SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X
Steelseries
A Wireless Headset That Follows You From Console to Couch
Buying a gaming headset used to mean picking a side: Xbox or PlayStation, console or PC, wired reliability or wireless freedom. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X was built specifically to erase that decision. It's the version of SteelSeries' Nova 5 that's been tuned to work natively with Xbox alongside PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch, all from the same box, with no adapters or workarounds required. If your household has more than one gaming platform under one roof — or you personally bounce between a console in the living room and a gaming PC upstairs — this is the kind of headset that quietly removes friction you didn't realize you were putting up with.
What makes it worth a longer look isn't just the multi-platform badge on the box. It's the combination of genuinely long battery life, a surprisingly capable microphone, and a companion app that lets you reshape the sound on the fly, all wrapped into a headset priced well below SteelSeries' flagship models. None of that means it's perfect — there are real trade-offs here, and we'll get into exactly where they show up.
Design, Comfort, and Everyday Build Quality
The Nova 5X carries SteelSeries' signature "ski goggle" suspension headband, the design where a stretchy fabric strap floats inside the outer headband and distributes weight across the top of your head instead of clamping down on it. It's a detail that sounds minor until you've worn a heavier headset for three hours and felt your neck disagree. Combined with a genuinely light overall build, this is a headset designed to disappear during long sessions rather than remind you it's there every twenty minutes.
The ear cushions use SteelSeries' AirWeave fabric rather than the pleather or faux-leather pads common on cheaper headsets. Fabric breathes better, which matters more than it sounds: pleather pads trap heat against your ears and get uncomfortably warm and sweaty during extended play, especially in a warm room or during an intense ranked session. Fabric cushions solve that problem, though the trade-off is that they don't seal against your ears quite as tightly as pleather does, which has knock-on effects for noise isolation we'll cover below.
Where the Nova 5X visibly cuts corners compared to SteelSeries' pricier Nova 7 and Nova Pro models is in the materials of the headband and the yoke arms connecting the ear cups. Those use simpler, all-plastic construction rather than the more premium metal-reinforced arms found higher up the range. In practice this doesn't feel flimsy — the headset is rated by owners as sturdy and well put together — but it does mean the sense of premium heft you get from top-tier headsets isn't present here. This is a headset built to a price, and the compromises are visible if you go looking for them, even though they rarely affect day-to-day use.
One practical note worth flagging before you buy: the adjustable headband's largest setting runs a little small. Most people will find a comfortable fit, but if you have an unusually large head, it's worth trying the headset on in person or checking the return policy before committing.
Sound Quality: What the Drivers Actually Deliver
Strip away the marketing language and the Nova 5X is built around a pair of 40mm drivers using neodymium magnets — the same driver rare-earth material used in SteelSeries' considerably more expensive Nova 7 line. That's a genuinely good sign: the part of the headset most responsible for how it actually sounds isn't a downgraded component picked to hit a price point, it's shared with headsets costing quite a bit more.
The frequency range these drivers can reproduce stretches from 20Hz up to 22,000Hz, a touch wider than the 20Hz–20,000Hz range you'll see quoted on many rival gaming headsets. In plain terms, a wider range means more headroom to render both the low rumble of an explosion and the sharpest high-frequency detail, like the ping of a distant sniper's shot, without either end getting clipped off. Whether you can consciously hear the difference at the extreme edges is debatable — the range of average human hearing tops out around there anyway — but it does mean the drivers have room to work cleanly rather than straining at their limits.
Where independent testing gets more specific is in how that potential is actually tuned out of the box. The default sound signature has a light touch in the sub-bass region, meaning the very deepest rumble is dialed back further than some listeners might expect, while the upper-bass and lower-midrange carry a touch more emphasis than a perfectly neutral tuning would call for. There's also a dip and later a rise somewhere in the upper-midrange to lower-treble area that can occasionally sound a little edgy on certain sound effects. None of this makes the headset sound bad — reviewers who've spent real time with it describe the detail and separation as genuinely impressive for the price — but it does mean out-of-the-box bass enthusiasts may find the low end a little polite rather than thunderous.
This is exactly where the companion app earns its keep. The Nova 5X shipped with more than 90 audio presets built by professional players and audio engineers, tuned specifically for individual major titles rather than generic "bass boost" sliders. Since launch, that library has kept growing — some retail listings now describe over 100 presets, and independent testers who came to the headset later found the count had climbed past 140. In practice, this means you're not stuck with the factory tuning: load a preset built for a specific competitive shooter and the sound signature shifts to emphasize footsteps and directional cues, or switch to a preset built for open-world or cinematic titles and the low end opens up. It's a meaningfully different experience from most gaming headsets, where "customization" means one generic equalizer you have to tune yourself by ear.
One nuance worth setting expectations around: pinpointing exact distance and direction from in-game audio cues alone — the sense of a footstep coming from precisely behind and to the left rather than just "somewhere behind" — isn't this headset's strongest suit. Stereo imaging is solid, but the fully immersive, precisely-placed positional audio you'd get from premium open-back headphones isn't quite matched here. Competitive players who live and die by pinpoint audio cues should factor that in, though the boosted treble in several presets does help with basic footstep detection even if exact placement isn't laser-precise.
The Microphone: A Genuine Strength
Gaming headset microphones are frequently an afterthought bolted onto a good pair of drivers, but the Nova 5X's ClearCast 2.X microphone is one of the areas where independent testers have been consistently impressed. It's a fully retractable boom mic — flip it up to mute, pull it down to talk — built around an upgraded, higher-bandwidth chipset than earlier SteelSeries microphones. The practical result is voice capture that multiple reviewers rank among the better microphones on any gaming headset at this price, with clean, distortion-free reproduction of your voice and effective rejection of the room noise around you.
For anyone using this headset for team voice chat, streaming, or regular video calls, that matters more than most buyers realize going in. A headset can sound incredible in your ears and still leave your teammates straining to understand you over a muddy, tinny mic. That's not the case here — this is a headset you could reasonably use as your primary streaming or podcasting microphone in a pinch, not just an acceptable add-on.
Battery Life and Charging: Built for Marathon Sessions
Endurance is arguably the Nova 5X's headline feature, and the numbers back that up. A single charge is rated for up to 60 hours of continuous use. To put that in everyday terms: if you play two hours a day, that's roughly a month between charges. Even heavy daily use of several hours won't have you reaching for a cable more than once a week. This comfortably beats the battery life you'll find on the majority of wireless gaming headsets in this price range, many of which top out somewhere between 15 and 30 hours.
When you do eventually run dry, the recovery is fast. A 15-minute top-up through the USB-C port adds roughly 6 hours of additional playtime — enough to save you from an awkward mid-session dead battery without forcing you to sit tethered to a cable for an hour. A full charge from empty takes about two hours.
60 hrs
Single charge rating
15 min
Quick charge adds roughly 6 hours
~2 hrs
Full charge from empty
One detail that catches some buyers off guard: SteelSeries doesn't include a wall charging adaptor in the box. You'll need to supply your own USB-C charger capable of between 0.25W and 2.5W of output, and the headset supports PD (Power Delivery) fast charging if your charger offers it. Almost everyone already owns a phone charger that fits this bill, so it's rarely a real obstacle, but it's worth knowing before you assume everything you need is in the box.
Quick-Switch Wireless: How the Dual Connection Actually Works
The feature that most directly explains the Nova 5X's appeal for multi-device users is what SteelSeries calls Quick-Switch Wireless. The headset connects over low-latency 2.4GHz wireless (via the included USB-C dongle) to your primary gaming device — console or PC — while simultaneously staying paired to a second device, like your phone, over Bluetooth 5.3.
This isn't a manual toggle where you have to dig into a menu and reconnect every time. In real-world testing, the headset can mix both audio streams together, meaning your game audio and console party chat keep playing in one ear while an incoming phone call or a Discord notification comes through from the Bluetooth side, without dropping either connection. For anyone who's ever missed a call because their headset was locked exclusively to their console, or had to physically remove their headset to answer a phone during a match, this is the feature that solves it. Bluetooth 5.3 itself represents one of the newer, more efficient revisions of the Bluetooth standard, generally delivering steadier connections and lower power draw than older Bluetooth versions.
The Companion App: More Than Just Presets
Beyond audio presets, the Arctis Nova 5 companion app is the control center for the headset on mobile devices, letting you switch EQ settings without pausing your game or reaching for a PC. It's a genuinely convenient way to retune your sound on console, where you'd otherwise have no software access at all.
Worth knowing before you buy: some of the deeper customization and mixing features are more fully realized in SteelSeries' desktop Sonar software on Windows PC than in the mobile app alone. If your only device is a console with no PC in the house, you'll still get full use of the preset library and basic controls through the mobile app, but a small subset of advanced tuning options are easier to reach if you also have a Windows PC on hand. This isn't a dealbreaker for console-only households, but it's a distinction worth understanding rather than discovering after the fact.
Platform Compatibility
| Platform | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One | Yes | Native Xbox wireless support is the defining feature of the "X" in Nova 5X |
| PlayStation 5 | Yes | Full wireless support via 2.4GHz dongle |
| PlayStation 4 | Yes | Full wireless support via 2.4GHz dongle |
| Windows PC | Yes | Wireless dongle plus access to SteelSeries Sonar software |
| Nintendo Switch | Yes | Wireless dongle supported |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | Yes | Wireless dongle supported |
| Mobile devices (phone/tablet) | Yes, via Bluetooth | Runs simultaneously alongside your primary console/PC connection |
This breadth of native compatibility, without needing separate SKUs or dongles for different consoles, is genuinely uncommon. Many gaming headsets require you to buy a specific version for PlayStation and a different one for Xbox; the Nova 5X's Xbox-focused variant instead covers essentially every major platform a gamer is likely to own.
Who This Headset Is For — and Who It Isn't
The Nova 5X is an easy recommendation if:
- You regularly switch between two or more platforms (console, PC, Switch) and want one headset that works everywhere instead of juggling multiple headsets or dongles.
- You play in long sessions and have been burned before by a wireless headset that dies mid-match; the battery life here removes that anxiety almost entirely.
- You want to take calls or listen to music on your phone without breaking your game audio connection.
- You care about voice clarity for team chat or streaming as much as you care about what you hear.
- You want to tailor the sound per game rather than live with one fixed tuning, and you're comfortable using an app to do it.
It's a weaker fit if:
- You want active noise cancellation for blocking out a noisy household, open office, or commute. This headset uses passive isolation only — the fabric ear cushions block some ambient sound simply through physical coverage, but they don't actively cancel outside noise, and testers note that isolation is on the light side. If you need real quiet to concentrate, look elsewhere.
- You have an unusually large head; the maximum headband setting runs smaller than some rival headsets.
- You want thunderous, bass-forward sound straight out of the box without EQ tweaking. The default tuning is more balanced than bassy, and getting a heavier low end means dipping into the preset library.
- You need pinpoint, laser-accurate directional audio for high-level competitive play; the imaging is solid but not the most precise in its class.
How It Stacks Up
The most useful comparison for the Nova 5X isn't a rival brand — it's SteelSeries' own lineup, because the positioning tells you exactly what you're paying for and what you're not.
| Attribute | Arctis Nova 5X | Arctis Nova 7 (and 7X) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver hardware | Same 40mm neodymium drivers | Same 40mm neodymium drivers |
| Build materials | Simpler plastic yoke arms and headband | More premium materials throughout |
| Battery life | Longer — rated up to 60 hours | Shorter — commonly rated in the high-30-hour range |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
| Price position | Sits below the Nova 7 in SteelSeries' range | Priced meaningfully higher |
The takeaway many independent reviewers have landed on is that the step up to the Nova 7 buys you nicer materials and a slightly more premium feel, but not better core audio — since the actual drivers doing the work are identical. If your priority is sound quality per pound spent, battery life, and low weight over long sessions, the Nova 5X arguably represents the smarter buy of the two, with the Nova 7 justifying its price mainly through build refinement rather than a fundamentally different listening experience.
Against the wider field of wireless gaming headsets at a similar price — the kind of headset you'd cross-shop this against on a shelf — the Nova 5X's standout advantages are its battery life, which comfortably outlasts most competitors in this bracket, and its microphone, which independent testers rate above average for the category. Its clearest weakness relative to rivals that offer active noise cancellation is isolation: if a competing headset in your consideration set specifically advertises ANC, that headset will do a better job shutting out a noisy room.
Strengths and Weaknesses, Honestly
What Works
There's a lot to like here, starting with the fact that SteelSeries didn't cut corners on the parts that most directly affect daily use. The battery genuinely lasts as long as advertised in real-world testing, which is more than can be said for plenty of "all-day battery" claims in this category. The microphone quality is a legitimate step above what you'd expect at this price, and the multi-platform, dual-wireless setup solves a real, common frustration rather than being a marketing checkbox. Comfort over long sessions is excellent thanks to the lightweight build and breathable ear cushions.
The Honest Trade-offs
The honest weaknesses are just as clear. This is not a headset for anyone prioritizing noise isolation — the fabric ear cushions and lack of active cancellation mean outside sound gets through more than it would on a sealed, ANC-equipped alternative. The default sound tuning, while detailed and clean, is light on sub-bass and occasionally a touch sharp in the upper-midrange, meaning newcomers who don't bother exploring the preset library are hearing a slightly compromised version of what this headset can actually do. And the plastic-heavy build, while sturdy, doesn't carry the same premium feel as SteelSeries' pricier models — a fair trade for the lower cost, but a trade nonetheless.
The Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X earns its place as one of the more sensible wireless gaming headset purchases available right now, specifically because it solves a problem most rivals ignore: living across multiple platforms without compromise. If you own more than one console, split time between console and PC, or simply want a headset that won't die halfway through a weekend gaming binge, this is a genuinely strong pick — the shared drivers with SteelSeries' pricier Nova 7 line mean you're not sacrificing core sound quality to get there.
Skip it only if active noise cancellation is a non-negotiable requirement for you, or if you're chasing the most bass-heavy, out-of-the-box sound signature possible without wanting to touch an app to get there. For nearly everyone else — especially multi-platform households, streamers who need a reliable mic, and anyone who's tired of babysitting a headset's battery percentage — the Nova 5X is a confident, easy recommendation.
What People Say
34 commentsExcellent Sound and Microphone Quality
I was very excited to try the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X wireless headset as it's a significant step up from the entry-level headset I've been using, and I can honestly say the upgrade has left me feeling very impressed indeed.
The Nova 5 series is mid-range, with options to suit Xbox (model 5X) and Playstation (model 5P) consoles, so be sure to choose the correct option for your gaming hardware, although thanks to the USB-C 2.4GHz dongle both are cross-compatible with a range of other devices. In either case, you will need a smartphone to install the companion app in order get the best from them.
Weighing around 270g they are light enough to not feel heavy on your head but still sturdy enough to not feel like they're going to break. The plush ear cushions are covered in a comfortable fine mesh fabric. The elastic headband is adjustable so you can have it resting securely but without too much pressure, making them suitable for extended periods of wear. I needed the largest setting for my big adult head, which only just felt big enough. The ear cups also swivel as well as the usual in-and-out movement, so you really can achieve the perfect fit for your shape. I wear glasses and the headset doesn't press the arms into the side of my head.
We have controls on both sides of the ear cups - the power and mic volume is on the right (plus a button to switch between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth), and mic mute and sound volume is on the left.
Now onto the performance. Firstly, the mic is outstanding, in fact the best I've ever tried on a headset. Your voice comes through clear with plenty of volume yet it doesn't amplify background noises such as my constant hay fever sniffle. I was very impressed. The mic can be fully concealed when not in use and instantly muted with the button that sits right behind it. The flexible arm design makes it possible to find the perfect position in front of your mouth.
The sound is fantastic. Using the app you can find a pre-set for all major games, saving a lot of time over trying to figure out the optimal settings for each one. The differences can be subtle but noticeable, and you start to realise how using a quality headset can give gamers an advantage over those who don't. These have just the right amount of bass for me, which is enough to feel its presence without thumping down my ears.
The battery life promises 50 hours at 2.4GHz or 60 hours using Bluetooth, which is enough to last me at least a couple of weeks between charges, but in any case, a quick 15 minutes connected to my fast phone charger gave enough juice to last all day.
Overall, if you're shopping for a quality headset that is a step up from the entry-level offerings then the Arctis Nova 5X gets a solid recommendation from me.
Perfect Gaming Headset
By far the best gaming headset I have ever used. The headset features breathable AirWeave fabric ear cushions and a lightweight, durable steel-reinforced headband. During extended gaming sessions it was very comfortable to wear.
The ClearCast Mic provides crystal clear audio with its ANC combined with voice playback you can hear yourself speaking which reduces and tendencies to raise your voice or shout when using over the ear headsets. I particlaur like the fact the mic can be discreetly tucked away when not required making the headset look like a regluar headphone.
The headset supports 360° spatial audio, providing accurate positional audio. This feature enhances situational awareness in games, allowing you to pinpoint the direction of sounds such as footsteps and gunfire.
The headset includes convenient on-ear controls for quick access to volume adjustments and microphone muting. This allows for seamless adjustments without needing to pause your game or navigate through menus.
Great quality product.
I needed a well fitting set of headphones 🎧, I love my music as well as gaming. The mic is not out, unless you want to use it so these can be used as general music headphones. The quality of these is really really good, when you have good packaging 📦 the product is usually the same, as in this instance. Time has been spent on how these are packaged and SteelSeries have been around for a considerable time and they do not disappoint. I know 100 pound sounds a lot of money, but you are getting value for money, honest guv. Call it an investment, look at what you have probably already invested in the equipment you are using, PC, Xbox, PlayStation. Great quality in manufacturing and great quality in sound, easy to set up with whichever platform you use, mine is PC, plug in dongle, wait for connection, and away you play, or listen to your hearts content. Look after them and they will last years and years. Hope this helps anyone.
Cheers
Glenn
Brilliant battery life!
This is a great headset for any avid gamer. It is wireless and so far I've not had to charge it again since initially getting the product well over a week ago. The head band is adjustable and the ear pads are pretty comfortable to wear for extended perioss of time due to the memory foam. The buttons on the sides of the headset make it easy to do what you need whilst gaming including turning volume up/down and muting. The sound quality is good, again this is adjustable according to what you prefer and there's a quickswitch button on the headset if you need to switch between modes. The headset is also super lightweight. Set up was a little tricky to figure out initially, but easy to use once that is sorted. All in all a great accessory and good quality product from SteelSeries, would recommend.
True gamer headphones
* battery life amazingly good - initially skeptical but after using for 3 days it is still going on
* the build quality is very good
* the elastic band is very supportive and doesn't hurt from long use
* it contains traditional controls - much better than touch control as these control works every time
* the mic is hidden/stored and can be easily pulled so it won't look ugly when travelling
* mic quality is really good - picked-up muttering sound while playing/chatting
* xbox/console wireless adapter is really good - no lagging observed while playing in sound and audio chat
* ear cushion are good quality and don't smell
would definately recommend
Better for gaming than for music
Arctis nova 5x wireless,
Super easy to connect to Xbox, PlayStation or PC
Can be used in blue tooth mode for mobiles which is a great option.
Has a fully retractable microphone with noise cancelling feature, the headset fits nice on the ears & the sound is superb on gaming. I would say it’s better for gaming than listening to music because you can hear it rustles
Battery life is amazing at 50hrs or 60hrs using blue tooth mode, this together with a quick 15min charge for over 6 hours use makes this a stand out head set.
Soft and Comfortable!
First I’ve got to say is these are really comfortable to wear over a prolonged period of time. There is a thick elastic material type band that runs across the length of the headphone that offers support and helps with comfort. We also liked that the extended mic can be retracted to certain lengths great for different head sizes! Audio is good and at the bottom of each headphone comes with and on/off button, Bluetooth pairing, volume control and a mute button. In all a solid headset, which my family loves using!
Awful
Bought this product expecting it to be the next best thing. But it is just terrible. The £130 price tag is well over priced. My previous pair of headphones the Astro A10’s are so much better in every way and they were a third of the price. The sound quality in the headphones is something you would get out of £10 apple earphones. The microphone quality is okay. The Bluetooth isn’t awful. But the £130 price tag makes these headphones a scam. At most these should be £40.
Not great
I found these earphones not great sound and the app that goes on your phone is a fad. £130 for these headphones is not worth it at all. If you want a good pair of earphones I suggest saving up and get a high spec you will not get anything decent until spend at least £250 £300 Astro or steel series pro. I would suggest if you just want some ok earphones nothing special but have decent sound look at spending £30 -£50
Great headset
Really good headset. Sounds great, easy wearing. I'm being picky by saying it but I'm sure some other users might say the same. I would say the materials could be a bit comfier around the ear pieces and headband. It's good just not amazing on that department. would give 4.5 if I could with that been the only improvement. For the money you can't go wrong. Really love how you can have two connections at once as well.
Fantastic!
I have to say, the battery life is crazy and the sound quality is crisp. I can hear footsteps a mile away in Rainbow 6. Haven't really used much of it but the app is cool from time to time when I swap between games and need something a little different. I don't think I can really say a bad thing about these, especially for the price as I was considering the Nova 7's but these sit more within my price range.
Great multipurpose headset
Great light headset perfect for gaming, leisure and even work. I find it very comfortable for my head, ears and even wearing glasses no discomfort around ears. Sound is clear and strong, microphone easy to use and good quality input sound. Long lasting battery, easy to charge, has multi platform dongle, extension cable and chargind usb cable. Great addition to better sound system.
Best headphones I’ve ever had
These headphones are a total game changer.
The sound is incredible. It’s clear crisp and un parallel to any others we’ve owned.
They are so comfy (and I wear glasses) and really soft on the ears.
I was worried they would take time to configure but honestly so easy.
I love them so much I’ve bought another pair for mr son for Xmas.
Great Gaming Headphones
These things sound awesome, the foldaway mic is a great addition, and they seem to last for ever on a single charge. Loads of pre-configured presets for almost every game (and they do make a difference). To be honest, I only bought them for multiplayer conversations, but I don’t play without them anymore 😂 We’ll worth the money!
Fantastic until Unfantastic
As a Christmas gift, these were incredible, I loved the sound, the quality and how comfortable it was. However, up until about a month ago it started switching itself off even when at 100-75 percent charge and it'd take several retries to get it to connect to my console (Xbox series X)
Fantastic Headset
Fabulous headset, really comfortable to wear, and a great selection of preset settings available on the app for various games so would recommend downloading that (app is free) to get the most from the headset. Easy to set up, plug in the adapter and go.
5 stars 🌟
What can i say, these are the best headphones i have ever owned. Featues work well with everything. Sound quality it brilliant, very customisable. Battery life is great. I have nothing negative to say about this product i would recommend 10/10 👌🏼
Super Easy to Set Up & Great Sound
Very simple to use, ive used them on my PS5 aswell as Xbox. Instructions are very clear. Charge lasts for a few gaming sessions, and audio quality is as good as you can get for this price range. Mic is fine and people tell me I sound clear.
No issues, good product
Bought this for my other half after someone sat on his £200 pair! Work just as well as those did. Comfortable for him to wear long periods and he likes that the mic can be retracted into the headphones when not in use too.
Headphones that work for me
Great pair of headphones, super easy to set up and very comfortable when on. Love these headphones for pc gaming and can’t wait to get more use out of them. Adjustable too for different size heads. Very good
