Gaming Headsets
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
8.4SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$399.99at Amazon
Buy on AmazonAll products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
1 / 14SteelSeries
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 X (Xbox)
Sound
4.2/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.2
1.05.0
A 4.2 puts its audio quality in the top half of gaming headsets we've measured.
Measured on 19 of the 149 we've cataloged.
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
60 hAbove average60 h
8 h90 h
above average for gaming headsets — based on 83 of 149 we've cataloged.
Bluetooth Version
5.3Most common5.342%5.230%5.018%5.17%
5.3 is the most common — on 42% of the 60 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 149).
Connection Type
Wired-3.5mm32%Bluetooth29%2.4GHZ25%Wired-usb-c10%
2.4GHZ appears on 25% of the 182 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 149).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 60 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 120 min
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth wireless, 2.4GHz dongle
- Dongle Connector
- USB-C
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- Platform Compatibility
- PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- Wireless Protocol
- 2.4GHz + Bluetooth
- Console Certification
- Designed for Xbox
- USB Charging
- Yes
Build
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam
- Water Resistance
- No
- Material Chassis Primary
- Black ABS plastic and metal
- Material Headband
- Plastic with padding
Design
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
- Color Options
- Black
- Foldable
- Yes
- Wearing Time Max
- 7 h
- Weight
- 265 g
Features
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Eq Customization
- Presets only
- Chat Mix
- Yes
- Rgb Lighting
- No
Microphone
- Boom Style
- Retractable boom
- Noise Reduction Type
- AI-powered noise reduction
- Polar Pattern
- Bidirectional
- Bit Depth
- 16 bit
- Flip To Mute
- No
- Microphone
- Yes
- Sidetone
- Yes
- Is Retractable
- Yes
- Sample Rate
- 32 kHz
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Passive Isolation
- Minimal dB
- Surround Sound Format
- Virtual 7.1, Tempest 3D AudioTech, Windows Sonic
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Isolation5.0
Battery life9.2
Comfort & fit8.0
Connectivity7.5
Design6.6
Portability5.5
The verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X is a versatile, feature-rich gaming headset that offers excellent value for its price, providing wide compatibility across gaming platforms, solid battery life, and extensive audio customization options through its companion app.
✓What we like
✓Wirelessly connects to any console or device
✓Comfortable
✓Comprehensive app with plenty of EQ presets
✓Good microphone quality
✕What could be better
✕No ANC
✕Wide USB dongle may block adjacent ports
✕No simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 X (Xbox)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB) against the SoundGuys house target — the dashed curve. The closer the measured line tracks the target, the more neutral the tuning; peaks ride above the target, dips fall below it.
Frequency response — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -8.9 |
| 25 | -6.3 |
| 32 | -4.2 |
| 40 | -3.1 |
| 50 | -3.7 |
| 63 | -2.4 |
| 80 | -0.7 |
| 100 | 0.2 |
| 125 | 0.8 |
| 160 | 1.8 |
| 200 | 2.1 |
| 250 | 1.7 |
| 315 | -0.4 |
| 400 | -3.3 |
| 500 | -2.7 |
| 630 | -1.7 |
| 800 | -0.9 |
| 1000 | -0.0 |
| 1250 | -0.5 |
| 1600 | 1.4 |
| 2000 | 6.0 |
| 2500 | 9.0 |
| 3150 | 10.0 |
| 4000 | 3.2 |
| 5000 | -1.7 |
| 6300 | 6.9 |
| 8000 | 6.9 |
| 10000 | 9.6 |
| 12500 | 0.5 |
| 16000 | -5.8 |
| 20000 | -21.5 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 X (Xbox)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Passive isolation — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.8 |
| 26 | -0.1 |
| 33 | -0.6 |
| 41 | -0.1 |
| 52 | -1.0 |
| 65 | -1.3 |
| 82 | -1.4 |
| 103 | -1.6 |
| 130 | -2.0 |
| 163 | -2.5 |
| 205 | -2.7 |
| 259 | -3.2 |
| 325 | 0.1 |
| 410 | -0.7 |
| 516 | -0.6 |
| 613 | 1.4 |
| 772 | 4.9 |
| 972 | 9.8 |
| 1220 | 12.4 |
| 1540 | 12.7 |
| 1940 | 13.2 |
| 2440 | 27.4 |
| 3070 | 26.2 |
| 3870 | 23.5 |
| 4870 | 27.6 |
| 6130 | 24.2 |
| 7720 | 26.9 |
| 9720 | 25.9 |
| 12200 | 18.2 |
| 15400 | 18.8 |
| 19400 | 33.9 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 X (Xbox)
4.2
4.3
3.4
4.2
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
I've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Gaming Headsets
See our top picks ›
Gaming Headsets
Alienware AW Pro Wireless
8.0SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$199.99at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Gaming Headsets
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
7.7SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$99.99at Amazon
Buy on Amazon
Gaming Headsets
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 (Gen 2)
7.6SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$174.99at Amazon
Buy on Amazon