Both headsets share the incredibly comfortable Nova acoustic system. The Nova 1 is perfect for gamers who just want a high-quality, lightweight 3.5mm headset. The Nova 3 steps it up by adding a USB connection, RGB lighting on the earcups, and built-in AI noise cancellation for the microphone.
A head-to-head battle between the budget-friendly SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 and the RGB-equipped Nova 3.
The Nova 3 is the superior wired choice, adding customizable RGB and AI-powered noise cancellation through its USB-C connection while remaining feather-light.
| Tech Specs | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $99.99 |
| Ideal Fit | Medium Head | Medium-Large Head |
| Battery Life | ||
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Microphone Type | Retractable Boom Mic | Retractable Boom Mic |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40mm | 40mm |
| Weight | 236g | 253g |
| NC Mic | ||
| ANC Features | ||
| Mic Monitoring |
Calculated from thousands of user reviews, Reddit sentiment, and professional scores to determine the "real world" tier of each feature.
| Quality Tier | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | B Tier | A Tier |
| Comfort | A Tier | A Tier |
| Build Quality | B Tier | B Tier |
| Microphone | B Tier | A Tier |
| Wireless |
