Gaming
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
86Outstanding
$130
Full review dataSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: 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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
74Great
$200
Full review dataScore 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.
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
HearWiki score
86
74
Sound
8.2
7.8
Battery
9.3
9.2
Calls
8.8
6.2
Value
8.6
9.0
Price (USD)
$130
$200
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 7 Gen 2 (2025) against SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (2024). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec AAC against SBC.
- Arctis Nova 52024
- Arctis Nova 7 Gen 220251 yr newer
What differsArctis Nova 5Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
- Top codec
- AAC
- SBC
Platform
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Arctis Nova 5Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $130
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 74
- Released
- 2024
- 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
- 20 Hz - 22 kHz
- Impedance
- 36 Ω
- 36 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 105 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- 9 m
- -
- Battery life
- 60 h
- 50 h
- Full charge time
- 15 min
- 90 min
- Quick charge
- 15 min → 6 h
- 15 min → 6 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- none
- none
- Transparency mode
- No
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- both
- -
- Weight
- 265 g
- 325 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 1
- 1
What reviewers said
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)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is a wireless gaming headset designed for multi-platform use, offering both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity with multipoint support. It features a 50-hour battery life, a 40mm dynamic driver, and a single noise-canceling microphone, all within a lightweight 325g frame. While it lacks active noise cancellation and transparency mode, its low-latency wireless and custom EQ via app support make it a solid choice for gamers.
- Pro:Long 50-hour battery life
- Pro:Multipoint wireless with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz
- Pro:Lightweight at 325g
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only SBC codec support
- Con:No water resistance
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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