SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Headset: Review

The world of the headset is beset with many contenders.

From sets that are about comfort to headsets that are about quality, it's been hard to combine all those to get the perfect set for what anyone wants and needs.

Added to that, the more you pack into a headset, the higher the price will go and suddenly getting sound quality and durability starts to become one of those things that users will feel like it's too much to take on board.

These days, everyone wants a headset to do everything. From gaming to listening to music to taking calls and wearing on the go, the needs of a decent headset have exponentially grown as time has gone on and technology has improved. And it goes without saying that gamers expect much more from their games, so why shouldn't they expect that from their headsets?

Fortunately, that ethos is something that's permeated SteelSeries' mantra for their tech and it's one that very much comes into play with the latest from its Arctis range, the Nova Pro Omni. 

While it's important to note that the price tag of these is somewhat steep at around $1050, the company is at pains to point out that it sees these multi-purpose headsets as an investment, something for gamers to buy once - like any kind of hardware - and not worry about needing to upgrade them or buy another set for a few years.

And it's easy to see why that attitude would permeate the perception of this set - because it's very, very good.

These are the kind of headphones you can use as much for lifestyle as your gaming needs - and never feel that while you're wearing them to do other things, you're just using a "gaming headset" to conduct your daily business.

Right out of the box, you can tell these are a premium product.

From a leatherette cushion headband to some chunky-looking, yet comfortable, ear cups, the set's adjustability, while taking a couple of days to settle into your head size (no judgement here), ensures that the fit becomes as natural as putting on clothes. It's obviously important that the headphones are comfortable for extended periods and it's clear that SteelSeries has pushed a lot into ensuring this is the case - not only for long gaming sessions, but also for a daily commute or exercise. They sit perfectly and feel like they're not there while you're wearing them - something which can't be overstated enough.

With a minimalist design and finish, the headset's more plastic edges may feel like they're on the cheaper side of the design spectrum, but given that keeps the weight down on these, they're an important contribution to ensuring the set is a longlife one.

As all the controls are relegated to one earcup, it's a case of learning what's what and where and then you're away laughing. It makes it easier to have it all in one place and is also practical given that the other earcup is used for housing the battery. And it's battery life which makes a difference in this set, because the return of the changeable and chargeable battery means that you're never without power, something which given the more premium lifestyle edges of this product is not something to be sneezed at.

The battery changer may not be a new thing for the Nova Pro series, but it's good to see that given the extra durability of these headphones and the idea that they're for more than just gaming, some thought has been given toward ensuring there'll be no breaks between use.

What impresses greatly about these headphones and the set itself is that it just makes everything so easy to use. Whether it's the base station for tackling different inputs (you can connect in PlayStation, XBox and PC with ease) that allows for customisation or the app which lets you fiddle with your settings to achieve the output quality you want, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni has adapted versatility as its mantra.

Along with OmniPlay which allows you to mix different sources to varying degrees, the emphasis is on both usability and quality. Having the ability to switch between inputs with ease makes for an incredible experience and one which once you've used it once, you'll wonder how you never had it before.

The Omnidirectional microphone which extends out of the earcup and then settles back in nicely when not in use offers solid quality of sound for both input and output. The retractable nature of the mic doesn't make a difference to quality and works across different platforms with ease - its sound is of a quality that means doing everything on the one headset once again becomes a tantalising proposition.

With its ClearCast Pro Omnidirectional microphone that uses AI and its app to increase the sound quality and cut all noise around it, it has to be said the microphone covers everything you need. From calls to gaming moments, this is a step up from what SteelSeries has offered before - and it shows.

All in all, it has to be said the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Headset is perhaps the one that gamers need in 2026. Its clear and concise sound, coupled with what feels like futureproofing for upcoming hardware changes with features like the microphone and the OmniPlay makes you wonder exactly what the group could do next to make an even more superlative headset.

But for now, this is the set that both gamers and casual users deserve and need to have as part of their life.