SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset
Bottom line: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset ($119.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 60-hour battery covers 8 hours of play a day for a full week; main trade-off: game presets require installing the Arctis Nova 5 Companion App.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 60-hour battery covers 8 hours of play a day for a full week
- ✓ USB-C Fast Charge returns 6 hours of use from a 15-minute top-up
- ✓ Quick-Switch button jumps between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 mid-game
- ✓ 100+ game presets for GTA V, Call of Duty, Fortnite and Apex via companion app
- ✓ One USB-C dongle covers Xbox, PC, PS, Switch, Meta Quest and mobile
Cons
- ✗ Game presets require installing the Arctis Nova 5 Companion App
- ✗ Presets cover listed top games, not every title you play
- ✗ Mic tops out at 32KHz/16Bit, below full-band USB studio mics
- ✗ 2.4GHz requires the USB-C dongle, so lost dongle means Bluetooth only
Manufacturer description
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X is a multi-system wireless gaming headset built around Quick-Switch Wireless: a single tap moves you between 2.4GHz low-latency gaming and Bluetooth 5.3, so you can take a call without pulling the headset off. It carries a 60-hour battery, which covers 8 hours of play a day for a full week, and USB-C Fast Charge returns 6 hours of use from a 15-minute top-up. The compact USB-C dongle covers Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Meta Quest, phones and tablets, and the Arctis Nova 5 Companion App unlocks 100+ game audio presets tuned by pros and audio engineers for…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the gaming peripherals category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the gaming peripherals category before committing. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for gaming peripherals of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Arctis Nova 5X battery actually last?
SteelSeries rates it at 60 hours, which is 8 hours of play per day across a full week. USB-C Fast Charge adds 6 hours of use from a 15-minute charge.
Does the Nova 5X work with Xbox and PlayStation?
Yes. The compact USB-C dongle covers Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Meta Quest, phones and tablets, so you swap systems by moving the dongle.
Can I take a phone call without disconnecting from my game?
Yes. Quick-Switch Wireless toggles between 2.4GHz gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 with one button tap, and notification beeps tell you when a call is coming in.
What do the 100+ audio presets do and how do I get them?
They are per-game audio profiles tuned by pros and audio engineers for titles like GTA V, Call of Duty, Fortnite and Apex Legends. You unlock and switch them in real time through the Arctis Nova 5 Companion App.
Is the microphone good enough for Discord and streaming?
The retractable ClearCast Gen2.X mic uses a high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16Bit audio, which SteelSeries states is twice the clarity of the prior generation.
Key Features
- 100+ GAME AUDIO PRESETS — Unlock tailored audio presets for top games like GTA V, FIFA, Call of Duty, and more, with the Arctis Nova 5 Companion App
- 60-HOUR BATTERY — Play longer than ever with the next-gen battery. Go 8 hours a day all week; plus with USB-C Fast Charge get 6 hours of use in just 15 minutes
- QUICK-SWITCH WIRELESS — Toggle between 2.4GHz gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 with a tap of a button to take a call or listen to media; notification beeps keep you posted on incoming calls while gaming
- NEODYMIUM MAGNETIC DRIVERS — These drivers create an ultra-detailed soundscape of crystal clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass for your space journey
- NEXT-GEN MIC — Our upgraded, fully retractable ClearCast 2.X microphone has 2X the clarity with a high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16Bit audio
- CROSS-PLATFORM — Easily swap between Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Meta Quest, phones or tablets with a compact USB-C Dongle
Full Specifications
| Brand | SteelSeries |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Impedance | 36 Ohms |
| Model Name | Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset |
| Style Name | Xbox |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Form Factor | Over Ear |
| Battery Life | 60 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, USB-C, 2.4GHz |
| Control Type | Media Control |
| Model Number | 61676 |
| Compatibility | PC, Xbox, Switch |
| Ear Placement | Over Ear |
| Noise Control | Sound Isolation |
| Built-In Media | USB-C to USB-A Charging Cable (5 ft / 1.5 m), USB-C to USB-A Dongle Extension (5 ft / 1.5 m), USB-C Multi-Platform Dongle, Headset, Manual |
| Cable Features | Retractable, Without Cable |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Earpiece Shape | Oblong |
| Headphone Jack | No Jack |
| Is Autographed | No |
| Full listing title | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset — Neodymium Magnetic Drivers — 100+ Audio Presets — 60 HR Battery — 2.4GHz or BT — ClearCast Gen2.X Mic — Xbox, PC, PS, Switch, Mobile |
Ready to buy?
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Multi-System Gaming Headset — Neodymium Magnetic Drivers — 100+ Audio Presets — 60 HR Battery — 2.4GHz or BT — ClearCast Gen2.X Mic — Xbox, PC, PS, Switch, Mobile is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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