Two names that can make professional gamers happy are Arctis 3 and Cloud 2. They both are produced by reputed makers in SteelSeries and HyperX, respectively. There is some magic in both of these makes because if you look at gaming headset reviews, you will find their name on it.
They both are so popular. Having said that, in this review post, we will be comparing the features of the SteelSeries Arctis 3 vs HyperX Cloud 2 gaming headset. The Arctis 7 is one of the most popular wireless units priced under $150.
Similarly, the Arctis 5, priced under $100, is another exceptional product having a sublime USB unit. What is the purpose of the Arctis 3 in this product lineup? Can it hold up to the HyperX Cloud 2?
That is what we are here to find out.
Firstly, this is a new headset in the market before the pandemic in 2020. The Arctis 3 unit is priced close to $100 in the market and offers you intense analog options. It is a good unit providing you with a very high-quality sound.
The device is quite suitable for playing games and listening to music. We loved the noise cancellation feature and felt that it was almost on par with products priced at $300. Users will also like the wireless support in the headset.
The sound isolation is good, and it comes with minimum sound leakage. But we were not convinced with the usage when watching television and convenience. The HyperX Cloud 2, on the other hand, is exceptionally well-made and comes with sublime features.
The sound leakage is quite bad, and the voice chat and the recording made up for it. However, it performed well against the competition. If you are a fitness enthusiast, you may not want to consider it because it does not provide immense comfort and stability.
To find out more about the units, let us read on further.
 |  |
|---|---|
| STEELSERIES ARCTIS 3 | HYPERX CLOUD 2 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| The unit is extremely comfortable to wear for long hours of play. Its sound quality is outstanding. The microphone is straightforward and offers crisp audio. It has a battery working for 40 hours. It is affordably priced under $100. | It has comfortable memory foam for lengthy hours of play. The audio quality is sublime and clear. It has a negligible latency. Its battery working life is powerful. The design is robust and can last for years. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Few users have said that it is hard to customize. | It is not that different from the wired Cloud II headset. |
| SPECIFICATIONS | ARCTIS 3 | CLOUD 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Arctis 3 Bluetooth 2019 Edition Wireless Stereo Gaming Headset | Cloud II Wireless 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset |
| Brand | SteelSeries | HyperX |
| Sound Mode | Stereo | Surround 7.1 |
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wireless |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Radio Frequency (RF) |
| True Wireless | No | No |
| Built-In Microphone | Yes | |
| Headphone Fit | Over-the-Ear | Over-the-Ear |
| Adjustable Headband | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
DESIGN & COMFORT
The Arctis 3 comes with ample comfort when you wear it. That is what we felt when we wore it for the first time. You can find the controls on the left earcup. However, we were happy to note that it came with a retractable and flexible microphone.
There is nothing on the right side of the earcup, making it simple to use. But we felt that they could have had a volume wheel in there. The layout is classic, just like any gamer would want. As most of you may know, SteelSeries produce comfortable headsets.
We felt that it is on par with its cousins of Arctis 5 and the Arctis 7. The Arctis 3 is quite comfortable to wear for long hours. That is because it has a large headband and big earcups. There is no need for you to fiddle around with the rigid notches.
A notable feature in this unit is that the strap comes affixed with Velcro. It can effortlessly accommodate different shapes of the head. Our tester said that it is as if he had nothing on. The same can be said about the HyperX Cloud 2 as it is comfortable.
It is produced from aluminum material that gives it a sturdy and robust feeling. We also liked the headband that comes with it as it is incredibly flexible. The headset has massive earcups made from a thick memory foam cushion.
The cushions are covered in leatherette that is soft, but the unit is made from matte-textured plastic that is hard. We also noticed black metal panels present on the side. On the whole, the Cloud 2 is a robust and comfortable headset.
The material keeps things light, and the headband is providing you with the right amount of tension. When you need a unit that you want to wear all day for your online zoom calls or entertainment purposes, then this may be it.
BUILD QUALITY
Don’t let the sober and bland design on the Arctis 3 fool you for it being a mundane headset. You would be stunned to know that the materials used on it are top-notch. SteelSeries has always been known for manufacturing sturdy gaming headsets, and this model is no different.
When compared to the big cousin, the Arctis 7, the Arctis 3 is a decent headset. You will want to know that the Arctis 5 and the Arctis 7 are expensive than this unit. We could say that it is a tat better than the Cloud 2.
A notable feature about the Arctis 3 is that it comes with a layer of leatherette below the headband that offers a firm fit on your head. Our tester loved that feature on it. These small but essential design factors can go a long way in a $100 priced gaming headset.
The same can be said about the HyperX Cloud 2 gaming headset. It comes produced from a sturdy aluminum frame that can withstand those accidental drops. Sometimes gamers can get annoyed or frustrated with themselves and reach out for their headset to throw it.
If you belong to that category, then no worries because Cloud 2 has got you covered here. We felt that the Cloud 2 build quality was similar to that of the Alpha model. You do not need to worry about the unit snapping due to any overextension.
You will appreciate the stitched texture on the headband. It is to prevent it from coming off altogether. Though a small thing but offers the unit an elegant appearance. You may want to keep an eye on the shiny backplates as they can get scratched often.
Overall, we were highly impressed with the build quality of both the Arctis 3 and the Cloud 2. For the price range, they both are top-notch units and handle all the daily pressures of gaming life.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
A gaming unit cannot be termed worth if it cannot give you the sound quality you want. Luckily, the Arctis 3 does not disappoint you with its stunning audio quality. We can say that it is one best among in the price range in the market today.
We played several games using it like Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, and others on the PC and console. It was exceptional and did not have any specific genre. For smartphone games, it was able to produce knightly music.
We felt that the sound quality was quite balanced, and our tester could have an immersive experience. The games could be Final Fantasy Brave Exvius or Star Trek Online on your Play Station 4; there is no need to worry at all; it has you covered.
Thanks to the excellent software, you can make use of the options present there. Gamers can effortlessly customize the surround sound and equalization options. We were able to hear each game’s distinct sound effect.
On the other hand, the Cloud 2 is an excellent gaming headset offering you sublime audio performance. Its outputting audio was close to 3000 Hz. Though we saw a dip in the highs, there was nothing to worry about.
You can utilize the unit for listening to any kind of music. The frequency was neutral, but that does not mean you cannot expect some loud boom from it. We tested the headset listening to some songs using it, and the tune was fantastic.
The frequency response only means that you will not have any issues playing any game. Users can avoid the boosted bass. In this sense, your ears can pick up footsteps in games like Fortnite and other shooting games effortlessly.
On the whole, Cloud 2 provides you with decent isolation than most units in the market. However, it cannot be termed as the best in the segment. Both the units gave us something to cheer about.
MICROPHONE PERFORMANCE
The Arctis 3 microphone quality is already good from the start. It means that this is a retractable unit, and you can rest assured about the sound quality. A removable microphone doesn’t have to mean high-quality, but this one was top-notch.
It delivers clear audio and puts too much emphasis on S and P sounds. If you are a blogger or professional video editor, you might prefer a microphone with more juice. The Cloud 2, on the other hand, provides you with average audio quality.
The bass was good, and your voice can be heard distinctly. Our tester felt that it is not that steep as most units in the market. But if you have a deep voice, then you may sound a little quiet when you are talking into the microphone.
COMPATIBILITY
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 may be a cheaper variant among its product lineup, but as we saw, it highly impresses us with its comfort and other features. The same can be said about compatibility.
Though it does not come with a USB connection, it provides you with several software options. Many users often think that there are no software options because of the lack of USB connectivity.
All you need to do is register your gaming headset on their website. Then you will have to provide a link to your account registration. Using that, you can make use of the tweak equalization and surround sound.
You can do that with the help of the 3.5mm audio jack. The process can be slightly annoying for those who are not well-versed with gaming headsets. This was a major flaw in an otherwise flawless unit.
On the other hand, using the HyperX Cloud 2 was relatively straightforward. This was one of the major reasons we liked this gaming headset. It would help if you plugged it in and you are ready to go. You can connect on the platform that you want using the 2.4GHz USB wireless RF dongle.
It has no 3.5mm connection, and you have to make use of the unit on your PS4, laptop, and Nintendo Switch. The unit has a minimal suite of onboard controls, a volume dial, and a power button on the left side of the earcup.
To make use of other features, you will have to install the Ngenuity app. doing so, you can effortlessly adjust the microphone volume, power saver functions, sidetone, and then switch the virtual surround sound.
Overall, both units come with a perfect compatibility option. Though in this segment, we felt that Cloud 2 holds the edge over the Arctis 3 with its sublime compatibility options. The latter is not that bad, though.
PRICE
The price was a close call between them because both the models come uniquely designed and made. The Arctis 3 comes priced under $100, making it affordable. You can think of using it for gaming tournaments sublimely.
It can quickly provide you with the sound quality and microphone abilities that you will need. The Cloud 2 is priced under $80, making it cheaper than the Arctis 3. We do not see a major difference here as it is just $20.
However, if you are particular about the price, you might opt for Cloud 2. When you are keen on getting opulent audio and a sublime microphone, then you may want to choose the Arctis 3.
Pros and cons of SteelSeries Arctis 3 vs Hyperx Cloud 2.
VERDICT
The best way to describe the SteelSeries Arctis 3 would be that it is a sublime gaming headset, providing professional gamers with top-notch sound quality. Besides, the unit comes with a comfortable fitting.
As we read, it is a new headset having the excellent noise-canceling capability. Professional gamers would enjoy using this headset because it comes with features for an immersive experience.
However, we were not convinced that it would be suitable for sports enthusiasts as the stability and comfort are not there. Besides, it may not work best for gamers wanting a sound experience and pleasant noise quality.
The HyperX Cloud 2 provides you with exceptional noise-canceling ability. Its sound quality is also outstanding, with crisp sound. It comes with extraordinary features enabling a sublime gaming experience.
But we were not satisfied with the noise isolation and commute comfort. We also felt that sound leakage is one of the bad sides. If you are a fitness individual, then you may not find this unit suitable for your activities as they lack stability.
Both the SteelSeries Arctis 3 and the HyperX Cloud 2 come with some exceptional features as gaming headsets. We liked that you can use the Arctis 3 as a wireless unit, but their boom microphones are almost on par with each other.
The comfort and build quality were also good. SteelSeries always has provided a robust sound profile and tremendous battery working life of 40 hours. These slight differences made us choose the Arctis 3 as the winner between SteelSeries Arctis 3 vs HyperX Cloud 2.
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.