There are two questions to settle before buying a Nova 3 Wireless. Which console will use the dongle? And do you want to switch to your phone or hear its audio over the game? This headset is convenient for switching, with an edition choice that matters to Xbox owners.
In depth
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review
Published
Best forConsole players who want game-specific EQ and a wireless mic without running PC software.
At a glance
- Noise cancellation
- Not supported
- Weight
- 260 g
- Battery life
- Over 30 h (no ANC hardware)
- Connections
- Bluetooth 5.3Quick-SwitchUSB-C 2.4 GHz dongle
Pros
- Mobile presets put game-specific EQ within reach on a console.
- A detachable boom allows use away from a gaming setup.
Cons
- The selected 3P edition lacks Xbox wireless support.
- Quick-Switch changes sources rather than mixing them.
Connectivity
- 3P or 3X edition
- 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3
Pick 3X for Xbox wireless support. The white 3P configuration is the PlayStation-oriented choice. The USB-C dongle handles game audio, and a button switches to Bluetooth when a call takes priority. If you need to talk on a phone app throughout a console game, switching interrupts the game feed.
Sound & Microphone
- Mobile game presets
- Detachable ClearCast microphone
The companion app lets a console player select a preset without leaving the game to run a desktop utility. Tom’s Guide recorded speech with a program playing nearby; the voice stayed intelligible. That result concerns what teammates hear, while the closed cushions provide the listener’s passive isolation. 1
Fit & Battery
- 260 g
- 30+ hours over 2.4 GHz
A stretch band supports the frame and the ear cushions can be removed. SteelSeries gives separate figures for game wireless and Bluetooth, with the latter rated over 40 hours. A claimed nine hours from a 15-minute charge is especially useful when the headset comes out only for a weekly multiplayer session.
Alternatives
If you own a wired Nova 3 and the cable from the controller never gets in the way, mobile adjustment and wireless freedom are the reasons to change. If phone conversations have to play over game audio, make simultaneous mixing a purchase requirement before comparing battery or preset counts.
Verdict
The Nova 3 Wireless suits console players who like adjusting the sound for different games. Choose the dongle edition for every console you expect to use, including an Xbox you may share with another member of the household.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Tom’s GuideSteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review (opens in a new tab)https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/gaming-peripherals/steelseries-arctis-nova-3-wireless-review
Recorded speech during background playback; the detachable microphone maintained understandable voice.