Gaming
MSI Maestro 500 Wireless
72Good
$100
Full review dataMSI Maestro 500 Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless - Great overall at around $190.
Gaming
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
84Great
$190
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
MSI Maestro 500 Wireless
Sound7.0
Battery9.0
Value8.0
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | MSI Maestro 500 Wireless | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Gaming | Gaming |
| Price (USD) | $100 | $190 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2026 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20-40000 Hz | 10 Hz - 22,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 93 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 22 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 60 h | 36 h |
| Battery incl. case | - | 44 h |
| Full charge time | - | 15 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 6 h | 15 min = 3 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | buttons | buttons |
| Voice assistant | voice assistant support | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 280 g | 337 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 1 |
| Call noise reduction | beamforming + Environmental Noise Cancelling | - |
What reviewers said
MSI Maestro 500 Wireless
The MSI Maestro 500 Wireless is a budget-friendly gaming headset that prioritizes marathon battery life and low-latency Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. It features 40mm dynamic drivers, dual-device multipoint, and a comfortable over-ear design, though it lacks active noise cancellation and relies on physical buttons for control. With a robust 90-hour runtime (60 with ANC, which it doesn't have) and a 5-minute quick charge for 6 hours, it's built for long sessions, but its sound tuning and mic performance are serviceable rather than exceptional.
- Pro:Exceptional 90-hour battery life with quick charge
- Pro:Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint for seamless device switching
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Con:No active noise cancellation despite hybrid ANC spec
- Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or LDAC
- Con:Physical buttons can be less intuitive than on-ear controls
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a premium gaming headset that pairs solid wireless freedom with hybrid active noise cancellation and a handy hot-swappable battery setup. Its balanced sound, clear detachable mic, and strong app-based tuning make it a versatile pick for gamers, though it comes at a steep price and carries some tuning quirks. The included base station adds extra flexibility by juggling multiple audio sources and offering quick battery swaps for longer sessions.
- Pro:Hot-swappable batteries for extended playtime
- Pro:Versatile base station with dual audio connections
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Con:Pricey compared to many rivals
- Con:Frequency response consistency could be better
- Con:ANC performance is decent but not class-leading
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.