2026 comparison

Updated Jan 16, 2026

|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM4

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which is the right fit? We cover performance, value, and use cases to make the call easier.

Ratings: 4.5★ vs 4.5★

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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

★4.5

(1,707)•Best Buy

Form Factor:Over-ear (closed-back)

Connectivity:2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless + Bluetooth 5.0; Base Station: 2x USB-C System, 1x 3.5mm Line-In, 1x 3.5mm Line-Out

Bluetooth Version:5.0

Codecs:SBC

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Sony WH-1000XM4

★4.5

(623)•Amazon

Form Factor:Over-ear (closed-back)

Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 mm; USB-C (charging only); NFC

Bluetooth Version:Bluetooth 5.0

Codecs:SBC, AAC, LDAC

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Comparison: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM4

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

★4.5(1,707)Best Buy

Sony WH-1000XM4

★4.5(623)Amazon

Criterion	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM4
Rating	★4.5(1,707)Best Buy	★4.5(623)Amazon
Form Factor	Over-ear (closed-back)	Over-ear (closed-back)
Connectivity	2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless + Bluetooth 5.0; Base Station: 2x USB-C System, 1x 3.5mm Line-In, 1x 3.5mm Line-Out	Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 mm; USB-C (charging only); NFC
Bluetooth Version	5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
Codecs	SBC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
ANC	Yes (4-mic Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation)	Yes (Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancelling)
Transparency	Yes (Transparency Mode with variable gain)	Yes (Ambient Sound Mode)
Drivers	40mm Neodymium Drivers (High-Fidelity)	40 mm, Dome type (CCAW Voice coil)
Frequency Response	10 Hz – 22,000 Hz (Wireless) / 10 Hz – 40,000 Hz (Wired)	4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (Wired)
Microphones	ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom, Bidirectional Noise-Cancelling	5 mics (Precise Voice Pickup + Dual Noise Sensor)
Battery Life	18–22 hours per battery (2 hot-swappable batteries included)	Up to 30 h (ANC On) / 38 h (ANC Off)
Battery Life	N/A (Infinity Power System: continuous play via hot-swap)	N/A (Not TWS)
Charging	USB-C Fast Charge (Headset); Spare battery charges inside Base Station (approx. 3 hours)	USB-C (Fast charge: 10 min ≈ 5 h playback)
Multipoint	Yes (Simultaneous 2.4GHz Game Audio + Bluetooth Mobile Audio)	Yes (2 devices)
Low Latency Mode	Yes (2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless)	No (Video sync is good, but no dedicated Gaming Mode)
Wired Mode	Yes (3.5mm wired connection supported)	Yes (3.5 mm)
Water Resistance	No (Not supported)	No IP Rating
Weight	0.75 lbs (339 g)	254 g (8.96 oz)
Controls	On-ear: Power, Mute, Volume, Bluetooth; Base Station: Control Wheel, Touch button	Touch sensor (Right earcup); Physical buttons (Power, Custom)
App Eq	SteelSeries GG (Sonar Software Suite with Pro-grade Parametric EQ)	Sony Headphones Connect (5-band EQ + Clear Bass)
Extras	Multi-System Connect OLED Base Station; Infinity Power System; 360° Spatial Audio	Speak-to-Chat; DSEE Extreme; Wearing Detection (Auto-pause); 360 Reality Audio
Pros	Infinity Power System with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming Base Station enables seamless switching between two platforms (e.g., PC and Console) Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing is perfect for taking calls while gaming Sonar software provides a professional-grade parametric EQ for precise audio tuning Premium build with retractable mic and effective Active Noise Cancellation	Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5) Multi-device pairing works seamlessly Comfortable lightweight fit for long sessions
Cons	ANC components inside the ear cups may cause discomfort for users with larger ears Bluetooth connectivity is limited to the basic SBC codec High price point places it in the top-tier luxury bracket	No official IP water resistance rating Microphone quality is good, but not best-in-class anymore Touch controls can be sensitive to moisture/cold LDAC disables when using Multipoint (on older firmware)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	Check Price on Amazon→	Check Price on Amazon→

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Rating:★4.5(1,707)Best Buy

Form Factor:Over-ear (closed-back)

Connectivity:2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless + Bluetooth 5.0; Base Station: 2x USB-C System, 1x 3.5mm Line-In, 1x 3.5mm Line-Out

Bluetooth Version:5.0

Codecs:SBC

ANC:Yes (4-mic Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation)

Transparency:Yes (Transparency Mode with variable gain)

Drivers:40mm Neodymium Drivers (High-Fidelity)

Frequency Response:10 Hz – 22,000 Hz (Wireless) / 10 Hz – 40,000 Hz (Wired)

Microphones:ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom, Bidirectional Noise-Cancelling

Battery Life:18–22 hours per battery (2 hot-swappable batteries included)

Battery Life:N/A (Infinity Power System: continuous play via hot-swap)

Charging:USB-C Fast Charge (Headset); Spare battery charges inside Base Station (approx. 3 hours)

Multipoint:Yes (Simultaneous 2.4GHz Game Audio + Bluetooth Mobile Audio)

Low Latency Mode:Yes (2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless)

Wired Mode:Yes (3.5mm wired connection supported)

Water Resistance:No (Not supported)

Weight:0.75 lbs (339 g)

Controls:On-ear: Power, Mute, Volume, Bluetooth; Base Station: Control Wheel, Touch button

App Eq:SteelSeries GG (Sonar Software Suite with Pro-grade Parametric EQ)

Extras:Multi-System Connect OLED Base Station; Infinity Power System; 360° Spatial Audio

✓ Pros:

• Infinity Power System with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming
• Base Station enables seamless switching between two platforms (e.g., PC and Console)
• Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing is perfect for taking calls while gaming
• Sonar software provides a professional-grade parametric EQ for precise audio tuning
• Premium build with retractable mic and effective Active Noise Cancellation

✗ Cons:

• ANC components inside the ear cups may cause discomfort for users with larger ears
• Bluetooth connectivity is limited to the basic SBC codec
• High price point places it in the top-tier luxury bracket

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon→

Sony WH-1000XM4

Rating:★4.5(623)Amazon

Form Factor:Over-ear (closed-back)

Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 mm; USB-C (charging only); NFC

Bluetooth Version:Bluetooth 5.0

Codecs:SBC, AAC, LDAC

ANC:Yes (Industry-leading Digital Noise Cancelling)

Transparency:Yes (Ambient Sound Mode)

Drivers:40 mm, Dome type (CCAW Voice coil)

Frequency Response:4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (Wired)

Microphones:5 mics (Precise Voice Pickup + Dual Noise Sensor)

Battery Life:Up to 30 h (ANC On) / 38 h (ANC Off)

Battery Life:N/A (Not TWS)

Charging:USB-C (Fast charge: 10 min ≈ 5 h playback)

Multipoint:Yes (2 devices)

Low Latency Mode:No (Video sync is good, but no dedicated Gaming Mode)

Wired Mode:Yes (3.5 mm)

Water Resistance:No IP Rating

Weight:254 g (8.96 oz)

Controls:Touch sensor (Right earcup); Physical buttons (Power, Custom)

App Eq:Sony Headphones Connect (5-band EQ + Clear Bass)

Extras:Speak-to-Chat; DSEE Extreme; Wearing Detection (Auto-pause); 360 Reality Audio

✓ Pros:

• Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5)
• Multi-device pairing works seamlessly
• Comfortable lightweight fit for long sessions

✗ Cons:

• No official IP water resistance rating
• Microphone quality is good, but not best-in-class anymore
• Touch controls can be sensitive to moisture/cold
• LDAC disables when using Multipoint (on older firmware)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price on Amazon→

Which one is better?

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is stronger in overall satisfaction, but Sony WH-1000XM4 could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.

Who should buy each?

Expert take:
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless suits buyers who need Infinity Power System with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming, Base Station enables seamless switching between two platforms (e.g., PC and Console)
- Sony WH-1000XM4 suits buyers who want Top-tier Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Excellent folding design (more portable than XM5)

Conclusion

There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless excels if you value infinity power system with hot-swappable batteries allows for non-stop wireless gaming. Sony WH-1000XM4 is better if you prioritize top-tier active noise cancellation (anc). Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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