Both the Arctis Nova 3PW and Arctis Nova 3XW headsets are part of the same powerful Nova family — offering signature SteelSeries comfort, immersive sound, and multi-platform support. But there’s one key difference you should know about:
🟦 Nova 3PW
Designed for PlayStation, PC, Switch, Mac, and mobile via USB-C.
Comes with a standard wireless dongle (USB-C or USB-A via adapter).
Not compatible with Xbox consoles - if you're an Xbox or multiple console owner, you may want to check the X version!
🟩 Nova 3XW
Includes all the same features as the PW version plus Xbox compatibility.
Comes with a special multi-platform dongle that has a physical USB/Console toggle switch.
Can be used on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch, Mac, and mobile.
🎮 Which One Should You Choose?
If you game on Xbox, go with the Nova 3XW — it’s your all-in-one gaming solution.
If you don't need Xbox support, the Nova 3PW covers everything else.
💡 Reminder: The dongle is version-specific, so make sure you choose the right model based on your main platform. The color of the headset (Aqua, Lavender, etc.) doesn’t affect compatibility — only the model version matters.