The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is one of the best gaming headsets of 2024 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. It offers an ultra-comfortable design, superb audio, and quality noise-canceling tech rarely found in gaming headsets. It also offers versatile device compatibility and lots of customization. Nearly two years have passed since the Nova Pro’s launch, but this premium headset still feels advanced compared to much of the competition. Now, SteelSeries is expanding the Nova Pro roster by giving the premium gaming headset an alternative look. A white version of the Arctis Nova Pro joins the original black model. You can check it out for yourself below, but we think it looks quite stylish.
$350
The Arctis Nova Pro isn’t cheap. At $350, it’s one of the priciest gaming headsets, but you’re getting stellar audio and tons of gaming features for your investment. Plus, the Nova Pro remains the most comfortable headset GameSpot has tested, and the build quality is excellent. We’d say it’s the gaming equivalent of a top-notch pair of Bose or Sony headphones.
As for the cool features SteelSeries packed into this sleek headset, the Nova Pro has active noise cancellation that works quite well. It doesn’t block out noise to the same degree as high-end, non-gaming headphones, but it’s one of the few gaming headsets we’ve tested that provides good ANC. When you need to hear the world around you, you can’t switch to transparency mode. Onboard AI enhances the clarity of the retractable microphone, and high-fidelity acoustic drivers produce rich and clear audio that can be customized to your liking with SteelSeries’ Sonar app.
The Nova Pro also supports the audio features found on Xbox Series X|S and PS5: Windows Spatial Sound on Xbox and Tempest 3D Audio on PS5. PC players can take advantage of 360-degree spatial audio as well. A variety of EQ profiles are offered out of the box, including game-specific audio presets for popular games like Fortnite. You can create custom profiles that fit your personal preferences, too.
Most wireless gaming headsets connect via a 2.4GHz dongle, but the Nova Pro comes with a base station that SteelSeries calls the Multi-System Connect hub. The hub can be linked to two platforms at one time and automatically powers on and switches its input to the console (or PC) you’re playing. The base station has an OLED display that can be used to adjust audio settings.
The Nova Pro is available in Xbox, PlayStation, and PC-specific models. All three models work with a wide variety of devices, but the Xbox edition is the only one that works with all current platforms. The PC and PlayStation editions–which work on all of the same devices–do not support Xbox. One of the USB-C ports on the base station in the Xbox model utilizes Microsoft’s proprietary wireless protocol, whereas the PC and PS5 editions feature two regular USB-C ports. If you are playing on Xbox and PlayStation, opt for the Xbox version.
At this time, Best Buy has the PC edition in stock, while SteelSeries has all three. We’d expect more listings to go live soon at Best Buy, and likely Amazon.
In addition to low-latency wireless connections through the Multi-System Connect USB hub, the Nova Pro also syncs wirelessly via Bluetooth with other devices, including Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and mobile devices—basically anything you own that supports Bluetooth audio. Bluetooth audio can be used in combination with 2.4GHz wireless, so you can play online multiplayer games with friends and listen to other audio on your phone, for example. The included 3.5mm cable can be connected to compatible devices for wired listening.
Like all current SteelSeries headsets, the Nova Pro has a clever feature that improves ergonomics. A strip of adjustable elastic separates your head from the steel headband. This simple yet effective component allows you to customize the headband’s tension and helps mitigate discomfort that plagues many gaming headsets when playing for long stretches of time. Plush leatherette earcups and a steel-enforced build round out the premium look and feel of the Nova Pro.
You can get a better look at the new white Nova Pro in the pictures below:
Gallery
It’s also worth noting you can replace the elastic headband and speaker plates with different colors to change the look of the Nova Pro. The speaker plates also serve a functional purpose. The USB-C charging port is concealed by one, and the rechargeable battery is behind the other. The Nova Pro actually comes with two batteries, one of which is slotted in the base station and charges while your console or PC is on. Battery life, in our experience, is impressive at around 20 hours for Bluetooth and 35 hours when using 2.4GHz wireless. But if you run out of juice, you can quickly swap to the other battery, which will likely be fully charged.
If the original black Nova Pro goes better with your gaming setup or you simply don’t have a preference either way, you should know that Amazon is offering fairly substantial discounts on the black Nova Pro for all platforms. For a more in-depth look at this premium gaming headset, check out our SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro review.