If you’re looking for a headset for your new gaming console, handheld, or PC, one of the best options for all devices is on sale at Amazon. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is discounted to $180 (was $200) for a limited time. Released in October, the Nova 7 Gen 2 is updated version of one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy today.
You can choose between the Nova 7P (PlayStation), Nova 7X (Xbox), or Nova 7 (PC) in black, white, or magenta. The 7X offers wireless support for all platforms, while the 7P and 7 work on all devices except Xbox consoles. If you game on Switch 1/2, mobile, Steam Deck, or another device with USB-C or Bluetooth audio support, any of the three versions will work great. For a more premium wireless headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is on sale for $300 (was $380).
$180 (was $200)
When considering price, audio performance, and comfort, the Arctis Nova 7 was hard to beat when it launched back in 2022. That remains true over three years later with the Gen 2 model, which offers 40% better battery life–over 50 hours compared to 38 hours–and adds support for the Arctis Companion App.
The free iOS and Android app lets you adjust audio settings and switch between over 200 custom sound profiles designed for specific games. Along with these 2.4GHz Wireless profiles, there are a handful of Bluetooth profiles, including Bass Boost and Focus, that come in handy when using the Nova 7 to listen to music.
The original Nova 7 worked with the SteelSeries GG desktop app for PC and Mac, but the mobile app is easier to use and allows you to adjust audio settings on the go. The Arctis Companion App was introduced in 2024 alongside the entry-level Nova 5 Wireless Headset, and it only works with select SteelSeries audio gear.
If you own the first-generation Nova 7, upgrading probably might make sense if you take your headset with you during your daily commute or use it frequently for handheld gaming. But if Arctis Companion App integration isn’t of interest to you, you’ll want to stick with the original. But for everyone else, the Nova 7 Gen 2 is a terrific all-around gaming headset that remains my favorite in the $200 and under category.
SteelSeries designs the most comfortable gaming headsets on the market, and the Nova 7 is no exception. The adjustable elastic headband and lightweight, memory foam ear cushions are superb, and the sturdy steel frame holds up well. The custom 40mm neodymium audio drivers offer rich, high-fidelity sound; the audio is even more impressive and dynamic when using the custom presets created by SteelSeries. It has a retractable boom mic with AI noise reduction to block out ambient noise like keyboard and controller clicks.
Along with 2.4GHz Wireless with the included USB-C dongle, the Nova 7 supports Bluetooth and wired via a detachable 3.5mm audio cord. It also has simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio streams, so you can stay connected and hear sound from two devices at once.
Nova 7 vs. 7P vs. 7X
As mentioned, there are three versions of the Nova 7 Gen 2. In the past, SteelSeries has included green or blue accents on the headset to differentiate between the Xbox and PlayStation editions, but the Gen 2 looks the same across the board. The only tangible difference between the three is the dial on the right earcup. The Nova 7X and 7 have a game chatmix dial, but since the PS5 doesn’t have this feature, the Nova 7P has a Sidetone dial for mic monitoring.
We typically recommend the Xbox version of SteelSeries headsets since it is the only truly universal option, but if you primarily game on PS5 and regularly chat with friends, the Nova 7P would be the better choice. All three versions support 360-degree spatial audio and Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio with compatible devices.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Deals
The Nova 7 Gen 2 is the best SteelSeries gaming headset for most players, but it’s not the highest-end model in the manufacturer’s catalog. The next step up is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. This premium wireless gaming headset has an improved build, leatherette earcups, better audio with parametric EQ, and ANC. It also has a base station with an OLED screen that can be used to customize settings. The base station replaces the 2.4GHz dongle and can be connected to two devices. The Arctis Nova Pro is on sale for $300 (was $380) in white or black at Amazon. Once again, you can choose between Xbox (Universal), PlayStation, and PC models.
SteelSeries also makes a wired version of the Arctis Nova Pro with a GameDAC and higher-fidelity audio (96kHz/24-bit). Normally $280, the wired Xbox edition is discounted to $150, while the PlayStation edition is $210. The wired Xbox edition works with PS5 and PS4.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
It’s worth noting that high-resolution 96kHz/24-bit audio is also offered in the SteelSeries Nova Elite Wireless Headset. Launched in late September for $600, the Arctis Nova Elite is far pricier than the other headsets in SteelSeries’ lineup. Available in Obsidian and Sage/Gold, the Nova Elite is probably best described as a “luxury” gaming headset.
From a technical perspective, the Nova Elite is the most impressive wireless gaming headset I’ve tried. It supports 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution audio over 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth. The new carbon fiber drivers produce a noticeably fuller, cleaner sound, and the active noise cancellation is a step above the Nova Pro. The ANC isn’t on the same level as similarly priced headphones designed for music, but it is the better at blocking out noise than any other gaming headset I’ve tried.
The GameHub–the new name for the base station–can connect to three devices, and simultaneous audio is available for all three as well as Bluetooth. In addition to a retractable microphone, the Nova Elite has a second, stealth mic. Unlike the Nova Pro, the Elite is also compatible with the Arctis Companion App.
The Nova Elite is built almost entirely from steel and die-cast aluminum. The headband is wrapped in the same leatherette found on the improved memory foam earcups. The Elite also comes with a leatherette travel pouch with a magnetic enclosure and a zippered compartment for accessories and cables.
Sign up for GameSpot’s Weekly Deals Newsletter:
