Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’ve spent some time with his headset with my phone and with discord and gaming. Straight out of the box you will notice that it is very light and it has a strap for the headrest. I put it on and it almost felt like there was nothing there. I was very surprised. I even had my wife tried them on and she was very impressed herself. I will say after some time the headphones do squish on the ears a bit, but at the top of the head feels really good. I used them in blue both Bluetooth mode and 2.4 gig hertz mode. It’s fairly simple to switch between the two. Only issue I ran into is that sometimes when your phone dies it’ll disrupt your headset so you have to restart it almost to get it back to be normal. You May be wondering why you want to use your phone. On the mobile phone app there are like hundreds of presets for it. Each preset has a specific EQ for each game. When you see it, you’ll be surprised. You have anything from Fortnite all the way to Sons of the Forest. Not only does it have EQ’s for Games but you can set a EQ for Bluetooth mode and for 2.4 GHz mode so you don’t have to share the same EQ. The sound quality is pretty decent and it gets pretty loud, which is good for wireless headphones. The built-in mic is decent as well. I use it on discord and haven’t had any issues. Only real issue you might run into is it does not have a pop/wind filter. There have been times where I breathed and it kind of distorted my mic, but that’s a minor issue. This also has one of my favorite features which is sidetone, and you are able to increase or lower the sidetone on the app as well. The dongle is USB-C, but it does come with an adapter in the box so you should be good to go no matter what you’re playing with. This is a decent wireless headset. That has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

By far, my biggest complaint about this headset is the software that comes with it. I do not understand SteelSeries Sonar. Whenever I try to use it, it just causes my computer to output no audio whatsoever. I wouldn't care about Sonar, if it wasn't for the fact that Engine keeps telling me I should configure the headset in Sonar whenever I open the settings. Other than Sonar being generally horrendous, I do quite like this headset. The USB connector is rather wide and blocks off some of the ports on my laptop, but this is countered by the fact that they've included an extension cable to handle that exact scenario. Having the SteelSeries app on my phone is also nice, since I don't always want to Alt-Tab out of what I'm doing to configure the settings on the headset. The build quality is nice, and I don't feel like the headset is going to come apart around my ears. It's also pretty comfortable. The microphone is easy to bring out and stow, and I like that the mute button is large so I don't have to search for it. The fact that the headset doesn't shut down when charging is also nice, because with such a long battery life I'm bound to forget to charge it at some point. I think my favorite part about this headset is that it works with Bluetooth. I keep the 2.4g connection on my laptop, but I like that with a single button press I can switch it over to be paired with my Steam Deck over Bluetooth. The Steam Deck isn't exactly bursting with USB-C ports, and I really like that this headset can still work with it even when I'm charging the device. Overall, I feel like thanks to that feature this is one of the most versatile gaming headsets I've ever used. I would absolutely recommend this headset. However, if you do buy it, only use SteelSeries Engine. Do not bother with SteelSeries Sonar. Do not even install that app. It's horrendous and will just give you a headache. Otherwise, this is absolutely a very good gaming headset.

If you're in search of gaming headphones that are not huge, but maintains the same sound properties and isolation, then the Arctis Nova 5 are for you. Gaming headsets can feel large and heavy, regardless of how comfy the cushions are, you still feel the weight. SteelSeries has alleviated the stress by having a tension strap cradling your head allowing the more rigid band to just float above your head. The cushions are super comfortable and breathable offering all the isolation you'd expect with much less perspiration. The boom mic is cleverly hidden in the left earphone and opens out to a generous 4" allowing you to easily bend it to your mouth. It can be connected to a variety of different devices with the included USB-C receiver and included cable adapters for USB-A plus extenders. Alternatively, Bluetooth is always an option as it holds a steady connection wherever you are in the room. Battery life is practically a non issue with up to two and a half days of non-stop use at your disposal, you won't be looking for a charger too often. During first person shooters,I liked that I could hear my own voice when conversing online. It gives you a competitive advantage when you could hear the direction of movement around you so you're more aware of where other players are in the space. It makes it more difficult for sneak attacks allowing you to keep a step ahead and sometimes develop counterattacks. There's so much emphasis on monitor quality and refresh rates, you don't fully appreciate what a good set of headphones provides in sensory depth perception. Clearly awesome headphones made for hardcore gaming, but can be used for near anything else.

Not compatible with Dell laptops. Actually messed up my sound driver

THE APP IS ABSOLUTELY GARBAGE, WHEN THIS IS CONNECTED, EVERYTHING ELSE IS MUTED, IM NOT THAT SAVVY AND I DONT HAVE THE TIME TO FIX IT, ALL I WANTED IS TO PLUG AND PLAY.

I have used these Bluetooth cans now for about two weeks and while they are not the best sound quality they definitely are not the worst and though I would not use them as "my" primary headphones, they are perfect for the kids. Over my two week usage, they never disconnected once and only needed one firmware update using the companion app. The build quality of these cans are better than most and I can see them lasting a very long time with just a little care. I love that you can mix 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connections so it really is the best of both worlds. Both of the frequencies are rock solid in my experience. I would have liked a little more bass and a little more trouble as these cans seem to be driven by the mids and are very biased towards. It's fine when gaming, but when listening to music I feel that there's something lost when compared to my much higher end Bluetooth cans. But to be fair, you can't compare these to those. My high-end ones are the best of the best with a price that reflects that. These are great alternative for good enough.

I ended up returning these. I have had steel series headsets in the past and the quality of these just do not compare. I suggest spending your money on a better pair. These feel and sound cheap.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5: Pros: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a very solid headset, starting with the packaging and overall feel of the headset. The headset is lightweight and very adjustable for per-user preferences. The ear cups are made of a comfortable mesh padding, allowing the user to wear the headset for hours on end without fatigue. Although made of plastic, there are no loose or cheaply made parts of the frame, which prevents the concern for internal and external damage over time. The battery life is extremely long, allowing for all-day constant use with plenty of charge to spare. Charging to 100% is also quick, and after a quick 5-10 minute break, the headset will have hours of charge time ready to go. The sound out of the box is impressive, even for a more cost-effective headset. Music and video games have a very full sound, and small audio queues like footsteps and doors are easily picked up. Function buttons on the sides of the headset are straightforward and simplistic, with clicky indications that buttons have been pressed. The built-in microphone sounds excellent when compared to other brands, allowing for crisp and clear vocals to be picked up for streaming and voice calls when in the 2.4GHz mode. The Arctis Nova 5 can be connected using the 2.4GHz adapter, or through Bluetooth functions, which can be switched between using the onboard switch button. Downloading the SteelSeries mobile app provides even more useful features to users, like preset audio profiles that are changeable between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes, a volume limiter, and extended range modes for longer travel distances. Cons: Even if the plastic casing is lightweight, the lack of metal or other sturdy materials leads to a cheaper feel than some higher-end headset options, a small nitpick, but one that is present, nonetheless. There is a substantial decline in microphone performance when in the Bluetooth mode, making 2.4GHz the preferred method for talking, which is unfortunate for those wanting to make calls when traveling with the Bluetooth exclusive mode, and ranges are worse than when connected with the 2.4GHz option. The microphone also lacks any sort of pop filter, both internally and externally, that picks up a lot of noise without the use of software to artificially remove background noises. Due to the microphone cable being built-in to the headset, it feels loose and wiggly when fully extended, which may concern users that feel as if the microphone may break or fall out easily. Overall, I am extremely impressed with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, and they are a clear pick for many casual gamers, streamers, and others looking for a great wireless headset. The comfort, sounds, microphone quality, and long-lasting battery are a winning combination, and with a few tweaks, this headset would be the best option out there for a more midrange budget headset. The biggest downside, at least in my opinion, would have to be the lack of background noise prevention within the microphone and software, leading to my rating of 4/5 stars!

The mic on console was horrible and I the sound was mid

Overly complicated piece of garbage. The application used to change channels is crap. It disconnects all the time. It's not user friendly. The mic sucks and the sound quality is bad.

SteelSeries continues to impress me with their line of products. I have the Alias mic and these headphones are a perfect set up for my gaming/productivity set up. One of my favorite things about these headphones is that they have a USB-C connection, so I can connect them with the dongle to my pc and my tablet. Here is a quick breakdown of my ratings for some areas that are important to me when it comes to gaming headphones. Design 5/5 – SteelSeries is seriously one of the best designers for gaming headphones. These are subtle, black on black, and can be used for music or movies on the plane. It doesn’t scream gamer, and for a gamer in his early 30s, these are perfect for me. Sound 5/5 – out of the box the sound is good, and if you want to go overkill, you can download the SteelSeries GG software for customization and some preset profiles for different games. Personally, I have found the GG software to be the best compared to other software promoted by competitor. This one is simple and not required to get good sound from the headphones. Battery 5/5 – I have used these for about 2 weeks with an average of 10 hours of gaming per week, and they are still going strong. The box says it has a 60 hour battery life and although I have not fully tested this, I think the fact that I can go 2-3 weeks without charging, that’s already a win for me. All in all, I highly recommend these for anyone with a PC. I don’t have a PS5 but like I said, out of the box they sound good already so you don’t really need the software.

Won't turn on anymore and buttons are permanently stuck after semi-daily use.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless headset comes from a brand that is known for its high quality headsets for gaming. This iteration is no different as it’s just so comfortable. The sound that is produced from them are something is on another level. The app once downloaded allows you to adjust the equalizer to your preference. I got it just right so when I played COD the explosions made it sound like it came from behind me and I could hear the shots at a clear defined direction. This was a game changer for me as I was able to pin point the action on the map quicker. The sound from voice chat also was excellent through them and my teammates said they heard no popping or interference. I played over 30 hours on a single charge and the comfort never left my head hurting from the band or the ear cups. I also wasn’t sweating from the materials as they were light and breathable for the extended play times. Overall if you are a gamer looking to step up your sound game to hear games clear and have excellent voice chats this is the headset to get. It’s my daily headset for any gaming now!

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is comfortable headset and super easy to set up. You will have to download the Arctis Nova 5 app from your app store or use the GG software on your PC. The app works well and you will need it to update firmware and customize the sound profile. Main thing I did not like about the app is there is no where to set up a custom EQ profile. You'll have to go with whatever is there. There are a lot of sound profiles to choose from though. Comfort is pretty good with this headset. The earcups are nice and soft and seem very durable. They are a smooth cloth-like material and are comfy. Didn't feel any pressure points after longer gaming session. Button layout is appropriate. Everything is easy to get to without removing the headset. The sound is great! You get very crisp highs and decent lows. No complaints on the sound quality. Hardest part is probably deciding what sound profile to go with. I would recommend turning off the audio limiter if you want the headset a bit louder. Battery life is fantastic. You can get several long gaming sessions in before recharging. Overall, I recommend this headset. If you are looking for a good wireless headset, you will be pleased with the Arctis Nova 5!

blue tooth will not hook up very easy , sound is not good at all

Microphone quality sucks, picks up everything in the room!

This is a second headset and with a different brand. Normally, when I use products, I normally gravitate to the same brand because I know what to expect. While I kind of knew of SteelSeries as a brand, I personally had no first hand experience with any of their products that I remember. But you can lay any doubts to rest! I mean this headset is pretty much a everyday wear type of gaming headset. The controls have a slight learning curve. Meaning you just have to get used to which buttons are where. Set up was a breeze. In my lunch break, I was able to connect and pair the headset with it's USB C dongle in a matter of seconds. I know you could use bluetooth connection with these as well; But personal preference here. The mic boom is pretty neat and different from what I am used to. I am used to the boom to be lifted upwards or downwards to move the mic. The telescopic nature was different, but turned out to be almost a game changer. Everyone I speak with says they hear me crystal clear with no issues. The volume to the cans can get loud if you need it and the bass is pretty clean for this price point. The battery lasts and it lasts pretty long and have yet to recharge it from receiving it, almost a week ago. There is a thing to note. In talking, in the last headset I was using, I could hardly hear my speech with the headphones on. However, with this, it sounds like there are no headsets on, no ANC of course, but you can hear your own speech without issues. I do have a little nitpik though. In the box, there is a note that has instructions to download the app to your device, but took a little finaggling to find the desktop app for it on a workstation. I get it, you want the app as a universal swiss army of an app to quickly set up connections through different devices. The other fear I have is that the elastic life. Like my other headset, which has the elastic, I wonder where to get a replacement when I need one in the coming years. Would I recommend this headset? Resounding yest! It's a light heaphone that sounds awesome, has great battery life, and the output so far has been the great features. This doesn't have RGB lighting, the build may seem kind of cheap, but the quality of what you get is worth it.

Im giving it back, the mic is so bas , in fact it just stop working

I have well over a decade of gaming headphone experience. My very first pair was on the xbox 360. These steel Series Arctis Nova 5 blew me away in every possibly category. This is the first time I have used a PC specific gaming headphone on my gaming PC and the experience was seemless as a consumer. I have no need for a DAC as I do on my previous set of headphones. The software that is included both on the PC and the companion app are easy to use. I had no issues connecting the two together. The experience was smooth as a consumer. The build quality of the headphones is probably the best I have ever experienced. The headphones feel very light when you wear them but are also sturdy. I like how the mic is built into the headphones and is able to go in and out of the earpiece itself. I am a little worried how that will hold up over time as it seems a little flimsy after using it a few times. Time will tell. Overall I recommend this pair of gaming headphones to anyone in the market at this price point. I do not think you will regret the purchase. Steel series really made a great product.

The quality of these headphones is surprising. I was very impressed with the build and how they fit. The head band has several adjustments which will keep it comfortable for people of all size heads. The install was pretty using the USB C dongle, although I will say the size of the USB C dongle is a little long in the way it fits on your machine. If you have the space then this may not be an issue. I liked the build for these for anyone less than 20 years old and want to have a nice pair of headphones that will stand up over time and will be very comfortable for long term wearing. I like that they don't stick out too far on the sides. The sound quality is above average for most music but even with software adjustments I could never seem to get a bass feel out of them. That means they are safe to wear but I felt like some of my songs were missing the appropriate lows. I do like that they offer multiple ways to connect to your system. That is bonus when you want to use them maybe on an older system that does not have USB C or needs the port for something else. I would highly recommend these unless you demand heavy bass in your songs.