TLDR Review: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X Gaming Headset
Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X Gaming Headset offers an outstanding balance of comfort, sound quality, and features for around $100, making it a smart pick for serious gamers who want great audio without paying premium prices. While the mic and sidetone aren’t mind-blowing and some minor build quirks exist, the overall experience is impressive compared to higher-priced rivals. If you want something equally comfy but with potentially better mic quality, you might look into other SteelSeries Arctis models, but for a versatile, multi-platform headset with signature Arctis sound and solid value, this one is hard to beat.
- Top pro:
- Exceptional sound quality that especially helps with hearing important gaming cues like footsteps.
- Top con:
- Sidetone (hearing your own voice in the headset) is weak and tricky to adjust, often requiring Windows sound settings tweaks.
Pros
- •Exceptional sound quality that especially helps with hearing important gaming cues like footsteps.
- •Comfort is a major win, with extremely soft ear material and a lightweight design that suits long sessions without fatigue—even for glasses wearers.
- •Durable build with lasting volume control and solid overall construction, feeling premium for the price point.
- •Clear, loud audio and strong noise cancellation help competitive gamers focus.
- •Stylish RGB lighting adds a cool aesthetic without compromising comfort, working when connected via USB.
- •Versatile compatibility across Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile devices, with cables included for various setups.
- •Microphone is reasonably clear and functional, with the convenience of stowing inside the earpiece and adjustable game/chat volume dial.
- •Easy disassembly for cleaning or cable replacement, and cables are detachable for flexibility and replacement.
- •Performs well compared to pricier headsets, providing great value for sound and comfort.
- •Supported by responsive customer service and software apps for tweaking sound and lighting.
Cons
- •Sidetone (hearing your own voice in the headset) is weak and tricky to adjust, often requiring Windows sound settings tweaks.
- •Slight creaking from foam movement can be heard when moving the head—minor but noticeable.
- •Ears may slightly touch the inside fabric, which could bother people with protruding ears.
- •The volume control dial can be accidentally adjusted during gameplay, which may interrupt the experience.
- •RGB lighting only works with USB connection; it doesn’t light up when using the AUX cable.
- •Microphone quality is okay for the price but not exceptional, and some users have reported it breaking or being less durable.
- •Some units initially have communication or AUX cord issues affecting microphone or chat performance.
- •Cable quality, especially the included USB cable, can feel non-durable but is replaceable.
- •A few users mention the headset stopped working after short use—likely isolated defects rather than widespread.
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How we researched this
About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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