SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
The Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is a 265 g dual-wireless gaming headset with a 60-hour rated battery and a retractable ClearCast 2.X microphone. The recurring problems are the heavily sculpted, bass-heavy sound, the small maximum head size, and the easily lost USB-C dongle that has no storage slot on the headset. Running costs are low: there are no consumables and no subscription, and the only replacement part owners cite is the $30 dongle. It is a good buy at $110 or less.
Common problems and fixes
- Bass-heavy, sculpted sound — PCMag describes a default tuning that is bass-heavy with scooped mids and slightly bright treble, and RTINGS measured poor frequency response consistency from mismatched left and right drivers. The fix is the parametric EQ in the Sonar software on PC or the 100+ game-specific presets in the companion app; the mobile app cannot create custom profiles. Warranty does not cover a tuning preference. [3][4]
- Small maximum head size — PC Gamer says the top head setting runs small and the headset is not suited to large heads. There is no fix; it is a sizing limit. [2]
- Dongle is easy to lose — the compact USB-C dongle has no storage slot on the headset and a replacement costs $30. Keep it on the included 1.5 m extension cable or in a labelled case. [3]
- No active noise cancellation — there is no ANC at the $130 price point. No fix on this model; step up to a model with ANC. [3]
- No wired mode — the headset is wireless-only, so a dead battery or a lost dongle means silence. There is no 3.5 mm fallback and no spare battery. [4]
- Mobile app is sparse — only mic volume, sidetone and LED sliders plus EQ presets; custom profile creation needs the PC Sonar software. [3][7]
Parts and consumables
- Replacement USB-C dongle — $30 from SteelSeries (PCMag, June 2024); owners lose it because the headset has no storage slot. [3]
- Headband — first-party replacement bands are only sold in pastel colors, and the headband is not compatible with previous Arctis velcro bands. [7]
- No user-replaceable battery or swappable ear pads are documented on the official site. [1]
Yearly running cost
No replaceable parts or consumables reported. Running cost is limited to the electricity used to recharge the battery, which the research does not quantify. A replacement dongle costs $30 when lost. [3]
When it is a good buy
- $129.99 MSRP (SteelSeries, June 2024): fair value, competing with the Arctis Nova 7, which adds a wired mode. [2][3]
- $127 at Best Buy (PCMag, June 2024) and $129.99 at Walmart and Lenovo (PC Gamer, June 2024) are review-era prices. [2][3]
- $110 or less: strong value — the battery, comfort and dual wireless outweigh the sonic limits. [2][3]
- $111–130: fair value. [2][3]
- $131–150: weak value; ANC-equipped competition is stronger at full price. [2][3]
- Above $150: poor value; step up to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. [3]
Alternatives:
- Arctis Nova 7 — adds a wired mode; the better choice when you need to plug in. [3]
- Arctis Nova Pro Wireless — the step up above $150 if you want ANC and a base station. [3]