If you want a gaming headset with 50 mm drivers, a retractable mic, and a flexible aluminum frame, choose Razer Kraken Gaming Headset; if you need breathable fabric ear cushions and a ski-goggle-style suspension headband, choose SteelSeries Arctis 3. For workout use, neither is a wireless workout headset: both are wired gaming models with a 3.5 mm connection.
• Razer Kraken Gaming Headset: Its 50 mm drivers, cooling-gel cushions, retractable microphone, and in-line controls make it a practical all-around gaming pick. The trade-off is that it connects by wire, and software-enabled 7.1 surround sound is available only on Windows 10 64-bit.
• SteelSeries Arctis 3: Its AirWeave fabric cushions and suspension-style headband focus on comfort, while its ClearCast microphone and detachable 3.5 mm cables suit multi-platform gaming. The trade-off is that PS5 setup may require changing audio settings, and the listed sensitivity is 98 dB.
• Choose Razer if you want a retractable microphone and on-headset volume and mute controls.
• Choose SteelSeries if breathable fabric cushions and its suspension headband matter most to you.
• Neither is a Bluetooth workout headset, and neither sheet describes a volume-limiting feature.
The Razer Kraken is a wired, over-ear gaming headset built around 50 mm dynamic drivers. Its 3.5 mm jack lets it connect to compatible devices including PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. That range makes it a flexible choice if you play on more than one platform and want to move the same headset between setups without relying on a wireless connection.
The headset’s clearest practical advantage is how its controls and microphone are arranged. The microphone retracts when you are not using it, while an in-line wheel adjusts volume and a separate switch mutes the mic. For gaming sessions, that means you can manage those basic adjustments without navigating menus. Razer also lists software-enabled 7.1 surround sound for Windows 10 64-bit only, so buyers on other systems should not assume that feature will be available to them. The 50 mm drivers are a straightforward reason to consider this model for gaming, but driver size alone does not tell you exactly how sound will suit your ears or games.
For comfort, Razer pairs oval cushions with cooling gel and a soft cloth-and-leatherette combination. The aluminum frame is described as flexible and lightweight. Those choices point toward a headset designed for extended gaming rather than quick calls alone. The microphone is described as noise-isolating and cardioid, with background and ambient noise reduction intended to help keep voice communication focused. That could be useful when you are coordinating with teammates in a busy room, though the sheet does not provide a measured noise-reduction figure.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
This is my pick between the two if I value physical mic controls, a retractable boom, and cooling-gel cushions more than a fabric headband design. It is still a wired headset, not a Bluetooth option. For someone searching for volume-limiting Bluetooth earbuds for workout sessions, the Kraken is not a direct match: the listed connection is a 3.5 mm jack, and the data does not specify volume limiting.
Who should skip it: Skip the Kraken if you specifically need Bluetooth or a documented volume-limiting feature for workouts.
The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is another wired, over-ear gaming headset, with detachable 3.5 mm cables for connecting to supported gaming platforms. Its listed compatibility includes PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, while the product information also identifies use with VR and mobile devices. A detachable cable can be useful if you want to disconnect it for storage or move it between compatible setups, although it does not make the headset wireless.
Comfort is the Arctis 3’s most distinctive design argument. Its AirWeave fabric cushions are intended to keep ears cool and dry, and its ski-goggle-style suspension headband is designed to spread contact across the head rather than concentrate pressure in one area. Those features may appeal if you dislike the feel of more conventional padded headbands or prefer fabric where the ear cups touch your head. The headband and cushions are not a guarantee of a particular personal fit, but they give buyers concrete design differences to weigh against the Kraken’s cooling-gel cushions.
SteelSeries lists S1 speaker drivers engineered for low-distortion audio and a ClearCast bidirectional microphone intended to provide clear voice pickup and background-noise cancellation. Windows Sonic spatial audio is compatible with Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One consoles. On PS5, the sheet notes that users may need to disable Sony 3D Audio and raise the default volume setting to 100%. That setup note matters if you want to connect it to a PS5 and expect to use its audio without adjusting console settings. Its stated sensitivity is 98 dB; that figure is a spec, not a complete measure of sound quality or loudness in every setup.
I would look closely at the Arctis 3 if breathable fabric cushions and the suspension headband sound more comfortable for your gaming routine than gel-infused padding. Its microphone and platform coverage also make it a sensible wired option for people who move between consoles and PC. But it is not presented as a Bluetooth workout headset, and the data does not list a volume limiter or wireless workout features.
Who should skip it: Skip the Arctis 3 if you need a Bluetooth connection or do not want to adjust PS5 audio settings when required.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for on-headset volume and mute controls → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. It has an in-line volume wheel and mic-mute switch.
• Best for cooling-gel cushions → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. The oval ear cushions use cooling gel and a cloth-and-leatherette covering.
• Best for breathable fabric ear cushions → SteelSeries Arctis 3. Its AirWeave fabric is designed to keep ears cool and dry.
• Best for a suspension-style headband → SteelSeries Arctis 3. Its ski-goggle-style band is intended to distribute contact across the head.
• Best if you want detachable 3.5 mm cables → SteelSeries Arctis 3. Its cables detach, while the Kraken’s listed connection is a 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for software-enabled 7.1 surround on Windows 10 64-bit → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. That software-dependent feature is limited to the specified Windows setup.
• Best for Windows Sonic support on Windows 10 PC or Xbox One → SteelSeries Arctis 3. The sheet identifies compatibility with those systems.
• Best for workout use without a cable → Neither. Both are listed as wired headsets; neither product sheet describes Bluetooth workout operation.
In my opinion, I would buy the Razer Kraken Gaming Headset for gaming because its retractable mic, in-line controls, 50 mm drivers, and cooling-gel cushions make a cohesive case for regular play. The Arctis 3 has a real comfort advantage for anyone who prefers AirWeave fabric and a suspension headband, so I would choose it if those details fit my priorities better. For workout use, I would choose neither based on these specifications: both are wired, and neither lists volume limiting. Neither should be mistaken for the best Bluetooth on-ear headphones for workout or the best headphones for workout if wireless use is essential.
Start with the connection, not the brand name. Both headsets are wired, and the listed connection for the Kraken is a 3.5 mm jack. The Arctis 3 uses detachable 3.5 mm cables. If your main goal is a cable-free workout, these specifications do not support choosing either one as a Bluetooth headset. The data also does not identify a volume limiter, so shoppers seeking volume limiting Bluetooth earbuds for workout should look for that feature explicitly in another product.
Next, consider how you want the headset to sit and what controls you want at hand. Razer uses cooling-gel cushions and gives you an in-line volume wheel and mute switch. SteelSeries uses AirWeave fabric cushions and a suspension-style headband, with controls described as being on the headset. Those are different comfort and adjustment approaches, not a reason to assume one will fit every person better.
Finally, match the sound features to your device. The Kraken’s software-enabled 7.1 surround sound is restricted to Windows 10 64-bit. The Arctis 3 supports Windows Sonic spatial audio on Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One, while its PS5 setup may require changing console settings. If you are deciding based on value, check the current price on Amazon using the page’s price button, then weigh it against the features you will actually use; I can’t determine value from specifications alone.
Both are wired gaming headsets with over-ear designs and cross-platform use. The Kraken emphasizes 50 mm drivers, a retractable microphone, and in-line controls; the Arctis 3 emphasizes AirWeave cushions, a suspension headband, and its ClearCast microphone.
The product details identify the Kraken as wired through a 3.5 mm jack, and the Arctis 3 is described with detachable 3.5 mm cables. The provided specifications do not establish either headset as a Bluetooth option.
Both are listed for PS5 use. SteelSeries notes that PS5 users may need to disable Sony 3D Audio and raise the default volume setting to 100%, so factor in that possible setup adjustment. The Kraken’s listed surround-sound software feature applies only to Windows 10 64-bit.
Neither product sheet describes Bluetooth workout use or a volume-limiting feature. They are wired gaming headsets, so shoppers who need wireless freedom or built-in volume limits should check those specifications before choosing.
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