SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
Quick take: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless costs $55 less; the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless lasts longer per charge (60 hrs); only the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 supports multipoint (two devices at once).
Which one to buy
Same family, same ski-band headband, same 15-minutes-for-6-hours fast charge, same Xbox catch (you need the X variant of either). The $55 gap between them buys one feature: the Nova 7 Gen 2 plays 2.4GHz game audio and Bluetooth at the same time and mixes them in the headset, so Discord or a phone call from your phone runs over the game. The Nova 5 switches between the two quickly but doesn't mix them. If you've never wanted to hear your phone and your game at once, most of the Nova 7's premium is gone.
At that point the cheaper one often comes out ahead. Its mic is the better of the two: owners praise the Nova 5's 32kHz retractable boom and describe the Nova 7's as thin, tinny and prone to picking up room noise over wireless. It claims 60 hours to the Nova 7's 50 (owners measure about 48 of heavy use, about 40 with Bluetooth running too). Its phone companion app gives console players 100+ game EQ presets without a PC, though the Nova 7 Gen 2 also added a mobile app for EQ without a PC.
The Nova 7's other real advantage is room for bigger ears. The Nova 5's cup openings run small, and larger-eared owners report their ears touching the padding over long sessions, which is a main reason its owner sentiment trails the Nova 7's. Both need EQ out of the box. Nova 5 owners call it bass-heavy, and some Nova 7 owners call theirs tinny until they tune it in Sonar.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
For when you want game audio and your phone or Discord mixed live in the headset, or your ears are too big for the Nova 5's cups. Try to catch it on sale near $130-150.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
If switching between dongle and Bluetooth is enough for you. It has the better mic and longer battery for $55 less.
| Spec | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$175 | ~$120 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gaming Headsets | Gaming Headsets |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 50 hrs | 60 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = 6 hr | 15 min = 6 hr |
| Codecs | 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth (simultaneous), USB-C | 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | No |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Weight | — | 265 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
- ✓Mixes 2.4GHz game audio and Bluetooth phone audio at the same time
- ✓50+ hour battery with 15 min = 6 hr fast charge over USB-C
- ✓Elastic headband and fabric pads stay comfortable across long sessions
- ✓New companion app brings EQ and settings to console/mobile players
- ✓Sonar software on PC adds spatial audio and 200+ game presets
- ✓Retractable mic with red mute light — nothing to unplug or lose
- ✓Works on PC, PS5/PS4, Switch, and mobile from one USB-C dongle
- ✗Base model is NOT Xbox compatible — you need the Nova 7X for that
- ✗Mic sounds thin and compressed next to Cloud III or PRO X class boom mics
- ✗Treble can turn sharp and sibilant at higher volumes
- ✗Only a marginal upgrade over the original Nova 7
- ✗Wide USB-C dongle can block adjacent ports
- ✗No ANC, and passive isolation is mediocre
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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless: common questions
Is simultaneous Bluetooth on the Nova 7 worth $55 over the Nova 5?▾
Only if you'll use it. Owners who take phone calls mid-game or keep Discord on a phone while playing on PS5 call it the reason to buy the Nova 7. If you only ever listen to one source at a time, the Nova 5's quick-switch covers you.
Does the Nova 5 or the Nova 7 Gen 2 have the better mic for Discord?▾
The Nova 5. Its 32kHz retractable boom draws praise rather than complaints, while Nova 7 Gen 2 owners describe their mic as thin and quick to pick up keyboard noise. The cheaper headset has the better mic.
Does the Nova 7 Gen 2 or the Nova 5 fit larger ears better?▾
The Nova 7 Gen 2. The Nova 5's small cup openings are its known weak spot, with some owners reporting their ears pressing against the inside padding over hours.