Gaming headsets · Ranked #5 of 12 · Best premium gaming headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

86
Highly rated
Average of 7 professional reviews
6 of 7 recommend it · broad agreement
Where the 7 reviews landedRange 70–95
Score printed by the outlet Estimated from the verdict

Exact average 86.1 · 6 printed, 1 estimated · printed scores only: 87

SteelSeries Arctis Nova EliteImage: SteelSeries

7 professional reviewers tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: sound quality and comfort. Most common complaint: price.

Reviewed by Expert Reviews, TechRadar, Trusted Reviews and 4 more

The catch: It is extremely expensive, with weak noise cancelling.

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What 7 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 95
    Expert ReviewsThe outlet's top rating, counted as 95 · Hands-on review · 2026

    Summer-long testing led the reviewer to call it the most comfortable, best-sounding and best-communicating gaming headset they have used.

    Read Expert Reviews review
  2. 95
    TechRadarThe outlet's top rating, counted as 95 · Hands-on review · 2025

    The reviewer calls it the best gaming headset they have tested after weeks of daily use on PC and PS5, including as audiophile headphones.

    Read TechRadar review
  3. 90
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2025

    A class-leading gaming headset with detailed audio, versatile wireless connectivity and a comfortable stylish fit.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  4. 90
    Pocket TacticsHands-on review · 2025

    A luxury gaming headset with superb sound, great hot-swappable battery and comfort that the reviewer calls hard to beat if price is no object.

    Read Pocket Tactics review
  5. 80
    The VergeHands-on review · 2025

    After a month of testing the reviewer prefers it to the Nova Pro, citing improved comfort, materials, hi-res audio and an excellent swappable battery system.

    Read The Verge review
  6. 70
    Tom's GuideHands-on review · 2026

    A very good headset with fantastic sound, comfort and battery, but the $600 price is hard to justify.

    Read Tom's Guide review
  7. 83est.
    The IndependentNo printed score · Buying guide

    Named the best premium gaming headset, with superb hi-res sound, all-day comfort and multi-device connectivity.

    Read The Independent review

"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates

What critics praise most

Sound quality7 of 7
Comfort6 of 7
Connectivity3 of 7

What critics dislike most

Price6 of 7

Other gaming headsets critics rate highly

Sony Inzone H6 AirImage: Sony
Top pick, narrowlySony Inzone H6 Air4 reviews · critics agree91
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro OmniImage: SteelSeries
Best multiplatform gaming headsetSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni5 reviews · broad agreement90
SteelSeries Arctis GameBudsImage: SteelSeries
Best gaming earbudsSteelSeries Arctis GameBuds7 reviews · broad agreement89
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro WirelessImage: SteelSeries
Most reviewed pickSteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless13 reviews · broad agreement88

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Common questions

Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite worth it?

Most critics think so: 6 of 7 recommend it. It is extremely expensive, with weak noise cancelling.

Do critics agree about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite?

Broad agreement: scores range from 70 (Tom's Guide) to 95 (Expert Reviews), a spread of 25 points across 7 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.

What do critics dislike about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite?

Price (6 of 7 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite?

The Sony Inzone H6 Air (critic score 91), top pick, narrowly.