Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset review: we dare you to find more versatile


The SteelSeries gaming accessory launches the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, an audio headset loaded with interesting features. For example, the battery is removable.

Specialist in gaming accessories, SteelSeries offers a new flagship in its catalog: the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The invoice is salty – 380 € – but the technical sheet is very copious: double wireless connection, active noise reduction, removable battery, retractable microphone…

On paper, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless lacks nothing. In use, it proves to be ultra efficient and versatile. If you are looking for a gaming headset capable of offering a lot and, above all, of connecting to your multiple means of play, then the SteelSeries product will satisfy you without any problem.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset and its accessories // Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

The pure gaming headset

As versatile as it is, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset remains above all a gaming product, a positioning that it affirms in its sleek design. SteelSeries still manages to bring an ounce of sobriety to its product, as evidenced by its black dress underlined by dark metallic parts. It doesn’t have the sleekness of Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay Portal or Master & Dynamic’s MG20, both of which emphasize looks by charging a hefty price for it. Nor is it clad in unsightly Razer-style lights. A little extra for discretion, especially if you want to enjoy it outdoors, to listen to playlists accessible from your smartphone.

An impeccable finish

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is ruggedly rugged. We feel that SteelSeries has its subject under control, with quality materials firmly attached to a frame that inspires confidence. The helmet is designed to last over time, and it shows at first glance. There is no nobility in Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (it lacks real metal), but it shows an impeccable finish, with no apparent flaws.

Note that it is possible to customize – a little – its Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Each helmet has a comfort band (installed under the headband) and removable magnetic plates — which can be purchased separately to give the helmet a little color.

In the packaging of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, there is a string of accessories :

  • A base station;
  • Two batteries;
  • Two USB-C to USB cables;
  • An audio cable;
  • A windshield for the microphone (which retracts to gain even more discretion);
  • A transport bag (be careful, it does not protect the helmet much).
The microphone of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset
The microphone of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset // Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Lots of cool features

Xbox version

If you have an Xbox, you must take the special version, compatible with the Microsoft protocol. This is also a source of confusion: the Xbox model is compatible with a PlayStation console, while the PlayStation / PC model is not compatible with an Xbox console.

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless connects wirelessly to your console or PC via a dock, which must be physically plugged into your devices. Because, yes, said station has two USB inputs, knowing that you can easily switch from one to the other by pressing a button (which avoids having to disconnect / reconnect a cable). So you can very well imagine an installation where the station would be connected to your PC and your PlayStation 5.

The SteelSeries headset can also be connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone. Better, he is able to simultaneously maintain communication on the phone and at the station – which can be useful for listening to a meeting while continuing to play the console on the quiet (yes). To be completely complete on the mobile part, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless deserves a dedicated application.

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless deserves a dedicated application

All these functionalities integrated into a single product have a price: ergonomics suffers. Especially since SteelSeries has made sometimes strange choices. Thus, we do not understand why there is not a button dedicated to noise reduction, forcing to go through that of the power supply to activate/deactivate the mode (two clicks for the transparency mode). The manufacturer may think that users will rather go through the station to manage the parameters, but they still have to have easy access to it (in a living room, it is located near the console, that is far of the couch).

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset docking station
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset connection station, equipped with a screen // Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Ready for long sessions

To be considered successful, a gaming headset must be impeccable in terms of comfort. Nobody wants to quickly feel pressure on the top of the head after a few minutes of starting a boss again on Elden Ring or chain kills in Fortnite. To be comfortable, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is based on three pillars: padded ear cups just enough and which do not heat up the ears, controlled weight (less than 350 grams on the scale) and a band of comfort. The latter, adjustable in height (like the headband), relieves the skull of a few grams – which reduces the feeling of crushing a little more.

In practice, it takes several hours to start suffering a little from the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which is a guarantee of success.

The comfort band of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset
The comfort band of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset // Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Punchy and precise

What about active noise reduction?

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is equipped with active noise reduction. We found the functionality quite anecdotal insofar as the passive reduction is already excellent. As a bonus, video game soundtracks tend to be overwhelming.

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is equipped with two 40 millimeter neodymium transducers. This architecture, combined with the heritage of SteelSeries, allows the headphones to produce quality sound. We are first struck by its ability to cut out, with precision, an incalculable amount of detail. This quality allows it to become the ideal playmate for immersing oneself in an atmosphere of immense sound richness. In Hollow Knight, we perfectly perceive the small sound effects produced by the fauna and flora. In a horror title like the remake of Resident Evil 2, the growls of zombies will send chills down your spine. In addition, the sound stage is very extensive, with a dynamic spectacle that will highlight the many explosions on the screen.

Even musically, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is doing quite well. It is with accuracy and balance that it will highlight your favorite songs. We advise you, for example, to do without We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel, a hit from the late 90s for which the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless seems to be cut. It adapts perfectly to the different acoustic layers, for an in-depth rendering.

Do you find the helmet signature too flat? You have access to an equalizer from the station, knowing that PC players can go even further with dedicated software.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset comes with two batteries
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset comes with two batteries // Source: Maxime Claudel for Numerama

Two batteries to see ahead

One of the best ideas of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is its removable battery. Simply remove the plate from the right headset to access it and change it if you run out of battery life (about 20 hours of listening time on a single charge). SteelSeries has thought of everything: it’s the station that takes care of recharging the battery and the headphones will automatically turn back on if you swap the two units quickly (in less than 8 seconds). In case of displacement, the left atrium contains a USB-C port under its removable plate. SteelSeries really has thought of everything.

The verdict

It will be difficult to find a more complete and versatile headset than the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless from SteelSeries. For less than €400, the brand specializing in gaming accessories has put a lot of things into its product, delivered with a station that allows it to be connected to a lot of devices (wireless). In addition to a host of features, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless does not forget to be a comfortable headset, ready for long sessions on Call of Duty (or Fall Guys or whatever). Autonomy will not let you down with the two removable batteries provided.
You are probably thinking that there is a hidden defect. We will not find it in the acoustic performance, very rewarding, nor in the finishes, impeccable behind a wise look (for a gaming product). Only the ergonomics can be criticized when you leave the station with a screen and very practical controls.

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