The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless are good gaming headphones that are also Bluetooth-compatible, which means you can stream music from your phone while using the headphones wired on your console. They have a great microphone that sounds clear and full-bodied, which is great for online gaming. This model is fairly similar to the other Arctis headphones we’ve reviewed so far and are almost identical to the SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition when it comes to design. Unfortunately, they don’t isolate against ambient noise and feel a bit plasticky, but they're quite versatile and are compatible with pretty much every gaming platform. They also have a pretty impressive 42-hour battery life.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 are good for neutral listening. They have a decent bass, fairly well-balanced mid-range, and great treble range. However, they fail to deliver their audio consistently across users, which means most people won’t hear the same thing with these headphones. Their bass is also slightly lacking in low-end thump and rumble and they sound a bit boomy and cluttered. Overall, these headphones will still be a good option for a wide variety of music and for video games.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 are okay for commuting. They have a Bluetooth connection so they can be used wirelessly in your daily commute. They also have amazing battery life and are quite comfortable. However, their fit doesn’t isolate against ambient noise and a lot of it will seep into your audio. They're also quite bulky and a bit hard to carry around.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 are okay for sports and fitness. Even if the ear cup padding is made from a porous material, these headphones are not designed to be used for physical activity. They can get quite hot fairly quickly and they're very bulky. They also sway around with excessive head movement and will fall off your head during most physical activity. On the upside, they can be used wirelessly, and you won’t have to worry about a cable being in your way or getting hooked on something.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 Wireless are decent for the office. These headphones are comfortable to wear for a few hours without feeling too much fatigue, they sound good, and they have an amazing battery life that will last you a few workdays without a problem. They also have a pretty good wireless range, so you’ll be able to move around your desk a bit. Unfortunately, they don’t block out ambient noise very well, but you can easily mask out the sound of an A/C system with these.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
This wired gaming headset can't be used wirelessly.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 are decent for gaming. They have a good sound quality and their microphone have an excellent recording quality, which is great for online gaming with friends or teammates. They're also quite comfortable to wear during long gaming sessions and you can even stream music from your phone via their Bluetooth connection while gaming wired. Unfortunately, they aren’t compatible with the SteelSeries Engine for customization and control options.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Great microphone for online games.
- Bluetooth-compatible gaming headset.
- Bulky and plasticky build.
- Lacks customization options via software support.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 21, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 in Compared.
- Updated Feb 14, 2022: Retested 'Connection' in our Wired test.
- Updated Oct 19, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 19, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth are good gaming headphones that set themselves apart thanks to their great-sounding microphone and the fact that they can also be used to stream audio content from a Bluetooth source. This makes them very versatile, as they can be used with pretty much every gaming console, as well as with phones. However, they don't have the same level of customizability as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3, as they're not compatible with SteelSeries GG.
See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets and the best PS4 headsets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1. While their sound and microphone quality is practically the same, the Arctis 3 are better built and feel slightly more comfortable. Additionally, they are also Bluetooth compatible for you to use with your phone, which is useful. On the other, the Arctis 1 have a fully detachable microphone, which is more convenient than the retractable one on the Arctis 3. Overall, the Arctis 3 offers more features and better value than the Arctis 1.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha and the SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless are both solid gaming headphones that each have their pros and cons. The SteelSeries are slightly more versatile since they also support Bluetooth, and you can mix in the wireless chat audio from your phone while gaming over a wired connection or simply use them wirelessly on-the-go. However, the HyperX are more comfortable for long gaming sessions and feel significantly more durable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless and the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The SteelSeries are wired gaming headphones that feel better built, have significantly better microphone performance, and have longer-lasting continuous battery life. However, the Logitech are wireless gaming headphones that support Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth wireless, although you can't use both connections at once. They also suit small heads better than the SteelSeries since they're designed for younger users.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2. The SteelSeries are better built and have much better controls. They're Bluetooth-compatible, so you can listen to music on your phone while gaming on a console. On the other hand, the Razer have a more bass-rich sound profile, which some may prefer.
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