When you search for decent gaming headphones, you are in luck today. Because we are going to review two fantastic models from a reputed maker. SteelSeries is a popular manufacturer in the world.
Their products are popular in the market. They produce a wide range of products like headphones, keyboards, mice, and so on. Most of their products are sturdy and durable. This aspect of it is perhaps one of the main reasons why users are loyal to the brand.
Today, we are talking about the SteelSeries – Arctis 1 Wired Stereo Gaming Headset vs the SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth – Wired Gaming Headset. These two models are affordably priced at under $100 and come embedded with distinctive features in them.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones are the wired model of SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless headphones. The latter model is priced under $100. It is a decent gaming model that comes with an excellently performing boom microphone.
Unlike most of the SteelSeries models that are usually robust and durable. But many users are not convinced about the durability of the unit. Please do remember that this model is priced under $50, and it is quite affordable.
Besides, it does not support the SteelSeries Engine for customization options. However, they are lightweight due to the 1/8″ TRRS connector, as they come with good microphone support. These are ideal for those wanting straightforward and versatile headphones.
You will be glad to know that it comes with top-notch speaker drivers found in the award-winning Arctis 7. The unit also comes with a sleek, low-profile design and detachable microphone. Likewise, the SteelSeries Arctis 3 wireless headphones are an attractive option.
They come with Bluetooth technology in them. Now, you can live stream music from your smartphone when using the model on the gaming console. It also comes embedded with a fantastic mic that is clear and very audible for users.
It is similar in design and features to the SteelSeries Arctis 5 wireless headphones. They do not isolate against ambient noise and feel somewhat plastic in shape. However, they are compatible and work with most gaming platforms.
It also comes with sublime 42-hour battery life. They are suitable for commuting, and if users want to take them outside on a regular basis, they can do so. However, they are bulky to carry around.
You may not want to use them for sports as they can fall off with excessive head movement. The model can be worked wirelessly, and you do not have to be concerned about using them with a cable getting hooked.
Let us read and find out more about these headphones. We have given the winner at the end.
Also read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT vs SteelSeries Arctis Pro
 |  |
|---|---|
| SteelSeries Arctis 1 | SteelSeries Arctis 3 |
| PROS | PROS |
| The model is elegant in design and comfortable to wear for long hours. The unit comes with fold-flat ear cups for easy portability. The headphone is infused with a Y-splitter. It comes with an exceptional microphone performance. It is cheap and affordable for a wide range of users. | The unit has a good design and sturdy build quality. It comes infused with fabric airwave ear cushions. The model offers you with a stunning audio reproduction. The headphone Bluetooth connects wirelessly to the switch chat mobile app. It has an outstanding microphone for online games. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The headphone’s bass and treble delivery vary depending on long hair and glasses. | The headphones lack customization options via software support. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Design & Comfort
The maker is known for its design & comfort features. The same can be said about both these models. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones sells for $100, but the non-wireless unit is sold for under $50.
It comes with an elegant design and comfort factor. You can use the 3.5mm audio cable to connect to several devices effortlessly. Though we did not use the wireless unit, it comes with amazing features like the usage of the wireless transmitter.
Sadly, the headphone works only when you are able to plug into the transmitter. Because it does not have the Bluetooth 4.1 present in the SteelSeries Arctis 3 unit, you cannot pair it with the smartphone through Bluetooth.
The unit is similar in appearance to the models of Arctis. Keeping in mind that they are priced under $50, they come with a slightly cheap appearance. Its headband is nicely designed and is straightforward without the styled joints and yolks.
You can notice that the padding present on the earcups is produced from a mesh-like fabric like in the Arctis series. Besides, the boom microphone can be detached, providing the headphones with a more casual look.
The fitting on the headphone is fantastic because the headband distributes weight effectively. The SteelSeries Arctis 3 headphones come with opulent design & comfort, enabling you to wear them for prolonged sessions.
The soft and matte material is quite elegant to look at. You can find a mute button, volume control, and USB when you see the model. It comes with the proprietary plug and the 3.5mm plug. You can also notice some accessories present on the model inside the box.
It is quite elegant in appearance and amazing to see. You can use them outside if you want. The looks are almost on par with the SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition. It has a one-piece headband produced from plastic with a self-adjusting ski-band headband design.
Unfortunately, the model does not come with any RGB lighting, which should not be an issue. Just that, you may not get the aggressive looks for a gaming headset. We do not see why this should be a problem.
They are quite comfortable, and the earcups are soft. It also feels nice on the skin to wear for a lengthy period of time. Users with large heads may feel slightly tight wearing them. Additionally, the frame of the headband has a limit to how much you can extend the ski band.
Also read: Epos GSP 670 vs SteelSeries Arctis Pro
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Build Quality
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones have a decent build quality like most Arctis series. The entry-level gaming model is produced from a slim layer of plastic. You may not feel too comfortable wearing them as they are not robust in nature.
Please do note that the headband padding is not stitched, and they may come out sooner. However, the hinges felt somewhat sturdy, but they can get damaged if you place too much pressure on them.
You can find a piece of fabric cloth on the headband produced from the air weave fabric. This feature is not commonly found on most headphones in the same price range. Inside the earcups, you can find some material covering the driver.
It is slightly heavy but should not be an issue when you want to wear it for long hours. You may sweat a little bit on your head, and it is awesome for gaming, listening to music, and even chatting with friends.
The headphone has a nice finish and feels durable. The model can stand up to a lot. However, they are not stable on your head if you are exercising. Even slight movements of the head can cause it to fall.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 wireless headphones have a nice feel and build quality. But you are not convinced about the robust quality of the price range. They feel somewhat cheap-looking than the rest of the lineup.
The model’s frame is produced from plastic, and you do not feel the same enthusiasm as found on other SteelSeries models, including SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC and SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
It can survive a few falls without having a lot of damage to the model. The microphone comes retractable and feels elegantly designed. They come slightly bulky and feel quite stable for wearing for extended hours.
However, you do not want to have them for most intense sports and physical activities. The headphones may sway around with the slightest movement of the head. Since they are wired, you may want to make sure that it does not get tangled with items lying on your table.
Also read: SteelSeries Arctis 7P vs SteelSeries Arctis 9
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Audio Performance
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones have a good audio performance. It cannot be termed fantastic or on par with top-end models from Bose and Apple. This model is a $50 headphone. But using the model, you can connect to SteelSeries engine 3 on your PC.
You can adjust the model’s dynamic range, compression, mic side-tone, EQ, and mic volume. The settings are stored on your headphones, and even if you change devices, they can be used. They can be used passively on a wired connection.
That means you cannot use the preset configuration for dynamic range compression and EQ. When you want to use Xbox One, you may have to use the SteelSeries Arctis 1 wired headphone.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 wireless headphones have an amazing audio quality. It comes with a clear and opulent music performance. However, our tester felt that they are not suitable for multi-player games.
You can EQ them for use on your PC. The model sounds nice, but it comes with a little bit of a bass bump. It needs to be powered by the Dual-shock 4. With that, you can hear everything when gaming.
Its audio consistently is not delivered to most users. They may not be able to hear everything properly. The bass is lacking in the low-end thumps and rumble. Besides, they sound cluttered. They are ideal for office use because they can be worn for several hours without fatigue.
Also read: HyperX Cloud Flight vs Steelseries Arctis 7
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Microphone Performance
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones come with good microphone quality. You can make some calls on them. The boom microphone does a phenomenal job of ensuring that your voice is audible, despite the surrounding environment.
If you are using it in a noisy environment, also there should be no issues with it. But you can find that the ambient noise is not cut down at times. Though the person at the other end can hear you loud & clear, you may have issues hearing them in noisy scenarios.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 wireless headphones come with a retractable microphone. You can move it around, retract it, and even bend the mic if you want. There is a mute switch, and the microphone becomes mute when pressed.
This is a small but nice feature to have on your headphone. Having a microphone that does not distract you when gaming or communicating with others is beneficial. It sounds fantastic and can be used for multi-player games and professional work.
Also read: SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Turtle Beach Stealth 600
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Compatibility
The non-wireless SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones come with a 3.5mm cable. You can connect on any device you want, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. When you want to play games, you can use the USB to connect to your Xbox One.
It charges through the micro-USB port, meaning that you can get the USB C wireless transmitter by directly plugging on your PC. You can connect to the Nintendo Switch and other devices using the USB A to USB C adapter.
You can connect to your PS4 when even if your laptop or PC does not have a USB C port. The SteelSeries Arctis 3 wireless headphones come with a magnificent battery life of 40 hours. These models do not switch off when not used, so you must turn them off manually.
Unfortunately, the unit is not compatible with the SteelSeries Engine gaming software. They are compatible with Bluetooth on your smartphone to use on a gaming console. You can keep your model wired on the controller.
With the 1/8″ TRRS connection, the model can basically support the microphone and audio on most platforms, coming with the right jack. If you want to use them on your PC, you have to utilize PC Y-splitter to work on the microphone and jack.
The unit does not come with a dock. So, if you search for a headphone that comes with a dock, you may want to look at the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless.
Also Read: SteelSeries Arctis 3 vs Hyperx Cloud 2
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Price
The SteelSeries – Arctis 1 Wired Stereo Gaming Headset is priced under $50. The unit is affordable, and users of all categories can get one for themselves if they want. This flexibility in features is commendable.
It comes with a ClearCast microphone that is detachable and has a noise-canceling microphone. The sound is natural and Discord certified. The headband can be adjusted as you want because it is steel-reinforced.
That means it is durable and can last for years. The headset is ideal for wearing for gaming, as it comes with a sleek, detachable microphone, fold-flat earcups, and a low-profile design. The SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth – Wired Gaming Headset is priced under $101.
Now, there is a price difference of almost twice the amount. However, this model has spectacular features like elegant design, amazing sound quality, and decent microphone ability. You can communicate with others through VoIP chat and stream music wirelessly.
The design of the model is truly admirable and fantastic. It is comfortable comes infused with remarkable sound and style for gaming on all platforms. You can play with it on your PlayStation, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, tablet, and smartphone.
Its Bluetooth connectivity is worth mentioning here because it does a fabulous job of connecting wirelessly to the switch chat mobile app. A wired connection is able to deliver to you gaming audio, as it comes with a microphone impedance of 2200 ohm.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3: Verdict
We have concluded the comparison review between the SteelSeries – Arctis 1 Wired Stereo Gaming Headset vs the SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth – Wired Gaming Headset. We hope that you liked what you read and were able to make up your mind.
If you haven’t, we suggest that you read the post again. You will find something helpful. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 headphones are exceptional for gaming, browsing, listening to music, and chatting with friends.
Its audio quality is average, but you can hear the thump and boom provided on them. The mid-range is also fantastic, well-balanced, and neutral. However, the treble is underemphasized, producing dark vocals on the lead instruments.
Due to the closed-back design, they have a somewhat unnatural and closed-off soundstage. We found them not suitable for office use. Though they are comfortable, the noise reduction is not much.
You cannot make use of the controls as they do not have them on the model. That is a minor issue for them. You can use them for gaming because the microphone does a phenomenal job of capturing the voice.
Similarly, the SteelSeries Arctis 3 headphones are a fantastic choice for listening to music and gaming. The bass is good, the mid-range is nicely balanced, and the treble range is truly spectacular.
They do not block the ambient noise, and you can get disturbed. Its microphone has an outstanding recording quality. You can also stream music from your smartphone through their Bluetooth connection.
Our winner in this comparison review between the SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis 3 headphones is the Arctis 3 model. They are elegant in design, come with amazing sound, and microphone capabilities are awesome.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.