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Audeze Penrose 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 6 of 7 measures.

  • Audeze Penrose
  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
HearWiki score
60
84
Sound
8.3
8.9
Noise cancelling
-
8.7
Battery
4.5
9.5
Calls
6.6
9.1
Value
-
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

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite (2025) against Audeze Penrose (2020). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • Penrose2020
  • Arctis Nova Elite20255 yr newer
What differsPenroseArctis Nova Elite

Platform

ANC type
None
Adaptive

Specifications

PenroseArctis Nova Elite
Type
Gaming
Gaming
Price (USD)
$300
$430
HearWiki score
60
84
Released
2020
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
100 mm planar magnetic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
planar
dynamic
Driver size
100 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
-
10 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
38 Ω
Sensitivity
-
101 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.0
-
Codecs
-
LC3
Multipoint pairing
-
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
15 h
44 h
Battery incl. case
-
60 h
Full charge time
-
180 min
Quick charge
-
15 min → 4 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
-
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
both
Weight
320 g
350 g
Case weight
-
143 g
Water resistance
-
none
USB-C
-
Yes
Microphones
-
2
Microphone type
-
beamforming
Call noise reduction
-
Yes
Call NR technology
-
AI ENC

What reviewers said

Audeze Penrose

A wireless gaming headset built for consoles and PC, featuring large 100 mm planar magnetic drivers for detailed, low-distortion sound. It offers both a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection and Bluetooth 5.0 for flexibility, with a comfortable 320-gram build and around 15 hours of battery life. There is no active noise cancellation, so it relies on passive isolation from the ear pads.

  • Pro:Excellent clarity and detail from planar magnetic drivers
  • Pro:Dual wireless modes: low-latency 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth
  • Pro:Lightweight for its driver size at 320 grams
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Bulky design may not suit all users
  • Con:Battery life could be better for marathon gaming

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a high-end wireless gaming headset that pairs active noise cancellation with a 40mm dynamic driver for immersive sound. It offers a long 30-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and an extended frequency response up to 40kHz, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and music. The included carrying case adds extra charge, bringing total playtime to 60 hours.

  • Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
  • Pro:Long battery life with charging case
  • Pro:Supports high-res codecs like LDAC and LC3
  • Con:Premium price point may be steep
  • Con:Heavier than some competitors at 380g
  • Con:No wired connection option mentioned

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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