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.
SteelSeries
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Sound & noise cancelling
2.9/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall2.9
1.05.0
A 2.9 puts its audio quality in the bottom quarter of gaming headsets we've measured.
Measured on 19 of the 149 we've cataloged.
8.4/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.4
0.010.0
At 8.4, its noise cancelling beats 92% of gaming headsets we've measured.
Measured on 12 of the 149 we've cataloged.
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
30 hBelow average30 h
8 h90 h
below average for gaming headsets — based on 83 of 149 we've cataloged.
Bluetooth Codec
SBC, LC3, LC3+Most commonSbc46%Aac28%LC38%LC3+3%
LC3 is the most common — on 8% of the 72 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 149).
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).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 30 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 180 min
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, LC3, LC3+
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- Platform Compatibility
- PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- Wireless Protocol
- 2.4GHz + Bluetooth
- USB Charging
- Yes
- Multipoint Devices
- 4 devices
Build
- Material Ear Cups
- Memory foam, PU leather
- Material Chassis Primary
- Metal with faux leather wrap
- Material Headband
- Metal with cloth padding
Design
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
- Color Options
- Black, gold, sage
- Foldable
- No
- Weight
- 380 g
Features
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons, touch controls, physical + touch hybrid
- Eq Customization
- Full parametric EQ
- Chat Mix
- Yes
- Rgb Lighting
- No
Microphone
- Boom Style
- Retractable boom
- Noise Reduction Type
- AI-powered noise reduction
- Count
- 2
- Microphone
- Yes
- Sidetone
- Yes
- Is Retractable
- Yes
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Ambient Mode
- Standard
- Anc Modes
- Off,anc,transparency
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 40000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 10 Hz
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
- Sensitivity
- 105 dB/mW
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Noise cancelling8.4
Isolation6.7
Battery life9.9
Comfort & fit9.0
Connectivity9.5
Design8.0
The verdict
The Arctis Nova Elite is packed with features, like seamless multi-device connectivity and extensive game presets. Still, the $600 price tag is steep and only really worth it if you game on multiple platforms and want a high-end headset that doubles as everyday headphones.
✓What we like
✓Multi-device connectivity
✓Premium materials
✓Hot-swappable battery
✓Sound quality
✓ANC
✕What could be better
✕Very expensive
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova EliteSoundGuys 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 | 0.5 |
| 25 | 0.3 |
| 32 | -0.7 |
| 40 | -1.2 |
| 50 | -1.2 |
| 63 | -1.9 |
| 80 | -2.7 |
| 100 | -2.9 |
| 125 | -3.4 |
| 160 | -5.2 |
| 200 | -6.8 |
| 250 | -8.1 |
| 315 | -8.0 |
| 400 | -7.0 |
| 500 | -5.4 |
| 630 | -3.1 |
| 800 | -1.1 |
| 1000 | -0.2 |
| 1250 | -1.8 |
| 1600 | -3.6 |
| 2000 | -1.6 |
| 2500 | 2.1 |
| 3150 | 3.9 |
| 4000 | -1.4 |
| 5000 | -6.3 |
| 6300 | -2.6 |
| 8000 | 6.7 |
| 10000 | 4.5 |
| 12500 | -7.5 |
| 16000 | -12.4 |
| 20000 | -25.0 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
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 | 1.3 |
| 26 | -2.1 |
| 33 | -1.0 |
| 41 | -0.5 |
| 52 | -1.5 |
| 65 | -3.3 |
| 82 | -3.5 |
| 103 | -2.1 |
| 130 | -3.0 |
| 163 | 1.4 |
| 205 | 5.6 |
| 259 | 7.1 |
| 325 | 10.4 |
| 410 | 7.3 |
| 516 | 7.7 |
| 613 | 10.0 |
| 772 | 12.9 |
| 972 | 17.8 |
| 1220 | 19.0 |
| 1540 | 23.3 |
| 1940 | 26.9 |
| 2440 | 29.0 |
| 3070 | 26.4 |
| 3870 | 32.5 |
| 4870 | 41.5 |
| 6130 | 46.3 |
| 7720 | 40.2 |
| 9720 | 40.0 |
| 12200 | 33.3 |
| 15400 | 39.8 |
| 19400 | 39.5 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Noise cancelling — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 11.7 |
| 26 | 9.1 |
| 33 | 19.6 |
| 41 | 28.0 |
| 52 | 18.1 |
| 65 | 20.0 |
| 82 | 26.8 |
| 103 | 24.0 |
| 130 | 23.1 |
| 163 | 22.8 |
| 205 | 21.3 |
| 259 | 21.2 |
| 325 | 27.8 |
| 410 | 18.0 |
| 516 | 17.5 |
| 613 | 18.2 |
| 772 | 17.3 |
| 972 | 18.3 |
| 1220 | 15.4 |
| 1540 | 20.3 |
| 1940 | 26.7 |
| 2440 | 27.7 |
| 3070 | 25.2 |
| 3870 | 32.9 |
| 4870 | 43.1 |
| 6130 | 48.5 |
| 7720 | 39.7 |
| 9720 | 38.6 |
| 12200 | 34.1 |
| 15400 | 47.9 |
| 19400 | 44.5 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
2.3
3.6
3.2
2.9
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