Review: Arctis Nova Pro Omni is a gaming headset to rule the living room
For years, I’ve searched for one headset to rule them all, a set of cans that offers great sound quality, robust features and universal compatibility. Several devices have come close but fallen short in one area or another. A headset that could do everything seemed like a pipe dream until SteelSeries came along with the Arctis Nova Pro Omni.
The company’s latest headset is the next iteration of the Arctis Nova Pro series and carries many of the perks from the groundbreaking original. It boasts 40mm neodymium magnetic drivers, active noise cancellation and a broadcast-quality ClearCast Pro Mic. SteelSeries upgraded the Omni with Hi-Res wireless audio and an upgraded Gamehub that features three USB ports and Bluetooth audio.
A HIGH-END GAMING HEADSET
Priced at $399, the Omni occupies the rarified air of such higher-end gaming headsets as the Audeze Maxwell. Physically, the two couldn’t be more different. The Maxwells are enormous and heavy, with their massive 90mm drivers, while the Omnis are smaller and lighter, weighing nearly 340 grams. They’re comfortable, with plush earcups and memory foam wrapped in faux leather. The headset is comfortable to wear for marathon sessions.
Like other gaming headsets, noise control is built in. The Omni lets players choose between ANC, which limits outside audio, and transparency mode, which lets sound leak in, which is good if you need to be aware of your surroundings. The ANC isn’t as good as other brands, but it is serviceable.
THE AUDIO QUALITY
The biggest new feature is the support for Hi-Res Wireless audio. The Omni is certified to output 96 kHz/24-bit audio. Not many games support this level of fidelity, but if they do, the device can handle it. That makes the Omni ideal for a cross-section of customers who are both audiophiles and gamers. They want to use the headset to appreciate the creepy growls in “Resident Evil Requiem” while Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” plays in the background on Tidal.
The difference between compressed and lossless audio is noticeable. The former feels squeezed in like a lower-resolution image with fewer colors, while the latter offers more detail in original master quality. If users sit down and listen, they notice a more balanced sound, allowing them to pick out delicate melodies in the song or a deeper bass timbre.
In games that support it, players will notice that same level of detail. The 40mm excels at mids and highs, allowing gamers to pick up more subtle sounds in single-player experiences, like footsteps on gravel or bullet shell casings hitting the floor. The bass is deep and forceful but more rounded than its rivals. It doesn’t have the head-rocking punch of the Maxwell.
What’s more important in gaming is how well the headset delivers the direction of the sound. It’s a key to success in online shooters and other competitive games. The Omni does it well, and players could distinguish where the sound is coming from. In a racing game, I could hear where a rival car was trying to pass me, and I blocked that off, allowing me to win. I kept my eye on the road without peeking behind me, which could be the difference between first place or disappointing finish.
THE MICROPHONE AND THE BIG ADVANTAGE
The ClearCast Pro Omnidirectional Microphone picked up my voice well. It was clear even in a noisy environment. The device’s built-in algorithm eliminates background sounds, such as the loud clacking of keyboards or the shouting of unruly children. It works in a number of environments, and with the Bluetooth connection, you can use it to answer calls if needed. The final touch I love is the microphone that retracts into the earcup, keeping it sleek. It also means players won’t misplace the boom mic if they want to remove it for comfort.
By far the best part of the Omni is the Gamehub’s Omniplay, which has three ports that can connect to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. For console gamers, it’s the ideal setup because they only have to buy one headset that works across the three major systems. It’s the one headset to rule them all. I could switch between consoles, and Omniplay knew which source to use. Players can even mix different sources if they want to connect to Bluetooth and listen to their own music while playing a cozy game such as “Pokopia.”
The other part of this Gamehub equation is that the Omni also connects to the SteelSeries’ Arctis app, a great option that lets console users choose from dozens of presets. The app offers more than 200 game-specific EQ profiles that SteelSeries says is tailored by audio engineers, eSports pros and game developers. This allows players to tune the audio to hear footsteps or opt for immersive sound if they’re playing a role-playing game.
Players can change the presets on the fly, using the app as long as they stick with the 2.4 Ghz channel connected to the Gamehub. The device even works with Sonar on PC, but full support on the SteelSeries GG program wasn’t available. On the Bluetooth side, the EQ presets are limited to five.
Lastly, when it comes to battery life, SteelSeries has an ingenious system that includes two packs. One goes in the Gamehub while the other is in the headset. When the battery on the Omni goes out, players can swap it out with the one that is charging in the Gamehub. It essentially offers a constant source of power, so that players are never in the lurch.
Altogether, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is as close to perfect as one can get for a headset system. It’s well-thought-out and offers tremendous value despite its $399 price tag. Instead of adding clutter into a battlestation with several headsets, it introduces one high-quality set of cans that works for multiple systems, so players don’t have to buy four different ones.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni
4 stars out of 4
Manufacturer: SteelSeries
Price: $399
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 5:22 AM.