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68The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a wireless gaming headset with a 60-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 40mm driver, offering a balanced sound profile and a noise-canceling microphone.
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Image © steelseries.comSteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
86/ 100
Outstanding
HearWiki score
Exceptional value
$130
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated 
At a glance
- Brand
- SteelSeries
- Type
- Gaming
- Fit
- -
- Connection
- Wireless
- Noise cancelling
- No
- Released
- 2024
Score breakdownoutstanding overall
Sound8.2
Battery9.3
Calls8.8
Value8.6
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a wireless gaming headset with a 60-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and 40mm drivers, offering a comfortable over-ear design and a noise-canceling microphone.
The HearWiki takeAI-condensed
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.
What works
- Exceptional 60-hour battery life
- Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for easy device switching
- Balanced sound profile suitable for various games
- Noise-canceling microphone for clear chat
- Custom EQ via companion app
What doesn't
- No active noise cancellation for immersion
- No water resistance for durability
- Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.
Specifications
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 22 kHz |
| Impedance | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW |
Audio
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic |
|---|---|
| Driver type | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 22 kHz |
| Impedance | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 93 dB/mW |
Wireless
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
|---|---|
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes |
| Wireless range | 9 m |
Battery
| Battery life | 60 h |
|---|---|
| Full charge time | 15 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min → 6 h |
| Wireless charging | No |
Features
| Active noise cancelling | No |
|---|---|
| ANC type | none |
| Transparency mode | No |
| Companion app | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes |
| Wear detection | No |
| Controls | both |
Design
| Weight | 265 g |
|---|---|
| Water resistance | none |
| USB-C | Yes |
Calls
| Microphones | 1 |
|---|
Where to buy
Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.
What the reviews said
1 source(s) feeding this product's score.
What YouTube reviewers say
Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.
The consensus
Positiveacross 5 videosReviewers largely agree that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a comfortable, lightweight wireless headset with excellent battery life and a versatile companion app for EQ adjustments, making it a strong value in the mid-range market.
Reviewers liked
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Long battery life (up to 60 hours)
- App-based EQ and controls
- Strong multi-platform compatibility
Reviewers flagged
- No simultaneous Bluetooth
- Microphone quality is decent but not top-tier
- Sound may require EQ adjustment out of the box
- No analog connection (3.5mm jack)
17:37Is the cheaper one better? / SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 VS Arctis Nova 7
The reviewer compares the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X and Nova 7X, concluding that the Nova 5 is the better all-around pick due to its lighter weight, improved comfort, longer battery life, and app-based controls, despite the Nova 7's simultaneous Bluetooth and slightly better build. The reviewer recommends the Nova 5X for most users, especially for its versatility and convenience.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
19:04THEY DID IT! SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Review
The reviewer praises the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X for its exceptional comfort, lightweight build, and improved microphone quality, calling it a potential sweet spot for wireless gaming headsets. They highlight the long battery life and versatile multi-platform compatibility, though they note some software finickiness and a non-simultaneous Bluetooth implementation.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
25:19Did SteelSeries just give console players a cheat code? Arctis Nova 5 Review!
The reviewer praises the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X as a standout mid-range gaming headset, highlighting its excellent wireless range, long battery life, and unique game-to-chat mix dial for PC and Xbox. He notes it's lightweight and comfortable, though it lacks simultaneous Bluetooth and analog connectivity, which may push some users toward the Nova 7. Overall, he considers it a strong value that could disrupt the mid-tier market.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
10:32SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Unboxing & Review
The reviewer is highly impressed with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, praising its comfortable design, strong sound quality for both gaming and music, and seamless connectivity, especially with Xbox. They highlight the unique game-chat mix feature on the X variant and the smart Bluetooth/dongle mode switching, concluding it's a competitive headset at its price point.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
8:19SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Review | Affordable luxury?
The reviewer finds the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 to be a solid, affordable wireless headset that inherits the comfort and controls of the Nova range, with a standout companion app for on-the-fly EQ adjustments. However, the sound out of the box is bright and requires EQ tinkering, and there are minor omissions like no 3.5mm jack and no sidetone dial on the headset. Overall, it's recommended for those wanting flexibility and comfort at a reasonable price, despite a few quirks.
PositiveWatch on YouTube
Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.
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