If you want a wired headset with memory foam comfort and a sound-control box for jogging on a treadmill, choose HyperX Cloud II; if you need wireless freedom for gaming across compatible devices, choose SteelSeries Arctis 1.
That is my practical take on this HyperX vs SteelSeries headset comparison: the Cloud II prioritizes a straightforward wired setup, while the Arctis 1 adds wireless use through a USB-C dongle. Neither is an open-ear design, and neither is Bluetooth, so shoppers specifically seeking open ear headphones for jogging, Bluetooth headphones for jogging, or Bluetooth earbuds for jogging should look elsewhere.
HyperX Cloud II vs SteelSeries Arctis 1 at a Glance
• SteelSeries Arctis 1: Its 2.4 GHz wireless connection and USB-C dongle make it easier to move between compatible setups. Its main trade-off is that wireless use depends on a battery, and its noise-control listing does not specify passive noise cancellation.
• Cloud II is for someone who prefers a wired headset with physical audio controls and over-ear cushioning.
• Arctis 1 is for someone who wants a detachable microphone and wireless gaming across supported platforms.
• For jogging, neither is my first choice: both are over-ear gaming headsets, not open-ear or Bluetooth workout headphones.
The Cloud II is the more conventional pick: connect it by wire, put on the over-ear cups, and use the included control box to adjust sound. Its 53 mm drivers are larger than the Arctis 1’s 40 mm drivers, and HyperX describes its audio as covering low, mid, and high tones with added bass. Those details make it a plausible fit for someone who splits headset time between games, movies, and music, rather than using it only for voice chat.
The USB control box adds a useful layer of control. You can toggle virtual 7.1 surround sound and adjust audio and microphone volume independently. With the mic connected through that box, noise-cancellation, automatic gain control, and echo cancellation are enabled. The microphone detaches, too, so it does not have to remain on the headset when you are listening without talking. A closed-cup design provides passive noise cancellation, while the memory foam ear pads are intended to make longer listening sessions more comfortable. The aluminum frame is designed for daily gaming use.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the Cloud II if you specifically want wireless freedom, or if you need a headset designed around Bluetooth workout listening.
The Arctis 1 stands out for wireless flexibility. Its 2.4 GHz connection is designed for low-latency gaming on PC and PS4, and the compact USB-C dongle extends that wireless setup to handheld Nintendo Switch use and Android phones. That is a useful distinction for someone who moves between a desk and portable gaming. The listed wireless range is 30 feet, or 9 meters, though actual surroundings can affect how convenient any wireless connection feels.
Its 40 mm drivers are smaller than the Cloud II’s, but driver size alone does not settle which headset sounds better. SteelSeries lists a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency response, and the headset supports PS5 Tempest 3D AudioTech compatibility. A detachable bidirectional ClearCast microphone is designed to reduce noise and provide clear voice pickup. The steel-reinforced headband is meant to combine adjustability with durability, while headset controls let you adjust volume and mute or unmute the microphone without reaching for a separate control box.
Wireless use does mean keeping the battery in mind: the listed battery life is up to 20 hours. The Arctis 1 also has a wired 3.5 mm connection listed, but its wireless features are the main reason to choose it. Its USB-C dongle is not the same thing as Bluetooth, so do not assume it will pair like ordinary Bluetooth headphones with every phone or device.
For a buyer whose main use is gaming across PC, PS4, Switch, or Android, it has a flexible feature set. For jogging, that flexibility is less convincing: it remains an over-ear gaming headset, and its product details do not describe an open-ear design or Bluetooth connectivity.
Who should skip it: Skip the Arctis 1 if you do not want to manage a battery or need a headset that connects through standard Bluetooth.
• Best for a wired setup with direct audio controls → HyperX Cloud II. Its USB control box offers separate audio and microphone adjustments, plus a button for virtual 7.1 surround sound.
• Best for wireless PC or PS4 gaming → SteelSeries Arctis 1. Its 2.4 GHz wireless connection is intended for those platforms.
• Best for portable Switch gaming → SteelSeries Arctis 1. The USB-C dongle supports wireless use on a handheld Switch, while docked Switch use is listed as wireless USB.
• Best for a detachable microphone on either headset → Tie. Both microphones detach; the Cloud II’s listed noise-related features require its USB control box.
• Best if passive noise reduction matters → HyperX Cloud II. Its closed cups are specifically described as providing passive noise cancellation.
• Best if you want memory foam ear pads → HyperX Cloud II. That material is a stated part of its comfort design.
• Best for avoiding a fixed wireless battery routine → HyperX Cloud II. Its listed connection is wired, so it does not require battery charging for wireless operation.
• Best for supported Android wireless gaming → SteelSeries Arctis 1. Its USB-C dongle is listed for Android phones; that does not make it a Bluetooth headset.
For jogging, neither choice gets a clear endorsement from me. Both have over-ear gaming designs, and the Arctis 1’s wireless connection should not be confused with Bluetooth. If the actual goal is to hear nearby traffic while running, open-ear headphones for jogging are a more relevant category to investigate. If you are searching for Bluetooth earbuds for jogging, these two headsets do not match that specific connection and form factor.
Start with the device you plan to use most. The Cloud II is wired and lists a 3.5 mm jack and USB connectivity; its USB control box is important if you want the listed microphone processing and virtual surround controls. The Arctis 1 is designed around wireless USB connections, with its USB-C dongle serving portable devices that support that setup. Its specifications also list a 3.5 mm jack, but the wireless dongle is the feature that most clearly separates it from the HyperX.
Think about where you will wear the headset, too. Memory foam ear pads and a closed-cup design make the Cloud II’s comfort and passive noise reduction part of its appeal. The Arctis 1 emphasizes a steel-reinforced headband, detachable ClearCast microphone, and controls located on the headset. These are different design priorities, not proof that one is universally more comfortable or durable.
Finally, match your expectations to the use case. Both are gaming headsets with detachable microphones, not purpose-built running headphones. The Arctis 1’s wireless feature could reduce cable inconvenience, but its USB-C dongle is not Bluetooth, and its battery life is listed as 20 hours. The Cloud II avoids wireless battery management but keeps you tethered by a cable. If either option is being considered for jogging, check whether an over-ear gaming headset fits your routine before deciding.
I would choose the HyperX Cloud II for home gaming because its wired simplicity, memory foam ear pads, closed cups, and separate controls fit the way I would want to use a gaming headset. The Arctis 1 is the stronger fit for wireless play across its supported devices, but its dongle-based connection is not Bluetooth. For jogging, I would choose neither: I’d look for a purpose-built workout option instead.
No. Its wireless connection uses a USB-C dongle and 2.4 GHz wireless technology; the listed connection is not Bluetooth. It also has a 3.5 mm jack.
Neither is specifically described as a jogging headset. Both are over-ear gaming models, and the Arctis 1’s wireless dongle does not turn it into Bluetooth workout audio.
Its closed-cup design is described as providing passive noise cancellation. That is not the same as a claim that it eliminates all outside sound.
I’d consider the Arctis 1 if your portable device supports its USB-C dongle. It is listed for handheld Switch use and Android phones, and its wireless battery life is listed as 20 hours.
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