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Arctic are well known for producing a large range of cooling products which includes both CPU and GPU coolers. But more recently they have been aggressively diversifying their product range to encompass far more of the PC market.
A few months back we reviewed a couple of their gaming headsets, the P321 and P531 which both offered fantastic performance at very reasonable prices. But today we are going to look at another of their headsets, the P311, which is designed to be easily portable and compatible with most Bluetooth devices on the market. You can therefore use it with all your portable devices whether it be a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Specification
- Wearing Style: Supra-Aural, Neckband
- Bluetooth Version: V2.1+EDR Class 2
- Frequency Response: 18 – 22 000 Hz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.1%
- Battery: Rechargeable 400 mAH; Li-Polymer Battery
- Talk Time: Up to 20 hours
- Limited Warranty: 2 years
- Weight: 0.32 kg
Arctic have chosen to use a combination of plastic and cardboard for the P311’s packaging which will provide the headset with ample protection in transit. The clear plastic window and inner tray help to show the headset off well.
The silver livery used for the box looks very attractive and corresponds with what we’ve seen before from Arctic. Surrounding the window in the front of the box there are some basic details of the headset’s features with a more detailed breakdown on the reverse of the box.
Inside the box, Arctic include a carrying case for the headset which should protect it from knocks and bumps. They also provide a USB charging cable and a quick start guide.
For those who don’t have a Bluetooth enabled computer, Arctic also sell a very small USB dongle which will allow you to use the headset with any PC. This is very compact, protruding only a couple of millimeters from the USB port so is ideal for use with a laptop on the go.
Arctic have opted for a neutral grey and black colour scheme for the P311 that mimics the style of the other headsets in their range. All of the surfaces have a matte finish which decreases the likelihood of them picking up scratches over time.
The entire construction of the P311 is plastic which helps to keep weight to an absolute minimum – something that is vital for a neckband-style headset like the P311. This doesn’t make the headset feel flimsy, though, despite some of the buttons feeling slightly unrefined.
To enhance the portability of the P311, its earpieces can be folded up so the headset occupies far less space. The neckband itself is also a little flexible so it’s very unlikely to get broken when it’s stowed in a bag or pocket. It has to be folded to fit into the supplied case but this does add significantly to the size so isn't ideal for portability.
All of the P311’s controls are located on the right earpiece alongside a small microphone. This inclusion of a microphone makes this headset even more versatile as it can be used as a hands-free unit or Skype headset. In total there are five buttons; a large multi-function button in the centre and four surrounding buttons for volume control and track skipping.
The centre multifunction button has numerous functions which can make using it a little confusing to use at first. But after a while you get used to the different functions and it becomes much easier. This button contains all the hands-free controls, letting you answer and end calls and dial recently dialed numbers.
Comfort is one of the most important aspects of a headset, especially if you’re using it for long periods of time. Neckband-style headsets do tend to be less comfortable than over-the-head style ones as there can be a lot of force applied to your ears. But we feel that Arctic have done quite a good job with the P311 which is one of the most comfortable neckband-style headsets we’ve ever tested. It’s certainly in a completely different league to the SteelSeries Siberia Neckband we reviewed a while back.
The P311 doesn’t slip around at all during use as the neckband stems from the front of each earpiece and lies over your ears, securing the headset in place. This also means there is no excess pressure against your ears which makes for a very comfortable headset overall. Arctic have used faux-leather pads on each earpiece which further enhance the headset’s comfort.
There is only so much you can expect from a headset at this price point in terms of sound quality and the P311 doesn’t disappoint. Sure it isn’t in the same league as Arctic’s larger, more expensive gaming headsets but it is perfectly acceptable. When playing music through our HTC Desire smartphone, the overall sound was quite impressive. The lower registers did lack punch and clarity, though, which was most noticeable in more ‘bass heavy' tracks.
Music playback using a PC was much the same. The audio quality was perfectly acceptable for watching a movie or listening to music on the go but the P311 isn't ideally suited for gaming. For gaming, we would recommend one of Arctic's gaming headset range which offer better sound quality.
Overall we are very impressed with the Arctic P311 headset which seems to do all we could ask for and more. Sure the build quality isn't class leading but the overall construction of the headset feels secure and it should last you a couple of years. The hands-free functionality of the headset is perfect for people who can't justify a separate headset to use while driving.
Sound quality was perfectly acceptable considering the price point of this headset, even though it doesn’t compare to Arctics range of full size gaming headsets. Thanks to the light weight of the headset and the soft earpads, it remains comfortable to use for long periods of time. We found it particularly good to use while running and working out at the gym as it fits very securely and the wireless interface prevents you accidentally dislodging the wires.
For many people, the final decision will depend on the price of the headset. The Arctic P311 can be yours for the rather reasonable sum of £19 at Overclockers UK. This makes it very good value for money, especially considering the versatile nature of the product. At present we couldn't find the Arctic UD2 Bluetooth dongle for sale in the UK, but it is available from Arctic's site at just over €12.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Doubles up as hands-free
- Good battery life
Cons
- Feels a little flimsy
- Multifunction button can be confusing
KitGuru says: Cheap and cheerful. Great value for money.
