SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Astro A50 X
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (#1, best overall) vs Astro A50 X (#3): in our Over-ear Headphones for Gaming scoring the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless totals 9.2/10 and the Astro A50 X 8.8/10.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | Astro A50 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium | 40mm graphene |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-40kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth simultaneous | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth |
| Latency | <2ms | <15ms |
| Battery | Unlimited (hot-swap) | 24 hours |
| Weight | ~338g | ~365g |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox (via dongle), Mobile | PC, PlayStation, Xbox (simultaneous via HDMI 2.1 dock) |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear gaming scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Astro A50 X made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Gaming, at #1 (best overall) and #3. The most well-rounded gaming headset available. Unlimited battery via hot-swap system, <2ms latency, true hybrid ANC, and simultaneous 2.4GHz + Bluetooth. Used by pro esports players including Faker. The only gaming headset that excels in every category, and street price has dropped to around $313. PLAYSYNC multi-platform switching via HDMI 2.1 is best-in-class for multi-console households. Microphone rated 'S tier' for team communication. PC-only gamers should consider other options to avoid paying for the unneeded base station.
We score over-ear headphones for gaming on Positional Audio (30%), Microphone Quality (25%), Latency (20%), Comfort (15%) and Features (10%). On that basis the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless totals 9.2 out of 10 and the Astro A50 X 8.8. The widest gap is Latency, where the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless scores 10 against 8.4 for the Astro A50 X: wireless response time. Microphone Quality also separates them: 9.9 for the Astro A50 X versus 9 for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size: 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 40mm graphene on the Astro A50 X; Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 20Hz-20kHz on the Astro A50 X; Connectivity: 2.4GHz + Bluetooth simultaneous on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 2.4GHz + Bluetooth on the Astro A50 X; Latency: <2ms on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus <15ms on the Astro A50 X; Battery: Unlimited (hot-swap) on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 24 hours on the Astro A50 X; Weight: ~338g on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus ~365g on the Astro A50 X.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for unlimited battery (hot-swap system) and true hybrid ANC (blocks 81% of noise); the most common complaint is very expensive. Owners praise the Astro A50 X for PLAYSYNC multi-platform switching and 40mm graphene drivers; the most common complaint is no ANC.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
- Unlimited battery (hot-swap system)
- True hybrid ANC (blocks 81% of noise)
- GameDAC Gen 2 with OLED display
- Game-specific EQ presets (Sonar software)
- Very expensive
- Complex setup
- Bulky base station required
Astro A50 X
- PLAYSYNC multi-platform switching
- 40mm graphene drivers
- S-tier microphone quality
- Magnetic charging dock
- No ANC
- Complex setup with HDMI base station
- Expensive
Which should you buy?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the better fit for hardcore gamers and those wanting ANC in gaming; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Latency and Positional Audio. The Astro A50 X is the better fit for multi-console gamers (PS5 + Xbox + PC) and those tired of cable swapping, and the stronger choice if Microphone Quality matters more to you than the overall score. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a poor fit for minimalists; the Astro A50 X is a poor fit for pC-only gamers (paying for unneeded base station).
Choose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless if
- Hardcore gamers
- Those wanting ANC in gaming
- Esports enthusiasts
Skip it if
- Minimalists
- Budget gamers
Choose the Astro A50 X if
- Multi-console gamers (PS5 + Xbox + PC)
- Those tired of cable swapping
- Team communication priority
Skip it if
- PC-only gamers (paying for unneeded base station)
- Those wanting simple setup
Common questions
Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless better than the Astro A50 X?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Gaming ranking the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless scores higher overall, 9.2 to 8.8, with the biggest advantage in Latency. The Astro A50 X is stronger on Microphone Quality, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Astro A50 X?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 40mm Hi-Fi neodymium on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless versus 40mm graphene on the Astro A50 X. In use, the gap that matters most is Latency (10 vs 8.4 in our scoring): wireless response time.