SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite Review: The Ultimate Gaming Headset

Experience top-tier gaming audio with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, crafted for audiophiles and serious gamers who demand nothing but the best.

A Quick Dive Into SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

If you've ever dreamed of owning the pinnacle of gaming audio, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite might just be your holy grail. This wireless headset isn’t just another gadget; it’s arguably the finest gaming headset I've ever had the pleasure to test—and I say that from a fan’s perspective who’s heard quite a few.

Now, let's be honest: the price tag is hefty. We're talking about a headset that costs more than many top-tier gaming consoles. But if your mission is to build the most powerful gaming setup or you're a sound snob who craves the clearest, richest game audio, the Elite is tailor-made for you—and it truly justifies its cost for this crowd.

The design and build quality blew me away. Unlike anything I’ve tried before, the headset feels rock-solid thanks to its all-metal frame, yet it’s feather-light on comfort with its super-soft leatherette ear cushions. Every button and dial is intuitively placed, and the volume wheel and microphone controls are downright satisfying to use.

The feature list? Impressive doesn’t even cover it. This is the first wireless gaming headset certified for Hi-Res audio (96 kHz/24-bit), and man, does it shine. The magic lies in its 40mm carbon drivers stretched over brass rings inside each ear cup, combined with the superb GameHub DAC that supports multi-device connectivity and simultaneous media playback.

Returning is the brilliant SteelSeries Infinity Power system, and the microphone setup is now dual: a retractable boom mic paired with a beamforming mic on the ear cup that auto-activates when the boom is stowed.

Gaming audio? Out of this world. It’s rich and crisp, without any harshness or muddiness. Every sound profile feels rounded and full, offering an indulgent listening experience. And with the Sonar app on PC or the Arctis mobile app, you can tailor the sound exactly how you like it.

Whether you’re gaming on PC, PS5, Xbox, or even Nintendo Switch, the Elite sets the bar high. Think of it as the premium luxury car of gaming headsets—if you want to buy once and buy best, this is the model to chase.

Pricing & Availability: Is It Worth The Splurge?

• Price: $599.99 (approximately $600 USD)
• Notably the priciest gaming headset I've tested, nearly double the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
• Offers true audiophile-level value for discerning gamers

Yes, it’s an investment. Priced higher than a PlayStation 5 and close to the PS5 Pro, you could buy two Xbox Series S consoles or almost three DualSense Edge controllers for the same money. So what’s the place of the Elite in the market?

When it comes to direct competitors at this price point—well, there really aren’t many. SteelSeries’ own Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is my go-to premium headset at $350, but the Elite doubles that price. It also outclasses audiophile models like the Audeze Maxwell and Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro in cost.

If you want to find headsets in the same price ballpark, you’re looking at high-end audiophile headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 or Focal Bathys. The Elite even costs more than the Sennheiser HD 660S2—and none of those offer gaming-specific features.

Still, if you’re the kind of gamer who wants the absolute best sound experience or building the ultimate gaming rig, the Elite delivers serious value. It’s a match made in heaven for audiophile gamers who want premium performance.

Specifications Overview

Design & Features: Built for the Luxe Gamer

• Every build aspect screams premium quality
• Packed with cutting-edge, high-end features
• Two stunning colorways and a robust yet comfortable all-metal frame

Let’s get real—the Elite shares a design blueprint with the rest of the Arctis Nova family. But that’s fine, because if it ain’t broke, why fix it? The Elite simply takes the tried-and-true design and elevates it, reforging the frame and hinges from katana steel and aluminum.

Every element feels refined: the volume wheel clicks delightfully with each turn, the retractable mic slides out smoothly like butter, and the plush leatherette earpads offer cloud-like comfort for marathon sessions.

Color-wise, you can choose between a luxurious sage and gold combo that feels straight out of a lifestyle tech catalog or an obsidian black option that’s sleek with a touch of metallic shine. The GameHub DAC matches your headset color, completing the premium look.

Controls are neatly packed: on the left earcup, you get the ClearCast Gen 2.X boom mic, mute button, power button that doubles as ANC and transparency mode switch, a clickable volume wheel that can control GameHub functions, plus an audio jack. The right earcup houses the Bluetooth button (which also manages media playback) and the secondary beamforming mic with AI noise suppression.

Each earcup has replaceable metal plates—a fan-favorite feature—with the right housing a swappable battery and the left a USB-C port.

GameHub DAC and OmniPlay Magic

Like its Nova Pro sibling, the Elite comes with an external DAC called GameHub. But the Elite’s version is souped-up. It supports seamless connection to all your gaming platforms—from PC and PlayStation to Switch and Xbox—plus Bluetooth. You can hook up and listen to audio from up to four devices simultaneously—a brilliant feature dubbed OmniPlay.

This flexibility is pure magic for multitasking gamers or content creators who juggle multiple devices.

Audio Performance: A Sonic Dream

• Hands down, the best gaming sound I’ve ever heard on a headset
• Flawless, rich wireless connection and a stellar mic setup
• Incredibly comfortable and versatile for all types of media

Where to start? The Elite outperforms every headset I’ve owned or tested across all sound metrics. In fact, it beat out my trusty SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 and even my Sennheiser HD 550 audiophile headphones, which I usually consider a gold standard.

Testing across PC, consoles, and mobile, it thrived in every scenario. Games like Ghost of Yotei came alive with vivid soundscapes; chaotic battles in Battlefield 6 on PS5 felt power-packed yet crystal clear; and detailed titles like Control and Frostpunk 2 on PC were simply stunning.

Of course, the headset reveals its full glory on PC, where you can enjoy true Hi-Res sound. Consoles unfortunately don’t support full 24-bit/96 kHz output, which makes me wonder if the Elite is slightly overkill if you game solely on PS5 or Xbox. But honestly? It still delivers epic sound quality on any platform.

Beyond gaming, the Elite doubles as fantastic audiophile headphones. Music and movies come alive with clarity and depth, rivaling or surpassing my Sennheiser HD 550 cans. Their noise-canceling tech is stellar, making them perfect for walks or travel.

Plus, the companion apps on mobile and PC open up a world of customization—tweaking equalizers, spatial audio, and more—which is a godsend when switching between platforms.

Alternatives to Consider

If the Elite’s price is a tough pill to swallow, here are two noteworthy alternatives:

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

An excellent mid-tier choice with strong sound and connectivity, perfect if you want most of Elite’s perks without the sky-high price.

Audeze Maxwell

If you crave planar magnetic audio with audiophile credentials, Maxwell is a solid wireless contender, albeit at a still-premium price.

How I Tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

• Nearly daily use over five weeks for gaming, work, and on the go
• Used extensively on PC and PS5 Pro across diverse games and tasks
• Compared directly with Sennheiser HD 550 and several other gaming headsets

The Elite was my gaming and work companion for almost five weeks. I connected it to my gaming PC with an RTX 3090 graphics card and an Acer Predator X32QFS monitor, tweaking Windows settings to unlock Hi-Res audio in games like Titan Quest 2, Frostpunk 2, Control, and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3. It also saw extensive use for video calls and work.

On console, I tested it with my PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim, playing Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, Battlefield 6, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (PS5 version), and multiplayer titles like Ghost Recon: Breakpoint and Aliens: Fireteam Elite.

Outside gaming, I used the Elite for walks and music, streaming from Spotify, YouTube, and hi-res services like Tidal—comparing directly against my HD 550 audiophile headphones and other gaming headsets.

“SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite delivers rich, detailed sound without harshness or muddiness—a total game changer.”

FAQ

• What devices is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite compatible with?
  It works with PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (both versions), PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
• How long does the battery last?
  Up to 60 hours using two rechargeable batteries with the Infinity Power System that lets you swap batteries without downtime.
• Does it support active noise cancellation?
  Yes, featuring a hybrid ANC system with four microphones and an AI-powered noise suppression mic.
• Can I connect multiple devices at once?
  Absolutely! The GameHub DAC supports OmniPlay, allowing connection and audio playback from up to four devices simultaneously.
• Is the headset comfortable for long gaming sessions?
  Yes, with super-soft leatherette earpads and a sturdy yet lightweight metal frame, comfort is a standout feature.

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