SteelSeries’ Arctis three Bluetooth gaming headset makes an attempt to be an answer for mainly each potential gaming scenario. Through the use of each analog and Bluetooth, the headset can successfully deal with the craziest setups together with multiplayer on the Nintendo Switch.

The Arctis three Bluetooth is appropriate with any gadget that makes use of the three.5mm jack, together with trendy consoles. And, it will probably join over Bluetooth Four.1 to smartphones and laptops. 

A serious a part of the Arctis three Bluetooth’s worth proposition is the flexibility to play each Bluetooth and analog audio on the identical time, simplifying voice communications whereas taking part in on-line Nintendo Swap video games, or to play music out of your telephone whereas gaming on a console. Plus, it will probably double as an on-the-go Bluetooth gadget.

With a worth of $129 (£134, AU$239), the headset is a full $50 costlier than the non-Bluetooth Arctis three. It’s worth additionally places it in nearer competitors with our beloved $149 (£159.99, AU$259) HyperX Cloud Revolver S and SteelSeries’ personal equally designed, 2.4GHz wi-fi massive brother, the $149 (£159.99, AU$259) Arctis 7. 

Design

The Arctis three Bluetooth boasts an understated design. The large ear cups include a gentle contact rubber end that feels premium. Matte plastic is in all places, however the very tip of the microphone is made from shiny plastic so as to add a contact of distinction. 

The Arctis three Bluetooth headband is a thick, versatile plastic. The earcups connect with steel hinges that enable them to rotate to relaxation flat in your chest or for storage, they usually pivot to mechanically modify to your head and steadiness out the clamping pressure. The headset feels a little bit free once we shake our head, so these are a no-go for jogging or extremely lively VR.

The construct doesn’t really feel terribly sturdy. It flexes to suit larger heads, however the hinges really feel like they could give out with too robust of a twist. The ear cups wiggle a bit on the hinges as effectively. They don’t really feel fragile, however not indestructible both. General, all the pieces feels a little bit extra wobbly than we want.

An elastic skiband comfortably spreads out the burden of the headphones throughout the crown of our head. Steelseries’ AirWeave ear cup materials is splendidly gentle and nice on the pores and skin, however the Arctis three Bluetooth might stand to have a tad extra room contained in the ear cup. The sting of our ears touched the fabric-covered speaker driver within the headset, and this will develop uncomfortable very quickly. Nonetheless, that’s the one factor we discovered uncomfortable.

The headset is busy with controls and ports. The left ear cup features a mic mute change, quantity dial, Eight-pin audio enter connector, micro-USB port for charging and even a three.5mm audio out jack for sharing your audio with another person. The retractable microphone can be on the left. The Bluetooth energy button is on the correct.

The microphone mute change is a little bit exhausting to search out at first, and you may’t see it whereas sporting the headset. However, it pops out whereas muted, so it’s straightforward to achieve again and bodily really feel what mode it’s in. 

The headset cable is made from a lightweight rubber that doesn’t generate a lot noise, however a clip could be a welcome addition. The cable can join on the different finish to a Four-pole angled three.5mm plug or to a splitter with three.5mm mic and audio jacks, however the propriety Eight-pin connector is a nuisance, 

The microphone tucks away properly into the Arctis three Bluetooth, however the versatile arm doesn’t take to new positions effectively. We discovered ourselves adjusting it a number of occasions to get it in the correct place.

Efficiency

Although the mic isn’t pleasant about staying in place, it manages to select up clear audio even from effectively to the facet our mouth in our testing. Teammates by no means had bother listening to us whereas gaming, and nobody complained that we appeared like we had been within a bag of potato chips (it is a criticism we’ve heard earlier than).

The noise-to-signal ratio is sweet, with mainly no noise that we might discover. Wired audio high quality can be largely stellar. Bass comes by means of loud and clear on Asteroid Galaxy Tour’s Out of Frequency. Mids are equally positive. Sounds within the larger registers really feel a little bit flat, comparable to cymbals. Typically, the audio is loud and clear, and we felt loads immersed in video games. We by no means battle with exterior noise, because the headset even drowns out drilling at a climbing fitness center.

Bluetooth audio is a bit flat, with the compression making itself readily obvious. Is it terrible? We did expertise one tough high quality drop, however usually it’s OK. 

Nonetheless, busy music like Of Montreal will get muddy. And, the chance for lag paired with diminished audio constancy are a nasty match for aggressive on-line gaming. Bluetooth pairing is considerably tedious on this headset, however that’s virtually all the time the case for Bluetooth gadgets. The battery boasts a 28-hour lifespan for lively listening, and we discover it to final loads lengthy.

The simultaneous Bluetooth and analog audio works and not using a hitch. We will simply connect with Discord through Bluetooth on our telephone whereas taking part in audio from a console, so for enjoying video games on the Nintendo Swap and chatting with teammates and not using a mess of wires, the Arctis three Bluetooth is an easy and efficient answer. 

Utilizing SteelSeries Engine three, the Arctis three Bluetooth helps digital encompass sound, however we aren’t blown away by it, nor the steps essential to get it working

Closing verdict

The SteelSeries Arctis three Bluetooth is a little bit of a Swiss Military Knife in terms of who it’s for. It’s not essentially the most transportable pair of gaming headphones, but it surely’s loads extra transportable than a lot of different gaming headsets, plus Bluetooth and a long-lasting battery make it that rather more pleasant on the go. 

It’s not essentially the most comfy or rugged, but it surely doesn’t rating too poorly in that regard both. The distinctive mixture of Bluetooth and analog audio additionally gives one thing different headphones don’t. And, for the correct individual, all these little options can add as much as make the Arctis three Bluetooth headset value it.

For somebody who desires to only have one pair of headphones that may do the job in nearly each scenario (even some actually loopy ones), the Arctis three Bluetooth is right here. Versatility is the secret, and that’s how this headset justifies its excessive worth.