If you're looking for a headset for your new gaming console, laptop, or PC, Amazon has one of the best options for all devices. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Up to $180 off (was $200) for a limited time. Released in October, the Nova 7 Gen 2 is an updated version of one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy today.
You can choose between Nova 7P (PlayStation), Nova 7X (Xbox)or Nova 7 (PC) black, white or purple. The 7X offers wireless support for all platforms, while the 7P and 7 work on all devices except Xbox consoles. If you're playing on a Switch 1/2, mobile phone, Steam Deck, or other device that supports USB-C or Bluetooth audio, any of the three versions will work just fine. If you're looking for a more premium wireless headset, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro sells for $300 (was $380).
$180 (was $200)
In terms of price, sound quality and comfort, the Arctis Nova 7 was hard to beat when it launched back in 2022. That remains true three years later with the Gen 2 model, which offers 40% better battery life—more than 50 hours, up from 38 hours—and adds support for the Arctis Companion app.
The free app for iOS and Android allows you to customize audio settings and switch between more than 200 custom sound profiles designed for specific games. Along with these 2.4GHz wireless profiles, there are several Bluetooth profiles, including Bass Boost and Focus, which come in handy when using the Nova 7 to listen to music.
The original Nova 7 worked with the SteelSeries GG desktop app for PC and Mac, but the mobile app is easier to use and lets you adjust audio settings on the go. The Arctis Companion app was introduced in 2024 along with Nova 5 Entry Level Wireless Headsetand it only works with select SteelSeries audio devices.
If you have a first-generation Nova 7, the upgrade probably makes sense if you take the headset with you on your daily commute or frequently use it for handheld gaming. But if integration with the Arctis Companion app doesn't interest you, you should stick with the original. But for everyone else, the Nova 7 Gen 2 is an amazing all-around gaming headset that remains my favorite in the $200-and-under category.
SteelSeries designs the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market, and the Nova 7 is no exception. The adjustable elastic headband and lightweight memory foam ear pads are excellent, and the durable steel frame holds its shape well. Custom-made 40mm neodymium audio drivers deliver rich, high-quality sound; The sound becomes even more impressive and dynamic when using custom presets created by SteelSeries. It features a retractable microphone with AI noise canceling to block out ambient noise such as keyboard and controller clicks.
Along with 2.4GHz wireless and an included USB-C dongle, the Nova 7 supports Bluetooth and connects via a detachable 3.5mm audio cable. It also supports simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio streams, so you can stay connected and hear audio from two devices at the same time.
Nova 7 vs 7P vs 7X
As mentioned, there are three versions of the Nova 7 Gen 2. Previously, SteelSeries included green or blue accents on the headset to differentiate the Xbox and PlayStation versions, but the Gen 2 looks the same across the board. The only noticeable difference between the two is the dial on the right earpiece. The Nova 7X and 7 have a game chat switch, but since the PS5 doesn't have this feature, the Nova 7P has a Sidetone switch for microphone monitoring.
We usually recommend the Xbox version of SteelSeries headsets as it's the only truly versatile option, but if you're primarily a PS5 gamer and regularly chat with friends, the Nova 7P is a better choice. All three versions support 360-degree spatial audio and Sony Tempest 3D Audio technology on compatible devices.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Offers
Nova 7 Gen 2 is SteelSeries' best gaming headset for majority players, but this is not the top model in the manufacturer’s catalog. The next step is SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. This premium wireless gaming headset features an enhanced design, leatherette ear pads, and enhanced sound with a parametric equalizer and noise canceling. It also has a base station with an OLED screen that can be used to configure settings. The base station replaces the 2.4GHz dongle and can be connected to two devices. Arctis Nova Pro on sale for $300 (was $380) in white or black on Amazon. Once again, you can choose between Xbox (Universal), PlayStation, and PC models.
SteelSeries also produces wired version of Arctis Nova Pro with GameDAC and higher quality audio (96 kHz/24 bit). Normally priced at $280, the wired Xbox version is discounted to $150 and the PlayStation version is discounted to $210. The wired version of Xbox works with PS5 and PS4.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
It's worth noting that the version also offers 96 kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio. SteelSeries Nova Elite Wireless Headset. Released in late September for $600, the Arctis Nova Elite is much more expensive than other headsets in the SteelSeries lineup. Available in Obsidian and Sage/Gold, the Nova Elite is perhaps best described as a “luxury” gaming headset.
From a technical standpoint, the Nova Elite is the most impressive wireless gaming headset I've ever tried. It supports 96kHz/24bit high-resolution audio over 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. The new carbon fiber drivers produce noticeably fuller, clearer sound, and active noise cancellation is a step above the Nova Pro. ANC isn't on the same level as similarly priced headphones designed for music, but it does a better job of blocking noise than any other gaming headset I've tried.
GameHub, the new name for the base station, can connect to three devices, and simultaneous audio playback is available for all three, as well as via Bluetooth. In addition to the retractable microphone, the Nova Elite has a second hidden microphone. Unlike the Nova Pro, the Elite is also compatible with the Arctis Companion app.
The Nova Elite is made almost entirely of steel and cast aluminum. The headband is covered in the same leatherette as the upgraded memory foam earcups. The Elite also comes with a leatherette travel bag with a magnetic body and a zippered compartment for accessories and cables.
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