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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.6
Review updated Feb 05, 2024 at 03:41 pm
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] Picture
6.9
Neutral Sound
7.3
Commute/Travel
7.1
Sports/Fitness
7.3
Office
7.5
Wireless Gaming
7.7
Wired Gaming
7.5
Phone Calls

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are premium wireless gaming headphones released in 2022. These over-ears are packed with extra features like a wireless transmitter with built-in customization controls, active noise cancelling (ANC), swappable battery packs, and plenty of software options. They also support Bluetooth, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and console at the same time. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, you can get these headphones in either a PC and PlayStation or Xbox variant. If you care about cross-platform compatibility, the Xbox variant is more versatile since it can wirelessly connect to both consoles. That said, there have been many user reports of a high noise floor, which can be annoying while you're gaming. You can read more about this in our Sound Profile test.

Our Verdict

6.9 Neutral Sound

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are fair for neutral sound. Out of the box, they have a somewhat neutral sound profile. The touch of extra bass adds thump, rumble, and boom to mixes. However, a large peak in the mid-range makes vocals and lead instruments sound harsh. The treble range is uneven, which can veil dialogue while sibilants like cymbals are shrill. Luckily, you can customize their sound to your liking using their companion software's parametric EQ and presets. With that said, since they have a closed-back design, their passive soundstage won't seem very immersive.

Pros
  • Robust sound customization features.
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
7.3 Commute/Travel

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are good for commute and travel, although that's not their primary design purpose. Since they support Bluetooth, you can easily connect them to your smartphone when you're on the go, and a single battery pack offers roughly 25 hours of continuous playback time. They also have ANC, and while they struggle to reduce the rumble of bus engines, they can block out passenger chit-chat well. However, they have a bulky design, and their carrying pouch won't protect the headphones from anything other than dust.

Pros
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
  • ANC can help cut down ambient chatter and high-pitched noise.
Cons
  • ANC struggles to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines.
7.1 Sports/Fitness

The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless aren't designed for this purpose. They can fall off your head if you're wearing them during moderate physical activity, and they have a bulky design. Luckily, you can use them wirelessly via Bluetooth, which helps eliminate the risk of something snagging the headphones and pulling them off of your head. They also have a decently comfortable fit and are well-built. However, they lack an IP rating for water resistance, which is normal for gaming headsets.

Pros
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
Cons
  • Can fall off your head with moderate head movements.
7.3 Office

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are good for office use. You can connect these decently comfortable headphones to your PC via Bluetooth or non-Bluetooth wireless. Thanks to their swappable battery pack system, you can use one battery (which lasts roughly 25 hours) while the other charges in the dock. If you need to take calls or attend online meetings, they have a retractable boom mic with a very good overall performance and a sidetone. Their ANC also offers an okay overall performance and can block out office chatter well.

Pros
  • Very good overall mic performance.
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
  • ANC can help cut down ambient chatter and high-pitched noise.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
7.5 Wireless Gaming

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are good for wireless gaming. Thanks to their wireless dock, you can connect them to consoles with low latency. They also support Bluetooth, meaning you can stay connected to your gameplay and smartphone at the same time. Overall, these headphones offer a customizable experience, thanks to their companion software. You can also use their dock to adjust their performance on the fly when gaming on your Xbox. Their retractable mic also offers a very good performance, which is nice if you like to game with others, and they come with two swappable battery packs, so you can use one while the other charges.

Pros
  • Very good overall mic performance.
  • Low non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
  • Robust sound customization features.
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
7.7 Wired Gaming

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are good for wired gaming. You can connect them to your console via their 1/8" TRRRS cable, and if you value customizability, their dock has a built-in graphic EQ and presets that you can fine-tune on the fly, plus you can switch which gaming platform you connect to with the press of a button. They also have a retractable boom mic, which offers a very good overall performance, ensuring that your teammates hear you clearly, even if you're talking in a moderately noisy environment. They have a decently comfortable fit, and they're well-built.

Pros
  • Very good overall mic performance.
  • Robust sound customization features.
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor passive soundstage.
7.5 Phone Calls

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are good for phone calls. Their retractable boom mic can capture your voice clearly, even in moderately noisy environments. You get a sidetone, which is handy for calls, although it can introduce noise. The headphones also have ANC, which offers alright overall performance to cut out some ambient noise around you. Unlike many gaming headphones, they also have basic call-related controls, so you don't need to access your device to answer or end calls.

Pros
  • Very good overall mic performance.
  • Well-built and decently comfortable.
  • ANC can help cut down ambient chatter and high-pitched noise.
Cons
  • ANC struggles to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines.
  • 6.9 Neutral Sound
  • 7.3 Commute/Travel
  • 7.1 Sports/Fitness
  • 7.3 Office
  • 7.5 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.7 Wired Gaming
  • 7.5 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Feb 05, 2024: We've updated with minor text edits and added a comparison to the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023.
  2. Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
  3. Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
  4. Updated Oct 06, 2023: We've updated the name of these headphones to reflect their three console-specific variants: PC, PS, and Xbox.
  5. Updated Jun 05, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Turtle Beath Stealth Pro Wireless PS/Xbox in Non-Bluetooth Wireless.
  6. Updated May 18, 2023: There have been user reports of buzzing while on phone calls or online calls. We have updated the following tests: Sound Profile, Recording Quality, Noise Isolation, and Bluetooth, but the scoring of these tests hasn't changed.
  7. Updated Apr 24, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Audeze Maxwell Wireless in Sound Profile.
  8. Updated Mar 10, 2023: Due to user feedback, we've lowered the Comfort score from '7.5' to '7.0' due to the protruding ANC mic inside the ear cup. We've also added a note in Battery regarding how to insert the battery cartridge into the dock.
  9. Updated Jan 20, 2023: We've updated our review to reflect several different user concerns. The following tests have been updated, but their scoring hasn't changed: Controls, Sound Profile, Virtual Soundstage, and App Support. We also incorrectly reported that these headphones supported Hi-Res and have corrected our review to reflect this change.
  10. Updated Nov 15, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset in the Compared section.
  11. Updated Sep 29, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless in Noise Isolation. We've also clarified the difference between the Xbox and PlayStation variant of these headphones in the Variant box.
  12. Updated Sep 27, 2022: We have remeasured the headphones' height with the ear cups laying flat in Portability.
  13. Updated Sep 23, 2022: We originally reported the Weighted THD in the Recording Quality test as '0.0'. However, this was a mistake and we have updated the test with the correct values, resulting in a change in its scoring.
  14. Updated Sep 20, 2022: We've lowered the scoring of Comfort from 8.0 to 7.5 due to the protrusion in the ear cups, which can hurt your ear if pressed against it.
  15. Updated Aug 31, 2022: We've retested these headphones' compatibility with SteelSeries GG/Sonar software via Xbox. Unfortunately, this software is limited to PC gaming, and you won't be able to take advantage of it while gaming on Xbox consoles. However, you can use the DAC to make EQ changes or buy the Dolby Atmos app, which offers a bit more sound customization. Unfortunately, we didn't notice much difference in sound when using the Dolby Atmos app. The text of the following tests has changed: ''Sound Profile', App Support', and 'Xbox Compatibility'.
  16. Updated Jul 15, 2022: Review published.
  17. Updated Jul 11, 2022: Early access published.
  18. Updated Jun 16, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  19. Updated Jun 07, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  20. Updated May 31, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are the wireless sibling of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro but offer more features like ANC. You can also purchase these headphones in a PC & PlayStation or Xbox variant. The main difference between both models is in their connectivity. The PlayStation variant can only wirelessly connect to PCs and PlayStation consoles. However, the Xbox variant can be used wirelessly on the Xbox as well as on PCs and PlayStation consoles. Either model only comes in one color variation, 'Black', though. We tested the Xbox variant of these headphones, and you can see our model's label here.

If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are premium wireless gaming headphones jam-packed with customization features. Like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, their wireless transmitter puts controls like EQs, presets, and channel mixing at your fingertips, while you can charge the spare battery pack when not in use. Their companion software also offers more customization features if you need it. They have very low latency with the wireless base and support Bluetooth, which is great if you want to use them more casually. Even though they have ANC, they struggle to filter out bass-range noise like bus rumbles, especially compared to other ANC gaming headphones like the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless.

Check out our recommendations for the best wireless gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets, and the best headsets for Xbox Series X/S.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are better, more versatile gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless. Although both are premium gaming headphones, you can use the SteelSeries via analog in addition to wirelessly, their wireless dock offers controls like EQs and channel mixing within easy reach, and the dock ensures low latency, so your audio and visuals are synched while gaming. They also have a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and their boom mic delivers better overall performance. However, the Turtle Beach are more comfortable and have an integrated mic and a boom mic, which is handy if you want to use them more casually. Their ANC system also offers better overall performance, and their passive soundstage feels more immersive.

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] have a few more features than the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019, which some users may prefer. While both headphones are well-built, the SteelSeries have ANC to help block out a fair amount of ambient noise around you, come with two battery packs, which offer close to 50 hours of total playback time, and have more robust customization features in their companion software. They also support Bluetooth and come with a DAC, meaning you can adjust your settings on the fly. However, the Astro are more comfortable, have a better overall mic performance, and their passive soundstage sounds more open and natural.

Audeze Maxwell Wireless

The Audeze Maxwell Wireless are better overall headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox]. While both headphones are similarly comfortable and well-built, the Audeze have a more neutral sound out of the box, which some users may prefer, and have a more robust virtual soundstage feature. Their boom mic also offers better overall performance, and they have significantly longer continuous battery life. However, the SteelSeries have a fair noise cancelling system, which can be handy if you like to game in noisy environments. Their wireless transmitter also puts controls like EQ and sidetone at your fingertips.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] have an edge over the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. The Arctis Nova Pro deliver audio more consistently, and have ANC to help block out an alright amount of background noise. Their total battery life is longer, and you can even get these headphones in an Xbox or PlayStation variant, which offers different compatibility with either console. However, the original Arctis Pro have a more neutral sound profile, and their mic offers better overall performance.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are more versatile gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. While both headsets are well-built, the SteelSeries can be used wired and wirelessly. They have an ANC unit to help block out a fair amount of ambient noise, support Bluetooth, and their wireless dock puts a lot of controls such as channel mixing and EQs at your fingertips. Their boom mic offers better overall performance, and their app has many more customization features. The HyperX are still worth checking out if you value a significantly longer continuous battery life. They're also more comfortable. On the downside, users have reported that using the companion app's features adds high latency into your gameplay. 

Audeze Penrose Wireless

Although the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] and the Audeze Penrose Wireless are both gaming headphones, they have different strengths, and depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. The SteelSeries are better-built, and have an ANC system that can help block out a fair amount of ambient sound. They also have a better overall battery performance and significantly more customization features, thanks to their companion app. However, the Audeze are planar magnetic headphones that offer a more neutral sound out of the box and have a more immersive passive soundstage.

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

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless and their variants. The Arctis Nova Pro have more consistent audio delivery, and their ANC helps block out a fair amount of background noise around you. They also come with a wireless transmitter that offers controls like EQs and channel mixing at your fingertips, and they have longer-lasting total battery life. However, the Arctis Nova 7 are more comfortable.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023 have a greater continuous battery life than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, even when compared to the combined battery life of the SteelSeries' two swappable batteries. The Razer have worse frequency response consistency with better treble accuracy than the SteelSeries, and while both have somewhat neutral leaning sound profiles with some added low-end boominess, the SteelSeries have darker treble due to the larger dips. On the other hand, you get ANC on the SteelSeries which isn't class-redefining but it attenuates some noise, while the Razer headset only passively isolates. If you have an Xbox, the Razer cans aren't compatible, but the SteelSeries cans are if you get the Xbox variant. Both have good mic performance, but the Razer has the edge here, with a more accurate mic.

Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are more versatile gaming headphones than the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless. The SteelSeries are better-built, and have a better overall boom mic performance. They also have higher total battery life, and have a lot of controls like EQ presets and chatmix at your fingertips, thanks to their wireless transmitter base. However, the Razer have a significantly better noise isolation performance and a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.

Sony INZONE H9 Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are better overall gaming headphones than the Sony INZONE H9 Wireless. Whether you have the Xbox or PlayStation variant, the SteelSeries are better-built, and have more consistent audio delivery. They also have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, their mic has a better overall performance, their companion app is more robust, and you can use them wired via their 1/8" TRRS cable. They even have a wireless base transmitter, which allows you to charge their spare battery pack and adjust controls on the fly. However, the Sony headphones have a better overall noise cancelling performance.

Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless

The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless have the edge over the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, though the SteelSeries offer more features. The Logitech are more comfortable and have a more balanced and neutral sound, which some users may prefer, and their passive soundstage performance is better. They also have a longer continuous playback time. However, the SteelSeries come in an Xbox variant, which is nice if you normally game on that console, and they come with a DAC that offers controls like EQs and channel mixing at your fingertips. They also have ANC, which is handy if you want to block out some background noise while gaming, and you can pair them via Bluetooth and dongle simultaneously.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are more versatile gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. You can use the Wireless variant wired or wirelessly and have ANC to help block out some background noise. They're better built, and have more consistent audio delivery. However, the wired Nova Pro have a more immersive passive soundstage.

Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are more versatile gaming headphones than the Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset. The SteelSeries are better built, have a better noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC system, have a higher total battery life, and support Bluetooth. Their boom mic offers better overall performance, and their wireless transmitter base allows you to finetune your gaming experience on the fly. However, the Logitech can create a more immersive soundstage and are more comfortable.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are more versatile gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC. You can use the Arctis Nova Pro wired or wirelessly, either by connecting them to their wireless dock or via Bluetooth. They deliver audio more consistently, and have ANC, which can help cut down some ambient noise. Their mic also has a better overall performance. However, if you only prefer wired gaming, the Arctis Pro GameDAC have a better passive soundstage and a more neutral default sound profile.

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless. The Arctis Nova Pro deliver audio more consistently, and have ANC, which can help block some background sound. They also have a longer total battery life, lower wireless latency, thanks to their transmitter bas, and come with a dock that allows you to make adjustments, like tweaking the EQ on the fly. However, Arctis 9X have a somewhat better microphone performance.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset​

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless [PC, PS, Xbox] are better gaming headphones than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset. You can use the SteelSeries wired or wirelessly, they're better built, and they come with a wireless transmitter that puts controls like EQs directly at your fingertips. You can also customize their performance using their companion software's robust features. Their boom mic offers better overall performance, and they have a longer total battery life. However, the Bose headphones are still worth considering if you value a high noise isolation performance or if you're looking for gaming headphones that you can use more casually.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless look somewhat similar to the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. They have the standard SteelSeries ski-band headband design, but the plastic frame is shinier than that of other headphones from this manufacturer. While they only come in black, you can purchase the Arctis Nova Booster Pack separately, which comes with a set of speaker plates and a nylon ski-band in one of several colors: 'Cherry Red,' 'Lilac,' 'Mint,' and 'Rose Quartz.'

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.75 lbs
Clamping Force
1.1 lbs

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are decently comfortable headphones. They don't clamp as tightly as other models from this manufacturer, like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC, and they're a little lighter. The ear cups have a good range of motion, and the padding feels soft against the skin. However, like many gaming headphones, they're still a bit bulky in design. The sizing of the headband is also limited to the length of the ski band and the metal frame, so they may have a very snug fit if you have a large head.

Some users have also reported experiencing discomfort due to the protrusion inside the ear cups. This is the ANC's mic, which can hurt if your ears are pressed against it. It depends on how you place the headphones on your head and the shape of your ears. If you're wearing the headphones further back on the head, it can cause the mic to touch your ears, which isn't very comfortable. It can also disrupt the headphones' seal and affect sound quality.

8.5
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Decent
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
Yes
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Multi function

The headphones have excellent controls. The headphones have a couple of physical buttons built into each ear cup. They're easy to use and provide tonal feedback. There's also an infinite volume wheel, but it lacks a middle notch to let you know when you're over 50% volume. That said, the feedback can be loud, even if you set the transmitter's volume to its lowest setting and then use the controls to take you back to the main menu, which can be a bit annoying.

On the left ear cup:

  • Power button
    • Single press: Turns ANC on and off.
    • Double press: Activates talk-through mode so you can better hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off.
    • Press and hold: Powers the headphones on and off.
  • Mic mute button
    • Mutes and unmutes the mic.

On the right ear cup:

  • Bluetooth button
    • Single press: Plays and pauses audio. Also answers and declines calls.
    • Double press: Skips to the next track.
    • Triple press: Skips to the previous track.

In addition, these headphones come with a DAC that provides controls at your fingertips. You can access channel mixing, EQs, the virtual soundstage feature, gain, sidetone, and mic volume. However, it can be tricky to use since there are only two buttons and a dial.

6.0
Design
Portability
L 7.5" (19.0 cm)
W 6.7" (17.0 cm)
H 2.0" (5.1 cm)
Volume 100.51 in³ (1,647.00 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

Like most gaming headphones, these are passably portable. Although the cups can swivel to lay flat, they have large ear cups and a rigid headband, so they can't fold to save up more space. You can see a photo of the headphones in their default position here.

5.0
Design
Case
Type Pouch
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

These headphones come with a poor case—a cloth pouch that won't cinch closed. It's a bit sheer, meaning it won't keep your headphones from water or fall damage. At best, the bag keeps the dust away. Although the bag has a drawstring, it also doesn't fully close.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless' build quality is great. They're mostly made of plastic, but the headband has a metal plate and a nylon sling to keep them sturdy and comfortable. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, there isn't extra nylon to wrap over the top of the headband, and there are only three settings for adjusting the strap. The hinges can expand the metal headband to better fit larger heads. The mic is retractable too, and you can remove the ear cup plate to access the battery or USB port. Some parts, such as the headband, are replaceable, which can prolong the overall lifespan of the headset.

6.5
Design
Stability

The headphones are fairly stable. While they won't move around if you're gaming on your couch or at your desk, they become much less stable if you wear them during a run in the park and can fall off your head altogether.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headphones
  • Wireless USB transmitter
  • 2x Batteries
  • 2x USB-A to USB-C cable
  • 1/8" TRRRS cable
  • Mic wind screen
  • Pouch
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-0.22 dB
Treble Amount
-1.97 dB

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have a somewhat neutral sound profile. They have a touch of extra thump, boom, and punch to help intensify sound effects like explosions. However, vocals and instruments are harsh, and the recessed low and mid-treble sounds dark. Plus, the exaggerated peak in mid-treble can fatigue your ears with shrillness. Luckily, you can customize the headphones' sound to your liking using the companion software's EQ and presets or use their wireless dock's built-in EQ. You can only transfer your custom settings from the GG app if you disable Sonar. If you're looking for more neutral-sounding gaming headphones, take a look at the Audeze Maxwell Wireless instead.

Unfortunately, some users have reported a high noise floor when the ANC and Bluetooth are both active, and we were able to confirm this with our own unit. Switching between Bluetooth on and off doesn't significantly affect the noise floor. We also noticed that having the mic on adds a slight hiss to your audio. It's not very noticeable when the mic is being used, but if you have a live mic and you're not speaking, you'll hear the hiss in the feedback. Some users have also experienced this issue with ANC off or sidetone on and Bluetooth enabled. If you've encountered this issue, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

7.8
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.44 dB

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless' frequency response consistency is very good. Bass delivery is fairly consistent, although you may notice a slight drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses. There are also tiny deviations in treble delivery due to fit and positioning; however, as long as you take the time to adjust them on your head, you'll achieve consistent audio delivery each time you use them.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
8.6
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.95 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
10.6 Hz
Low-Bass
0.93 dB
Mid-Bass
2.05 dB
High-Bass
2.52 dB

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless' bass accuracy is excellent. The range is slightly overemphasized, which adds a touch of extra thump, punch, and boom to mixes. It can help emphasize sound effects like the explosion of Link's bomb arrows against enemies in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, it doesn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments.

7.5
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.3 dB
Low-Mid
-0.01 dB
Mid-Mid
2.74 dB
High-Mid
4.37 dB

The headphones have good mid accuracy. The low-mid is very well-balanced, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear. However, a peak in the mid to high-mid can push the upper harmonics of these sounds forward and make them honky. In songs like Glimpse of Us by Joji, his voice is harsh and aggressive when he hits the high notes within the chorus.

5.4
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
6.55 dB
Low-Treble
-3.1 dB
Mid-Treble
1.92 dB
High-Treble
-5.23 dB

The headphones' treble accuracy is disappointing. A dip in the low treble makes harmonics quiet and yields a darker sound. Meanwhile, a peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals piercing.

5.7
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.82 dB
Dips
2.74 dB

The headphones' peaks and dips performance indicates these are sub-par at controlling their sound profile. A small dip in the low bass lessens the thump and rumble in your mixes, while a peak throughout the mid to high bass adds punch and boom to mixes. Another dip in the low-mid thins out vocals and lead instruments, while a peak in the mid to high-mid makes the upper harmonics of these sounds harsh and forward. A deep dip in the low-treble veils vocals and lead instruments while a peak in the mid-treble turns sibilants like S and T sounds shrill.

8.5
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.22
Weighted Phase Mismatch
3.06
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.43
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.39

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have excellent imaging. The group delay falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. At frequencies lower than the thresholds of most humans' hearing, there's significant group delay, but you won't hear it. The L/R drivers of our unit are also matched in terms of phase, amplitude, and frequency response. This is important for the localization of objects like voices or footsteps in the stereo image. These results align with the quality control and ergonomics of other models we've reviewed by the manufacturer. Keep in mind that imaging can vary between units, though.

3.6
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
3.88 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
7.18 dB
PRTF Distance
1.39 dB
Openness
3.3
Acoustic Space Excitation
1.9

The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless' passive soundstage performance is poor. This isn't unusual for closed-back headphones; by design, they can't create a spacious soundstage experience that is available with most open-back headphones. The soundstage feels large but unnatural, as if the sound is coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in the room around you.

2.0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
Windows Sonic Spatial Audio

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have spatial audio. They support Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, which converts multi-channel audio into 3D audio for a more immersive and dimensional sound. In addition, you can access a spatial audio feature in their companion software GG Sonar. You can alter the settings to fit a specific game with adjustable presets or choose a movie-centric sound, such as Movie: Immersion. You can also access a slider to change the distance of the passive soundstage. These headphones are compatible with PlayStation 5's Tempest 3D AudioTech, which you can turn on and off in the PS5 settings. If you're using GG Sonar software and want to set up Dolby Atmos, you'll get a warning message that this feature may not be compatible with the software.

7.2
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.525
WHD @ 100
0.181

The weighted harmonic distortion is decent. There's some distortion at normal listening volumes in the low-treble range, but it can be hard to hear with real-life content. That said, the rest of the frequency response falls within good limits, which results in fairly clean and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
0.3.82
Power
On
Connection
Wireless (Proprietary)
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Default
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Boom

These are the settings used to test the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and our results are only valid with these settings.

Isolation
6.7
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-18.92 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-7.3 dB
Mid
-16.96 dB
Treble
-33.35 dB

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have a fair noise isolation performance. Unlike other headphones from this manufacturer, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, they have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system, which can help filter out some lower and midrange background noise like the hum of a computer fan, but they don't really tackle deep rumbles like bus engines very effectively. The isolation created by the seal around your ears does the bulk of the work to block out high-pitched noises. In addition, when ANC is on, they have a high noise floor with an audible buzzing sound. If you want to tackle commute or travel-related noise, you'll want to check out more casual-use headphones like the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless instead.

8.3
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
31.9 dB

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless' leakage performance is great. The leakage is mostly concentrated in the mid to treble range and sounds somewhat thin. That said, if you're gaming at high volumes in a moderately noisy environment, it's unlikely you'll disturb others around you.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-Line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
7.7
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
20 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
3.91 dB
HFE
7,136.96 Hz
Weighted THD
1.625
Gain
23.15 dB

The headphones' boom mic has a good recording quality. Your voice sounds clear, natural, and easy to understand. A bump in the low to mid-treble can make your voice sound overly bright or sharp.

Users have reported that a buzzing noise appears whenever there's silence on a call, which can be quite annoying. This issue may also be related to the high noise floor when Bluetooth and ANC are both enabled. If you've experienced this, please let us know in the forums.

7.7
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
37.47 dB
Noise Gate
On/Off Toggle
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.5
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
8.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The microphone's noise handling performance is good. With the noise gate off, your voice is easy to understand, even in moderately noisy environments. That said, you can access additional noise handling controls in the companion app, Sonar, like ClearCast AI NC, which the manufacturer advertises to further cut down ambient noise surrounding your voice. We've recorded a pink noise and subway noise pass using this feature. There's also a noise gate feature, which you can turn on and off. We've recorded pink noise and subway noise pass using this feature too. However, both features seem to produce the same results as when the noise gate is off.

Active Features
8.7
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
25 hrs
Additional Charges
1.0
Total Battery Life
50 hrs
Charge Time
1.8 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port USB-C

The headphones' battery performance is excellent. Like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, they have a dual battery cartridge system. The manufacturer advertises one battery to last 18 hours continuously with Bluetooth on, using the dock. In comparison, the battery is advertised to last 22 hours when using the DAC and non-Bluetooth wireless. That said, we measured 25 hours when connected to a phone via Bluetooth and PC via non-Bluetooth wireless, with audio playing only from the PC. Battery life can vary depending on use, though.

There are two ways to charge the headphones: you can place one battery in the dock while using the other one, or you can plug in the headphones using the USB port behind the left ear cup's plate. However, if you're directly charging the headphones with the cable, you can't use them. Although there aren't markings on the dock as to how to insert the battery, the battery has small markings indicating how it should be oriented. The dock also won't accept the battery unless it's properly inserted. According to the manufacturer, if you get caught with drained batteries, a 15-minute Fast Charge ought to give you three hours of battery life.

8.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name Steelseries GG
iOS No
Android No
macOS Yes
Windows Yes
Equalizer
Parametric + Presets
ANC Control
No
Mic Control Adjustable Level
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
Yes

SteelSeries GG and Sonar are excellent companion software if you're gaming on a PC. However, you can only transfer settings to your console if you're using the GG software and disable Sonar in the GG Engine tab. If you make changes using Sonar, they won't be transferrable to your console.

Within the default GG software, you can access a graphic EQ and presets as well as mic sidetone and volume. Sonar is available within the GG ecosystem if you want even more features. It offers a parametric EQ, presets, and robust mic and chat controls. You can adjust the mic's EQ, noise gate, and noise reduction.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are also compatible with the Dolby Atmos app, and you can even use it on Xbox. However, you need to pay for this app. It's designed to improve the immersiveness of your audio, but you can only turn it on or off. We didn't notice a significant difference in sound quality when using it. We also ran a sweep to compare Dolby Atmos on vs. off, and you can see a comparison of both frequency responses here.

Connectivity
9.9
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable
Yes
Length
4.13 ft (1.26 m)
Connector
1/8" TRRRS
Latency - Analog
0.2 ms
Latency - USB
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection Analog

These headphones have remarkable wired connectivity and come with two USB-A to USB-C cables: one connects your PC or console to the DAC, and the other charges the headphones or connects them to another console. They also come with a 1/8" TRRRS cable, which allows you to receive audio and use the mic.

6.9
Connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
5.010
Multi-Device Pairing
Bluetooth + Console/Non-BT Wireless
Quick Pair (Android)
No
Quick Pair (iOS)
No
Line Of Sight Range
155.84 ft (47.50 m)
Latency - SBC
236 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec SBC
AAC Support
No

Although these headphones support Bluetooth, some users have reported a buzzing noise when using it, which is quite annoying. Other users have also reported the noise when ANC is also turned on when Bluetooth is enabled. However, it most commonly appears when there's no audio playing or when the headphones pick up your voice in calls while Bluetooth and ANC are enabled. If you've experienced this issue, please let us know in the forums.

You can connect them to your console and smartphone at the same time, which is handy if you want to hear your game audio while simultaneously listening to music from your phone. However, their latency is quite high using the default codec, SBC, so you'll find that your audio lags behind what's on the screen. While Bluetooth is handy for music and calls, if you're gaming, you can stick to the wireless (using the GameDAC) or wired connection for considerably better audio/video synchronization. Keep in mind that apps and devices compensate for latency differently, though.

8.2
Connectivity
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
120.73 ft (36.80 m)
Latency - Dongle
38 ms
Recorded Latency

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless have great non-Bluetooth wireless latency. You can select two settings within the DAC: 'Speed' and 'Range.' Using 'Speed' mode results in a smooth, low latency performance, ensuring your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming. Switching to 'Range' mode increases the latency but boosts the range, which is good if you don't sit near your TV or monitor when you game.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

You can connect the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to your PC by Bluetooth, their 1/8" TRRRS cable, and non-Bluetooth wireless via the DAC with full compatibility. Both Xbox and PS variants have full mic and audio compatibility with PCs.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

Even though we tested the Xbox variant, this model can connect to PS4 and PS5 consoles with full audio and mic compatibility via analog and non-Bluetooth wireless, thanks to their wireless transmitter base. This is also true of the PS variant: you get audio and mic support via analog and non-Bluetooth wireless connection.

Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone

You can use the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless regardless of the variant with the included 1/8" TRRRS cable for audio and mic support. If you have the Xbox variant, you can use the base station for wireless gameplay when connected to an Xbox console for full audio and mic compatibility.

If you have the PlayStation variant, they'll only work with an Xbox via an analog connection. So, if you own both consoles, the Xbox version of the headset is more flexible.

8.8
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Wireless Dock
USB Input
Yes
Line In
Yes
Line Out
Yes
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Power Supply
USB-C

Like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless comes with an excellent wireless transmitter base that charges the extra battery pack and offers several connectivity features and controls at your fingertips. The base allows you to connect to two different platforms (an Xbox and a PlayStation 5, for instance) and switch between them with a button. You can also use the line-in and mic volume functions to send to a PC if you want control of your mix for streaming.