Supported devices and peculiarities
On this test, we have the Arctis Nova 5P model, which is aimed at PlayStation players, who are always starved for more licensed headsets (let me remind you, you need the dongle for it to work). The hint is in the headband colour, which is tastefully blue. The Xbox model, titled Nova 5X, is green.
The PS5 is not the only device supported, though. The Arctis Nova 5P works with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, handheld devices like the Steam Deck, and mobile phones via either wireless USB-C or Bluetooth connectivity. The headset is also compatible with the Oculus Quest 2, though it is limited to audio-only functionality.
Really, the only platform that’s missing is Xbox. If that’s your main platform, I suggest the Nova 5X. And let’s be real: if you’re not phobic of the colour green, that’s the model to buy regardless, since it works with everything, for the same price of $129.99.
Before we go to the actual review, I want to mention a small “cheat” for those who feel like they might have ordered the wrong model. There’s a way to use the Nova 5P with every console you own, be it the Xbox Series X or the PS3 or the Wii U: all you require is a Bluetooth-capable TV, which you probably have at this point. You just need is to connect the headset to the TV and enjoy great sound with no perceivable latency. There’s one caveat: no voice chat. For that, you need the dongle (more on that later).
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Design
Gaming headsets used to be gaudy and off-putting to me, but lately, most companies have finally started releasing tasteful models that I am not ashamed of using in public. The Arctis Nova 5P is not that memorable, but it works. The blue headband in the colours of PlayStation is a classy touch, and the quality and lightweight materials make it one of the most convenient headsets I’ve ever used.
It’s not bulky, and it’s not here to prove anything to anyone. It does not look aggressive nor does it fight for attention. Not only that, but it’s functional in every way, and really, that’s the best thing you can say about a headset. When you first take it out of the box, its lightness (265 grams) becomes immediately apparent. The mesh upholstery is a nice touch, as it adds breathability that I sorely missed when using a headset with leather ear pads. Especially in the summer, when it’s scorching hot, no matter where you live.
Another thing I like about these are the on-ear controls. There’s a dedicated Power button, a volume dial and a button to quickly mute the microphone. The standout feature is the Quick-Switch button, which lets you toggle between the high-speed 2.4GHz wireless connection and Bluetooth 5.3, allowing you to effortlessly take calls or listen to music on the go without interrupting the gameplay. Neat!
The retractable mic is also there, with a fancy new chipset supporting 32KHz/16Bit audio. When you don’t need it, it’s practically invisible. Double neat!
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Sound
Now to the main point. No matter how many fancy features you throw at me, I don’t care if your headset does not sound great. And since the Arctis Nova 5P is quite compact, I had to make sure it can handle modern video games, music, and TV shows.
The headset features 40 mm neodymium drivers, providing a frequency response range of 20–22,000 Hz. With a sensitivity of 93 dBSPL and an impedance of 36 Ohm, it ensures clear and powerful audio. The total harmonic distortion is kept under 1%. Additionally, it supports 360° spatial audio, so in this case, Tempest 3D Audio for PS5.
And the sound is impressive. It’s clear and precise, and more immersive than I expected. It’s excellent at medium volume, but sometimes a bit too harsh when you turn it up. Once again, these drivers are doing a commendable job for a model this compact and light. When I launch Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, the explosions are deafening and the sounds of bullets are well-defined. In competitive shooters, you hear your opponent’s steps before it’s too late.
I tested the Arctis Nova 5P with all kinds of media. It works well with TV shows as well: the vocals are clear, and the scene is wide. No matter what I used, there was no issue with latency. It worked well both with my TCL TV and the Apple TV.
Even with music, the Arctis Nova 5P does not disappoint, offering a punchy and lively sound. That, along with a stealthy mic, makes this model a true all-rounder.
The mic quality is also great. It does a great job of getting rid of the noise.
Compatibility
So, the Arctis Nova 5P supports PlayStation consoles, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and handheld devices. Pretty much everything minus Xbox. But how well does it support them?
The way I see it, the Arctis Nova 5P is sold primarily for console players. It’s in the name, after all. That means that a user should be able to fully use it without any device other than their console and phone — since the app is so heavily advertised (more on that later). In my opinion, on that front, not everything is perfect, but it’s close.
You can use the headset with your PS5 right out of the box, no additional tinkering required. You can set up either a Bluetooth connection or use the dongle for 2.4 GHz. It works. It’s fine. I wish the dongle wasn’t this wide though: on my PS5, it blocks the other USB port. On my MacBook, it hides the Type-C port nearby. Still, there’s an easy remedy in the form of a bundled USB-C/USB-A dongle extension cable that you can use on the back of your PS5, completely hidden from view.
Also, the dongle I had for testing had a little defect that made it look a bit crooked. It does not affect its work but the dongle looks a bit sloppy.
The issues begin when you need to update the firmware. And you will, because out of the box, the headset has a few nasty bugs — like the one that prevented me from turning off the auto-showdown mode no matter how hard I tried. But updating the headset turned out to be harder than I anticipated, since the app does not offer such functionality. It shows me the version of the firmware without even telling me whether it’s up-to-date or not. A huge oversight on Steelseries’ part that will hopefully get remedied soon.
As far as I know, the only way to update the headset is with the help of a computer. I am an Apple guy, so that’s what I used. It wasn’t easy, too: the headset refused to be recognized by the GG app until I connected the dongle — even though the app should work with the BT connection, too. I feel like the macOS app needs a bit more polish.
Software
The Arctis Nova 5P model is a rare instance where software has been advertised more than the headset itself. This time, Steelseries took a lot of care developing the perfect companion app for gamers. The app, called SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, works only with this model, which made a lot of gamers understandably angry. I find it hard to believe that it can’t work with any of the other headsets, but that’s the party line.
The main idea here is to have over 100 presets for the most popular games. Each one is supposed to increase your enjoyment of a game — and possibly make you better at it. The idea of specific presets to increase a player’s awareness is nothing new, and brands like Creative have been promoting these features for years. Headsets like the SXFI AIR GAMER have had presets for shooter games for a while, but the Arctis Nova 5P takes it to the next level. In the case of Steelseries, they call it the “X-Ray Hearing.” A bit silly, but that’s what most of these presets do: they amplify the other player’s footsteps. For a competitive player, NOT having such a feature means being at a disadvantage.
Open the app, and you’ll see the long list of game titles. You can find here not only the most popular games among competitive gamers — games like Warzone, Fortnite, etc. — but also single-player titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy etc.
The list is impressive, aimed at pretty much every kind of player, from PC athletes to Nintendo casuals (like me). The inclusivity is a nice touch, and I can only hope that the list will keep growing. One small nitpick: with an impressive list like that, the search function is pretty much a must. Scrolling through the list every time I want to change the preset becomes tiring.
You can change the preset at any time, even during the gameplay — even in the 2.4 GHz mode. That made it very convenient to choose the preset I wanted, especially for games that are not supported. Since I play a lot of older console titles, I had to get creative. Most of the time, though, I was fine with the default Flat preset. I wish you could listen to Bluetooth and 2.4-GHz audio at the same time, though.
The BT mode also drains power a bit faster, but that’s hardly an issue with the battery that lasts up to 60 hours. That’s a LOT without even considering just how light and compact the headset is.
Verdict
Many gaming headsets make big promises and come with hefty price tags. The Arctis Nova 5P, though, seems worth its cost. It has a lot going for it: it’s sleek, it’s light, it has a great battery life. And above all, it sounds good! Its main selling point, the app, has potential, but still needs some work.