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I've pitted up SteelSeries' most premium headset to see what's best
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $299 at Amazon SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite | $599.99 Amazon
For the entirety of 2025, many of the best gaming headset lists have been dominated by the one and only SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The mighty pair of cups was originally released in 2022, and despite its age, it remains one of the most premium picks from not just the Arctis Nova lineup, but all headsets on the market. That was, until the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite came on the scene.
The Elite has definitely muddied the waters as to what premium pair I'd recommend above all else. That's why I'm using my experience with both SteelSeries headsets at my disposal to see once and for all what's better, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite? No matter my pick, it will still depend on your budget and needs as to what headset is best for you, but feel free to join my journey as I put SteelSeries' best headsets together and see who comes out on top.
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Rosalie NewcombeHardware EditorAs the audio nerd and overseer of the GamesRadar+ headset vertical, I've spent a lot of time getting well acquainted with not just the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and its newer Arctis Nova Elite rival, but a never-ending supply of headsets, both bad and good. Before the Elite roamed onto the scene, the Pro Wireless was my pair of choice and remained at my desk to offer up the best in sound, microphone quality, and battery life. While the pair remains at arm's length, the time I've spent testing the Elite has resulted in it taking the prime spot of my gaming setup, but I'm still constantly testing both with new and old games alike and tracking their prices to ensure I'm equipped to recommend the best pair to suit every kind of player's needs.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite at a glance
Arctis Nova Pro Wireless- Wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity options
- 40mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers
- Equipped with hot-swappable batteries
- ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom
- 4-mic hybrid ANC
- Connects to three sources at once
- Support for up to 13 game audio presets (via GG software)
- Available in Black and White colorways
- Wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity options
- 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber Drivers
- Equipped with hot-swappable batteries
- ClearCast Gen 2.X retractable microphone
- 4-mic hybrid ANC
- Includes Hi-Res Audio support
- Connects to four sources at once
- Can mix four audio sources simultaneously
- Support for over 200+ game audio presets (via GG software)
- Available in Black and Sage Gold colorways
Price
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has a $379.99 / £329.99 MSRP, which is less than that of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite's $599.99 / £599.99 launch price. By that factor alone, the Pro Wireless is the cheaper and more affordable option of the two.
The Pro Wireless is an older headset, and is lacking some of the new features of the Elite, which include its newly updated 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber Drivers, Hi-Res Audio support, and ability to connect to and mix the audio sources of four gaming sources at once. Taking that on board, it makes sense why the Elite would be positioned at a higher price point, and that's before I get into its extra design flourishes.
If budget is a priority and you want a premium pair at the lowest price possible, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the winner here. As of typing these very words, the White SKU Pro Wireless is down to just $299 at Amazon, which is a massive $80 off its full price. It's prone to discounts and deals during each and every big sales event, from your Amazon Prime Days to your Black Fridays, and it's only been getting cheaper as the years go on. Meanwhile, the Elite is only a few months old, and so it'll be a while before it shifts from that $599.99 MSRP.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
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The SteelSeries headsets are almost identical. SteelSeries did very little to distinguish the Elite from the Pro Wireless, and if it wasn't for its exclusive Sage Green colorway, I'd find it difficult to tell these apart, and I live and breathe the brand's headsets
They both share the same over-ear form factor and the highly recognizable look of the entirety of the Arctis Nova lineup, from the smooth curved edges to the SteelSeries-branded earcups that can be popped out and replaced with a range of Booster Packs, to spice up their looks. The Elite doesn't just have that unique green and gold colorway however, but it's also equipped with a gold SteelSeries logo, yokes and a matching shimmering volume dial and microphone speaker.
It's these little changes that make it stand out from the Pro Wireless and give it that more luxiours appeal. In my review, I noted that these design updates were so pleasing to the eye that I found it hard to look away from their "stunning, golden shimmery aura" and I stand by that. If you want the headset that has the most premium looks to match its premium sound, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the belle of the headset ball.
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Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Features
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the most feature-full of the two headsets.
It took the hot swappable batteries of the Pro Wireless and the ability to connect to three audio sources at once (eg, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC) at once, and added up to four sources. Not only that, the audio from those four sources can be mixed and played at the same time with zero distortion and audio degradation.
The wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless audio support is still there, but the Elite also introduces support for Hi-Res Audio, the first time it's been available in a wireless headset, even outside the SteelSeries brand. Not everyone can take full advantage of this, however. As I shared in my review, the PS5 and Xbox consoles can only support audio up to max out at 48k/16bit, so console players won't get the full features and Hi-Res 96kHz/24-bit splendour that the Elite has to offer.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Performance
Every gaming platform sounds best when played through the Arctis Nova Elite, even if its lacking Hi-Res audio support. The 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber audio drivers and 10-40,000 Hz frequency allow for the low, mid, and high sounds of any game's soundstage to sound warm and with the utmost clarity, from Counter Strike 2 and Marvel Rivals on the PC, to Doom Eternal and Death Stranding Direct's Cut on the PS5.
PC players are going to get the most out of the Elite, as a desktop setup can facilitate a space for the Game Hub and the toggling on of Hi-Res audio via the Windows audio settings. No matter what game I threw its way during my initial testing period earlier this year, the Elite never faltered on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, or the Steam Deck.
If you have uncompressed FLAC audio files from your favorite bands too, listening to music is also best on the Elite, although I don't recommend taking out such an expensive pair to listen to your favorite bands on the go, especially as it's a little heavier than your average pair of headphones at 380g. Many audiophiles might be eyeing up the Elite as it is the first Hi-Res headset of its kind to be in a gamer-friendly wireless form factor, and it's definitely going to be the better pick for you if music (and even music production) and gaming are your jam.
The Elite also has the one up where support with the SteelSeries GG software. There, you can select from over 200+ game audio presets based on everything from Dead by Daylight to Mario Kart World, while the Pro Wireless only has up to 13 game presets that you can select from. While you can adjust the EQ of both headsets, there's more customizability at your fingertips with the Elite, from simple EQ sound adjustments to tweaking the EQ of the sound from the retractable microphone.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro doesn't sound bad by any means. Even now, my Pro Wireless is sitting attached to the side of my monitor for easy access, as its 40mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers still pack a punch and sound better than the waves of headsets I've reviewed over the last few months. I mean, there's a reason why it continues to top our best headset guides no matter the platform. Yet, it can only reach a similar 10-40,000 Hz frequency response (which allows for better clarity between ranges of sound) when wired, a feat the Elite can achieve regardless.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset?
TDLR
Buy the Pro Wireless if- You have a stricter budget
- You only own 3 or less gaming platforms
- You want the hot-swappable battery tech
- You play the PS5/Xbox
- Cash isn't an issue
- Having Hi-Res audio support is a must
- You want an audiophile headset for music
- You own up to four gaming platforms
- The more EQ and customizability the better
Through my testing and experience with both headsets, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the best of the best. Its name isn't just for show, and I fully believe that from every pair I've tested in many years of being a tech reviewer, that the Elite is as elite as it gets.
But while it may be the better headset in terms of design, features, and sound than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it's not going to automatically be the best for every setup. Its price is a huge reason why I can't just outright recommend it to everyone, as I know that not everyone has the budget to lay down $599.99 / £599.99 on a singular gaming acessory especially as we're all still in the the midsts of a cost of living crisis.
If we ignore its price for a moment, and you were to drop me a message or come up and ask what's the best headset out there to get the best sound, the best microphone quality, the best look, and the best compatibility to multiple platforms, then I'd easily reply with "it's the Elite all the way".
Yet, if you were then to let me know that you don't play your PC as much, don't have access to any FLAC and uncompressed music, and can't spend more than $400, then its the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that I'm going to back, especially as it's the only one of the two prone to discounts.
- View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon
- View all gaming headset deals at Amazon
Our guides to the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets are full of high-end pairs if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Arctis Nova Elite aren't a good fit.
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
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Rosalie NewcombeSocial Links NavigationHardware EditorEver since I first held a NES controller in my hand I've been obsessed with gaming, and the hardware it runs on. I could hook up a NES and SNES to a telly, without instructions, before I could walk. Even now, nothing is more exciting then taking a console, or handheld, out the box for the first time and setting it up. This obsession transformed into a love of games and game music, which lead to my music degree and dream of becoming the Scottish Nobuo Uematsu. After sharing my love of games through music, I began to share my love through words on sites like TechRadar and iMore. This lead to becoming a Hardware staff writer for PCGamesN, and later the Senior Tech Writer for Dexerto, covering all things Steam Deck, PlayStation and Nintendo. With that experience, I was able to level up as Hardware Editor for GamesRadar+, where I'm still just as Nintendo, PlayStation and gaming tech obsessed as ever.
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