Accessories

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless review

Best for gaming?

Published

July 22, 2024

I have always wanted to get my hands on a SteelSeries headset. You see, in gaming circles, it’s a popular brand among gamers looking for a relatively affordable option for gaming headsets. Along came the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless with a high promise when it comes to delivering quality audio for gaming.

Competitively priced

Let’s get the affordable part out of the way. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless retails for PhP 7,765/ USD 129.99. That’s right around the ballpark of one the more popular recommendations among gaming circles – The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 which, depending on where you’re looking, ranges from USD 150-170.

Among gaming-centric headsets released relatively recently, it’s also priced quite competitively. It’s more affordable than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), Sony INZONE H7 and H9 (the H3 is wired so that’s a non-starter here), and PlayStation’s Pulse Elite.

It’s also a lot more affordable than “mainstream” headset options like the Sony WH-1000XM series and Airpods Max.

While compelling, pricing alone isn’t the determining factor in making this purchase decision. So, what kind of value are you getting exactly?

Headset highlights

That’s our News Editor Luigi wearing the Arctis Nova 5

To me, the Arctis Nova 5 offers five features that help its case as the “default option” for gaming-related headset recommendations.

Game specific presets through the companion app.

The Arctis Nova 5 has a companion app available for iOS and Android. Through the app, you get a robust list of game preset equalizers already optimized for plenty of games. The list includes first person shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and CS: GO, sports games like NBA 2K24 and EA Sports FC 24, and popular titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Genshin Impact, Tekken 8, and much, much more.

Many of the titles are recently released games. If the specific game you’re looking for isn’t on the list, just pick one that’s close to that game’s genre and it should work like a charm. For instance, I always fire up Returnal when testing audio products because it has one of the best sound designs on any game ever. Unfortunately, that title isn’t available as a preset. So, I chose any of the shooter games like COD and Hell Divers 2 as the preset and I found that these worked well with the game.

By default, the equalizer is set to flat and I found that it works well for most media consumption. I tried switching things up and used music-focused titles like Hi-Fi Rush but felt that flat was still best for general music listening and video viewing.

Lightweight.

The headset is mostly made of plastic making it extremely light. That means there’s absolutely no strain whatsoever on your head when wearing it for an extended period.

Some might view this as a markdown in build quality. However, I think the weight and price byproducts balance the steady but not stellar build.

Battery Life.

The Arctis Nova 5 promises a 60-hour battery life (or the equivalent of 8-hour gaming sessions every day for a week). Further, USB-C fast charging can juice up to six hours in just 15 minutes.

Naturally, I don’t game for eight hours a day (nor should you, unless that’s how you make a living). In my mixed use of music listening, video viewing, video conferencing, and gaming for roughly 20 hours per week, I only felt the need to charge the thing once every two weeks. That’s elite.

There’s one outlier when I brought it to an overseas work trip. I charged the headset once towards the end of the trip, right before the flight back, to make sure I had enough juice for the plane ride.

Connectivity.

The headset’s claim to versatility in connectivity lies in two connection options: 2.4Hz dongle and direct Bluetooth.

The direct Bluetooth connection means it can seamlessly pair with most smartphones and laptops, and PCs. Meanwhile, the 2.4Hz dongle connection means you can use it with anything that has a USB-C port.

In my time with the device, I used it on the following devices:

Legion Go
PlayStation 5
ROG Ally
iPhone 14 Pro Max
MacBook Pro
Huawei MateBook X Pro
ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024)
OPPO Find N3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Xiaomi Pad 6S 12 Pro
…and possibly more

That’s quite an exhaustive list. And yes, it works on a Nintendo Switch too.

ClearCast microphone.

The Arctis Nova 5 is now my default headset when taking video calls because of the ClearCast mic. For one, I love the way it’s tucked into the left earcup. Unlike Razer’s BlackShark V2 (2023) whose microphone is an attachment that can easily be misplaced.

Second, I asked for feedback from those I was in a call with and got feedback that my audio is pretty clear and crisp. I won’t be recording any voice overs with this mic, but for calls, it’s more than good enough. I imagine the same is true for co-op games, of which I do not play because I suck as a teammate.

Almost perfect

There are a few things I wish the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless had to make it my default headset for everything I do.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

This one really drives me nuts because I’ve really only extensively used headsets with active noise cancellation over the past half decade. Even some minor active noise canceling would have made this a no-brainer recommendation for me. Alas, that is not the case.

I mentioned earlier that I took this with me on an overseas work trip. That was not ideal at all. Coming from the Sony WH-1000XM4 and even the soundcore Space One headsets, I severely missed the active noise canceling feature. I could hear the buzzing sound and worse, a crying, whining child during the flight.

The lack of this feature is bearable in most settings like in your home while playing and while out and about walking or inside a buzzing café. But for traveling, it is best to have something that has ANC.

In-app equalizer adjustment.

The presets are great and all, but it doesn’t allow for personalized tweaking to make it sing the way you want to. The only way to change the equalizer is to switch it to any of the game presets as well as a flat and focus options. Focus ups the voice while flat is… just flat.

As of writing, your best option is to try every single available preset and find which one works best for you when it comes to uses outside of gaming. It’ll probably take an entire weekend day if you’re truly meticulous about it.

I wish it had slots for 2-3 personalized presets that users can switch to. I fervently hope this comes in a future app update.

A slot for the 2.4Hz USB-C dongle.

I tend to misplace tiny things. In fact, as of writing, I am unsure where I placed this exact USB-C dongle. I am also currently at a loss as to where I placed another tiny USB dongle, but that’s for a controller.

The dongle that comes with the Arctis Nova 5 is so tiny that I’m sure they could’ve figured out a way to include some kind of pouch in the headset itself to store it. They were able to figure out the mic part, perhaps they could have done the same for the dongle.

I’m sure I’ll find the dongle with a clean sweep of my room but some way to safely carry it with the headset would have done wonders.

Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless your GadgetMatch?

As far as gaming-focused headsets go, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless could soon replace its older sibling, the Arctis 7, as the top recommendation among console gamers. The sound quality is top-notch and the presets really do help in making you feel immersed in the gameplay.

That same level of immersion can also be experienced when listening to music that’s perfectly mixed. I strongly recommend using this with Apple Music for lossless sound. The sound isolation is elite and works both in gaming and music.

Some level of active noise canceling would have taken this over the top for me. I’m not even looking for something on par with Sony’s XM-series. Even something to the level of the soundcore Space One would have done the trick. If that comes in a future product, SteelSeries, you know where to find me.

That said, the Arctis Nova 5 is still a product I can recommend. The value you’re getting for what you’re paying outweighs any drawback I found. It’s a really good gaming headset and one you should consider if you’re in the market for one.

Accessories

Hollyland announces LARK M3 for multi-camera, multi-person setups

Scalable wireless audio system configurable up to 4 transmitters, 4 receivers

Published

September 25, 2026

GadgetMatch

Hollyland has announced the LARK M3, a flexible and scalable wireless audio system designed for multi-camera, multi-person productions.

Rather than functioning as a single wireless microphone, the LARK M3 can be a one-to-many or many-to-one audio system.

This way, it can capture group interviews, podcasts, multi-person content, and multi-camera shoots with a setup that easily adapts to the number of people and devices involved.

At the core of LARK M3 is its multi-transmitter and multi-receiver architecture. Up to four transmitters can connect to a single receiver. Each person can wear their own mic and be recorded independently.

Conversely, one transmitter can connect to up to four receivers simultaneously. A single speaker’s voice can be captured by multiple cameras or smartphones at once.

That flexibility extends into post-production through four-track independent recording. When paired with the hot shoe adapter, or by connecting a USB-C or Camera receiver to a computer, LARK M3 delivers four isolated audio tracks. This gives editors full control to adjust each speaker’s volume and sound separately.

Ultra-portable professional-grade audio

The LARK M3 pairs studio-level specs with an easy-to-use design. It can record at 48kHz/32-bit with a 70dB signal-to-noise ratio and 125dB max SPL.

The system uses Hollyland’s Hollyland’s proprietary HDT wireless technology to move audio data 50% faster for richer, clearer sound over distances of up to 300m.

AI noise cancellation can suppress wind, traffic, running water, and other background noise across three adjustable levels.

Custom voice tuning provides one-tap vocal enhancement for all transmitters, along with eight vocal presets. Each preset can be customized in the app as well.

Auto-Limit Clip Protection keeps volume levels stable across dynamic ranges, while a Primary/Secondary receiver setup is designed to prevent recording interruptions, meaning if the Primary RX drops out, a Secondary RX instantly takes over.

Accessories

Lisa x PlayStation: DualSense Lisa Limited Edition arrives this October

Available in limited quantities this October; pre-orders start soon

Published

September 23, 2026

GadgetMatch

Sony has unveiled its latest collaboration with global pop superstar Lisa, in the form of the new DualSense wireless controller – Lisa Limited Edition.

The controller was designed by the singer herself. And fans won’t have to look far to find Lisa in the details. Parties worked closely together to incorporate elements that held personal meaning for her.

Her iconic bangs and eyes take center stage on the DualSense wireless controller touch pad. These are joined by her signature stars and bold “LL” lettering, all set against a Chroma Pearl colorway – Lisa’s personal favorite.

The Southeast Asian market can look forward to the release of the DualSense wireless controller – Lisa Limited Edition starting October 30th at participating resellers.

Of course, the controller will come in very limited quantities, for the following retail prices:

SG$ 115
MYR 419
IDR 1,549,000
THB 2,890
PhP 5,411
VND 2,399,000

Pre-orders begin on October 2, while supplies last. The release coincides with Lisa’s upcoming new EP, Press Play, which comes out on October 23.

Accessories

70mai launches the A900 series with 4K front, rear recording

Two new 4K dual-channel dash cams, both with 4G

Published

September 22, 2026

MJ Jucutan

70mai has launched the A900 Series, led by the flagship 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra, with the 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 joining it in the lineup.

Both models record in 4K from the front and rear cameras, and both support 4G, so your footage stays reachable from your phone even when you’re away from the car.

4K recording from both cameras

The A900 Ultra uses dual Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensors to capture clear 4K footage from both directions. As a result, details like license plates and road signs remain sharp.

Smart HDR balances bright and dark areas under shifting light. Users can also adjust color tones and contrast. To keep feeds synced, the rear camera uses LVDS digital transmission. This tech sends a lossless 4K feed with just 20ms of latency.

Handling changing light

Driving into a tunnel or under the shadow of a tall building changes the lighting quickly, and 70mai built three imaging technologies into the A900 Ultra to deal with it.

MaiColor Vivid+ Solution 2.0 is meant to give more natural colors and finer detail, along with smarter scene adaptation. Night Owl Vision 2.0 reduces noise and glare to help with nighttime clarity.

Lumi Vision is made for parking surveillance in near-total darkness, where it automatically adjusts exposure and gain and applies noise reduction. 70mai says this produces clear, full-color footage in extremely low light.

Parking mode and remote access

Smart Parking Guardian Mode 2.0 protects your vehicle while parked. It combines AI motion detection, dual-channel collision detection with pre-recording, and time-lapse options.

The system draws just 5mA on standby to prevent battery drain. For extended coverage, the optional 70mai Battery Pack Mini powers surveillance for up to 30 days.

In photo: A900

Pairing the camera with the 4G Hardwire Kit unlocks 70mai 4G Cloud+ 2.0 features on the app. Enhanced Buffered Emergency Recording saves up to 190 seconds before an incident and 30 seconds after.

It automatically uploads this footage to the cloud for immediate remote viewing.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900

In photo: A900

The A900 sits alongside the Ultra as the more accessible option. It records True 4K HDR at 30FPS from both the front and rear cameras, and Smart HDR can be scheduled to turn on at set times.

Its f/1.55 aperture is meant to help in low light, and 4G Cloud+ 2.0 keeps the dash cam connected to the 70mai App. It’s the model for drivers who want dual-channel recording and 4G connectivity at a lower price.

The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A900 Ultra retails for US$ 300, available for pre-order at US$ 240. Meanwhile, the A900 is priced at US$ 200, currently 20% off at US$ 170.