Two Years Strong: Why the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset Still Rules

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It’s no wonder at all that SteelSeries remains a highly sought-after brand for gaming accessories. Their commitment to using premium quality steel in their items ensures they house cutting-edge technology at its finest.

In 2023, I was fortunate enough to receive the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset for review. With its high price tag and impressive list of features, I couldn’t wait to give it a spin. The headset truly impressed me and earned a spot among Game Rant’s top-rated wireless headsets. Now, two years later, the Arctis Nova Pro remains my go-to headset for gaming on my Xbox Series X. While it’s not perfect, it’s more than worthy of a brief update on its performance over time.

If you’re new here, don’t miss out on our first impressions of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset. Take a look at the initial review for a glimpse of its performance on day one!

Comfort and Durability

The Nova Pro’s memory foam ear cushions, covered in genuine leather, have remarkable durability, seemingly unchanged since first opening the box. However, after thorough examination, it appears that the headset can become slightly uncomfortable following several hours of use. Yet, this inconvenience is somewhat offset by my gaming routine, as I seldom engage in sessions lasting more than four to five hours without a suitable break.

Occasionally, when I indulge in marathon sessions of TV and gaming on special days, I inevitably need to pause and remove my headphones for a while to let my ears and forehead rest. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is exceptional in comfort, and after four hours of use, it’s hard to find another headset that feels as good.

I’ve been quite impressed with the retractable mic on my SteelSeries headset, contrary to what many gamers might expect. Despite my less-than-gentle handling and occasional struggles when retracting it, this mic has proven to be remarkably durable. Its appearance is as pristine now as it was on day one, with no noticeable signs of wear or performance degradation. Even the mute light, a feature I often overlook, remains bright and serves as a handy reminder to unmute before diving back into the game chat.

This headset seems incredibly durable, and I can’t imagine anything I might do to damage it, even after prolonged gaming hours. Over nearly two years of use, the comfort level has remained consistent, which is quite remarkable. It would truly surprise me if any part of this Arctis Nova Pro headset were to break due to regular usage.

Connectivity & Battery Life

As a movie aficionado, I’ve found the process of linking this headset to various devices via Bluetooth to be a bit unpredictable. The connection itself is robust and performs flawlessly with my phone, computer, and Switch, but switching between them is a hassle that leaves me longing for a simpler solution. (I really dislike having to juggle connections like this!)

I usually prefer my phone as my go-to Bluetooth device for this headset because it pairs smoothly without any hassle. However, things are quite complicated when it comes to using it on a PC, mostly due to the various modes available. Windows 10 tends to detect six different headsets when connected via Bluetooth, one input and output for each of the three preset modes.

If you’re a music enthusiast who appreciates high-quality sound (an audiophile), you might find it straightforward to adjust the app settings and make everything function smoothly. However, I fall into the category of individuals who aren’t particularly tech-savvy when it comes to Bluetooth connections with my computer, so I tend to avoid them instead.

Indeed, this compact audio device, which easily connects to various devices, is incredibly convenient for me! Primarily, I utilize it to link up with my Xbox and PC. Typically, I keep the USB part constantly plugged into my Xbox, only disconnecting the USB-C end when I need to transfer the dock to my computer.

The box functions with the Nintendo Switch theoretically, but connecting it to the tight dock can be irritating. Additionally, there’s a Bluetooth connectivity problem that arises in this case, as the headset tends to remain linked to my phone rather than the Switch. In truth, I seldom employ the headset with my Switch, given that I don’t engage much in online gaming on it.

The battery performance isn’t as strong as it used to be two years back, but the swappable battery feature remains incredibly handy, and so far, I haven’t run out of battery life for more than a mere 10 seconds. In fact, since my review, I’ve found myself completely obviating the need for a charging cord.

A couple of weeks back, I was quite delighted by the headset, as it sprung into action during an unforeseen power cut. Remarkably, even though it was connected to a surge-protected Xbox Series X, the extra battery had been cleverly ejected from its dock due to the detected surge. Although it was a bit excessive, it’s a thoughtful feature!

The issue with the battery is that you need to manually power down both the headset and its Bluetooth connection separately. Turning off the headset doesn’t completely shut it off; it merely disconnects from the dock. If you keep Bluetooth active, the headset continues to consume power. To prevent accidental long-term power usage, I often turn off the Bluetooth as soon as I activate the headset. However, when I need dual audio sources, I must keep the Bluetooth switched on.

Audio Quality and Performance

So far, the weather has been bright and clear, but my headset seems to be getting older, particularly on the inside. The noise-cancellation feature isn’t performing as effectively as it once did, almost like a switch got flipped. Typically, I can barely tell the difference between when ANC is on or off because there’s just a single beep to signal activation, though sometimes the impact is still noticeable. Fortunately, the passive noise-cancellation remains effective, but overall, it’s a bit disheartening that the performance has started to deteriorate.

Regarding the beeps, it’s quite surprising that both Bluetooth and noise cancellation issues have made the absence of a voice prompt a significant problem with this headset. Initially, when SteelSeries launched the Nova Pro, voice prompts on gaming headsets weren’t widespread. Now I see why their importance has become apparent.

Previously, I’ve raved about the quality of the Nova Pro microphone. After trying out several other headsets, I must say that my voice sounds the clearest and most natural on this one, as far as my Discord buddies are concerned.

Would I Recommend The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Again?

Regardless of its shortcomings, the Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset remains a solid investment. Although not everyone requires dual audio or compatibility across all platforms, it’s worth noting that this is currently the top choice for those who do. There isn’t another product on the market that offers the same balance of affordability, performance, and durability.

As a true cinephile of gaming, I’d personally vouch for the Arctis Nova 5 or 7 headsets if you’re flexible about some features. The Nova 5, priced at an affordable $110, skips simultaneous audio but delivers a great gaming experience nonetheless. For a slightly higher price of $150, the Nova 7 includes that feature. However, both these models come with a compromise: they’re either Xbox or non-Xbox compatible, which significantly narrows down the benefits for Xbox players. In such a case, the budget-friendly Razer Kaira Pro, offering broader compatibility, might be a more practical choice.

In approximately two years, I am comfortable stating that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset remains an exceptional product, boasting a comprehensive range of features that most gamers desire in a single unit. However, it should be noted that its main drawback lies in its premium cost.

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2025-01-23 16:08