The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless headset is a fantastic addition to the Arctis Nova lineup, offering seamless connectivity right out of the box. It’s designed with the same sleek look that fans of SteelSeries love, and it connects to a PC or console in seconds without any hassle. I’ve been using it for four weeks now, and it’s happily my new PC main. The best part? I haven’t charged it once; it’s still sitting strong at 16% battery.
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The Nova 5 provides an immersive audio experience with 360-degree spatial sound, allowing you to hear details from every direction. It includes Sonar Virtual Surround Sound for PC and is compatible with Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound, making it a versatile choice for various gaming platforms.
Comfort
Comfort is a major highlight, thanks to plush padding and breathable mesh upholstery that keeps your ears cool during long gaming sessions. While it pales in comfort to the high-end Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the Nova 5’s flexible headband ensures a gentle fit, making extended use a breeze. The design is understated and stylish, ideal for wearing in public without looking like you’ve got cans sticking out of your ears.
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The Nova 5 isn’t just for gaming; it excels across various media with a crisp, clear microphone and a whopping 60-hour battery life (over Bluetooth). The retractable microphone is another standout, providing convenience and maintaining the headset’s sleek look when not deep in multiplayer conflict.
Companion App
The dedicated companion app enhances the experience with over 100 EQ presets, allowing for tailored audio whether you’re gaming, listening to music or watching movies. It’s a wonderful addition though it is exclusive to the Nova 5 (for now).
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Switching audio profiles on the fly is a game-changer, offering a distinct competitive advantage with profiles tuned for dozens of popular games. There are many I didn’t expect to see on the list, including early access title No Rest for the Wicked — the audio was supreme as I hit the sewers of Sacrament.
Audio Connections
The Nova 5 headset allows for simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, but you can only listen to one audio stream at a time, switching between them using the “quick switch” button. If you receive a phone call while connected via 2.4GHz, you’ll hear a ringing notification in the headset and can switch to Bluetooth to take the call, then when you hang up it will automatically switch back to 2.4GHz.
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A minor drawback is the T-shaped 2.4GHz dongle, which can obstruct other ports. However, the included USB-A to USB-C extension cord helps mitigate this issue, it’s just awkward unless you’ve got decent cable management.
What’s in the box?
- Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Headset
- Compact USB-C Wireless Dongle
- USB-C to USB-A Dongle Extension Cable (1.5m)
- USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable (1.5m)
- Product Information Guide
Should I buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless?
The Nova 5 offers a well rounded and immersive audio experience with its advanced 40mm neodymium drivers, wide frequency response, and support for spatial audio technologies.
Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is an exceptional mid-range gaming headset. Its versatility, combined with top-notch audio quality and comfort, makes it an easy recommendation for both gaming and general use.
If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-packed headset, the Nova 5 is definitely worth considering. It retails for $299 and is available now from JB Hi-Fi. It’s coming soon to EB Games and other retailers.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
