For most players, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 is the strongest all-rounder here: it lists 50+ hours of play, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth together, app control and support for PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile. The Nova 5 is the cheaper long-battery choice, the Nova Pro models add noise cancellation, and the Nova 3 and 1P are the entry points. Everything below is drawn from listing titles and published specifications.
Our Top Picks
Top 3 picks at a glance
Which one fits which console
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- PC only or PC first: Nova 7, Nova 5 or Nova Pro Wireless
- PlayStation: Nova 7, 5P, 3P, Nova Pro Omni (names PlayStation support)
- Xbox: Nova 7X, 5X, 3X, Nova Pro Omni
- Noise cancelling: Nova Pro Omni and Nova Pro Wireless
- Longest battery claim: Nova 5, 5P, 5X at 60 hours
- Lowest entry point: Nova 1P, 3P or 3X
Comparison table
| Model | Key point from title | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 | 50+ hr, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth mix, app control | All-round PC and PlayStation |
| Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 | Same as above, Xbox listed first | Xbox players |
| Arctis Nova 5 Wireless | 60 hr, ClearCast Gen2.X mic | Value for PC |
| Arctis Nova 5P Wireless | 60 hr, 200+ audio presets, PlayStation first | PlayStation owners |
| Arctis Nova 5X Wireless | 60 hr, Xbox listed | Xbox owners |
| Arctis Nova 3P Wireless | 40 hr, app control | Budget PlayStation |
| Arctis Nova 3X Wireless | 40 hr, app control, Xbox first | Budget Xbox |
| Arctis Nova 1P | Hi-fi drivers, lightweight, noise-cancelling mic | Starter headset |
| Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | ANC, Infinity Power System, stealth mic | Premium, multi-system |
| Arctis Nova Pro Omni | 96kHz/24bit, ANC, AI noise rejection, OmniPlay | Top of the line |
The mid-range core: Nova 7 and Nova 5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
Black, with real-time app control, 50+ hours of play, neodymium drivers and a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth mix. It lists PC, PS5, PS4, Switch 1 and 2, and mobile. The title does not mention Xbox, so look at the 7X if that is your console. Treat the hours as the maker’s number. The Gen 2 name tells you it is a later version of the Nova 7, so make sure you are not looking at an older listing when you compare prices, and read the product page for what changed.
Pros
- Long battery claim
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth together
Cons
- No Xbox in the title
- Battery figure is a claim, not a result
Who it’s for: PC and PlayStation players who also want phone audio.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2
The same specification line as the Nova 7 Gen 2, but the platform list begins with Xbox, followed by PC, PS5 and PS4, Switch 1 and 2, and mobile. If you play on Xbox, this is the Nova 7 to look at. Check the product page for what the X version changes in the dongle.
Pros
- Xbox support named first
- Same long-battery claim
Cons
- Little difference to the 7 on paper
- Console compatibility details need checking
Who it’s for: Xbox owners who want a mid-range wireless pick.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Multi-System
Lists neodymium magnetic drivers, 60 hours of battery, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, a ClearCast Gen2.X mic and support for PC, PS5, PS4, Switch and mobile. The “or” in the wording suggests a switch between connections rather than combining them. The headline is the long battery claim at a lower tier than the Nova 7.
Pros
- 60-hour claim
- Multi-platform
Cons
- Connections may not be simultaneous
- No Xbox in the title
Who it’s for: Players who want long battery claims without paying Nova 7 prices.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless
Adds 200+ audio presets to the Nova 5 feature list, with 60 hours, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, a ClearCast Gen2 mic and PS5, PS4, PC and Switch support. The preset wording suggests companion software is involved, so look at what the app needs. The P marks the PlayStation-first listing.
Pros
- 200+ presets named
- 60-hour claim
Cons
- Presets depend on software
- Mic wording differs slightly from other 5 listings
Who it’s for: PlayStation players who like tuning audio.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless
The Xbox-flavoured sibling of the Nova 5, with 60 hours, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, the ClearCast Gen2.X mic and Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile platforms. The listing is shorter on features than the 5P title, so compare product pages.
Pros
- Xbox listed alongside other platforms
- 60-hour claim
Cons
- Fewer features highlighted than the 5P
- PlayStation support wording is just “PS”
Who it’s for: Xbox-first households on a mid-range budget.
The premium end: Nova Pro
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni (Midnight Blue)
The most feature-heavy listing: 96kHz/24bit, ANC, a ClearCast Pro mic, AI noise rejection, mobile app, a 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth mix and OmniPlay support across PC, PlayStation and Xbox. That platform breadth is the main selling point. The title gives no battery figure.
Pros
- All three platforms named
- ANC and noise-rejection mic
Cons
- No battery hours in the title
- Top-tier feature list, so check the price carefully
Who it’s for: A multi-console household that wants one headset.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Multi-System
Premium hi-fi drivers, active noise cancellation, an Infinity Power System (the title does not explain it, so read the product page), a stealth mic, and Xbox, PC, PS5, PS4, Switch and mobile support. Confirm what the power system ships with, since the title does not say how many batteries come in the box.
Pros
- ANC listed
- Multi-system support
Cons
- Power system contents unclear
- Battery hours not in the title
Who it’s for: Players who want ANC and a premium feature list.
Entry-level: Nova 3 and Nova 1P
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless
Lists mobile app control, 40 hours, neodymium magnetic drivers and 2.4GHz or Bluetooth, for PS5, PS4, PC, Switch and mobile. It has the lowest battery claim of the wireless models here. It does not list a premium mic name.
Pros
- App control
- Wireless at a lower tier
Cons
- 40 hours is the shortest claim
- No mic branding in the title
Who it’s for: PlayStation players on a tighter budget.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Multi-Platform
The Xbox counterpart to the 3P with the same 40-hour claim, app control and neodymium drivers. It lists Xbox, PS5, PC, Switch and mobile. Choose by console rather than anything else. Because it shares the 40-hour claim with the 3P, the only practical decision is which console’s name appears first on the box, plus any difference in return terms between sellers.
Pros
- Xbox named
- Lowest-cost wireless line
Cons
- Shortest battery claim
- Mic features not detailed
Who it’s for: Xbox gamers on a smaller budget.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P Multi-System (White)
The title lists hi-fi drivers, 360-degree spatial audio, comfort design, lightweight build and a noise-cancelling mic, for PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox and Switch. It does not mention wireless or battery hours, so check the connection type. The white version is a colour choice. With no price in this article and no battery figure in the title, the safest approach is to read the full listing for the connection type, the cable length if it is wired, and whether a USB adapter is included for PC.
Pros
- Light, comfort-focused
- White colourway
Cons
- Wireless status not in the title
- No mobile platform listed
Who it’s for: A first headset for a console or PC.
How we picked these
We searched Amazon US for SteelSeries Arctis headsets and kept every Arctis Nova listing that came up. We compared the titles with published SteelSeries documentation and buyer reviews. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. When a title does not state battery life, a console or a connection type, we say so and suggest you check the product page.
Choosing between Arctis models
The number ladder: 1, 3, 5, 7, Pro
Within the Nova line, the titles suggest the number tracks features: the 1P is a basic multi-system headset, the 3 pair add app control and a 40-hour claim, the 5 family adds 60 hours and, on the 5P, 200+ presets, the 7 Gen 2 pair add real-time app control, and the Pro models add ANC. Titles do not guarantee a feature, so verify the details on the page.
Console suffixes
The P and X letters match PlayStation- and Xbox-first platform lists. The same dongle can work on PC for all of them, but the console behaviour differs, so buy the one that matches your console.
Connection and battery
2.4GHz is usually the low-latency choice for gaming and Bluetooth is convenient for phones. A “mix” of both means you can connect to a phone and a game device together. Battery numbers are claims at unknown volume, so treat 40, 50 and 60 hours as ceilings. A headset used mainly on weekends will rarely need charging, while a daily heavy user should favour the higher numbers and a model that can be used while plugged in, if the listing says so.
Mic and noise handling
The ClearCast mic names are the maker’s branding. Only the Pro models name ANC. If you play in a noisy home, pick them; if you play in a quiet room, ANC adds little. Keep listening volume at a comfortable level during long sessions. A mic that suppresses background noise can help in a shared room, but it is no substitute for a quieter setup, and the titles do not describe how well any of it works.
A three-question shortcut
- Which console do you play on most? That picks P, X or the Omni.
- Do you need ANC? If yes, go to the Pro models.
- Do you charge nightly? If not, favour the 60-hour Nova 5 line.
Mistakes buyers make
Buying the wrong console letter is the first. Second, treating battery claims as promises. Third, paying for ANC they will not use, or skipping it when they share a room with a loud family. Fourth, forgetting the stand: a headset stand keeps the headband and charging area tidy. If you are weighing these against other makers, our Xbox and PC headset comparison sets them side by side.
Verdict
The Nova 7 Gen 2 is the best all-round pick for PC and PlayStation, with the 7X for Xbox. The Nova 5 line gives the longest battery claim for the money, and the Nova Pro models are for noise cancellation and multi-console use. If you want a closer look at one model, see our Arctis Nova 5 Wireless write-up. Check the console and connection details first.
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Frequently asked questions
What do the P and X letters in Arctis Nova names mean?
The listings use P and X suffixes, and the platform lists in the titles suggest P models put PlayStation first and X models put Xbox first. Both also list PC, Switch and mobile. Do not assume a model works the same on both consoles, though: check the product page for which console each wireless dongle supports.
Which Arctis Nova has the longest battery life?
From the titles, the Nova 5 family (5, 5P and 5X) lists 60 hours, the Nova 7 Gen 2 pair lists 50+ hours, and the Nova 3 pair lists 40 hours. The Nova Pro listings do not give a figure in the title. Real-world battery life depends on volume and features, so treat these numbers as the maker’s claim and check the product page.
Do any of these have active noise cancellation?
Two do, according to their titles: the Arctis Nova Pro Omni lists ANC with AI noise rejection, and the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless lists active noise cancellation with its Infinity Power System. The others mention microphone noise handling at most. If outside noise matters to you, those two are the shortlist, but check what the ANC covers and how it is switched on.
Can these headsets be used with a phone?
Several titles list mobile as a supported platform, usually through Bluetooth, and some mention a mobile app. The Nova 1P title does not mention mobile, so it is best checked before purchase. If you plan to mix game audio and calls, look for models that list 2.4GHz and Bluetooth together, since that dual input is how the listings describe simultaneous use.
Is the Arctis Nova Pro worth the extra over the Nova 7?
It depends on what you value. The Pro listings add active noise cancellation and a higher-end mic, and the Omni adds 96kHz/24bit audio wording. The Nova 7 Gen 2 pair keep a long battery life figure and skip the ANC wording. If you do not need ANC or a premium mic, the cheaper models cover most gaming use, but confirm current pricing and features yourself.
