We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a console-first wired headset with big, punchy drivers and a mic you can tuck away when you're not talking, choose Razer Kraken Gaming Headset; if you need one lightweight headset that pulls double duty as everyday on-the-go headphones with a mic you can fully detach, choose SteelSeries Arctis 1.
• Razer Kraken's biggest strength: Custom-tuned 50 mm dynamic drivers with a wide 12 Hz–28,000 Hz frequency range, plus software-enabled 7.1 surround on Windows 10 64-bit for positional audio.
• Razer Kraken's biggest trade-off: The retractable mic stays attached to the headset (it tucks into the ear cup rather than coming off), and the cooling gel oval cushions are bulkier than a low-profile travel design.
• SteelSeries Arctis 1's biggest strength: A detachable, Discord-certified ClearCast noise-canceling mic and fold-flat earcups that turn a gaming headset into something you can wear out of the house.
• SteelSeries Arctis 1's biggest trade-off: A narrower 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range and no surround-sound software, so it leans on its signature soundscape tuning rather than positional processing.
• Pick the Razer Kraken if you mostly game at a desk or console and want immersive, bass-forward audio with a mic that's always ready.
• Pick the SteelSeries Arctis 1 if you want one headset for gaming and daily listening, and you'd rather leave the mic at home sometimes.
The Razer Kraken is built around one idea: make console and PC gaming sound big. Its custom-tuned 50 mm dynamic drivers cover an unusually wide 12 Hz–28,000 Hz frequency range, which is the kind of spread that tends to translate into deep, punchy bass and clear high-end detail — helpful when you're trying to pick out a footstep behind you or a distant reload. On Windows 10 64-bit, the headset can run software-enabled 7.1 surround sound, giving you positional cues that a plain stereo pair won't produce. That's the Kraken's headline trick, and it's a real one if your setup is PC-based.
Who should buy it? Console and PC players who want a wired, plug-and-play headset with a 3.5 mm jack that works across PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and mobile — and who value immersive, bass-heavy sound over portability. Who should skip it? If you want a headset you can wear on a commute without a mic hanging around, or you want to leave the mic behind entirely, the Kraken's always-attached design works against you. The same goes if you don't game on Windows and were counting on surround sound — that feature is tied to Windows 10 64-bit.
SteelSeries Arctis 1: Who It's For
The Arctis 1 takes the opposite approach: one headset, two lives. At home it's a gaming headset with the signature Arctis soundscape, tuned to emphasize subtle but critical sounds so you get an audio edge. Out of the house, you detach the ClearCast mic, fold the earcups flat, and it becomes a sleek, low-profile pair of headphones. That detachable, bidirectional noise-canceling mic is Discord certified and designed for natural-sounding clarity, which matters if you spend as much time in voice chat as you do in-game.
The build tells the same story. A steel-reinforced headband adjusts to fit a wide range of head sizes while staying lightweight, and the stainless steel enclosure adds durability without bulk. AirWeave performance-fabric ear cushions are athletics-inspired and designed to keep your ears cool and dry — a different comfort philosophy from gel-infused leatherette, and one that tends to breathe better over long sessions. Controls sit right on the headset for on-the-fly adjustments, and the 3-meter cable gives you plenty of slack at a desk. It's designed for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One and works with PS4, PS5, Switch, and mobile through the universal 3.5 mm connector.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for immersive, bass-forward sound → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset (50 mm drivers, 12 Hz–28,000 Hz range).
• Best for positional audio on PC → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset (software-enabled 7.1 surround on Windows 10 64-bit).
• Best for a mic that disappears when unused → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset (retractable unidirectional mic tucks into the ear cup).
• Best for gaming plus everyday listening → SteelSeries Arctis 1 (detachable mic, fold-flat earcups, low-profile design).
• Best for hot, long sessions → SteelSeries Arctis 1 (AirWeave fabric cushions) — though the Kraken's cooling gel is a close second if you prefer leatherette isolation.
• Best for voice-chat clarity in Discord → SteelSeries Arctis 1 (Discord-certified ClearCast bidirectional mic).
• Best for a lightweight, durable frame → SteelSeries Arctis 1 (steel-reinforced headband, 10.24 oz) over the Kraken's bauxite aluminum at 11.36 oz.
• Best for console-first, plug-and-play simplicity → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset (3.5 mm jack, inline volume and mute).
If price is the deciding factor for you, check the current price on Amazon before you commit — both are wired 3.5 mm headsets, so the gap usually comes down to which feature set you actually want.
In my opinion, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the smarter buy for most people. The detachable mic and fold-flat earcups make it genuinely versatile — it's the one headset here that works at your desk and on your commute, and the Discord-certified ClearCast mic plus steel-reinforced headband are the features I'd want day to day. I'd steer you to the Razer Kraken instead if your priority is big, immersive console audio and PC surround sound, because its 50 mm drivers and wider frequency range deliver more low-end punch. Two different jobs, two different winners — pick the job you actually have.
It depends on your platform and priorities. The Arctis 1 is more versatile with a detachable mic and fold-flat design, while the Kraken offers 50 mm drivers and software-enabled 7.1 surround on Windows 10 64-bit for more immersive positional audio.
Yes. The Kraken uses a 3.5 mm jack and is listed for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and mobile. Just note the 7.1 surround feature only works on Windows 10 64-bit.
The Kraken has the wider frequency range (12 Hz–28,000 Hz versus 20 Hz–20,000 Hz on the Arctis 1), which typically means deeper bass. The Arctis 1 emphasizes subtle, critical sounds for an audio advantage. Both use dynamic drivers.
The headset features the detachable ClearCast bidirectional microphone with noise cancellation for clear voice pickup, and the product lists active noise cancellation as a control feature. Its AirWeave cushions also help keep your ears cool and dry.
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