The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional is likely one of the finest gaming headsets of 2024 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. It presents an ultra-comfortable design, excellent audio, and high quality noise-canceling tech hardly ever present in gaming headsets. It additionally presents versatile system compatibility and plenty of customization. Almost two years have handed because the Nova Professional’s launch, however this premium headset nonetheless feels superior in comparison with a lot of the competitors. Now, SteelSeries is increasing the Nova Professional roster by giving the premium gaming headset an alternate look. A white model of the Arctis Nova Professional joins the unique black mannequin. You possibly can test it out for your self beneath, however we expect it appears fairly trendy.
$350
The Arctis Nova Professional is not low-cost. At $350, it is one of many priciest gaming headsets, however you are getting stellar audio and tons of gaming options in your funding. Plus, the Nova Professional stays essentially the most snug headset GameSpot has examined, and the construct high quality is superb. We would say it is the gaming equal of a top-notch pair of Bose or Sony headphones.
As for the cool options SteelSeries packed into this glossy headset, the Nova Professional has lively noise cancellation that works fairly effectively. It would not block out noise to the identical diploma as high-end, non-gaming headphones, but it surely’s one of many few gaming headsets we have examined that gives good ANC. When you might want to hear the world round you, you possibly can’t change to transparency mode. Onboard AI enhances the readability of the retractable microphone, and high-fidelity acoustic drivers produce wealthy and clear audio that may be custom-made to your liking with SteelSeries’ Sonar app.
The Nova Professional additionally helps the audio options discovered on Xbox Collection X|S and PS5: Home windows Spatial Sound on Xbox and Tempest 3D Audio on PS5. PC gamers can benefit from 360-degree spatial audio as effectively. A wide range of EQ profiles are supplied out of the field, together with game-specific audio presets for well-liked video games like Fortnite. You possibly can create customized profiles that suit your private preferences, too.
Most wi-fi gaming headsets join by way of a 2.4GHz dongle, however the Nova Professional comes with a base station that SteelSeries calls the Multi-System Join hub. The hub might be linked to 2 platforms at one time and routinely powers on and switches its enter to the console (or PC) you are taking part in. The bottom station has an OLED show that can be utilized to regulate audio settings.
The Nova Professional is accessible in Xbox, PlayStation, and PC-specific fashions. All three fashions work with all kinds of gadgets, however the Xbox version is the one one which works with all present platforms. The PC and PlayStation editions–which work on all the identical devices–do not assist Xbox. One of many USB-C ports on the bottom station within the Xbox mannequin makes use of Microsoft’s proprietary wi-fi protocol, whereas the PC and PS5 editions function two common USB-C ports. In case you are taking part in on Xbox and PlayStation, go for the Xbox model.
Presently, Finest Purchase has the PC version in inventory, whereas SteelSeries has all three. We would anticipate extra listings to go reside quickly at Finest Purchase, and certain Amazon.
Along with low-latency wi-fi connections by means of the Multi-System Join USB hub, the Nova Professional additionally syncs wirelessly by way of Bluetooth with different gadgets, together with Nintendo Change, Steam Deck, and cellular gadgets—mainly something you personal that helps Bluetooth audio. Bluetooth audio can be utilized together with 2.4GHz wi-fi, so you possibly can play on-line multiplayer video games with buddies and take heed to different audio in your telephone, for instance. The included 3.5mm cable might be linked to suitable gadgets for wired listening.
Like all present SteelSeries headsets, the Nova Professional has a intelligent function that improves ergonomics. A strip of adjustable elastic separates your head from the metal headband. This easy but efficient element means that you can customise the scarf’s rigidity and helps mitigate discomfort that plagues many gaming headsets when taking part in for lengthy stretches of time. Plush leatherette earcups and a steel-enforced construct spherical out the premium feel and look of the Nova Professional.
You may get a greater have a look at the brand new white Nova Professional within the photos beneath:
Gallery
It is also price noting you possibly can change the elastic headband and speaker plates with totally different colours to vary the look of the Nova Professional. The speaker plates additionally serve a useful goal. The USB-C charging port is hid by one, and the rechargeable battery is behind the opposite. The Nova Professional truly comes with two batteries, considered one of which is slotted within the base station and fees whereas your console or PC is on. Battery life, in our expertise, is spectacular at round 20 hours for Bluetooth and 35 hours when utilizing 2.4GHz wi-fi. However in the event you run out of juice, you possibly can rapidly swap to the opposite battery, which can probably be absolutely charged.
If the unique black Nova Professional goes higher along with your gaming setup otherwise you merely do not have a desire both approach, you need to know that Amazon is providing pretty substantial reductions on the black Nova Professional for all platforms. For a extra in-depth have a look at this premium gaming headset, take a look at our SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional assessment.
