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Skullcandy PLYR® 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.

Score breakdown

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

Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless
Sound7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.0
Value7.5
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls8.5
Value7.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
SpecSkullcandy PLYR® WirelessSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
TypeGamingGaming
Price (USD)$130$190
HearWiki score72 / 100 · Good84 / 100 · Great
Released20222022
Audio
Driverdynamicdynamic
Driver size50 mm40 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20Hz-20kHz10 Hz - 22,000 Hz
Impedance32 Ω38 Ω
Sensitivity95 dB/mW93 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth5.25
Bluetooth version5.25.0
CodecsSBC, AACSBC
Multipoint pairingYesYes
Battery
Battery life24 h22 h
Battery life (ANC on)-36 h
Battery incl. case-44 h
Full charge time-15 min
Quick charge10 min = 1.8 h15 min = 3 h
Wireless chargingNoNo
Features
Active noise cancellingNoYes
ANC typenonehybrid
Transparency modeNoYes
Companion appNoYes
Custom EQNoYes
Wear detectionNoNo
Controlsbuttonsbuttons
Design
Weight315 g337 g
Water resistancenonenone
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones11

What reviewers said

Skullcandy PLYR® Wireless

The Skullcandy PLYR Wireless is a comfortable, versatile gaming headset that balances solid audio performance with an impressive 24-hour battery life. It's well-suited for gaming, music, and movies, though it lacks noise cancellation and requires a separate transmitter for cross-platform wireless use, which may complicate setup for some users. Overall, it's a capable all-rounder rather than a premium audio device, with strong comfort and usability for its price point.

  • Pro:Very long 24-hour battery life
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for extended sessions
  • Pro:Good sound quality for gaming and media
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Requires separate transmitter for multi-platform wireless
  • Con:Only SBC codec support limits audio quality

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.

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