SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5From real comments

Verdict distilled from 52 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment58%
PROS 58%
CONS 42%

Rank based on 52 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a cross-platform headset that works well on both Xbox and PlayStation (5X)
  • Mic quality for gaming or work calls is a top priority
  • You value app-based EQ, mute, and volume limiter controls

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You have larger ears, since cushions may fit too tight
  • You need rock-solid 2.4GHz wireless reliability on PS5 without dropouts
  • You want a headset that will survive years of daily rough use without plastic cracking

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Mid
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Great Value for MoneyOutstanding Wireless Battery LifeComfortable for Extended UseLong-Term Durability IssuesEar Pain from Shallow Cups and Clamping ForceQuiet or Weak Wireless Volume
HyperX Cloud Alpha
Great Value for Money
Outstanding Wireless Battery Life
Comfortable for Extended Use
Long-Term Durability Issues
Ear Pain from Shallow Cups and Clamping Force
Quiet or Weak Wireless Volume
2Mid
Razer Kraken V3
Immersive haptic feedback
Razer Kraken V3
Immersive haptic feedback
3Budget
Creative HS-720 V2
Clear microphone for callsGood value for moneySuitable for everyday video callsSome parts feel cheapWeaker for music playback
Creative HS-720 V2
Clear microphone for calls
Good value for money
Suitable for everyday video calls
Some parts feel cheap
Weaker for music playback
4Premium
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Hot-swappable batteriesMulti-platform connectivitySound quality and spatial audioMicrophone qualityHigh priceQuality control issues
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Hot-swappable batteries
Multi-platform connectivity
Sound quality and spatial audio
Microphone quality
High price
Quality control issues
5Premium
EPOS H6PRO
Precise Positional AudioWide Open-Back SoundstageComfortable Long-Term FitEar Pad Discomfort or HeatHarsh or Uneven Sound TuningHigh Original Price
EPOS H6PRO
Precise Positional Audio
Wide Open-Back Soundstage
Comfortable Long-Term Fit
Ear Pad Discomfort or Heat
Harsh or Uneven Sound Tuning
High Original Price
6Premium
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Hot-swappable batteriesSound qualityCross-platform compatibilityEarcup hinge crackingAudio glitches and connection dropsMic issues
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
Hot-swappable batteries
Sound quality
Cross-platform compatibility
Earcup hinge cracking
Audio glitches and connection drops
Mic issues
7Mid
HyperX Cloud II
Strong Sound QualityExceptional DurabilityComfortable for Long SessionsNewer HP-Made Units Feel CheaperLeatherette Ear Pads Peel Over TimeArtificial 7.1 Surround Sound
HyperX Cloud II
Strong Sound Quality
Exceptional Durability
Comfortable for Long Sessions
Newer HP-Made Units Feel Cheaper
Leatherette Ear Pads Peel Over Time
Artificial 7.1 Surround Sound
8Budget
Creative HS-720
Clear voice microphoneGood value for moneyAdjustable mic boom with working mute buttonCheap-feeling buildNot ideal for musicPoor official documentation
Creative HS-720
Clear voice microphone
Good value for money
Adjustable mic boom with working mute button
Cheap-feeling build
Not ideal for music
Poor official documentation
9Premium
Logitech G Pro X
Excellent mic quality with tuningComfortable for extended wearClean, neutral sound signatureInconsistent out-of-box mic qualityBuild quality wear over timeQuiet output requiring EQ boost
Logitech G Pro X
Excellent mic quality with tuning
Comfortable for extended wear
Clean, neutral sound signature
Inconsistent out-of-box mic quality
Build quality wear over time
Quiet output requiring EQ boost
10Premium
SteelSeries Arctis Pro
Hot-swappable battery systemExcellent sound qualityMulti-platform and dual-input connectivityFragile earcup hingesHigh priceLow default volume
SteelSeries Arctis Pro
Hot-swappable battery system
Excellent sound quality
Multi-platform and dual-input connectivity
Fragile earcup hinges
High price
Low default volume
You are here
31Mid
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Cross-platform flexibility (5X)Excellent microphone qualityCompanion app and EQ controlsMicrophone volume and push-to-talk issuesDongle disconnects and connectivity dropoutsCrackling or robotic audio over 2.4GHz
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Cross-platform flexibility (5X)
Excellent microphone quality
Companion app and EQ controls
Microphone volume and push-to-talk issues
Dongle disconnects and connectivity dropouts
Crackling or robotic audio over 2.4GHz

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The microphone consistently stands out as a major strength. Multiple users call it the best mic SteelSeries has made, praising clarity for both gaming and work calls, with one noting it beats a Jabra for professional use. Friends of users reportedly confirmed it sounds clearer than the Nova 7X mic. This made the headset appealing even to buyers who weren't primarily gamers, since work-call performance was repeatedly highlighted as a pleasant surprise.

Comfort and the companion app are widely appreciated day-to-day. Buyers switching from heavier headsets like the Turtle Beach 600 or Arctis 7P describe the Nova 5 as lighter and more comfortable for long sessions, with one user citing reduced head pain from a medical condition. The app lets users toggle EQ presets, dim the mute button, and set a volume limiter entirely from software, which several reviewers called a standout selling point missing from competing reviews.

Connectivity and build-quality complaints appear frequently enough to be a real risk. Numerous users report the USB dongle disconnecting randomly, crackling or robotic audio over 2.4GHz especially on PS5, and mic volume dropping too low without a clear fix. Others describe plastic cracking near the earcups within months, and the GG/Sonar app periodically failing to route audio, sometimes requiring reinstalls. These issues seem inconsistent across units but show up across multiple independent buyers.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?