Both are wireless headsets with a base station on the desk and a mic you mute on the headset. The ASTRO A50 X, at $399.99, takes an Xbox, a PS5 and a PC at once, through HDMI and USB, and puts the game and chat balance on the headset. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in its PC and PlayStation box takes two systems over USB, sets sidetone and EQ on the base station, and swaps between two batteries; SteelSeries sells a separate box for Xbox.
| ASTRO A50 X | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it for | an Xbox, a PS5 and a PC on one headset | sidetone and EQ without a PC, and a spare battery |
| Maker price | $399.99 · checked November 2 | No maker price |
| Connection | Wireless, through its base station | Wireless, through its base station |
| Mute on the mic | Flip the mic up to mute | Mic mute button on the headset |
| Hear yourself | Sidetone, set in G HUB on a PC or Mac or in the Logitech G app on a phone | Sidetone, set on the base station |
Choice A
Each console runs HDMI and USB into the base station and on to the TV, and the PLAYSYNC button on the headset switches between them. The game and voice balance sits on the right earcup and works on Xbox, PC and a PS5 connected by HDMI. Sidetone is set in G HUB or the Logitech G app. The HDMI cables aren't in the box. Maker price $399.99.
Choice B
Its base station sets sidetone, mic volume and a 10-band EQ, and those work on a PS5 too. Two batteries swap while you play, up to 22 hours each, and it has active noise cancelling. ChatMix works only on a PC with SteelSeries GG, and this box doesn't list Xbox.
From the makers
6 of 10 setup details differ.
| Setup detail | ASTRO A50 X | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone connection (differs) | Fixed boom microphone | Retractable boom microphone |
| Connectors (differs) | HDMI base station: HDMI 2.1 and USB to each console · USB to a PC or Mac · Bluetooth in the base station, for a phone · USB-C charging | 2.4 GHz through the wireless base station (USB) · Bluetooth · 3.5 mm cable (in the box) |
| Mute on the mic (differs) | Flip the mic up to mute | Mic mute button on the headset |
| Hear yourself (differs) | Sidetone, set in G HUB on a PC or Mac or in the Logitech G app on a phone | Sidetone, set on the base station |
| Works with (per the maker) (differs) | Xbox · PlayStation · PC · Mac | PC · Mac · PlayStation · Switch · Mobile |
| Included parts (differs) | A50 X wireless headset · A50 X HDMI base station · USB-C to USB-A cable · USB-C to dual USB (Y) cable · USB-C power adapter | Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset · Wireless base station · Second battery · USB-C to USB-A cable (×2) · 3.5 mm audio cable · Microphone pop filter · Product information guide |
| Also needs | Depends on how you connect and mount it | Depends on how you connect and mount it |
| Mount or thread | ||
| Dimensions | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
| Software needed | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
Both have a base station, a mute on the headset, Bluetooth for a phone, and software that sets EQ and the mic. Both list Windows, Mac and PS5.
Logitech lists Xbox Series X|S for the A50 X box itself. SteelSeries sells the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox as its own box, with an Xbox jack on the base station; the PC and PlayStation box compared here doesn't list Xbox.
On the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, sidetone is a setting on the base station, so it works on a console with no computer. On the A50 X, Logitech sets the sidetone amount in G HUB on a PC or Mac or in the Logitech G app on a phone.
SteelSeries lists the original Switch in TV mode for the Nova Pro Wireless, over USB or Bluetooth. Logitech's store page lists Switch and Switch 2 for the A50 X, but its setup guide names no way to connect either. Neither maker says its mic works in Switch 2 GameChat.
Run HDMI and USB from the PS5 into the same pair of ports on the base station, and HDMI from the base station to the TV. Then choose the headset in Settings, Sound, Microphone and check the level.
Connect the base station to the PS5 with the USB cable, set sidetone and mic volume on the base station, then choose the headset in Settings, Sound, Microphone.
Connections and controls come from these model-specific documents. Manufacturer claims about sound are not independent tests.