Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 - Outstanding overall at around $130.

Gaming

Score breakdown

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

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

HearWiki score

Sound

8.2

Noise cancelling

5.7

Battery

8.4

9.3

Calls

6.3

8.8

Value

7.3

8.6

Price (USD)

$170

$130

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

Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless (2025) against SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (2024). The Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.3, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Transparency mode.

MMX 230 Wireless20251 yr newer
Arctis Nova 52024

What differsMMX 230 WirelessArctis Nova 5

Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.3
Top codec: LC3; AAC
LE Audio (LC3): Yes; No
ANC type: Adaptive; None
Transparency mode: Yes; No

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

MMX 230 WirelessArctis Nova 5

Type: Gaming; Gaming
Price (USD): $170; $130
HearWiki score: 75; 86
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Still 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 - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω; 36 Ω
Sensitivity: 116 dB/mW; 93 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 6.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, LC3; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: 30 ms; -
Wireless range: 20 m; 9 m
Battery life: 60 h; 60 h
Battery life (ANC on): 35 h; -
Full charge time: -; 15 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 16 h; 15 min → 6 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: adaptive; none
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: both; both
Weight: -; 265 g
Water resistance: none; none
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: velour; -
Connector: 3.5 mm; -
Microphones: 1; 1
Microphone type: MEMS; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: ENC; -

Specification comparison of Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Spec	Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless	SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Type	Gaming	Gaming
Price (USD)	$170	$130
HearWiki score	75 / 100 Great	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	2024
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 - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance	32 Ω	36 Ω
Sensitivity	116 dB/mW	93 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	6.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, LC3	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	30 ms	-
Wireless range	20 m	9 m
Battery
Battery life	60 h	60 h
Battery life (ANC on)	35 h	-
Full charge time	-	15 min
Quick charge	15 min → 16 h	15 min → 6 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	adaptive	none
Transparency mode	Yes	No
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	both	both
Design
Weight	-	265 g
Water resistance	none	none
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	velour	-
Connector	3.5 mm	-
Calls
Microphones	1	1
Microphone type	MEMS	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	ENC	-

What reviewers said

Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless

The Beyerdynamic MMX 230 Wireless is a versatile gaming headset that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting 60-hour battery (35 hours with ANC on). It features Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, and a detachable microphone, making it a solid pick for multi-platform gaming and daily wireless use.

Pro:Excellent 60-hour battery life (35 hours with ANC)
Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for immersive gaming
Pro:Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint for seamless device switching

Con:No water resistance rating
Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Only one microphone for calls or chat

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a wireless gaming headset that prioritizes long-lasting performance, boasting a 60-hour battery and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It features a balanced sound signature from its 40mm drivers and a noise-canceling mic for clear communication, all wrapped in a comfortable design. Multipoint support allows seamless switching between gaming and mobile devices.

Pro:Exceptional 60-hour battery life
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for easy device switching
Pro:Balanced sound profile suitable for various games

Con:No active noise cancellation for immersion
Con:No water resistance for durability
Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

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

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