SteelSeries makes a lot of gaming headsets, and I’d never wish it upon you to have to know the differences between them. Leave that to us. We’ve scooped up a deal on the company’s mid-range wireless gaming headset, called the Arctis Nova 5, and it’s $94.99 at Amazon (was $129.99). It’s a pretty solid value at its normal price, but this price cut is actually the biggest on record, and I don’t anticipate it dropping much further since SteelSeries likes to offer options at every price point.
Digging into the specs that matter most, the Arctis Nova 5 is compatible with essentially every modern console or platform that isn’t the Xbox. Its wireless transceiver can be plugged into a PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, PC, macOS computer, a phone, a tablet — heck, even a Meta Quest VR headset (I’ve tried!). The transceiver itself is tiny and connects via USB-C, but the box includes a USB-A adapter as well. Swinging back to Xbox, if you want the true, platform-agnostic version of this headset, it’s the $129.99 Arctis Nova 5X.
Other key features of the Arctis Nova 5 are its two wireless modes: 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth. The wireless transceiver connects to the headset via 2.4 GHz for game and chat audio, and with the headset’s Quick Switch button, you can toggle to Bluetooth to pick up a phone call (the headset will play a notification sound to alert you to a call).
The Arctis Nova 5 has an advertised battery life of 60 hours per charge, and with its USB-C charging port, you can get six hours of use from just 15 minutes on the charge.