Hardware

Published on July 20th, 2025 | by Adrian Gunning

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Headset Review

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Headset, retailing for $199 AUD (July 2025), boasts an over-ear, closed-back design with powerful 40 mm neodymium drivers that produce deep bass plus mid to high-range clarity that makes it perfect for both competitive gaming and media playback. It also perfectly blends lightweight durability with luxurious AirWeave memory-foam ear cups that cradle your head gently so that even marathon gaming sessions pass without discomfort.

The elastic suspension headband conforms to every contour without ever feeling tight, distributing weight (260 grams in total) so evenly that you’ll almost forget the headset is there as you lose yourself in each gaming world. Yep, it’s pretty darn comfortable and comes in four great colours that includes black, white, Aqua (Blue) and Lavender (purple) which we reviewed. The on ear controls are also conveniently located that include – Volume/ChatMix Dial, Power/Pairing/Quick-Switch Button Mute Button.

Besides Xbox compatibility, it also supports PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Mac, VR plus mobile. Pairing to your intended device is via the low-latency 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle (PC/Xbox), Bluetooth or a wired option through the 3.5 mm jack when you need to preserve battery or prefer direct output. Quick-Switch Wireless technology lets you toggle between those two wireless modes at the tap of the power button so you can finish your Call of Duty Black Ops 6 mission on the Xbox Series X and then jump into a phone call without wrestling with menus.

Box Contents

Equipped with 40 mm Neodymium drivers the Nova 3X delivers bass that thunders with authority without smothering the mids and highs and brings spatial audio to life through support for 360° Spatial Audio Tempest 3D on PlayStation and Microsoft Spatial Sound on Xbox so every footstep echo and distant engine hum emerges with uncanny precision. Setup is super easy and I had no issues on the PC, Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch 2… or my Google Pixel 9.

However if you want to fully maximise the headset, the Sonar Audio Suite app is your one stop shop that gives you access to audio tuning, capture tools, firmware updates and profile management in a single intuitive interface that eliminates the need for multiple apps cluttering your system. The Sonar Audio Suite transforms the Arctis Nova 3X into a pro-grade audio station by offering a fully parametric equaliser, AI noise reduction, separate game and chat mixers, true 360° spatial audio and over two hundred game-specific presets while Engine drives seamless firmware updates, sidetone adjustments, RGB lighting control and onboard EQ profile storage so your customised settings follow the headset across PC, Xbox and mobile ensuring you enjoy your perfect soundscape instantly whether you are diving into competitive esports or immersive single-player worlds.

The detachable ClearCast Gen 2.X boom microphone stands as a testament to SteelSeries’s expertise in voice clarity its bidirectional noise-cancelling pattern cutting through ambient distractions so only your voice reaches the squad and not the hum of your PC or the murmur of a busy household. The pop-filter refinement and AI-enhanced Sonar algorithms ensure every word lands with studio-quality crispness and the simplicity of snapping the mic on or off transforms the Nova 3X into both a battle-ready headset and a discreet travel companion.

Battery life proves equally compelling, delivering up to thirty hours of wireless play when tethered via the 2.4 GHz dongle and climbing to forty hours over Bluetooth, while a mere fifteen-minute charge restores as much as nine hours of use so even the longest sessions or unexpected travel days never leave you scrambling for an outlet. Firmware updates install transparently through SteelSeries GG and any RGB adjustments when wired complete the package without ever feeling like an afterthought.

Games on the PC (Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Stellar Blade) and the Xbox Series X (Diablo IV, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Fortnite) all sounded phenomenal on this headset as it successfully created these gaming worlds with impressive audio. Additionally, music, streaming, online gaming and taking phone calls posed no issues with SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Headset.

Final Thoughts?

In conclusion, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless emerges as a consummate all-rounder that outshines many pricier rivals through its harmonious blend of comfort audio fidelity and cross-platform versatility. For gamers who demand one headset to conquer esports arenas, console epic adventures and mobile play without significant compromise the Nova 3X achieves that lofty goal with style and substance and after using this headset religiously for the last 2+ weeks, I cannot fault it.

Highlights

• Presets for Call of Duty, Fortnite, and more to hear footsteps better in game, controlled via the mobile app
• Optimized fast charging brings 9 hours of use after only 15 minutes, and up to 40 hours when fully charged
• Comfort and Durability weighing only 260G with a durable dual-hinge design
• Neodymium Magnetic Drivers are custom-design to produce crystal clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass
• USB-C Plug & Play for Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Mac, VR, handhelds, mobile, and more
• Quick-Switch Bluetooth — Press the power button to instantly swap between mobile and gaming

About the Author

Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.

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