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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — biggest strength: True dual wireless with both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.3, plus a 260g chassis and a 40-hour battery with fast charging that adds up to 9 hours from a 15-minute top-up.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — biggest trade-off: No 7.1 surround processing, no RGB, and a lighter 40-hour battery than the AOC on paper.
• AOC 2.4GHz — biggest strength: 60-hour battery (45 hours with RGB on), 50mm drivers, switchable 7.1 surround sound, and a retractable ENC noise-canceling mic.
• AOC 2.4GHz — biggest trade-off: The data sheet lists a single "Wireless" connectivity type with no separate Bluetooth standard called out, so the 2.4GHz dongle is the core connection and Bluetooth is secondary at best.
• Who each pick is for: The Arctis Nova 3P suits someone who wants one headset that jumps between PC gaming and Bluetooth listening; the AOC suits someone who wants maximum battery and surround sound for gaming-first use.
The Arctis Nova 3P is the more versatile of the two, and that versatility is the whole point. Its connectivity technology is listed as both Bluetooth and RF, and the Bluetooth version is 5.3 — which means you get a proper low-latency 2.4GHz link through the USB-C dongle for gaming, then a quick switch to Bluetooth for music, podcasts or calls. For anyone who has ever tried to make bluetooth headphones for pc work as a single do-everything solution, that dual-radio design is exactly the missing piece. A PC sees the headset over Bluetooth like any other wireless audio device, and the 2.4GHz dongle handles the moments when lag actually matters.
The spec sheet also shows a clear focus on comfort and stamina. At 260 grams with a stretchy headband, multiple adjustment points and a dual-hinge design, it's built to sit on your head for long sessions without turning into a clamp. The 40-hour battery pairs with fast charging — 15 minutes gets you up to 9 hours of playback — which is the kind of number that matters when you forgot to charge before a session.
What it does not list is 7.1 surround, RGB lighting, or a retractable boom mic with ENC. It has active noise cancellation and on-board controls for mute, pairing, power and volume, plus a companion app with 200+ game presets you can tune for footsteps and reloads in specific titles. Neodymium magnetic drivers with a 36-ohm impedance and a 22,000 Hz frequency response round out an audio package aimed at detail rather than rumble.
Who should buy it: PC and multi-platform players who want one headset for gaming and everyday Bluetooth listening, and who value a light, adjustable fit. Who should skip it: anyone who specifically wants 7.1 surround sound, RGB flair, or the longest possible battery between charges.
The AOC 2.4GHz is unapologetically a gaming headset. Its headline feature is next-generation 50mm drivers with 7.1 surround sound you activate with a three-second press, aimed at positional accuracy — hearing footsteps and gunshots in the right place. That's a different tuning philosophy from the Arctis Nova 3P's neodymium drivers, and if surround processing is a feature you actively want, the AOC is the only one of these two that lists it.
Battery is the other big story. AOC quotes up to 60 hours with RGB off and up to 45 hours in 2.4GHz mode with RGB on. That's a genuinely long runway, and the RGB lighting is part of the appeal rather than an afterthought. If the battery does run down, the data sheet notes you can plug in a 3.5mm audio cable and keep playing while it charges — a handy fallback.
The mic is a retractable ENC noise-canceling design with 360° omnidirectional pickup and one-touch mute, which suits team play where you want your voice clear over background noise. At 270 grams with memory foam cushions wrapped in breathable fabric, rotating ear cups, and passive noise cancellation, it's tuned for long wear — the sheet calls it out as a PS5 headset built for extended sessions.
The trade-off is flexibility. Connectivity is listed simply as "Wireless," with no Bluetooth version named, so the 2.4GHz link is the primary path and Bluetooth is the secondary mention in the title. If your goal is a headset that doubles as a general-purpose Bluetooth audio device for a PC, the Arctis Nova 3P has the clearer, more explicitly documented path.
Who should buy it: PC and PlayStation players who want surround sound, RGB, a strong mic and the longest battery, and who mostly game rather than listen. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a headset to serve as their everyday Bluetooth headphones for a PC first and a gaming headset second.
• Best for Bluetooth on PC → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. Bluetooth 5.3 is explicitly listed alongside 2.4GHz, so it's the cleaner choice for everyday wireless audio from a computer.
• Best for battery life → AOC 2.4GHz. Up to 60 hours, versus 40 hours on the SteelSeries.
• Best for charging speed → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. 15 minutes of charging equals up to 9 hours of playback.
• Best for surround sound → AOC 2.4GHz. Switchable 7.1 surround with 50mm drivers is a listed feature; the SteelSeries sheet doesn't mention surround.
• Best for mic flexibility → AOC 2.4GHz. A retractable ENC noise-canceling boom mic with 360° pickup and one-touch mute.
• Best for lightweight comfort → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. 260 grams with a stretchy headband, multiple adjustment points and a dual-hinge design.
• Best for game-specific audio tuning → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. A companion app with 200+ presets lets you sharpen footsteps and reloads per title.
• Best for cable fallback → AOC 2.4GHz. It lists a 3.5mm cable for charging and playing at the same time.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P. In my opinion, the dual 2.4GHz-plus-Bluetooth 5.3 design is the single most useful thing here, because it turns the headset into a real everyday audio device for a PC instead of a gaming-only accessory. The 260g build, fast charging and app presets are all meaningful bonuses on top. I'd only steer you to the AOC 2.4GHz if surround sound, RGB, a retractable ENC mic and a 60-hour battery matter more to you than Bluetooth flexibility — and for a dedicated gaming setup, that's a completely reasonable trade. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing specs can't tell you.
how to connect bluetooth headphones for pc
Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode, then open your PC's Bluetooth settings and add a new device. On Windows, that's Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth, then select the headset when it appears. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P lists Bluetooth 5.3, so it fits this workflow directly; the AOC 2.4GHz is primarily designed around its 2.4GHz dongle instead.
how to use bluetooth headphones for pc
Once paired, set the headset as your output device in Windows sound settings, and as the input device if it has a mic. Keep in mind that standard Bluetooth audio can carry more latency than a 2.4GHz dongle, which is why the Arctis Nova 3P offers both — Bluetooth for music and calls, 2.4GHz for gaming. The AOC's spec sheet doesn't name a Bluetooth version, so its 2.4GHz connection is the safer bet for low-latency play.
how to bluetooth headphones to pc
Turn the headset on and hold its pairing control until the indicator starts flashing, then let your PC discover it. The Arctis Nova 3P has dedicated pairing controls listed alongside mute, power and volume, which makes this straightforward. If your PC lacks Bluetooth entirely, a USB Bluetooth adapter solves it — or you use the 2.4GHz dongle that both headsets rely on.
how to pair bluetooth headphones pc
The steps are the same whether it's a desktop or laptop: enable Bluetooth on the PC, start pairing on the headset, and confirm the connection. If the device doesn't show up, remove any old paired entries and try again. For gaming specifically, remember the 2.4GHz mode on both headsets avoids Bluetooth's latency, so pair over Bluetooth for casual listening and switch to the dongle for competitive play.
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