SteelSeries Wireless Headset
SteelSeries Wireless Headset USA 2023 | Learn More | Check Price
- Optimal PS5 compatibility requires changing settings on Sony PS5
- Disable Sony 3D Audio and then increase default volume to 100%
- Take the same gaming-grade wireless on the go using the compact
- Portable USB-C dongle on Nintendo Switch & Lite, Android phones
- And with Detachable ClearCast noise canceling microphone
- Natural sounding clarity & Same high-performance speaker drivers
- Discord-certified, Multi-award winning Arctis 7, PS5, PS4, PC
- Steel-reinforced headband for perfect fit & lasting durability
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset for Playstation – USB-C Wireless – Detachable Clear Cast Microphone – for PS5, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android – Black
I have a pet theory that you can detect a lot of audio confusion in the tech world by removing the Apple headphone jack in the iPhone 7. Previously where we had a universal standard, now there are 3.5-mm headphones, Bluetooth headphones, wired USB headphones, wireless USB headphones – the list goes on. It reached a point where a gamer might need three different headsets in their backpack to fully take advantage of their system’s sound quality, plus two more at home.
But with the increasing proliferation of the USB-C normal, there is also a panacea on the horizon. Enter the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless ($ 100) gaming headset, which makes the system quick and relatively painless. Thanks to a widely compatible USB-C adapter and some handy extra wiring, you can use Arctis 1 Wireless with your PC, PS4, and mobile phone – and, in particular, the Nintendo Switch. All of this is without the cumbersome pairing processes and long-time loads of competition for the Bluetooth dongle.
Controlling the volume in five different systems can provide a bit of a win, a budget feels for sound quality and the design is not nearly as comfortable as the high-end Arctis models. But once it involves compatibility, portability, and price, you just cannot beat the Arctis 1 Wireless.
Summary
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 20 Hours |
|---|
Technical Details
| Brand | SteelSeries |
|---|---|
| Series | SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset |
| Item model number | 61519 |
| Hardware Platform | Gaming Console |
| Operating System | PlayStation 4 |
| Item Weight | 9 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 7.53 x 7.32 x 3.43 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7.53 x 7.32 x 3.43 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium ion battery required. (included) |
| Manufacturer | SteelSeries |
| ASIN | B07X96DFR5 |
Design
If you have got an opportunity to see the wired configuration of the Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 Arctis 1, then you may be familiar with the Arctis 1 Wireless because it is almost the same. The headset options a plain, black-plastic chassis, with plush, foam ear cups related to an expandable steel headband instead of the “ski goggles” elastic headband from the costlier Arctis models. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of the device, but I will discuss it more in the next section.
A major improvement over the wired model is that the Arctis 1 Wireless has the ear cups swinging. This not only helps you get a more comfortable fit but also makes it easier to bend the headset flat in the backpack. This is a good thing because it plays well with every portable system you have the possibility.
Unlike most wireless headsets, which connect via Bluetooth or USB-A dongle, the Arctis 1 Wireless employs a small USB-C dongle, which seems ideally sized for the lower part of the switch. This will, in fact, work with PCs, mobile phones, or any other USB-C device that you have.
However, you can switch the headset wirelessly to PC, PS4, or dock mode, almost effortlessly, thanks to the USB-C-to-A adapter cable that comes in the box. Overall, it is not very beautiful to have a wire dangling across all of the machines very carefully maintained. It can be a pain to constantly transfer an entire wire from a PC to a PS4, dock a switch, and back again, probably several times per day. But you get almost universal compatibility, and enough dullness in the wire to find a convenient position.
The Arctis 1 Wireless also comes with a 3.5mm audio cable, so you can connect it to a headphone jack, an old portable console, and phones with Xbox One. It’s not nearly as intuitive an experience as using only a wireless connection, but this headset will technically work with every game system you operate, which is impressive in itself.
In addition, there is slight congestion in the left ear cup, with a mic-mute button, volume dial, 3.5mm jack, micro-USB charging port, and port for removable microphones. The right ear cup, on the opposite hand, hosts only the power button. This makes the device feel a small amount of unbalanced, though I understand that it’s usually easier to bunch electronic controls together.
Comfort
The Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 Arctis 1 is a lighter headset (9.6 ounces), and the Arctis 1 Wireless is also lighter (8.9 ounces). It is easy to wear for a long time, especially since there is no pesky wire on the way. Tilted ear cups make it a little easier to get a good fit. However, I am still not a big fan of the “steel headband with notches” style. The elastic band on the higher-end Arctis headset is as comfortable as the headset technique, and nothing can help but feel like a step back.
I handed over the Arctis 1 Wireless to a colleague, who was also very impressed with the lightweight design and comfortable ear cups. However, he, too, was not thrilled with the steel-nosed headband with which he also struggled to find a good fit.
Gaming performance
I tested the Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 on just about every modern gaming system: a switch (in portable and docked mode), a PS4, a PC and Xbox One, and an Android phone. (Arctis 1 Wireless is, unfortunately, not compatible with newer iPhones, even if you’ve got a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter.) I used to be extraordinarily happy with Arctis 1 Wireless performance across the board.
The headset was too loud for me to listen to Dragon Quest V on Android and NAV Fantasy VII on Switch, even in the noisy NYC metro. It was crisp enough to follow along with the dialogue in Assassin’s Creed Original on PS4. Age of Mythology: Balancing dialogue, sound effects, and orchestral music in the extended version on PC was quite accurate. Even it worked with Donut County on the Xbox One, though it was a bit harder to find the right volume balance via a 3.5-mm cord.
It is important to remember that the Arctis 1 is basically a budget headset. Thus, games seem to be clear and sensible rather than explicit and sensible. This is not an audiophile headset or headset for hardcore competitive players, for whom every move can mean life or death. But it seems fine for everyday use.
Features
The most vital feature of the Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 is its USB-C dongle. SteelSeries claims that this dongle can eliminate the pain points traditionally related to wireless switch headphones, particularly since they typically need cumbersome Bluetooth dongles. Like, I tried to switch between all the game systems in my house, using only the USB-C dongle (and USB-A adapter), and in each case how long it took before the sound started.
The results were extremely impressive. I started with the dongle on my PC and then transferred my switch to handheld mode. It took 7 seconds for the sound to kick in and that wound had to last the longest I had to wait. From there, I transferred the adapter to my Android phone, then to my switch in dock mode, then to my PS4. Each time, it took 5 seconds for the sound to kick. This is a major difference from Bluetooth devices, which can often take 30 or 40 seconds – or even longer when you are connecting them for the first time.
The sound quality was also consistent and stable, with no lag or dropped signals. I placed my phone in the center of my apartment and then went to every corner, in every room, to see how well I could hear my music. No matter where I hurt, I did not lose any signal. I think the signal lasts for about 30 feet, but since you’re probably 10 feet (or 2 feet, for the handheld) from your sound source all the time it’s probably not all that important.
You can also combine a variety of options with the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, including equalization, mic sidetone, and time-to-device shutdown. This is very straightforward, and it is easy to take your equation options to other systems. (Changes you make on a PC will still work on the switch, in other words.) You can also monitor the battery life of the headset, which is about 20 hours.
The microphone continues to be one thing of a mixed bag. It recorded my voice terribly clearly, with very little fuss or distortion. However, it also indiscriminately picks up close sounds, creating a tricky sell for a crowded workplace or noisy room. This is fine for casual multiplayer, but you may have to repeat yourself multiple times if you are competing with a spouse, roommate, or children with the same spouse.
Music performance
Budget headsets often fall off when it comes to music, but the Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 does a respectable job. Songs from the Old Crow Medicine Show, Rolling Stones, Flogging Molly, and G.F. Handel came all loud and clear, whether I was stuck in the underground or hanging on my couch at home. There is not much bass, but it is not a bad headset for everyday work and plays.
One thing I particularly like about the Arctis 1 Wireless is that it is very unobtrusive, even about wear. Thanks to the removable mic of the headset, I could ride the metro and look like any other commuter. Also, because the headset does not have noise cancellation, it was easy to focus on my surroundings while listening to music or playing games.
Our Rating | Excellent
If you want a simple Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 for the switch, pick up the SteelSeries Arctis 1 – and adopt every other system. However, you need a high-sounding model, so obvious.
Pros
- Excellent wireless connectivity
- Compatibility with almost everything
- Decent sound for gaming and music
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- No elastic headband
- No iOS compatibility
Conclusion
The Wireless Gaming Headset PS4 Arctis 1 does exactly what it decides to do, in a way that is as simple as promised. The results are not always beautiful; There is a lot of shuffling around the adapters and wires. But the process is dead simple, and the sound quality is always very good. This is the easiest way to get wireless sound on the switch, hands down, and the fact that it works with almost every other system is just icing on the cake.
Despite some questions about the headband and wildly varying volume levels between the systems, the Arctis 1 Wireless is a great peripheral. Now, let’s hope that SteelSeries applies the same idea to a headset with an elastic headband.