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Skullcandy PLYR® 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.

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 6 measures.

  • Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless
  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
HearWiki score
63
86
Sound
7.3
8.2
Battery
5.2
9.3
Calls
6.7
8.8
Value
5.8
8.6
Price (USD)
$110
$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?

Half a step newer

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (2024) against Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless (2022). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2. It also adds Custom EQ and Companion app.

  • PLYR® Wireless2022
  • Arctis Nova 520242 yr newer
What differsPLYR® WirelessArctis Nova 5

Platform

Bluetooth
5.2
5.3

Everyday features

Custom EQ
No
Yes
Companion app
No
Yes

Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

PLYR® WirelessArctis Nova 5
Type
Gaming
Gaming
Price (USD)
$110
$130
HearWiki score
63
86
Released
2022
2024
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
50 mm dynamic
40 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
50 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
36 Ω
Sensitivity
95 dB/mW
93 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.2
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
9 m
Battery life
24 h
60 h
Full charge time
-
15 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
15 min → 6 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
none
none
Transparency mode
No
No
Companion app
No
Yes
Custom EQ
No
Yes
Wear detection
No
No
Controls
buttons
both
Weight
315 g
265 g
Water resistance
none
none
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
3.5 mm
-
Microphones
1
1

What reviewers said

Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless

The Skullcandy PLYR is a wireless gaming headset that balances comfort, solid sound, and long battery life for its price. It works well for gaming, music, and movies, though it lacks active noise cancellation and requires a separate transmitter for multi-platform wireless use. Its 50mm drivers and Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint make it a capable all-rounder for casual and competitive play.

  • Pro:Comfortable fit for long sessions
  • Pro:Strong gaming and media sound quality
  • Pro:Up to 24 hours of battery life
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Requires separate transmitter for some wireless setups
  • Con:Design may not appeal to everyone

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.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonSkullcandy PLYR® WirelessSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5