SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3: specifications
Compatibility: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Mobile
Drivers: 40 mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 22 kHz
Wireless: No
Weight: 8.9 oz
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 wasn’t exactly what I expected. Based on its name, I would have expected an upgraded version with no frills, just 3.5mm thick SteelSeries Arctis 3. Instead, the Nova 3 has more in common with USB enabled SteelSeries Arctis 5. Like the Arctis 5, the Nova 3 features USB connectivity, a solid software suite, and an asking price of just under $100. And just like the Arctis 5, the Nova 3 accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do.
The Arctis Nova 3 offers excellent gaming audio and a comfortable fit, and truthfully, that’s enough to merit a gaming headset recommendation. What further enhances the Arctis Nova 3 are its versatile connectivity options, useful software features, and its affordable price.
While the Nova 3 doesn’t play as well with consoles as it could, and has at least one questionable aesthetic choice, it’s still an excellent wired gaming headset, especially for PC gamers. Read on for our full Arctis Nova 3 review.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 review: Design
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 bears more than a passing resemblance to SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and the Steel Series Arctis Nova 7. That’s because SteelSeries recently redesigned the entire Arctis line to give the headset a more consistent, modern look. The Arctis Nova 3 has a plain black plastic chassis with a flexible headband, memory foam ear cups, and a SteelSeries logo surrounded by an LED ring on either side. It’s unobtrusive, if nothing else.
The right earcup is pretty barren, and only has a switch to activate or deactivate the RGB lighting. On the left, you’ll find most of the headset’s important features: volume dial, mic mute button, retractable mic, and USB-C port. This USB-C port is key to the entire organization, as it’s how the headset connects to a variety of different systems.
In addition to the USB-C-to-USB-C cable, the Nova 3 also comes with a USB-C-to-3.5-mm-jack cable, as well as a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. In theory, this means you can connect the headset to a gaming PC or PS5 via USB-C, Nintendo Switch via USB-A, Xbox Series X via 3.5mm and more.
However, in practice, the cables are a bit on the short side, and they don’t like to lie flat. Connecting the device to your living room console is virtually impossible, unless you buy a much longer cable. Even plugging the headset directly into a computer left me with a nearly taut cable constantly getting in the way of my keyboard. The Arctis Nova 3 is a versatile device, but you may have to augment it with your own cables and adapters.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 review: Convenience
Like other SteelSeries Arctis Nova headphones, the Nova 3 uses a slightly different design than the previous Arctis lineup. This time around, there’s a slightly narrower elasticated headband, along with an adjustable height of each earcup.
Once you maneuver everything into place, the Nova 3 feels comfortable to wear, even for hours on end.
As such, you can’t just throw the headset over your head and get a perfect fit; You will need to adjust the height of the arms as well. Since the arms do not have any notches or numbers, this can be a trial and error process.
However, once everything is maneuvered into place, the Nova 3 feels comfortable to wear, even for hours on end. Although it’s slightly narrower than older Arctis models, the headband feels less susceptible to wear and tear over time, which seems like a fair trade-off. Furthermore, “tight” has never translated to “uncomfortable,” at least in my experience. Even with my glasses on, I was able to wear the Nova 3 for extended periods of time with ease.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 review: Performance
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 excels when it comes to gaming audio. I tested the device with Age of Empires IV, Doom Eternal, Midnight from Marvel And the Final Fantasy XIV on PC, and came away impressed with the performance across the board. Whether I was building a medieval village with cold chain arrangements in the background or listening to the trials and tribulations of a feuding superhero team, Arctis Nova 3 did an excellent job of balancing the music, sound effects, and voice work.
In fact, the Arctis Nova 3 can look particularly good with different types of games thanks to its customizable SteelSeries Engine software. You can activate SteelSeries Sonar, which confirms footsteps and other FPS sounds, and you can do so with or without surround sound. Sonar supports individual profiles for games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II And the Elden ring. Even if you just stick to standard stereo, you can boost the bass or create your own EQ profile. Engine software can boost the Nova 3’s volume from “good” to “awesome” without much effort on your part.
Whether I was building a medieval village with cold chain arrangements in the background or listening to the trials and tribulations of a feuding superhero team, Arctis Nova 3 did an excellent job of balancing the music, sound effects, and voice work.
The headset also handles music quite well. I’ve listened to tracks from Flogging Molly, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Rolling Stones, and GF Handel with the Nova 3. As a gaming headset, the Nova 3 admittedly shines on the bass end, but aside from that, the music comes through clearly. Warmth and immediacy. It won’t satisfy audiophiles, but it’s more than good enough for everyday listening.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 review: Features
You can customize a lot about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 via the SteelSeries Engine software. In addition to all the sound settings, you can also adjust the device’s lighting settings, as well as microphone volume and side tone. (By the way, my coworkers describe the headset’s microphone as “excellent,” so it should work just fine for both video chats and multiplayer matches.)
Lighting is probably my least favorite feature of the Arctis Nova 3, even though it’s completely optional. Each earcup has a small LED ring surrounding the SteelSeries logo, and you can program this ring to be any color, or combination of colors, that you want. I never understood RGB lighting on headphones (you can’t see it!), and the Nova 3 is no exception. My big objection here is that the lighting has a full button dedicated to it, and I’m wondering if that space might be a better place for the mute or mic buttons, reducing clutter on the left earcup. I also wonder if the device would be a bit cheaper without this weird feature.
On the other hand, the Nova 3’s best feature is the number of different gaming systems it can work with — though iOS devices seem out of the question, as there are no USB-C or 3.5mm connections. What’s more, you can only connect to Xbox controllers via the 3.5mm jack, which limits audio quality and customization.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 review: The verdict
While the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 does make some small missteps, it’s hard to single out any major flaws. The device fits well and looks great. It’s easy to control, easy to customize and easy to afford. I wish the wires were a bit longer and more flexible – but if you don’t want to deal with them at all, you might be better off with Arctis Nova 7 instead of.
In fact, during my time with the Nova 3, I found myself pining for the Nova 7’s wireless efficiency and more robust feature set instead. However, at $180, the Nova 7 costs nearly twice as much as the Nova 3, and for under $100 it’s really hard to find a headset that looks as good, sounds as good, or performs as well as the Nova 3.
Simply put, if you’re willing to spend $180 on a SteelSeries headset, the Arctis Nova 7 gets my recommendation. And if not, you can’t go wrong with the Arctis Nova 3.
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