SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is my pick among steelseries headphones wireless for gaming and fishing-adjacent listening, thanks to simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P is a better fit if you prefer a wired connection and a retractable noise-cancelling microphone.
steelseries headphones wireless at a Glance
• BRAINWAVZ Perforated Thick Memory — best for refreshing compatible oval-cup headphones; pick this if you want thick memory-foam replacement pads with perforated covering.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P — best for wired, multi-platform gaming; pick this if you want a 3.5 mm connection, adjustable fit, and a mic that can tuck away.
• BRAINWAVZ Round Memory Foam — best for replacing worn round-cup pads; pick this if your headphone model is listed as compatible and you want perforated memory foam.
• BRAINWAVZ Round Memory Foam — best for the same compatible round-cup fit in red; pick this if you want the listed pad design in a different color.
• Amazon Renewed SteelSeries Arctis Nova — best for wireless gaming with a second audio source; pick this if you want 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connections at the same time.
• The product mix matters here: only the Arctis Nova 7 entry is a wireless headset. The Arctis 5 and Nova 1P are wired headsets, while the three BRAINWAVZ products are replacement ear pads, not headphones. I’m including them because shoppers comparing SteelSeries headsets may also be looking to restore the comfort of a compatible pair they already own.
• Fishing changes the decision, too. A closed over-ear gaming headset is not automatically a safe or practical choice near water, and none of these products is described as waterproof or open-ear. If you need to hear nearby activity, I would not assume a headset’s microphone or sound features make it suitable for that job. For fishing, choose based on whether you need wireless convenience, a wired backup, or simply replacement pads—and stay aware of your surroundings.
The Arctis 5 is a wired gaming headset for PC and PlayStation. Its USB connection, DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound, and Prism RGB lighting point to a desk or console setup rather than a lightweight fishing companion. The headset also has a 3-meter cable, which gives some room to move around a gaming station, but it is still tethered.
Its most distinctive control is the USB ChatMix dial. It lets you adjust the balance between game sound and chat without treating the two as a single volume stream. That is useful if you play with friends and want to bring their voices forward while keeping game audio audible. The ClearCast microphone is designed for voice communication and background-noise reduction, while the S1 drivers are described as low-distortion. Those are gaming-focused benefits; they don’t turn this into a wireless listening option.
The ski-goggle-style suspension headband is intended to spread weight across the head, and the earcups have customizable RGB illumination. The trade-off is straightforward: this is a wired headset with a USB-oriented feature set, so it is less convenient when you want to move freely outdoors. For fishing, I’d treat it as an at-home headset, not a purpose-built outdoor audio choice.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-12 · 10 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip this: Skip it if wireless listening or an open-ear design is essential.
These are replacement earpads, not a SteelSeries headset. They are described as fitting many oval-cup headphones, including SteelSeries Arctis models, and use memory foam beneath perforated PU leather. The thick padding may appeal if your original cushions are worn or you want a different feel, but fit depends on the particular headset and its pad-mounting arrangement.
The perforations are intended to let more air pass through the covering than an unperforated surface. In everyday use, that design could be relevant during long listening sessions, especially for someone who finds solid faux leather warm. The memory foam is intended to add cushioning, while a broad rear mounting flap supports installation on a range of pad systems. The listing also names several compatible headphone families, but it does not establish that every headset with an oval cup will fit.
For a SteelSeries owner, the practical question is whether the exact Arctis model matches the pad shape and attachment. These cushions do not add wireless capability, a microphone, or audio controls. They only change the contact surface on a compatible existing headset. That makes them a maintenance or comfort purchase, not an alternative to buying a wireless headset.
Who should skip this: Skip these if you need a complete headset or cannot confirm your headphone’s pad compatibility.
The Arctis Nova 1P is a wired over-ear gaming headset with a 3.5 mm jack. Its listed compatibility spans PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Switch, and mobile devices, making it a flexible choice if you move between platforms and are comfortable connecting by cable. It is not a wireless model, despite being relevant to shoppers searching for SteelSeries headsets.
The headset combines high-fidelity drivers with 360-degree spatial audio and support for Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound. It also offers a 10-band parametric equalizer through software, giving users a way to customize sound rather than relying only on a fixed profile. Those tools are aimed at games where directional cues matter. They do not make the headset a fishing-specific product or provide the awareness of an open-ear design.
Comfort features include rotatable, height-adjustable earcups, an expandable band, and AirWeave memory-foam pads. The ClearCast Gen 2 microphone can be hidden in the earcup when it is not needed, and the headset has on-device volume and mute controls. Its central compromise is the cable: it keeps the connection simple and works across platforms, but limits movement compared with a wireless headset.
Who should skip this: Skip it if you need Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless listening.
This black version is a replacement pad set for compatible round-cup headphones. The product information specifically lists SteelSeries Arctis models among supported families, along with a range of other headphones. Because the fit depends on cup shape and mounting, I would still check the exact headset model rather than assume that “round” alone guarantees compatibility.
The pads use memory foam and perforated PU leather. The maker describes the perforations as an airflow feature and the foam as cushioning for longer wear. A larger mounting flap is intended to work with different pad systems. That design makes these a possible refresh for worn cushions, but replacement pads cannot restore a broken headband, change the headset’s connection type, or improve wireless functions.
For a fishing setup, these pads only matter if you already own a compatible headset and want to replace its ear cushions. They do not make over-ear headphones open-ear, waterproof, or more suitable for wet conditions. Their main advantage over buying a new headset is that they address one specific part: the padding that touches your ears.
Who should skip this: Skip these if your headset uses oval pads or the model is not confirmed as compatible.
This red version has the same basic role as the black round-pad option: it is a replacement cushion set for compatible large headphones, including listed SteelSeries Arctis models. It is not a separate headset, and the red finish does not change the intended fit or function. The key decision is still whether your existing headphone’s cups and mounting system match.
The perforated covering and memory-foam interior are intended to combine cushioning with more airflow than a solid surface. That may be worth considering if your current pads are worn or you want a different look. The rear mounting flap is designed to suit multiple attachment styles, but compatibility claims should not be read as universal fit. Check the specific model before choosing replacement cushions.
This option makes sense when color matters to your setup and the fit is confirmed. It does not offer the wireless convenience, mic, or audio features people usually mean when they search for steelseries headphones wireless. For fishing, it is only an accessory for a compatible headset you already own; it does not change how that headset behaves around water or in outdoor conditions.
Who should skip this: Skip these if you want a complete pair of headphones rather than replacement pads.
This listing is for a renewed SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 wireless gaming headset. It stands out from the wired picks because it supports simultaneous 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth. In practical terms, the listed dual-audio feature allows game audio over 2.4 GHz while another source, such as a call or music on Bluetooth, plays at the same time. That is my main reason for choosing it for this guide.
A USB-C dongle provides the 2.4 GHz connection, which the product describes as low-lag wireless for gaming. The listed platform support includes PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Switch. Its stated battery life is 38 hours, and a 15-minute USB-C charge is described as adding six hours of play time. Those are useful specifications for someone who wants fewer charging interruptions, though actual use will depend on how the headset is used.
The design includes AirWeave ear cushions, a ski-goggle-style suspension headband, and earcups that can swivel up to 90 degrees. The description also notes a 10-band parametric EQ through Sonar Software and 360-degree spatial audio. The trade-offs are that this is a gaming headset rather than an open-ear fishing model, and the renewed listing is not the same thing as a new retail configuration. I would not assume it is suitable for exposure to water, since no water-resistance feature is provided.
Who should skip this: Skip it if you need an open-ear or water-resistant headset for fishing.
I compared the listed connectivity, audio features, fit details, platform support, and intended role of each product. The ranking is my independent editorial opinion, based on which option offers the most useful combination for wireless gaming; no brand paid for placement.
I also separated headsets from replacement pads so the guide does not imply that earpads are complete headphones. For fishing, I gave extra weight to being clear about limitations: none of these listings describes an open-ear, waterproof fishing headset.
Buying Considerations
Start by checking whether you need a complete headset or replacement cushions. The Arctis Nova 7 is the only wireless headset in this group. The Arctis 5 and Nova 1P are wired, and the BRAINWAVZ products are earpads. A replacement pad set will not solve a need for Bluetooth, a microphone, or a new audio connection.
If you choose an over-ear headset for listening away from a console, account for its cable or wireless method. The Nova 7 uses a USB-C dongle for 2.4 GHz and can pair Bluetooth audio at the same time. The wired models need their listed cable connections. In every case, keep the headset and its electronics protected from water; the provided product details do not specify water resistance.
The Amazon Renewed SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is the wireless headset in this selection. It supports 2.4 GHz through a USB-C dongle and Bluetooth at the same time. The Arctis 5 and Arctis Nova 1P are wired.
No. The listings describe gaming headsets and replacement ear pads, not fishing headphones. None is specified as open-ear or water-resistant, so do not assume it will preserve awareness or withstand water exposure.
The round-pad listings include SteelSeries Arctis models, and the perforated thick pads are described for several oval-cup headphones, including Arctis. Compatibility still depends on your exact headset and its mounting system; confirm the model before ordering.
Its ClearCast Gen 2 microphone is described as noise-cancelling for clearer voice communication. That is not the same as active noise cancellation for what you hear, and the headset is wired through a 3.5 mm jack.
My recommendation is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 if you want a wireless gaming headset with simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio. For fishing specifically, I would not treat any pick here as a purpose-built solution: none is listed as open-ear or water-resistant, so prioritize awareness and protection from water.
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