If you want a dedicated GameDAC and high-resolution wired audio, choose SteelSeries Arctis Pro +; if you need a simpler 3.5 mm headset for broad device compatibility, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. For a gaming headset for children, the key difference is whether you want a separate audio-control unit or a direct, wired connection. Neither is described as a children’s headset, so fit and adult supervision still matter.
If you want a dedicated GameDAC and high-resolution wired audio, choose SteelSeries Arctis Pro +; if you need a simpler 3.5 mm headset for broad device compatibility, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. For a gaming headset for children, the key difference is whether you want a separate audio-control unit or a direct, wired connection. Neither is described as a children’s headset, so fit and adult supervision still matter.
• SteelSeries Arctis Pro + strength: Dedicated GameDAC and amp, with support for 96 kHz / 24-bit audio. Trade-off: It is a wired setup built around a separate audio component.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X strength: A straightforward 3.5 mm wired connection, with compatibility listed for Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile. Trade-off: Its listed audio range is narrower, and it has no dedicated GameDAC.
• Arctis Pro + is for: Families who want a more feature-rich audio setup, especially for PS5, PS4, or PC.
• Arctis Nova 1X is for: Families who value a direct connection and a headset intended to work across several kinds of devices.
• For children: Choose based on the child’s device, comfort, and ability to handle the connection; neither product sheet identifies a child-specific fit.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro + is the more involved audio setup of the two. Its dedicated GameDAC and headphone amp are intended to serve as the audio source for PS5, PS4, or PC, rather than relying on the audio hardware in a typical controller or computer. The system supports 96 kHz / 24-bit audio, and its listed speaker frequency range is 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz. Those details make it the more compelling option for someone who wants the headset to be part of a considered gaming audio setup, not just a pair of headphones plugged into a jack.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
For a child gaming mainly on a PS5, PS4, or PC, the GameDAC may be appealing if an adult is comfortable setting up and maintaining the system. The product information recommends keeping its firmware updated through SteelSeries Engine and handling and cleaning it according to the guide. That is worth considering in a household where a headset may be shared or frequently moved between rooms. It also has polished steel and aluminum alloy construction, plus a wired connection.
I would skip the Arctis Pro + if your priority is the simplest possible setup, or if the child needs one headset to move easily between a range of devices. Its separate DAC and amp are the central feature, but they also make the arrangement less direct than plugging a headset into a 3.5 mm jack. The supplied information does not establish a child-specific fit, so comfort should be considered rather than assumed.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X is the simpler choice in terms of connection: it is wired and uses a 3.5 mm jack. Its listed compatible platforms include Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile. That breadth is useful for a household where a child may use more than one device, provided the intended device has a compatible connection. Unlike the Pro +, the Nova 1X does not come with a dedicated GameDAC and amp.
Its listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and it uses dynamic drivers. The controls include volume control, while noise control is described as passive. In practical terms, that means the provided information supports a direct wired headset with basic volume adjustment, not a separate audio-processing unit or active noise cancellation. The product listing calls the headset wired, so its Bluetooth reference in the product details should not be taken as evidence of wireless listening.
For children, the appeal is straightforward device connection and stated compatibility across several platforms. The trade-off is that the data gives less detail about audio capabilities than it does for the Arctis Pro +. The Nova 1X is listed as an over-ear headset with plastic enclosure material, but no child-specific sizing or fit guidance is provided. If a child finds over-ear headphones uncomfortable, neither headset’s specifications alone can settle that question.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for a dedicated DAC and amp → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. Its GameDAC is the clearest distinction between these two wired headsets.
• Best for listed high-resolution audio support → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. It specifies 96 kHz / 24-bit audio and a 10 Hz–40,000 Hz speaker range.
• Best for a child moving among listed platforms → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. Its compatibility details name Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile.
• Best for PS5, PS4, or PC with a more elaborate audio setup → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. Those are the platforms specifically named for its GameDAC system.
• Best if you prefer a simpler wired arrangement → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. Its connection is a 3.5 mm jack rather than a headset-and-DAC setup.
• Best for someone who wants to compare construction materials → SteelSeries Arctis Pro +. Its construction is listed as polished steel and aluminum alloy; the Nova 1X is listed with plastic enclosure material.
• Best if you are searching for ear clip headphones for children → Neither based on these specifications. Both are described as over-ear headsets, not ear-clip designs.
The phrase “best USB-C charging Bluetooth headphones for children” points toward a different kind of product altogether. Neither of these is described as a USB-C-charging Bluetooth headset: both are presented as wired gaming headsets. The Nova 1X’s product details mention Bluetooth, but its style and connection are explicitly listed as wired, with a 3.5 mm controller connection. I would not choose either on the assumption that it offers wireless Bluetooth listening or USB-C charging.
That distinction matters when shopping for a child. A headset meant to stay beside one console or computer can be a sensible wired choice. A child who expects to move around while listening, or who specifically wants wireless headphones, needs a different set of features than the ones established here. For these two, the decision is not about wireless convenience; it is about the Pro +’s dedicated audio hardware versus the Nova 1X’s direct jack connection and wider list of named platforms.
My Verdict
The Nova 1X lists compatibility with Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, Switch, PC, and mobile, and connects through a 3.5 mm jack. The Pro + is specifically described with GameDAC support for PS5, PS4, and PC.
The product details describe it as wired, with a 3.5 mm jack and wired controller connection. Although Bluetooth appears in the technical information, the supplied details do not establish wireless Bluetooth listening, so I would not buy it on that assumption.
The Nova 1X is listed with passive noise control. The Pro +’s product details mention active noise cancellation, but the feature information provided does not explain how it works or give a basis for comparing its performance with the Nova 1X.
The Arctis Pro + lists 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz, while the Nova 1X lists 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Those figures describe the stated ranges, but they do not by themselves tell a buyer how a particular child will perceive the sound.
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