The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 presents itself as a versatile mid-range gaming headset that wants to shine on the PC as well as on consoles and mobile devices. This is the second generation of the popular Arctis Nova 7, with Steelseries building on proven strengths and making targeted improvements.
Even on paper, the technical specifications are impressive: 40-millimetre neodymium drivers, dual wireless (2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3) with simultaneous function, over 50 hours of battery life, broad platform support, and a comfort-oriented design.
This review clarifies whether the Nova 7 Gen 2 can earn these praises in the practical test, and where its weaknesses lie.
On the outside, Steelseries remains true to its line: The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 relies on the classic Steelseries design with matte-black plastic and a sleek look. The metal frame in the headband provides stability, while an elasticated spring band (in the style of ski goggles) distributes the contact pressure.
This combination — Steelseries calls it the “ComfortMax” system — ensures a first-class fit without pressure points. In the test, the wearing comfort actually proves to be outstanding: Several hours of continuous use are no problem, the headset remains comfortable and secure on the head.
Weighing around 11.4 ounces (325 grams), it is not ultra-light, but thanks to the good weight distribution it does not feel too heavy.
The ear pads are made from a hybrid of breathable fabric and artificial leather. This gives them a soft fit and allows some air to reach the ears, while the artificial leather on the inside minimizes sound leaks.
In practice, external noise is passively dampened, although not completely shielded, as the partially open design is noticeable here. After very long sessions, however, the ear areas can get a little warm. But overall, the positive impression of a well thought-out, comfortable headset prevails.
The build quality is also of a high standard: Nothing wobbles or creaks, the adjustment mechanism (extendable ear cup holders and three adjustment points for the spring band) appears durable and designed for a wide range of head sizes. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 feels robust and high-quality — ideal for daily gaming use.
However, there is one small design criticism: The USB-C dongle supplied is unusually wide at 2.11 inches (approx. 53.8 millimeters) and can block neighboring USB ports. Although Steelseries supplies a short USB extension cable, a slimmer, longer dongle would have been more practical. Apart from this detail, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 impresses across the board with its simplicity, excellent ergonomics, and well thought-out design.
In terms of functions and connectivity options, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 packs a punch. The headset can be paired wirelessly via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and in parallel via Bluetooth, even simultaneously to mix two audio sources.
The USB-C dongle ensures a latency-free connection to PC, Mac, Playstation 5, and Nintendo Switch (both in the dock and mobile via USB-C). A slide switch on the dongle enables the special Xbox mode for the Xbox Series X/S, as Microsoft’s consoles require a proprietary wireless protocol.
Important: Steelseries offers the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in different versions: Nova 7P (PlayStation/PC) and Nova 7X (Xbox all others). The hardware is identical, but only the X version is fully compatible with the Xbox. So if you choose the Arctis Nova 7X version, you can in fact cover all platforms.
In tests, the wireless connection proved to be very stable and long enough range to take a break in the next room without losing contact. In addition to Bluetooth, mobile devices also have the option of using the USB-C dongle on smartphones or tablets, for example via an adapter.
Here, however, we have observed that a dongle connection plugged directly into the mobile phone can sometimes have a brief loss of connection when moving. In such cases, Bluetooth pairing is the more convenient choice when travelling.
Speaking of Bluetooth: This wireless method only uses the SBC codec, which is okay for listening to music, but can lead to noticeable delays when gaming or watching videos. The 2.4GHz mode is therefore clearly recommended for gaming, as it has virtually no latency.
In addition to wireless, wired operation is also possible: the headset has a 3.5 millimeter jack socket to connect it to a PC, controller, or handheld in the classic analog way. This even extends compatibility to older devices (e.g. for the Nintendo Switch Lite or some gaming handhelds) and serves as an emergency solution in the event of battery failure.
The controls on the headset are arranged in a user-friendly way: The power button, a dedicated Bluetooth button and a wheel for the chat-game audio balance (chat mix) are located on the right ear cup: A blessing in multiplayer to be able to finely balance voice chat and game sound at all times.
On the left is the volume control knob and a clearly perceptible microphone mute button. The buttons and wheels provide clear haptic feedback so that they can be operated intuitively even in the middle of a game.
The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 does not have active noise cancellation (ANC), but this is not unusual in this price range of less than $200 — most gaming headsets at this price do not offer ANC anyway.
The passive isolation provided by the padding is average: Everyday noises such as keyboard clacking or quiet background chatter are noticeably muffled, but still penetrate somewhat at higher volumes. Overall, however, the features of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 are impressively comprehensive:
Multi-platform support, simultaneous connections, and analog fallback option make the gaming headset an extremely flexible companion. In fact, the Arctis model works with practically everything, from PCs to consoles and smartphones, making it a true all-rounder.
The dual wireless function is particularly noteworthy: In the test, simultaneous playback from PC/console and mobile phone worked smoothly and without dropouts. For example, you can be in a Discord chat on your mobile phone via Bluetooth while gaming on the PlayStation, or take a call while gaming on the PC.
Incoming calls are handled cleverly: If a call comes in via the mobile phone, the headset microphone is automatically muted for the game chat so that you can make the call undisturbed. When you hang up, it switches back to the game chat. This seamless integration of both audio channels is extremely practical in everyday life.
The sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is geared towards the needs of demanding gamers without compromising on all-round qualities. The 40-millimeter speaker drivers deliver precise, detailed sound across the entire frequency spectrum.
Steelseries clearly emphasizes clarity in the mids and highs, which allows fine details such as footsteps or directional noises to stand out clearly. In fact, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 shines in the test when it comes to spatial localization:
In shooters and action games, it was possible to make out exactly from which direction opponents were approaching — a tactical advantage that not every headset in this class offers. This is supported by the virtual surround function (Steelseries Sonar Spatial Audio on the PC and Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5), which makes the sound image even wider and more immersive if desired.
In single-player games, the surround mode significantly enhances the atmosphere. In competitive games, on the other hand, we mostly used the stereo mode, as the localization is precise and without artificial effects — the Arctis Nova 7 already delivers excellent positioning information in stereo.
As delivered, the sound tuning is slightly fun-orientated: The bass has plenty of body and pressure, while the upper treble sounds slightly over-sharpened. This leads to a powerful rumble during explosions, for example, but can sometimes be perceived as a little too sharp with very high tones. Voices and important game sounds in the mid-range come through clearly and dominate the action, giving the headset its “tactical” sound.
Our music tests showed that the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is also suitable for everyday multimedia: Songs sound dynamic and balanced, albeit not at hi-fi level, as the deepest bass and fine detail in the highest registers reach the limits of gaming tuning.
Sound enthusiasts may note that the fine-tuning ex works is not completely neutral: For example, certain treble ranges are slightly overemphasized and could be a little tiring for sensitive ears in the long term. However, this is where the great strength of the Steelseries software comes into its own:
The parametric equalizer in the Sonar app allows the sound image to be corrected and optimized as desired. We were able to tame the slightly sharp treble and fine-tune the bass with just a few movements of the EQ controls. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 then sounded very balanced.
Steelseries also provides over 200 predefined EQ profiles, customized for various games, from Call of Duty to Counter-Strike 2, which can be loaded with a click. In the test, some of these presets actually brought audible improvements for specific scenarios, such as clearer footsteps in shooters or more powerful effects in action adventures.
In short, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a strong audio performance out of the box, especially for gaming. If you want to further refine the sound, you have all the options with the software tools. In this price range, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is right at the top.
More expensive models such as the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro or the Elite offer even finer hi-res sound, but also cost many times more. For a $200 headset, the sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is absolutely convincing and left hardly anything to be desired in everyday gaming.
Steelseries equips the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 with the tried-and-tested “ClearCast Gen2” boom arm microphone. This can be retracted into the left ear cup and fits seamlessly into the design when retracted — ideal if you want to use the headset as normal headphones when travelling.
The microphone can be flexibly bent into position and is simply pulled out for use. However, it is not detachable; it always remains attached to the headset. The LED indicators are practical: A small red LED on the tip of the microphone signals that the microphone is muted, and a status LED also indicates the connection mode.
In voice chat practice, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers solid intelligibility. Voices are transmitted clearly and background noise is effectively suppressed. According to Steelseries, this should be up to 25 decibels thanks to AI noise cancelling.
In our Discord rounds, our fellow players confirmed that our voice came through clearly and without loud background noise. Nevertheless, we have to say: In terms of sound, the microphone is only mid-range. Our criticism is that the voice transmission is somewhat unnatural and nasal, as if the voice is filtered slightly mechanically or tinny.
This is a typical phenomenon with many gaming headsets that cut frequencies in favor of clarity. As a result, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 never sounds as full or natural as an external microphone. However, the result is absolutely fine for normal voice chat. However, anyone who values particularly warm or authentic voice transmission (e.g. for streaming) will see the average microphone as a weak point.
In a direct comparison with some competitor headsets in this class, the ClearCast microphone performs slightly worse — the microphone on the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless or the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro, for example, sound a little fuller.
On a positive note, however, the microphone of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is not overly sensitive: Loud ambient noises or keyboard clatter are rarely transmitted. The headset also has microphone monitoring — you can hear yourself slightly on your ear — which protects you from unconsciously speaking loudly.
Tip: The microphone should actually be used extended for optimum results. Although it is technically possible to speak when the headset is inserted (it is then not automatically muted), the quality suffers significantly: The voice is barely captured and sounds muffled. You therefore have to pull out the headband to remain intelligible.
This is not a problem in everyday use, as the flexible arm can be positioned easily. In particularly quiet situations, we also notice a slight background noise or white noise from the microphone and hope for firmware optimizations here. On our test device, a slight background noise was only audible when no other sounds were playing; in gaming mode, it was drowned out by the sound.
Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a functional microphone that is absolutely sufficient for game chat, VoIP telephony and most applications, but is not a highlight. If you’re looking for absolute top microphone quality, you’ll either have to resort to significantly more expensive headsets or consider a separate microphone. For everyone else, the level offered is acceptable.
A big plus of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the significantly longer battery life. Steelseries has increased the capacity by around 40 percent compared to its predecessor and now promises an impressive usage time of up to 54 hours in 2.4GHz mode.
In Bluetooth-only mode, the battery is expected to last around 42 hours, and even when using wireless and Bluetooth at the same time, the battery still lasts around 38 hours. In practice, over 50 hours of battery life means that the headset only needs to be charged once or twice a month with moderate daily use, making it a real long runner.
Our test period extended over several days of intensive gaming (six to eight hours per day) and we didn’t actually have to charge the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in between within a week. The battery status is displayed via the software and an LED display on the device, and the headset emits warning tones when the battery is low.
However, we found the series of warning tones a little intrusive when the battery is low: three loud warning tones sound every two minutes or so, which can be annoying in the long run. Nevertheless, an empty battery is unlikely to come as a complete surprise, as the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is really long-lasting.
And even if you forget about it, help is at hand: Thanks to the quick-charging function, 15 minutes on the cable is enough to give you around six hours of playing time. The battery charges fully in around one and a half hours.
Another practical feature is that you can continue to use the headset while it is charging. Simply connect the USB-C cable and it will charge in the background without interrupting the game. This means that spontaneous gaming sessions are never jeopardized.
Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 ranks at the top of the wireless headset range in terms of battery life. Only a few models (such as the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless with over 100 hours) run even longer, but over 50 hours is already more than enough for long gaming nights.
The GG software, including Sonar, is a real asset for Steelseries. This software suite integrates hardware and software in an exemplary manner and offers a wide range of customization options. On the PC, you can use Steelseries GG to install firmware updates for the headset, but above all you can configure the sound extensively:
A parametric 10-band equalizer, various predefined sound profiles for different game genres, sliders for game/chat mix, volume, microphone level, and sidetone (monitoring) — all of this is clearly available.
The user interface is designed to be beginner-friendly; if you don’t want to familiarize yourself in depth, simply select one of the many presets and get a suitable sound without any effort. Advanced users will be delighted with the ability to fine-tune every sound detail from treble filter to bass boost.
Thanks to the integrated sonar technology, we were actually able to tease a lot out of the headset during the test. Steelseries Sonar is regarded by connoisseurs as one of the best headset apps on the market, and our experience confirms this:
The EQ function and the continuously updated gaming presets (over 260 profiles according to the manufacturer) are unique and very useful. Remarkable: Since the second generation, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 now also supports the Arctis smartphone app.
This allows console gamers or mobile gamers to make some settings conveniently on their mobile phones. For example, the app can be used to select EQ presets, adjust the sound mix, or control lighting (if available).
The parametric fine-tuning is reserved for the PC software, but basic profiles can also be changed on the move. In the test, the app pairing worked straight away; it is also pleasing that no compulsory registration is required to use the app or PC software.
Overall, Steelseries emphasises its premium claim with the software: The possibilities go far beyond what standard drivers offer. Only those who absolutely don’t like additional software on the PC may be overwhelmed:
The Sonar app can seem complex at first, but it’s worth spending 15 to 30 minutes familiarizing yourself with it. For most gamers, the software integration is a great added value that sets the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 apart from more simply equipped competitor models.
Author: Friedrich Stiemer
Source: PCWorld
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
