Gaming
Asus ROG Kithara
83Outstanding
$300
Full review dataAsus ROG Kithara vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite - Outstanding overall at around $426.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Asus ROG Kithara
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
HearWiki score
83
84
Sound
9.2
8.9
Noise cancelling
-
8.7
Battery
-
9.5
Calls
8.7
9.1
Value
8.4
5.4
Price (USD)
$300
$430
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Asus ROG Kithara (2026) against SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite (2025). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.
- ROG Kithara20261 yr newer
- Arctis Nova Elite2025
What differsROG KitharaArctis Nova Elite
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
Platform
Level on: USB-C.
Specifications
ROG KitharaArctis Nova Elite
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $300
- $430
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 84
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 100 mm planar magnetic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 100 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 55 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 38 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 94 dB/mW
- 101 dB/mW
- Codecs
- -
- LC3
- Multipoint pairing
- -
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- -
- 44 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 60 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 180 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- none
- both
- Weight
- 420 g
- 350 g
- Case weight
- -
- 143 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- leatherette
- -
- Connector
- 3.5 mm
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- 2
- Microphone type
- MEMS
- beamforming
- Mic sensitivity
- -36 dBV
- -
- Call noise reduction
- No
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- AI ENC
What reviewers said
Asus ROG Kithara
The Asus ROG Kithara is a wired over-ear gaming headset built around a large 100mm planar magnetic driver, delivering a wide frequency response from 8 Hz to 55 kHz. It includes a noise-canceling MEMS microphone and RGB lighting, with broad compatibility across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Its low 16-ohm impedance makes it easy to drive, though it lacks active noise cancellation and onboard controls.
- Pro:Large 100mm planar magnetic driver for detailed sound
- Pro:Very low 16-ohm impedance, easy to power with most devices
- Pro:Wide frequency response up to 55 kHz
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No onboard controls for volume or mute
- Con:Non-foldable design may limit portability
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a premium wireless gaming headset that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a 44-hour battery life, extendable to 60 hours with its case. It features 40mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth multipoint support, and a transparent mode for situational awareness, making it a versatile option for both gaming and everyday use.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC for immersive gaming
- Pro:Long 44-hour battery life, 60 with case
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth for easy switching
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No wireless charging
- Con:Heavy at 350 grams
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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