The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is a wireless multiplatform gaming headset designed to connect simultaneously across Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, handhelds, and smartphones using both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. Priced at $399.99 USD, this headset arrives as SteelSeries celebrates 25 years of gaming peripherals—and it marks the company’s first serious attempt at a platform-agnostic wireless audio solution with true Hi-Res fidelity at 96kHz/24-bit.
Key Takeaways
- Connects to five devices simultaneously with automatic mic switching between gaming and phone calls
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks 88% of background noise; AI mic algorithms reduce noise by 96%
- Hi-Res 96kHz/24-bit wireless audio via neodymium magnetic drivers sets it apart from competitors
- ClearCast Pro omnidirectional microphone offers twice the bandwidth of typical gaming headset mics
- Replaces aging multiplatform headsets like the 2015 Astro A50 for serious cross-device gamers
Why the Multiplatform Gaming Headset Market Needed This
For nearly a decade, gamers switching between consoles, PC, and mobile devices faced an uncomfortable choice: buy separate headsets for each platform or accept a single headset that compromised on at least one ecosystem. The 2015 Astro A50, once the gold standard for multiplatform flexibility, has aged poorly—and its successor, the Logitech Astro A50 X, still lacks the wireless Hi-Res audio and seamless 5-device connectivity that serious audiophile gamers demand. SteelSeries identified a gap where premium wireless audio met cross-platform necessity, and the Arctis Nova Pro Omni directly addresses it.
This multiplatform gaming headset doesn’t just connect to multiple systems; it connects intelligently. The Smart Switch feature automatically routes your microphone to an incoming smartphone call, then back to your game chat once the call ends. Mixed audio functionality lets your microphone transmit simultaneously to game chat and Discord, eliminating the need to choose between your squad and your stream audience. For streamers, esports teams, and hybrid work-gamers, this is genuinely useful—not marketing fluff.
Audio Quality and Noise Isolation That Justify the Price
The $399.99 price tag stings until you understand what you’re actually buying. SteelSeries equipped the Arctis Nova Pro Omni with neodymium magnetic drivers capable of delivering Hi-Res audio at 96kHz/24-bit over wireless—a specification that most gaming headsets reserve for wired connections or abandon entirely. The Active Noise Cancellation blocks 88% of background noise, and the ClearCast Pro omnidirectional microphone uses AI algorithms to reduce background noise by 96%, offering twice the bandwidth of competing gaming headset microphones.
In practical terms, this means your Discord teammates hear you clearly even in noisy environments, and you hear your games with the clarity that Hi-Res audio promises. The microphone doesn’t require constant tweaking or EQ adjustment—the chipset handles much of the heavy lifting automatically. This is where the multiplatform gaming headset category elevates beyond simple cross-device compatibility into genuine audio engineering.
Multiplatform Gaming Headset Performance Across Ecosystems
The real test of any multiplatform gaming headset is whether it performs equally well on every platform it claims to support. The Arctis Nova Pro Omni connects via 2.4GHz wireless to consoles and PC, and Bluetooth to handhelds and smartphones, supporting up to five simultaneous device pairings. Switching between them happens automatically—or manually if you prefer granular control. The battery life claim isn’t specified in available materials, so expect typical wireless gaming headset longevity (roughly 20-30 hours per charge based on SteelSeries’ track record), though you should verify this before purchase.
Compared to the Logitech Astro A50 X, which also targets multiplatform gamers but costs $299.99 on sale (down from $399.99), the SteelSeries option offers superior wireless audio fidelity and more simultaneous device connections. The Astro A50 X excels at comfort and battery life, but lacks the Hi-Res wireless capability and the aggressive AI-driven mic noise reduction that the Arctis Nova Pro Omni delivers. For gamers who prioritize audio quality over raw comfort, SteelSeries wins. For those prioritizing marathon gaming sessions, Logitech remains competitive.
The Wired Alternative and Budget Options
SteelSeries also offers the Arctis Nova Pro Wired as a lower-cost sibling, featuring top-notch sound via an included DAC but sacrificing wireless flexibility. If you’re tethered to a desk, the wired model delivers comparable audio quality for less money. The Arctis Nova 3X Wireless provides a more budget-friendly wireless option for gamers who don’t need Hi-Res audio or 5-device connectivity—it’s lighter and more colorful, making it appeal to younger gamers or those with tighter budgets.
For pure budget hunting, the Radius Atomic Bass Headphones ($39.95) offer exceptional sound for the price, but they’re wired, lack gaming-specific features, and don’t address the multiplatform gaming headset niche at all. They’re a different product category entirely—good if you want cheap wired audio, useless if you need wireless cross-ecosystem gaming.
Is the Arctis Nova Pro Omni Worth $399.99?
If you’re a gamer juggling multiple platforms and care about audio quality, yes. If you’re happy with your current headset and only game on one or two systems, no. The multiplatform gaming headset market is small—most gamers commit to one ecosystem and stick with it. But for streamers, esports players, console hoppers, and people who game across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni eliminates the friction of managing separate headsets or accepting audio compromises. It’s the headset that finally makes retiring your aging 2015 Astro A50 feel like a genuine upgrade rather than a lateral move.
Does the Arctis Nova Pro Omni support 5 devices at once?
Yes. The multiplatform gaming headset can pair with up to five devices simultaneously via 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth, with automatic or manual switching between them. This is a key advantage over most competitors, which typically support two or three simultaneous connections.
How much background noise does the ANC actually block?
The Active Noise Cancellation blocks 88% of background noise, and the AI-powered microphone reduces background noise by 96%. These are product specifications, not independently verified lab results, so real-world performance may vary depending on your environment.
Can the microphone work for both gaming and phone calls simultaneously?
The ClearCast Pro omnidirectional microphone supports mixed audio, meaning it can transmit to game chat and Discord at the same time. The Smart Switch feature also automatically routes the mic to incoming calls, then back to your game once the call ends.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni doesn’t reinvent gaming audio—it simply does what most gamers have wanted for years: deliver premium wireless sound across every platform they own, without compromise. At $399.99, it’s an expensive headset, but for the multiplatform gaming headset category, it’s the first product that actually justifies the premium price tag.
Where to Buy
$399.99 at Amazon | $399 RRP | fire sale for the Nova Pro | $399 is still a fairly big ask for a headset
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Windows Central
