SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset

By SteelSeries · Gaming Headsets · Audio & Electronics

  • Battery 30 hours on 2.4 GHz and 40 hours on Bluetooth
  • 15 minute charge gives 9 hours of play
  • Weight 260 g
  • Bluetooth 5.3 plus 2.4 GHz dongle

Lowest price seen
~$109.99 (approx.)
from $109.99 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A 260 g multi-platform wireless gaming headset with a 2.4 GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3, built for Xbox-first players who also game on PC and mobile. Check the headband before you buy: it is the known wear point across the Arctis line, and SteelSeries sells replacements.

Strengths

  • Dual wireless done right: a 2.4 GHz dongle for gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 for your phone, switchable in moments.
  • Trusted Reviews called the soundstage “almost cinematic” and positional awareness “second-to-none for this price.”
  • The detachable ClearCast mic records 32 kHz / 16-bit audio and rejects room noise well.
  • Fast charging works in practice: TechRadar found the 15-minute, 9-hour claim roughly correct.
  • The Arctis app offers 200+ game-specific EQ presets and per-connection profiles for tuning sound.
  • At 260 g it is light for a wireless headset; reviewers found it comfortable in long sessions.

Weaknesses

  • The headband is the known weak point: TechRadar notes tension slackens over time across the Arctis line.
  • Default EQ is flat, so bass-heavy music can feel thin without app adjustment.
  • Mic compression is heavy by default; content creators wanting a fuller sound may be disappointed.
  • Only one audio channel plays at a time: game and phone audio do not mix.
  • Battery life is 30 hours on 2.4 GHz, and Trusted Reviews calls that “fine, if a little unremarkable.”
  • The matte plastic finish shows fingerprints and grease.

Verified specifications

Drivers40 mm neodymium.
Battery life30 hours on 2.4 GHz, 40 hours on Bluetooth (manufacturer rating; no independent battery test was found).
Fast charge15 minutes for about 9 hours of play.
WirelessUSB-C 2.4 GHz dongle plus Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC and AAC only; no aptX or LDAC).
Audio channelsone source at a time (2.4 GHz or Bluetooth), though switching is quick.
Microphonedetachable ClearCast 2.X, 32 kHz / 16-bit high-bandwidth.
Spatial audio360-degree Spatial Audio (Tempest 3D Audio on PS5, Microsoft Spatial Sound on Xbox).
ChatMixPC only, via the Sonar software.
Companion appArctis app for iOS and Android, with 200+ game-specific EQ presets per the press release (the manual counts 100+).
Dimensions175 × 90 × 185 mm; 260 g per SteelSeries (TechRadar measured 267 g).
In the boxheadset, detachable microphone, pop filter, USB-C 2.4 GHz dongle, USB-A to USB-C adapter, 30 cm (12 in) USB-C charging cable.
CompatibilityXbox, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Quest, handhelds, Android, iOS.
MSRP$109.99 (North America).
Warrantyterms were not confirmed from SteelSeries documentation in this research.
Full research notes and sources

Sound and microphone

TechRadar describes crisp, typically Arctis sound: a flatter EQ, controlled bass and an airy top end suited to competitive play. Trusted Reviews heard something smooth and refined, with solid mid-range and top-end detail, and praised the width of the soundstage. The default tuning is flat, so bass-heavy genres may feel lacking until you adjust the EQ in the app. The detachable ClearCast mic captures 32 kHz / 16-bit audio, and TechRadar notes it applies more compression and noise cancellation than typical headset mics: your voice comes through clear, which suits team chat but not recording. TechRadar also found the practical difference between the app’s game-specific presets is minimal. Both reviewers agree positional awareness is a standout at this price.

Battery and charging

SteelSeries rates the battery at 30 hours on 2.4 GHz and 40 hours on Bluetooth, and fast charging returns about 9 hours of play from 15 minutes; TechRadar called that claim “roughly correct” in real-world use, though not precisely measured. No independent instrumented battery test exists for this model, so treat the 30- and 40-hour figures as manufacturer claims. Only one connection plays at a time, so there is no dual-audio drain to plan around. Trusted Reviews found the 30-hour 2.4 GHz figure “fine, if a little unremarkable” next to the Nova 5X.

Comfort, parts and running costs

At 260 g the headset is light, and reviewers found the clamping force tighter than expected but manageable because of the low weight. The elastic headband attaches with a plastic press-stud and is the known wear point: TechRadar reports its tension slackens over time across the Arctis line, and SteelSeries sells replacement headbands and accessories through its website. The matte plastic finish attracts fingerprints and grease, and the two-level headband adjustment may not fit larger heads. The microphone detaches and the ear cushions come off, which extends serviceability; the dual-hinged frame is described as durable. Recurring costs are limited to replacement ear cushions or a headband if you need them.

Is it worth it?

At $109.99 it is the entry-level wireless model in the current Nova lineup, positioned below the Nova 5 and Nova 7. In June 2025 TechRadar found it listed at $109.99 from Lenovo and Newegg, and $99.99 from Walmart. The wired Arctis Nova 3 costs about $75 at the same time, so the wireless premium buys dual connectivity and the app. Its value hinges on whether you will use both radios: single-device players may find better value elsewhere, and above $130 the Nova 5 or Nova 7 offer substantially more features. The strongest case is a sale price under $100.

Which model this is

This page covers the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless, the Xbox-licensed variant of SteelSeries’s 2025 Nova 3 Wireless refresh; the 3P is the same hardware aimed at PlayStation. The two share drivers, microphone, battery and wireless platforms, and differ in bundled dongle compatibility and console licensing. The Amazon listing for this headset is ASIN B0F959JNF1.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

  • No owner reports were accessible for this model; Reddit fetches were blocked during research.

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