Compare Cooler Master CH351 Gaming Headset vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

There is no strong case for active noise canceling here; one included review flatly says the headset is not noise-canceling.

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.

Android support is explicitly listed for the CH351, making mobile pairing part of its intended use case.

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

Software support is inconsistent in the included reviews, ranging from no companion app at all to optional PC software on another Cooler Master unit.

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

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.

Bass is a recurring strength, delivering weighty explosions and energetic low end without fully burying other cues.

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

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

Wireless stability is the CH351's biggest weakness, with persistent static and buzzing reported even during active use.

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

Material quality looks decent for the money, though not every component feels equally premium.

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

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

Control usability varies sharply, from simple inline buttons on one review unit to a crowded, error-prone earcup layout on the other.

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

The CH331's permanently attached fabric-wrapped cable is long, practical for desk use and presented as a solid part of the package.

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

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

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

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

Long-session comfort is mixed: soft pads help, but weight and head pressure are recurring complaints.

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

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.

Styling lands well in both reviews, whether you prefer playful colorways or a more subdued black-on-black look.

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

Cable convenience is mixed across the included reviews, with one headset using a removable aux cable and the other a fixed cord.

A detachable boom mic adds welcome flexibility for switching between gaming use and a cleaner everyday setup.

The CH351 includes a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle, but the wireless experience is undermined by static noise.

The ear pads are a consistent positive, described as soft faux/protein leather and generally comfortable on the ears.

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

Cup movement is limited overall; the CH331 cups pivot outward but do not offer especially generous articulation.

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

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

EQ customization is weak overall, either missing entirely or present but not especially effective.

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

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.

The drivers reproduce both heavy bass and finer ambient details well enough to sound convincing, even if the signature is not neutral.

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

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

The CH331 offers useful headband extension, giving it enough adjustment range for fit tuning.

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

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

The CH351 package is well equipped with a dongle, aux cable and detachable microphone.

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

The reviews point to good layer separation, making footsteps, ambience and soundtrack elements easier to distinguish.

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

Microphone functionality is a core feature across the included reviews, even though the exact implementation differs.

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.

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

The CH351 mic does a notably good job suppressing nearby household noise in the included test.

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

On the CH351, the detachable mic is clear and loud enough for chat or streaming without sounding thin.

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

Midrange detail is solid for the class, with dialogue and vocal texture coming through better than a typical one-note budget tuning.

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

The CH351 stands out for broad platform support across consoles, computers and mobile devices.

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

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

Passive isolation is limited, with one review explicitly noting that room sounds still bleed through.

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

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

Portability is not a strength, as the included evidence points to a desk-first design rather than a travel-friendly one.

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 tuning is not a standout, with profiles either absent or too similar and bass-skewed to feel useful.

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

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

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

RGB lighting exists on the CH331, but control is minimal and limited to basic on or off behavior rather than real customization.

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

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

Basic setup is easy enough, but the overall experience is weakened by limited customization and, on the CH351, awkward controls.

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

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

The included reviews consistently praise big, immersive gaming sound, although the CH351's wireless buzzing drags down the overall experience. Both reviews paint wired operation as a strong scenario, with seamless connection and better overall sound performance.

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.

Wide staging is one of the clearest strengths, helping worlds feel larger and positional cues easier to place.

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

Spatial or virtual surround performance is a real highlight, adding convincing depth and directionality in games.

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

On-head stability is only average, with one review noting that the headset can slide around during movement.

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

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 detail is good enough to keep smaller environmental sounds audible, including birds, crackling fire and distant effects.

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

USB-C is part of the CH351 setup, appearing in its dongle and port layout.

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

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 described as lively and forceful, with enough punch to make games and music sound exciting.

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

Both reviews call the headset noticeably heavy, which becomes more obvious the longer you wear it.

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

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

Xbox support is not a strength in the included evidence, and one review specifically steers Xbox shoppers toward other models.

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