SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Review: Is This $130 Multi-Platform Headset Worth It?
SteelSeries pitches the Arctis Nova 5X as one wireless headset for every screen you own. It costs about $130 on Amazon, and it targets Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch and phone players with a single USB-C dongle. The real question is whether the long battery, the 100-plus game presets and the upgraded mic justify the price in a crowded mid-range.
How we built this review. This article combines SteelSeries’ own specifications, lab data and hands-on findings from SoundGuys, TweakTown and Reviewed, plus the video review by GizmoSlipTech embedded below. Every first-person observation belongs to those reviewers, and we credit it each time.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Specs and Quick Verdict
🎧 Quick Specifications
Full specifications
| Spec | Arctis Nova 5X |
|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear, closed-back |
| Drivers | 40 mm neodymium magnetic |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz to 22 kHz |
| Microphone | ClearCast 2.X, retractable, 32 kHz / 16-bit |
| Wireless | 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3, one source at a time |
| Rated battery | 50 h (2.4 GHz), 60 h (Bluetooth) |
| Measured battery | 42 h 10 min on PC at about 50% volume (SoundGuys) |
| Charging | USB-C, full charge in about 2 hours, fast charge available |
| Weight | 265 g |
| Spatial audio | Sonar 360°, Tempest 3D, Microsoft Spatial Sound |
| Presets | 100+ game EQ presets in the companion app |
| Active noise cancelling | No |
| Release date | May 14, 2024 (per SoundGuys) |
The Good and the Bad
👍 The Good
- ✔ One headset works wirelessly across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch and phones.
- ✔ Rated battery life of up to 60 hours, with about 6 hours from a 15-minute charge.
- ✔ Light at 265 g, and reviewers found it comfortable for long sessions.
- ✔ The ClearCast 2.X mic is clear for the price. Reviewed calls it the standout feature.
- ✔ More than 100 game presets are one tap away in the companion app.
👎 The Bad
- ✘ No active noise cancelling, and passive isolation is minimal.
- ✘ You cannot use Bluetooth and the 2.4 GHz dongle at the same time.
- ✘ The wide dongle can block neighboring USB ports, according to SoundGuys.
- ✘ The plastic build and flat headband feel budget, according to Reviewed.
- ✘ Full EQ editing needs the Windows Sonar app, because the mobile app only offers presets.
The Arctis Nova 5X is one of the easiest mid-range recommendations for console players, especially on Xbox. Skip it if you need noise cancelling, or if you want to mix game audio with a phone call at the same time.
What the Arctis Nova 5X Is, and How It Differs From the Nova 5
The 5X is the multi-system version of SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 5 family. TweakTown notes that it reuses the fabric cups, ski-band headband and plastics of the older Nova 4X. SoundGuys adds that the dongle has a switch for Xbox, which is how the 5X handles Xbox.
SteelSeries now lists the headset under the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless name on its own site. That page names PC, PlayStation, Switch, Meta Quest and handhelds, but it does not mention Xbox. The Amazon listing for the 5X names Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, so Xbox owners should buy that version and check the title.
That context matters because the headset competes on flexibility, not on luxury. If you move between a console, a gaming PC and a handheld, the dongle and Bluetooth pairing cover all three. If you only play on one platform, other headsets may offer more for the money. We also compare it directly with the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless later in this review.
Design, Comfort and Build
Comfort for long sessions
At 265 g, this is a light headset. SoundGuys scored comfort 8.0 out of 10 and wore it for multi-hour sessions without problems. The fabric ear pads are breathable and avoid the heat and stickiness of leatherette. Reviewed also praised how the cushions manage heat and called the headset exceptionally comfortable.
There are small complaints. Reviewed says the ear cups could be deeper. SoundGuys points out that the headband extension stays in place through clamping pressure, so you should set the length before you put the headset on. A suspension strap is included, and the cups fold flat for travel, according to TweakTown.
Build quality
This is where the price shows. Reviewed describes plastic yokes and a flat headband that feel budget next to pricier SteelSeries models. SoundGuys gave design 6.6 and durability 6.4 out of 10. The headphones measure 186 x 174 x 89 mm.
Sound Quality and the 100+ Game Presets
Video: Arctis Nova 5X Review by GizmoSlipTech on YouTube
What the lab data says
SoundGuys measured an overall MDAQS score of 4.2 out of 5, which beats 59% of the gaming headsets it has tested. It also found two weak spots. Sub-bass sits more than 10 dB below the target curve, and the 100 to 300 Hz range runs about 2 dB high. There is a dip near 5 kHz, followed by extra emphasis from 6 to 10 kHz that can become fatiguing.
TweakTown called the default tuning neutral and balanced, with a warm, detailed sound for music. Reviewed noted that sub-bass is subdued by default. The takeaway is simple: the stock tuning is a decent base, and the presets are where the headset improves.
Presets and spatial audio
SteelSeries says the companion app holds more than 100 game presets made with esports pros and audio engineers. TweakTown heard clear differences between them in Diablo and Red Dead Redemption 2 on an Xbox Series X. SoundGuys found that Bass Boost and Clear Dialogue help fix the measured dips.
Spatial audio comes in three forms. Sonar offers 360° virtual surround on Windows, Tempest 3D works on PlayStation, and Microsoft Spatial Sound works on Xbox. SoundGuys says Sonar spatial audio is only available through the SteelSeries GG app on PC. TweakTown also warns that the volume limiter adds noticeable compression, although you can switch it off in the app.
Microphone: The Standout Feature
The retractable ClearCast 2.X boom mic is the reason many reviewers liked this headset. SteelSeries lists a high-bandwidth chipset that supports 32 kHz and 16-bit audio. Reviewed says the bandwidth is double that of earlier models, and its voice sounds clear without a tinny edge.
SoundGuys scored the mic 7.7 out of 10 and found it clearly intelligible for teammates in Helldivers 2. Its reader poll of 967 votes rated the mic good or perfect for 65% of respondents. The caveats are practical. There is no foam windscreen, so the mic picks up keyboard noise in an office. TweakTown also found less low-end and mid-range body than a dedicated mic.
On PC, SteelSeries Sonar adds AI noise cancellation and a mic equalizer. Reviewed found the noise cancellation effective, and TweakTown suggests the mic EQ if you want more body in your voice.
Battery Life, Connectivity and Charging
Battery life
The official rating is up to 60 hours, but TweakTown and Reviewed quote 50 hours on 2.4 GHz and 60 hours on Bluetooth. SoundGuys measured 42 hours 10 minutes on PC at about 50% volume. That is still several days of heavy use. A 15-minute fast charge buys about 6 hours, and a full charge takes around two hours.
Wireless modes and platform support
The headset supports a 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle and Bluetooth 5.3. Reviewed describes the Quick-Switch Wireless button as one press, though a voice prompt adds a second or two. The weak point is that only one wireless source plays at a time. Reviewed called the missing dual connection a surprising step back, and SoundGuys confirms you cannot run both modes together.
The dongle is also wide. SoundGuys says it can block adjacent ports, especially the front USB-A port on a PS5, so use the included extender. Reviewed also reports frequent signal problems when it adjusted EQ over Bluetooth on a phone. Sources disagree on wired use: TweakTown lists no wired mode, while Reviewed lists a 3.5 mm option. Check the box contents before you rely on a cable.
Software: Companion App and Sonar
The Arctis Companion app for iOS and Android controls presets, battery, mic volume, sidetone and LED brightness. It also stores two save slots, one for gaming and one for Bluetooth, on the headset itself. TweakTown found the app quick for tweaks but short on explanation and EQ curves.
For deeper control you need Sonar on Windows. TweakTown says the full Sonar app adds a 10-band parametric EQ, and SteelSeries lists its free 360° virtual surround. Mac and console players mostly depend on the mobile app and on-ear controls, which cover power, mute, volume and call answering.
Price, Alternatives and How It Compares
The Arctis Nova 5X lists at $129 per SoundGuys and sells for about $130 on Amazon. At that price it sits between budget wired headsets and flagship wireless models. SoundGuys lists three alternatives, which we have placed in the table below with the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless.
| Headset | Price | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X | About $130 | Xbox, PC, PlayStation and Switch from one dongle; 15-minute fast charge |
| HyperX Cloud III S Wireless | About $120 | Up to 120 h battery, no Xbox support, no fast charge |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $349.99 | Active noise cancelling and a hot-swappable battery (SoundGuys) |
| Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) | $199.99 | Foam-covered mic and better isolation (SoundGuys) |
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 | $55 | Wired budget option (SoundGuys) |
If you want to spend far more, read our Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2 review for a $350 wireless flagship. Our Logitech G PRO X3 LIGHTSPEED review covers a headset with a major mic upgrade. SteelSeries owners may also enjoy our SteelSeries vs Razer comparison.
Build the rest of your setup
The 5X is a good partner for handhelds, since SteelSeries says the dongle works with them. Our ROG Xbox Ally X review and best handheld gaming PCs guide show what to pair it with. For desk gear, see our gaming mouse buying guide, the Logitech G PRO X Superlight 2 review and the Razer Basilisk V4 Pro review. Keyboard shoppers can start with how much to spend on a mechanical keyboard or the ATK RS6+ review. For a screen to match, read our OLED gaming monitor comparison and the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody review.
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Arctis Nova 5X?
| Buy it if | Skip it if |
|---|---|
| You play on Xbox, PlayStation, PC or Switch and want one headset for all of them. | You want active noise cancelling for loud rooms or commutes. |
| You want a light, comfortable headset with a clear mic for about $130. | You need to stream game audio and a phone call over both wireless modes at once. |
| You like tuning sound with game presets in a mobile app. | You expect a premium metal build and heavy cushioning. |
The Arctis Nova 5X is a practical, flexible headset rather than an exciting one. Its sound is decent once you pick a preset, its mic punches above the price, and its battery lasts for days. The main compromises are the lack of noise cancelling, the single wireless source and the budget-feeling plastics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X work on Xbox?
Yes, the 5X is sold as the multi-system model with an Xbox-ready dongle. SoundGuys notes a switch on the dongle toggles Xbox compatibility, and the Amazon listing names Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile. SteelSeries’ own Arctis Nova 5 Wireless page does not mention Xbox, so confirm the listing you buy is the 5X.
How long does the Arctis Nova 5X battery last?
SteelSeries rates it at up to 60 hours, and the 2.4 GHz figure is closer to 50 hours. SoundGuys measured 42 hours 10 minutes on PC at about 50% volume. A 15-minute fast charge gives about 6 hours of play.
Does the Arctis Nova 5X have noise cancelling?
No. It has no active noise cancelling, and reviewers describe passive isolation as minimal. You will hear keyboards, fans and conversation in a busy room.
Can I use Bluetooth and the 2.4 GHz dongle at the same time?
No. The headset plays audio from one wireless source at a time. A button switches between them in about a second or two, but you cannot mix game audio from the dongle with a phone call over Bluetooth.
Is the Arctis Nova 5X better than the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless?
It depends on the platform. The Nova 5X supports Xbox and has fast charging, while the HyperX is rated for up to 120 hours but has no Xbox support or quick charge. Both cost about $120 to $130 on Amazon.
Is the Arctis Nova 5X mic good enough for calls and streaming?
For the price, yes. Reviewers describe it as clear, with AI noise reduction available through SteelSeries software on PC. It has no foam windscreen, so keyboard noise can leak in, and a dedicated mic is still better for streaming.
