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Black SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless headset next to its USB-C dongle

SteelSeriesHeadset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

The most versatile headset under the premium tier: light, long-lasting and at home on every platform.

Setuplify score
Setuplify score: 8.3/10
Value score
Value score: 8.5/10
Best for
Players who switch between PC, PlayStation, handheld and phone

Price

$113.99at Amazon

In stock

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What we like

  • Light at 265 g
  • Up to 60 hours of battery
  • 2.4 GHz USB-C and Bluetooth with Quick-Switch
  • Over 100 game presets in the mobile app

What to know

  • No Xbox support (separate Nova 5X)
  • No active noise cancelling
  • Mic noise cancellation only on PC

Specifications

TypeGaming headset
ConnectionWireless
MicrophoneFixed boom
Noise cancellingNo
Virtual surroundYes
Weight265 g
Battery life60 h
PlatformsPC, Mac, PlayStation, Mobile, Handheld

About the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

The Arctis Nova 5 is the light, do-everything headset of the Nova range. Its USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle plugs into a PC, a PlayStation, a phone or a handheld like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, and a Quick-Switch button jumps to Bluetooth 5.3 to take a call without leaving the game. It weighs 265 g and lasts up to 60 hours, and USB-C fast charging gives hours of play from a short top-up.

The retractable ClearCast 2.X mic records at 32 kHz/16-bit and disappears into the ear cup when you only listen. On PC, Sonar adds virtual surround and AI noise cancellation for the mic, and the Arctis Nova 5 companion app on your phone brings over 100 game audio presets. It works with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5. This PC and PlayStation version does not support Xbox; that is the Nova 5X.

Seen in these setups

Where it sits in real desks, and why it earned its place there.

Dark bedroom gaming desk lit in blue and purple: an MSI 27-inch monitor showing a sci-fi landscape, a black ZOTAC tower with three RGB fans on the right, a SteelSeries headset lying on the left, a Razer keyboard and mouse with RGB on a long Corsair mat with a glowing edge, a black FlexiSpot standing desk, a gray fabric Corsair gaming chair in front and a bed on the right

Budget Frag

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 in Budget Frag

Why it is here

A 265 g wireless headset with a 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth at the same time, a retractable mic and up to 60 hours of battery. It also works on a PlayStation or a handheld.

Estimated total$1,884View setup

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