SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Review

There are three versions of the wireless SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headphones: the 7 for personal computers, the 7P for PlayStation, and the 7X for Xbox. Each one has a dongle built to help keep wifi lag to a minimum when used with gaming consoles. They include Bluetooth integration so that you can connect your phone and game system at the same time. In contrast to previous Xbox-exclusive headphones, however, the Xbox model is fully compatible with the PlayStation 4/5 and PC.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Specifications

PROS:

• The supplementary software has both parametric EQ and presets.
• Longer than 33 hours of nonstop use on a single charge.
• There is hardly no wireless delay with the 7X.
• The microphone’s overall quality is quite high.

CONS:

• Vulnerable to oscillations in the bass and treble registers.

Controls

The headset’s controls are intuitive. There are a lot of buttons and dials on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, but they all have a single purpose. The volume control for in-game conversations and Bluetooth pairing is also located on the right earpiece. The left earpiece houses the microphone mute switch and volume control, the latter of which is linked to the PC’s audio but can be adjusted independently of it. The mic on this headset is linked to the left earpiece. Unlike earlier Arctis headsets, this model’s microphone may be retracted to lie flat against the side of the earphone when not in use.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 has numerous controls, yet each one has a specific function. The Bluetooth pairing and in-game chat volume controls are both on the right earbud. The microphone mute button and volume control are located on the left earpiece; the volume control is connected to the PC’s audio but can be adjusted independently. This headset has a microphone connected to the left earbud. When not in use, the microphone on this Arctis headset can be retracted and stored flush against the side of the earphone, unlike prior models.

Connectivity

SteelSeries was one of the first headset manufacturers to offer simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. In this scenario, the USB Type-C dongle is becoming the industry standard for connecting wireless headsets to the internet at a 2.4GHz frequency. I can’t decide how I feel about this. As I’ve stated before, these jutting USB-C dongles can be a pain because they get in the way of other ports or your computer casing.

To solve this problem, Razer made the Barracuda Pro dongle in an L shape, ensuring that at least one side wouldn’t be in the way of anything. Thankfully, a USB-A to USB-C adapter is included, reducing the severity of the problem. However, this will require more wire in your setup than you might normally require. USB-C’s potential is enormous in the appropriate contexts, but I still need to convince of its utility as a wireless dongle interface.

Battery Life

SteelSeries claims that the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, when used with its USB dongle, will play for 38 hours on a single charge. The Arctis Nova 7 lasted for 41 hours and 15 minutes in our battery test, which plays a standard file of actual music at 75dB (SPL) at full volume. That’s a fantastic outcome that far beyond the official specification.

The Arctis Nova 7 Wireless’ battery life is inferior to its predecessor’s by roughly 30 hours, and it can’t compete with other market standouts like the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, SteelSeries Arctis 7+, or Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX. Fast charging is supported by the Arctis Nova 7, which is unusual for gaming headsets. You may get six hours of use from just fifteen minutes of charging time.

Noise Cancellation

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 headphones are a good way to shut out the outside world. Since the headset doesn’t have active noise cancellation (ANC), the only way to block out distracting sounds is through passive separation. The results are about average for headphones that go over the ears. It would help if you could hear everyday sounds like the dishes clattering or the TV blaring from the other room.

The fridge will hum, and doorbells and talks will be heard, but this isn’t always a bad thing. But without the ANC, this is not as good to take with you. The headset could have been a good option for using in public places like cafes because it worked with Bluetooth and had a retractable microphone. This is frustrating.

In conclusion

The Arctis Nova 7 is a high-end headset that costs $180. It competes with Logitech and Razer’s best products. It has every right to go head-to-head with other companies in that area.

It has an edge over older headsets like the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro and newer ones like the Logitech G Pro X Wireless headset, which both have Bluetooth audio but make you choose between the 2.4GHz connection and Bluetooth. The sound quality of the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless may not be as good as that of either choice. Still, it more than makes up for this with its extra features and much better comfort, which even I, a critical user, had to work hard to notice.

But I still wouldn’t recommend this model if you’re looking for a new, well-tuned headset for competitive games. But if you are willing to take the time to change a few settings, the Arctis Nova 7 will work well for a wide range of games. The best part is that it can do this without hurting your head, even if it’s big like mine.