Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless Gaming Headset

ANC is one of the strongest areas: reviewers repeatedly call it excellent for a gaming headset, with a few noting consumer ANC flagships can still do better.

There is no active noise cancellation. The open-back design prioritizes airflow and natural sound, so it can’t cancel distractions the way closed-back ANC headsets can.

Android compatibility is supported by platform lists and direct Android use.

Works on Android over Bluetooth and supports the Swarm II mobile app, but several advanced audio features are PC-centric and mobile options can feel limited.

The app ecosystem is powerful and flexible, though some reviewers find GG/Sonar setup or software behavior intrusive.

Swarm II provides firmware updates plus access to EQ, mic controls, spatial options, and game/chat features. Stability and feature parity vary by platform, and some users report connection or preset issues.

aptX support is a weakness because the transcript evidence expresses a wish for it rather than confirming support.

Wireless gaming showed no notable delay in the cited review, supporting strong audio-video sync.

Audio latency is best over the 2.4GHz dongle and 3.5mm wired mode. Bluetooth is fine for casual listening but not ideal when timing is critical.

Bass is generally praised for precision, depth, and tightness, though one reviewer felt it could be a little much depending on preference.

Bass is generally controlled rather than thunderous. Some reviews find it punchy enough for games, but many note weaker sub-bass and less impact for explosions or bass-heavy music.

Battery is a major strength due to the swappable dual-battery system and long per-battery runtime.

Battery life is repeatedly praised, usually meeting the advertised ~50 hours and sometimes exceeding it, so most users can go many sessions between charges.

Bluetooth support is widely documented and praised, including simultaneous use, LE Audio/LC3 mentions, and phone or mobile use.

Bluetooth generally works reliably for calls and media, but it’s higher latency than the 2.4GHz dongle and switching between sources can take a couple seconds. True simultaneous game audio (2.4GHz) plus Bluetooth mixing isn’t supported. You can toggle/QuickSwitch between sources instead.

Build quality is consistently praised, with repeated evidence of metal construction, sturdiness, and premium feel.

Build is mostly plastic to keep weight low and is generally described as solid and flexible. It doesn’t feel as premium as metal-framed competitors, and the unusual suspension design raises long-term questions for some.

Hi-res playback and the GameHub/DAC system are core strengths, with many reviews citing 96kHz/24-bit wireless audio and DAC support.

Button and physical control usability is a strength, with repeated praise for intuitive controls, tactile wheels, and useful feedback.

Controls are mostly on one earcup with a prominent volume wheel. Some find them easy to locate, while others dislike similarly shaped buttons or coarse volume steps.

Pack-in cables are commonly braided, longer than average, and better than typical bundled cables, drawing positive comments across multiple reviews.

The included pouch is useful but underwhelming at the price because several reviewers wanted a more protective hard case.

The included pouch/bag is useful for scratch protection but isn’t a structured case and offers limited impact protection.

Charging is strong, especially through the base-station battery slot and quick-charge claims, despite one reviewer disliking cable charging on-head.

USB-C charging is convenient, with multiple reviews citing fast charging (often roughly under a couple hours) and the ability to keep using the headset while it charges.

Clamp comfort is mixed to negative, with several reviewers describing a tight clamp or stronger clamping force.

Clamp is typically gentle and glasses-friendly, but the same light clamp can reduce stability for people who move around a lot.

Codec support is strong around LC3/LC3+, but aptX/LDAC evidence is absent or negative.

Comfort is mostly positive for long sessions, but not unanimous because one reviewer reported soreness after a long day.

Comfort is a standout theme: lightweight build, breathable pads, and low clamp keep it easy to wear for hours, especially for glasses wearers.

Connectivity versatility is the product's clearest differentiator, with many reviews emphasizing multi-source, multi-platform mixing.

Console limitations are real because the highest Hi-Res mode is PC-focused and PS5/Xbox/Switch cannot fully use it.

Design is consistently praised as premium, mature, and attractive, especially the sage/gold colorway.

A restrained, modern look with distinctive open-back grilles and floating cups. It reads more functional than flashy, which some prefer and others find plain.

The detachable boom mic and flip-to-mute are convenient for switching between gaming and casual use. A few mention the boom length or ergonomics as minor annoyances.

The included 2.4GHz USB-A dongle is the preferred mode for low-latency gaming and tends to be stable, while also enabling the best PC-only audio options.

Earcup padding is widely praised as plush and soft, though one review notes faux leather can become sweaty.

Earpads are described as plush, breathable, and comfortable, often using fabric rather than pleather to reduce heat. Many note they’re removable for cleaning or replacement.

The cups rotate flat for storage, but the headset does not fold, making rotation range useful but limited for travel.

The earcups don’t swivel flat, which makes it less convenient to rest around the neck or pack neatly compared with headsets that fold or rotate.

Earpad replacement is easy and positively supported by multiple mentions of removable or replaceable pads.

EQ customization is a major strength, including parametric EQ, detailed settings, and meaningful adjustment options.

A 10-band EQ with custom presets is a core strength (especially on PC). A few reviewers report EQ-related artifacts or odd behavior with non-default profiles.

Fit and seal reliability improved with better cup movement, but this is supported by limited evidence.

Footstep support is supported by evidence that footsteps became easy to hear and position, though the exact scaling feature is not deeply discussed.

Frequency response is mixed because one review measured notable scoop-and-peak behavior that may require EQ correction.

Tuning is broadly balanced with a mild upper-frequency emphasis that favors detail and competitive cues. Multiple notes point to less sub-bass than many closed-backs and occasional treble unevenness.

Game/chat balance is a strong feature through ChatMix, source mixing, and game-versus-voice balancing.

Game/chat mix is typically handled in the companion software rather than with a dedicated hardware dial, which is workable on PC but less convenient mid-game.

Headband adjustability is good, with staged sizing and smoother, more rugged adjustment called out.

Adjustment relies on a suspension/velcro system rather than sliding yokes. It fits many heads well, but it’s less granular and some worry about long-term velcro tension.

Hinge and yoke durability is strongly supported by the full metal yoke construction evidence.

The floating, band-suspended earcup design avoids traditional hinge stress points and feels robust in early use, but it’s unconventional enough that long-term wear remains an unknown.

Accessories are generally generous, especially USB cables and included extras, but some reviewers criticize the lack of a hard case.

The bundle typically includes the dongle, USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, detachable mic (often with a windscreen), and a pouch. Braided cables and overall completeness get frequent praise.

One review specifically notes improved ability to separate low drum impact from bass-guitar notes.

Instrument and layer separation is strong, helping complex mixes and busy game scenes remain distinct rather than blending together.

The built-in microphones are useful when the boom is retracted, but generally sit below the boom mic in quality.

Maximum-volume clarity is supported by a review noting loud, clear bullet impacts during testing.

Clarity at high volume is generally strong with little distortion, though a few reports suggest certain EQ modes can introduce artifacts, especially at lower listening levels.

The boom microphone is mostly praised as clear, improved, and among the better wireless gaming headset mics, though one reviewer found it compressed.

Microphone noise reduction is strong overall, with reviewers noting less hiss, strong rejection, and effective control of unwanted background sounds.

Noise handling is generally good with adjustable noise gates and processing, but some reviewers hear occasional dips or artifacts when noise reduction is too aggressive.

Call quality is positively supported by coworker feedback that the reviewer sounded very clear.

Mic clarity is above average for a gaming headset, especially over the dongle/high-bandwidth modes. Over Bluetooth it can sound more compressed and less full.

Midrange clarity is supported by notes about detailed mids and cleaner reproduction versus prior SteelSeries models.

Midrange is typically clear and present, keeping dialogue and key cues intelligible even in busy scenes.

Multi-platform compatibility is broad, covering PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile, and other devices.

Connectivity is flexible via 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm analog, covering PC, PlayStation, Switch, and phones well. Xbox support is the main caveat because it isn’t wireless.

Multipoint is positively supported by evidence that pairing and managing multiple devices is easier.

Passive isolation is consistently good to strong, helped by sealed cups and dense padding, though not every review treats it as a standalone strength.

Passive isolation is minimal by design. Sound leaks out and outside noise comes in, so it’s poorly suited to shared rooms, offices, or commuting.

Packaging/unboxing receives limited positive support from a reviewer who described the experience as premium-feeling.

Portability is mixed: the cups rotate or articulate, but reviewers also call the headset bulky and not foldable.

Positional audio is a strong gaming feature, with reviewers praising cue location, directional audio, and close/distant sound placement.

Preset EQ quality is strong, with hundreds of game presets and countless audio profiles mentioned.

The default Signature Sound profile is widely considered the most balanced and reliable. Superhuman Hearing and other presets can sound artificial or overly bright, and some profiles behave inconsistently.

Replaceable earpads are supported by reviews noting removable or replaceable memory foam pads.

Earpads are removable and replacements/mod options are available or expected, which helps hygiene and long-term maintenance.

Replaceable ear plates are lightly supported through compatibility with SteelSeries Booster Packs.

Sidetone adjustment is supported for both boom and built-in microphones.

Mic monitoring/sidetone is adjustable and often described as hiss-free, but several reviewers found it too quiet unless set very high or noted it doesn’t feel especially strong.

Smudge resistance is weak because one review calls the metallic finish a fingerprint magnet.

Setup/software simplicity is mixed: menus can be clear and automatic connection works, but one reviewer found Sonar a headache.

Setup is straightforward when everything behaves, but multiple reviews mention finicky detection, firmware/update hiccups, or settings that don’t persist, making the experience inconsistent.

Sound leakage control is excellent in the cited review, which notes protection against audio spillage.

Reviewers broadly praise the Elite's sound as rich, detailed, crisp, and unusually strong for both games and music, with only a few caveats about tuning.

Overall sound quality is a highlight: detailed, natural-leaning audio with strong positional clarity. The most common caveats are lighter low-end impact and occasional brightness depending on content and EQ.

Soundstage is a major strength, with reviewers describing width, depth, spaciousness, and well-supported game soundscapes.

Soundstage is notably wide and airy thanks to the open-back cups, creating a speaker-like sense of space that helps immersion and directional awareness in quiet rooms.

Spatial audio is generally strong, especially for immersive or cinematic gaming, though one comparison notes sharper esports alternatives.

PC-focused spatial features (often Waves 3D) can add useful directionality, though results vary by game and some listeners prefer it off for the cleanest, most natural presentation.

Wireless stability is good within normal range, though one review notes audio wavering only after multiple walls.

Stability is mixed: it can sit comfortably when you’re stationary, but the light clamp and floating cups may shift with head turns or quick movement.

Touch/control responsiveness is lightly supported through Bluetooth/media control from the headset.

Transparency mode is supported as a practical way to hear surroundings without removing the headset, though evidence is limited.

Treble is clear but mixed: reviewers note detail and width, yet also report sharpness, fatigue, or a desire for more air.

Treble tends to lean bright for detail and cue pickup, but several reviews mention occasional sharpness or sibilance, especially with certain presets or EQ changes.

USB-C is present for charging and base connections, but one review notes USB-C does not support direct headset audio.

Charges over USB-C; reviewers treat the USB-C connection as power/charging rather than a full-featured wired audio link.

Value is the most divisive attribute: reviewers admire the feature set but repeatedly stress the extreme $600 price and narrow target audience.

Volume output is functionally controlled through the hub/headset, but one reviewer disliked losing normal Windows output control.

Overall loudness is adequate for many, but multiple reviewers note an odd volume curve or that it needs higher percentage settings to reach their preferred listening level.

Weight comfort is mixed: some reviewers say the 380g weight is manageable, while others call it heavy.

Weight is consistently noted as very low for a wireless headset (around 300g), helping it feel almost invisible during long sessions.

Wireless latency is excellent in the cited reviews, with no notable lag or delay reported.

Xbox compatibility is a strength, with multiple reviews noting Xbox support through the GameHub or platform list.

Xbox use is described as wired-only through the controller via 3.5mm, with no native Xbox wireless support.