Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7x Gen 2 is a incredible gaming headset for the worth with spectacular battery life, sound efficiency, and a companion app that permits you to tweak sound profiles on the fly.
Impressive battery life
Quick to cost
Excellent software program that permits you to construct particular person sound profiles
Not massively snug for glasses wearers
Microphone high quality might be higher
Annoying low battery notifications
Key Features
Review Price: £179.99
Dual connectivity
2.4GHz and Bluetooth lets you combine recreation and cellular audio
Neodymium Magnetic Drivers
High constancy audio drivers present crystal clear audio
App assist
Custom presets and handbook tweaks accessible via the SteelSeries GG app
Introduction
When the Arctis Nova 7 hit the cabinets in 2022, SteelSeries received all kinds of plaudits for making a wi-fi gaming headset that catered to the market and its variations.
Now with Gen 2, the corporate is seeking to go one step additional – iterating on a design that’s turn into synonymous with among the finest gaming headsets on the market.
To see whether or not the corporate has certainly achieved glory, we’ve put the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 via its paces, checking to see the way it performs throughout numerous platforms together with PC, Xbox, cellular, and extra.
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Design and options
Similar design to the Nova 7
Steel headband offers extra rigidity
Dual connectivity works like a deal with
Despite being billed as a second-generation headset, SteelSeries hasn’t performed round an excessive amount of with the design of the Nova 7X Gen 2. In reality, should you put the 2 collectively, you’d be laborious pressed to work out which one was which.
That means the brand new headset comes with the identical construct that you simply’ve come to count on from the model. While the shell is essentially created from plastic, the metal headband – supported by an adjustable elastic spring band – offers the headset a greater degree of rigidity in comparison with all-plastic headsets. This reduces the quantity of contact stress you are feeling – and after tons of of hours of carrying these cans, I can confidently say it does.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
My greatest difficulty with the design, although, comes with the ear cups. Like the unique Nova 7, the Gen 2 options material earcups, that are comfortable and malleable. However, as a glasses wearer, I discovered the earcups utilized fairly a little bit of stress to the aspect of my head after just a few hours of damage.
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I attempted a few completely different frames throughout testing and whereas I at all times felt a component of fatigue after some time, the stress was at its worst whereas carrying glasses with thicker arms. Generally talking, I may relieve the stress by both adjusting the frames barely or taking the headset off for a couple of minutes, however it’s one thing to think about should you’re a glasses wearer like me.
Outside of that small flaw, the headset and its function set impressed. With related multimedia controls on the earcups as earlier than, the Gen 2 made altering quantity on the fly a breeze.
The left earcup encompasses a quantity management dial, in addition to a push-to-mute function for the microphone (which illuminates a shiny crimson LED on the mic growth when in use). The push-to-mute button is sweet and sticky and sits proud when enabled, making unintentional mutes a factor of the previous.
The proper earcup encompasses a quantity dial for recreation and chat mixing, in addition to energy and Bluetooth buttons. The energy button options an LED that signifies the battery degree, though you’ll be able to’t see that until you are taking the headset off.
Connectivity-wise, the Nova 7 Gen 2 makes use of an omni-platform wi-fi USB-C dongle, which helps you to use the headset throughout numerous platforms with relative ease. During testing, we used the headset totally on PC, but additionally on Xbox Series X, and cellular with out difficulty. It additionally has Bluetooth 5 and a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing you with loads of choices, together with twin connectivity.
The USB-C connectivity signifies that, just like the final technology, you’ll be able to cost the headset straight by way of USB-C. In reality, because of the port being located on the fitting ear cup, you’ll be able to even do that whereas utilizing the headset with none interruption to your gametime. It additionally means you can also make use of quick charging, with 15 minutes providing you with about six hours of juice.
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Battery life
Over 50 hours of battery life
Quick charging capabilities
The battery capability of the Gen 2 is tremendously improved over its predecessor, with SteelSeries promising 54 hours wirelessly, 42 hours on Bluetooth, or 38 hours on twin connectivity out of the field.
My expertise wasn’t too removed from that, both. While testing the headset throughout each my work day and gaming periods, I managed to get 51 hours of battery life from the headset earlier than needing to cost it. However, once I used the twin connectivity operate, I discovered the battery drained a lot quicker.
I used to be fairly impressed with the battery life total and located {that a} fast cost in the beginning or the top of the day meant I may keep wi-fi just about completely.
If you do get low on battery, the headset warns you with three audible beeps each couple of minutes. If you’re in a name or utilizing Discord when this occurs, it may be extremely jarring as you’ll be able to’t flip this off or flip it down.
I discovered {that a} full cost took roughly an hour and a half.
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Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Sound Quality
Great gaming efficiency, amplified by the app
Good music efficiency
No ANC, however cheap passive isolation for the worth
I used to be fairly impressed with the general efficiency of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, particularly when used at the side of the GG app. I’ve been taking part in an terrible lot of Escape From Tarkov lately – a recreation the place audio cues can usually imply the distinction between life and dying.
I discovered the headset balanced the ambient noises of Tarkov’s maps effectively, whereas making certain I may hear the lightest footsteps of my enemies. I normally play Tarkov with my trusty Beyerdynamic DT 770M’s and I used to be fairly stunned by how effectively this headset held up as compared.
Likewise, taking part in video games like Battlefield 6, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, and RV There Yet, the Nova 7X Gen held up effectively – a lot in order that it’s turn into my go-to headset for gaming now. The bass has sufficient presence to provide explosions and action-heavy moments the burden they deserve, the mids guarantee dialogue is obvious and balanced, and positional audio felt correct and well-defined.
The sound high quality whereas listening to music is fairly good too. It’s inferior to a few of the greatest headphones that we’ve examined however the total efficiency is fairly good.
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I performed round with the settings within the app for music to get the most effective out of the headset, as some songs felt a bit bit washed out. However, as soon as I discovered the fitting settings, I clearly hit a candy spot for sound high quality.
One factor to notice is that the headset doesn’t include energetic noise cancelling, which isn’t precisely a shock contemplating the worth. However, there’s an honest quantity of passive isolation: whereas taking part in video games or music, I can’t hear the whirr of my PC followers and, to the irritation of my husband, I can’t hear him speaking to me from my workplace doorway or the sound of my Ring doorbell.
That being mentioned, it doesn’t block the whole lot. I can hear the muffled clickity clack of my mechanical keyboard whereas taking part in music, for instance.
The Nova 7X Gen 2 noise isolation isn’t excellent, however it does an affordable job – and for the worth, that’s all you’ll be able to ask for.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Microphone high quality
Retractable design permits for versatility
Clear sound that’s good for gaming
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The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 comes geared up with the Clearcast Gen 2 growth arm microphone, which sits within the left ear cup when not in use. When you want it, all you have to do is gently pull on the tactile finish and bend it into a super place.
It’s a easy design, however it works, and the retractable arm offers the Nova 7X Gen 2 extra versatility for these wanting to make use of the headset as headphones whereas out and about.
The finish of the microphone additionally comes geared up with LEDs, which flip crimson when push-to-mute is turned on. I discovered these LEDs to be actually useful whereas utilizing Discord and whereas they’re noticeable sufficient, I by no means felt they had been distracting me from the duty at hand.
As for the microphone itself, it’s good, however it’s not good. It’s what you’d look forward to finding on a headset at this value.
On Discord, video conferencing calls, and in-game chat, my voice got here via clearly, making communication straightforward. However, the standard of my voice is unquestionably compromised, making me sound fairly tinny in nature.
You can alter the output of the microphone utilizing SteelSeries GG, however no matter what filter I utilized, I nonetheless sounded comparatively unnatural.
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For the typical particular person, this received’t be an issue. But should you’re searching for streamer-grade high quality, you’re higher off searching for an exterior microphone.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Software
Over 200 presets to select from
Manual tuning offers you full management
The SteelSeries GG software program is a superb companion to the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. Used because the hub to put in and replace the headset’s firmware, the software program additionally options an entire suite of customisation choices, providing you with the chance to alter the combo for video games, music, and leisure.
The software program comes with over 200+ presets for widespread video games like Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and extra, however you may as well mess around with the equaliser your self to fine-tune the combo to your liking.
You can select presets utilizing the companion app too, which is ideal should you’re a console or mobile-first gamer seeking to acquire an higher hand.
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On the entire, these presets are fairly good – we discovered they amplified footsteps in video games like Arc Raiders and Escape From Tarkov, whereas boosting the encompass sound in additional single-player video games.
The handbook settings, nonetheless, are locked to the desktop app solely, so bear that in thoughts if console gaming is your main driver for this.
Should you purchase it?
You desire a gaming headset that you may fine-tune to your video games
The Nova 7X Gen 2 offers you whole management over your recreation’s sound profiles, permitting you to amplify footsteps, enhance encompass sound, and extra.
You put on glasses and desire a snug headset
The Nova 7X Gen 2 is fairly snug total, however prolonged periods with thicker glasses frames can result in elevated stress and fatigue.
Final ideas
For the worth, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 is a incredible wi-fi gaming headset. It’s versatile, backed by a robust companion app, and sounds fairly good too. While it doesn’t look or really feel that a lot completely different from its predecessor, it’s clear SteelSeries has made the fitting adjustments below the hood, notably on the subject of sound high quality and battery life.
While it received’t stack up towards a few of the extra premium fashions in the marketplace, the 7X Gen 2 remains to be a formidable little bit of equipment – and one which I discover myself leaning in direction of after lengthy workdays.
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My solely actual gripe is that I have to take the occasional break because of the stress build up between the earcups and my glasses, however that’s manageable in the long term.
How We Take a look atWe examined the Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 for over a month, testing it for ease of use and placing it via its paces throughout a wide range of platforms and use circumstances. We used the headset primarily for gaming, however we additionally checked its efficiency on video conferencing instruments, in addition to listening to music. The headset’s software program was additionally examined extensively to see how straightforward it was to make use of and arrange. Used as principal headset for over a month Tested throughout PC, XSX, and cellular Used primarily as a gaming headset, but additionally for video conferencing and music Used at the side of the SteelSeries GG app
FAQs
Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 suitable with PS5 and PC? Although the 7X is designed for Xbox, the headset is plug-and-play suitable for PlayStation, PC, Switch, VR, cellular, and extra. Can you utilize Bluetooth and wi-fi audio on the similar time? Yes. The Nova 7X Gen 2 helps simultaneous 2.4GHz wi-fi and Bluetooth, permitting you to combine recreation audio with music, calls, or Discord by way of your telephone. Does the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 have energetic noise cancelling? No, the headset doesn’t include ANC.
Full Specs
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 Review
UK RRP
£179.99
USA RRP
$199.99
Manufacturer
SteelSeries
IP ranking
No
Battery Hours
54
Fast Charging
Yes
Weight
324 G
Release Date
2026
Driver (s)
40mm
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm, USB-C
Colours
Black, White, Magenta
Frequency Range
– Hz
Headphone Type
Over-ear