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Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Review

Nikshep Myle Avatar
Updated Jan 15, 2024 10:00 AM

True Score

82
82
14

Experts

88
4,463

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 gaming headset offers excellent value with a comfortable build and great audio and mic quality but isn’t ideal for large heads.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

Released in 2022, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a closed-back wireless gaming headset featuring 40mm neodymium drivers and a frequency response between 20Hz to 22,000Hz. It offers a 33-hour battery life, and a 15-minute turbo charge gives six hours of playtime.

Like the best gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova 7 features a fully retractable, bidirectional boom mic. And you can customize EQ presets with the SteelSeriess GG app. And for options with great recording quality, check out the Astro A10 vs Astro A40.

Best For

  • Best Overall

  • CS:GO

  • Call Of Duty

  • Fortnite

  • Gaming

  • Nintendo Switch

  • PS4

  • PS5

  • Steelseries

  • VR

  • Wireless

  • Wireless Microphones

Consensus

our Verdict

The wireless SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 delivers impressive audio quality for gaming with its accurate directional cues, detailed midrange, and an emphasis on deep, rumbling bass sounds. However, dialogues lack detail due to a dip in the low treble.

However, the soft cloth padding, well-balanced clamping force, adjustable headband, and lightweight build (0.75 lbs) let you enjoy long gaming sessions. The microphone ensures crystal-clear voice recordings, though it doesn’t fully block out high-pitched keystroke sounds. Lastly, connecting to a PC via Bluetooth (SBC codec) results in noticeable lip sync issues during video streaming due to the headset’s high 235 ms latency. But its 29 ms latency over the wireless dongle is fairly low.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Good audio quality
    • The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is well-suited for wireless gaming since it has accurate mids, and the bass-heavy sound signature emphasizes deep rumbles like explosions.

    • You can change the EQ presets to your preference through the companion software and experience more immersive sound placement with accurate directional cues.

  • Comfortable fit
    • The headphones are apt for long gaming sessions, thanks to their soft cloth padding, adequate clamping force, adjustable headband, and lightweight (0.72 lbs) build.

  • Clear microphone
    • The microphone ensures your voice sounds loud, clear, and clean. It rates a 7 out of 10 in microphone quality

Reason to Avoid

  • Mediocre low treble
    • Dialogues lack detail due to the dip in the low treble, which makes listening to in-game conversations challenging.

  • Limited extension
    • Gamers with large heads may find the headset slightly uncomfortable since the headband offers a limited extension.

  • High PC latency
    • When using Bluetooth with the SBC codec on PCs, you may notice lip sync issues during video streaming due to high latency (235 ms).

Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Specs

Adjustable HeadbandAdjustable HeadbandYes
Auto-Adjusting HeadbandAuto-Adjusting HeadbandNo
Battery Charge TimeBattery Charge Time4 hrs
Battery LifeBattery Life38 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Compatible PlatformsCompatible PlatformsMac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Connector SizeConnector Size3.5mm
Detachable MicDetachable MicYes
Driver SizeDriver Size40mm
Earcup Foam MaterialEarcup Foam MaterialAirWeave Fabric
Headphone FitHeadphone FitOver-ear
Max Frequency ResponseMax Frequency Response22,000Hz
Min Frequency ResponseMin Frequency Response20Hz
Noise CancelingNoise CancelingYes
Programmable ButtonsProgrammable ButtonsNo
Transparency Moden/a
True WirelessNo
Voice AssistantVoice Assistantna
Water ResistantWater ResistantNo
WeightWeight0.7 lbs
WirelessWirelessYes
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityRF, Bluetooth

All Specs

Test Results

Max Volume (dB)0
Microphone Sound Quality Rating (out of 10.0)7
Speech To Noise Ratio (dB)35.78
BT Latency (ms)235
Non-BT Latency (ms)29
Low End Roll Off (Hz)17.818
High End Roll Off (Hz)7,782.914

All Tests

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Product Comparison

Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Review

True Score

82
80
85
78
NR

Ranking

#

13

/

57

#

28

/

57

#

4

/

57

#

42

/

57

#

/

Market Context

Released in 2022, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a closed-back wireless gaming headset featuring 40mm neodymium drivers and a frequency response between 20Hz to…

Released in 2022, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a closed-back wireless gaming headset featuring 40mm neodymium drivers and a frequency response between 20Hz to 22,000Hz. It offers a 33-hour battery life, and a 15-minute turbo charge gives six hours of playtime.

Like the best gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova 7 features a fully retractable, bidirectional boom mic. And you can customize EQ presets with the SteelSeriess GG app. And for options with great recording quality, check out the Astro A10 vs Astro A40.

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless has better microphone quality than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. It also boasts superior treble accuracy, so the dialogues sound…

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless has better microphone quality than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. It also boasts superior treble accuracy, so the dialogues sound clear, unlike the Arctis Nova 7’s subpar treble accuracy. However, the Nova 7’s build quality is sturdier than the 9X Wireless.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 includes a 1/8″ TRRS to 1/8″ TRRS cable for quick plug-and-play connectivity, whereas the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless doesn’t…

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 includes a 1/8″ TRRS to 1/8″ TRRS cable for quick plug-and-play connectivity, whereas the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless doesn’t support an analog connection. That said, the BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless offers a superior 70-hour battery life, which is more than double that of the Arctis Nova 7’s 33-hour battery.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 offers better bass and mid-accuracy than the Sony Inzone H9, and it also has superior microphone recording quality, with loud…

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 offers better bass and mid-accuracy than the Sony Inzone H9, and it also has superior microphone recording quality, with loud and clear speech. However, the Inzone H9 is better at blocking out traffic noise with its ANC, while the Arctis Nova lacks ANC. For more information, read our Sony Inzone H9 review. And to better understand how gaming headsets work, we’ve put together a guide for you.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is the upgraded version of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. Some enhancements include slimmer ear cups, a sleeker-looking headband, a…

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is the upgraded version of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. Some enhancements include slimmer ear cups, a sleeker-looking headband, a larger volume dial, and Bluetooth support.

Adjustable Headband

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Auto-Adjusting Headband

No

No

No

No

Battery Charge Time

4 hrs

3.5 hrs

Battery Life

38 hrs

20 hrs

32 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Yes

Compatible Platforms

Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows

Android, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

PlayStation 5, Windows

Connector Size

3.5mm

3.5mm, USB

3.5mm

Detachable Mic

Yes

No

Yes

No

Dig Deeper

Steelseries Arctis 9X Review →

Razer Blackshark V2 Review →

Sony Inzone H9 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

88

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

82

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    99.8

    Category Trust Rating

    76
    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless and their variants are good for neutral sound, though… Read More

    By:

    Jake Thauvette
  • Sound Guys
    82.1

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 gives one of the company’s most popular headsets a refresh,… Read More

    By:

    Sam Moore
  • Tom’s Hardware
    65.25

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    The Arctis Nova 7 Wireless looks like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless…but it doesn’t sound… Read More

    By:

    Sarah Jacobsson Purewal
  • Tom’s Guide
    56.25

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is another satisfying entry in a celebrated line of gaming… Read More

    By:

    Marshall Honorof
  • Trusted Reviews
    67.5

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless may not be the top model in SteelSeries’ latest… Read More

    By:

    Reece Bithrey
  • Tech Power Up
    68.65

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless is a more affordable variant of the Arctis Nova… Read More

    By:

    Unknown