SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Review - First Class

SteelSeries headsets have long been among my favorite wireless gaming headsets. This is not only because of the good sound quality the brand offers but also because of the comfort and battery life these headpieces pack. Back in May of this year, SteelSeries released its Arctis Nova 5X wireless for consoles and PC, and I was happy to be able to get a sample for testing.

I've been testing quite a few wireless outings from SteelSeries over the past few years with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless being the most recent headpiece I reviewed. In the same Nova line, SteelSeries now released the more cost-friendly Arctis Nova 5X wireless headsets. Don't, however, let the €139.99 retail price fool you - this might very well be one of the best wireless gaming headsets in this price range.

Design and features

The design of the Nova 5X wireless is similar to other offerings in the Nova series and comes with the brand's iconic ski goggle headband on a plastic headband. Unlike the Pro Nova models, however, the design of this headpiece is all-plastic, but luckily, the build quality feels sturdy. Being a plastic design, the Arctis Nova 5X is lighter than the Pro models, adding to the headset's comfort. The earpads on SteelSeries' mid-range headset are made of breathable fabric, which remains cool on the ears - even after longer gaming sessions. I prefer the fabric to the leatherette used on other headsets. The left and right earcups are easily recognizable via an "L" and "R" print on the mesh inside the earcups, which I prefer over the often tiny indicators on the hinges.

On the left earcup, we find a dedicated mute button for the microphone, the general volume wheel, and a retractable microphone. The right earcup offers the game/chat balance wheel, the power button, and a button to switch between 2.4 GHz mode and Bluetooth. The right cup also houses the USB-C charging port. In addition to powering the headset, the power button also serves as a multifunction button to play/pause music, move between tracks, and increase/decrease call volume. The quick switch button also allows users to answer and end voice calls as well as ignore calls.

The Nova 5 connects wirelessly via 2.4 GHz through a supplied USB-C dongle. The dongle that comes with the Xbox version of the headset includes a switch that allows users to switch between use on Xbox and other platforms (USB). Interestingly, by picking USB mode, users can also use the headset on PlayStation platforms, whereas the PlayStation version of this headset doesn't allow players to use it on Xbox. As such, those who own both a PlayStation and Xbox might do well to pick the Xbox version of the Nova 5 wireless.

Comfort

Like other offerings from SteelSeries, the Arctis Nova 5 wireless is highly comfortable, partly due to the use of the brand's iconic suspension band but also due to its relatively low weight. Most users will be able to find a good fit, and the headset offers a good seal. Even after longer sessions, I felt no strain at the top of my head - something I, unfortunately, experience frequently, even on higher-priced headsets. As said, the earcups are made of breathable fabric, adding to the comfort when temperatures rise.

Sound quality and battery life

SteelSeries boasts that the Nova 5 Wireless will last 60 hours on a single charge. This is likely under optimal conditions, as I had to charge the headset after roughly 45 hours. Granted, this is when using both the 2.4Ghz connection and Bluetooth at normal volume, and we expect the headset to last longer than that when only using the 2.4Ghz connection. Still, 45+ hours of battery life is great and vastly more than other wireless offerings, including higher-priced ones.

Sound quality is great, especially for a headset in this price range, and I'm convinced you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding headset in this segment. There's plenty of sound separation across the board, and sound effects come through clear enough. A nice addition that makes the sound experience even better is the use of the all-new Nova 5 companion app. This application allows for plenty of customization and packs over 140 EQ presets, including presets for many popular games.

The Nova 5X wireless microphone is easily among the best headset microphones I've used recently, possibly beating those of higher-end headsets. Sound distortion is minimal, and the microphone does a good job of blocking ambient noises.

Conclusion

After reading this review, it won't come as a surprise that I'm quite fond of SteelSeries's latest wireless outing. Although it might not be as 'premium' as the brand's Nova Pro line, the Arctis Nova 5X 5 combines great comfort, good sound quality, and a solid microphone for a more than fair price. Multiplatform players looking for a solid wireless headset won't go wrong with this one.

* sample provided by the manufacturer

The SteelSeries Nova 5X Wireless offers a great allround package, and might very well be the best in class wireless gaming headset in this price range.

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