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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X — biggest strength: wired 3.5 mm connectivity that works across Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, plus SteelSeries' signature Arctis sound tuning and the ClearCast Gen 2 mic.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X — biggest trade-off: it's a wired, passive-noise-cancellation headset with no battery or wireless mode, so you're tethered to your controller or device.
• JLab Midnight Headset — biggest strength: 70+ hours of battery over the USB-C dongle, 100+ hours over Bluetooth 5.3, and a 10-minute rapid charge that gives you 10 hours of playtime.
• JLab Midnight Headset — biggest trade-off: it's wireless-only with no 3.5 mm jack on the headset itself, so it lives and dies by its battery and dongle/Bluetooth connection.
• Who the SteelSeries is for: players who want one wired headset that just works on every console and PC they own.
• Who the JLab is for: players who hate cables and want to game for days without thinking about charging.
The Arctis Nova 1X is the simpler of the two by design. It's a wired over-ear headset with a 3.5 mm jack, and that single detail is the whole pitch: you plug it into an Xbox controller, a PC, a PlayStation, a Switch or a phone and it works. There's no dongle to lose, no pairing screen, no battery indicator to babysit. For someone who moves between a console in the living room and a laptop at a desk, that flexibility is worth more than any spec sheet number.
On the audio side, it runs a dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range and 36 ohm impedance — a normal, easy-to-drive load that any controller jack or motherboard output can handle. SteelSeries builds it around its signature Arctis sound profile, and the ClearCast Gen 2 mic is the same lineage the brand uses across its gaming line. Noise control is passive, meaning the over-ear cups physically block some outside sound rather than using active electronics. Volume is handled with a control on the headset.
Skip it if you've already decided you're done with cables, or if you need a mic that isolates your voice from a mechanical keyboard and a noisy room. The ClearCast Gen 2 handles chat fine, but the JLab's dual-ENC boom is built specifically for that job.
JLab Midnight Headset: Who It's For
The JLab Midnight Headset is the endurance play. Its headline feature is battery: 70+ hours over the LabSpeed 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle, or 100+ hours over Bluetooth 5.3, with a rapid charge that turns 10 minutes on the cable into 10 hours of playtime. That's the kind of number that changes behavior — you stop plugging in every night and start treating the headset like something you charge on the weekend. For anyone who has ever had a wireless headset die mid-match, that's the whole argument.
Audio-wise it uses larger 50 mm dynamic drivers with the same 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, at 32 ohm impedance. The description points to a sound-isolating inner shelf and "Lab Quality Sound" with deep bass, and the app-based controls let you mix game audio and voice chat, plus mix music in alongside both. The mic is a bendable dual-ENC boom with an integrated pop filter, capturing voice from 100 Hz to 10 kHz, with quick mute and a hear-yourself mode so you can monitor how you sound. The boom is bendable, which matters more than people think — you can park it near your mouth for chat and swing it out of the way when you're not talking.
Comfort gets real attention here too. JLab uses a super-wide adjustable suspension headband with replaceable Cloud Foam earcups, and the design is aimed at reducing pressure and heat over long sessions. Noise control is passive, and the enclosure mixes plastic with fabric and foam — a combination that tends to breathe better than a fully sealed plastic cup.
The trade-off is equally clear: there's no 3.5 mm jack on the headset. Connectivity is wireless only — dongle or Bluetooth 5.3. If the battery is empty and you don't have a cable handy, you're not gaming. In my opinion, the Midnight is for the player who games in long blocks, plays on PC or PlayStation where the USB-C dongle shines, and wants the freedom to walk away from the desk without killing the session. It's also the better pick for shared spaces, because the ENC boom mic is designed to keep your keyboard and background noise out of your squad's ears.
• Best for wired, universal compatibility → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. The 3.5 mm jack covers Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile with no adapter dance.
• Best for battery life → JLab Midnight Headset. 70+ hours on the dongle and 100+ hours over Bluetooth 5.3 is in a different league from a wired set.
• Best for cable-free play → JLab Midnight Headset. Wireless-only design with a 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle for low-latency PC and PlayStation audio.
• Best for a no-charge, no-setup routine → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. Nothing to pair, nothing to top up, nothing to lose.
• Best for voice clarity in a noisy room → JLab Midnight Headset. The bendable dual-ENC boom mic with pop filter is purpose-built for cutting out background noise.
• Best for bigger drivers → JLab Midnight Headset. 50 mm dynamic drivers versus the SteelSeries' dynamic driver setup.
• Best for comfort across all-night sessions → JLab Midnight Headset. The suspension headband and replaceable Cloud Foam earcups are designed for long wear.
• Best for platform-hopping consoles → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. One cable, every console you own.
In my opinion, I'd buy the JLab Midnight Headset for most people shopping this comparison. The battery life, the 50 mm drivers, the dual-ENC boom mic and the suspension headband add up to a headset that's built for the way people actually play — long sessions, voice chat, and no patience for cables. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X is the better answer only if you specifically want wired reliability and one headset that plugs into every platform you own. If your gaming life is a desk, a console and a squad on voice chat, the Midnight is the one I'd reach for. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both sit in the budget-friendly end of the market and the gap between them is worth a look.
what is gaming headset
A gaming headset is an over-ear headphone with a built-in microphone, designed so you can hear game audio and talk to teammates through one device. Both the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X and the JLab Midnight Headset fit that definition — over-ear cups, dynamic drivers and a boom or integrated mic for chat. The difference is the connection: one is wired over 3.5 mm, the other is wireless over a dongle or Bluetooth.
how to buy a gaming headset
Start with your platform and how you play. If you jump between Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, a wired 3.5 mm set like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X is the simplest way to cover everything. If you play long wireless sessions on PC or PlayStation and want to move around freely, the JLab Midnight Headset's USB-C dongle and 70+ hour battery are the stronger fit. Then weigh mic quality, comfort and driver size against your priorities.
how to test gaming headset
Once you have it set up, test three things: audio balance, mic clarity and long-session comfort. Run a game with directional sound to check the drivers, record a voice clip to hear how the mic handles your room, and wear it for an hour or two to see how the headband and earcups feel. The JLab's hear-yourself mic mode makes the voice check easy, while the SteelSeries' wired setup makes swapping between devices quick.
what is best gaming headset
There's no single best gaming headset — it comes down to your setup. In my opinion, the JLab Midnight Headset is the better all-rounder if you want wireless freedom, huge battery life and a noise-cancelling boom mic. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X is the better pick if you want a wired headset that works on every console and PC you own with zero setup. Match the connection type to your habits first, then compare the rest.
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