Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal 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.

Gaming

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite leads on 7 of 7 measures.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

HearWiki score

Sound

7.8

8.9

Noise cancelling

6.2

8.7

Battery

6.3

9.5

Calls

6.2

9.1

Value

4.2

5.4

Price (USD)

$500

$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?

New platform

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite (2025) against Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal (2021). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against aptX Adaptive and LE Audio (LC3).

Beoplay Portal2021
Arctis Nova Elite20254 yr newer

What differsBeoplay PortalArctis Nova Elite

Top codec: aptX Adaptive; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No

Level on: ANC type, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Beoplay PortalArctis Nova Elite

Type: Gaming; Gaming
Price (USD): $500; $430
HearWiki score: 61; 84
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 22 kHz; 10 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 24 Ω; 38 Ω
Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW; 101 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.1; -
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive; LC3
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 42 h; 44 h
Battery life (ANC on): 24 h; -
Battery incl. case: -; 60 h
Full charge time: 180 min; 180 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 2 h; 15 min → 4 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No
Controls: touch; both
Voice assistant: Yes; -
Weight: 282 g; 350 g
Case weight: -; 143 g
Water resistance: -; none
USB-C: -; Yes
Microphones: 4; 2
Microphone type: -; beamforming
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: beamforming; AI ENC

Specification comparison of Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Spec	Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Type	Gaming	Gaming
Price (USD)	$500	$430
HearWiki score	61 / 100 Average	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 22 kHz	10 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	24 Ω	38 Ω
Sensitivity	95 dB/mW	101 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.1	-
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive	LC3
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	42 h	44 h
Battery life (ANC on)	24 h	-
Battery incl. case	-	60 h
Full charge time	180 min	180 min
Quick charge	10 min → 2 h	15 min → 4 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	touch	both
Voice assistant	Yes	-
Design
Weight	282 g	350 g
Case weight	-	143 g
Water resistance	-	none
USB-C	-	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	2
Microphone type	-	beamforming
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	beamforming	AI ENC

What reviewers said

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is a premium wireless gaming headset that pairs adaptive noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery, offering up to 24 hours of use with ANC active. It supports aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs over Bluetooth 5.1, and its 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a detailed sound signature. The lightweight 282g design, touch controls, and custom EQ via app support make it a versatile choice for both gaming and everyday listening.

Pro:Adaptive ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
Pro:Long battery life of up to 24 hours with ANC on
Pro:Supports high-quality aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs

Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
Con:Touch controls may be less intuitive for some users
Con:Premium price point may not suit all budgets

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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