I have never had any problems with a heavy headset. Or at least, that’s what I thought. For me, the sound quality is the most important thing, and I’m happy to get a beefier model if it delivers a solid sound to match. But after using the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless for the past few weeks, I may have been converted to the light side.
The latest headset from SteelSeries has a practical featherweight of 277 grams. That makes taking it out of the sturdy packaging a non-event, because something in the back of my mind still thinks that heavy = well made. However, upon closer inspection, the Nova 5X reveals a build quality that, at first glance, goes some way to justifying its $130 price.
When I spin it in my hands, it feels springy, with tight tolerances and smooth joints. Inside the headband is an adjustable, soft-touch piece of fabric with a neon green patterned design, but that’s really the only indication that this is a gaming headset. You can absolutely wear the Nova 5X in public without looking like you’ve taken your hobbies out into the big wide world.
That’s helped by the fully retractable microphone design that tucks itself neatly into the left earcup chassis. Combine that with a subtle matte black finish, and there’s little to say these are anything other than a nice regular pair of wireless headphones. Considering it can switch between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 connections at the touch of a button, the understated design doesn’t make me feel like too much of a prize when using Bluetooth mode on the train .
Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Specifications
Link: 2.4 GHz wireless (via USB Type-C dongle), Bluetooth 5.3
Type: Closed back
Frequency response: 20Hz – 22kHz
Drivers: 40 mm with neodymium magnets
Connector: USB Type-C
Microphone: Clearcast Gen 2.X bi-directional noise canceling microphone with fully retractable boom arm
Weight: 277 grams
Price: $130/£130
It is also very comfortable. That soft-feeling headband and some plush memory foam earcups make for a headset that barely feels like it’s on my head. The clamping force is strong enough to hold it while you move, yet light enough that it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it.
A word of caution: Although this headset is adjustable, the highest size setting is a bit small. Those with a very large head may want to look elsewhere.
When it comes to sound, the Nova 5X has a few tricks up its sleeve. The 40mm neodymium drivers are the same as in more expensive models such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, a headset that we rate very highly. But the real party piece here is a companion app that lets you select over 100 presets “tailored by esports pros and audio engineers” to deliver custom EQs tuned per game.
Hmm. While there’s a great selection of very different EQ settings to play with here, whether they make a big difference over one, well-balanced EQ across games is up for debate. I’ve swapped between these features in several games to see if I could get an audio advantage, and while they’re all slightly different, I don’t think the feature is as revolutionary as advertised.
What I can say is that the fantastically detailed drivers do a great job of delivering accurate, positional audio regardless of the game setting. There’s a lot of crisp clarity in almost all of the EQ presets, and it feels like the physical drivers themselves are doing most of the work more than the multitude of tuned EQ options.
What is unfortunately a bit lacking is a very low rumble. While the Arctis Nova 5X can pack a lot of punch when it comes to thunderous drums and the odd fat blast, listening to music (even on the Music: Deep Bass EQ setting) reveals a slight lack of ‘oomph’ at the bottom end.
The bass is certainly there, but regardless of the EQ it feels like the drivers are holding back a bit when confronted with a thick, round bassline. It’s almost here, but I would like a little more for listening to music with high bass. Overall, though, the overall balance and excellent clarity make up for this.
What’s also nice is the ability to keep separate EQ profiles for the wireless connection and Bluetooth mode, meaning I can keep the bassiest setting for thumping music on the train and a more detailed EQ for some multiplayer gaming when I get home.
The microphone is also well balanced, with a clear and distinctive sound that cuts through background noise in the middle of battle. Unfortunately, the discreet, tucked-away design means there’s no room for a foam shield, which can make it a little sensitive to plosives.
However, SteelSeries’ Sonar software (all the essentials in one go) features Clearcast AI noise cancellation, and it minimizes the effect quite well.
The battery life is impressive. The Arctis Nova 5X has an estimated battery life of 50 hours in 2.4 GHz wireless mode and 60 hours via Bluetooth connection, and those numbers seem about right based on my usage. In fact, I’m often surprised by how much battery is left after long sessions, and it charges very quickly over a USB Type-C connection too.
I also had the opportunity to torture the set during a hectic week at Computex. Putting it in my backpack, bumping it against luggage, and using it extensively on two very, very long-haul flights, the small, lightweight set of cans held up admirably. That said, the outer headband shows some light marks from all the abuse.
Buy as…
✅ You are looking for comfort: It is a feather-light headset with a very comfortable headband and soft memory foam ear cups. That means you can wear it all day without feeling any tension.
✅ You want versatility: While the accompanying EQ app isn’t mind-blowing, the overall design, great drivers and easy-to-switch modes (coupled with long battery life) mean it does most things very well indeed.
Don’t buy if…
❌ You like a lot of bass: While the Arctis Nova 5X can be quite punchy, if you like teeth-rattling bass you might be left wanting more.
❌ You have a big head: The highest setting will be fine for many, but if you have the kind of skull that struggles to fit into most hats, look elsewhere.
It’s only really noticeable when you turn it into the light, though, and the rest of the device feels as sleek as the day I took it out of the box.
So then we come to the price. This is positioned as a more affordable alternative to SteelSeries’ somewhat pricey headset range, although at $130 it’s still quite a chunk of change. That said, it’s very versatile, extremely comfortable and with excellent battery life. It took a lot of punishment and is just as suitable for being stuffed into a backpack as it is for adorning your head for an extremely long gaming session.
If battery life is what you’re after, there’s still no better HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless and its massive 300-hour battery life. Still, with its bright red accents and large ear units, it’s neither discreet nor all that lightweight, and it only has a 2.4GHz wireless connection, making it a gaming headset through and through.
You could also opt for the bigger brother of the Arctis Nova 5X, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, which also has multiple connection options. That said, considering the Nova 5X uses the same drivers and is much lighter, with much better battery life, I’d personally go for the cheaper model.
Comfortable, versatile, detailed and with excellent battery life and build quality, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless comes very close to its promise of an all-rounder. It’s just a slight lack of deep bass and a small maximum size that holds it back. Otherwise? I think it’s a bit of a winner. Lightweight convinced me and my neck muscles are much better for it.