How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-01 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — biggest strength: dual 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless, a multi-platform USB-C dongle, and a mobile app with 200+ game presets for pinpointing footsteps and other cues.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — biggest trade-off: it's a closed, over-ear design at roughly 260g with no active noise control, so you're isolated from your room and it costs more desk space than an open-ear set.
• Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back — biggest strength: a genuinely open-back, hollow-ear-cup build at about 6.4 ounces with 360° airflow, so you hear your surroundings and stay sweat-free over long sessions.
• Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back — biggest trade-off: its wireless tech is Bluetooth only (no low-latency dongle), with a claimed range of about 20 meters, and the RGB lighting cuts battery life dramatically when enabled.
• Who each is for: pick the Arctis Nova 3P if competitive audio cues and cross-platform switching matter most; pick the Xmenha if comfort, awareness, and a removable mic for calls matter most.
The Arctis Nova 3P is a multi-platform gaming headset first. Its headline feature is the combination of 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.3 in one unit, paired with a USB-C dongle that lets you swap between PC, PlayStation, Switch, handhelds, phones, and tablets. That quick-switch behavior is the whole pitch: low-latency 2.4GHz for gaming, then flip to Bluetooth for music, with the headset applying a different preset for each mode.
The audio side is built around custom neodymium magnetic drivers with a frequency response up to 22,000 Hz and 36 ohm impedance. SteelSeries frames these as delivering clear highs, precise mids, and deep bass. In my opinion, the more useful feature for most players is the Arctis Companion mobile app with 200+ game presets — you can sharpen specific sounds like footsteps, reloads, and heals in real time without digging through system audio menus. That's a genuinely practical edge in shooters.
Battery is another strong point: up to 40 hours on a full charge, and 15 minutes of fast charging gets you roughly 9 hours of playback. At 260g with a stretchy headband and multiple adjustment points, plus a dual-hinge design for durability, it's aimed at long sessions without pressure headaches. It ships in a Lavender colorway and includes a 1-year warranty.
Buy it if you want one headset that handles PC, console, and mobile gaming with low latency, and you'll actually use the app presets. Skip it if you need to stay aware of your surroundings while playing, or you specifically want an open, airy fit — this is a closed over-ear design with no noise control.
The Xmenha is the opposite philosophy. It's an open-ear, open-back headset with hollow ear cups designed to let sound in from the world around you. If you game in a shared space, take care of kids, or just hate the feeling of being sealed off, that's the entire reason to buy it. The 360° airflow design is claimed to be about 50% more breathable than standard headsets, and at roughly 6.4 ounces it's built for marathon sessions without sweat buildup.
It's also more of a hybrid work-and-play tool than the Arctis. The high-sensitivity detachable boom mic is meant to handle both gaming chat and video meetings, with background-noise filtering for clearer voice pickup. When you're done talking, you unplug it and it looks like a normal pair of open-ear headphones. For anyone who bounces between Discord and Zoom on the same machine, that's a real convenience.
Wireless is Bluetooth only, with a stated range of about 20 meters, plus a 3.5mm wired jack as a fallback — useful if you want zero-latency audio or your Bluetooth is acting up. Battery is rated up to 50 hours with the RGB lighting off, dropping to around 12 hours with effects on, and a 10-minute charge time is listed. The RGB is customizable if you want the gamer look. It's a Beige plastic build.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for competitive gaming audio → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. The 200+ game presets and 2.4GHz dongle are built for hearing footsteps and reloads.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back. The hollow, open-back ear cups are designed to let real-world sound in.
• Best for PC + console + mobile switching → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. The USB-C dongle covers PC, PlayStation, Switch, handhelds, phones, and tablets.
• Best for long-session comfort and airflow → Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back. Open-back design, light weight, and 360° airflow reduce heat and pressure.
• Best for calls and meetings → Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back. The detachable boom mic is meant for both game chat and video calls.
• Best for battery life → Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back on paper, at up to 50 hours with the lights off, though the Arctis Nova 3P's 40 hours plus fast charging is close behind.
• Best for fast top-ups → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. A 15-minute charge is rated for up to 9 hours of playback.
• Best for wired fallback → Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back, thanks to its 3.5mm jack.
In my opinion, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P is the better buy for most people shopping "bluetooth headphones for pc" who also game seriously. The dual 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 setup, the USB-C dongle, the app presets, and the fast charging add up to a more versatile, lower-latency experience across PC and consoles. I'd steer toward the Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back instead only if awareness, breathability, and a removable mic for work calls are your top priorities — it's the more comfortable, more social option, but its Bluetooth-only wireless is a real limitation for competitive play. Check the current price on Amazon for both and let your setup decide.
how to connect bluetooth headphones for pc
Put your headphones into pairing mode, then open your PC's Bluetooth settings and add a new device. For the Xmenha Open Ear Open-Back, its Bluetooth range is listed at about 20 meters, so you have room to move. The Arctis Nova 3P also supports Bluetooth 5.3 if you'd rather skip the dongle.
how to use bluetooth headphones for pc
Once paired, select the headset as your output device in your system sound settings. Keep in mind that Bluetooth adds latency, so for timing-sensitive games the Arctis Nova 3P's 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is the better route — Bluetooth works best for music and chat.
how to bluetooth headphones to pc
Turn the headphones on, enable Bluetooth on your PC, and select the device when it appears. If your PC lacks Bluetooth, use a USB Bluetooth adapter, or fall back to the Xmenha's 3.5mm wired jack. The Arctis Nova 3P can also connect via its dongle instead.
how to pair bluetooth headphones pc
Hold the pairing button until the indicator flashes, then confirm the connection in your PC's Bluetooth menu. The Arctis Nova 3P has dedicated pairing, power, volume, and mute controls, which makes switching between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simple. Re-pair only if you change machines.
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See also: QXUFV Open Ear Headphones vs AOSRAU Earbuds, Toeasor Replacement HyperX Cloud vs SOOMFON Airplane, Fostex TH-610 vs Bose QuietComfort, commalta Active Noise Cancelling vs rooftree Open-Ear Earbus