Pros
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Lightweight and comfortable -
Smooth, spacious sound -
Versatile app support
Cons
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Some may want more exciting looks -
Flatter sound may not suit those who like a lot of bass
Key Features
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Nova Companion app
The Arctis Nova 3X Wireless comes with support for a mobile app for configuration and access to audio presets for over 200 PC and console games. -
Neoodymium magnetic drivers
It also comes with neodymium magnetic drivers for a smooth and precise sound. -
Vast wireless compatibility
This headset can also work on everything from Xbox and PC to PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 2 and mobile devices on Bluetooth and a USB-C receiver.
Introduction
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is perhaps the most complete version of the Danish brand’s more budget-oriented headset yet.
As much as the £99.99/$109.99 asking price has pushed it more into the mid-range category, it still seems like the Nova 3X Wireless is a deal because it’s got the same clever app support as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless, as well as a lightweight design, and versatile wireless connectivity options alongside 40mm drivers.
This more modest price tag pits it up against the Sony Inzone H5 and other top-class Xbox options, such as the Razer Kaira Pro Halo Infinite Edition. I’ve been giving the Nova 3X Wireless a run through its paces for the last few weeks to see if it’s one of the best gaming headsets out there.
Design and Features
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Tighter clamping force
- Excellent app control and decent endurance
The Arctis Nova 3X Wireless retains a similar design to its bigger brother, offering a more modern and sleeker look against the Arctis headsets of old – that is, before the Nova name was added a couple of years ago.
As expected for a circumstantially cheaper set of cans, construction is plastic, and it is the matted kind that can attract general grease and fingerprintiness if you aren’t too careful. The plastics feel durable, though, and the monochrome look gives them a meaner finish. As well as black, you can also get this headset in white, plus cutesier light blue and lavender purple shades.
Things have been sized down against the 5X model so the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless tips the scales at just 260g. That makes them seriously lightweight and non-fatiguing to wear for extended periods to the point you barely notice they’re on your bonce. The ear cushion are breathable fabric and feel pleasantly plush to the touch, too.
There is a tighter clamping force than you might anticipate, owing to the springiness of the headset’s signature suspension-style headband but because this SteelSeries option is so light, it doesn’t make them a pain to wear over a longer period of time. It provides two levels of adjustment, which limits the suitability for those with larger heads, but the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless makes up for it elsewhere with lots of earcup swivel to the point that they fold flat for easy stowage.
On-board controls have been pushed entirely to the left earcup. There you’ll find a mic mute button, volume wheel, power button. USB-C port and 3.5mm jack for the headset’s detachable microphone.
As for connectivity, we’ve got the same slim USB-C receiver found with the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. This opens the door for a low latency 2.4GHz connection to a wide range of supported devices. For this -X suffixed Xbox model, that includes Xbox and PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch (and Switch 2 with a recent update), mobile, and Steam Deck. The USB-C receiver has a handy toggle switch for between Xbox and PC, and is smaller than the one supplied with the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless to make it easily stowable.
Plus, there is Bluetooth 5.3 on board for non-gaming use, such as for listening to music and such, with support for more basic SBC and AAC codecs. Of course, I wasn’t expecting any form of aptX or LDAC for a humble gaming headset. As much as you can easily switch between the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth streams, you can only listen to audio through one channel at a time, which is okay.
The mobile app support is similar to this headset’s big brother, the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless, and miniaturises SteelSeries’ PC-based Sonar software into a lighter package for mobile use. With it, you can use some specific EQ presets for changing things such as bass and dialogue clarity in general listening, and also push the mid-range up to hear footsteps, for instance.
The real kicker, though, is the addition of over 200 game-specific audio presets that you can load at will, covering popular games such as Call of Duty, Fortnite, Mario Kart World and even more besides. It’s an enviable selection, and means you can get game-ready with whatever you’re playing literally at the touch of a button.
Battery life is a little disappointing against the Arctis Nova 5X Wireless, with SteelSeries rating this 3X model for up to 30 hours over the receiver and 40 hours over Bluetooth. That’s fine, if a little unremarkable these days. The fast charging has been improved, though, to provide up to nine hours of playback after just 15 minutes.
Audio and Microphone
- Clean and inoffensive audio
- Lacking in some low-end oomph by default
- Clear and solid microphone pickup
SteelSeries seems to have carved out a particular sound signature for these Arctis headsets, and the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless falls into largely similar territory thanks to its neodymium magnetic drivers that some have said are the same fitted to the older Arctis 7 flagship model.
This means we’re getting audio that’s smooth and refined, with a solid amount of mid-range and top-end detail that works well for both gaming and general media consumption. The mid-range is a little recessed, leading some elements to feel a smidgen pushed back in a mix, such as the vocals in Gloria Estefan’s 3-2-1, or in James Taylor’s Wandering.
There is a pleasant, if not unremarkable, amount of low-end, providing atmosphere to explosions in Counter Strike 2 and particularly rumbly engine notes in Forza Horizon 5. On the music side of things, my usual suite of heavier rock tracks, such as Rush’s Working Man or Marillion’s The Invisible Man, did feel like they were lacking a bit of grit. However, using the ‘Deep Bass’ EQ setting in the Sonar PC app or mobile app can bring some of that power back.
Some folks may call the sound that the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless emits as being quite flat, as they aren’t heavy-handed in their presentation of bass, mid-range or treble; however, that has the advantage of making them especially customisable with the aforementioned EQ presets and game-specific options.
What I was particularly impressed with the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless was with its wonderful width that gives it an almost cinematic quality. Positional awareness for footsteps, gunshots and explosions in Counter Strike 2 was second-to-none for this headset’s price, and only helped along further with the dedicated EQ preset that also provided a little more oomph in the low end.
That width also lends the soundstage in music to be far-reaching and detailed, such as with Earth, Wind & Fire’s September, or an atmospheric live cut of George Benson’s Affirmation.
The Arctis Nova 3X Wireless trades the retractable microphone of the 5X for a detachable boom option, although it doesn’t sacrifice any real quality with this decision. Its performance is in keeping with the preceding models, with surprisingly clear and full-bodied pickup alongside good rejection for nearby ambient noise, such as my mechanical keyboard.
Should you buy it?
You want a versatile headset
The Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is undoubtedly a versatile headset with its clever app support and seemingly endless compatible devices over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth methods.
You want stronger bass out of the box
Some folks may prefer a little more low-end grunt by default, which means you’ll be looking at other options against the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless.
Final Thoughts
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is a capable wireless gaming headset with precise, wide audio, a lightweight and comfortable fit and clever app control. It also has versatile wireless connectivity and decent battery life, although comes with quite a plastic build.
For the £99.99/$109.99 asking price, you’re getting most of what the dearer SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless offers without many sacrifices, making it a bit of a no-brainer if you want a cheaper, but still feature-rich Xbox headset. For more options though, check out our list of the best gaming headsets we’ve tested.
Trusted Score
How We Test
We use every headset we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of games, as well as playing music in order to get the full experience.
We also check each headset’s software (if applicable) to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
- We use every headset we test for at least a week.
- Use on as many platforms as possible to test versatility.
- Judge audio for both gaming and music playback.
- Use with multiple games to test audio.
FAQs
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless works with Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, mobile devices and PC. SteelSeries also lists Meta Quest devices and handheld devices on its compatibility list, too.
Test Data
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Full Specs
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £99.99 |
| USA RRP | $109.99 |
| Manufacturer | SteelSeries |
| Battery Hours | 40 00 |
| Size (Dimensions) | 175 x 90 x 185 MM |
| Weight | 260 G |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 14/08/2025 |
| Driver (s) | Neodymium magnetic drivers |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth |
| Frequency Range | 20 20000 – Hz |
| Headphone Type | Over-ear |
| Polar patterns | Omnidirectional |
| Compatibility | Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, mobile, handheld devices |
Trusted Score
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