The 5 Best SteelSeries Headsets of 2025 Reviews

Updates

• 05/14/2025 SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds reviewed
• 09/10/2024 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 reviewed
• 02/05/2024 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] updated
• 01/19/2024 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 updated
• 01/18/2024 SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless updated

1. Best SteelSeries Headset

   

   

   

   

   

   SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] 14

   
   Sports And Fitness

   6.6

   Travel

   7.0

   Office Work

   7.2

   Wireless Gaming (In Development)

   7.5

   Wired Gaming (In Development)

   7.8

   Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy

   6.8

   Noise Isolation

   7.1

   Microphone (In Development)

   7.7

   Frequency Response Consistency

   6.3
   Bass Amount

   Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)

   Treble Amount

   Slightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)

   Sound Signature

   Warm

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling Yes

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The best SteelSeries headset we've tested is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. These headphones have a wireless transmitter that comes in Xbox and PlayStation variants, so it's important to get the right one to match your console. The transmitter offers low latency, which is great when timing is everything, and it has an interface that puts controls like EQs, volume, and chat mix within easy reach. The headphones come with two swappable battery packs, so you can use one while the other charges inside the transmitter. Each battery provides about 25 hours of continuous playback time, and you can even use the headphones wired in a pinch. If you prefer wired-only headphones, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, which come with a GameDAC.

   Out of the box, these headphones have a mostly balanced sound profile, with a little extra boom to help emphasize sound effects in gameplay. You can also fine-tune their sound using their companion software's robust features, including a parametric EQ. They support Bluetooth, which is great if you want to stay connected to your console and smartphone simultaneously, and their boom mic offers very good overall performance, ensuring teammates hear you clearly. They have an ANC system, too, and while it doesn't block out sound as well as more casual-use over-ears, it can still tackle ambient chatter.

   See our review

2. Best Upper Mid-Range SteelSeries Headset

   

   

   

   

   

   SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] 14

   
   Sports And Fitness

   6.9

   Travel

   6.2

   Office Work

   6.5

   Wireless Gaming (In Development)

   7.5

   Wired Gaming (In Development)

   7.8

   Performance Usages: Audio Reproduction Accuracy

   7.0

   Noise Isolation

   4.7

   Microphone (In Development)

   7.7

   Frequency Response Consistency

   4.7
   Bass Amount

   Very Emphasized (6 dB)

   Treble Amount

   Balanced (0 dB)

   Sound Signature

   Warm

   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The best SteelSeries headphones in the upper mid-range we've tested are the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless. These headphones have fewer extra features than the previous pick—they don't have ANC or swappable batteries and don't come with a GameDAC. Their wireless USB dongle also doesn't give you the easiest access to volume and sound controls. However, buying the 7X variant provides a low latency connection with Xbox, PlayStation, and PCs, which is great if you use multiple systems. Their boom mic makes your voice sound clear and full-bodied and does a good job of separating it from background noise.

   They have a bass-rich sound profile with extra rumble and punch that can help action-packed games feel more exciting. However, dialogue and instruments sound veiled and lack some detail. They work with companion software that includes a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. However, some users have reported that applying customization with the Ngenuity software causes very high latency with PlayStation consoles. It's also worth noting that while the 7X variant is compatible with PlayStations and PCs, it was designed for Xbox. Fortunately, you can get the 7P for PlayStation or the 7 for PC gaming. The 7X is the only variant that can connect wirelessly with PCs, Xbox, and PlayStation, so it's the best choice if you're concerned about versatility.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range SteelSeries Headset

   

   

   

   

   

   SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 18

   
   Neutral Sound

   6.6

   Commute/Travel

   6.7

   Sports/Fitness

   6.9

   Office

   7.0

   Wireless Gaming

   7.4

   Wired Gaming

   5.7

   Phone Calls

   7.5
   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless Yes

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   If you're looking to save a little money but retain most of the functionality of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 are a good choice. Out of the box, the Nova 5's sound isn't as well balanced as the Nova 7's, but it's easy to customize using the parametric EQ and presets in the SteelSeries GG companion app. If you're not an audio tweaker, don't worry: the Nova 5's default sound has enough boom to keep effects like footsteps feeling immersive, with a generally flat mid-range that ensures dialogue sounds natural and detailed. Unfortunately, a big dip and peak in the treble region can render sibilants and cymbals alternately dull or piercing.

   Where the Nova 5 really impresses is in microphone performance. These cans have an excellent recording quality, so your voice is reproduced accurately and with plenty of body. The mic also does a great job separating your voice from any noise around you. Even if a loud train goes by your open window, whoever you're talking to will still be able to understand you. Unfortunately, using these to game in consistently noisy environments isn't the best idea, as they do a poor job of blocking out everyday noises like nearby chatter. Still, their 48-hour battery life is longer than the Nova 7's 33 hours, and it will see you through a few gaming marathons before having to recharge.

   See our review

4. Best Lower Mid-Range SteelSeries Headset

   

   

   

   

   

   SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 0

   
   Neutral Sound

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   4.6

   Sports/Fitness

   5.7

   Office

   5.9

   Wireless Gaming

   5.6

   Wired Gaming

   7.6

   Phone Calls

   6.8
   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The best lower mid-range SteelSeries headphones are the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3. At this price point and below, you'll mostly find wired headphones. However, this doesn't mean that they lack features. In addition to providing full audio and mic capability via their wired connection, they also support customizable RGB lighting, so you can make them reflect your style. They're less well-built than their more expensive counterparts, but they still feel sturdy and solid. They also have a comfortable fit but have a small range of adjustability, so if you have a large head, they may not fit you correctly.

   Out of the box, these over-ears have a warm sound that helps bring out sound effects like footsteps. However, we noticed a warping sound coming from our unit when using the USB connection, and this sound wasn't present when using the TRRS cable. You can customize their sound using their companion software's parametric EQ and presets. Their mic offers good overall performance, ensuring your voice is clear to enemies and teammates, but it's a step down from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless.

   See our review

5. Best Budget SteelSeries Headset

   

   

   

   

   

   SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 1

   
   Neutral Sound

   7.3

   Commute/Travel

   4.6

   Sports/Fitness

   5.7

   Office

   6.0

   Wireless Gaming

   5.1

   Wired Gaming

   7.2

   Phone Calls

   6.9
   Type Over-ear

   Enclosure Closed-Back

   Wireless No

   Transducer Dynamic

   Noise Cancelling No

   Mic Yes

   See all our test results

   The best budget SteelSeries headphones we've tested are the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. While most headphones tend to fall in build quality at this price, these retain a similarly well-built design as their mid-range counterpart, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3. Instead, they're lighter on extra features, so don't expect companion software, customizable RGB lighting, or wireless connectivity. These wired headphones offer solid performance if you don't mind their no-frills design.

   These over-ears have the same warm sound profile as the Nova 3. However, they don't have EQs or customization features, so you can't adjust their sound. Although their ski-band headband design ensures a comfortable fit, they're prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to adjust them on your head each time you use them. Their boom mic offers good overall performance, so you sound clear and understandable.

   See our review

Compared To Other Brands