Sonar is Windows audio software for gamers and streamers who need more than a basic equalizer. It combines a parametric equalizer with up to 10 bands, 360° spatial audio, ClearCast AI noise cancellation, microphone processing,…

Read the review →

EqLume is a free, open-source macOS menu-bar equalizer for people who want system-wide control over music playback. It applies audio processing through Core Audio across audio on the Mac, rather than limiting equalization to one player.…

Read the review →
  1. SteelSeries SonarAudio Equalizer Software 9.0Free plan
  2. EqLumeAudio Equalizer Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SteelSeries Sonar — where it wins

    • Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation
    • Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams
    • Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on Windows
    • Distributed through SteelSeries GG
    • Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers

  • EqLume — where it wins

    • System-wide parametric and shelf EQ with per-device profiles
    • Automatic genre detection and preset selection run on-device
    • Free, open-source menu-bar app with no virtual audio driver

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports macOS only
    • Requires an Apple Silicon Mac
    • Requires macOS 26.0 (Tahoe) or later

More comparisons

All audio equalizer software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update