I've been using the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless for a week — and it's the only headset I need for my PS5 and Switch 2
The headset is extremely comfortable, thanks to its memory foam earcups and elastic headband, and it comes with a detachable boom mic that sounds loud and clear. Also, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is compatible with a plethora of consoles — including the Nintendo Switch 2. It's basically the only headset you'll ever need for your gaming ecosystem.
Is this one of the best wireless gaming headsets? Without a doubt. Should you buy it? Read my full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review to find out.
Specs
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless
Price
$109 / £99
Colors
Aqua, Lavender, White, Black
Platforms
PC, macOS, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2
Connectivity
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, 3.5mm wired
Battery
Rechargeable
Battery life (Bluetooth, rated)
40 hours
Battery life (2.4GHz, rated)
30 hours
Frequency response
20-22,000Hz
Drivers
40mm Neodymium
Paired devices max
2
Multipoint connectivity
Yes
Microphone
Bidirectional, detachable
Weight
8.28oz
From its comfortable memory foam earcups and multi-platform compatibility to its ability to create immersive soundscapes, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is — dare I say it — a steal.
When it comes to gaming headsets, you want a set of extremely comfortable cans so that you can keep playing for hours on end — and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is just that. Firstly, this is an extremely light headset, weighing just 8.28oz, and it's even lighter than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 ($129, 9.34oz), the Cherry XTRFY H3 ($99, 11.46oz) and the Asus ROG Pelta ($129, 10.89oz).
The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless' earcups are extremely comfortable, made of what SteelSeries calls 'AirWeave' memory foam. I much prefer memory foam cups over leather/leatherette ones as they're more breathable and your ears don't get too hot — and sweat doesn't pool either. The earcups also fully rotate to become flat for easy transport.
I also like the elastic headband located under the plastic one, as it can be adjusted at three levels for optimal comfort. It elevates any pressure you may feel on the top of your head otherwise, making for a more comfortable fit.
I wore the headset for a six-hour-long gaming session and didn't feel any discomfort, so that's fantastic. The headband also doubles as a hairband, keeping my hair slicked back and preventing it from covering my eyes. Overall, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless feels just as comfortable as the pricier Arctis Nova 5 and the ROG Pelta.
Just like its bigger sibling, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is compatible with virtually every console. There are two variants available: one for Xbox (Arctis Nova 3X) and another for PlayStation (Arctis Nova 3P). The former is compatible with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One, while the latter works with the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
Regardless of which model you choose, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless will also be compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS, iOS, Android, Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 2. This headset is basically the only headset you need for your gaming ecosystem. I tested the Arctis Nova 3P with my OG Switch, Switch 2, MacBook Pro M1 and PS5 Slim, and it worked like a charm across all devices.
Ever since I first tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, I've loved the Arctis companion app. It's easy to use thanks to its user-friendly interface, and it enables you to adjust the equalizer to an exhaustive degree.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless also utilizes the Arctis app, and there are hundreds of game-tailored presets to choose from, including the latest titles, such as Mario Kart World, Assassin's Creed Shadows and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, to name a few.
It's important to note that not every preset adds something substantial to the sound. For instance, presets for FPS titles (such as Call of Duty) only increase the volume ever so slightly so that gunshots sound louder. You notice the difference between the Flat and custom presets the most when playing more sound-oriented titles, such as stealth-based games where hearing footsteps is crucial to strategy and survival. The presets I tested with the titles in the next section worked exceptionally well, though.
If you want a gaming headset to make you feel like the main character, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless should be on your radar. The headset is fitted with 40mm Neodymium drivers with a frequency response of 20Hz-22KHz, so you can hear the softest and loudest of sounds clearly. These are the same drivers you'll find in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, so rest assured that you're getting top-notch performance.
The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless also features 360-degree Spatial Audio so you can hear audio coming from every direction. It's compatible with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound on Xbox — both of which can be set up in the respective console's settings.
I tested the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless by playing a few games on my PS5 Slim, OG Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and not once was I disappointed by the headset's capability to create immersive, detailed soundscapes.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is one of my favorite games and one of the best in the franchise (go argue with a wall), so I had to test out the AC Shadows preset. I'm pleased to share that it works very well. It basically makes footsteps more pronounced so even when it's pouring down and you're infiltrating a castle, you can still hear enemy footsteps clearly amidst the heavy raindrops hitting the ground.
As for combat, I could clearly hear my shurikens piercing the air and fading appropriately as I threw them from a distance. The swipes of my katana became more pronounced, too, as did blood splatters when I successfully attacked an enemy. There was also a noticeable difference between Yasuke's heavy and Naoe's light steps, which I hadn't noticed as much before.
With the default Flat preset, Mario Kart World sounds just like it would through any other set of cans, but with the Mario Kart World preset enabled, the sound of your vehicle's tires hitting the gravel becomes more pronounced, as does the soundtrack. The game's soundtrack is stunning and the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless does it justice, as you can even hear low bass notes — which I haven't been able to hear through, say, the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit ($27).
The headset's 360-degree Spatial Audio works well here, as you can clearly hear NPCs approaching you from either direction. Because of this, I was able to gauge their positions without toggling the rearview camera, and even threw my shells and boomerangs at them based on sound alone. This also made the game more immersive.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is one of the GOATs (and this no one can really argue with), so I played a couple of hours of it on the OG Switch. There are presets for both ToTK and Breath of the Wild, and toggling either adds the same sound features to the sequel.
I love how clearly you can hear your trusty steed's hooves hitting the grass as you gallop through Hyrule's lush fields, and the water splashing when your horse (or Link) walks or runs through a body of water sounds clear and immersive, and effortlessly blends with the ambient music playing in the background.
Having a clear mic is a very important aspect of a good gaming headset, and lucky for you, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless nails this. The headset comes with a detachable (unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 that features a retractable mic) bidirectional noise-canceling mic with a frequency response of 100Hz-10KHz, and it works like a charm.
As is the nature of bidirectional mics, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless' mic picks up sounds from the front and the back while reducing incoming sound from the sides. I recorded myself speaking into the mic without anything playing in the background, and I sound clear in the clip above, with every word easily discernible.
I then put an episode of Schitt's Creek in the background and recorded myself speaking once again, to see if the headset isolated my voice. Bear in mind that the episode was playing at 75% volume on my smartphone, which I was holding in my hand. As you can hear in the clip above, the noise-canceling mic has done a good job of reducing the episode's sound, and you can still hear me loud and clear — ideal!
There isn't much wrong with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, but multipoint connectivity comes with a caveat, and the build feels too plasticky.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless features multipoint connectivity… with a caveat. If you're using the included 2.4GHz dongle plugged into your console, you can connect the headset to your smartphone via Bluetooth and listen to both sources simultaneously.
However, this isn't true in the case of the Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch 2, probably due to limitations of the hardware. It worked fine with my PS5 Slim but not with Nintendo's handheld consoles. You can't connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, either, so this is just something to keep in mind.
While I like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless' minimalist design, I wish it didn't feel so plasticky. I wouldn't have had a massive issue with this if the headset didn't cost $109 / £99 at Amazon. The all-plastic build looks and feels cheap and not what you'd expect from a headset that costs nearly (or upwards of) $100. The Cherry XTRFY H3, for instance, costs the same, but it never felt or looked like it wasn't a premium headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is one of the best gaming headsets I've had the pleasure of using. Firstly, it's extremely comfortable, enabling you to play games for hours on end. Its memory foam earcups are super breathable. Secondly, the headset makes games sound extremely immersive, thanks to its 40mm drivers and accompanying 200+ game-tailored presets.
It also comes with a detachable boom mic that makes your voice sound loud and clear, and I really like that the headset is compatible with almost every console, making the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless the only gaming headset you'll ever need. However, it isn't perfect, as its build feels and looks plasticky, and multipoint connectivity comes with a caveat: you can't connect two Bluetooth devices simultaneously to the headset.
Regardless, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is a force to be reckoned with — and honestly, it makes real life sound boring now.
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