I find myself trying out a bunch of different headsets these days. On my desk right now is the premium SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite in Sage & Gold.
It’s one of the pricier peripherals out in the market today, and I’ve been using it almost daily for the past few weeks. Here are my thoughts. 🙂
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite – Specs, Pricing, & Availability
Announced and released late 2025, here are the technical specs of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite:
- Frequency Response: 10-40,000 Hz
- Design: 2 Piece Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber Drivers
- Active Noise Cancellation: 4-Mic Hybrid active noise cancellation Transparency Mode
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, NSW 1|2, iOS, Android, Tablet (USB-C), Handheld, MetaQuest 2|3
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz, V5.3 + LE Audio Bluetooth, Simultaneous OmniPlay via USB-C, Line-In/Out
- Microphone: Built-in ClearCast Gen 2.X – Retractable Boom Mic, Smart-Switching On-Ear Beamforming Microphone
- Battery: Tw0 (2) hot-swappable Lithium-ion batteries
- Weight: 380g
- Color: Sage & Gold, Obisidian
The price of Php 44,555 or $599.99 is hefty. But with everything that comes with the package, the quality and make, the Wireless GameHub, and its built-in features, the high price tag can be possibly justified by those with a budget who are looking for a more audiophile-focused headset.
Arctis Nova Elite – Packaging & Features
The Arctis Nova Elite comes with a lot of things. The box already weighs a ton, especially since there is a lot to unpack the moment you slip off the cover.
Aside from the headset, you get the Wireless GameHub (more on that later!), three (3) USB-C to USB-A cables, a 3.5mm audio cable, an extra lithium-ion battery, a microphone filter, and the headset’s exclusive carry pouch in the same Sage & Gold color scheme.
Unboxing the headset makes you feel like you really get what you paid for. The packaging already feels so premium, highlighting “elite” in every way it can.
Top-of-the-Line Design and Materials
In terms of design, you can’t deny that the Arctis Nova Elite already wows from inside the box. The Sage & Gold color scheme is eye-catching, even if green and gold don’t really match my personal aesthetics.
The foam earcups and the top headband are covered in leatherette in the same green color, so the colorway blends seamlessly together.
The physical buttons and dials on the headset also apply the same color scheme, and the gold details really shine against all this green.
The headset is definitely not the lightest at 380g, but the weight makes it feel like high-quality materials were used in its production.
Virtually Endless Battery Life
One of the peak features of the headset is its virtually endless battery life. You get two batteries: one is already installed in the right earcup, while the other can be charged in a special slot within the Wireless GameHub. Once you see a low-battery indication on the OLED screen, you can simply switch them.
Each battery can power the headset for up to 30 hours, essentially giving you a total of 60 hours of game time. But if you’re out and about, a quick 15-minute charge via USB-C through the left earcup port will already give you up to 4 hours of use.
Simultaneous OmniPlay with the Wireless GameHub
What makes the Arctis Nova Elite headset unique is that it already comes with the Wireless GameHub. Not only can it continuously charge your extra battery, but you can also mix up to 4 audio sources via the device’s USB-C ports on the back.
You can also easily connect and switch audio between your PC, console, handhelds, and mobile device through various connectivity options. You’ve got USB-C, wireless 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and even cable line-in and out via the 3.5mm audio ports.
This is really convenient for those who game on different devices, because you don’t need to keep connecting cables or moving things around once you’ve got the Wireless GameHub connected and set up. For controls, you can use the physical buttons on your headset or the device’s dial.
Incredible Noise Cancellation, with Customizable Audio Experience
The one thing I gotta commend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite on is its incredible noise-cancellation feature. You can toggle this on or off via the headset’s physical buttons, but I was just amazed at how quiet everything went when I turned it on for the first time! I didn’t realize just how noisy everything was until I took the headset off after a gaming session, LOL.
Aside from the ANC feature, users can also utilize the Wireless GameHub to customize their audio experience. The built-in equalizer, which comes with presets if you don’t want to be tinkering with anything, can be easily controlled through the Wireless GameHub. And this option is available through your 2.4Ghz wireless connections, Bluetooth, and even your microphone settings.
So the audio experience can be tweaked to your preferences, whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or just listening to audio while working.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite – First Impressions & Gaming Experience
On paper, everything the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite offers makes the hefty price tag seem worth it. But I feel all the features, especially the Simultaneous OmniPlay and the customizable audio experience, are completely wasted on an audio newbie like me.
Yes, I love the headset’s design. It is definitely gorgeous, but green is really not my color. Yes, I love that I can easily switch out the headset’s battery, giving me virtually unlimited power to keep it on. But the weight of an installed battery inside an earcup makes it feel heavy and overbearing on my head.
I also love the materials. They look and feel premium and high-quality, but the leatherette earcups get hot over my ears over time, so I can’t wear the headset for more than 3 hours in a single day. There’s also the question of how long they will last before they break down, as most leatherette materials are prone to doing.
The one thing I love the most about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is its Active Noise Cancellation technology. Out of all the headsets I’ve tried recently, this one really is top-tier. BUT, I can’t say I would purchase the headset out of my own money just for the noise cancellation. D:
I feel like this peripheral is definitely for someone with a higher appreciation of audio quality than a noob like me. It will also fit into the lifestyle of someone with multiple gaming devices, maybe a more hardcore gamer, or a content creator who streams. I can see them easily using the Wireless GameHub to make their lives more convenient.
And that’s that. Until the next one! 🙂
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