Designed for Xbox, SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 3x Wireless is a Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz gaming headset that’ll work with most, if not all, of your devices.

The headset comes in a box with environmentally friendly cardboard packaging. Along with the headset, the box includes a short USB Type-C charge cable, a switchable 2.4GHz USB Type-C dongle, and a Type-C to Type-A USB adapter.

We were supplied the rather striking aqua coloured version of the headset for review. The headset is also available in lavender, as well as the more traditional black and white.

There’s no denying that the headset is a bit plasticky, but no more so than most mid-range gaming headsets available around the same price point these days. Even though it only weighs 260g, it isn’t made from eggshell-type plastic. The Nova 3X still feels surprisingly robust, like it can take some punishment.

The cloth earpads have a pleather inner, but you will still need to be careful not to get them dirty, as they are not going to clean easily. Replacement ear pads are, however, available from SteelSeries and third-party websites.

The adjustable boom mic on the left earcup is removable, turning the Nova 3X into a pair of more regular-looking earphones. So, if you just want to listen to some tunes, you don’t have to have the mic floating in your peripheral vision.

The left side also has the mute button, volume dial and on/off/mode button. The USB Type-C charge socket is also on this side. A long press on the mode button switches instantly from 2.4Ghz to Bluetooth. If you are connected to your phone, a press of the mode button will answer incoming calls.

Whilst I’m not a fan of SteelSeries’ adjustable elastic head straps, it is very comfortable. There’s also a bit of extension adjustment for a great fit if you have a larger noggin. The earcups are well-sized and, as well as a 90-degree horizontal rotation (to lay flat around your neck or on your desk), have just enough vertical swivel to fit nicely over your ears.

Setting the headset up is easy. The 2.4Ghz dongle means that you can plug it in and use the headset with no pairing and no annoying disconnections. The Bluetooth compatibility enables the headset to be used with phones and other mobile devices that lack a USB port.

The 2.4GHz dongle has a button, should you need to pair the headset again, and a switch marked “PC” and “Xbox”. As a licensed Xbox headset, with the dongle switch in the “Xbox” position, you can use it with your Xbox Series X|S console, as well as the Xbox One. In the “PC” position, the headset works in Windows 10/11, as well as Android phones, the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and even the PlayStation 5.

Using the free SteelSeries GG app on PC, you can choose equaliser presets tuned for a selection of different games. The same functionality can be obtained using the Arctis mobile app. So, if you are using the headset with a console via the 2.4GHz dongle, you can still access the presets in the mobile app via a Bluetooth connection.

PC users can further refine their Nova 3X Wireless experience via the Sonar module in the GG software app. The GG app can be quite bullish and integrate itself within your operating system’s sound settings, so tread carefully. If you are playing competitively, though, the audio tweaks and refinements may be worth investigating.

As with most SteelSeries headsets, the sound quality is exceptional. Even at high volumes, the audio is crisp and clear. In games, you’ll hear footsteps that you won’t with desktop or monitor speakers. The spectral audio support adds to your gaming experience, be it PC or console.

With up to 40 hours of battery life, the headset will keep going for ages. If you do get caught out after a particularly long session, a 15-minute charge will get you nine hours of audio.

There’s also a PlayStation-branded version of the headset, the Arctis Nova 3P Wireless. It’s effectively the same headset, but it will not work with Xbox consoles. If you’ve got an Xbox and PlayStation, you are better off with the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless.

The Arctis Nova 3x Wireless headset is another gem from SteelSeries. It’s a headset that you can use across all your devices, making it perfect regardless of whether you just want to listen to tunes on the bus or blast away at games on PC or console.