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Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Review

Nikshep Myle Avatar
Updated Jan 8, 2024 12:45 PM

True Score

82
82
7

Experts

86
4,753

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro offers superb sound and microphone quality and comfort for extended wear. However, its noise-cancellation performance and limited control scheme may have users consider other options.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are high-end wireless headphones released in 2022. They ship with two batteries and have a noise-canceling feature to drown out unwanted noise. Like most of the best-ranking gaming headsets, you can configure the sound output of the Arctis Nova Pro headphones through the SteelSeries GG app, and since they offer both Bluetooth connectivity and a wireless USB dongle, they are ideal for multi-device use.

The ear cups are heavily padded for comfort and offer microphone, volume, and call controls on the sides. The 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver high-fidelity sound, and their wide-ranging cross-compatibility means that they can be used with PCs, Macs, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

Consensus

our Verdict

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro offers gamers and streamers a compelling package featuring superb audio quality and a comfortable, durable design that can withstand extended gaming sessions. Sound output is bass-heavy out of the box but can be configured through the headset’s companion software. The microphone quality is impressive, ensuring clear communication with teammates during multiplayer gaming sessions. Additionally, its two battery packs offer a combined 50 hours of gameplay, and they each take 1.8 hours to charge.

Despite some minor flaws, the Arctis Nova Pro earns its place as a solid gaming headset for those seeking top-tier sound and microphone performance.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Neutral sound profile
    • This impressive gaming headset offers a primarily neutral sound profile with a touch of extra bass, all adjustable through its user-friendly companion software. Out of the box, bass and mids are accurate, but its treble will require some adjusting.

  • Comfortable fit
    • The headsets have a light clamping force, and the padding on the ear cups is also soft for hassle-free wearing over extended time periods.

  • Good microphone quality
    • The headset has a high-quality microphone, which accurately relays clear audio during in-game chats with teammates and ranks it in the top 25 percent of our certified, tested headsets.

    • It also has a good speech-to-noise ratio, placing it in the top 50% compared to other picks.

Reason to Avoid

  • Limited control scheme
  • No Active Noise Cancellation
    • The headset doesn’t have an ANC feature, so they don’t block out any low rumble or engine noise.

Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Specs

Adjustable HeadbandAdjustable HeadbandYes
Auto-Adjusting HeadbandAuto-Adjusting HeadbandYes
Battery LifeBattery LifeWired
Compatible PlatformsCompatible PlatformsAndroid, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, VR Box, Windows
Connector SizeConnector Size3.5mm, USB Type-C
Detachable MicDetachable MicYes
Driver SizeDriver Size40mm
Earcup Foam MaterialEarcup Foam MaterialAirWeave Fabric
Headphone FitHeadphone FitOver-ear
Max Frequency ResponseMax Frequency Response40,000Hz
Min Frequency ResponseMin Frequency Response10 Hz
Noise CancelingNoise CancelingYes
Product WeightProduct Weight0.66 lbs
Programmable ButtonsProgrammable ButtonsNo
WirelessWirelessNo
Wireless ConnectivityWireless Connectivityn/a

All Specs

Test Results

Max Volume (dB)0
Microphone Sound Quality Rating (out of 10.0)7.25
Speech To Noise Ratio (dB)17.52
BT Latency (ms)0
Non-BT Latency (ms)0
Low End Roll Off (Hz)20
High End Roll Off (Hz)8,365.647

All Tests

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    Product Comparison

    Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Review

    Astro A40 PS3 headset

    Astro A40 Review : The Best Headset for Those Don’t Like Charging Batteries

    True Score

    82
    NR
    NR
    NR

    Ranking

    #

    17

    /

    57

    #

    /

    57

    #

    /

    #

    /

    Market Context

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are high-end wireless headphones released in 2022. They ship with two batteries and have a noise-canceling feature to drown…

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are high-end wireless headphones released in 2022. They ship with two batteries and have a noise-canceling feature to drown out unwanted noise. Like most of the best-ranking gaming headsets, you can configure the sound output of the Arctis Nova Pro headphones through the SteelSeries GG app, and since they offer both Bluetooth connectivity and a wireless USB dongle, they are ideal for multi-device use.

    The ear cups are heavily padded for comfort and offer microphone, volume, and call controls on the sides. The 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver high-fidelity sound, and their wide-ranging cross-compatibility means that they can be used with PCs, Macs, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are much more compact than the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless headphones. The SteelSeries Actris Nova Pro headphones also…

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are much more compact than the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless headphones. The SteelSeries Actris Nova Pro headphones also have a way better sound leakage performance, so they would be a much better choice for use in a quiet, crowded environment without causing any disruptions to those seated around.

    Despite both looking very much the same, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones happen to be wired, while the SteelSeries Acrtis Pro wireless headphones are,…

    Despite both looking very much the same, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones happen to be wired, while the SteelSeries Acrtis Pro wireless headphones are, well, wireless. Another difference between the two is that the Arctis Pro Wireless are much larger than the Nova Pro headphones, but the Nova Pro comes with a pouch while the Arctis Pro Wireless headphones do not. Unfortunately, the Nova Pro’s misses out on Bluetooth connectivity, which the Arctis Pro headphones offer. For a wired option, check out our Steelseries Arctis Nova 3 review.

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are smaller in size than the SteelSeries Arctis Prime headphones, and the Nova Pro’s also have support for virtual…

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones are smaller in size than the SteelSeries Arctis Prime headphones, and the Nova Pro’s also have support for virtual surround sound, which is missing on the Arctis Prime headphones. On top of that, the Arctis Nova Pro’s also offers a companion app for sound adjustment, while the Arctis Prime headphones do not. Feel free to check out our SteelSeries Arctis Prime review to see what else they have in store.

    Adjustable Headband

    Yes

    Auto-Adjusting Headband

    Yes

    Battery Life

    Wired

    Compatible Platforms

    Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, VR Box, Windows

    Connector Size

    3.5mm, USB Type-C

    Detachable Mic

    Yes

    Driver Size

    40mm

    Earcup Foam Material

    AirWeave Fabric

    Dig Deeper

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    82

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    86

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    82

    Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

    Expert Scores

    • Rtings
      99.8

      Category Trust Rating

      64
      The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro are good for neutral sound. They have a fairly neutral… Read More

      By:

      Jake Thauvette
    • Sound Guys
      82.1

      Category Trust Rating

      81
      Packed with features, Hot-swappable battery, Sound quality, Well built, Plenty of connectivity options, including Bluetooth… Read More

      By:

      Riley Ballantyne
    • PC Mag
      67.6

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is one of the most impressive wireless gaming headsets… Read More

      By:

      Will Greenwald
    • Tech Power Up
      68.65

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

      By:

      Inle
    • Techradar
      43

      Category Trust Rating

      90
      The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the future of gaming headsets with its multi-device-and-platform… Read More

      By:

      Michelle Rae Uy
    • IGN
      64.95

      Category Trust Rating

      NR
      SteelSeries’ Pro Wireless headsets have always been a bit of a unicorn in the gaming… Read More

      By:

      BAGGINGSPAM