Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset vs EKSA E1000 Gaming Headset

ANC was a weakness because reviewers noted its absence and framed that omission as disappointing or baffling at this price.

Reviewers distinguish the headset from true active noise cancellation, noting that noise reduction is not on the headset itself but related to microphone processing.

Android compatibility is supported in one WT review that tested the headset with an Android phone.

The app/software was a major value driver because reviewers praised mobile presets, Sonar, GG customization, and usefulness, despite a few complexity complaints.

The WT model has app/software support on PC, with reviewers referencing SoundBase or companion software for sound and mic controls.

Audio-video sync looks strong in the WT evidence, with reviewers citing less-than-30 ms latency and reporting no noticeable lag.

Bass feedback was mixed: wireless reviews often praised boom and thump, while several wired or measurement-focused reviews noted restrained sub-bass, boxiness, or less low-end impact.

Bass generally helps games feel punchy, with reviewers noting strong low-end response, improved sub-bass, and boomy gaming impact, though one review says premium-level sub-bass is missing.

Battery life was generally strong for the wireless model, commonly described as enough for days or long sessions, though one lab test found less than the advertised 2.4GHz rating.

Battery evidence is mixed: one reviewer got only 7-8 hours, while others reported or cited roughly 30-36 hours depending on lighting and use.

Bluetooth was viewed positively when tested, especially for painless switching, mobile use, and fallback connectivity.

Bluetooth is not supported on the WT model in the reviewed evidence; reviewers repeatedly say it uses 2.4 GHz wireless instead of Bluetooth.

Build quality was mostly solid for plastic construction, but reviewers also noted plasticky feel or merely steady construction.

Build quality ranges from cheap-feeling plastic to sturdy-for-the-price construction; WT reviews tend to be more favorable than some wired E1000 reviews.

The wired model’s USB DAC was useful mainly for extra volume and software access rather than a broad hi-res claim.

Control usability was mostly simple and easy, but some reviewers disliked crowded or less intuitive one-hand control layouts.

Physical controls are widely covered and mostly practical, including inline wheels, mute switches, onboard volume wheels, and clear button operation.

Cable comments were negative, mostly because reviewers disliked the short charging cable or stiff wired headset cables.

Cable quality is generally praised for thick, braided, durable, or long cabling, although one review says the wired E1000 cable is too short.

Carry case quality is a small positive, with several reviews mentioning an included pouch, bag, or soft carrying solution.

Fast charging was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 15-minute charge usefulness.

Charging is straightforward on WT reviews, with USB-C and about 2.5 hours to full charge repeatedly mentioned.

Clamp comfort was mostly positive, balancing secure fit and comfort, though one review described the fit as tight.

Clamping force is a weakness in the wired E1000 evidence, with reviewers saying pressure lands on the ears and can feel tight.

Comfort over long sessions was one of the strongest consensus positives, with many reviewers wearing it for full workdays, long gaming sessions, or glasses use comfortably.

Comfort is highly inconsistent: some reviewers wore it for hours comfortably, but others reported tightness, pressure, hard padding, slipping, or discomfort after longer use.

Connectivity versatility was a clear strength, with reviewers praising broad platform use, USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired options depending on model.

Connectivity versatility is strong in WT coverage because reviewers mention both wireless and wired use across consoles, computers, and mobile-style devices.

Console compatibility limitations were limited in current evidence; one Switch 2 concern was followed by successful firmware testing.

Console limitations center on connection mode: wireless is not universal, with Xbox often requiring 3.5 mm and USB-A or PlayStation/PC support being more limited.

Design and aesthetics were broadly liked, especially the soft color options, clean look, and less aggressive gaming style.

Design is polarizing: reviewers like the RGB gamer look and visual flair, but some find it cheap, loud, or too obviously gamer-styled.

Detachable cable convenience was split between praise for replaceable/removable cables and criticism of a nonstandard aux-style cable.

Detachable cable convenience depends on version: the wired E1000 is criticized for a fixed cable, while WT coverage praises the detachable 3.5 mm option.

Detachable mic convenience was mixed: reviewers liked the cleaner/travel-friendly look, but some preferred retractable mics or worried about losing the boom.

The microphone is not detachable on the reviewed units, although reviewers note it can fold, swivel, or tuck away.

Dongle feedback was mixed: reviewers liked the low-latency, slim, offset design, but some disliked port blocking or lack of onboard storage.

The USB dongle is important to the WT experience, with reviews describing it as supplied, easy to pair, and central to the wireless connection.

Ear cup padding was usually praised for memory foam, fabric, breathability, and glasses comfort, though one reviewer found the material hot and not plush enough.

Ear cup padding receives mixed-to-positive coverage, ranging from soft, thick, cushiony pads to cheaper-feeling or non-premium memory foam.

Swivel and rotation were praised for comfort, neck wear, and fit flexibility.

Earcup swivel and rotation are clear limitations, with several reviewers saying the cups do not rotate, fold, or adjust ergonomically enough.

Earpad replacement ease was supported by a reviewer calling the pads easily replaceable.

Earpad replacement ease is lightly supported by one video transcript where the reviewer checks the pads and says they are replaceable.

EQ customization was a strength overall, especially on PC and mobile, although some mobile implementations lacked a true custom equalizer.

Equalizer customization is a WT strength on PC, with reviewers noting custom profiles, game/music modes, and tweakable sound settings.

Fit/seal reliability was a small caveat because one lab review found sound quality sensitive to positioning and fit.

Fit and seal reliability are mixed: some reviewers report a snug seal, while others note gaps, fixed ear angles, or noise entering through poor alignment.

Footstep-focused preset evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the preset made footsteps more pronounced in stealth gameplay.

Frequency-response commentary was mixed: the tuning served gaming clarity, but some reviewers found music tonal balance less accurate or less pleasant.

Frequency response accuracy receives negative evidence from one review that says all ranges sounded weak and indistinct.

Game/chat balance was useful where available, though one reviewer disliked the hold-and-wheel implementation compared with a dedicated wheel.

Headband feedback was mostly positive for pressure distribution and adjustability, but some reviewers noted sweet-spot or large-head limitations.

Headband adjustability is generally positive, with click adjustment, firm fit control, and matching length markers mentioned across reviews.

Durability evidence around hinges and arms was positive, with reviewers highlighting flexible construction and stress-resistant support.

Included accessories were a weak point in one review because the included charging cable fell short of expectations.

Included accessories are strongest on WT reviews, which mention cables, dongle, pouch, manuals, and charging gear, while one wired review found extras sparse.

Separation was generally adequate, but one reviewer noted it could feel jumbled during dense action scenes.

The integrated retractable mic on the wired model was praised as convenient and clean when not in use.

The headset includes an integrated boom microphone, with reviews noting rotation, fold-up movement, or a built-in mic arm depending on model.

One reviewer praised maximum-volume bass clarity, noting thump without distortion.

Microphone feedback was generally good for gaming chat, ranging from exceptional to adequate, with some caveats about fuzziness or headset-like tone.

Microphone impressions are mixed overall: many reviewers praise clear or good-enough voice pickup, but a few find it scratchy, tinny, low-volume, or only suitable for game chat.

Microphone noise reduction was one of the stronger mic-related areas, with multiple reviewers praising barking, room, episode, keyboard, or background-noise suppression.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the better-supported positives, with many reviews saying ENC or the noise-canceling mic reduced background sound and kept voice clearer.

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear, with reviewers reporting adequate Zoom/call performance and clear detailed mic sound.

Call and chat quality is mixed: several reviewers found it useful for calls or conferencing, while others warned about Discord friendliness, low volume, or limited clarity.

Midrange was usually clear enough for voices and dialogue, though one measurement-focused reviewer found it recessed before tuning.

Midrange feedback is limited and mixed, with one review hearing muddiness in the mids at lower volume while another says the headset emphasizes low and mid frequencies.

Multi-platform compatibility was one of the strongest positives, especially for the 3X model and cross-console/mobile use.

Multi-platform compatibility is a major selling point across reviews, with PC, PlayStation, Mac, Xbox, Switch, mobile, tablets, and wired/wireless use mentioned.

Multipoint reliability was a caveat: reviewers liked switching modes, but several criticized the lack of true simultaneous Bluetooth or device limitations.

Passive isolation was acceptable for quieter rooms but not strong, with reviewers saying it blocked some outside sound while leaving plenty of awareness.

Passive isolation varies by fit: some reviewers say it blocks outside sound well, while another says noise isolation leaves something to be desired.

Packaging evidence is limited and modest, with one review describing simple packaging plus a pouch and few extras.

Portability was helped by folding/flat ear cups and an understated look, though this was more prominent on wired or travel-adjacent comments.

Portability and foldability are weak because at least one reviewer says the headphones do not fold or rotate.

Positional audio was a strength for gaming, with many reviewers hearing footsteps, gunfire, reloads, and directional cues clearly.

Positional audio is generally good for gaming, with many reviewers hearing footsteps, players, or sound direction clearly, though one review wanted better depth.

Preset EQ profiles were repeatedly praised for game-specific tuning and live switching, with only minor caveats that not every preset made a big difference.

Preset EQ coverage is positive on the WT model, with gaming, music, FPS, movie, MOBA, and genre presets described.

Replaceable earpads were praised for interchangeability and long-term support.

Replaceable earpads are lightly supported by one video review that says the pads are replaceable.

RGB customization was mostly praised on wired models as subtle, customizable, and tasteful, with one reviewer saying options were limited.

RGB customization is a recurring limitation: reviewers like the lighting, but many say it is fixed, not programmable, or only on/off.

Sidetone quality was a strength in the few reviews that discussed it, especially for real-time, clear monitoring.

Smudge resistance had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer praising the non-fingerprint-prone ear plate surface.

Setup simplicity was mixed: wired setup was plug-and-play, but PC software routing could become confusing.

Setup is mostly simple and plug-and-play, but one WT review says PC pairing instructions were incomplete until using troubleshooting steps.

Sound leakage was the clearest serious drawback, with one reviewer calling leakage shockingly bad even at low volumes.

Sound leakage evidence is limited but favorable in one review, which says the snug fit avoids large gaps where sound can escape.

Reviewers generally liked the sound, especially after EQ, describing it as detailed, immersive, or impressive for the price; a few wired-model notes called the default profile merely fine.

Sound quality is the most divided attribute: some reviews call the E1000 clear, immersive, and good for gaming, while others describe it as muffled, muddy, boxy, or less suited to music.

Soundstage was serviceable but not universally expansive, with one review saying it lacked full wraparound immersion and another calling the stage wide enough.

Soundstage is a recurring positive for gaming, with reviewers describing improved, wide, airy sound that helps create a larger sense of space.

Spatial audio was praised for gaming immersion and directionality, especially through Sonar or console spatial systems.

Spatial audio is a frequent gaming positive, especially when 7.1 or surround mode is enabled, though it is more of a gaming effect than audiophile tuning.

Stability evidence was positive in one review that said the headset did not slip accidentally.

Stability evidence is mixed, from one wired review saying the headset feels unstable to WT/wired reviews praising firm clamp or uninterrupted wireless performance.

Treble drew mixed responses: some heard clearer highs, but others found high tones shouty, recessed, or occasionally irritating.

Treble evidence is limited to one review, which says the headset does not reproduce much of the higher frequencies, so treble clarity is not a strength.

USB-C was viewed as a useful upgrade because it enabled better connectivity and subtle sound/software advantages.

USB-C is supported for WT charging in multiple reviews and is presented as the charging port or included charging cable.

Value was a strong consensus positive across nearly every review, with reviewers repeatedly calling it a good budget or midrange buy.

Value for money is generally positive because reviewers repeatedly frame the headset as inexpensive, budget-friendly, or strong for the price, though not always best-in-class.

Volume output was a mild weakness in the evidence, with reviewers calling the default output quieter or less efficient than some competitors.

Volume output is mostly strong, with several reviewers saying the headset gets loud or is easy to control, though one PS5 reviewer found the wired model not very loud.

Weight comfort was a major strength, with many reviewers emphasizing the headset’s lightness and reduced fatigue.

Weight comfort is positive in WT reviews, which describe the headset as lightweight, comfortable, or well-distributed despite its size.

Wireless latency was consistently praised, with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth testing producing low-latency or no-lag impressions.

Wireless latency is a consistent WT strength, with reviewers citing low-latency 2.4 GHz operation and no noticeable delay in use.

Xbox compatibility was positive for the 3X variant, though buyers must choose the Xbox-capable version.

Xbox compatibility is possible but limited, with evidence showing wired controller use rather than universal dongle support.