SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 USB Headset

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After using and reviewing the Arctis Nova Pro, I didn’t think I’d find another headset any time soon that could compare. Guess I was partly right as only SteelSeries could compete with their own product with the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 USB Headset that’s an awesome follow up to the Nova Pro and works perfectly for gaming, movies, and music.

SteelSeries has updated their Arctis series of headsets 2022 by dropping the Arctis 5 and replacing it with the new Arctis Nova 3 that features a very lightweight but sturdy plastic frame, and a stretchy headband under the main headband that’s always a welcomed feature to keep pressure off your head when using it for long periods of time.

This is also the case with SteelSeries’ plush AirWeave memory foam ear cushions that are super soft and most importantly, breathable to make sure your ears don’t get too sweaty when in use for some time. They’re also perfect for those who wear glasses like myself as they don’t push into your frames that’s always a plus in my book. There’s also the tried and true volume knob and mute button on the back of one of the earcups for easy access.

But let’s talk about the main reason this headset is awesome, which is the new acoustic audio system SteelSeries is using with 40mm drivers to make sure everything is heard crystal clear, whether it’s someone taking shots at you in your favorite FPS, or just listening to dialogue and explosions from TV shows or films, to enjoying your favorite music.

Whatever you’re doing, the Arctis Nova 3 sound amazing with the audio having clear but punchy sound that’s nicely balanced. Then there’s the fully retractable ClearCast 2 noise-canceling microphone that’s been updated to use an AI algorithm to filter out unwanted background noise to make sure you’re heard loud and clear while chatting with friends on multiplayer games or using any voice chat program on your PC and such.

There’s also a neat, customizable RGB lighting ring around the earcups with a switch to turn them on and off when needed. If you love RGB, you’ll be happy to know if you use SteelSeries’ GG software, you can customize the lights to glow different colors, flash, pulsate, and other dynamic lighting effects when in use. The software also has plenty of options to fine tune your audio experience with equalizers, sliders, and more.

One of the coolest things I love about this headset is it’s compatibility thanks to using a USB-C cable. This allows you to use the headset on things you normally wouldn’t think of using it on, like plugging it directly into the USB-C port of the Nintendo Switch or the latest iPhones/iPads, opening up a new world of audio opportunities to test these on. Of course you can also use the adapter to connect these to any standard 3.5mm port at the cost of losing the RGB lighting.

The only small gripe I have is that the included USB-C cable that’s included is a bit short at four feet, but thankfully there’s a USB-C to USB-A extension cable that gives you an extra five feet which was perfect for using on my PC setup. And in case you’re wondering, the audio comes in nice and crisp no matter which connection you use.

If you’re looking for a great headset that sounds great no matter what you’re using it for, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 USB Headset is a solid choice. Those looking for something cheaper but still good can check out the Arctis Nova 1, or if you’re looking for something more close to the Nova Pro, there’s the Arctis Nova 7 that features wireless connectivity, a volume dial to adjust the chat and audio mix, and more to quickly make you a fan of the SteelSeries brand.