The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless ($109.99) is a wireless gaming headset that provides admirable audio performance in an inexpensive package. It works with any game console or phone, thanks to 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity. And if you use it with a PC, you can explore SteelSeries' extensive software suite, which includes game-enhancing spatial audio and a cool parametric equalizer tool. Despite its soft high-end sounds, the Arctis Nova 3 offers good value for the price, with performance comparable to the company's $129.99 Arctis Nova 5 Wireless (which has a better battery and mic). If you're looking to save money, consider the excellent Razer Barracuda X ($99.99), an Editors' Choice winner for budget gaming headsets featuring 7.1-channel surround sound and a superior mic.

Design: A Light and Comfortable Gaming Headset

The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, available in black, white, aqua, or lavender versions, has a matte plastic construction that weighs just 9.2 ounces. SteelSeries loaned me a bright aqua model for review. The memory foam earpads are generously padded and covered in soft, breathable fabric. You can adjust the fit by pivoting the earcups slightly vertically and sliding them up and down the headband, which uses a ski goggles-style suspension and wide elastic. The result is a comfortable headset that doesn't weigh down your head or overheat your ears during long play sessions. 

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

All controls and connections are located on the left earcup's edge, and they're easy to reach. They include a mic mute and power buttons, a volume wheel, a USB-C port for charging, and a port for the detachable boom mic.

The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is available in PlayStation and Xbox versions, and both models are compatible with any PC (including handheld systems), Mac, Switch, and USB-C-equipped Android phones via the included 2.4GHz wireless USB adapter. It also features Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting to any other compatible device. According to SteelSeries, the headset can last up to 30 hours with the 2.4GHz connection or 40 hours with Bluetooth. A 15-minute charge via a fast-charging adapter provides up to 9 hours of battery life. That isn't as long as the Arctis Nova 5 and Razer Barracuda X's purported 60 and 50 hours, respectively, but a pretty good amount of time, nonetheless.

Software: Loaded With Sound-Enhancing Features

Like SteelSeries' higher-end headsets, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is extensively customizable using the SteelSeries GG + Sonar software on PC (and to a lesser extent, the Arctis Android and iOS apps—more on those later). SteelSeries GG is available on Mac without Sonar, but it lacks many advanced audio features.

(Credit: SteelSeries/PCMag)

The Sonar audio suite on Windows lets you configure spatial audio and customize its performance by adjusting the position of the seven virtual speakers used for panning and mixing channels. It also provides a useful parametric equalizer for in-depth headphone and microphone tweaks, with hundreds of EQ presets available for individual games, such as Counter-Strike 2 and Escape From Tarkov. There's an audio mixer for adjusting game and chat balance, as well as a cool Streamer Mode that lets you control what you and your audience hear. Simply put, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is one of the best-equipped gaming headset apps available.

The Arctis mobile apps lack spatial audio, a parametric EQ, and a mixer. However, you can use them to access Sonar's EQ presets or any custom presets you create in the Windows software. In a nice touch, you can set separate EQs for the Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections. This lets you have your favorite game balance when playing on PC and a music profile loaded when listening to tunes on your phone.

The Arctis Nova 3 and Arctis Nova 5 share similar software functionality. The Barracuda X, however, has far fewer options, especially on PC. In fact, it doesn't work with the Razer Synapse software used with the company's other headsets, like the Blackshark and Kraken. Still, it features 7.1-channel surround sound, complemented by a separate Razer surround sound PC app.

Performance: Powerful, Balanced Sound With Modest Highs

Games sound excellent on the Nova 3, with effective spatial audio on PC through Sonar. Distant gunfire and nearby footsteps in Apex Legends came through clearly, with the former getting plenty of bass force. I enjoyed a reasonable sense of directionality and could generally track where shots were coming from within an arc of roughly 60 degrees, which was helpful while playing shooters. The audio performance is comparable to that of the Nova 5 and quite satisfying, considering the lower price.

(Credit: Will Greenwald)

For music, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless offers a full and detailed sound that’s distinctly weighted toward the low-mids and mids. In testing the headset with Yes' "Roundabout," the opening acoustic guitar plucks received good string texture and plenty of lower-frequency resonance. But the higher frequencies? That was a different story. They tapered off, preventing the notes from sounding as crisp as they should.

When the track fully kicked in, every element was present and easily distinguishable. That said, the lighter guitar strums had a weaker audio presence than the bass, drums, and vocals. Switching to the Music: Bright EQ preset brought the treble forward a bit, but it still sat behind the other sounds.

The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless produced a good rumble on our bass test track, The Knife's "Silent Shout." During testing, the kick drum hits and bass synth notes delivered plenty of thump that didn't distort at maximum volume. The headset didn't produce a subwoofer-like, low-end sound, but it came close enough to satisfy.

Overall, the Arctis Nova 3's audio performance is comparable with the Arctis Nova 5 and Barracuda X. Of the three wireless gaming headsets, the Arctis Nova 5 has the best dynamic range and the crispest highs.

Microphone: It Could Be Crisper

Want to strategize with friends in a game chat or record a podcast? The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless' microphone gets the job done, but it's not as clear as the Nova 5's mic. My test recordings were just a touch fuzzy, lacking the crispness you'd want for recording or streaming. If you plan to create content while using a gaming headset, consider the Nova 5 or, even better, investing in a separate USB mic.