What You Need to Know
Steelseries positions the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Headset as a affordable gaming headsets, asking $36.49. After 13,207 customer reviews on Amazon, the verdict is a very good 4.2 stars. We've ranked it #18 out of 58 in this category. It's not a top pick - there are higher-rated and better-value options in the category - but specific shoppers may still find it fits their needs.
On the Head
Headsets live or die on long-session comfort. Most users find them comfortable, though glasses-wearers and those with larger heads sometimes report pressure after a couple of hours.
Worth noting on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Headset specifically - reviews repeatedly flag "Hi-Fi drivers" as a standout.
Specifications
- Brand: Steelseries
- Price: $36.49 (right around the $36.05 category average)
- Amazon rating: 4.2 of 5.0
- Reviews: 13,207
- Category rank: #18 of 58 in gaming headsets under $50
- Cheaper in category: 35 products
- Higher-rated in category: 43 products
- More-reviewed in category: 16 products
Owner Reports
A 4.2-star average from 13,207 buyers means most are happy, but a meaningful slice - roughly 15-20% - has at least some complaint. The pattern in the negative reviews matters more than the average itself.
Common positives:
- Hi-Fi drivers
- Comfortable design
- Lightweight
Common complaints:
- Limited features
- Average sound isolation
The Field Around It
At $36.49, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Headset sits right around the $36.05 category average. 35 options are cheaper and 22 are more expensive.
The category leader is the Turtle Beach Recon 50 Headset ($27.99, 4.4★, 106,702 reviews). Pricing is essentially the same, so the rating and review-count edge tilts in favor of the top pick.
Most-reviewed alternatives (more buyer data):
- BENGOO G9000 Gaming Headset - $29.99, 4.3★ (120,344 reviews) · Better on both axes
- Turtle Beach Recon 50 Headset - $27.99, 4.4★ (106,702 reviews) · Better on both axes
- HyperX Cloud II 7.1 Gaming Headset - $59.00, 4.5★ (68,411 reviews) · Higher rated
If rating alone is your filter, the highest-rated option in this category is the SKAPENDY Wireless Gaming Headset at 5.0★. If pure price is the filter, the cheapest is the Kikc V1 Gaming Headset at $13.96.
The Buy/Skip Call
Maybe. Middle-of-the-pack on rating and price, no standout strengths. If a specific feature matches your need (hi-fi drivers or comfortable design), it's reasonable. Otherwise the top picks are safer bets.
Best fit for:
- Users who specifically need portability or compact size
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Hi-Fi drivers
- Comfortable design
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Limited features
- Average sound isolation
Final Take
7.4/10
Below-average rating in a category with several stronger options. Hard to recommend over higher-ranked alternatives unless a specific feature seals it.