I don't think anyone's called him "the pinnacle of surface performance, innovation, and style" before, but Towelie is the subject of SteelSeries' latest crossover collab. The South Park collection spans two editions of the QcK Cloth mouse pad, with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless receiving its own towelin' as well. He looks a little less... relaxed... than typically seen in more recent seasons - but this is still everyone's favorite "worst character ever."

I don't know about you, but there's something about having this downtrodden fella on my desk everyday that brings me joy. Mouse pads really do take a beating, but this is one resilient towel - I can't think of a better place for him in a setup.

Honestly, that mouse pad is my main take away from this crossover. If you're keen to kit out your entire setup with the whole gang, though, there's plenty more where that came from.

The QcK mouse pad has also been outfitted with all four boys, while the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (already available in a handy lilac edition) has had a few extra coats of paint to match Towelie as well.

This isn't just a cheap pad with South Park's heroes printed on it. The SteelSeries QcK Cloth scored five stars in our review. It's been around a little while, and has been joined by the QcK Performance line since launch, but it's still widely regarded as one of the best in the business. It helps maintain pinpoint accuracy with a smooth surface and high threadcount while offering an easy-to-clean top liner as well.

Then we have the premium offering, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 in full Towelie regalia. This is one of the best gaming headsets we've tested so far, offering excellent versatility and value particularly for console players. It maintains that high-end audio quality the brand is known for (via the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Arctis Nova Omni) but still manages to keep its price fair for a wireless headset.

Its app is one of my favorite features, though it's slightly annoying that there's no direct EQ controls in here. Many may prefer the freedom of a ten-band slider, but the Arctis app has more casual listeners covered with a collection of over 300 per-game presets developed by developers and engineers.

$159.99 is slightly more than you'd normally expect to pay, though. A typical black or white version comes in at $149.99 at MSRP, but it's rarely that expensive these days. As an older release, you're typically looking at between $105 and $130 on this one. That's without that extra license, of course.

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For more setup inspiration, check out the best gaming keyboards and the best gaming mice on the market. Or keep up with the discounts across the best Prime Day gaming deals we've seen so far.

Sony's Days of Play sale is back and is running until June 11. Plenty of the best PS5 accessories are included in this year's savings, including Sony's own Pulse Explore Wireless buds, which I spotted are down to a record low right now.

The wireless earbuds have been marked down to just $149 (Amazon), which is $50 off their full MSRP. Yet while these official earbuds and their PlayStation Link capabilities must be an alluring purchase, I'd much sooner recommend you grab the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds while they're down to a much cheaper $114.99 at Amazon for a refurbished pair instead. They aren't officially licensed for the Sony pixel-pusher, but these earphones pack in not just an easy-to-pair PS5 setup thanks to the slimline USB-C dongle, but a longer 10-hour battery life that can power plenty more Sony-fueled gaming sessions to come.

I must admit, I haven't had time with Sony's Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, so I can't comment on those directly through personal experience. However, I've been using the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for almost a year with my PS5, and there's not only plenty more impressive features on display, but these are the best gaming earbuds for the PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and any modern games console I've used to date.

The slimline USB-C dongle makes setup a breeze. You just have to pop the thing into the front-facing port, and you're golden. It allows you to use this with more than just the PS5, and that's exactly what I do every day, listening to music on the go with these sat inside my ear canals.

But I'm not here to blether on about why the Game Buds are excellent for music listening on the go (though they very much are), but how great they are for the PS5. And they are, most notably for their impressive battery life. The best PS5 headsets are always going to have earbuds beat where battery is concerned, but these little earphones can still muster up 10 hours of playtime, with up to 40 hours in total thanks to the handy Qi Charging Case. 10 hours might not seem like a big deal, but I've rarely had to worry about these dying on me during heated Marvel Rival matches, or during my recent Lego Batman sessions, and these buds never leave my sight.

Not only do these buds have the Pulse Explore's 5 hours of battery life beat, but they're also super comfortable to wear. I used to stay clear of earbuds as my awkwardly large ears made using them get uncomfortable fast. But I've had no aches and pains, no matter how many hours I've had these popped in my ears with a DualSense controller in hand.

Getting lost in your PS5 games and wasting away the hours is pretty easily done with these buds, thanks to the impressive ANC too. I play my PS5 in the same room as my partner's gaming PC, and he's spent many frustrated moments trying to talk to me for 30+ minutes while I've been none the wiser. Whether it's the ANC, comfort, great battery, fantastic sound, or the handy case, these buds are still just as great to use with my Sony console as they were on day one, and this $114.99 opportunity is not worth missing out on.

If you prefer officially licenced tech, I wouldn't blame you if you still picked up the Pulse Explore Wireless buds instead. I'm also highly aware that not everyone is comfortable picking up a refurbished pair of buds, no matter if they're backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee. Yet, I highly recommend you grab the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for your PS5, or for any console you have at your disposal.

Remember, if their new $199.99 price is too much, you can always wait to check out the best Amazon Prime Day PS5 deals, which are expected to drop in June later this year, in hopes of a better bargain.

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Check out our guides to the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best PS5 monitors if you're on the hunt to create the ultimate Sony gaming setup.

Memorial Day sales are more handy for grabbing deals on shiny new furniture for your house and less so for getting cash off the best gaming headsets for your setup. But it doesn't mean this Monday, May 25, 2026, will be entirely devoid of gaming bargains.

Last year, our roundup of the best Memorial Day sales included the mighty SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which had dropped from its $379.99 MSRP to just $243.46, and I suspect that it's going to be a fixture of this year's big day too. This time last year, the Pro Wireless was the most premium pair in the Arctis Nova lineup, and discounts weren't a rarity exactly. But the existence of not one, but the existence of the brand new Arctis Nova Pro Omni could make it more prone to big discounts next week, and during every big sales event ahead.

Since last Memorial Day, two new SteelSeries headsets have entered the scene: the Arctis Nova Elite and the Arctis Nova Pro Omni. When I was first briefed on the Omni and its new wealth of features, SteelSeries informed me that the availability of the Pro was going to change. It wasn't going to be hard to find in stock, but its presence would shrink a little bit, likely to shift focus onto the new big thing.

That's entirely understandable, especially as the Omni and the Pro Wireless are very similar headsets. Both look practically identical, include the hot-swappable battery tech, and the Game Hub device that allows both headsets to be a multi-platform gamer's dream. However, the new Omni takes things a step further by decking out the device with the ability to hook up to more sources, mix the audio of those sources, and it supports Hi-res audio while wireless.

With that in mind, I have a sense that Pro Wireless discounts are going to be even more of a fixture at Memorial Day, Amazon Prime Day 2026, and all big sales events going forward. Think about it, if SteelSeries wants all eyes on the new Omni, it'd make sense to use big flashy sales events to get rid of old stock and make way for the new big thing.

Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless still worth it?

Even in a post-Omni world, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is most definitely still worth picking up.

If you want the best of the best around the $300 price point, I am, of course, going to recommend the Omni instead right now. It's not the new king of our best headset guides for no reason. However, sticking with the Pro Wireless is a great way to get an almost-as-premium pair, without the premium cost.

If you have a split PC and console setup, the Pro Wireless is a dream. You can hook it up to your desktop and your PS5 at the same time and use the Game Hub to navigate through their volume controls and settings. As I said earlier, it also has that hot-swappable battery tech, which practically makes charging obsolete, and you've got your pick of a wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz connection types and one of the best microphones I've tested in my years of writing about headsets.

There's a reason why the new Omni takes so much from the Pro Wireless, because even years later it's still an impressive piece of tech. Its out of the box sound isn't up to par with the brand's newest releases. However, you do still have the SteelSeries GG PC software at your fingertips and a huge range of EQ settings and game audio pre-sets at your behest, which can help bring out the best of its older Neodymium magnetic audio drivers.

The greatest part of it all is that it's considerably less expensive than the Omni if there are discounts around. Even today, you can grab the headset for just $279.99, saving you $100 off its full price, days before Memorial Day even kicked off. That's not a record low saving, as it dropped as low as $234.35 during last year's Prime Day sales. That being said, it's still big enough that I'd recommend grabbing it even before next week. Anything more this Memorial Day would be a no-brainer. So long as you're okay missing out on the Hi-res wireless stylings of the Omni.

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Take a look at our guides to the best PS5 headsets, best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you want to learn more about the pairs you should be checking out this Memorial Day.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has sat in the best gaming headset top spot for as long as I can remember - and for good reason. The multi-platform powerhouse is compatible with everything from the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, and the PC, and sounds even better than it looks.

Yet now, SteelSeries has finally been pushed off its headset pedestal for the first time in over a year, but it just so happens it's by its own new headset. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni has now overtaken its own Arctis Nova brethren as the best pair of cups that myself, and the rest of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, have tested. It wasn't an easy defeat as the Pro Wireless is still a formidable piece of audio tech, but the new Omni takes all its best features and makes them just that little bit better with just a $20 / £20 price difference too - what's not to like?

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni is very similar to the Pro Wireless, but its small differences are what make it worthy of GamesRadar+'s best headset moniker. It's available in a new 'Midnight Blue' colorway, and it's a little bit more comfortable to wear thanks to its thicker earcushions. At first glance, I thought these may make the Omni less glasses-friendly than the Pro Wireless, but I was happily mistaken.

I wear glasses every single day, and yet I experience no discomfort whatsoever. There is a bit of a tighter clamping force with this pair, which was a bit unnerving to feel when I first plopped the pair on my head. Yet it only took a matter of days for the Omni to loosen up and feel attuned to my noggin', just like the Pro Wireless before it. Outside of these changes, the design is pretty much the same with this new pair as the brand has followed the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule to a T.

It's not in its design that makes the Omni worthy of knocking the Pro Wireless down a peg, but in its features. Everything that made the Pro Wireless great is back, but with additions that make the $20 / £20 price difference feel more than justified. The first major upgrade is that SteelSeries has imbued the pair with certified Hi-res audio.

Not all gamers will be able to fully appreciate its 96kHz/24-bit Hi-res ways as consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S max out at 48k/16bit. However, this makes the Omni far more futureproof than previous Arctis Nova headsets, as it's very likely the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix consoles will support the higher standard of sound when they launch in the near future. Meanwhile, PC players can take advantage of this regardless, as can any audiophile music fans looking for a multi-purpose gaming and music pair of cups.

Even without its Hi-res ways, the out-of-the-box sound of the Omni far outstretches the Pro Wireless. One of the few cons of the older pair was that its sound relied on its EQ settings and the game-audio presets available through SteelSeries GG to truly make it sound as leveled as it could be. I have a pair of my own, and I usually have to at least push up the bass to give the lower sounds of my games more warmth. This time around, I had to do none of that, as the Custom 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers did all the hard work for me.

So it looks and feels better to use and sounds better to boot, but what else makes it even more worthy of that best headset title? It's unmistakably its new and improved Game Hub. This little device came with the Pro Wireless and was at the center of what made it truly special. With it, you could connect to multiple consoles at once, and it could charge a spare battery pack at the same time.

The hot-swappable battery tech is still a key feature with the Omni, and the design of the Game Hub is essentially identical (albeit with a new textured dial). However, this time around, you can connect to up to four consoles at once and mix the audio of those platforms simultaneously. My gaming setup is not unified, so I've not been able to take full advantage of this, but being able to keep my Spotify playlist on while chatting to co-workers while I'm hooked up to both my work laptop and my gaming PC never gets old.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is essentially the Pro Wireless but better, so it makes all the sense that it's over-taken the Pro Wireless. I'll be writing up a more in-depth comparison between the two high-end headsets shortly, but if you're looking for the best headsets out there (and don't want to part with $699.99 (Amazon) for the SteelSeries Actis Nova Elite), the Omni is a must-have.

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Check out our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for a full range of SteelSeries pairs to suit budgets of any size.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni felt like it came out of nowhere. SteelSeries has already launched its most luxurious headset yet with the Arctis Nova Elite, one of the first of its kind to carry a hi-res audio certification in a wireless form factor, so I thought it'd at least be a while longer before anything remotely as premium came along.

Yet in a matter of months after the Elite came on the scene, SteelSeries managed to release a new headset that plopped Hi-Res audio support in a cheaper form factor while simultaneously pushing the best gaming headset out from its top spot.

The $399.99 / £349.99 headset boasts all the same high-end features that mesmerized me with the Pro Wireless, from its comfortable fit, hot-swappable battery tech, and accompanying Base Station (now dubbed the Game Hub) that allows you to hook up to multiple gaming platforms at once. The Omni has all that in spades, but it's even better as you can hook up to more platforms, it's got cushier earcups, and most importantly, the audio and microphone quality feels leagues ahead of what came before. This is the new best of the best.

Key specs

Design

The Arctis Nova Pro Omni looks almost identical to the Nova Pro Wireless or the Nova Elite, but there are some minute changes afoot. The first should be pretty obvious from the photos included in this review, as this newest addition to the Arctis lineup comes in a cool 'Midnight Blue' colorway. It's basically just navy, which isn't too exciting, but it's still refreshing to see colors besides the more traditional black look.

The Omni does happen to also be available in Black and White if that's what you like, but I was very happy to sample the new color, especially as it's not just relegated to the headset itself. Even the little Game Hub has been given a splash of Midnight Blue color across its dial, which has also been upgraded with a textured grip around the edges.

Color aside, the Omni also separates itself by having slightly thicker ear cushions than its predecessors. SteelSeries told me in a video call that this was to improve overall comfort, but it does mean that it's not compatible with the replacement cushions the brand sells on its online store. Besides what I just mentioned, the Omni is pretty much identical in design to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in looks alone. As always, the brand is going for the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset with design, but I'm here for it.

Features

When it comes to features, the Omni is yet again flaunting its Pro similarities, but with one big difference: this bad boy is Hi-res audio compatible. Instead of just providing 96kHz/24Bit audio support via a wired connection like the Pro, you can achieve that audiophile-friendly sound on the go - well, so long as you're hooked up to a gaming PC or listening to some lossless audio tracks.

As I mentioned in my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review, consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S max out at 48k/16bit, so console players won't notice a huge difference. That being said, this will likely become a handy headset down the line, where futureproofing is concerned, as it's very likely that the next-gen Xbox Project Helix console and the PS6 will be able to support the higher quality sound.

The Omni has other features that separate it from Arctis Nova headsets, past and present. The Game Hub has been given an upgrade, and now lets you connect to four platforms at once (2xUSB+Bluetooth+Line-in) and mix the audio of those simultaneously. For example, I've had the Omni hooked up to my gaming PC and playing Spotify faintly while in a catch-up video call with the rest of the team, and was able to mix and alter the levels of their speaking with my anime tunes still audible in my ears.

The Omni's other new features are small, like the fact the microphone now automatically mutes when fully retracted, or pair's tighter clamping force. Talking of the microphone, this headset marks the debut for the ClearCast Pro, a higher-bandwidth and omnidirectional microphone with a 50-16,000 Hz frequency response and built-in noise rejection.

Otherwise, this is a very similar package to the Pro Wireless, as you've still got that hot-swappable battery tech, multi-platform support, and similar over-ear and closed-back form factor as before.

Performance

As current-gen consoles aren't Hi-res audio compatible, it felt best to hook up the Omni to my PC first for testing. The first game on the platter was Counter-Strike 2, where the gunshots felt extra crunchy and satisfying. Right off the bat, I noticed that any dialogue and sound effects are really amplified with this headset, as even when I knew enemy bot players (I'm still practicing) were just around the corner due to the spatial audio capabilities, the clarity of their gunfire made me constantly jump out of my seat.

Picking up Marvel Rivals sounded just as juicy. The pulsating sound effects of Invisible Woman's attacks brought me right into action that I was even doing her hand movements between matches. This punchy clarity continued no matter what game I threw the pairs way on Steam, but even more so once I checked out the Dead As Disco demo. The music-rhythm beatem up felt like the perfect testing choice, as it gave me the opportunity to see how the pair dealt with music and a sound-effect-heavy soundstage. Naturally, as I expected, the Omni has no issue, and in fact, there were moments where I was getting too into the catchy rendition of 'Maniac' that I missed some counter opportunities. Not a headset issue, but definitely a skill issue.

Before I tap into how it sounded on the PS5, I do need to elaborate that this headset, while extraordinary, is not built for my setup. What I mean by that is, my consoles and my gaming PC are in two separate rooms, and so I never have the means to use the Game Hub to its fullest potential. If you're in the same boat, that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to get out of adding the Omni to your setup, it just means you might be a better target for the brand's SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless until you have one unified gaming space.

Despite that, I was still able to put the hub's audio mixing to the test. I connected it to my PC and work laptop simultaneously, and I was able to easily customize the volume levels of my co-workers' voices and my music that I sneakily had on Spotify in the background. Now, I wouldn't recommend you recreate my test to avoid getting in trouble with your boss, but having this ability to mix the audio of multiple platforms at once is something that'd be a great tool for streamers and content creators, which is worth keeping in mind.

While I wasn't able to hook the Omni up to my PC and PS5 in the same way, I did test it with my Sony pixel-pusher and had just as great a time. The first thing I noticed with this new headset is that it gets loud, something that very few PS5 headsets manage. I'm not sure why the PS5 has volume issues, but I've tested so many pairs that are just too quiet, no matter what settings I tinker with, but the Omni was just right. I almost shed a tear when I discovered I could hear composer Tsutomu Narita's Granblue Fantasy Relink score pounding into my eardrum, especially as the ANC meant I could totally switch off the outside world and completely immerse myself in the RPG's world.

It was the microphone that was next on the testing chopping block. My friends are used to hearing the ClearCast Gen 2 from the Pro Wireless, which is one of those mics that they'll always make positive comments about during our regular Repo sessions and Discord calls. If and when I switch to a budget headset instead, they're all well aware, so I was really intrigued to see how the ClearCast Pro would go down. From my own audacity tests, I was pretty impressed.

I've provided a sample audio clip above, so you can hear it for yourself, but it's one of those rare instances where the microphone actually manages to capture the deep timbre of my voice. I'm always an advocate for grabbing the best streaming gear and a high-end microphone if you want professional-level audio, but if you just want one of the best mics for chatting to friends for many hours of Repo, Fortnite, and in my friends' case, many hours worth of Talisman on Steam, this is a fantastic, if not one of the best mic choices you can make.

My only recommendation is to get that sidetone turned down via the SteelSeries GG software as soon as possible. By default, it's a bit too loud, and hearing your own loud voice right in your ear can be a bit of a distraction. Talking of which, the Omni is compatible with GG, and you still have all the EQ settings and game audio pre-sets to play around with, if that's what you want. Although I've had just as incredible an out-of-the-box sound that I never felt inclined to have any pre-set on. The low, mid, and high sound frequencies sound perfectly leveled and juicy right on their own.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset should be your first choice if you're after the best in the business but want to steer clear of the $599.99 / £599 price tag of the Elite (and still want to take advantage of its Hi-res ways).

With this release, the brand has taken my and the rest of the team's favorite headset, the Pro Wireless, and made it even better, so there's very little here not to like. It doesn't just have practical upgrades like the retractable mic muting and thicker earcup cushions, but its out-of-the-box sound and the new ClearCast Pro microphone are also better this time around. Through Hi-res audio support and the ability to connect up to more sources (and mix them), it's basically the Pro Wireless Plus, where I'm concerned.

Of course, with its $399.99 / £349.99 MSRP, there is a small matter of its $20 / £20 price difference compared to our much beloved Pro. To me, everything you get in this package feels like it more than justifies the extra funds. But I entirely understand anyone who still wants to opt for the next best thing in order to save some cash, especially as the Pro Wireless is regularly discounted when big events like Black Friday come around.

Availability of the Pro Wireless is going to simmer down a bit now that the Omni is here, which is worth considering. SteelSeries informed me that it will still be available at big-name retailers, but the Omni is set to be the new star of the Arctis line. Hopefully, it will eventually see just as many discounts in the future as what came before, as any and all multiplatform gamers deserve to have this echelon of headset and audio quality in their setup.

How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset

I had the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni Pro headset on my testing bench for a little over two weeks, using it to hook it up to everything from my gaming PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and my Samsung S24 smartphone. During that two-week process, I first used the pair to play Marvel Rivals, Counter-Strike 2, Vampire Crawlers, and the Dead As Disco demo. PC testing was a priority due to the pair's Hi-res audio support, but I later took up games like Granblue Fantasy Relink, Mixtape, and Marvel Rivals on the PS5. Additionally, I played a range of Switch 2 games via the headset, including Mario Kart World and Pokemon Pokopia.

Outside of gaming, I used the headset to listen to music, including Hi-res audio files like the album 'Death Club' by Slime City and 'I Love My Computer' by Ninjajirachi. The Omni was also my go-to headset when catching up with the latest Witch Hat Atelier episodes on Crunchyroll and The Boys on Amazon Prime. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the rest of SteelSeries' Arctis Nova gaming audio catalog.

SteelSeries has dominated the best gaming headset guide here at GamesRadar+ for over a year now. I was about to suspect that nothing would be able to shake up the top spot that it's held onto for over a year, until the gaming accessories brand unveiled the brand-new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Wireless.

This new $399.99 / £349.99 headset was ceremoniously announced and released today by SteelSeries and is available straight from the official SteelSeries storefront and select retailers. It boasts many similar features to its Pro Wireless brethren, from a similar MSRP, a similar over-ear form factor with a suspended headband, and hot swappable battery tech, and the accompanying GameHub device has also made a comeback. But the new Arctis Nova Pro Omni Wireless is Hi-Res Wireless Certified to boot.

Much like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite that launched late last year, this new SteelSeries pair is compatible with Hi-res 96kHz/24bit audio over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, just without that massive $599.99 / £599.99 price. It achieves this audiophile-grade sound as it's got new Hi-Res Neodymium 40mm audio drivers in each earcup, along with an extended 10Hz to 40kHz frequency range, both of which, according to SteelSeries, are "necessary to support full Hi-Res Wireless Certification."

This is ideal for PC players as you just need to ensure you have the 96kHz/24-bit setting toggled on via the GameHub device, and you're golden. You won't be able to take advantage of its hi-res audio on the PS5 or Xbox Series X, as those consoles max out 48k/16bit, unfortunately. Though I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the looming PlayStation 6 and Project Helix next-gen platforms could be Hi-res audio compatible, making this new headset a futureproof pickup.

The new pair isn't just boasting of Hi-Res audio support, but it's also equipped with a new and improved ClearCast Pro omnidirectional microphone with the brand claims can reduce "96% of background noise." Much like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, it's a retractable microphone this time around, but the brand has gone the extra mile to ensure it actually mutes once you push it back into the left earcup, a small yet very much appreciated inclusion.

Talking of which, there are a few more of these handy upgrades found in this new addition to the Arctis Nova line. The accompanying GameHub can connect up to five devices at a time, mix the audio sources of four of those, and it's been upgraded with a new tactile dial to make running through its various sound options easier if you've got a case of the sweaty gamer hands. That dial is also available in a range of three colorways, ranging from Midnight Blue, Omni Black, and Omni White, which match that of the headset itself.

The design changes aren't limited to colors, either, as the ear cushions are a bit thicker and meatier with this release. That does mean they aren't compatible with the existing Arctis AirWeave Ear Cushions replacements you can purchase separately online, but at least this new headset works fine with the existing Booster Packs if you want to personalise your pair. I've been testing these out for a few days now, and have had no issue popping in the pink discs that previously sat on my Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

If you want the Hi-res audio capabilities of the Arctis Nova Elite without the elite price, the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is available starting today from SteelSeries and other retailers. Alternatively, you could wait a while for my review, which is in the works, to see if it truly has the specs to knock the Pro Wireless from our best gaming headset pedestal.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you're after a brand new pair for your gaming platform of choice.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless has remained the best Nintendo Switch headset I've tested since it first found its way on my head. It offers up that comfortable fit the Arctis line is known for, while providing a great sound, fantastic microphone, and a range of colorways to suit different Switch 2 player styles. Most importantly, it launched with an original low cost of just $109.99, which instantly made it stand out.

Today, you can even catch it for as low as $59.99 at Woot. This saving marks a return to its lowest ever price, and exactly what I want to see when everything else in the gaming world continues to rise in price.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless remains the best choice for Switch 2 players for all it can do for its price. Even at its full $109.99 MSRP, I find it a bit of a bargain, so you're getting far more bang for your buck thanks to Woot today.

For one, the sound quality is top-tier. There's no distortion with low sound frequencies, and the catchy soundtracks to Donkey Kong Bananza or Mario Kart World sound lovely through the pair's 40mm Neodymium audio drivers. If you want that gut-punching bass, you do need to do a little tinkering with either the SteelSeries app or its free-to-download GG software, but it's pretty simple to use. In fact, I recommend that you do, as this headset grants you access to over 200+ game audio presets that are designed for everything from Mario Kart World to Dead by Daylight.

You don't have to use them, but whenever I feel like drifting around in free-roaming mode in Mario Kart World, you can bet I have the game's preset locked and loaded and ready to go. Instead of having to tinker with EQ settings, the preset instantly brightens up the soundstage, and lessens the grating sounds of the engine rumbling that I can always do without.

What other options are there?

If you have a bigger budget to spare, you could alternatively grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless instead. It's compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, and will let you hook up to your PS5 and gaming PC at the same time. Of course, to take full advantage of that it's best if your setup is all confined to one place. I prefer to play my Switch 2 on the couch or in bed, so my dock is sitting underneath the main room TV, and not anywhere near my gaming rig.

It's also $379.99 at full price, though it's down to $299.99 (Amazon) today. That's almost the full cost of the handheld itself, so I don't expect it to suit everybody's budget. If you were looking for a headset for your Switch 2, PS5, PC, and even everyday music listening, then I'd say it's still worth the investment. But those of you on the hunt for more budget-friendly Switch 2 pairs are better off sticking with the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, or even the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit.

The Airlite Fit is one of those headsets aimed more towards kids, but adults can still have a pretty good time with it. It doesn't have the sound quality that can match that of the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless, but even I was pretty surprised with how great it sounded for just $27.99 - and it's down to a lower $19.99 (Amazon) price today.

In my Turtle Beach Airlite Fit review, I stated I was "taken aback by how balanced the bass, mid, and high frequencies sounded as they permeated through the cushioned cups" and I still am to this day. They aren't the comfiest pair around, as the cups are extremely rounded and made for smaller ears, but there was no distortion or sound muffling even at full volume. During my initial testing, I even found myself listening to the Mario Kart World soundtrack for hours after, while not actually playing the game, and entirely forgetting I was using such a cheap pair as they sounded that great.

For $19.99 today, you don't get any audio presets, fast charging, or even a wireless setup. This is purely a low-cost wired headset that plays sound, hooks up to your Switch 2 via the headphone jack, and has a flip-to-mute microphone which is best left muted. However, it's still a valid option if your budget can't quite manage the $59.99 of the discounted SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

• View all Switch 2 gaming headsets at Amazon
• View all gaming headsets at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you need more high-quality Ninty-compatible accessories.

The SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are the best gaming earbuds I've ever popped inside my large Scottish ears, and I swear by using them with the Switch 2. It's just difficult to recommend them to friends as their full £159.99 price is a lot to stomach at a time when everything from heating bills and the average cost of the weekly food shop continues to climb.

Amazon UK has some limited time deals on offer that have managed to make my life so much easier. Today, the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are down to £94.99 at Amazon, their lowest ever price here in the UK. I've seen them skim along the £100 price mark in the past, but they tend to shoot back up shortly afterwards. This limited deal means there's £65 off in total, which is going to make me yapping on about them to my fellow Switch 2-owning pals easier than ever before.

It's all thanks to that additional USB-C port. I despise fiddling around with Bluetooth, as it takes time to pair and issues pop up constantly. These have Bluetooth for those who want to use it, but you can more easily take out the slimline wireless 2.4GHz dongle and pop it on top of the Switch 2 for a low-latency and practically automatic connection.

The Game Buds also sound fantastic despite their small size. I was a bit wary that they would sound tinny or muffled, but the little 6mm neodymium can pack a punch. The upbeat jazz-inspired stylings of the Mario Kart World soundtrack sound sublime, with even low bass frequencies feeling like they're getting their due through the tiny audio drivers. Thanks to the inclusion of active noise cancellation, I've also been able to sit back in a cafe and tune out the rest of the world. Drifting around in free-roam mode unbothered by the world's goings on is exactly how gaming on the go should be.

What makes these especially handy for the Switch 2 is their compact size. While I'll always prefer to use one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets when it comes to sound quality, packing a pair of cups into my bag isn't fun. They take up a lot of space, space that's already limited if Ninty's handheld is coming with me. Even in their wireless charging case, the buds are just about the same size as the palm of my hand.

I've been able to fit my Switch 2, the Game Buds, a whole makeup bag, and even a spare controller in one of my backpacks, which would have been a far harder feat with a headset, let me tell you. Of course, you could save even more space by grabbing a wired alternative like the 1More Triple Driver earbuds.

These start at £69.99 at Amazon, so they're even cheaper than today's Game Buds deal, and can pop into the headphone jack of the Switch for a just as straightforward setup. Their small size also means you can keep them in your Switch 2 case, something I can't manage with the Game Buds. The hi-res certified three-driver earbuds also have an extended frequency response of 40,000 Hz, which is marginally larger than the Game Bud's 20 - 20,000Hz range, so you're getting a more in-depth sound at a lower price to boot.

If you don't mind spending a bit more, there's also the Razer Moray in-ear monitor buds you can grab instead. These start at £129.99 at Amazon, but they come packaged with a set of custom ear tips in varying sizes, so you pick the best fit for your ears. Despite SteelSeries' large £159.99 MSRP, their buds don't come with additional tips, which has always been a bit of a sore spot for me - especially as my large ears require comfort above all else.

With both of these alternatives, you don't have to worry about charging too. That's worth remembering as the Game Buds can only muster 10 hours until you need to pop them in their charging case.

If you're looking for a more compact alternative to a headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds should however, be your first choice when it comes to the Switch 2, especially when they're as low as £94.99. Just remember that this is a limited-time deal, so it won't stay under £100 for much longer.

• View all gaming earbud deals at Amazon
• View all gaming deals at Amazon

Our hardware team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you're looking to give your Ninty gaming setup a boost.

Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale has officially kicked off, and it's looking to be a good week for those of you PS5 players in need of a new headset. Plenty of the best PS5 headsets I've ever popped on my head and reviewed are included amongst today's tech savings.

Take the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the best option out there for PS5 players overall. It's down to $299.99 at Best Buy today, a mighty $80 saving off its full $379.99 price. Sure, it's not a record-low, but it's not far from it, and picking it up this week means you're getting access to the greatest headset that can pair with Sony's pixel pusher. If it's a bit out of your budget, the brand's mid-range Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is down to $129.99 (Best Buy) and carries the same comfortable over-ear design, albeit without some of the fancy high-end bells and whistles.

It's not just SteelSeries headsets that are seeing plenty of savings this Tech Fest, but a whole range of big-name brands from Turtle Beach to Razer. So you can find the right pair for you, I've gathered all my top PS5 picks from this week's sale down below and have made sure to include devices that myself, or someone else on our hardware team, have tested. Better yet, I'll continue to add any PS5 headset deals I see over the coming days as the sale doesn't end until this Sunday, March 22, 2026.

How I find the best PS5 headset deals for gamers

Finding the best gaming headset deals at an event like Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale is an easy feat for me, but that's because I spend day after day catching up with the latest pairs and their pricing history. When I first approach a brand-new sales event, I look at how the most premium pairs are discounted, which, in this case, means the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

It currently tops our best PS5 headset guide, and is my go-to pair whenever I start a new PS5 game, whether that's Resident Evil Requiem, Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly, or just the latest season of Marvel Rivals. I'm always keeping an eye on its pricing history as it tops multiple of our "best of" lists, but for an event like today, I'm most interested in seeing how much it's discounted from its full price, and how close it is to its record-low saving. If it's just a measly $10 or so off, it doesn't feel relevant to bring to your or anyone else's attention. However, this week it's $80 off at Best Buy, which brings the usual $379.99 pair down to $299.99 - a price definitely worth highlighting.

After looking at more premium offerings, I like to check out the mid-range market and below to see what lower-priced headsets are even cheaper at an event like Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale. In today's case, that brought me to the likes of the SteelSeries' own Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and the Razer Barracuda X wireless headset. The latter of which isn't currently on our top PS5 headset list, but it's actively been a favorite headset of mine due to its comfortable, lightweight design and great sound.

I'm not just looking at the differences in MSRPs when choosing the best PS5 deals to include today, but I also like to ensure there's a bit of variation for any type of PS5 player. For example, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the best of the best, but it's best suited for those who play on the PS5 and other platforms. Meanwhile, I included the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 for those who need their bass to sound in-your-face and as intense as possible, and the Corsair Virtuoso Max Wireless is included here as it's cheaper and one of the best-looking PS5 headsets for those who love a bit of RGB lighting in their setups.

If it's high-quality PS5 accessories you're after, our best SSDs for PS5, best PS5 controllers, and best PS5 external hard drive guides are full of top-tier devices that have been tried and tested by our very own hardware team.

Amazon's Spring Sale has landed in the UK, and after perusing the best gaming deals, I was happy to see the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless included amongst the rest of this week's savings. It's the best gaming headset I've ever tested, and continues to dominate our team's best headset guides no matter the platform, but it's also £329.99 most days.

That's a big investment for an accessory alone, even one that can hook up to the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S all at once. But thanks to the spring sale, it's now £229.99 at Amazon, a mere £10 away from its lowest ever price yet. I shout and scream at my friends to pick up this headset every time it gets this low, and today's no different, as you're saving a huge £100 in total here. Not only that, you're getting a headset that, no matter the hundreds I've tested in its wake, has continued to smash the competition with its great sound, multi-platform compatibility, and hot-swappable battery tech. This is as good as it gets.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset in 2026?

Very few headsets have managed to make me forget about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. In fact, since it launched back in 2022, I'd even not recommend everyday gamers grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Elite in its stead - unless you have the cash to burn and are a bit of an audiophile.

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has remained one of the best PC headsets for gaming and other consoles due not just to its great sound, but all the features it offers in one comfortable and snazzy-looking package, and I'd still recommend it in 2026. Its 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers still manage to make my favorite games sound sublime. I always have these cups on my head when grinding up the latest battle pass in Marvel Rivals on PS5, as they make everything sound intense, from the character select music to the roars of the character's Ultimates when a match is getting particularly heated.

My favorite feature of the pair is those hot-swappable batteries. I'm really bad at remembering to charge headsets, but this headset comes with a Base Station device that continuously charges one while you're using the other. Instead of sitting for hours and waiting for your headset to charge back up, you just have to swap the batteries, and away you go. That Base Station is also what lets you connect up to three platforms at a time, which is especially handy if you keep all your consoles in one confined setup.

If you have a bigger budget to spare, you could drop £559.49 at Amazon on the Arctis Nova Elite, which just saw its first-ever discount. That adds the ability to hook up to four sources at once, and you can mix the audio of each at the same time with its newly improved 'Game Station' (formerly the Base Station). It's also compatible with hi-res audio, which the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless can only achieve via a wired connection.

But honestly, I don't recommend everyone drop that amount of cash. Unless you also happen to be a big music nerd with access to a ton of FLAC audio tracks of your favorite albums. Parting with £229.99 now is enough to get the best parts of the Elite and the best headset out there on the market today, but you only have until the Spring Sale ends on March 16 to grab it.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headset deals at Amazon
• View all Spring Sale gaming deals at Amazon

Our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best gaming earbuds are full of cheaper alternatives if you can't quite budget for the Arctis Pro Wireless.

There's no shortage of President's Day PS5 deals this week, but amongst all the discounted white-label games and flashy controllers, it's the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that's caught my PS5-loving attention.

In the past few months, the premium PS5 headset has been jumping between $299.99 at Amazon and its full eye-watering $379.99 MSRP. Fortunately for President's Day, the best PS5 headset I've ever used has settled at the sub-$300 mark, where you can grab it if you're fast enough. This headset now has the newer SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite to contend with, which is the more luxurious pair of the two. However, the PS5 doesn't support its Hi-Res audio ways, making the Pro Wireless still the best option for those after a premium sound for the Sony pixel-pusher.

Why you should buy the SteelSeries Pro Wireless over the Arctis Nova Elite

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the more elite headset, but it's not entirely worth it if you're a PS5 owner.

If you jump between the PS5 and a gaming PC, then by all means you should think about grabbing the Elite if your bank account can spare the $599.99 (Amazon) for a gaming headset alone. However, its biggest selling point isn't compatible with the console as the PS5 maxes out at 48k/16bit, and can't compute the 96kHz/24-bit audio that the Elite is designed for. With that in mind, its price doesn't feel entirely justifiable for those who stick with the PS5.

For $300 less today, you can get plenty of the same benefits, including those hot-swappable batteries that make charging almost obsolete, the customizable ear cups, and a retractable high-quality microphone. The Pro Wireless also has the 'Game Hub' in the form of a Base Station, which can connect to three platforms at a time. It's not as fancy as the Elite's version, which can hook up to four sources, but if you only play the Sony console, that feature will be redundant anyway.

The 40mm neodymium drivers of the Pro Wireless continue to make everything I play, from Marvel Rivals, Death Stranding Director's Cut, to Doom Eternal sound sublime, even if the pair doesn't quite match the frequency range of its Elite rival. As the 40mm carbon fibre drivers of the Elite are held in place with brass rings, they can produce a range of 10-40,000 Hz, which the Pro can only achieve via a wired connection.

The sound difference is not going to be noticeable to the average pair of ears. If you're truly fussed about having the most high-end headset out there, the Elite is there. However, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless remains my premium pick for the PS5, especially when it sits below that $300 price mark like today.

• View all SteelSeries headsets at Amazon
• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best Xbox Series X headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets and the best PC headsets for gaming if the Pro is too pro for your PS5 gaming needs.

Paranormasight, one of my favorite horror games in the past 5 years, is finally getting a sequel. The moment I first spotted the Storyteller's fabulous silver locks and the reveal of The Mermaid's Curve in the February 5 Partner Direct Showcase, I knew I not only had to pre-order the game as soon as possible, but also use one of the best gaming headsets to play it.

The first game was a feast for the ears. It didn't have a huge sweeping orchestral score, but the audio played a big part in creating a creepy atmosphere that has me harkening to be scared a second time around, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is going to be the pair I use. Bring on the nights of leaving the lights on.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless wasn't released when I originally played Paranormasight The Seven Mysteries of Honjo in 2023, but I wish it had been. Instead, I was using an off-brand pink cat ear headset that someone had gifted me, as my funds were low and I was well into my 'everything I own must be super cute' era.

In that time since, I've returned to the game as it's only a 10-20 hour experience, and that's what cemented it as my choice for the sequel. The wind, as you play the prologue and get your bearings of how this more interactive visual novel-style gameplay works, howls around you like it's actually there. Each time the sharp twang sound of the dialogue boxes appeared I got a fright as the 40mm Neodymium drivers managed to make them sound so loud and striking in comparison to the subtle, eerie soundscape.

That's exactly what I want from a horror experience. I want to feel unease throughout every moment, and the clarity of the SteelSeries' budget cups can manage just that. When music does kick in, like the depressing, twinkly piano tunes composed by Hidenori Iwasaki, they sound just as good and just as unnerving through these cups.

You spend a lot of the first game reading documents and backgrounds on characters and locations in the 'Files' menu. The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless's ability to bring out the dissonant sounds of the piano keys and the more atmospheric parts of the soundstage meant I found it easier to read away and get more immersed in the world, almost like I was watching a classic horror film.

The headset is lightweight at just 260g too, which is a huge plus. When it comes to playing the sequel, I want to be able to get through the story and play it for hours and end without any migraines or pain. Horror just doesn't click with me as much if I can constantly be interrupted from feeling physically uncomfortable, but the elastic strap of the 3 Wireless keeps things perfectly light.

When you get down to it, there is no singular best gaming headset for horror, as any high-quality Nintendo Switch pair of cups is going to bring its own benefits to the genre. For example, donning the more premium SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is going to bring ANC to the table, which can help prevent any outside noise from disrupting the immersion caused by the developer's Xeens painterly character design and backgrounds.

It might be a bit overkill for the Switch 2, as it's $379.99 (Best Buy), which is only a $120 difference from the current $499.99 cost of the handheld itself at plenty of US retailers. But if you already have one at hand, then it's an incredible choice to play the Mermaid's Curse when it launches on February 19.

Personally, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is my pick for exploring the depths of the visual novel later this month. And the fact its cute, cozy purple colorway contrasts with the creepy world of Paranormasight is just the cherry on top of the high-quality headset cake.

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $379.99 at Best Buy
• View all SteelSeries headsets at Best Buy

I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless isn't for you.

I've been harping on about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset since 2025, and for good reason. It remains a shining example of quality and value, as it carries the same great sound and impressive mic its mid-range counterparts are known for, but tacks on quality of life features from fast-charging to support for up to 200+ game audio presets, all in one cheaper, $109.99 package.

Its full MSRP is worth it regardless, but it's now down to $59.99 at Woot, and I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't imagining things. The wireless gaming headset has had its fair share of discounts, and it was even just $84.99 at Amazon's Woot over the holidays, but I've never seen it drop this low in price since it launched last June. You do have to be a fan of its bright Aqua colorway to want it, but it's a small price to pay for being able to grab such a fantastic headset for so little cash.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless in 2026?

We're barely into 2026, and so the full splendour of what future gaming headsets have in store has yet to be shown, yet I can still confidently say that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P is worth your time in 2026. The 'P' in this case stands for 'PlayStation', but this pair is compatible with the PS5, the Nintendo Switch 2, and even if your gaming PC if you have one. Xbox players will have to source out the Actis Nova 3X, but fortunately, it's also on sale at Amazon right now and down to $84.99 (Amazon) if you want to stick with the Aqua colorway.

Regardless of whether it's the 3P or 3X, this budget-friendly pair is my favorite that I reviewed last year, if you couldn't tell by the fact that it ended up as a key part of our GamesRadar+ Hardware Awards 2025 roundup. It carries the same 40mm Neodymium drivers as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and makes every game, from Marvel Rivals and Mario Kart Worlds, sound its absolute best. If you loved the 5 Wireless (and its 5P model), you'll love the 3P, but it goes a step further in the better direction. The retractable mic has been replaced with a detachable model, there's a new slimline dongle, and fast charging, which is the best addition of them all, and one that continues to be handy for my gaming needs this year.

The battery life of the 3P is a bit lacking as it can only last up to 30 hours via its 2.4GHz wireless connection. That would normally be a bit of a bummer if it weren't for the fact that you can conjure up an additional 9 hours of playtime with just a 15-minute charge. This has been a lifesaver during those moments where my friends disband to have a toilet and tea break on Discord, and it's one of the reasons why I go back to the headset between testing new pairs.

I've got the Lavender SKU as shown in the photos above, but if you aren't a fan of the pastel-colored cozy colorways, you can spend a little more. Both the White and Black versions are available for less than their $109.99 MSRPs at Amazon right now, but you'll have to stick to Woot if you want today's record low. Just be warned, if that $59.99 saving is alluring, you have five days left to make it yours, and I highly recommend that you do.

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless | $109.99 $65.99 at Amazon
• View all gaming deals at Woot

Our guides for the best PC headset for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headset, and the best Xbox Series X headset are full of quality cups if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless isn't for you.

The other week, one of my closest online friends sent me a message over Discord asking if I had any recommendations for thumb grips that would " stop the rubber from getting sticky" when they were using the official Switch 2 Pro controller, and I instantly thought of the Strawberry Sage Edition Kontrol Freek No-Slip Thumb Grips.

Well, actually, I'm lying a bit. My actual first thought was that it felt pretty nice that I was the first and only person my friend came to when looking for Nintendo Switch 2 accessory recommendations. But after that narcissistic pat on the back, the grips, which are currently $12.99 at Amazon felt easy to bring to their attention. Not only are they pretty affordable, as that full MSRP covers a pack of four, but they're designed to universally fit a whole trolley of controllers, and have been keeping my Joy-Con grips safe and stick-free for weeks.

With "Strawberry Sage Edition" in the name, and the cutesy pastel pink and green colors as seen in this four-pack of grips, I was a bit worried that my friend in question would be a bit hesitant to add them to their Nintendo Switch 2 setup. However, a few days later, much to my joy, they were quick to send me an image that their grips had arrived safe and sound, and had been protecting their Switch 2 Pro Controller, and 8Bit Do controller sticks ever since.

And that's one of the main reasons why my brain instantly thought of this pack, as they fit a whole load of different pads. As you can see from the image below, I have one pair sitting on my limited edition Astro Bot DualSense, and the other is currently sitting on my Switch 2 Joy-Cons. These grips are also designed to fit PS4 controllers, Xbox Wireless controllers, and the original Switch Pro pad if you still have one lying around.

Throughout the months that I've had these on my controllers, my original sticks have been protected from any additional abrasions and any gunk and sweat from that can often accumulate from hours of playing Mario Kart World and Marvel Rivals, as gross as that sounds.

They don't entirely get rid of the 'sticky" sensation that can often come about from worn-out sticks, as the silicon rubberized material and textured surface make them partially sticky themselves. That's to give your thumbs something better to grip onto, and these definitely get that job done. The sticky grip is pretty subtle too, and not one that will give you a sensory overload if that's something you're worried about.

While I adore these handy little grips, they are limited. Just like I told my friend on Discord, they come in a four pack, but they're all the same level of height, so you won't be getting the accuracy and comfort benefits of a mid to high rise thumg stick, if that's what you were after. For that, you're better off looking at KontrolFreek's Inferno Switch Pro Edition grips for $16.99 at Amazon instead.

They're also prone to dirt and grime themselves, but it's a small price to pay. I'd much rather get these protective grips dirty than the original sticks of my controller, which are much pricier and complicated to replace.

If your controller has seen better days, our team has rounded up the best PC controllers for gaming, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers for your platform of choice.

• View all Kontrol Freek Thumb Grips at Amazon
• View all game controller Thumb Grips at Amazon

For the entirety of 2025, many of the best gaming headset lists have been dominated by the one and only SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The mighty pair of cups was originally released in 2022, and despite its age, it remains one of the most premium picks from not just the Arctis Nova lineup, but all headsets on the market. That was, until the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite came on the scene.

The Nova Elite launched in September last year and injected the Arctis Nova line with its Hi-Res audio support and luxury. If you were originally after the Pro Wireless, the new presence of the Elite among your Amazon search results has likely made choosing the best pair more confusing than ever. Both headsets share the same wireless form factor and an accompanying Base Station (known as the Game Hub for the Elite) that can connect to multiple gaming platforms at once and look almost identical.

The Elite has definitely muddied the waters as to what premium pair I'd recommend above all else. That's why I'm using my experience with both SteelSeries headsets at my disposal to see once and for all what's better, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite? No matter my pick, it will still depend on your budget and needs as to what headset is best for you, but feel free to join my journey as I put SteelSeries' best headsets together and see who comes out on top.

Price

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has a $379.99 / £329.99 MSRP, which is less than that of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite's $599.99 / £599.99 launch price. By that factor alone, the Pro Wireless is the cheaper and more affordable option of the two.

The Pro Wireless is an older headset, and is lacking some of the new features of the Elite, which include its newly updated 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber Drivers, Hi-Res Audio support, and ability to connect to and mix the audio sources of four gaming sources at once. Taking that on board, it makes sense why the Elite would be positioned at a higher price point, and that's before I get into its extra design flourishes.

If budget is a priority and you want a premium pair at the lowest price possible, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the winner here. As of typing these very words, the White SKU Pro Wireless is down to just $299 at Amazon, which is a massive $80 off its full price. It's prone to discounts and deals during each and every big sales event, from your Amazon Prime Days to your Black Fridays, and it's only been getting cheaper as the years go on. Meanwhile, the Elite is only a few months old, and so it'll be a while before it shifts from that $599.99 MSRP.

Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Design

The SteelSeries headsets are almost identical. SteelSeries did very little to distinguish the Elite from the Pro Wireless, and if it wasn't for its exclusive Sage Green colorway, I'd find it difficult to tell these apart, and I live and breathe the brand's headsets

They both share the same over-ear form factor and the highly recognizable look of the entirety of the Arctis Nova lineup, from the smooth curved edges to the SteelSeries-branded earcups that can be popped out and replaced with a range of Booster Packs, to spice up their looks. The Elite doesn't just have that unique green and gold colorway however, but it's also equipped with a gold SteelSeries logo, yokes and a matching shimmering volume dial and microphone speaker.

It's these little changes that make it stand out from the Pro Wireless and give it that more luxiours appeal. In my review, I noted that these design updates were so pleasing to the eye that I found it hard to look away from their "stunning, golden shimmery aura" and I stand by that. If you want the headset that has the most premium looks to match its premium sound, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the belle of the headset ball.

Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Features

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the most feature-full of the two headsets.

It took the hot swappable batteries of the Pro Wireless and the ability to connect to three audio sources at once (eg, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC) at once, and added up to four sources. Not only that, the audio from those four sources can be mixed and played at the same time with zero distortion and audio degradation.

The wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless audio support is still there, but the Elite also introduces support for Hi-Res Audio, the first time it's been available in a wireless headset, even outside the SteelSeries brand. Not everyone can take full advantage of this, however. As I shared in my review, the PS5 and Xbox consoles can only support audio up to max out at 48k/16bit, so console players won't get the full features and Hi-Res 96kHz/24-bit splendour that the Elite has to offer.

Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Performance

Every gaming platform sounds best when played through the Arctis Nova Elite, even if its lacking Hi-Res audio support. The 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber audio drivers and 10-40,000 Hz frequency allow for the low, mid, and high sounds of any game's soundstage to sound warm and with the utmost clarity, from Counter Strike 2 and Marvel Rivals on the PC, to Doom Eternal and Death Stranding Direct's Cut on the PS5.

PC players are going to get the most out of the Elite, as a desktop setup can facilitate a space for the Game Hub and the toggling on of Hi-Res audio via the Windows audio settings. No matter what game I threw its way during my initial testing period earlier this year, the Elite never faltered on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, or the Steam Deck.

If you have uncompressed FLAC audio files from your favorite bands too, listening to music is also best on the Elite, although I don't recommend taking out such an expensive pair to listen to your favorite bands on the go, especially as it's a little heavier than your average pair of headphones at 380g. Many audiophiles might be eyeing up the Elite as it is the first Hi-Res headset of its kind to be in a gamer-friendly wireless form factor, and it's definitely going to be the better pick for you if music (and even music production) and gaming are your jam.

The Elite also has the one up where support with the SteelSeries GG software. There, you can select from over 200+ game audio presets based on everything from Dead by Daylight to Mario Kart World, while the Pro Wireless only has up to 13 game presets that you can select from. While you can adjust the EQ of both headsets, there's more customizability at your fingertips with the Elite, from simple EQ sound adjustments to tweaking the EQ of the sound from the retractable microphone.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro doesn't sound bad by any means. Even now, my Pro Wireless is sitting attached to the side of my monitor for easy access, as its 40mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers still pack a punch and sound better than the waves of headsets I've reviewed over the last few months. I mean, there's a reason why it continues to top our best headset guides no matter the platform. Yet, it can only reach a similar 10-40,000 Hz frequency response (which allows for better clarity between ranges of sound) when wired, a feat the Elite can achieve regardless.

Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset?

Through my testing and experience with both headsets, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the best of the best. Its name isn't just for show, and I fully believe that from every pair I've tested in many years of being a tech reviewer, that the Elite is as elite as it gets.

But while it may be the better headset in terms of design, features, and sound than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, it's not going to automatically be the best for every setup. Its price is a huge reason why I can't just outright recommend it to everyone, as I know that not everyone has the budget to lay down $599.99 / £599.99 on a singular gaming acessory especially as we're all still in the the midsts of a cost of living crisis.

If we ignore its price for a moment, and you were to drop me a message or come up and ask what's the best headset out there to get the best sound, the best microphone quality, the best look, and the best compatibility to multiple platforms, then I'd easily reply with "it's the Elite all the way".

Yet, if you were then to let me know that you don't play your PC as much, don't have access to any FLAC and uncompressed music, and can't spend more than $400, then its the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that I'm going to back, especially as it's the only one of the two prone to discounts.

• View all SteelSeries gaming headsets at Amazon
• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon

Our guides to the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets are full of high-end pairs if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Arctis Nova Elite aren't a good fit.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro has just dropped below that sweet $300 price mark, and that's definitely a deal that's worth your attention.

The flagship pair of cups continues to top our best gaming headset list even in 2026, thanks to its mighty sound, multi-platform compatibility, hot-swappable batteries that eliminate charging woes, and its high-quality retractable mic. If that all sounds good to you, you can grab it for $299.99 at Best Buy right this very second, saving $80 off its full price if you grab the White SKU, and $70 off if you prefer it in black.

Yet, if it's a premium sound you're after, there's also the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite to consider now. The brand-new Elite headset is even pricier than the Pro Wireless's full $379.99 MSRP, coming in at $599.99 (Best Buy). However, it adds Hi-Res audio support, new mighty audio drivers, and more connectivity options into the mix. Today's saving is still the best for your bank account, even in the wake of this luxurious competition, but the more elite option is there if you can budget for it.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro WIreless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

It used to be a lot easier to blabber on about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless whenever there was a discount in play, as it used to be the most premium headset I had ever tested. However, since writing up my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review, things have changed a little bit.

The Pro Wireless is absolutely still the option I'd recommend to most gamers, particularly to those who don't often play on PC that much. That's because while the Elite proudly markets itself as the first Hi-Res audio headset, not everyone will have access to Hi-Res audio. The PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles max out at 48k/16bit, so you'd need to be someone particularly on the lookout for one of the best PC headsets for gaming to make proper use out of the $599.99 cups. And there's that price, which is double that of the current discounted Pro Wireless at Best Buy.

Sure, you do get Hi-Res audio support, access to the incredible sound from its new 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber audio drivers, and the ability to connect to and mix the audio sources of four platforms at once for that price. Yet, most people won't have the need for all those fancy features. The Pro Wireless still sounds amazing in its own right, and you can still hook up to your PC and PS5 simultaneously (so long as they're nearby).

The Pro Wireless doesn't just face competition from the high-end spectrum of headsets either, but there's also the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless to contend with. The mid-range alternative is also part of this week's deals and is just $119.99 at Best Buy right now, and might be the better option for you if you're not a multi-platform gamer and don't need all the fancy bells and whistles.

There's no Game Hub/Base Station that comes with the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, nor does it have the hot-swappable battery tech. Yet, it's priced $180 lower and still sounds utterly fantastic thanks to the product family's 40mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers. Its form factor is not that dissimilar to the higher-end options either, with its elastic headstrap and foam cushioned cups, and it still has support with over 200+ game audio presets.

If you want a more premium option and regularly switch between gaming platforms, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is still your best bet today. Even in the wake of more competition, the Pro Wireless is still the headset I'd recommend the most, with or without its current $80 saving.

• View all gaming headset deals at Best Buy
• View all gaming deals at Best Buy

I've also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PS5 headsets if the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless isn't for you.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset is sadly just as outstanding as its eye-watering $599.99 / £599.99 price tag alludes it to be.

I say sadly, as I know that a large number of players won't be able to fork out that much for one of the best gaming headsets alone, especially as it costs more to grab SteelSeries new premium cups than it does to pick up a brand new PS5. Yet, if you want the best of the best, the Nova Elite is just that. It's the first fully certified Hi-Res wireless headset out there, meaning that audiophiles can experience that juicy lossless format without being at the mercy of a wire. This means it is best suited for PC players, as Sony and Microsoft's consoles lack Hi-Res support, but if you have a unified gaming setup, the Elite remains a premium multi-platform dream.

It takes all the best parts of its SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless sibling, including its hot-swappable batteries and Game Hub (formerly the Base Station), but now allows you to connect to four platforms at once, and you can mix the audio sources for all four at the same time. From its new Carbon Fiber audio drivers to the stunning green and gold details, you aren't going to find a more luxurious and high-quality pair of cups on the market today.

Design

I promise you that I'll be trying my hardest not to compare the Arctis Elite too much with its Pro Wireless predecessor, but it can be a challenge when they're both the brand's most premium headsets available, and when they're so awfully familiar.

The Elite carries that same over-ear form factor, with an elastic headband and the soft, rounded edges that the wider Arctis Nova line is known for. It does change things up a tad to merit its more premium price at least. The plastic yokes have been replaced with metal, as have the SteelSeries logos on each cup.

I was provided with the Sage Green version of the headset to review, and the gold-plated shine of both, especially when paired with its new gold metal volume dial and microphone grill, looks particularly pleasing to the eye. I'm more of a silver girl myself, but throughout the over two weeks I had it by my side even I found it hard to look away from its stunning, golden shimmery aura. The light, creamy sage green colorway is doing some of the heavy lifting as far as looks go, but I'm definitely a fan of these subtle differences.

Otherwise, the design of the Elite is almost identical to the Pro. The left cup is still host to the power button, mic mute button, volume dial, retractable microphone, and the 3.5mm port for wired connectivity. While the volume dial is gold now, it also features a textured surface to make it even easier to find when it's on your head.

The left cup also sports the same quick switch button and houses the hot-swappable battery compartment. Just like the Pro Wireless, you get two batteries in total that you can charge via the accompanying Game Hub (previously known as the Base Station), and the side of the cups easily slide on and off magnetically, so you can change them. On that note, the Elite is also compatible with the huge range of Booster Packs, should you want to change up the look a little bit.

Features

The main alluring feature of the Arctis Nova Elite is that it's the world's first certified Hi-Res audio headset, allowing audiophiles to get their hands on some of the best sound quality out there without being limited by a wire. Until now, a lot of audiophile cups aimed towards gamers didn't have any of the accompanying features you'd expect of a gaming headset, like being compatible with PC and gaming platforms beyond popping a cable into a 3.5mm headphone slot.

The Nova Elite instead features support for the audio format and its larger sampling rate and bit-depth than standard CD quality (96kHz/24-bit) to allow for some of the best sound possible on a headset. Not all gaming platforms support Hi-Res audio, however. For example, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles both max out at 48k/16bit, but so long as you have a desktop PC at hand, you can toggle on the Hi-Res audio feature via the accompanying Game Hub (and your Windows) settings to experience clearer and more in-depth audio.

To help support that high-end audio output, the Nova Elite features newly updated 40mm carbon fiber audio drivers. These are held in place via a brass ring, which helps produce a frequency range of 10-40,000 Hz, a range that its Pro Wireless predecessor can only manage when wired. The Elite is also equipped with improved active noise canceling. It's 4-Mic Hybrid active noise cancellation and densely packed foam cups help isolate unwanted sound, and avoid any audio spillage for those around you - something both my cat and my partner are very thankful for, as I like things loud.

The Game Hub is the epicentre of the Nova Elite. It's integrated with the brand's 'Omni-Play', which basically means you can connect up to four sources at once. What makes the formerly known Base Station extra special this time around is that you can mix audio from up to four sources at once, with no distortion or degradation from the audio itself.

You can also use the Game Hub to customize your EQ settings, Volume, Chat mix, and charge one of the hot swappable battery packs. One fully juiced-up battery will provide up to 30 hours of playback, but so long as you remember to keep one in the Hub at all times, you won't have to worry about charging ever again.

The rectractable ClearCast Gen 2.X Boom mic on the left cup offers a 100-14,000 Hz frequency response as well as built-in AI Noise Rejection to prevent catching unnecessary sounds.

The Nova Elite also comes with a matching carrying case, which features the same Sage Green color as the rest of the headset. The case has a small zip pocket on the inside, an open main area for storage (I kept the spare USB cables in there during testing), and a magnetic snap strip to keep it all closed. I'm not sure why, given its $600 price range, SteelSeries couldn't have supplied a more substantial case. Especially when high-end headsets like the Corsair Virtuoso Max Wireless that I reviewed last year cost $279.99 less came with a hardshell alternative.

Performance

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the best-sounding headset I've tested in all my years of writing about tech, simple as that. Each evening that I hung up the cups at my desk, only to move to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless to play my Nintendo Switch 2 in bed, there was a huge difference in quality. But that's exactly what I had hoped for with a headset that costs this much.

The Nova Elite predominantly spent its time set up with my gaming PC, but it kinda had to. Consoles like the PS5 don't support Hi-Res gaming audio, so seeing how it managed as one of the best PC headsets for gaming first made the most logical sense. Like with any PC headset, after I had hooked up the Game Hub and ensured that Hi-Res audio was toggled on via it and the Windows 11 audio settings, I popped out Counter-Strike 2 to see how elite the Elite really was.

After a lot messing around in the tutorial (I don't dare subject my lack of CS2 skills to the wider public), I actually had to pop the headset down every once in a while to give my ears a break. The pop of bullets sounded so loud and clear that my eardrums were reverberating almost as much as the audio drivers. Out of all the headsets I've put through CS2, this was definitely the one that sounded the most real, and the Elite's spatial audio support via Sonar made approaching footsteps, and the explosions of nearby gas canisters, sound like they were in my office with me.

CS2 isn't the most music-heavy of games, and so I pulled up Marvel Rivals to see how it balanced the loud cries of many a Marvel character performing their Ultimates, in amongst the swelling score that gets amped up with each match. My testing just so happened to coincide with the release of Deadpool into the Rivals roster, and the clarity of which his high-pitched arcade jingle sound effects sounded made me almost tempted to switch to a PC main, when it's the PS5 where I've been racking up all my progress.

What I really noticed with the Elite, as compared to the Pro Wireless, which is my day-to-day PC headset of choice, is that every part of the soundstage felt well supported. The 10-40,000 Hz frequency means that all the low, mid, or high areas of the sound have equal amounts of warmth, depth, and clarity. In all my years spent testing headsets, my games have never sounded this good.

Begrudingly, the PC is the only gaming platform I have at my disposal that supports Hi-Res audio, but that didn't mean I wasn't sure to test these alongside other platforms to see if the Elite was as elite as its name suggests. Marvel Rivals on the PS5 still sounded its absolute best, even without the Hi-Res support. I've used the Pro Wireless with my Sony console for the better half of a year now, so I wasn't surprised that the Elite could bring the same level of luxury.

Marvel's team-based shooter can get very busy and loud, especially when a few minutes pass, and the cacophony of characters' Ultimates begins. Yet, the Elite never faltered. To ensure I was giving single-player experiences just as much attention, I also cracked open Doom Eternal and Death Stranding Director's Cut. The moment Mick Gordon's ferocious Doom score blasted through the brass-ring-held drivers, I had visions of myself leaning back in a chair with the sound about to physically blow me away, just like in that iconic vintage Maxell Cassette commercial.

With the expansive 10-40,000 Hz frequency rate, every part of every game's soundstage felt as if it was given justice, including the deeper bass ranges that so many headsets can't seem to get right. It helps that the cups felt even better at isolating outside noise, with or without ANC, than the Pro Wireless. I was able to get completely lost while demolishing every demon that befell my path as the Doom Slayer, or if I was just trudging up some torturous mountains in Death Stranding.

One of the selling points of the Nova Elite is that you can not only connect to multiple sources, but also mix the audio of these sources at the same time. My desktop PC and consoles are in separate rooms, so this wasn't too relevant to my setup. That being said, I did have the headset hooked up to my work laptop and PC at the same time, which made chatting in meetings a breeze, as I didn't have to have two headsets spread out across my desk.

It also meant I could have the audio of my laptop, say the voices of my fellow GamesRadar+ team members, coming through the cups, at the same time that I was listening to music via my desktop. Of course, I didn't do that as that'd be rude. Instead, I popped on music via YouTube on the laptop, and music via Spotify via my desktop, and used the dial of the Game Hub to toggle between the two audio sources, to test the mixing out for size. In the end, I had no personal use case for the mixing feature, but I'm glad it's there and straightforward to use for those who do.

What I always have use for is that retractable microphone.

If you've read any of my headset reviews, you'll know that I'm an advocate for grabbing a high-quality condenser microphone if you want a mic for your gaming setup to set the best of its ability. There has yet to be a headset mic that matches the quality that I'd feel comfortable using for podcasting and audio recording (or subjecting my friends to for hours on end), but the Nova Elite gets pretty close.

As you can hear from the sample above (if you can excuse my dry tone, as I'm dealing with a bit of a cold), my voice sounds very clear out of the box. To add a bit more warmth, the accompanying SteelSeries GG software has a range of EQ settings to toggle on, as well as the option to equip different levels of noise control to pretend un-wanted sounds. To put the mic to the test, I've been using it for weeks upon weeks to play the indie game Repo via Steam with my friends, as its reliance on its built-in proximity chat made it ideal.

During the game, the Elite was able to pick up my every word, much to my friends' dismay. There were several instances where my hushed giggling got the entire team blasted into bits, but I honestly didn't believe the headset could project even the quietest of sounds. The only hindrance was that I was pretty loud by default, so if you're using this headset via Steam, I recommend ensuring you can quickly turn yourself down via the GG Software or the menus on the Game Hub.

There's a subset of audiophiles who will be curious to see if this can replace not just their current headset, but their Hi-Res grade headphones for everyday music listening. While I wouldn't be eager to take this out and about for casual listening, running some of the FLAC tracks I had in my Bandcamp collection was a treat.

I popped on local Scottish band Slime City's first album, "Death Club" as I have the entire thing available as lossless FLAC files, and I only imagine what I heard is as close as possible to the original mastered tracks in the studio. The only time I've heard the track "Dial Up Internet's the Purest Interest" any better was when I saw it performed live, as everything from the cruncky twang of the guitar, to Michael M's joyous Scottish accent was crystal clear.

To make sure this wasn't just because it's a great track and album, I quickly popped on Spotify for a comparison during testing. There was definitely a noticeable difference, though, like with games, maybe one that most people won't hugely notice. I definitely did, and the subtle fuzz in the background of the track (the one that's not there on purpose) disappeared once I was listening to the FLAC version. Annoyingly, most of my music collection remains on vinyl or streaming surfaces that don't have support for Hi-Res outputs, and I imagine a lot of people are in the same boat, so I wouldn't grab these purely as you want music to sound better. But it's definitely encouraged me to start using Bandcamp and ensure I have uncompressed versions of my favorite albums from now on.

Beyond how everything sounds, I want to emphasise that this is the best noise-cancelling I've experienced on a headset to date. No matter if I had the jazzy stylings of the OG Sims score radiating around the ear cups, or the choir of gigging friends while playing Repo on the PC, I couldn't hear a peep from the outside world. Not even my cat Kylo's persistent and loud songs of his people could penetrate the Elite's mighty cups.

It's not just me who discovered this. While testing, I shoved on Charlie xcx's Von Dutch at full blast and popped the Elite on my mom's ears, and she was amazed at not just how great it sounded, but how she couldn't hear a single thing I said. I was equally as amazed at how there was zero audio spillage despite just how loud it was. I could only tell that she had gotten to the drop in the song by her cheesy dance moves.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite?

The fact that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is $599.99 / £599.99 is the most expensive headset I've ever tested in my time as a tech writer, nevermind the priciest headset the GamesRadar+ team has ever looked at, makes recommending it difficult. Not because it isn't the best headset I've used to date, but because I know that not everyone is going to be able to throw down that amount of cash on a singular peripheral.

In a world where the cost of living crisis is very much still real, I'm not going to sit and pretend it's incredible value for money. $599.99 / £599.99 is a lot to spend on a gaming accessory and, for most, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless will be a better choice. That's especially true for console players, as the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S doesn't even support Hi-Res audio, the main selling point of behind the creation of the Elite.

There's also the big factor that I don't suspect many general listeners will be able to notice the difference in audio quality, or at least, not enough that it merits the $220 difference between it and the $379.99 MSRP of the Pro Wireless before it. Audiophiles with high-res libraries most certainly will, and I can't fathom any time, despite maybe being in a studio setting during my music degree, where audio sounded any better.

If you want the best possible sound on the market today, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is it. If you want support for Hi-Res audio without being at the mercy of wires, and a wireless headset that's actually tailored to gaming with its 2.4GHz wireless audio and audio presets, the Nova Elite is 100% it. You just have to be ready to fork out the almost $600 / £600 required to grab that kind of excellence.

How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

As the most premium gaming headset available on the market today, I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite a bit longer than the typical two-weeks. At the start of December, I swapped out my last tested headset and added the Elite as my main and only pair. During that time, the Elite was hooked up to my gaming PC and work laptop, so I can use multiple sources at once. When it came to gaming, for over a month, I played everything from Counter Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, Dispatch, Repo and The Sims on PC, and Marvel Rivals and Death Stranding Director's Cut on the PS5. On the Nintendo Switch 2, I used the headset while playing the brand new Animal Crossing New Horizons Version 3.0 content, and while playing classic N64 games via the Nintendo Switch Online game library.

Additionally, I used the Elite to listen to Hi-Res audio, including FLAC versions of the tracks from the album 'Death Club' by Slime City. I also used the cups to listen to various genres on Spotify, from the pop-rock stylings of Djo, to the fabulous guitar prowess of Masayoshi Takanaka. The Elite also saw me through a re-watch of New Girl via Disney+, and watching the latest episodes of Fallout Season Two via Amazon Prime.

For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a little out of your price range, we've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best PS5 headsets for all budgets big and small.

I got my first pair of SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds last year, and they turned me into an earbuds convert. It wasn't just the fact that they take up far less room in my backpack than my favorite headset, or that they negate any fiddly Bluetooth pairing with my Switch 2 or Steam Deck OLED, but that they manage to pack in a fantastic, travel-friendly sound despite their tiny size.

Ever since falling hard for these buds, I try to recommend them to just about everyone I know, but their full $199.99 MSRP makes those conversations a tad awkward. Fortunately for my family and friends (and for you if you need some new earbuds), I just spotted them for $127.80 at Amazon, a saving of $72 off their full price. Not only are they $72 cheaper today, but the game earbuds are down to a similar price that I spotted over the holiday sales. It's not a record low, as they have been almost $8 cheaper fairly recently, but as the holiday sales are well and truly over, it's worth grabbing these before they return to full price.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Game buds in 2026?

If you're after a new pair of earbuds for gaming on the go, or just for listening to music, the SteelSeries Game Buds are the first and only buds I'd recommend to just about everyone. Yes, as they're designed with gaming in mind, so they're automatically a bit pricier than a run-of-the-mil buds you can grab from no-name brands off Amazon's search results, but having that 2.4GHz wireless they offer is a lifesaver.

I cannot stand the tedium involved with pairing devices via Bluetooth. Very rarely do many of my Bluetooth-only gaming headsets get remembered by my devices, so I have to spend what feels like an eternity holding down buttons and ensuring they're discovered by the Steam Deck or my phone. As the Game Buds come with the same slimline wireless dongle as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset, all I need to do is pop it in a USB-C port, ensure that 2.4GHz Wireless is toggled on via the buds, and the connection is good to go.

If you aren't too fussed about whether or not your buds have a lag-free and easy-to-set-up 2.4GHz wireless connection, you might be more intrigued to know that these buds are incredibly compact. Including the case, they take up the same amount of space as the palm of my hand, and they're far easier to lug around than a large pair of headphones or a gaming headset that doubles up for everyday wear.

I have the limited edition Glorange buds in my backpack at all times, and their compact size has given me more room for packing my Switch 2 with me, which I've been doing pretty regularly since the console launched last summer. Or, if I just want to listen to music, which sounds great no matter the genre via the buds' 6mm neodymium audio drivers, having them as a permanent fixture of my bag is an easy feat as they're just that travel-friendly.

I spent a good chunk of last year getting well acquainted with SteelSeries flagship gaming buds, and have already begun to take them with me wherever I go in 2026. If you're after a great-sounding, more travel-friendly alternative to bringing your favourite headset (or headphones) with you out and about, these $127.80 buds are worth their current $127.80 deal price.

• SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds - Black  | $199.99 $159.99 at Amazon
• View all gaming earbud deals at Amazon

If the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds aren't for you, I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets that are worth your attention this year.

I'll support pretty much any headset that tries to stand out solely off the back of simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity. A few years ago, being able to connect to two devices at once was a breakthrough novelty in the gaming headset world, but today it's still only reserved for the priciest flagship products. The original SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 made dual connectivity the hill it was willing to die on when it launched in 2022, but oftentimes, it ended up looking like a martyr against the other members of its family.

I used the original SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 for over a year before taking on the refreshed Gen 2 model. In many ways, I now feel like I'm in a long-term, slightly dysfunctional relationship with it, because even though I think it's an excellent, long-lasting gaming headset for the money, I'm a little disappointed. A refreshed "Gen 2" model had the promise of improving small comfort and design woes I've always thought were a problem. But I'm now feeling like I'm the only one still trying to fight for the marriage, because what's really here is the same old device with barely any really meaningful changes.

Maybe it's me? Maybe it's unfair of me to ask this headset to change when other gamers clearly love a lot about it. I just can't help but feel this new version plays things a little bit too safe and doesn't help the new Nova 7 stand out amongst its siblings. Thankfully, SteelSeries has clung to the same $179.99 / £179.99 price tag, which means you do get better mic and audio quality without needing to spend more.

Key specs

Design

Realistically, SteelSeries was always going to play it somewhat safe with this version of the headset. The Arctis Nova family is very popular, appearing all over our best PS5 headset and best Xbox Series X headset buying guides. The great thing about them is that they all share the same design frame and swappable parts, and the majority of consumers seem to like that about them. But a lack of any physical changes at all makes this "Gen 2" model feel like more of the same, rather than a refreshed product that offers anything truly new.

You may disagree with me, but it's the design of this headset where I personally feel, as someone who's been using one for well over a year, that there were easy improvements that could have been made.

The ear cushion quality of this headset, and the other Arctis Nova products, is really good. The foldaway mic is genius, giving it a disguise if you want to wear it out on a walk and not look like "a gamer". And, as I found when SteelSeries sent me a care package of cosmetic parts, the swappable aesthetics are probably one of its most underappreciated traits.

But I have to be honest, since the first time I put one of these headsets on, I felt like the fit was all over the place. As a glasses wearer, I felt like there was mounting pressure on the sides of my head, which meant I was limited to very thin-legged specs while using them. That elasticated headband might be a nice touch in making all of the Arctis Nova products feel consistent, but on a mid-range or higher-end product, it doesn't supply the comfort and secure fit I want. The ear cushions often leave a big old bleeding space in the back corner of my ears after I've been wearing them for a while or talking to someone, so overall, the design feels like it's leaving audio quality on the table - especially since there's no noise cancellation.

While the cups can pull out from the headband to give you more size, you're limited to just two headband fit adjustments, one that is far too tight for me, and one that feels more comfortable, but exacerbates the bleeding gap in the ear cushions. If there was any one department that needed a bit of a rework for a refreshed Arctis Nova 7, for me, it was the finer aspects of the design. It wouldn't have taken much, even just punching an extra hole in the removable headband or allowing more clicky adjusting parts to the headset's body might have solved the problem.

As it stands, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 looks exactly the same as my original, and if you put them in a lineup, besides a new magenta colorway, there's nothing really distinct you can use to tell them apart.

The same goes for the design of the USB-C wireless dongles that come with the headset. It's nice that they're USB-C, but having a wider dongle as opposed to one that extends out like literally any other wireless USB connector means that for 100% of the devices that I've connected it to, I end up blocking out other connection ports that sit next to the USB-C bay. The Xbox version I'm testing is the epitome of this, with an even wider dongle that's a massive inconvenience when connecting to a laptop, Asus ROG Ally X, or any gaming PC's front or rear IO.

I can't fathom (beyond manufacturing costs) why SteelSeries didn't change this with the Gen 2 version, but it's another reason why I really feel like this is a slightly underwhelming half-step as opposed to a sequel worth buying.

What I do want to applaud the Arctis Nova 7's design for is its onboard controls. I've always felt these are easy to find, simple to use, and placed really well. All the vital things you'll need to control at a moment's notice are here. Connectivity is really strong too, and I'm so glad the Gen 2 model held onto both the USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections on the bottom of the left can. So many gaming headsets forget the 3.5mm connection these days, but as someone who uses one plugged into a RodeCaster Duo, that's a vital way of mixing down my entire PC and content creation audio.

Features

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7's main draw is that it offers simultaneous Bluetooth connection at a more affordable price tag than the Nova Pro. Besides that, you're not getting much of a difference from the Nova 5, but you do miss out on the premium mixing potential, leather ear cushions, and active noise cancellation from the Nova Pro.

The Nova headset that's right for you will really come down to how much you want to be able to feed in audio from your phone at the same time as your gaming platform of choice. I really love that feature, but I'm not up for spending more than $180 on a headset, so personally, I'd prefer the 7, but you might be different.

All in all, the Nova 7 has always felt like a really well-rounded mid-range headset that, actually, doesn't need the SteelSeries software, 200+ game audio profile bloat that many people flock to this product range for. The 7 is a great headset in its own right, and as someone who's played around with the SteelSeries software but ultimately deleted it every time, I feel like you don't need it to get your money's worth here.

But again, there's a lack of changes here. The Gen 2 model of the Arctis Nova 7 opts for seemingly identical 40mm Neodymium magnetic drivers to the original Nova 7's. The frequency response is still 20-22,000Hz, and the headphone impedance is still the same at 36Ohm. What is different is that the headphone sensitivity on the older model was 93dBSPL, whereas this newer Gen 2 set comes in at 105 dBSPL @ 1kHz/1mW. Unless you're an audio engineer, that all probably sounds like nonsense.

In essence, the newer version of this headset has nearly identical specs, but it's able to blast louder volume at your ears while using less power to do so. It seems like instead of necessarily opting for newer drivers, SteelSeries has just made its current inner parts a bit more efficient, which, in fairness, has resulted in a more balanced and powerful audio experience.

The same goes for the microphone, which is still the fully retractable boom mic that folds into the headset, but the sensitivity on the Gen 2 version is higher, meaning it'll combine with AI noise cancelling to make you sound clearer and better quality.

Battery life is another under-the-hood improvement. This new version has a quoted battery life of 54 hours using 2.4GHz wireless connection, 42 hours using a Bluetooth connection, and 38 hours using a simultaneous connection of both. That's up from the original model, which had a quoted battery life of 38 hours.

Performance

For all my marital trouble complaints that this headset won't change for me, I do really like the sound quality on the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2. I especially like that there's more power in the drivers because I've found that I hear more detail in quieter soundscapes. With the original, I had to crank it up to full when using a wired connection to really feel like I was getting the best out of it. With the Gen 2 model, cranking the onboard control wheel up to full had some serious ear-harming oomph, but I felt the all-round balance of sounds was richer at about 75% volume.

And that's without the SteelSeries Sonar software in play. You may think differently, but I'm really not a big believer in any software that claims to enhance gaming audio through custom-built audio profiles for certain games. Thanks to the rise of immersive 3D audio support in games, most of them will now ship with their own audio software baked in at an engine level, or include optional integrations with Dolby, CrySpatial, or some other proprietary software in their settings. So I've found that when you then overlay another audio profile (like SteelSeries game profiles) over the top of that, the two bits of software can often compete with one another, and actually make your audio experience worse.

I also think most of the profiles in the SteelSeries library are marketing placeholders more than settings that will actually make a big difference to your gameplay, but that's a spicy take for another day. The point is, the SteelSeries Sonar app is there, I just did most of my testing without it.

With either a USB-C connection or a 3.5mm wired connection, I felt the detail and balance of sounds were strong. As someone who plays a lot of Hunt: Showdown (a game that's heavily based around sound design), I rely on good gaming headsets to make sure I'm picking up on important cues from other players. In that game, the smallest details within the soundscape can decide a fight, and compared to the Fractal Scape I'm also using these days, I didn't feel I was missing a massive amount of detail. I do think overall, Fractal Design has better sound quality at this price range, but you miss out on simultaneous Bluetooth connection there, gaining active noise cancellation and a more comfortable fit.

As mentioned, this is what I really wish was improved with the Nova 7 Gen 2. The problem mainly arises when I'm talking to teammates, but I find that over a longer session, I have to adjust the position of the Nova 7 on my head regularly. The more I talk to teammates or friends on a Discord call, the more the headband will move with my jaw and head, putting more pressure on my ears or sliding forward on the top of my head. It's not that the headset is uncomfortable, but the fit doesn't feel as secure as I'd like, and if I tighten it down, it does then get uncomfortable.

Where improvements have been made is with the microphone on this headset. I've supplied some audio samples down below of the Gen 2's mic, and the original Nova 7's mic. I haven't put these audio samples through any processing or editing, but you may be able to pick up on some of the subtle differences between them. I've also talked a bit about the differences in sidetone in these mic tests, so if that's a feature you're interested in, have a listen to find out what's changed.

In a more general sense, the Nova 7 Gen 2 did a great job of immersing me in my games. Replaying Dishonored 2, I felt I got a solid mix of Karnaca's ambient sounds along with the atmospheric music. Using that game's genius heart mechanic, I felt like Empress Jesamine's voice really was emanating from the void, speaking from within my own mind.

With more power, I felt like action-packed games with crunchy soundtracks like TowerFall Ascension had so much vitality. It's great in a scarier soundscape as well. The throbbing sound effects of Hell is Us filled me with unease while using this headset, really showing the bassy potential of the Nova 7 Gen 2. That said, using a wired connection did seem to make audio a little cheaper-sounding, presumably because whatever software SteelSeries is touting within the cans isn't firing on all cylinders. In Hades, slashes of a sword or spear sounded a bit more tinny and lacked the clarity they have when using a 2.4GHz connection. Thankfully, this difference is definitely less noticeable in the Gen 2 version of the headset.

What was really nice was being able to take a call or occasionally take a breather from gaming action with a Bluetooth connection to my phone. If you don't have one of the best streaming mixers to help you manage your PC's audio, this feature can go a long way if you want to listen to music while playing, talk to someone on your phone, or just take five by doomscrolling.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2?

Available at the same price as the original it's replacing, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 provides some nice quality-of-life upgrades without demanding a larger investment. There's a better mix of audio at lower volumes, and a better mic will no doubt be something your friends and teammates thank you for. A clearer mic is also welcome. What's more, if you're like me and you want simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity without having to pay for a premium headset, this is an excellent pick.

I just wish some bolder design changes had been made to show where the Arctis Nova family can go in the future, especially when it comes to comfort and fit. Improvements in the comfort department could have been the thing to put this headset on the map as an alternative to the flagship options, especially now that the Nova Elite is hitting the shelves and putting yet more pressure on the mid-range options.

Overall though, this is the same great gaming headset I already would have recommended to you before the Gen 2 refresh. Despite my slightly dysfunctional relationship, this is a headset I'm still married to.

How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2

I adopted the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 into my gaming setup for around a month before this review was written. I used it for all sorts of gaming, and connected it to multiple gaming PCs, the Asus ROG Ally X, laptops, my phone, and the PS5. I tested various gaming genres with it, dabbled in the Sonar software, and used it wired and wirelessly.

For more on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Looking for your new set of ear cans? Take a gander at the best Nintendo Switch headset, the best PC headset for gaming, and the best gaming earbuds.

One of the most premium gaming headsets available, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, was marketed as "the first Hi-Res Wireless Certified headphones for gaming" when it was unveiled in September 2025. For those unaware, the inclusion of 'Hi-Res' could sound a bit like nonsense marketing, a lot like how "AI" is seemingly inserted in almost every new tech announcement, gaming or otherwise.

However, Hi-Res audio is not a useless gimmick and is instead used to describe sound that is better than standard CD quality, which is often coveted by audiophiles and tech nerds alike. In theory, it can make a difference to how your gaming headset elevates the sound of your favourite games. While SteelSeries is the first to make it available in a certified wireless pair of cups, there is a plethora of Hi-Res headsets advertised towards players, and I'm here to let you know exactly what the audio format is, so you can be more informed when perusing your next new headset purchase.

What is Hi-Res gaming audio?

As I briefly said earlier, Hi-Res audio is audio that is better than standard CD quality, but that doesn't really explain much, especially for those who haven't touched a CD since the early to mid naughties.

To be more precise, Hi-Res audio or high-resolution audio is an audio format with a higher sampling frequency and bit-rate than a typical mastered CD. Sampling frequencies are the snapshots of data taken from a piece of audio, which are recorded as a unit per time, and the depth of this data is known as a bit rate. The more snapshots of audio that are recorded, the more in-depth the audio quality.

To put it into perspective, as shared on the SteelSeries website, the standard CD will have a sample frequency of 44.1 kHz; meanwhile, Hi-Res audio indicates anything that is 96 kHz and above. That's why, if you happen to have the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite at hand, you need to select the 96,000 Hz option from the dropdown menu in the sound settings in Windows (as well as ensuring Hi-Res is on via the GameHub) to ensure you're listening to Hi-Res audio.

What Hi-Res gaming headsets are there?

What makes new premium headsets like the Nova Elite unique is not the fact that they're compatible with Hi-Res audio, as the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wired was also equipped with an official Hi-Res Audio Certification. Instead, it's special as it's the first to be found in a wireless form factor.

Typically, Hi-Res and audiophile headsets alike were only found in wired pairs because wired connectivity can offer a more reliable quality. Before the Nova Elite came on the scene on September 30, 2025, you could instead grab the JBL Quantum One headset with its Hi-Res certified 50mm neodymium audio drivers, or the Audeze Penrose X, among many more.

Wireless alternatives, particularly those that rely on Bluetooth, can be weighed down by the possibility of dropouts and compressed sound, and are even open to interference from other devices. It's why many audiophiles in both the gaming and music spaces often stick to wired options instead. It makes sense, as if you're specifically after the best sound quality humanly possible, and know that Hi-Res sound comes at a high price, you're not going to want anything to jeopardise that. It's also why, even with new wireless options out there, you may still find many audiophiles who swear on wired headsets and headphones and nothing else, whether it's for gaming, listening to music, or watching TV shows and movies.

Are Hi-Res gaming headsets worth it?

Whether you want to grab the wireless SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or a Hi-Res wired headset depends on how much you value the quality of your audio and what you're willing to spend.

The Nova Elite is the most premium headset on the market today, thanks to its $599.99 / £599.99 MSRP. That's a lot to invest, especially when not many can notice the difference between Hi-Res audio and a high-end sound that already exists in options like the brand's Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

I've been fortunate to spend a lot of time testing not just the Nova Elite, but also in a studio audio setting due to my music degree studies, where being able to identify the nuances of high-quality sound is a must. But not everyone is going to have a similar background and will notice the differences that the 24-Bit/96KHz transmission will offer when playing games on any platform via SteelSeries' most recent cups, or any other Hi-Res headset.

If you care about having a less compressed sound, want to hear higher frequencies better, want more depth to everything from a game's sound design to its accompanying score, and also want to listen to Hi-Res music audio that's as close to the original mastered quality as possible, then making sure to check whether your next headset supports Hi-Res audio is ideal. Just be sure you also have the budget to spare that comes with most Hi-Res supported options out there today. For all others, there's a slew of high-end sounding cups that can elevate your games without Hi-Res support, but grabbing an older Hi-Res wired pair can be a great way to experience the quality without breaking the bank.

If you can't quite budget for the most premium Hi-Res pairs of cups, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for great-sounding alternatives.

If you were asked to conjure up the generic image of a gaming headset in your head, you're likely imagining an all black or all white pair of cups, and that's to be expected.

Most of the brands behind the best gaming headsets launch their cups in black or white. However, 2025 marked the year when some brands, like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach, made sure to make their latest headsets in a range of different colorways to suit a variety of setup types and themes, and I hope that the variety of colors for headsets is a trend that continues into 2026 as the new year approaches.

Earlier this year, SteelSeries released the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless gaming headset, which didn't just launch in the suspected all black and white models like the headsets before it. Instead, it was also available in a lovely Aqua and Lavender versions, providing more variety for those who wanted it.

For review, I was given the Lavender version, which is draped out in a lovely pastel purple colorway, and looks far more fitting in my cute, gaming-themed setup than the all black version would. It's also the same headset under its purple exterior, with its 40mm Neodymium audio drivers, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio support, fast charging, and support for over 200+ audio presets - there's no style over substance here.

SteelSeries didn't do this with just one release over 2025 either. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 headset was available in black, white, and Magenta when it launched on October 14 earlier this year. This new colorway was particularly unique as it provided a dark pink shade, when other pink headsets, like the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 line, resort to light pink shades instead. Unfortunately, there was no Aqua or Lavender like with the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless release, but to see any color alongside the all-black and white models was a treat. I review a ridiculous number of headsets every year as the resident headset nerd of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, and the sight of all black and all white colorways gets monotonous and boring over time.

SteelSeries isn't the only brand that was experimental with its color variety this year, but Turtle Beach also got in on the trend. In February of 2025, the brand released a new purple SKU of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 wireless gaming headset, which saw the cups covered in a dark, deep purple shade.

Cris Keirn, CEO of Turtle Beach Corporation, stated in the February 13 2025 press release that he was "happy to give gamers a wider range of colors" when it came to the headset, and I can see why. The deep purple shade stands out from other headsets on the market today, and means that players have more of an opportunity to grab a high-quality PC headset that can match up with their setup, especially if they're particularly fond of the color purple.

A dark, deep purple doesn't match up with my white and pink PC gaming setup theme, however, I was happy to see this version of the cups pass my testing bench at the start of the year. Not only was the headset sporting the new colorway, but even the 2.4GHz dongle was purple too, which made it easier to find amongst my ever-growing collection of wireless dongles for the many headsets and accessories that find their way into my setup.

I'm not entirely sure why this added variety has been a trend seen throughout headsets this year, but I'm glad to see it. More variety is always the more consumer-friendly choice, as it means anyone looking to upgrade their headset can do so while picking out a design and look they actually like, without having to stick to the all-black look purely as it might be the only one available at the time.

My only guess at the swarms of new color varieties could have something to do with streaming, and having PC and console setups that look as aesthetically pleasing as possible to viewers who might get a glimpse into your gaming setup. The advent of TikTok content also means that there are plenty of people showing off their dedicated themed PC and console areas of their house, and having these extra colorways can give a better choice to those who need to keep everything looking as video-friendly as possible. No matter the reason, I'm all for it.

Gaming headsets will still most commonly be available in black and white models, and that's likely going to change any time soon. Recently, I've reviewed the Sony Inzone H9 II wireless headset and the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS, and both are available in black SKUs, with Sony opting for a white version too, likely to better match the headset with the white design of the PS5 console itself.

However, with extra emphasis put on the look of headsets as well as their specs when it comes to things like streaming, I'm excited to see the trend of new colorways continue as we enter the big new year of 2025. If anything, at least it will ensure that everyone has more choice and variety and can better unify their PC and console gaming setups to the color and aesthetic of their choosing - which I am a fan of this year, and will be the next.

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• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless  | $109.99 at Amazon

Our guides to the best PS5 headset, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best Nintendo Switch headset are full of cups, which are available in a range of colorways for all your aesthetic setup needs.

A new and shiny headset can be the best gift for the holidays. We're just days away from a brand-new year, and with a new year comes a lot of new games that deserve to sound their absolute best - and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is all about quality sound.

The wireless headset and its 40mm Neodymium drivers feature the same high-quality audio as the mid-range SteelSeries pairs that came before it, but with a much cheaper price now that it's returned to $84.99 at Woot today. I haven't spotted them that low since Black Friday, which makes this gaming headset bargain the best I've spotted this festive season. But even though we're less than 15 days away from Christmas, Woot states that they will arrive before the big day, so if you can get my favorite headset of 2025 today, you'll still have plenty of time to pop them under the tree. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone if they're a gift for yourself.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P Wireless this December?

While I've provided images above of the Lavender version of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless above, it's actually the lovely Aqua variant that's included as part of today's Woot deal. For now, the fabulous pastel purple version you see above is still full price at $109.99 at Amazon.

Both headsets are practically the same under the hood, so I'd fully recommend either as a gift for yourself or a friend for the holidays. The headsets both feature the same lightweight 260g form factor, fantastic-sounding 40mm drivers, which can make any game on your PS5, PC, or Nintendo Switch 2 sound its best. These drivers are the same ones bundled with the pricier SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, which retails for $149.99, so you're getting a lot of bang for your buck here.

What really makes this headset special is the ever-growing number of game audio presets you can take advantage of. There are over 200 that you can access with the headset and the free-to-download Arctis smartphone app, which provides fine-tuned customized audio for everything from Dead by Daylight to Mario Kart World. The presets can bring out the nuances of any game's soundstage, which is one of the many reasons why they've become my favorite cups I've tested this year. That and their inclusion of fast charging, a detachable mic instead of the retractable one of past models, and the fabulous new colorways.

If you want to give the gift of great-sounding audio for the holidays, or want to treat yourself because why not, I highly recommend grabbing this pair while it remains as low as $89.99 at Woot today. There are only four days left of this low price, and afterwards, it'll likely shoot back up to full price. However, if you can still get the same saving on a different colorway, it's still worth adding to your gaming setup in time for 2026.

• View all gaming deals at Woot
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• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless - Lavender | $109.99 at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headset, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best PC headset for gaming if you want to find out our team's other favorite cups.

As the resident gaming headset nerd of the team, I've reviewed a ridiculous number of cups in this year alone, and that number keeps climbing. Yet, any time I've had a moment to spare between testing whatever new fangled headset comes my way, I make sure to pick back up the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

The headset takes what I love the most about SteeelSeries' mid-range headsets, from their great sound, fantastic mic quality, and lightweight fit, and adds quality of life features like fast charging and a new slimline wireless dongle, while keeping its cost to just above $100. Now, it's even cheaper at $89.99 at Amazon thanks to this week's Black Friday headset deals, making it easier to blether on about it than ever before. If you're after a low-cost headset and don't want to miss out on quality, this is the budget pair of cups you should grab this November.

Why I keep returning to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless headset

Each time I bring up this great value headset, I need to get this out of the way. I tested the Lavender SKU, so that's why the photo of it you see above is showing a lovely pastel purple shade. While I've never seen the 'Nova White' colorway in person, under its bright white exterior, it's the same pair that's secured its place on our best gaming headset guide, and the one I recommend to anyone and everything looking for a good-quality pair that's as close to the $100 price mark as possible.

Even at its full $109.99 MSRP, I'd fully recommend this headset, which is compatible with everything from the Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and your desktop gaming PC. I most commonly use it with my Switch 2, and that's because it's equipped with fast charging, which can juice it up with 9 hours of playback in just 15 short minutes. Typically, its battery lasts up to 30 hours, which is pretty average, but the speedy charging makes up for that, and makes it ideal for any portable gaming fans, so long as you have access to charging when you're out and about.

In my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review, I shared that it was a "fantastic-sounding" headset, and that's not changed. This headset comes equipped with the same 40mm Neodymium drivers as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, which bring a nice, balanced sound to games, regardless of the platform, which is why I return to using it pretty regularly. However, the best part is that as a SteelSeries pair of cups, you can download the Arctis app for free on your smartphone and get access to over 200+ game audio presets, which makes everything sound even better.

There are official presets made for everything from Dead by Daylight to Mario Kart World, and I now don't play the latter without it. The preset manages to make the roars of the karters' engines less overbearing while keeping the exhilarating action of the latest kart racer as exciting as ever. It helps that the headset is integrated with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless support, so I can get truly absorbed into the game (and any game with an available preset) without any annoying wires to be found on top of that.

If you have a little more to spend, I'd still recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless as it's also a multi-platform queen, has audio preset access, and a more premium sound for $289.99 at Amazon today. However, if you want a sub $100 pair, the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless should be your pick-up of choice.

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• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $379.99 $289.99 at Amazon

On the hunt for more Black Friday gaming deals today? Don't forget to check out our hubs for the best Black Friday PS5 deals and the best Black Friday Xbox deals.

Thumb grips aren't the first accessories most people conjure up in their heads when thinking of what Black Friday gaming deals they might want to pick up year on year, but they should be.

I'm a huge fan of the little add-ons, but I can't deny that they often get forgotten about over more significant accessories, from the best PS5 controllers themselves to the best gaming headsets, and it makes sense. Bigger and more costly gaming peripherals investments should be given more thought, but a good set of silicon thumb grips can make or break my experience with any game, and I bet I'm not alone.

Over the years, I've invested a lot of time and experience into a huge range of different caps, from brands like KontrolFreek, GeekShare, and JSAUX. In that time, I discovered that not all thumb grips are built the same. Some brands prioritize performance, creating grips with different levels of height to help improve aim, whereas others are purely about the aesthetics, releasing cute grips to give your sticks an added bit of flair. I've gathered my three favorite brands below, so you know what to look for this Black Friday.

The quick list

• KontrolFreek | Available at Amazon
• GeekShare | Available at Amazon
• JSAUX | Available at Amazon

KontrolFreek

Price: $16.99 - $21.99 Compatibility: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2/PS5/Xbox

If you've spent any time searching for thumb grips or thumbsticks at retailers like Amazon or Best Buy, you've likely come across ones made by KontrolFreek. The brand has been producing controller accessories for years, and its grips are focused on helping improve performance in games, no matter the platform.

Its performance-based thumbsticks are designed to improve comfort by decreasing the amount of force needed to move the controller levers in and out of its deadzone, so your hands feel less tired. This comfort is typically created by just the existence of its silicon-like material, as it adds a tiny bit of height to your basic sticks.

This is usually aided by some form of textured grip, whether it's just a series of small nodules like those found on the KontrolFreek Clutch for PlayStation 5 edition grips, or the crosshair-like design found on the First Person Shooter Galaxy Edition thumbsticks.

One of their standout features is different levels of height elevation. Unlike brands like GeekShare, which purely focus on cute designs and aesthetics, you can find KontrolFreek grips at both mid-rise and high-rise, which can help increase arc distance. That means you have a larger field of movement at your disposal, which can help increase your aim - something that's come in handy a lot when I've been playing Marvel Rivals on the PS5 and I'm up against keyboard and mouse-wielding advantaged players.

While KontrolFreek prioritizes producing grips that improve performance, it isn't immune to releasing versions that focus more on design, which is why they remain my favorite thumb grip brand in the market so far. In July earlier this year, the brand teamed up with Microsoft to launch official Minecraft grips for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S controllers inspired by the game's iconic Creepers. The bright green grips cleverly used the character's blocky body and creepy face as the textured grip. This was followed by other releases, like the 'Kitty Edition' grips designed in homage to streamer CaseOh and his adorable black cat, and I can only hope KontrolFreek releases more design-focused versions in the future.

GeekShare

Price: $9.99 - $16.99 Compatibility: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2/PS5

GeekShare is a brand that's all about its super cute accessories. The brand debuted its 'Cat Paw' collection back in 2017, and has since built up a huge back catalog of well-designed thumb grips. From cute little rainbows, little green aliens, to official Hello Kitty and Kuromi Sanrio versions, they're all about producing the most adorable grips for your controllers, with a particular focus on the Nintendo Switch and now the Nintendo Switch 2.

With an emphasis on design, there isn't much variation in the height of the brand's grips. Unlike KontroFreek, any pair of GeekShare grips won't have e-sports fans and competitive players in mind. Instead, the focus is all about giving your plain Nintendo Switch controllers a fresh new look - and the opportunity to match your gamepads (and handhelds) with the rest of your cute and cozy setup.

As they're not as large as mid or high-rise KontrolFreek grips, they can be annoying to attach to your controller sticks. When using the Halloween set, stretching the little pumpkins and ghosts over my old Switch OLED Joy-Con sticks takes a while, and I can always depend on them shooting off and rolling to the floor during heated Marvel Rival matches if I'm using some PS5 grips instead. That's because they don't just click in place like a lot of KontrolFreek's designs, making the setup process a lot more tedious.

In my years using GeekShare grips, I've come to discover that they are definitely about style over substance, but they aren't necessarily bad in quality. Having any grips at all can keep your controllers protected against everyday wear and tear, and their unique, cute designs add a perfect textured surface that, in my experience, makes using any controller a lot more comfortable.

They're pretty affordable and start at around $9.99 / £9.99 on the GeekShare store and US and UK retailers. If you prefer official grips, like any of the ones made in partnership with Sanrio, you can expect to pay a little more.

JSAUX

Price: $7.99 - $19.99 Compatibility: Nintendo Switch/Switch 2/PS5/Xbox/ROG Xbox Ally

Jsaux is a brand all about accessories, so you can bet it has thumbsticks available. They aren't as flashy as GeekShare's adorable options, nor as they quite as focused on improving performance as KontrolFreek, and instead are a bit of a middle-ground.

At just $7.99 for a pair, the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2 compatible grips are the cheapest I've mentioned so far, and it gets better.

I got hands-on experience with the 'Multi-Mode Joystick & Grip Guard Set for Switch 2' which includes a set of three different grips. The first pair looks similar to the size of GeekShare grips, and doesn't add a whole lot of elevation. Instead, they're more for keeping the sticks of your pricey controllers protected by adding a tiny bit of extra comfort through the act of just being made from a softer material.

The second pair is 3mm higher, and designed to "enhance Joystick precision" and is my go-to selection of the set as it adds a tiny bit of extra elevation without looking out of place on my Switch 2 handheld.

The third pair works similarly to KontrolFreek's high-rise grips, as it adds an extra 7mm of height. Jsaux's marketing spiel states that this provides "superior aim control" which is just another way to say they also work toward improving your arc distance. These are the ones currently on my Switch 2 Joy-Con, and they've made the action-packed active battles of Pokemon Legends Z-A a lot easier to dominate, especially as the elevation makes swinging around the camera more precise than without.

Jsaux has yet to collaborate with any popular brand names, so its designs are usually all-black. If you have a Switch 2 you can grab the grips in neon blue and red colorways to match your Joy-Con controllers at least.

FAQ

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If you're hunting for some gaming accessories this November, our Black Friday PS5 deals hub is full of discounts on extras for your Sony setup. Check out our Black Friday Xbox deals hub and Black Friday gaming laptop deals for more gaming savings too.

As the resident gaming headset nerd of the hardware team, there are a few pairs of cups I regularly find myself blethering on about, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is my favorite from the lot due to its more than generous $109.99 launch price.

Without any discount in sight, I'd more than recommend the headset for anyone's Switch 2, as it brings full wireless support, over 200+ game audio presets, and a great-sounding detachable microphone to the table for a little over $00. Now it's a little over $80 as it's down to $84.99 at Woot, the lowest ever price I've spotted for the Switch 2 headset so far, and I have a feeling this year's early Black Friday Switch deals are to thank.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless for your Nintendo Switch 2?

During my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless review, it just so happens I was provided with the Lavender version, so just imagine the above but in a lovely pastel turquoise-like shade, and you're good to go. Whether the Aqua version is then fit for your Switch 2 needs first depends on whether that colorway will suit your setup. The headset is also available in basic all-black and all-white models, but those are still $109.99 at Amazon, and haven't caught in Woot's gaming deal crossfire quite yet.

If you aren't too fussed about the color and just want a wireless headset that's high-quality without costing upwards of half the price you spend on the Switch 2 to begin with, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is just that. During my testing, the 40mm Neodymium audio drivers lent themselves to whatever game I put their way, from the loud and sometimes overwhelming antics of the soundstage of Donkey Kong Bananza, to the thrilling and upbeat races through Mario Kart World.

It helps too that the headset shares the same lightweight and comfortable form factor as the rest of the Arctis Nova line, so it's one of the comfiest wireless options out there for your Switch 2. It actually has an advantage over the rest of the SteelSeries headset lineup in this case, as the ClearCast Gen 2.X microphone is detachable, so you can make it that much lighter if you feel like it.

The headset is also equipped with fast charging, which helps make up for its average battery life. It can only give you up to 30 hours of playback, but the fast charging can provide up to 19 hours of battery on just a 15-minute charge. If you take your Switch 2 with you everywhere, you can give it a quick charge with even your Switch 2 adapter, and have it back up and running in no time, which is one of the many reasons this headset now tops our best Switch 2 headset buying list.

With Black Friday gaming headset deals officially kicking off in a few weeks, you might be keen to wait to see if this headset gets any cheaper. However, until today I've only spotted this Switch 2 headset for as little as $95.69 at Amazon since launch, so I'd recommend grabbing it before this deal price disappears from Woot.

• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon
• View all gaming deals at Woot
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless - Lavender | $109.99 at Amazon

If you've already got a Switch headset you love, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards for more must-have accessories.

I haven't truly enjoyed the Call of Duty series since the first-ever Black Ops game launched back in 2010 - it's just not my kind of first-person shooter. I can't, however, pretend that these new Call of Duty Black Ops 7 thumbsticks haven't caught my attention.

Unveiled today by KontrolFreek, these flashy, bright orange thumbsticks come in two different sets for your Xbox Series X controllers and PS5 gamepads, with both designed to "deliver pro-grade precision" and a better ergonomic grip.

You can grab the toppers by themselves, or as part of a wider bundle, the Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Aim Boost Kit, which also throws in a miniature sniper case to store them in. The $34.99 / £34.99 kit also comes packaged with a set of precision rings, designed to fit under your sticks to help adjust your controller's resistance and improve your aim.

When bought solo, the thumbsticks are available from $19.99 / £19.99. They easily pop onto your controller sticks and, in my experience with the brand, can majorly improve your comfort when it comes to playing anything, never mind a first-person shooter. Better yet, buying either set will gain you a digital in-game weapon charm that you can equip once Call of Duty Black Ops 7 launches on November 14.

The KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Aim Boost Kit and the Performance Thumbsticks are available today directly from KontrolFreek and select US and UK retailers.

If you want some new grips for your controller sticks but are on a tight budget, you can always grab the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Performance Thumbsticks instead. The older thumbsticks are currently cheaper at just $9.99 at Amazon, and are also made by KontrolFreek.

You won't get that limited in-game weapon charm in the new game, nor the almost neon-orange '7' design on either stick, but you will save $10.

• View all KontrolFreek thumbsticks at Amazon
• KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 7 Performance Thumbsticks | $19.99 at Amazon
• KontrolFreek Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Performance Thumbsticks | $19.99 $9.99 at Amazon

Check out our guides for the best PC controller for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controller, and the best mobile controller for gaming if you're hunting for a new high-quality gamepad.

Out of all the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories I'm fortunate enough to have at my disposal, it's always the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds that I triple-check for before leaving the house.

The compact gaming earbuds take up less space than my favorite headset, but still bring a fantastic sound to my Switch 2, so I never want to go without them. Despite that, singing their praises to family and friends is awkward thanks to their $199.99 MSRP, which is why I'm thankful they've returned to $127.99 at Amazon today. Now, not only can I blether on about them with a care in the world, but I don't have to worry about breaking my pal's banks either.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for your Switch 2?

I'm dependent on the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds for gaming on the go. The buds are teeny tiny and take up barely any space when packing a bag. That's a relief, as it's pretty much a game of Tetris when it comes to fitting in my Switch 2 case, makeup bag, and all my other necessary bits and bobs in my backpack every weekend. I don't have to worry about that when it comes to these buds, nor do I have to worry about a significantly lesser sound quality than opposed to using my favorite Nintendo Switch headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

Sure, there is a difference, but the 6mm neodymium audio drivers still make Mario Kart World sound as thrilling as ever. It does help that the buds are compatible with the Arctis app, and so you can use the official Mario Kart World audio preset to get the most out of the sound. What also helps is that I can use Bluetooth or the slimline 2.4GHz wireless dongle to hook the buds up to my Switch 2, too, which makes set-up stress-free.

If you aren't a fan of popping something in your ears and avoid gaming earbuds at all costs, I get it. I have particularly large ones myself, and these can occasionally slip out when I'm playing the handheld in bed. Luckily, this has never happened when out and about, which is where it matters.

As the resident headset nerd of the team here at GamesRadar+, I still prefer to grab a pair of cups if I'm after the best audio experience for my Switch 2, or any handheld for that matter. However, I much prefer to pick up my Game Buds when taking my Switch 2 out, and if you're a fellow portable gaming fan, I wholly recommend you do the same and take advantage of this record-low saving.

• View all SteelSeries deals at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | $280.99 at Amazon

If you're already covered for audio, grabbing one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers can further complete your new Switch 2 gaming setup.

Even after just launching the Arctis Nova Elite, SteelSeries isn't slowing down. The iconic gaming audio brand behind some of the best gaming headsets is now unveiling yet another headset, with the brand-new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2.

It's been three years since the original Arctis Nova 7 headset hit the market, and this new iteration adds some flashy upgrades to make the peripheral rival that of the rest of the Arctis Nova lineup. It has that same over-ear form factor the line is known for, but this new version now has compatibility with over 200+ audio presets via the Arctis app, 40% more battery, and continues its mission to bring simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio to a mid-range price point - better yet, it's available right now.

Impressively, the new Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is available for the same $199.99 / £179.99 price as the original, and comes in two models for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with both having functionality with PC. Its MSRP sits between the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. That makes sense, as while this headset shares many similarities with the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, one of my go-to PS5 headsets, new and improved features warrant a slightly increased price.

One of the key new features that I'm most intrigued by is the added simultaneous (and mixable) Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio. Being able to scroll through TikTok between Marvel Rivals matches without having to take off a headset is a treat, and something I've only been appreciating the more I've tested, so I'm glad the new Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 has that feature too.

Simultaneous wireless audio isn't the only notable improvement of the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2, but the headset also has a new 54-hour battery life, fast-charging support, Neodymium speaker drivers, and a ClearCast Gen 2 microphone, for chatting to friends over Discord or directly via your console of choice.

Of course, if you know me and my preference for cute gaming accessories, you'll know that the new range of Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 colorways has also caught my eye.

Instead of just boring all white and black designs, you can also grab the new headset in a stunning dark-pink Magenta shade, which would look perfect in any cute and cozy gaming setups.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 headset is available from today, directly from SteelSeries and other retailers for $199.99 / £179.99 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. To see our thoughts on the headset, check back in later, where our team's own Duncan Robertson will be checking it out for review, and comparing it with the original Arctis Nova 7.

• View all SteelSeries headsets at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite from $599.99 at Amazon

Check out our guide to the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for more high-powered cups worth your time and attention.

The SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are my go-to alternative for days when I don't want a heavy headset on my head, but they can be awkward to recommend due to their high price.

Thanks to today's Prime Day gaming deals, Amazon has dropped a huge 36% discount on the earbuds, making them more accessible than ever before. Instead of their pricey $199.99 MSRP, they're now just $127.99 at Amazon, a price that feels more than justifiable for these comfortable buds, packed with everything from tap controls, ANC, and wireless charging to boot.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds?

Coming from a professional music background, it was always hammered home to me how having a little buds that close to your eardrums was a big no-no, and so my nerdom for headsets grew instead. However, I'm sorry to say music lecturers, that I use my Game Buds pretty much every day, and I wholly recommend them to others, especially while they're just $127.99 at Amazon.

The 6mm Neodymium audio drivers of the buds don't pack as big a punch as the sound from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset, but they still sound remarkably great despite their small size. However, it's the sheer convenience of the buds that is why I use them every day, whether that's for gaming or just catching up with some YouTube videos on my iPad.

You can hook the Game Buds up to your PS5, Xbox Series X/S (via the Xbox version) Switch, Switch 2, or the Steam Deck via Bluetooth or its slimline 2.4GHz wireless dongle. If you're a fan of snuggling up in bed with a handheld like I am, they're a godsend, as there's no pain from a large headset digging into your head to be found. Even just last night, I was lying on my side playing Super Mario Galaxy on the Switch 2 with my limited-edition Glorange Game Buds nestled in my ears, and was having a very comfy time.

The buds are equipped with ANC, a feature you won't commonly find on headsets priced between $1279.99 to $199.99. Popping ANC on is as easy as pressing the side of the left bud, and makes it easier to get immersed in your gaming or YouTube video essays.

Talking of YouTube, I'm addicted to using these buds for watching shows. There are sensors in the buds, so when you place them out of your ears, YouTube videos will automatically pause. It's not the fanciest feature out there, but not having to physically tap my iPad screen to pause the latest Game Grumps video is a treat and saves so much time. It can sometimes pause if you move abruptly, so it's not perfect, but I still rely on it pretty much every night.

The cool thing about these buds too, is that if you grab the Xbox Series X/S version, it'll be compatible with most gaming platforms you can throw its way. SteelSeries also added support for the Switch 2 a few months ago, so it's compatibility grows by the day.

• View all gaming ear bud deals at Amazon
• View all SteelSeries deals at Amazon
• Prime Day gaming headset deals at Amazon

If you're on the hunt for savings, our hubs for the best Prime Day PS5 deals, best Prime Day Switch deals, and the best Prime Day gaming laptop deals are full of discounts worth your time and attention.

Amazon Prime Day may be just around the corner, but Best Buy has made some early leaps this weekend. While the online retail giant is still trickling early deals onto the shelves, there's one gadget that's seen a complete price plummet on the other side of the web.

You'll find the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 available for its lowest price yet at Best Buy, down to $175.99 from the $239.99 MSRP. That's a fantastic result considering this is the best gaming keyboard I've tested so far this year, and previous discounts have only ever bottomed out at $197.99.

Official Amazon Prime Day gaming deals will land on October 7, but Best Buy is already gearing up for its competing sale. Sites like this, Newegg, and Walmart all settle into their own discounts when Amazon takes a leap - and they often kick off the entire holiday sales season. That means there's plenty more where that came from, but for now - this is a steal.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3?

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is my favorite gaming keyboard at the moment, combining magnetic alpha keys and mechanical modifiers for a best-of-both-worlds experience. Beyond that, though, it's one of the best-feeling magnetic keyboards I've tested so far.

While cheaper alternatives like the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid and Corsair K70 Pro TKL can feel a little too stiff with that extra magnetic tension, the Apex Pro is smooth, speedy, and intuitive. It's the fastest I've been able to adapt to half-presses for multiple actuations, with an excellent sense of positioning within the switch itself.

Are those switches as slick as those of the Asus ROG Falcata? No, but you're also not spending $420.

The Apex Pro TKL offers a fantastic gaming and typing experience with a handful of extras contained within that OLED display, additional wrist rest, and a streamlined design.

Just one word of warning, though. If you need one of the best wireless gaming keyboards you'll need to move a little further up the price scale for a Hall effect model. At the moment, the Keychron Q1 HE Wireless is the best value at $227.99 (was $239.99) at Amazon, but keep an eye on the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE for further savings as well.

• See all gaming keyboards at Amazon
• SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 | $239.99 $175.99 at Best Buy
• Keychron Q1 HE | $239.99 $227.99 at Amazon

I'm also rounding up all the best hot-swappable keyboards and best membrane gaming keyboards on the market. Or, take a look at the best gaming mouse models for more setup upgrades.

I've been hoping for a new iteration of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but today the brand known for being behind many of the best gaming headsets out there has gone a step further. SteelSeries just unveiled the new Arctis Nova Elite, the world's first Hi-Res Wireless Certified headphones for gaming.

These audiophile-grade cups offer up a 24-bit/96KHz transmission over Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, powered by its new GameHub and the next-gen LC3+ codec. This basically means you can get high-fidelity audio quality delivered to your ears while playing the PS5, PC, or Xbox Series X/S, all without being at the mercy of a wire, unlike the majority of audiophile headphones.

SteelSeries' uses its Nova Elite's 40mm Carbon Fiber Speaker Drivers in order to achieve this "world first". These fancy new drivers can provide that Hi-Res audio quality as they're able to reproduce frequencies from 10Hz to 40kHz.

We've also got the new GameHub, which looks very reminiscent of the base station that you'll find with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. However, unlike the base station, this new hub offers up the brand's new "OmniPlay" tech, which allows you to connect to a PC, PS5, and Xbox console simultaneously and mix the audio from up to four sources without a loss in audio clarity. This is achieved via its triple USB-C inputs.

As an example of this in action, SteelSeries states you can chat on Discord, be in a game lobby, and watch a TikTok all at the same time. That sounds a bit over-stimulating to me, but I can't pretend I'm not prone to checking my video feed in between matches of Marvel Rivals on the PS5.

While the Arctis Nova Elite is a worlds-first, it does take after the rest of the Arctis line with its audio preset support. With the free-to-download Arctis app at hand, you can have access to over 200+ game-specific presets, ranging from everything to Fortnite to Mario Kart World.

The new gaming headphones are also equipped with Active Noise-Cancellation and 32kHz/16-bit Auto-Switching Microphones with AI noise rejection, which can help block out any distracting background noises. Additionally, these gaming headphones feature an "Infinite Power System" which works similarly to that of the Pro Wireless.

This system is comprised of two hot-swappable batteries, one of which you can charge via the GameHub, and the other you can stick in the Arctis Nova Elite to provide up to 60 hours of juice at a time. The similarities to the Pro don't stop there, either, as at a quick glance, they also look very similar in design.

With this new release, however, the Arctis Nova Elite has been co-designed by designer Jacob Wagner, to provide a more elegant look as compared to the rest of the Arctis lineup. This is most evident in its all-metal frame and metal control wheel, which adds an air of sophistication and feels appropriate for a fancy audiophile pair of cups.

Wired audiophile headphones for gaming, like the Sennheiser HD 550 I tested earlier this year, don't come cheap, so you can bet a wireless pair like the Arctis Nova Elite is going to be a bit on the pricey side. The Hi-Res wireless headset will be the priciest I've ever tested, as it comes with a mighty $599.99 / £599.99 MSRP - even more than a Nintendo Switch 2.

On a positive note, anyone who has the budget to spare doesn't have to wait around, as they're available from the SteelSeries online store and other retailers from today (September 30) onwards.

If you're curious to learn about the difference they make for games, and how they differ from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, check back in with me later, as I'll be checking them out for a review. Perhaps SteelSeries might just make an audiophile of me yet.

• View all SteelSeries headsets at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arcits Nova Pro from $323.05 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless from $148 at Amazon

Not an audiophile nerd? Our guides for the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best PS5 headset are full of high-end alternatives that will still make your games sound their absolute best.

It's heartbreaking, but very now and then a gaming mouse passes my desk that just falls a tenth of an inch short of being one of the greats. In the case of the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2, that tiny nick in the throne came in the form of an MSRP that just felt a little stretched.

I loved this budget gaming mouse, but at $59.99 it just wasn't easy to recommend to others considering the best gaming mice it was competing with. On sale for $42.99 at Amazon, though? Knock yourself out.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2?

Back in May, I said I was hopeful for the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2. It's right there, in writing - "as soon as it nears $40 or even $45, this is going to be a steal." I even made it the headline.

That's because there are so many features baked into this pointer that you just won't find at in the $40 - $50 price range day to day. It's a wireless device that can operate across both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, with a replaceable battery that can keep you running for up to 200 hours.

Its relatively small form factor means it can maintain excellent speed and precision on the battlefield, but the wider base still keeps it comfortable for a more relaxed palm or claw grip as well. Personally speaking, I also loved the textured surface.

A growing number of fancy flagships are opting for a matte finish these days, but I just prefer the tactility of a bumpy chassis. It provides a little extra grip yes, but it also means fewer clammy gaming sessions.

Underneath all that you've got a SteelSeries-modified Pixart 3335 sensor, clocking in at an 18,000 DPI with a 400 IPS. Those are entry level numbers but just remember, very few players actually move beyond 6,000 DPI with any regularity. The brands telling you you need 40,000 are lying - it's just an easy marketing win.

Most importantly, the Rival 3 Wireless is comfortable, versatile, easy to maneuver, and provides the standard side buttons (though they could be a little thicker) you need. It also does it at a great price.

Why didn't I love it at $59.99 then? There are a couple of $69.99 mice getting in the way.

The Keychron M7 8K is the best wireless gaming mouse on the market for sheer value and comes in $10 more than the SteelSeries while offering a rechargeable battery, boosted sensor, faster polling rate, and a lower weight. That's a no-brainer.

With that upgrade costing you nearly $30 on top of today's sale price, budget-friendly value starts to shift in SteelSeries' direction.

• See all gaming mice at Amazon
• SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 | $59.99 $42.99 at Amazon

I'm also hunting down all the best Razer mouse models and the best Logitech gaming mice on the market. Check out the best gaming keyboards for more accessories as well.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been around for almost three months, and in that time I've tested a lot of accessories. As a tech-loving loser who's obsessed with everything Nintendo, I'm not complaining, especially as it meant I got to try out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

The wireless gaming headset is by far one of the best Switch 2 gadgets I've used so far, as it packs in the features and support while remaining budget-friendly. Even better, thanks to Labor Day, it's down to just $104.49 at Amazon, marking its first-ever discount since it released a couple of months ago.

Even without $5 off, it's still one of the best budget Switch headsets available today, and I'd still be insisting you add it to your Switch 2 gaming setup.

It just so helps that $5 off its $109.99 MSRP makes it simple to sing its praises, which is exactly what I'm here to do, and that's easier than ever before thanks to its fully supported wireless connectivity.

Other headsets, like the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, have USB Type-A dongles and can only work when the Switch 2 is docked without an adaptor. SteelSeries opting to use a slimline USB-C dongle means both handheld and docked-preferred players can get a kick out of the 3 Wireless. All you need to do is pop the USB-C dongle directly into the handheld, whether it's docked or not, and you're ready to go.

Of course, what really matters is its sound, and this headset also has you covered. It's not the best quality sound on any headset in the brand's repertoire, that award goes to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Super Mario Jamboree still sound superb through these rounded cups.

What makes this headset stand out in the audio department is, of course, its audio presets. With the Mario Kart World one in play, I could hear every koopa shell hurling my way, and roaring sounds of my kart's engine sounded perfectly supported by the leveled bass frequencies the preset offered. In fact, the 3 Wireless is my preferred way to play Mario Kart World on the go as it means I always have that official preset to play around with.

The Lavender version, which I've shown off in my photos, is the only one not on offer right now. I apologise if I enticed you to its stunning pastel purple aesthetics, but the white and aqua versions, which are cheaper this Labor Day, are still pretty to look at.

By grabbing the white or aqua colorway, you're still adding a lightweight, great-sounding headset to your Switch 2 gaming setup, which is also decked out with a high-quality microphone, duo-mode wireless connectivity that's fully supported on the handheld, and access to Switch 2 game presets.

Even that small $5 discount is beginning to sound pretty good, huh?

• View all Nintendo Switch Labor Day savings at Best Buy
• See Labor Day Nintendo Switch deals at Amazon
• Check more Labor Day Nintendo Switch sales at Walmart

Our ultimate Switch 2 starter pack is full of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and other top-quality accessories to help get you started on your new Ninty handheld journey.

I had a problem. I have loved my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P gaming headset for over a year now, but I have the white model, and that means that the fabric ear cushions are tough to keep clean. I guess oils and sweat from my hair are things I've never had to consider before, but the ear cushions on my gaming headset were starting to get a little gross, and it was time for a replacement.

Third-party replacements at Amazon didn't look great, so I decided to reach out to SteelSeries to see if they'd be up for sending me some of their official ear cushion replacements. I didn't actually realise they existed, since most gaming headset brands don't offer this kind of futureproofing. The folks at SteelSeries agreed, but they also wanted to send over some other accessories for my headset, and asked a question I wasn't prepared for: "Which color would you like?"

As you can see, in my indecision, I said, "Yes."

Let's back up. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P is one of the best gaming headsets on the market today because it offers all-round audio greatness for a mid-range price, as well as a lot of cool features like simultaneous Bluetooth connectivity, so you can listen to audio from two devices at once.

One of its coolest features is that it sports magnetic speaker plates you can swap out, as well as various choices of ear cushions and headbands. Until now, I've used the white model of the headset with the "Mint" booster pack, which has given it a nice dash of color without ruining the clean, white aesthetic. However, the care package SteelSeries has sent me has unlocked a new level of versatility to this headset, and one which I'm not sure anyone realizes is there.

The scariest part is that even though the brand sent me five booster packs, two standalone headbands, and two new sets of ear cushions, that still isn't the extent of the Arctis Nova's color options. With what I've been sent, I've been able to try over 20 color combinations on one headset, which is a sickening amount of personalisation from about half of the range SteelSeries offers.

The Arctis Nova range already boasts a look that would blend in with a lot of normal headphones you'd see commuters using on a train, but with this kind of personalisation, you could properly accessorise and coordinate with your outfits if you wanted to. Seeing as the booster pack fits on any Arctis Nova headset, you don't even need to buy into one of the more premium versions to make the most of these cosmetics.

Honestly, for how good a headset this is, I had no idea it was capable of this much aesthetic versatility, and now, I can't decide which combination I like best. This article was supposed to be about how new ear cushions can give a headset a new lease of life, but honestly, I'm light-years from that now.

Thankfully, the Black and Grey ear cushions I was sent act as pretty neutral colors that'll interact with the more flamboyant booster packs. Even then, you can still make some pretty weird combinations if you want to.

Shocker, staying true to those more neutral color combinations makes some super clean-looking headsets, with an all black and white option leading the pack in that regard.

As great as the booster packs are at adding variation, it helps that the ear cushions add a lot of depth and texture as well. The Black Ear Cushions are as dark as the void, which adds a massive contrast when used with the white headset. Meanwhile, the Grey cushions add an almost Sackboy-esque plushy texture that looks so inviting - and yes, the padding is as comfortable as that texture makes it look.

It helps that these accessories are so dang easy to swap on and off. The Headband secures via some clever push buttons, and the Speaker caps are magnetic, so they snap on and off in seconds. If there's a problem child here, it's the Ear Cushions, funnily enough. When you develop some sleight of hand, it's easy enough to slot the small plastic lining into the groove on the earcups and rotate it on. But be prepared to fumble around for a good minute or two if you have negative finger dexterity like I do. I wouldn't even bring this up as an issue, but upsetting the fold along the lining of the Ear Cushions feels like it's upsetting its lifespan, so on the next iteration of this device, I'd love to see some more magnets used.

All told, I have no idea which color combination I like best. My best friend suggested I set a reminder each month to swap them around, and I think I might need to at this rate.

For clarity, I don't suggest that anybody buys this many swappable cosmetics for a gaming headset that already costs north of $150. But SteelSeries has more than proven its point to me that there are some ridiculous levels of personalization potential when it comes to its Arctis Nova headsets. If you fancy jazzing up the look of your headset, or, like me, you want to give yours a new lease of life without paying for an entirely new device, the booster packs may be something to look into.

Haven't got one of these headsets? Check em out at below...

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7: $169 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: $301 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5: $109.99 at Amazon

Looking for something specific to your platform? Check out the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headset.

Before I took off on my holidays last week and got a well-needed break from the screens, I was able to take a look at the BlackShark V3, Razer's latest budget pair of cups, and I like what I tested, but it was no SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

This new model took what I had loved so much about one of the best gaming headsets, the BlackShark V2 Pro, including its lightweight and uber comfortable form factor, and injected it with new features from simultaneous wireless audio, THX spatial audio support, and new fantastic sounds thanks to its dynamic titanium 50mm audio drivers.

Regardless of its funky features, I'm always going to be a fan when big brands release lower-cost options alongside the flashier headsets like the BlackShark V3 Pro, as it means that even those of us with smaller budgets can still get access to new gaming tech.

But even no matter if it's the BlackShark V3, or the sea of recent budget headsets that 2025 has churned out over the months, there hasn't yet been one that does enough to push the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless off my head.

From the outset, one of the things I love the most about the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is its color range. I know bright, pastel headsets aren't for everyone, but neither are the boring all-black and all-white variants that still seem to be the norm for a lot of new headsets.

My PC gaming setup looks like a shrine to Sailor Moon and all anime magical girls, and is decked out in all pink and white accessories, so the all-black look of Razer BlackShark V3, as sleek as it appears, doesn't suit the rest of my setup's aesthetics. Had I been able to grab Razer's latest budget pair in a lovely pastel Lavender and Aqua colorways like the 3 Wireless, it'd probably rank far higher on my personal 'favorite budget headset' list I have cooped up in my mind.

Razer does have its own pink and cozy headsets with the likes of the Razer Kitty lineup, but I'm a firm believer that more color options are for every new release, the better. In lieu of a cute pink BlackShark V3, the gorgeous purple Arctis Nova 3 Wireless looks adorable when perched upon my head. It ties in perfectly with the rest of my gaming setup, and better yet, it doesn't just look good but sounds great too.

The headset is decked out with the same 40mm Neodymium drivers as one of the best PS5 headsets I've used to date, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, so even before I took it for its first test drive, I knew I was in for a good time. The triumphant and energetic soundtrack of Marvels Rivals sounds great without any tweaking, but it's through the compatibility with the Arctis app and its many presets that makes this budget headset more special than the rest.

Out of the box, the BlackShark V3 has that booming bass quality I'm always a sucker for, and need to have blasting in my eardrums whether I'm playing my PS5 or listening to the K-Pop Demon Hunters OST on Spotify. However, the Arctis app has hundreds of audio presets that let you perfectly fine-tune the headset to your favorite games to capture that same deep and bassy sound.

With the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless and the Arctis app at my disposal, I've been able to hear every step of the killers in DBD, or the steps of sneaky enemy team members as they try to flank me down in Marvel Rivals, thanks to their official audio settings. That's taken me from a casual online gaming fan to someone who plays Marvel Rivals the second I clock off at work - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ultimately, what really keeps the SteelSeries pair of cups as part of my day-to-day setup is that it takes all these impressive qualities and squeezes them into a low-cost headset package. While the BlackShark V3 has an MSRP of $149.99 / £149.99, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is just $109.99 / £99.99, and it's likely to get cheaper over time once big holiday sales start rolling out later in the year.

It's basically a new iteration of the mid-range Arcits Nova 5, but cheaper and with new and better features, so it's hard not to constantly pop it back on my head even when my favorite tech brands launch their own high-powered budget alternatives.

• View all budget headset deals at Amazon
• Razer Barracuda X gaming headset: $99.99 at Amazon
• HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset: $99.99 $69.99 at Amazon

Our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best wireless headsets are full of more feature-full alternatives to the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless if you've got the budget to spare.

I've somehow managed to avoid becoming a Minecraft fan. Other than having to upskill myself on the global phenomenon for work, I've never been sucked into the blocky void, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate these new KontrolFreek Minecraft Creeper Edition thumbsticks.

KontrolFreek, the brand behind some of the best PS5 accessories out there, has teamed up with Minecraft to launch these new sticks today, which feature that iconic and terrifying Creeper face in all its grippy glory.

These new sticks are "purpose built for Minecraft fans" and their laser-etched rubber tops provide an extra grip that's ideal to aid you while you're fending off mobs of zombies, or just hoarding rare materials and building something you can later show off to your friends.

For $19.99 at Amazon they're also available for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S controllers, and as Thumb Grips for the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons and Switch 2 Pro Controller for those who prefer to play Minecraft on the go.

While I'm not a die-hard Minecraft fan, I do use thumbsticks pretty much every day. The best PS5 controllers have never been comfortable enough for me, and having that extra bit of elevation provided by sticks like the Minecraft Creeper Editions can be a literal game-changer.

Normally, I have my KontrolFreek Clutch PS5 Thumbsticks at my disposal, but I was fortunate enough to take these test drive this week. The first thing I noticed after easily popping them on my DualSense sticks was their slightly sticky texture, which took a bit of getting used to as someone with sensory issues up the wahzoo.

That being said, they were still super comfortable to use, and I managed to almost get MVP as Jeff the Land Shark in Marvel Rivals on the PS5, which was a surprise as I just started learning to play him this week (and I'm not the best at the game). The slight added elevation won't be for everyone, but it helped alleviate any discomfort I typically have in my thumbs after too long spent on my PS5.

If you prefer to play Minecraft on the Switch 2, or you have kids who do, these sticks are also available as Thumb Grips compatible with the sticks of the Joy-Con 2 controllers, and the Switch 2 Pro Controller. I didn't get the chance to test these out for myself, but they feature the same funky Creeper design as the PS5 and Xbox versions.

Better yet, they're slightly cheaper too. Hopefully, these Creeper sticks are also a sign of more Switch 2 accessories to come, as I'd love to see KontrolFreek try its hands at creating some yellow banana-inspired Donkey Kong Bananza sticks too.

More KontrolFreek thumbsticks...

• KontrolFreek South Park: Kenny Edition Thumbsticks: $19.99 at Amazon
• KontrolFreek Saints Row Thumbsticks $19.99 at Amazon
• KontrolFreek Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III Thumbsticks: $19.99 at Amazon

Our guides to the best Nintendo Switch controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best PC controller for gaming are full of high-quality alternatives for a more comfortable playing experience.

My friends and I have booked a short vacation in the Scottish countryside at the end of the month, and while I'll be among nature and finally able to touch some actual grass, it's going to be the perfect opportunity to get in some valuable Nintendo Switch 2 time.

A lot of my wider friends are still musing over getting one for themselves, so I won't just be bringing the Switch 2, but a whole load of my favorite Switch accessories along with me to show it off in all its slightly different Ninty glory.

At first, it was hard to determine what cases, controllers, and more would actually fit in my suitcase, especially as space will be pretty limited when I have all my cute clothes jammed in there too. But with just over a week to go, I've finally rounded up every single Switch 2 accessory I don't want to spend my trip without - from a case that will keep my handheld charged up, to the official GameCube controller, which will come in a pinch for retaining my god-like Mario Kart World status with my friends.

1. Belkin Nintendo Switch 2 Charging Case

The battery of the Nintendo Switch 2 is pretty bad, let's be real. Of course, I'll have the AC Adapter that comes boxed with the console, but having an alternative way to keep my handheld charged throughout the trip is a high priority, especially as I'll likely still be mastering Donkey Kong Bananza.

Only one product instantly came to mind when thinking over my battery woes, and that's the Belkin Charging Case. This case is not only going to provide my pricey bit of Nintendo tech with some extra protection as it rattles around in my suitcase, but it comes with an integrated 10,000mAh charger to keep my handheld juiced up on the go.

I always pack a power bank in my main bag in case of emergencies, but by packing the Belkin case, I don't have to worry about keeping my Switch 2 charged, too. The power bank sits at the bottom recess of the case, and can even charge the handheld while fully zipped up. The case also comes with space to store up to 12 physical games, which is going to be extra handy for ensuring I don't leave the house without Super Mario Party Jamboree, especially as its Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack drops days before I leave.

2. SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds

The SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds only worked via Bluetooth with the Nintendo Switch 2 at launch, but now that a recent firmware update has meant I can pop the 2.4GHz wireless dongle into the handheld's top USB-C port and enjoy some latency-free audio, these gaming earbuds have earned their rightful place in my suitcase.

I thought long and hard about bringing one of the best gaming headsets with me instead, but the Game Buds are not only going to take up far less room, but they'll be a lot more comfortable to wear while walking around the inevitably scorching hot Scottish countryside.

These are probably the least social accessories I'm bringing along for my trip, as with active noise canceling turned on with the tap of a button (via the left bud), I won't be able to hear any of my friends chatting away. But that's exactly why they're coming along with me, so I can pop them in and have some uninterrupted time playing through Donkey Kong Bananza when all the socializing gets a bit too much.

3. Nintendo Classics GameCube controller

I don't have an extra pair of Joy-Cons, nor do I feel the urge to spend $94 / £74.99 to get one, especially after what I've already invested in my vacation. That means that 4-player local co-op Mario Kart World isn't going to happen, but by bringing my Nintendo GameCube controller, I can at least ensure 3-player races are still on the cards.

The controller is just as comfortable as the original one, but with the added bonus of being wireless. I can already foresee myself scrambling to grab this gamepad over either singular Joy-Con during my trip, as Mario Kart World feels like it was destined to be played using this Nintendo Switch Online gamepad.

As my friends don't have a Nintendo Switch 2 of their own, bringing it along with me is also the perfect excuse to show off how wonderful games like the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker run on the new handheld. It helps that ensuring it's packed with the rest of my Switch 2 stuff makes for a great excuse for me to replay Wind Waker for the 100th time, too.

As it's the same size as the original GameCube controller, it's not the most compact gamepad to pop in my suitcase - but that's why I won't be leaving for my vacation without this next accessory.

4. Snakebyte All-In-One Case

The place my friends and I are going to in the Scottish countryside has a TV, so of course that means I want to bring not just the Switch 2, but the Switch 2 dock and all its cables so I can set it up and let everyone in the room have a shot of Ninty's new machine.

I don't like the idea of the dock laying unprotected in my suitcase, but fortunately, I have the Snakebyte System Organiser Case for the Switch 2 at my disposal. This very large case is similar to the official All-In-One Carrying Case in that it has space to store not just the Switch 2 dock, but its HDMI cable, AC adapter, and any accessories (like most of the ones on this list) I have my eyes on.

At 31x 14x 19 cm it's a pretty chonky case, and so won't fit in my suitcase and will have to be carried separately, but I can cope. It helps that the top of the case itself is also a makeshift compact carrying case for the Switch 2, which you can be removed and popped in your backpack if you don't want to struggle taking the entire organiser with you - which is going to be absolutely perfect for my upcoming vacation.

5. USB-C Fan

Here in Scotland this month, we've been experiencing a bit of a heat wave. Typically, the sun doesn't last long here, and I fully expect it'll be raining for the entire length of my trip knowing my luck, but there's a chance this horrendous heat will be sticking around for the entirety of July.

Fortunately for me, I have this tiny USB-C fan, which slots into either USB-C port of my Switch 2, and provides me with some cool air and a break from this horrendous up to 30-degree weather that my Scottish butt cannot handle. It's so small that you can bet it's coming with me on this trip, and it even fits perfectly in the extra storage compartment of the Belkin Charging Case, which is super handy.

My only concern is that I might have to go out and pick up some more, so my friends don't end up stealing mine. While I'm the only one with the Switch 2, the fan is also compatible with most modern smartphones, so I can already envision us all passing around my singular little pink fan. At least they're super cheap, so even after forking out cash on Donkey Kong Bananza this month, a few extra Switch 2 fans aren't going to break the bank.

More travel essential Switch 2 accessories...

• JSAUX 65W USB C Charger for Nintendo Switch 2: $25.99 at Amazon
• Samsung 256GB MicroSD Express Card: $59 at Amazon
• Nintendo Switch Joy-Con 2 controller pair: $94 at Amazon
• tomtoc Sling Crossbody Bag for Nintendo Switch 2: $49.99 at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for even more travel-friendly accessories.

Just as I had settled down for a quiet weekend catching up with my favorite PS5 games, my TV kicked the bucket. I've had the thing for almost as long as I've had my house, so it wasn't entirely surprising, but it did get in the way of my plans for a chill two days playing the latest season of Marvel Rivals.

As I cleared away the tears produced by seeing the funds for a new TV come out of my bank account, I grabbed my SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds and spent the weekend catching up with the Steam Deck - and now I'm more obsessed with the little gaming earbuds than ever.

With the 2.4GHz dongle popped into one of the best gaming handhelds I own, and the orange-themed buds comfortably stuck in my ears, I was able to get just as immersed as I had been playing the PS5 - so my weekend wasn't entirely ruined after all.

In fact, my two days spent with the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds and my Steam Deck OLED handheld were so captivating, my new TV came, is already mounted on the wall ready to go, and I still haven't given it a proper test drive. Instead, I spent last night trying out my latest Steam Summer Sale purchase, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon, with its soundtrack permeating my eardrums through the Game Buds yet again.

What really sold me on using the Game Buds throughout the weekend, as opposed to using one of the best gaming headsets I have at my disposal, is its enhanced portability. I wanted the ease of taking my Deck from room to room, and having a tiny pair of buds in my ears, as opposed to a big, bulky headset, made that pretty easy to manage - especially at 5.3g per bud.

It was a massive plus that they're also decked out with active noise canceling. I don't always like to have that turned on, in case my cat is howling in the other room and I'm none the wiser. But over the weekend, I switched it on with the literal light tap of a button (the side of the left bud) and was able to properly get immersed in the humming cicadas and other delightful summer sounds of Shin chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation The Endless Seven-Day Journey, my latest Steam Deck game of choice.

Not only did the backlight of my 55-inch TV blow out, but this weekend also brought a 30-degree heat wave that I was not prepared for as a Scottish person. To make the most of the sun's presence, I ended up bringing my Steam Deck and my Game Buds to my Mom's house, something I'd likely not have done had the TV and the PS5 still been an option.

While my Mom read her various spy novels, I had my feet dipped into a paddling pool, the buds in my ears, and spent the blissful summer day catching rare Japanese fish, and playing multiple rounds of Dinosaur Battle.

I've been a fan of the portability of the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds well before my TV broke, but this weekend finally secured them a place in my day-to-day gaming travel bag for life. There might not be any more sunny days in Scotland's future, but you can bet I'll always have them with me wherever I go from now on.

• See all gaming earbuds at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds | $199.99 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless: $29.99 $116.99 Amazon

If the Arctis Game Buds don't feel like your jam, our guides to the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets are full of pairs of cups worth your time and attention.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless has remained one of my go-to PS5 headsets ever since it arrived at my door, and its newly acquired support with the Nintendo Switch 2 has only made me love it more.

Now, anyone with a Switch 2 can see exactly why I herald it as one of the best gaming headsets going, as Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals have dropped its price down to just $99.74 on Amazon, saving you $30 off of its $129.99 MSRP.

It might be the Xbox version (5X) that's discounted, but don't let that fool you. Thanks to a recent firmware update, this headset is fully compatible via Bluetooth or its 2.4GHz wireless dongle with Ninty's newest handheld.

To get this out of the way, I actually own the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P version of the headset, designed with the PS5 in mind. The only difference there is, is that mine isn't compatible with any Xbox consoles, but it is still a perfect pair of cups to use alongside the PS5, PC, and of course, the Nintendo Switch 2.

You can hook up the 5 Wireless via Bluetooth to Ninty's new console, or simply pop the tiny wireless dongle into the new USB-C port at the top of the device, and you're ready to go. The utterly fantastic Neodymium 40mm audio drivers make Mario Kart World sound even more thrilling, as they manage to bring out the full vibrancy and depth of the game's OST all the while not making the roaring of your kart's engine sound too overbearing.

Where this wireless headset shines the most it's through its hundreds of audio presets, available through the Arctis app or the brand's GG software. With the limited first-party games available right now, there's only a Mario Kart World preset as far as Switch 2 games go, but even then, it still evens out the busy soundstage. I swear with it preset toggled on, that I've been able to escape far more koopa shells coming my way than usual, making it the key to my Mario Kart World skills.

Both the all-black 5X version of the headset and the white SKU Actis Nova 5P are down to $99.74 at Amazon for Prime Day. The only difference you'll find between the two, other than the colorways, is down to the patterned headband. The 5X features a black and green swirly pattern that matches more with the Xbox aesthetic, and the white version is, as you can probably guess, all white.

If you do prefer your gaming headsets to be a bit more on the colorful side, you can always grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless instead. It's not part of this week's Prime Day savings, but it is always just $109.99 at Amazon and comes in stunning Aqua and Lilac models.

Thanks to the recent SteelSeries GG software update, the 3 Wireless is also fully supported on the Switch 2, you'd just have to get used to its little differences, from its integrated fast charging support, detachable ClearCast Gen 2.X microphone, and it's updated slim 2.4GHz wireless dongle - which fits just as easily in the top Ninty handheld's USB-C port.

More gaming headset deals...

• View all Amazon gaming headset deals
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: $379.99 $322.99 at Amazon
• Logitech G733 Lightspeed: $149.99 $104.99 at Amazon
• OXS Storm G2 Wireless: $79.99 $49.99 at Amazon
• Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed: $129.99 $89.99 at Amazon

Looking for more Prime Day savings? Check out our hubs for the best Prime Day PS5 deals, the best Prime Day PC deals, and the best Prime Day gaming laptop deals.

I've always been an Apple fan. I was fully suckered into the ecosystem with my first iPod Touch and have been trapped in the iterative-update-hellscape ever since. Last year I was able to loosen one of the bolts on this cage door, though, when I upgraded from my old AirPods Pro to the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds.

I can see why these gaming earbuds have been so resistant to discounts since their launch. With the brand's pedigree audio behind each driver, a fantastic battery life, an app full of EQ presets, and super simple controls, they can get away with holding onto their $199.99 MSRP. Prime Day has changed all that though - you can now grab the Xbox version (the most widely compatible) for $147.99 at Amazon, just a few cents off its lowest price ever.

A rare discount on the best gaming earbuds I've tested so far? I'll certainly take that.

For reference, the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are a couple bucks cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2 (currently on sale for $149 down from $249), but offer a far better experience for anyone looking for both gaming and everyday audio.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds?

Why have my AirPods not left their case since I stuck the Game Buds in my ears? They fit my needs much better.

The low-latency 2.4GHz connection keeps me in tune with faster games across my PC, Asus ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2, and PS5 - all through one easily transferrable USB-C dongle. If I want all that running through my AirPods I'll be putting up with slower audio cues, less of an emphasis on the lower ranges, and constantly cycling through Bluetooth menus. Not only that, but the Game Buds also come stocked with a massive library of game-specific EQ presets that take everything from Mario Kart to Indiana Jones to new levels.

I'm not just recommending the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds as an alternative to the best gaming headsets, though. These are my everyday travel, dog walking, late-night music listening, Netflix bingeing headphones. I'm not exaggerating when I say I probably have these in my ear holes for between two and six hours a day.

They're comfortable, offer extremely powerful audio (sometimes better than over-ear cups), hold their battery life particularly well, and offer a handy physical button for playback controls (no more frustrating taps and gestures). There are some downsides.

If you're going purely for music listening, the AirPods Pro will still offer you a better experience overall. Similarly, Apple is still absolutely winning this race when it comes to the strength of its ANC. If, however, you just want a pain-free gaming, music, podcasts, and streaming life there's nothing I'd recommend more.

• View all earbud deals at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds | $199.99 $147.99 at Amazon
• Apple AirPods Pro 2 | $249 $149 at Amazon

I'm bringing you all the best Prime Day deals for gamers as soon as I find them this week, but you can also check in on the best Prime Day iPad deals and the latest Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals for more offers.

Amazon Prime Day is still days away, but that hasn't stopped the best gaming headsets from seeing some tasty savings on the lead-up to the main event - like this current saving on the iconic SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Right now, the premium pair of cups is down to just $240.87 at Amazon, saving you $139 off its $379.99 MSRP and cash off one of the best PC headsets for gaming I've ever had the pleasure of popping on my head.

There are plenty of iconic headsets that are also seeing massive savings before the official deals kick off on July 8 on Amazon, but out of every single one of them, this is the one I recommend keeping a watchful eye on the most. Just moments before writing these very words, it was available for a record-low $229.96, but it shot back up to its current price just moments later.

That fluctuation in price and its tendency to play a part in the biggest sales events of the year means it's very likely to get even cheaper once Prime Day officially begins. If you can't wait until the savings start next week, its current deal price is still worthwhile.

Not only do you get to keep $139 to put towards more Amazon Prime Day goodies, but you're still getting a considerable amount of cash off my favorite headset I've ever tested, and that's saying something as someone who's got over 100 headsets kicking about their gaming setup.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset this Prime Day?

Anyone who just sticks with the PS5 and only the PS5, for example, will have a much better time with headsets ike the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, especially when it comes to its price, as it's just $119.99 at Amazon right now. However, for those who play on the PS5, PC, and a slew of other platforms, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is well worth your attention.

The Pro Wireless is oozing with quality, from its mighty sounding 40mm Neodymium audio drivers, hot-swappable batteries that make charging a thing of the past, to its accompanying base station that's at the heart of what makes it a multi-platform marvel. However, all of those premium features come with a premium price, and the $379.99 is what you can expect to pony up if there are no deals around.

That's why this Prime Day is a perfect time to try and grab the headset for as low a price as possible. Like I mentioned before, Amazon's big Prime Day deals don't officially roll out until next week, but already the pricey device is down to $240.87, which bodes well for the upcoming influx of gaming tech savings.

If you don't mind shopping elsewhere, you can already grab it for even cheaper as it's currently down to $239 at Walmart, you just won't be able to take advantage of any speedy Prime delivery options.

• View the headset deals at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless: $149.99 $119.99 at Amazon
• Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: $199.99 $179.99 at Amazon
• Sony INZONE H9: $299.99 $198 at Amazon

Want more savings? We're hunting all the best PC Prime Day deals, the best Prime Day PS5 deals, and the best Prime Day Nintendo Switch deals right now so you can create the ultimate gaming setup.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless has never budged from its best gaming headset for consoles podium since we first got our hands on it, but now there's even more reason to herald this impressive pair of cups as it finally has full Nintendo Switch 2 support.

Originally, the 5 Wireless joined the ranks of other best Nintendo Switch headsets that had compatibility issues with Nintendo's latest hardware straight out of the box. At the start of June, I put a ton of SteelSeries headsets to the test and quickly discovered that outside of the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds, anything with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle simply didn't work.

SteelSeries has seemingly been diligently working behind the scenes, as a new GG 89.1.0 update has arrived, bringing with it a firmware update of its own that solves all my 5 Wireless woes.

It's not the most premium-sounding, and feature-full headset in the brand's lineup (that award goes to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless), but its simple set-up process, impressive balanced sound from its Neodymium magnetic 40mm audio drivers, lightweight comfortable feel, and huge list of audio presets have made the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless one of my favorite pairs to grab whether I'm playing my PC, PS5 and of course, my original Nintendo Switch.

That's why I was a bit disheartened when it didn't fully get along with the Switch 2 last month. Its Bluetooth connectivity was always fine, but I hate the tedium that sometimes comes with pairing, and so its 2.4GHz dongle compatibility issues had me reaching for my Game Buds instead.

Thanks to this new update, the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and the rest of the Arctis Nova Wireless headsets work an absolute treat, and I couldn't be happier. The pair of cups no longer gets stuck in a turning-on-and-off cycle since I updated to GG 89.1.0, and the charming jazz-band stylings of the Mario Kart World OST can now penetrate my eardrums - just the way I like it.

SteelSeries also politely added a Mario Kart World audio preset amongst the hundreds of existing ones already part of the SteelSeries software and Arctis app. After taking it for a test drive, the new freeroaming mode sounds better than ever. The preset has now become a permanent fixture of my headset Switch 2, especially as it manages to make roaring and constant engine roar sound less grating on my ears, so I can focus on that new soundtrack I adore so much.

To update your Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, all you need to do is open up the SteelSeries GG software and navigate to Settings > About > Check for updates. After connecting your headset to your computer via its 2.4GHz dongle and a USB-A to USB-C cable, the firmware update will be primed and ready for your new Switch 2.

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless: $379.99 $349.99 on Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless: $109.99 on Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds: $199.99 $176.34 on Amazon

Our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, best PS5 headsets, and best Xbox Series X headsets are bursting at the seams with more high-quality picks for your console of choice.

The looming arrival of the brand new chapters for Toby Fox's Deltarune earlier this month hammered it home how badly I needed to ensure I had one of the best gaming headsets within my grasp before returning to the Dark World with Kris, Suzie, Ralsei, and friends - but luckily, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless gaming headset was already primed and ready to go.

Deltarune is iconic for its soundtracks, and I knew going into them that the game's new chapters on my PS5 would be filled with equally catchy and memorable beats. With the pastel Lavender-colored Arctis Nova 3 Wireless on my head, I was able to hear every nuance of the retro-sounding soundtrack and even catch those cheeky Undertale leitmotifs found in the new chapters, which is why I chose to give it a spot of its own amongst our best headset guide.

I started a brand-new playthrough once the new Deltarune chapters dropped worldwide on June 4 during my review testing process, and I'm glad I did. Not only did it give me a profoundly needed reminder of the story up until that point, but it meant I could hear how some of my favorite pieces of video game music sounded through the budget-friendly pastel-colored cups.

Before I was supplied with the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless for review, I had listened to the soundtracks to Deltarune (and Undertale for that matter) on Spotify through the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless gaming headset, so the experience wasn't entirely new. Both headsets sport the same 40mm Neodymium drivers that don't quite capture the gut-punching and unforgettable bass-fueled force of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, but still give justice to Deltarune creator Toby Fox's incredibly memorable tunes.

With the Arctis Nova 3 on my ears, I felt like I could get fully immersed in Deltarune's Dark World, just like Kris and Suzie in the game's first chapter. The eerie but serene sound of the track 'Empty Town' that plays as you roam about the quiet and then empty streets of Castle Town towards the start of the game sounded heavenly through the earcups, and brought back nostalgic memories of playing through the demo for the first time.

That fuzzy and warm nostalgic feeling only escalated once I got further through the first chapter, and the captivating beats of tracks like 'Field of Hopes and Dreams', and the hopeful music that plays as you approach the first fountain swarmed around my eardrums.

This high-quality sound from the Arctis Nova 3 made me as excited as ever to finally start the first of the new chapters, and I'm glad I used them to do just that. Without delving into spoiler territory, the retro-sounding exclamations of Mr Ant Tenna sounded crystal clear through the cups, which was only aided by their incredibly lightweight 260g form factor. The more I wore the headset, the more I was able to immerse myself in Deltarune's world, as it was so light I began to forget it was even on my noggin' in the first place.

One of this headset's best features, opposed to previous models in the Arctis Nova Line, is its detachable ClearCast Gen 2.X microphone. Of course, as a single player game I never needed to use it, but as it's not just retractable like previous models, I could just pop it right out the 3.5mm port and not have to worry about my PS5 accidentally recording my voice over memorable saved Deltarune game clips I captured, or an annoying bouncing boom arm distracting me from the new story beats.

To me, games like Deltarune (and Undertale) are gaming headset games through and through. While the retro-inspired score might sound nauseating for some when isolated directly to your ears, re-playing through this iconic (albeit still unfinished) game lent itself to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless thanks to the headset's lightweight comfortable feel, impressive high-quality sound, and simple to use 2.5GHz slimline dongle that easily popped right into the USB-C port on my PS5.

It was just my luck that the adorable pastel-colored Lavender pair I was supplied with for review happened to remind me perfectly of Deltarune's Suzie and her purple aesthetic. A factor that only made me feel more immersed in Toby Fox and team's world and its creations than ever when testing the headset before it earned a spot on our best gaming headset guide.

If the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless doesn't seem like a good fit, our guides to the best PC headset for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets are filled with some great-sounding alternatives.

I don't have a hope in hell of chancing upon the elusive CS2 AWP Dragon Lore skin, but if you don't want to drop thousands of dollars on a super-rare weapon decal SteelSeries has a far more affordable option up its sleeve.

The brand has just launched its new CS2 Dragon Lore Collection, an XXL mouse pad and a seemingly-new wireless gaming mouse devoted to one of the most iconic skins in the game. These limited edition drops are now available to pre-order direct from SteelSeries, coming in at $49.99 / $119.99 respectively, ahead of shipping from July 1.

First up, the actual design on that mouse pad is stunning. You've got all the main elements of the actual sniper skin here, spread out across the full width of a SteelSeries QcK XXL desk pad. The golden backdrop mixed with the red of that dragon... chef kiss - and I'm not even a die-hard fan of the elusive decal.

You're not picking up a cheap pad for the sake of its design here either. SteelSeries produce some of the best mats on the market. While this isn't the latest suite of SteelSeries QcK Performance pads, there's still plenty of pedigree on that super-soft finish and grippy surface.

The mouse is a little more challenging to recommend. This isn't a SteelSeries pointer that I've seen before, and from the marketing materials it looks like a specialized run. There's an 18K DPI sensor under the hood, a custom PixArt TrueMove Air model, both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, and up to 200 hours of battery life. SteelSeries has now confirmed to me that it's a modified SteelSeries Aerox 3, with non-honeycomb chassis up top. That's an older mouse that's been sitting at about $60 all year round - you're doubling your spend for this extra coat of paint.

We're rounding up all the best wireless gaming mouse models as well as the best gaming keyboards and the best gaming headsets for more setup upgrades.

The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't have eight years under its belt like the original handheld, but that hasn't stopped it from having a ridiculous number of accessories. Even when you take the official first-party Nintendo goodies - from the camera, to the Pro Controller, out of the equation, we're still left with hundreds of third-party accessories lining the digital shelves.

I've been lucky enough to get my hands on whole stashes of accessories for the new handheld from notable brands like Dbrand, Snakebyte, STEALTH, and more. Typically, our team likes to spend at least two weeks with every Ninty gadget before we start laying out our thoughts. But unlike the best Switch 2 accessories, I haven't been able to spend enough time putting each and every one through its paces for review.

Even though there are still weeks to go until I can fully review every single Switch 2 accessory at my disposal, there have already been some clear standouts. If you're eager to start investing in a top-tier Nintendo Switch 2 setup, these are the top 4 picks I recommend for your Switch 2 right now. It's just a shame we're still waiting for so many of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers to confirm compatibility.

Dbrand Killswitch case

The Dbrand Killswitch case never left my OLED Steam Deck, so I was more than eager to try out the iconic accessory brand's version for the Switch 2.

This time around, Dbrand has truly thought of everything. The case not only protects your new Nintendo handheld, but also provides some extra game cart storage, and gives the Joy-Con 2 controllers a new, comfortable ergonomic grip.

There's a lot to love about the Switch 2 Killswitch case, but the ergonomic handles are definitely the shining star amongst its wealth of features. The original Switch would constantly bring on a pins-and-needles sensation in my hand when played in handheld mode - and I pretty much exclusively played the console on the go.

The new iterations of the controllers have that same uncomfortable flat back, which is handy for fitting the best Switch cases, but still just as uncomfortable as ever before. So the Killswitch's solution is more than welcome.

It's not just the handles that have caught my attention. Even though this case does add an extra bit of bulk onto the otherwise sleek console, none of the important ports are hidden. Even the new kickback stand is still accessible, as are the bottom and top USB-C ports, in case you want to give your device a quick charge.

Naturally, this is one of the priciest accessories on this list, with an MSRP of $59.99, which is not going to be everybody's cup of tea. The case does come with a custom-built Switch 2 dock adapter with built-in 4k60 passthrough via a USB-C port, which helps justify its hefty price tag a little.

STEALTH Premium Travel Kit

I've got a lot of Switch cases on my testing bench right now, but the STEALTH Premium Travel Kit is currently housing my device. The case itself is pretty bulky, so it's not ideal for those after a slim fit. That bulk means that there's plenty of room in the case, though - perfect if you like to keep your Switch 2 and its charging cable close together at all times.

The hardback design features a pouch with space for another pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers and a charging cable (there's also one in the box). I'm constantly losing chargers. Even yesterday I was struggling to find the official charger for my OLED Switch that I needed to start the Nintendo Switch 2 system transfer - so having an extra one at hand is a godsend.

There's also a screen protector in there, but I haven't yet had the time to attach it to the new 9.7-inch LCD display of the Switch 2. What I have managed to test is the case itself, which has been keeping my Switch 2 nice and safe, despite how clumsy I am with even the newest bits of tech.

My favorite feature of the case itself has to be the game storage, which sits in the middle. The side that rests upon the Switch 2 display is padded with a soft fleece material, which has kept my display free of marks and scratches. Previous cases I've owned for the original handheld would constantly leave marks on my screen, but this $45.45 / £19.99 version has kept the new display nice and streak-free.

STEALTH Twin Controller Grips

As you can probably guess, I've got a lot of STEALTH Switch 2 accessories at hand right now. With all the products I have from the accessory brand it's hard to narrow it down my main recommendations based off of first impressions alone, but the Twin Controller Grips are definitely up there - especially if you're a Joy-Con hater like me.

These little grips have spaces to easily pop in your new Joy-Con 2 controllers, and make them far more comfortable to hold. STEALTH has made sure to included a textured surface to the ergonomically shaped handles so they don't slip around in your sweaty palms.

When taking these out for a spin during some local Mario Kart World co-op, I was more drawn to the uniquely designed shoulder buttons. The twin controller grips have these large plastic plates which are easy to press, and a nicer alternative to the awkward finger stretch maneuver I have to perform in order to use the Joy-Con 2's shoulder buttons when its perched on its side.

There is still sadly some stretching involved, due to the nature of the actual Joy-Con design. Nonetheless, these controller add-ons have already make Mario Kart World a joy when playing the new kart racer with my fiancé.

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

Okay, so the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds have been out for a while now - long enough to have won the top spot among the best gaming earbuds I've tested so far. But it just so happens that SteelSeries' signature buds are also compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, via Bluetooth and the accompanying slim 2.4GHz dongle.

When it comes to handheld gaming, especially of the Nintendo Switch variety, I much prefer to game in the comfort of my bed, and these game buds make that more convenient than ever. The first night I had the Switch 2, I was able to curl up under the duvet with the 90s-themed limited edition game buds in my ears, and it made free-roaming in Mario Kart World feel almost therapeutic. Not to mention, I was able to roll onto my side without the fear of a bulky headset digging into my skull, which is never not going to be preferable.

The 6mm neodymium audio drivers found in these $199.99 / £159.99 buds isn't the loudest and best sound quality you can get for the Switch 2, or any handheld for that matter. And right now, they are a bit on the quiet side, even after toggling off the volume restriction settings on the Switch 2. However, thanks to its active noise-canceling feature, I've been able to play Legend of Zelda Wind Waker in bed without hearing any unwanted noise.

With the Arctis Game Buds at my disposal, playing through a childhood GameCube favorite has been more immersive than ever, and I can't wait to test them with the rest of the Nintendo Switch Online game library in the weeks to come.

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch microSD Express Cards, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch controllers to get even more value out of your new Ninty handheld.

The second I finally got my hands on the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds, I became a gaming earbuds convert. I like to get the majority of my handheld gaming done in bed, and their discreet and compact size has allowed me to get all comfortable and cozy when playing my original Switch.

With one of the best gaming earbuds at my side, I don't have to deal with the fear of a bulky headset digging into the sides of my head in bed. Sure, it's not unheard of for me to pick up one of the best gaming headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if I'm playing a big new game release and want to get a bit more oomph than the Game Buds' 6mm neodymium audio drivers can provide. Yet the $199.99 / £159.99 gaming earbuds are far more convenient not just for their small size, but as their Qi wireless compatibility has meant I can charge them via the charger I already use for my Android-based smartphone at my bedside.

Now that the Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, my night-time handheld gaming routine has been shaken up a notch. But the good news is, not only is the Switch successor compatible with the gaming earbuds, but both the Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz wireless connectivity work a treat. I was already pretty smitten with SteelSeries' first foray into the world of buds, but the Switch 2's release has just made me even more smitten than ever before.

I've only had the Switch 2 for one night, but that was enough to be reminded of why the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds are my go-to bit of audio tech when it comes to handhelds - and just about every console when a headset isn't up for the task. Driving through the lush and vivid world of the new Mario Kart World as my girl Princess Peach felt almost cathartic as I was comfy under the covers, and even better once I had popped the wireless dongle onthe handheld's top USB-C port.

Immediately, there were zero compatibility issues, and the moment I switched to 2.4GHz mode, the smooth jazz OST from the new kart racer sounded stunning through the little buds. For the time being, it is a little too quiet for my liking, even with the handheld's built-in volume restriction settings toggled off. However, I suspect this will be remedied once the inevitable future firmware updates for the Arctis Game Buds roll out, as is usually the case with audio gaming tech when there's a new console afoot.

The Arctis Game Buds are still legendary

However, where the Game Buds shined the most was when I switched things up to the new Nintendo Switch Online GameCube game library. As a Legend of Zelda die-hard fan, I immediately wanted to see how the score of Legend of Zelda Wind Waker sounded through the earbuds, and I was not disappointed.

Again, things were a bit on the quiet side, but the second the intro started rolling, I had goosebumps from the sound the little buds could muster. I fully intended to spend the upcoming weekend playing an unholy amount of hours in Mario Kart World, but the fact that I can now play Wind Waker in bed, and get extra immersed with thanks to the game buds active noise canceling feature means I'll likely re-play through the Zelda classic for the 100th time instead.

It's not just the Nintendo Switch 2 that pairs with the SteelSeries' signature buds. If you still haven't picked up the new handheld or want to wait a while, you can use them alongside your gaming PC, PS5, Xbox Series X (if you get the Xbox version), Steam Deck, and the original Switch, too. I managed to sneak in some time with the new Deltarune chapters on the PS5, and the buds' wireless dongle easily connected to the USB-C port at the front-facing side of my Sony console and made Toby Fox's brand new tunes sound sublime.

Just don't expect the kind of eardrum-bursting sound quality as the brand's Arctis Nova headset range. Or even a similar sound to that of the best wireless headsets like the Astro A50 X- as I said before, there are only 6mm audio drivers powering these little buds. But rather than offering up the best possible sound quality out there, the Arctis Game Buds combine a huge range of high-end features into one super convenient package - which is why they now never leave my side.

The Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility means I have all the more reason to ensure I take them wherever my new handheld goes. I just hope SteelSeries starts to roll out Switch 2 game audio presets as part of its Arctis app, and gives the volume some tweaking, to ensure their new rightful place in my new Switch 2 gaming setup.

Our best Nintendo Switch Micro SD Express Cards, best Nintendo Switch 2 Cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch controller guides are bursting at the seams with accessories that will give you more value out of your brand-new handheld.

SteelSeries has unveiled a brand-new entry into it's lineup of budget-friendly wireless gaming headsets, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.This new wireless pair of cups is available in a variety of stunning colors, from the all-black and all-white colorways you'd expect, to a vivid pastel Lavender and Aqua that would look the part in any cozy gaming setup.

However, it's not just its pretty color options that make this pair of cups worthy of being pitted against the best gaming headsets, as far as budget options are concerned. For just $109.99 at SteelSeries, the new Arctis Nova 3 manages to pack in the same impressive sound conjured up from its 40mm Neodymium Magnetic audio drivers as found on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, but brings some worthy improvements to the table, including a detachable ClearCast mic, new slim 2.GHz wireless dongle, and a 3x times improved fast charging.

Where my beloved chonky launch PS5 is concerned, the Arctis Nova 5P is always close by, mainly as I know I can rely on its ultra-lightweight feel and sublime sound. After hearing that the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless takes after the 5P in these areas, I was more than eager to pop the Arctis Nova 3X model I was supplied with for review on my head as soon as possible, and I was not disappointed. The 260g headset is so light, I almost forgot it was on my noggin entirely. But the bright pastel lavender colored microphone in my peripheral vision was quick to remind me otherwise.

Naturally, as someone hellbent on creating the cutest and coziest PC gaming setup possible, SteelSeries's decision to add more options besides all-black and all-white SKUs more typical of its other headsets is one of the many reasons why I've coveted my time with the 3X. But most importantly, it's been the decision to go for a detachable ClearCast mic. The Arctis Nova 5P has a retractable mic, which does stay flush with the edge of the left cup when not in use. But opting for a detachable mic has made the 3X not just an ideal budget headset, but an ideal alternative to my everyday headphones, too.

This inexpensive headset also packs in the same slim wireless dongle as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Game Buds, which is a notable step up from its previous budget-friendly headsets. For the 3X, it also comes with a USB-A to USB-C dongle to make up for the lack of a USB-C port, but being able to easily pop the wireless dongle into my PS5 and even my Samsung S24 phone has been appreciated. As has the fast wireless charging, which while it isn't as impressive as the hot-swappable batteries of the Pro Wireless headset, has meant I've rarely had to worry about keeping the 3X juiced up, especially as about 15 minutes gave me hours upon hours of playback in Marvel Rivals and Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

SteelSeries has dubbed the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless a "cheat code" for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch players, but I wasn't able to fully put that into practice. Like the rest of the Nova headset lineup, the 3X is compatible with the Arctis app and its 200+ audio presets, but unfortunately, the beta version wasn't able to run before launch day.

That being said, I've had plenty of time to get well acquainted with the app in the past alongside the Arctis Nova 5P, and even now, I still swear by some of its audio presets when taking up my DualSense controller. The Dead by Daylight preset, especially, has come in a pinch and let me survive more matches, namely as the QTE audio triggers for the generators sound clearer than ever, and the preset lets you hear every nuance of the atmospheric soundscape of the game.

Now that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless has finally been unveiled to the gaming population, I'll be able to put it and the Arctis app fully to the test. The app has since been updated to include support for the 3X, and I'm eager to see how it comes in handy during my Marvel Rivals Season 2.5 online-gaming escapades, and how it performs alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 (if it's compatible), which is just days away from launch.

If you already have the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless at your disposal, you'll have little reason to grab the Arctis Nova 3 with its $109.99 / £99.99 MSRP. Similarly, the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is only $20 more, and constantly sees deals that take it down to the same $100 price range. Yet, if you value a detachable mic, USB-C dongle, improved fast charging, and want the options of colorways that'll match your cute gaming setup, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is available now straight from SteelSeries.

If the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 wireless headset isn't for you, our guides to the best wireless headsets are full of the best Xbox Series X headsets and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for you to choose from.

The low end of the wireless gaming mouse market is getting bigger by the day, and in the last few weeks alone I've tested four pointers all offering cable-free connections for under $100. While these aren't especially budget-minded in the wider scheme of things, they're certainly cheap for 2.4GHz devices - and SteelSeries has noticed things heating up.

The Rival 3 has always been a classic go-to for a no-frills, wallet-friendly wireless pointer. Sure, the best gaming mouse models can run DPIs of up to 40,000 with polling rates that boggle the mind. But if you don't want to part with more than three-figures, this has always been a solid companion.

This budget-friendly rodent has had a glow up for 2025, with the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 hitting the shelves at $59.99 / £54.99 and promising an improved battery life, reduced click latency, upgraded PTFE feet, and extra software features. There are far more players in this arena compared to the original's launch, though, and with names like Razer and NZXT vying against cheaper brands like Keychron and Cougar, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 has its work cut out for it.

Design

One of the biggest new changes to this year's Gen 2 series is the increase in color options. The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless now comes in both black and white as well as Aqua and Lavender. I've had them all on the test bench, though the white version has been out and about the most. The blue and purple options appear just a little brighter in SteelSeries' photography than they do in real life. I love the Aqua model in particular, but it is slightly darker than the sky-blue on the website.

Still, both the blue and purple versions have a slightly more satisfying underside than the white model. This is a courtesy nod to the past, with a translucent design that provides a glimpse into the guts of the rodent itself. The white version still features this panel, but it doesn't quite show the insides off as well. If you're chasing that retro aesthetic, even subtly, I'd certainly recommend a colored model.

All versions share the same foundations, though. A 120.6mm long, 67mm wide, and 38mm chassis keeps things easily flickable during faster moments, while still providing enough space for a comfortable claw grip or even a palm grip if you've got slightly smaller hands.

This is an ever-so-slightly flat design compared to the 41.3mm tall Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed and Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed (39.1mm), both of which use more of a humped dome to stay comfortable. That means it's better suited to faster twitch-reflex motions, though doesn't quite fit a more relaxed posture. I've got relatively small hands and play with a claw grip most of the time, and stayed comfortable during longer sessions.

Underneath, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 has been outfitted with 100% PTFE feet for improved glide over the previous generation. It's not exactly light on those feet, though, and the additional weight of the battery means it's a little more cumbersome than alternatives.

The battery compartment underneath the main hump works hard to keep things balanced, but there's still a noticeable drag from the rear. It wasn't enough to slow me down during even fast-paced single-player adventures like Doom: The Dark Ages, but it did feel a little woolly in competitive FPS arenas. The max weight (with both batteries inserted) is 106g, hefty by today's standards. For only $10 more, the Keychron M7 8K is fully rechargeable and weighs only 63g.

SteelSeries makes up for this weight increase in its build quality. This is a sturdy mouse indeed, without even a creak when squeezed on the sides or top and bottom. That's incredibly impressive for a $59.99 gaming mouse built out of solid plastic, especially considering it's a hurdle Keychron's cheaper mice sometimes fall at.

That dense build is complimented by a slightly textured surface up top, a design feature I've come to miss in this era of slightly clammy matte finishes. The slightly bumpy plastic provides excellent grip and avoids that sweaty feeling during longer play sessions. It reminds me of the surface of the far more expensive Razer Viper V2 Pro, and it was the feel of that particular mouse that had me running back to it time and time again.

Controls

SteelSeries isn't looking to do anything particularly new with its control scheme here. Instead, you're getting everything you need from a modern gaming mouse without paying for any unnecessary extras. Two side buttons and a DPI shifter button in the center of the main clicks are all fully remappable, and function as expected.

Those side buttons aren't as easy to hit on this pointer, though. The front clicker tapers out into a particularly thin front-half, which doesn't hold up particularly well under faster movements. I've come to keep my shield throw bound to this button for Doom: The Dark Ages and I never felt like I could reliably hit it fast enough. The skinny button isn't particularly intuitive in the heat of battle, and the heavier force required to actuate can slow things down as well.

The scroll wheel is nicely notched and provides a defined step between each rotation that makes cycling through weapons particularly responsive without feeling heavy.

Software

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is fully compatible with the brand's GG software, which houses all your keybindings, DPI settings, battery saving features, and sensor adjustments. This has never been my favorite program, Razer's Synapse feels more intuitively laid out, and the NZXT CAM program used to run the Lift Elite Wireless mouse is much cleaner as well. It's better than iCue, though.

The Engine tab is where you'll find all your devices, with one page of settings to manage for the Rival 3. Keybindings are simple to set up, though the menu system for finding individual functions isn't particularly appealing and sometimes nestles commands in unintuitive spots. An easy macro editor sits at the top of this menu, though, so setting your own keyboard inputs is particularly speedy.

Handy sliders allow for easy adjustment across polling rate, acceleration and deceleration, as well as the strength of your angle snapping, while toggles take care of the mouse's "High-Efficiency Mode", a super-low power setting, "Bluetooth Smoothing", which reduces jitter when using the slower connection, and "Wireless Stability Enhancement", for those using the device with a lot of other wireless connections around.

That's a considerable wad of controls for a cheaper gaming mouse, slightly extending past similarly priced options from NZXT and Razer.

Connection

While some cheaper wireless gaming mice will keep your connection limited to either Bluetooth or 2.4GHz, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is far more versatile. Both modes are available for speedy pairing, enabled via a toggle on the underside of the device. The Cougar Revenger Pro 4K, NZXT Lift Elite Wireless, and Razer Viper V3 Hyperspeed all stick to 2.4GHz only - even the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed drops the Bluetooth connection, and that's $40 more.

This is an excellent turnout compared to the competition, though, and considering the Rival 3 still featured dedicated connection features like Bluetooth smoothing and wireless stability enhancements there's some serious value packed in. I noticed far greater benefits from the latter, however.

Bluetooth smoothing didn't add any noticeable improvements over the stock experience in my testing, but I was experiencing a notable amount of connection dropouts and jittering when using a 2.4GHz dongle connected to a busy USB-4 hub. There's no receiver extender included in the box, though I did see a dramatic reduction in this interference when using the dongle directly plugged into a laptop.

More competitive players may be interested in moving up to the Keychron M7 8K or NZXT Lift Elite Wireless for their 8,000Hz polling modes. However, the vast majority of users will be well served by the 1,000Hz cap on the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2.

Battery

This is a replaceable battery affair, with two AAA charges supplied in the box. The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 can run with either both installed (parallel, underneath the main dome) or one, for a lighter experience. I opted for the latter to keep things speedy in-game, and noticed battery draining at a rate of around 4% every five hours. Extrapolated out for constant use, that translates at around 80 hours of battery total.

SteelSeries suggests that running both batteries under the hood will provide 200 hours, so it makes sense that halving that power will further reduce your lifespan. It's also understandable that a single battery will feel the strain a little more by itself, which explains the drop to 80 hours here, instead of 100.

The Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 also accepts rechargeable AAA batteries as well, which will keep those recurring costs down and prove more environmentally friendly as well. For $10 more, both the Keychron M7 8K and Cougar Revenger Pro 4K come with rechargeable batteries built in, lasting 140 hours for the former and 150 hours on the latter.

Sensor

The second-generation SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless uses the same TrueMove Air sensor as the older model. This is a modified Pixart 3335 and it's a little older than most of the gaming mice in my comparison pool. That 18,000 DPI is still going to serve the vast majority of players well, though the 400 IPS could make for less accurate faster movements if you're particularly speedy.

Everything is still nicely responsive, with tracking holding up across a variety of surfaces and genres. I never noticed any inconsistencies in my usual 3,200 DPI setting, and only a slight amount of jitter once I started moving closer to 6,500 territory. For $59.99, this really is all you need though you are losing out on adjustable lift-off distances.

Newer sensors, like the Pixart PAW 3390 and 3950 (often found in gaming mice at around $60 - $90) allow you to personalize the point at which your mouse stops tracking when it's lifted from the desk, which can make for more accurate positioning when shifting the device to extend the cursor position on screen. A shorter lift-off distance means better precision, with newer models extending to 0.7mm or 1mm. The Rival 3 Wireless is kept firmly at 2.4mm.

Switches

SteelSeries doesn't give us any names when it comes to the switches used in the Rival 3 Wireless. They feel fairly short, though, with a lighter actuation force than the Keychron M7 8K but less energy than the NZXT Lift Elite. There's a dampened feel to them that makes for a satisfyingly quiet response, but doesn't provide the same kind of protection against accidental presses that I enjoy in more expensive mice like the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX.

Still, they hit when the moment needs it and I managed to sail through my usual roster of Apex Legends and CS2 runs without misfiring enough to become a problem, and all while still hitting twitch-reflex reactions. Would I prefer a crisper response? Absolutely. For $60, though, these are still fine clackers.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2?

The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is among the cheapest gaming mice I've tested recently, but it still holds out thanks to its versatile wireless connections, comfortable form factor, solid-value sensor, and impressive build quality. For $10 more, you can pick up the improved sensor, lower weight, and upgraded battery of the Keychron M7 8K, but you are sacrificing overall durability to do so. Or, you can take a gamble on the fantastic battery life and better side buttons of the Cougar Revenger Pro (though just don't trust that 4,000Hz polling rate too often).

Ultimately, if you're after a budget pointer it's well worth keeping an eye on this device's sale prices. At $60 it's too close to more sophisticated models' price points to be worthwhile, but as soon as it nears $40 or even $45, this is going to be a steal.

How I tested the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

I used the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 for two weeks, solo-ing the device for one week and testing directly against alternatives from NZXT, Razer, Keychron, and Cougar for another week. It saw action in Doom: The Dark Ages, Planet Coaster, and Fallout 4, with additional testing completed in Apex Legends and CS2. For more information on how we test gaming mice, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the best left-handed gaming mouse models and the best Razer mice and best Logitech gaming mice in the business.

Two months ago, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset dropped down to $250, a monumental saving off its blistering $349.99 MSRP. Even then, I was taken aback, as this price was even lower than the premium cups ever reached during last year's holiday sales.

So you can bet your butt that after seeing it discounted to $241.40 at Amazon, 31% off its full price, I was more delighted than ever. Its current record low price means that anyone with the budget to spare can now grab the best gaming headset on the market for less than $300.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in 2025?

There's a reason why the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has managed to remain in our best wireless headset top spot for so long, despite the wealth of high-end releases by other brands. One of the main reasons is down to its superb audio quality. It's sporting 40mm-sized Neodymium audio drivers, which bring a powerful sound to the table, no matter if your securing the MVP in all your Marvel Rival matches on the PS5 and PC, or listening to the nuances of the stunning soundtrack to Clair Obscur Expedition 33.

The very moment I'm typing this, I have my own Arctis Nova Pro pair on my noggin, as it's the perfect headset to listen to my favorite Spotify playlists to get me through a Friday.

It's not just the audio quality that makes it easy to recommend in 2025. Almost every aspect of this headset is impressive, from its crisp and clear retractable microphone, comfortable plush earcups, and clever battery solution. Instead of having to reach for my charging cable, with these cups I have two hot-swappable batteries at my disposal. That way, I can always have one charging in the accompanying base station unit, while the other sits and powers my headset in the right cup.

Thanks to this setup, I've rarely if ever had to worry about keeping my headset charged. The base station is also what makes it a multi-platform marvel for my gaming ways. I have it plugged into my PC so I can easily switch between listening to music while I work, to clocking into Marvel Rivals right after on the PS5. The only issue that rises with this headset is its weight, which can get a bit painful if you use them for multiple hours at a time. You can adjust the included strap, but if you want something lighter for your Sony console, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is one of the best PS5 headsets out there, and one of the few I use when the Pro isn't at arms length.

Of course, the high price point is also one of the main issues of this headset, which is what makes this current saving worth your attention. Plus, if you fancy yourself the white SKU like I have, it's also down to $288.82 at Amazon US, and is still compatible with your PS5 and PC.

Our best PC headsets for gaming guide is full to the brim with some of the best pairs of cups. But if you're after something for your beloved consoles instead, there's plenty of the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets to choose from too.

SteelSeries has just announced a brand-new design for its iconic Arctis GameBuds, with the limited edition 'Glorange' gaming earbuds. If you haven't already put two and two together, the name is a combination of the brand's titular 'For Glory' marketing speak, and the fact that it's, well, orange.

These are the same best gaming earbuds our hardware team's Tabitha Baker reviewed last year, sporting Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity options, a Qi wireless charging case, small albeit powerful 6mm neodymium audio drivers, and ANC to top it all off. Yet now, instead of that all white colorway with black accents, you can grab the new Glorange buds for $159.99 at SteelSeries, right now, which look like they stepped straight out of the late 90s with that iconic transparent tech aesthetic.

SteelSeries may call these the 'Glorange' gaming earbuds, but the bright design induces nostalgic flashbacks of the Fire Orange Nintendo 64, which I used to stare at longingly while it sat in all its bright fluorescent glory amongst a childhood friend's gaming setup.

The brand, known for making some of the best gaming headsets I've had the pleasure of popping on my head, isn't the first to bring back this retro-futuristic look. In fact, right now I own both the Miyoo Mini Plus gaming handheld and CRKD's Atomic controller, which feature an 'Atomic Purple' transparent design, invoking that of the Game Boy Color of the same name. Regardless, I'm glad the brand has tried something new, as the bright-colored buds stand out from not just its basic white predecessor, but also the sea of mostly all-black and all-white designs of its audio tech lineup.

I've been fortunate enough to use the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds in their limited edition Glorange design for two weeks now, and they've impressed just as much as my original pair. As I briefly explained before, the same connectivity options, impressive 10-hour battery life, intuitive tap controls, and ANC are all still present. Even the compatibility with the Arctis app, with its over 200+ audio gaming presets, including ones made alongside games like Dead by Daylight, is still on full display. Yet now, they look more in keeping with the rest of the 90s-inspired modern tech in my collection.

I still prefer to use my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P as my headset of choice when playing the PS5, especially due to its high-quality microphone for shouting at friends during heated Marvel Rival matches. But these eye-catching buds have replaced my day-to-day current PC headset and headphones, as despite their small 6mm drivers, they still make everything from my latest music obsession, Kneecap, to my favorite Tekken OSTS on Spotify sound crisp and full of life. The included 2.4GHz dongle also makes them as easy as pie to connect to everything from my desktop, PS5, and my Android-based phone.

SteelSeries also hasn't added a new premium cost for this new premium look, and the Glorange buds still come with a $159.99 / £159.99 MSRP, like the original pair. But as they are the same buds as before, they come with the same set of mild grievances, from the wear sensor being unreliable at times, to the mild discomfort after multiple hours of having them popped in your ears. Their bright new colorway also isn't as subtle and easy to hide as the previous white design, so keep that in mind.

Gaming buds also aren't for everyone, so if you prefer having a headset across your noggin, then this new colorway isn't going to change things. But right now, the Glorange Arctis GameBuds are available to order from the SteelSeries website for a limited time, if you want to bring back more of that bright, transparent tech aesthetic into your gaming setup.

If even the new Glorange look isn't enough to tempt you in giving gaming earbuds a try, our best PC headsets for gaming guide is over-flowing with some of the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets, so you're sure to find the perfect pair of cups for your gaming needs.