The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are good gaming headphones that can be used both wired and wirelessly. They come with a wireless dongle that provides minimal latency to ensure a quality gaming experience without noticeable delay. They're decently comfortable, they have fairly well-balanced audio reproduction, and there's a 6-band EQ available in the companion app. Unfortunately, they feel a bit cheaply made and don't have the best consistency across different users, so your experience may vary. On the upside, they have a decent boom microphone and can last around 25 hours when using them wirelessly.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are decent for neutral sound. The overall sound profile is fairly well-balanced and accurate, although they struggle to deliver a consistent audio reproduction across different users, which means that your experience may vary. On the upside, these headphones are pretty comfortable and perform well at max volume.
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Accurate audio reproduction.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Sub-par soundstage.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are sub-par for commuting. While they're designed to be used for gaming, you can still use them wired, or wirelessly with a compatible Android phone with a USB-C port. However, they don't have a very good noise isolation performance and won't block out the noise from your commute. On the upside, they're decently comfortable for long periods and have very good battery life.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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USB-C dongle can be used with compatible Android devices.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Poor noise isolation.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless aren't designed for sports. They're bulky and hard to bring around with you to the gym. They're also not the most stable and move around with head movement.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Unstable and wobbles with head movement.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are just okay for the office. They're comfortable to wear for hours and their battery life should last you a few days without any issues. Unfortunately, they won't block out office environment noise like chatty coworkers very well.
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Decent boom microphone.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Poor noise isolation.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are decent wireless gaming headphones. They're comfortable and have very low latency thanks to their dongle, which means you shouldn't notice any delay when playing. These are a very versatile pair of headphones and can be used on many different gaming platforms. If you play online, the microphone sounds decent, although it lacks a bit of detail. On the upside, there are good customization options with the companion software and the battery life is very good with around 25 hours of playtime.
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Accurate audio reproduction.
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Decent boom microphone.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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Can be used with every gaming console.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are good wired gaming headphones. They're comfortable, have accurate audio reproduction, and have a decent overall microphone performance. Unfortunately, they might not perform the same on your head as they do on others, so your experience may vary. They're compatible with all gaming platforms when used wired and come with the needed cables.
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Accurate audio reproduction.
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Decent boom microphone.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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Can be used with every gaming console.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are somewhat alright for phone calls. The microphone is an upgrade over your cell phone's mic, although there are better options on the market. The mic does a decent job of separating the background noise from your voice, but the other person on the line might find your voice to be a bit thin. On the upside, these headphones are comfortable and you can even detach the microphone for a more straightforward look whenever you aren't making calls.
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Decent boom microphone.
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Very good 25-hour battery life.
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USB-C dongle can be used with compatible Android devices.
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Plasticky build that feels a bit cheap.
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Inconsistent audio delivery across users.
- 7.5 Neutral Sound
- 5.6 Commute/Travel
- 5.7 Sports/Fitness
- 6.7 Office
- 7.3 Wireless Gaming
- 7.5 Wired Gaming
- 6.5 Phone Calls
- Updated Oct 20, 2022: We've updated this review with a comparison of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 in Build Quality.
- Updated Oct 25, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jul 14, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jul 08, 2020: Early access published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
There are different models of this headset depending on which console you play on. We reviewed the PC/PS4 model. However, we expect our review to be valid for all of them, other than for the wireless compatibility tests.
Compared To Other Headphones
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless might seem very similar to other Arctis headphones in the same lineup, but they're quite versatile thanks to their wireless USB-C dongle. They can be used with a lot of different gaming platforms and are still set at an affordable price, which is nice. However, they do feel a bit cheaply built and don't feel like very premium headphones.
For more options, check out recommendations for the best SteelSeries headsets, the best gaming headsets, and the best wireless gaming headsets.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless or the Razer Barracuda X Wireless 2021. The SteelSeries leak less audio, and they have companion software with a graphic EQ so you can customize their sound. That said, the Razer are better-built, more comfortable, and more stable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly better headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. The biggest difference between these two is that the 7 2019 Edition are much better built than the 1. They're also a bit more comfortable, and they have a much better performing microphone. On the other hand, the 1 have lower latency when used wireless, but unfortunately, they don't allow for channel mixing.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless are better than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for most purposes. The Arctis 3 have a much more comfortable fit, a much better build quality, a longer continuous battery life, and a significantly better overall mic performance. They offer full compatibility with PS4, PC, and Xbox One via wired connection, and they're also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can connect wirelessly to your phone while you game. However, if you want headphones that support wireless gaming, the Arctis 1 come with a USB dongle that allows them to connect wirelessly to PS4 consoles. They also offer full compatibility with PCs, PS4, and Xbox One if you use their included 1/8" TRRS cable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are very similar in design to the wired SteelSeries Arctis 1. However, the wireless model is compatible with the Engine software, which allows for more customization options. Also, the wireless model has slightly more neutral sound profile, but the wired model's microphone sounds a lot better.
The Corsair HS70 Wireless are slightly better wireless gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. They're more comfortable and noticeably better-built than the SteelSeries. Also, they perform a lot more consistently across different users. On the other hand, the SteelSeries have lower wireless latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. The Arctis 7P are more comfortable, feel better built, and have a better performing boom microphone. They can also be used while charging. However, the Arctis 1 have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are more versatile gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. The Arctis 1 are wireless gaming headphones with low wireless latency, and can you can even use them wired, thanks to their included analog cable. They're also more customizable as they support SteelSeries Engine. The Arctis Nova 1 are more comfortable and better built. Their microphone also offers better overall performance.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. The Arctis 7X are more comfortable, better-built, and have a better overall microphone performance. They also have lower non-Bluetooth latency and can be used wirelessly on Xbox consoles in addition to PC and PlayStation consoles.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless and the HyperX Cloud Flight are two good decent wireless gaming headphones, but for different reasons. If you care about accurate audio reproduction and customization, go for the SteelSeries, but if you prefer a more comfortable option that has a very good microphone, then the HyperX are the better option.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless performs very similarly to the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. Both headphones have similar sound profiles, but the Turtle Beach packs a bit more bass and performs a bit more consistently across different users. Unfortunately, its app is pretty bare-bones and doesn't allow for much customization. The SteelSeries also feels a bit better made, although it still feels plasticky. Both headphones have a decent microphone, though the SteelSeries one performs better in noisy environments.
The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have different strengths. The SteelSeries are wireless gaming headphones that are more comfortable, have a better overall boom microphone, and longer continuous battery life. Their companion software also offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats are more suitable for casual use. They're better-built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC helps them block out a lot more ambient noise.
Test Results
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are pretty much identical to the wired SteelSeries Arctis 1, but with a more matte finish. They don't have a very flashy gaming-oriented design, which some may like. You can also detach the microphone for a more straightforward look.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless are decently comfortable for long gaming sessions. They clamp down a bit more than the wired version, but it's mostly to help create a better seal under the ear. The padding is fairly comfortable, while the headband distributes the weight effectively.
The headphones offer easy to use controls. They have a volume wheel, which stops at max/min volume, and a mic mute switch. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless also have a power button that can act as a control button when used with an Android device. A single press plays/pauses tracks, while a double-tap skips tracks and a triple tap goes to the previous track.
These headphones aren't the most portable due to their size. On the upside, you don't have to worry about a cable dangling around, and their ear cups swivel to lay flat around your neck and make it easier to slide them in a bag. However, most people won't bring these around as they're aimed to be used with your gaming setup at home.
The build quality of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is very similar to the wired SteelSeries Arctis 1. However, they have a sleeker matte finish, and their cable is detachable, which is easier to replace if damaged. Overall, the build is mostly made of plastic, and the hinges don't feel too solid. On the upside, the headband feels decently solid and well-padded. If build quality matters to your and you don't mind a wired connection, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 instead.
Thanks to the clamping force of these headphones, they're a bit more stable than the wired SteelSeries Arctis 1. Nevertheless, these aren't meant for sports and fall off the head easily with movement.
- SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless headphones
- Detachable microphone
- USB-C dongle
- 1/8" TRRS cable
- USB-A to USB-C extension cable
- Micro-USB charging cable
- User Manual
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have a decently well-balanced and neutral sound profile. They have a bit of overemphasis in the bass range, which adds an extra punch that some may like. Overall, they're well-suited for a variety of content and games. However, they aren't the most consistent across different users, so your experience may vary.
The frequency response consistency of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is quite poor, like most Arctis headphones. There's a lot of variation in the bass and treble ranges, which means that your experience may vary depending on positioning, fit, and seal.
The bass accuracy of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is good. The response isn't quite balanced as there's a dip in the low-bass while the high-bass is slightly overemphasis. This results in a slightly punchy and muddy bass, while the low-bass lacks thump and rumble. However, note that these results are an averaged response, and they perform quite inconsistently on different users, so your experience may vary.
The mid-accuracy of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is excellent. They reproduce vocals and dialogue accurately.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have good treble accuracy. While the response is a bit under our target curve, it's still pretty flat. It might result in slightly dulled voices and instruments, but since these headphones perform differently depending on positioning and fit, your experience may vary.
These headphones have a good peaks and dips performance. The overall response is pretty well-balanced, but there's a bit of a broad peak in the bass range which clutters the mix a bit. Also, the peak in mid-treble can make certain frequencies rather sharp and piercing, especially on already bright tracks.
The imaging performance of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is decent. Most of the group delay is under the audibility threshold, although some frequencies in the bass range might sound a bit loose. Our unit also has a small mismatch in amplitude and frequency, although this shouldn't be audible to most people. Note that these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The passive soundstage of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is sub-par. While they show a lot of pinna interaction, it's not the most accurate and since they're closed-back headphones, the soundstage doesn't seem speaker-like and still seems to be inside the listener's head.
These headphones don't have any virtual soundstage features.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance of these headphones is within good limits. These headphones produce clear and pure sound, even at a very high volume.
These settings were used to test these headphones. The test results are only valid for these settings.
Like most Arctis headphones, the noise isolation performance of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is bad. The porous pads let a lot of noise seep into your audio. They don't block the deep rumble of engines and won't be suitable for your commute or flights. On the upside, they do a decent job of blocking out higher frequencies such as the humming of an A/C unit.
The leakage level of the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is good. They don't leak out too much noise and are about as noisy as an average office. This means you shouldn't bother the people around you too much if you raise your volume a bit.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless have a malleable boom microphone that can be fully detached to give the headphones a more casual look.
The boom microphone has decent recording quality. It sounds clear and easy to understand, although voices sound a bit thin and bright.
Update 10/26/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test noise handling. We now use a subjective evaluation of our audio clips. This new method has resulted in different results than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, the scoring of this box has changed, and we've updated our results.
The noise handling performance of the mic is decent. It's able to separate background noise from your voice well, which is very useful if you play games in a moderately noisy environment.
These headphones have very good battery performance. We measured just about 25 hours of battery life, which is nice considering that SteelSeries advertises 20 hours. They can also be used passively with a wired connection, though you can't use the charging cable and use them at the same time. Unfortunately, they take around 4 hours to fully charge, which is quite long.
The SteelSeries Engine app has a good amount of customization options, although not as many as with other SteelSeries headphones. It has a 6-band EQ instead of a 10-band EQ, like what you get with higher-end models like the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC. The app also allows for sidetone, or mic monitoring, enabling you to hear your own voice through the headphones.
These headphones aren't Bluetooth compatible.
Update 10/26/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test latency. We now use a click track in our software, and we measure latency three times and average the results. This new method has resulted in different latency values than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, we have updated our results.
These headphones have a great non-Bluetooth wireless performance. They connect via their USB-C dongle and have low enough latency for you to play PC games without noticing a delay.
These headphones can be used wired with a typical 1/8" TRRS cable, which is included in the box. Unfortunately, they don't support audio via their micro-USB charging cable.
You can use this headset wired to your Xbox One controller with a typical 1/8" TRRS cable. You'll need to get the Xbox variant if you want to use it wirelessly with this console.
This headset has a USB-C dongle that can be used on PCs and Android phones that have the appropriate jack. It also comes with a USB-A cable that acts as both an adapter and an extender.
