SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review: An ultra-premium headset with a sky-high price tag

SteelSeries' latest flagship headset packs impressive audio drivers, but struggles to justify its $600 price tag.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a high-end gaming headset that boasts impressive audio quality, thanks to its 40mm carbon fiber drivers. However, its $600 price tag puts it in direct competition with serious audiophile gear, and the headset struggles to fully justify the cost. While the sound is detailed and punchy, the headset's comfort and fit issues, as well as its average microphone performance, make it a tough sell for most gamers.

Why it matters

The Arctis Nova Elite represents SteelSeries' attempt to push into the ultra-premium gaming headset market, competing with boutique audio brands. This pricing strategy raises questions about the value proposition of high-end gaming peripherals, especially when compared to more affordable options that still offer excellent audio quality and features.

The details

The Arctis Nova Elite features a premium design with an aluminum and steel frame, as well as magnetic earcup plates that allow access to the swappable battery packs. The headset offers a range of connectivity options, including 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, and a dedicated Game Hub DAC. The audio performance is the headset's main selling point, with the carbon fiber drivers delivering a detailed and aggressive sound signature. However, the tight clamping force and overall weight of the headset can make it uncomfortable for extended use.

  • The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite was released in February 2026.

The players

SteelSeries

An American gaming peripherals company known for its high-quality headsets, mice, and keyboards.

Audeze Maxwell 2

A premium wireless headset from the renowned audio brand Audeze, featuring planar magnetic drivers and a $320 price tag.

Razer BlackShark V3

A well-reviewed gaming headset from Razer that offers excellent value at $150.

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What they’re saying

“SteelSeries has skipped its way across the pricing rubicon—and now finds itself competing with some seriously boutique gear.”

— Andy Edser, Reviewer (pcgamer.com)

“If money is no issue to you at all, the SteelSeries set is perhaps worth considering thanks to its wide feature set and its detail-focussed drivers. Anyone else would be better off spending their money elsewhere.”

— Andy Edser, Reviewer (pcgamer.com)

The takeaway

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite represents the company's foray into the ultra-premium gaming headset market, but its $600 price tag puts it in direct competition with serious audiophile gear that may offer better value and performance. While the headset's audio quality is impressive, its comfort and fit issues, as well as its average microphone, make it a tough sell for most gamers, especially when compared to more affordable options that still deliver excellent sound.