Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

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

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.

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.

These updated cans from Steelseries have made some major upgrades in the world of on ear entertainment for all your gaming devices. A usb C dongle for both 2.4 ghz and Bluetooth connectivity gives options for every gaming platform console and Pc. I appreciated the Bluetooth connectivity but I find the 2.4 ghz dongle to be slightly more responsive and has the lowest latency. The preset game settings and eq in the app is quite nice but also a little tedious to use. I didn’t like bouncing in and out of the app to control those settings. The buttons are placed in spots that make sense on the ear cups for controls.the construction overall is quite nice and for the price point is quite well made. The over the ear fit is comfortable without being oppressive and the microphone works well. Battery life is reported at 60 hours and while I’ve not timed it, I believe that to be the case, as the battery seems to last far longer than I expect and I’m charging a little less than once a week. Overall these are very well made and I would recommend them

Over the last 9 years or some, my sons and I have gone through our share of gaming headset. While the one I use the most is still going strong (mainly because of the fact that I don't use it too much), the boys are always gaming, well, at least on the weekends. After so many issues with the corded gaming headsets, they have gradually moved on to the wireless world, with the improvements with the wireless headset technology. While I somehow hadn't heard of SteelSeries before, the son (that is the last one still at home) was glad to hear that I was getting the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Gaming Headset. This headset is their entry-level wireless (with a Pro version and a Nova 7/Nova 7 Pro available) The overall design is fairly simple, except for one thing: the mic boom. Instead of a flip boom (which normally auto-mutes the mic), this one pulls out form the front left earcup, and is pushed back in for storage. The additional difference is that it isn't muted when it is pushed in. That is handled by a toggle button on the lack of the left earcup. The entire headset isn't too heavy, not does it clamp my head too tightly when wearing it. For the top head rest, it has a cushioned elastic band that connects to up to 2 pegs on each of the lower sides. For me, I had to move the top head rest band to only the last snap-on peg as, even though it is lighter weight, it was putting a little too much pressure on the top of my head (don't know why, but the top of my head is very sensitive to pressure, which has caused issues with other headsets I have tried out). My heavier, corded main headset even feels lighter on my head. The earcup cushions are very comfortable, with a soft foam covered in a softer fabric (which I prefer over some of the leatherette earcup cushions. The are also just big enough to fit my taller ears. They would be just fine wearing for long periods of time. It comes with two cables, one being an extension cable to plug in the USB Type-C 2.4GHz dongle, and the other a Type-A to Type-C cable to charge the headset. It can connect to any device with Type-C port or via Bluetooth. And it can also connect to two devices at the same time using both methods, such as to the PC for gaming and a phone for taking calls. It cannot, however, play sound from both simultaneously. There is a button on the left earcup right next to the power button that changes the source between 2.4 and Bluetooth. I installed the SteelSeries GG app on my PC, and was notified that there was a critical firmware update available, which required the dongle to be connected and the headset to be connected to the PC via the USB cable. After the update was complete, it said to turn the headset back on, but when I did, it had issues with connecting to the 2.4 dongle. After connecting using Bluetooth and testing everything out, I decided to reconnect the headset with the USB cable, and the app showed the critical update again. I ran that, turned it on as it instructed, and this time it reconnected to the 2.4 right away. Several audio settings can be modified in the PC SteelSeries GG App as well as Arctis Nova 5 Phone app. Watching both apps at the same time (when connected to my phone via Bluetooth and the PC via the 2.4GHz dongle), you can see a setting change on one in real-time when changing it on the other. The only thing I have found that you can only fully change on the PC app is the Equalizer settings. On the phone App, you can only change to one of the ones that are included (all the game-related ones) or a personalized one that has been created on the PC. There is also a Sidetone setting that can be turned off or at any volume level to allow you to hear your own voice. After updating the equalizer to my norma preferred level, I was able to get pretty decent sound, even though it wasn't quite as good as some other headsets or wireless ear buds. When testing the mic out with my son, he mentioned that the sound quality wasn't bad, but it seemed it was auto detecting my voice, so it was really quiet when not talking, then when it detected me talking, he said he could hear some sound, almost like static when it turned on. So far, what really stands out is the battery life, with up to 60 hours available on a single charge. While I may not have had the best of experiences with, you will still want to keep it in mind when considering wireless gaming headsets.