SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset Review – Limitless Audio Options

Have you ever wanted to hear everything a video game can offer? Environment ambiance? Footsteps behind you on a map? The sweet whistle of wind in your ears? Prepare yourself, because the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset by SteelSeries is the train that will take you on a journey through the wild landscapes of immersive audio joy.

When it comes to my audio of choice, I have never been able to leave my heft JBL Quantum 910 headphones behind. Despite their ear-smothering cushions and bulk, they have been my go-to for nearly two years. I can genuinely say that when it comes to gaming, I am converted. SteelSeries has put everything they have into the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset. I really didn’t understand what I was missing until I had a chance to try these out.

Key Details

• Developer: SteelSeries
• Compatibility: PC & PlayStation, PC & Xbox
• Where to Buy: Steelseries website
• Battery Life: 44 Hours Wireless, 36 Wireless + Bluetooth (Between both batteries)
• Bluetooth: Yes (v 5.0)
• True Wireless: Yes (Low Latency 2.4 GHz)
• Active Noise Canceling: Yes
• Price: $349.99
• Sample Provided For Review: Yes

A Lightweight Design in Two Sleek Colors

Headsets can be a bulky and frustrating battle for gamers. You need good cushion for comfort, but too heavy and it will dig into the top of your head. A good mic is a must, but if it doesn’t sit at the right angle, or is easy to break, that can be a problem. Add in that many headsets with a wide range of features are just frustrating to use, and shopping gets to be a bit of a “what sucks less” debate.

SteelSeries has taken almost everything a player could look for into account with the design of the Arctis Nove Pro Wireless headphones. The headset itself is light, weighing almost nothing in comparison to my JBL Quantum 910 and my Razer Kraken V3. For me, this is a huge perk, as I get migraines when headsets are too heavy or squeeze too tightly.

The Arctis Nova Pro also has a unique feature, a foam cushion has been integrated into the headband piece. This cushion is light, gentle, and almost unnoticeable when worn, suspending the actual headset while mitigating most of its weight.

The earpieces are made of a light, plush cushion that doesn’t trap heat but blocks sound very well. It’s also big enough that the cushions properly cover my enormous ears. Huge shoutout to earpieces that actually fit.

On each earpiece are two magnetic, removable covers. One hides the USB-C charging port, while the other covers a spare exchangeable battery pack that can be charged separately and switched out to remove the need for wired charging.

The controls for this headset sit on the body of each ear piece, and I’m not going to lie, I still have to take them off to know which buttons are which. However, they are well placed, and I don’t bump them accidentally when adjusting the headset.

My only grip on the build is the retractable microphone. While the concept is really interesting, as a decade-seasoned IT tech, my first thought, whenever I see these bendable mics, is wire damage. I do worry what the long-term wear-and-tear for this mic will be. The more something is bent in the casing, even just to put it away or bend it around after pulling it out, the more they can be problematic.

What I would say here is to be very careful with the bendable mic on the Arctis Nova Pro, as that is probably the true Achilles heel of this headset.

A Multi-System Connection Streamlines Settings

The feature that truly sets the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro apart is its multi-system connect hub. This small, OLED dial is the do-all-wonder of accessories. I can switch between my PC and my PlayStation with ease, hook my speakers up, and control those through the Line-Out mode, or toggle volume during a game at the touch of a dial.

This tiny device makes everything easier, and it takes up almost no room at all. I feel like I have barely scraped the surface of how I can use it, as there are settings and features for every mode the headphones have to offer.

What I will say, is that while they are plugged into your PC, be aware that all other sound devices must either go through the box or be manually toggled via the Bluetooth device manager on your PC. Otherwise, the box will default to your headset and you won’t hear anything from your speakers that aren’t directly connected.

Active Noise Canceling Continues To Be Just Okay

I have found with headsets that there truly is a limit to what true active noise canceling can achieve, and unfortunately, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless does struggle with some of the hurdles.

This set of headphones will block out all your background noise with ease. The TV won’t come through if it’s on in the background, and the street noise outside will be blocked with no issue, but people talking in the same room is an issue, and these do not pass the “toddler player cars” ultimate sound test.

In short, if you are playing alone with minimal noise, you are set. If you have children, loud dogs, rowdy roomies, or that family member constantly talking on the phone right next to you, be sure to dial up the volume to cope.

Welcome to a World of Audio Customization

I have saved the best for last in this review. The gem of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset is the SteelSeries GG control program.

Oh my goodness is this a perfectionist’s dream.

Using the extremely intuitive software, players can select their own desired combination of sound preferences, or they can browse an enormous library of preset options specifically tailored to almost every popular game currently available.

This library offers the perfect settings for games like Call of Duty, Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Fortnite, Genshin Impact and so many more. I was absolutely blown away by the sheer number of options.

What is even more amazing, is that when they are selected, they alter the experience of the game entirely. From heightened noises needed for a CoD match to stunning instrumental ambiance in BG3, this headset transformed my game into a cinematic, immersive thrill ride. I am beyond excited for the eventual addition of Dragon Age: The Veilguard presets and will be through the moon when they are available.

Final Score – 9.5/10

If you want quality, with options, and unlimited customizability, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headphones are worth every penny of that premium price. While they aren’t the best option for just listening to music, what they bring to gaming across multiple platforms is incredible.

These are the perfect gift for any avid, dedicated gamer, and will likely dominate as the top pick out of many options on the market for years to come. From comfort to useability, they are a best-in-class, and have everything you need to dive deep into any game currently available.

If you are looking for another controller to go with your headset, check out our review for the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller.

**Bonus Action was provided with a sample of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for PlayStation and PC for the purpose of this review**

About the Author

Laura Gray

Administrator

Laura Gray, known as Ezra when not putting pen to paper, is a D&D enthusiast with a love of all things written. They are a collector of fantasy and sci-fi novels, a lover of cooking weird food, and a player of farming sims and Pokémon games. When not engrossed in a re-read of Anne McCaffrey or a deep dive into the Adventure Zone: Balance, they can be found sniffing the cats and napping in half-finished crochet projects.

Visit Website View All Posts