Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless is an splendid wireless play headset with modern looks and various audio thanks to its mobile app and presets . It also tender a clear mike with self-colored pickup , marvellous stamp battery life story and vast compatibility which make it a brilliant all - rounder .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
SteelSeries is back at it with another novel wireless gaming headset , the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless , which total another slightly reasonably price multi - platform headset to the market with the fun of a mobile app .
At £ 129.99/$129.99 , it sits in line with a mountain of mid - range wireless gambling headsets including the excellentSony Inzone H5and top - class Xbox options such as theRazer Kaira Pro Halo Infinite Edition , while offering a vast feature set , first-class audio and a circle of versatility for the console players it ’s propose at .
I ’ve been testing the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless for the last few weeks to see how it stack up , and to see if it ’s one of thebest play headsetswe’ve test .
Design and Features
The Arctis Nova 5X Wireless ’ designing is in - keeping with SteelSeries other headset as part of its new Arctis Nova range of options , include the higher - pricedArctis Nova 7 WirelessandNova Pro Wireless . This signify you ’re produce a sleeker , more modern look equate to the Arctis headset of old with a broadly speaking rounder profile that depend excellent .
Compared to the Nova 7 Wireless , the Nova 5X Wireless lack some design flair , such as additional bevelling on the headband and edges on the earcups , but you still get the inwardness of the redesigned headset . The smooth charge plate used here finger sturdy enough , and at 265 g , it ’s also immensely lightsome . That lightness is n’t to the breaker point where this headset feels gimcrack , but it is at least well-to-do to tire for extended periods . In my time with the headset , I just popped it on my head and practically forget it was there .
The break - way headband remain , and helps the Nova 5X Wireless to offer a reasonable clamping strength , save for the soaked adjustment on the yokes to make the headset fit properly . The earcups are thick and plush , with SteelSeries ’ AirWeave textile used to help make them less unpleasant to employ after a prospicient full point compare to imitation leather unity . They also help to offer some fantastic passive noise isolation , even if the headset does n’t put up any alive interference cancellation .
As with other SteelSeries headsets in recent times , the Nova 5X Wireless also benefits from tactile controls that are evenly distributed across each earcup . The left one is menage to a mic mute and volume dial , while the right earcup houses a game / schmooze mix dial , a power clit and what SteelSeries call the ‘ Quick Switch ’ button which allow you to chop-chop switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz joining , if you ’re using more than one equipment with the Nova 5X Wireless at once . The correct side also houses a USB - C port for accuse .
The Nova 5X Wireless also benefits from a wide amount of compatible machine include Xbox console and PC , as well as with mobile devices or orNintendo Switch .
Even with this -X variance designed for use with Xbox console , SteelSeries also number PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 as compatible , too . With both Bluetooth and a USB - speed of light receiver on pass , you could also colligate to multiple devices at once , although you could only welcome audio from one at a sentence .
I test it with my Xbox Series X over the USB - C receiving system and my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over Bluetooth , and with that Quick Switch release , moving devices was particularly commodious . The wireless connection was also whole over both means , on either my Series X , telephone set , MacBook or Windows play microcomputer .
It ’s on the front of the Nova 5X Wireless ’ associate app where this particular headset is a unique offering in SteelSeries ’ lineup . It fundamentally acts as SteelSeries ’ bigger PC - based software , Sonar , on a phone , providing much of the same functionality as the PC software , just on a smaller scale . This means you get canonic options such as fiddling around with an EQ or change the volume of the headset and microphone , as well as options for mic sidetone and the cleverness of the lead indicator .
Where the fellow traveler apps gain though is by offering over 100 different EQ presets for game within easy reach across a range of mountains of titles , include the like of CS:2 , EA mutant FC 24 and GTA V. While EQ presets are nothing new , and a range of these presets have also been present in the brand ’s with child Sonar app , to have them bundled in a mobile app is seriously helpful for console gaming , where this kind of contour has n’t been potential before . There is also documentation for Sonar with the usual parametric EQ and seriously powerful contour for use as a volume social , and a scope of plot presets , too .
bombardment life is excellent and is ameliorate against the slimly higher - end Nova 7 Wireless . The Nova 5X Wireless can last for up to 60 hours over Bluetooth or 50 minute over the USB - C receiving system , which is above and beyond a lot of likewise priced headset , although is n’t quite as in force as the 300 hours of theHyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless . The dependable thing here though is that if you are ever caught brusk in terms of battery living that the Nova 5X Wireless can give you six time of day of charge in 15 minutes given it defend USB - vitamin C quick charging .
Audio and Microphone
The Arctis Nova 5X Wireless offers neat and legato audio with unanimous levels of detail in the mids and top closing , and a lack of harshness compared to other headsets I ’ve tested . This became apparent on the cymbal smasher in The Strokes ’ Reptilia , or the busy percussion intro to Steely Dan ’s Do It Again . While it may be as full - corporate and forthright as other headsets , the sound that the Nova 5X Wireless allow for is various and suits a all-encompassing range of game powerful out of the boxwood .
With this in creative thinker , the bass is n’t as striking on tracks such as Rush ’s Working Man or YYZ as with other headsets , and the soundstage may not be as wide as in Earth , Wind & Fire ’s September with the bongos feel a tad hem in , but it ’s when adding presets into the mix where the Nova 5X Wireless shines best . They can affect the overall peformance quite a lot , such as in CS:2 , where it added more emphasis to gunfire and explosions while retain the wonderful positional audio , or in Forza Horizon 5 where it aided with directing audio as I overwhelm other equipment driver , as well as increasing the overall richness of a car ’s engine note with the headset ’s mid range .
The gain of the multitude of presets helps to make the Nova 5X Wireless a versatile option for a wide range of games , even if they offer varying levels of effects on the headset ’s instinctive auditory sensation . Some commute it whole , while others are more reserved in their approach . It is , however , an piquant listen in a wide variety of games and medicine .
The microphone is in - safekeeping with other New Arctis Nova headset , with a retractable option that flex into seat in front of your mouth . It ’s clear and offers more body than other headset , while its bi - directional noise cancelling also did an first-class job of drowning out most of the randomness of my loud mechanical keyboard .
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Should you buy it?
The refined and smooth audio frequency that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless offers makes it suited for a wide range of game , as do the 100 + presets on offer in the headset ’s wandering app .
If you ’re after a headset with boom out audio that rumbles , the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless ’ more polished sound recording may not be what you ’re calculate for , and you may want to look elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
SteelSeries ’ latest headset is a real achiever for cabinet musician , especially in this -X variant with its all-inclusive compatibility with everything from Xbox and personal computer to PS5 and Nintendo Switch , as well as its versatile mobile app for offering suitable audio presets for over 100 game .
It brings a floor of customisation and configuration that was antecedently unavailable to console table players , making it a howling headset for purpose there .
With this in mind , this is also an excellent headset for utilisation with PC , return the crossover with microcomputer titles in the presets list . It also benefits from miraculous assault and battery life that is only meliorate by a fistful of other gaming headset , as well as a lightweight frame and some class - head passive dissonance isolation without the indigence for ANC .
Compared to the contest , theSony Inzone H5offers a wide soundstage and a generally more accurate sound , while theHyperX Cloud Alpha Wirelessprovides much good barrage fire life . However , these headset are a little more expensive than the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless and do n’t volunteer as well of a console - focussed experience . For my money , the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless is a brilliant headset for Xbox , as well as other platform . For more options , check out our list of thebest gaming headsetswe’ve tested .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every headset we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll find out it for ease of use of goods and services and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of secret plan , as well as bet music for get the full experience .
We also hold in each headset ’s software ( if applicable ) to see how easygoing it is to customise and prepare up .
FAQs
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless can last for up to 60 hour over Bluetooth or 50 hours over its USB - degree centigrade liquidator .
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless function with Xbox Series X / S , Xbox One , PC , PS5 , PS4 , Nintendo Switch , mobile devices and personal computer . SteelSeries also lists Meta Quest 2 and handheld machine on its compatibility lean , too .
Test Data
Full Specs
