SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset Review
Advantages
- Wireless use on Switch and other platforms is flawless
- Audio is surprisingly punchy and clear for the asking price
- The microphone is removable with decent speech quality
The inconvenients
- The aesthetic is bland and lifeless for the brand
- No surround sound
Key specs
- Test price: $65 (amazon)
- 2.4 GHz wireless connection
- 40mm audio drivers
- 20 hours of autonomy
- Supported: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC and some Android phones
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What is the SteelSeries Arctis 1 gaming headset?
Wireless headsets for the Nintendo Switch are still scarce, with only a handful of companies dipping their feet in the pool given Nintendo’s refusal to support Bluetooth devices. SteelSeries has successfully overcome this problem with the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless.
Using a USB-C dongle with a 2.4 GHz connection, the Arctis 1 can bypass Nintendo’s wireless restrictions. This gaming headset is no unique pony, also offering superb audio quality, long battery life and a surprisingly robust range of features for the low asking price.
Primarily showcasing a plastic design with a harsh black color scheme, the Arctis 1 isn’t the most attractive device in the gaming shed. However, what it lacks in visual splendor, it makes up for a performance that really does. stellar. Switch owners are happy there’s a new device for you.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Cordless Design – Bland plastic look fails to impress, but gets the job done
External Design
Arctis 1’s external design is arguably its weakest point, presenting an uninspired approach to both the materials used and the color choices. It is almost industrial with a dominant use of black throughout the device. The interior of each ear cup is somewhat spared, with small searing lines spread across the fine fabric that covers the technical innards.
Extending the headband will reveal two pieces of metal that secure the helmet to the player’s head, while ensuring nothing breaks under pressure. The Arctis 1 is a durable kit, although it doesn’t feel like you’d likely just pick it up and place it on your head.
SteelSeries clearly prioritizes features over build quality here, and for such a price, we can’t really fault the company.
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Surprisingly
You will find a selection of buttons on the underside of each earbud. One houses a small power button, while on the other side are buttons for volume, mic output, and mute, alongside a 3.5mm jack for plugging your headphones into. devices with a wired connection.
There is also a micro-USB port for charging. It’s slightly disappointing that it doesn’t charge over USB-C, as most modern devices are moving to the new connection format, but that’s hardly a deal breaker. The PS4’s DualShock controllers still charge via micro-USB after all.
The foam padding and plastic frame of the Arctis 1 Wireless are surprisingly light. Being able to move the frame around until it’s flat means this is a relatively easy helmet to slip into the backpack – ideal, as he spent most of his time in the backpack. be connected to my Nintendo Switch.
That said, it’s not the most practical helmet in the world; the microphone accessory and wireless dongle are so small that they are easy to lose if you are not careful.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Audio and Features – Great Package for the Price
The Arctis 1 Wireless supports the same 40mm drivers as some other SteelSeries headsets, namely the 3, 5 and 7. As such, you get an equivalent audio experience at a cheaper price. The Arctis 1 are however slightly heavier on the bass, giving more subtle sounds a washed-out feel. I have found this to surface repeatedly in Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Link’s Awakening, especially during the more hectic moments of combat.
It should be noted, however, that there is no surround sound here. Personally, I haven’t missed out on such a feature, but those who want to hear the precise location of the footsteps in a competitive shooter will want to go for something else like the slightly more expensive SteelSeries Arctis 7, although you sacrifice switch compatibility without thread doing so.
Battery life comes in at 20 hours when fully charged, which I can attest to having undergone extensive testing over the past few weeks. If you’re gaming at your desk – rather than from a couch or remote chair – it’s wise to plug in the headset, at least on a PC or console.
The Arctis 1’s wireless range is short next to its 30-foot siblings, although the figure is at least accurate. keep working even after waltzing across the desk – not that you never need to be that far away.
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The Flexibility of the Arctis
I loved the flexibility of the Arctis 1 Wireless when switching from one console or device to another. I’m using a Pixel 2XL as my primary smartphone and the headset dongle is connected within seconds. While traveling by train, I could use the Arctis 1 with my phone and Nintendo Switch with minimal fuss. Ensuring consistently robust audio quality and feature parity.
Of course, you will need to make sure your smartphone has a USB-C port to work wirelessly with the Arctis 1 Wireless. Majority of modern Android phones use this connection so that shouldn’t be a problem, but iPhone users are out of luck.
The Arctis 1 Wireless also connects to PC and other consoles such as PS4 and Xbox One without any issues. You will need to use the supplied wired USB-C to USB-A adapter to do this, but this involves minimal faff.
Should you buy the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless?
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a great gaming headset. Its connectivity is clearly its ACE card here, working wirelessly with PCs, select Android smartphones, and all modern game consoles including the Nintendo Switch.
Headsets that offer wireless comparability with the Switch are currently rare.
The Asus ROG Strix Go 2.4 headset is one of the few competitors, which we will be reviewing and delivering our final verdict in the near future.
SteelSeries set a very high bar though, with superb sound, long battery life, and low latency wireless technology, which makes the Arctis 1 Wireless a fantastic gaming headset no matter what. device you are connected to.
Conclusion
Looking for a wireless gaming headset for Nintendo Switch? It is then not difficult to recommend the Arctis 1 Wireless. Despite its lackluster aesthetic, the build quality is both sturdy and flexible.
The audio presentation is loud, clear, and distinctive in every game I’ve played, while the mic has proven to be exceptional in multiplayer sessions across a myriad of platforms. You should only look elsewhere if the omission of surround sound is a deal breaker.