The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite Headset: Worth the $599.99 Price Tag?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset is undeniably impressive, and its hefty price tag of $599.99 / £599.99 reflects that.

It’s unfortunate, as many gamers may find it hard to justify spending that much on a single headset, especially when it costs more than a brand new PS5. However, for those seeking top-tier audio quality, the Nova Elite delivers. It stands out as the first fully certified Hi-Res wireless headset, allowing audiophiles to enjoy lossless audio without the constraints of a cable. While it’s primarily designed for PC gamers—since consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S don’t support Hi-Res audio—it still shines in a multi-platform setup.

The Nova Elite incorporates the best features of its sibling, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, including hot-swappable batteries and the Game Hub (formerly known as the Base Station). It can connect to four platforms simultaneously, enabling you to mix audio from all sources without any loss in quality. With its new Carbon Fiber audio drivers and striking green and gold accents, this headset is a luxurious choice for serious gamers.

I received the Sage Green variant for review, and the gold accents, particularly the volume dial and microphone grill, add a touch of elegance. While I typically prefer silver, I found the golden shimmer hard to resist during my two weeks of testing. The light sage green color also contributes to its aesthetic appeal, and I appreciate the subtle design upgrades.

Functionally, the Elite mirrors the Pro, featuring the same over-ear design, elastic headband, and soft edges. The left ear cup houses the power button, mic mute, volume dial, retractable microphone, and a 3.5mm port for wired connections. The volume dial, now gold, has a textured surface for easy adjustment while wearing the headset.

The left cup also includes a quick switch button and the hot-swappable battery compartment. Like the Pro Wireless, it comes with two batteries that can be charged via the Game Hub, and the magnetic side panels make swapping them a breeze. Additionally, the Elite is compatible with a variety of Booster Packs for those looking to customize its appearance.

The standout feature of the Arctis Nova Elite is its certification as the world’s first Hi-Res audio headset, allowing gamers to experience superior sound quality without being tethered. Many audiophile headphones lack the gaming features expected from a headset, but the Nova Elite supports higher sampling rates and bit depths than standard CD quality (96kHz/24-bit), providing an exceptional audio experience. However, not all gaming platforms support Hi-Res audio; for instance, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S max out at 48k/16bit. If you have a desktop PC, you can enable Hi-Res audio through the Game Hub and Windows settings for a richer sound.

To support this high-end audio output, the Nova Elite features updated 40mm carbon fiber audio drivers secured with a brass ring, delivering a frequency range of 10-40,000 Hz—something the Pro Wireless can only achieve when wired. The headset also boasts improved active noise canceling, with a 4-Mic Hybrid system and dense foam ear cups that effectively isolate external sounds, much to the relief of those around you.

The Game Hub serves as the heart of the Nova Elite, allowing connections to up to four audio sources simultaneously. This upgraded Base Station enables seamless mixing of audio from multiple sources without distortion.

You can also customize EQ settings, volume, and chat mix through the Game Hub, which charges one of the hot-swappable batteries. A fully charged battery provides up to 30 hours of playback, ensuring you won’t have to worry about running out of power as long as you keep one in the Hub.

The retractable ClearCast Gen 2.X Boom mic on the left cup offers a frequency response of 100-14,000 Hz and features built-in AI Noise Rejection to filter out background noise.

The headset comes with a matching carrying case in Sage Green, featuring a zip pocket and a magnetic snap closure. However, given its premium price, a more robust case would have been appreciated, especially when compared to other high-end headsets that include hard-shell cases.

In my experience, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the best-sounding headset I’ve tested. Transitioning from the Elite to a more budget-friendly headset highlighted the significant difference in audio quality. The Nova Elite was primarily used with my gaming PC, as consoles like the PS5 don’t support Hi-Res audio. After connecting the Game Hub and enabling Hi-Res audio in Windows 11, I jumped into Counter-Strike 2 to see how the Elite performed.

During my time in the tutorial, I found myself needing to take breaks due to the headset’s impressive sound clarity. The gunfire and explosions were so vivid that I could feel the audio reverberating. Among all the headsets I’ve used for CS2, the Elite provided the most realistic sound experience, with its spatial audio capabilities making footsteps and nearby explosions feel incredibly immersive.

To further test its audio performance, I played Marvel Rivals, where the headset balanced the loud character abilities and dynamic soundtrack beautifully. The clarity of sound effects, especially with the recent addition of Deadpool, was striking, making me consider switching to PC gaming for a change.

What stood out to me with the Elite, compared to the Pro Wireless, was the balanced soundstage. The 10-40,000 Hz frequency range ensured that all sound frequencies were rich and clear. In all my years of testing headsets, I’ve never experienced audio this good.

While my PC is the only platform I have that supports Hi-Res audio, I still tested the Elite with other systems. Marvel Rivals on the PS5 sounded fantastic, even without Hi-Res support. Having used the Pro Wireless with my console for a while, I was pleased to find that the Elite delivered a similar level of audio quality.

In busy moments of gameplay, such as during character Ultimates, the Elite maintained its performance without faltering. I also played single-player titles like Doom Eternal and Death Stranding Director’s Cut, where the sound quality was equally impressive. The expansive frequency range allowed for deep bass and clear highs, making every gaming experience immersive.

One of the key features of the Nova Elite is its ability to connect to multiple sources and mix audio simultaneously. While my desktop PC and consoles are in separate rooms, I did connect the headset to my work laptop and PC, making it easy to participate in meetings without needing multiple headsets.

I tested the mixing feature by playing music from both my laptop and desktop simultaneously, and while I didn’t find a personal use for it, it worked seamlessly for those who might need it.

The retractable microphone is another highlight. While I usually recommend a high-quality condenser mic for serious gaming setups, the Nova Elite’s mic comes close. My voice was clear during gameplay, and the SteelSeries GG software allowed for EQ adjustments and noise control settings.

I used the mic extensively while playing the indie game Repo, where it picked up my voice perfectly, even during quiet moments. Just be cautious of your volume, as it can easily pick up even the softest sounds.

For audiophiles considering whether the Elite can replace their high-res headphones for casual listening, I found it enjoyable for music as well. Listening to lossless FLAC tracks from local bands was a treat, with clarity that rivaled live performances.

The noise-canceling capabilities of the Elite are the best I’ve encountered. Whether I was immersed in gaming or listening to music, outside noise was effectively blocked out, allowing for a focused experience.

Recommending the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is challenging due to its $599.99 / £599.99 price point. While it’s the best headset I’ve used, not everyone can justify such an expense, especially in today’s economic climate. For many, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless may be a more practical choice, particularly for console gamers who won’t benefit from the Elite’s Hi-Res audio capabilities.

Additionally, the difference in audio quality may not be noticeable to the average listener, making the price gap between the Elite and the Pro Wireless hard to justify. However, for audiophiles with high-res libraries, the Elite offers an unparalleled experience.

If you’re after the best sound quality available, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the way to go. It provides Hi-Res audio without the hassle of wires and is designed specifically for gaming, making it a top choice for serious gamers willing to invest in their audio experience.

I spent more than the usual two weeks testing the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, using it as my primary headset for various gaming sessions and media consumption. I played a wide range of games on my PC and PS5, and even enjoyed music and shows through the headset.

For those looking for alternatives, there are plenty of great options available for different budgets, including the best PC headsets, Nintendo Switch headsets, and PS5 headsets.