SteelSeries · Updated June 2026
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1: price, specs & release date
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1, released 2022. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: steelseries.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is listed at $60 on steelseries.com as of 2026-06-27, the cheapest gaming headsets (median $189.99); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Platinum Deskmark — 88/100 pay-blind standing, #1 of 16 in class.
Verified Jun 27, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Lightweight, comfortable fit for long sessions; Better-than-expected sound quality for the ~$60 price.
- Skip if Analog-only, few features; USB alternatives sound better is a dealbreaker.
Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 a good buy?
At $60, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is the cheapest of the 13 gaming headsets we track, where the median is $199.99. On the spec sheet, its driver of 40 mm is the lowest of the 15, its weight of 236 g is the lowest of the 16, and its release of 2022 is the lowest of the 11. By release date, it is the oldest of the 11 we date.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 3 outlets have it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1
Across three whitelisted, hands-on testers (SoundGuys, TechRadar, Tom's Hardware), the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a strong budget wired gaming headset: praised for lightweight comfort, universal 3.5mm connectivity, and better-than-expected sound for ~$60. Common gripes are its analog-only design with few features (reviewers note USB alternatives sound better), restrained/fuzzy bass with some low-mid distortion, and weak passive noise isolation. The microphone divides reviewers. No outlet published its own lab-measured numbers in the fetched text (only manufacturer specs).
Based on 3 reviews · 3 lab-tested · 2022-09-08–2025-06-12
Tested by SoundGuys, TechRadar, Tom's Hardware
Consistently praised
- Lightweight, comfortable fit for long sessions · 3 sources
- Better-than-expected sound quality for the ~$60 price · 3 sources
- Excellent value · 3 sources
- Universal 3.5mm connectivity with retractable mic · 2 sources
Commonly flagged
- Analog-only, few features; USB alternatives sound better · 3 sources
- Restrained/fuzzy bass and some low-mid distortion · 2 sources
- Weak passive noise isolation
Where reviewers disagree The microphone splits reviewers: SoundGuys rated it favorably ('the microphone quality is superior to that of other gaming headsets on the market'), while TechRadar called it the biggest let-down, and Tom's Hardware praised its audio quality but noted it struggles with noise isolation.
The sources (3)
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 has a surprisingly good frequency response
the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 delivers comfort, build quality, and acceptable sound all at an excellent price point
you will sometimes find outside noise, music, and conversation leaking in
I was impressed by what the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 was able to crank out both as a gaming headset and as a pair of wired headphones
this model sounds better than it has any right to be
Where I felt most let down by the SteelSeries Arctis 1 was with the microphone itself
The Arctis Nova 1 is sleek, comfortable, and versatile
Gaming sounds much better on the Nova 1 (as does voice chat)
There was some distortion in the lower mid-ranges
Specifications
| Price (US) | $60 MSRP |
|---|---|
| Brand | SteelSeries |
| Released | 2022 |
| Connection | wired |
| Driver (mm) | 40 |
| Battery hours | — |
| Surround sound | Yes |
| Mic type | retractable |
| Weight (g) | 236 |
| Rgb | No |
Source: steelseries.com (verified 2026-06-15) · corroborated by tomshardware.com. Verified via Tom's Hardware and retailers: $60 MSRP, 236 g weight, 40 mm custom Hi-Fi (neodymium) driver, wired 3.5 mm, fully retractable mic, 360 spatial-audio surround. Battery null (wired-only). Released 2022 alongside Nova 3 and Nova 7.
Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 worth it vs cheaper gaming headsets?
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 against its closest cheaper and pricier gaming headsets on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 13 ranked
| Product | Price | Connection | Driver (mm) | Surround sound | Mic type | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 this | $60 | wired | 40 | Yes | retractable | 236 |
| HyperX Cloud III | $99.99 | wired | 53 | Yes | detachable | 308 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1?
Across three whitelisted, hands-on testers (SoundGuys, TechRadar, Tom's Hardware), the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a strong budget wired gaming headset: praised for lightweight comfort, universal 3.5mm connectivity, and better-than-expected sound for ~$60. Common gripes are its analog-only design with few features (reviewers note USB alternatives sound better), restrained/fuzzy bass with some low-mid distortion, and weak passive noise isolation. The microphone divides reviewers. No outlet published its own lab-measured numbers in the fetched text (only manufacturer specs). Praised: Lightweight, comfortable fit for long sessions; Better-than-expected sound quality for the ~$60 price; Excellent value; Universal 3.5mm connectivity with retractable mic. Flagged: Analog-only, few features; USB alternatives sound better; Restrained/fuzzy bass and some low-mid distortion; Weak passive noise isolation. (From 3 tester reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
How much does the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 cost?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 has a US price of $60 (MSRP), as of 2026-06-15.
How does the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 compare on price?
At $60, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is the cheapest of the 13 gaming headsets we track, where the median is $199.99.
When was the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 released?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 was released 2022.
What are the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1's key specs?
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 (SteelSeries): connection wired, driver mm 40, surround sound Yes, mic type retractable, weight g 236. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-15.
Price of record: $60 at steelseries.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar gaming headsets
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Compare with
Step up
- HyperX Cloud III $99.99
- Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) $129.99
- HyperX Cloud III Wireless $169.99
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless $179.99
- Razer Kraken V4 $179.99
- Corsair HS80 Max Wireless $189.99
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