Sony PlayStation PULSE Elite vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
Get the PULSE Elite for PS5. Unless you play on PC or Switch as much as PS5: then the Nova 7 Gen 2.
Sony PlayStation PULSE Elite
Sony's own PS5 headset: rich, detailed planar sound, a clear retractable mic and a battery that lasted over 50 hours in testing.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
Light, comfortable and sharp-sounding, with about 54 hours of battery and Bluetooth that works alongside the wireless dongle. The one most gamers should get.
We earn a commission from these links.
On a PS5 the PULSE Elite is the richer-sounding, simpler choice with a clearer mic, and it costs less. The Nova 7 Gen 2 is lighter and works wirelessly with PC, PlayStation and Switch.
- —You play mostly on PS5 or PlayStation Portal.
- —Team chat matters.
- —You play on PC or Switch too.
- —You want a light headset for long sessions.
What verified owners report
Only reviews from checked buyers count, and every 1–3 star review is read by us. How we do this
Owners love the clear, detailed sound and the comfort. The main complaint is the connection dropping.
- ✓Clear, detailed sound
- ✓Light and comfortable
- ✓Blocks out noise around you
- −Connection drops, or the dongle disconnects
Owners love the sound, the comfort and using Bluetooth and the dongle at the same time. Complaints are rare: one found the ear cups and headband too small.
- ✓Great sound
- ✓Light and comfortable
- ✓Phone and game audio at the same time
None came up often enough to list.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Rich, detailed planar sound
- +Clear retractable mic
- +PS5, PlayStation Portal and phone at once
- −Bulky and a little heavy.
- −It blocks little outside noise.
- −Some owners had the connection or dongle drop out.
- +Light and comfortable
- +Up to 54 hours of battery
- +Dongle and Bluetooth at the same time
- −The mic is fine for chat but sounds thin and nasal.
- −The volume and chat dials feel a little cheap.
- −The USB dongle is wide and can block the port next to it.
- Is the PULSE Elite worth it?
- Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 worth it?
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 vs Logitech G Pro X 2
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 vs HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
- Best gaming headsets
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, Tom's Hardware, PC Gamer, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the PULSE Elite: 71 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.
Owner reports for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: 14 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.