SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless vs Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
Quick take: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless lasts longer per charge (60 hrs).
Which one to buy
Pick the headset by what annoys you more: charging every few days, or teammates asking you to repeat yourself. The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is the mic-and-sound headset: owners call its omni boom mic one of the best attached mics in the class, and its 50mm drivers with Dolby Atmos on PC sound spacious. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is the battery-and-flexibility headset: rated for 60 hours (owners see about 48 under heavy use, and about 40 with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz both running), it adds Bluetooth alongside the dongle, and its phone app gives console players more than 100 game EQ presets without a PC.
Battery is the HS80's weak spot. It's rated for 20 hours, owners measure 12-15 with RGB on, and the most serious long-term complaint is cells fading to 6-8 hours within months. Some units develop faults where the battery drains completely. It does play wired over USB-C while charging, but it has no Bluetooth and no 3.5mm. The Nova 5's complaints are about fit and tuning instead: small cup openings that larger ears barely fit into, and bass-heavy sound until you pick a preset.
The weight difference is large: 265g against 368g, though the Corsair's ski band spreads the load well and suits glasses. Its pads run hot after about 45 minutes. For compatibility, both work with PC and PlayStation, the Nova 5 adds Switch, and neither supports Xbox (that needs the Nova 5X or a different Corsair model).
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
If you hate charging, play on Switch or PS5 and want EQ from your phone, or want Bluetooth for your phone. Check that your ears fit the cups first.
Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
Worth it when teammates hearing you clearly matters most and you play on PC or PS5 with a charging cable nearby. Turn off the RGB to save battery.
| Spec | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless | Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$120 | ~$120 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gaming Headsets | Gaming Headsets |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 60 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = 6 hr | — |
| Codecs | 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C | Slipstream 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 50 mm |
| Weight | 265 g | 368 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
- ✓60-hour battery outlasts the more expensive Nova 7
- ✓Companion phone app with 100+ game-specific EQ presets — rare for console users
- ✓Light 265g build with comfortable elastic headband
- ✓15 min = 6 hr USB-C fast charge
- ✓Quick-switch between 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3
- ✓Retractable mic is solid for party chat and Discord
- ✓Regularly discounted to $80-100
- ✗Base model is NOT Xbox compatible — the Nova 5X variant covers Xbox
- ✗Cannot run 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously like the Nova 7
- ✗Shallow ear cups — owners with larger ears report rubbing and weak seal
- ✗Passive noise isolation is mediocre and there is no ANC
- ✗Default tuning is safe rather than exciting without EQ
Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
- ✓Boom mic quality embarrasses most headsets at any price
- ✓Detailed 50mm drivers with Dolby Atmos support on PC
- ✓Full EQ and customization via iCUE
- ✓Low-latency Slipstream dongle for PC, Mac, PS5/PS4
- ✓USB-C wired mode lets you keep playing while charging
- ✓Floating headband distributes weight well for most heads
- ✗No Xbox support and no Bluetooth or 3.5mm fallback
- ✗20-hour rated battery; owners see 12-15 with RGB on
- ✗Heavy at 368g and runs warm
- ✗Elastic headband fit is divisive — tight on large heads
- ✗Some owners report ear-pad fabric wearing after months
- ✗Mic is non-detachable
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless vs Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless: common questions
Does the HS80's omni boom mic beat the Nova 5's retractable mic on Discord?▾
Both draw praise. Owners rank the HS80's broadcast-style omni mic among the best attached mics in gaming, and it's the headset's main selling point, though it often needs gain boosted in iCUE first. The Nova 5's retractable mic is one of the better retractables in its class, and its owners report few of the usual slide-out mic complaints.
How bad is the HS80's battery really?▾
It's the headset's biggest problem. The 20-hour rating becomes 12-15 hours with RGB on, and some owners report it fading to 6-8 hours within months. The Nova 5's 60-hour rating holds at about 40-48 hours in real mixed use.
Does the Nova 5 or the HS80 RGB Wireless work with Xbox?▾
Neither does. The Nova 5 needs the separate 5X variant for Xbox, and the HS80 RGB Wireless supports PC, Mac and PlayStation only.