The first ever headset that I bought for myself was a SteelSeries, and when it broke several years later I was heartbroken. So when I was given the chance to test out the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition, I jumped at the chance to reunite with my beloved! It is without a doubt that Steelseries makes some of the finest headsets, and the Arctis Nova 7, well, it has been one of the fan favourites! So what exactly is the difference?

IT’S STYLISH!

With a striking design, who can resist it? Inspired by my favourite mythical creature, the dragon, the headset features a very intricate dragon logo which screams “damn I’m powerful”. It’s the combination of matte black and fiery red hues that makes it so alluring, adding to its stunning aesthetic. The headsets are created with durable materials of lightweight steel and a soft touch of plastic. Even the feel of the headsets feels resilient, capable of withstanding those agonising hours of gaming. 

COMFORT TO THE CORE

When it comes to us gamers, comfort is one of the most, if not the most important part of picking our peripherals. The Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition does not disappoint. It doesn’t feel too heavy as the weight feels evenly distributed and there seem to be no pressure points, even after hours of usage. Made with AirWeave memory foam cushions, your ears have plenty of breathability (If that even is a word), keeping your ears from overheating from those intense gaming sessions.

In the gaming world, we know that every second counts, and that is why quick access to essential controls is important. That is why the controls on the Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition are conveniently located right at your fingertips. Situated on both sides of the earcups, the controls allow you to make adjustments easily. Whether you need to adjust the volume of the headset for your audio experience, tweak the ChatMix to strike the perfect balance between game audio and chat communication, or mute your microphone to cuss out your terrible teammates, the Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition puts the power in your hands.

PERFORMANCE LIKE NO OTHER

Now getting to the good part, these headsets deliver an immersive soundscape that truly elevates your gaming experience or even those sad Spotify moments. When paired with the DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound technology and high-fidelity drivers, you get some of the most accurate audio performance. Whether your teammate is yelling at you in-game comms, or you’re having your Taylor Swift sad night tunes, you will hear it all with utmost clarity. I don’t know about footsteps in Apex Legends, that, well, might be asking a bit much! 

Speaking about comms, what about its mic you ask? It features a retractable microphone which has some pretty darn good noise-cancelling, so you don’t hear too much background noise. You also get to deliver some crisp clear comms from your end! All this is also thanks to the Sonar ClearCast AI algorithms. 

A LEGEND OF COMPATIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY

Now the headsets are also versatile when it comes to connectivity options, ensuring you have a wide range of compatibility to connect to multiple platforms and devices. This includes the PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch systems. And just like the Nova 7 Wireless version, there are three modes of connectivity, wired, Bluetooth, and a type-C 2.4Ghz dongle. You can also connect these to your phones! Whether you prefer the freedom of wireless gaming or the reliability of a wired connection, the Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition has definitely got your back.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Other than being a kick-ass dragon version, that strikes an amazing colour that definitely makes you stand out, what more is there to want? The Arctis Nova 7 Dragon Edition gives you absolutely everything you want from a high-end model, not just for gaming, but also for music lovers. Most importantly, your ears will not hurt!!! I’m sad to part with this lovely piece but if you have the money and can afford it, I highly recommend the set!

PROS:

• A striking colour + fashionable!
• Comfortable for long hours of usage!
• A pretty good mic for a headphone.
• The sound quality is amazing.

CON

• The price point is a bit much for just a ‘recolour’ of the original

FINAL  SCORE: 90/100

Vital Statistics

• Earn the Dragon’s blessing of fortune with a unique coloring; two included earplate options
• Nova Acoustic System features High Fidelity Drivers for majestic audio quality with immersive 360° Spatial Audio and a first-in-gaming Parametric EQ
• Simultaneous Wireless (2.4 GHz and Bluetooth) allows game and mobile audio mixing
• 38-hour battery life with USB-C fast charging, bringing 6 hours of use after 15 minutes
• AI-Powered noise-cancelling mic uses Sonar ClearCast AI algorithms to silence ambient sounds or teammate noise, with ChatMix Dial on-headset
• Multi-platform USB-C dongle works with PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Meta Quest 2, and mobile
• ComfortMAX system for adjustable fit with a PVD-coated steel headband