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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a console-first esports headset with proven Razer tuning and a lightweight fit, choose Razer BlackShark V2; if you need a wired RGB headset with an aluminum alloy frame, a carrying case and multi-platform flexibility, choose IYGR K98.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest strength: TriForce Titanium 50 mm drivers and a HyperClear cardioid mic built for clear, directional game audio and clean voice chat.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest trade-off: It's wired only and its tuning leans toward competitive shooters rather than showy, bass-heavy sound.
• IYGR K98 — biggest strength: An aluminum alloy frame, RGB lighting and a bundled carrying case make it feel like a more durable, travel-ready package.
• IYGR K98 — biggest trade-off: It runs on standard 50 mm dynamic drivers with stereo surround, so it's less specialized for pinpoint positional audio than the Razer.
• Who Razer BlackShark V2 is for: Xbox players who want a light, tournament-style headset with a noise-rejecting mic.
• Who IYGR K98 is for: PC and multi-console players who want a sturdier-feeling RGB headset they can pack up and carry.
The BlackShark V2 X is Razer's console-focused take on its esports headset line, and the spec sheet tells you exactly where it aims. The headline piece is the TriForce Titanium 50 mm driver, which Razer splits into three tuned sections so highs, mids and lows are handled separately. In practice, that design choice points toward brighter, clearer audio with defined highs and controlled lows — the kind of tuning that helps you hear footsteps and reloads rather than feel them. If you play competitive shooters on Xbox Series X|S or Series S, that's a meaningful design advantage, and Razer pairs it with Windows Sonic support for virtual surround on PC.
The second pillar is the HyperClear cardioid mic. A cardioid pickup pattern tapers off at the back and sides, so it captures more of your voice and less of the room. The mic is bendable, which means you can position it close to your mouth for a stronger signal. Combine that with the closed earcups and leatherette memory foam cushions, and the whole package is built around one idea: shut the room out, put your voice in cleanly, and keep positional cues readable.
Comfort is where the numbers matter most. At 240 g, this is a genuinely light headset, and Razer backs it up with thicker headband padding and memory foam ear cushions. For long ranked sessions or practice blocks, that weight matters more than almost anything else on the sheet. The trade-offs are honest ones: it's wired, with a 3.5 mm jack, so there's no wireless freedom, and the 32 ohm impedance with 100 dB sensitivity means it's easy to drive but not unusually loud. It's also tuned for clarity over thump, so if you want a bass-forward movie-and-music headset, this isn't the one I'd point you to. Buy it if you're an Xbox player who wants a light, esports-leaning headset with a vocal-focused mic. Skip it if you want wireless or RGB flair.
The IYGR K98 approaches the same job from a different angle. It also uses 50 mm dynamic drivers with 32 ohm impedance, and it adds stereo surround sound processing on top. Where it diverges is build and presentation: an aluminum alloy frame paired with ABS enclosure parts, oval over-ear cups, and RGB lighting. That combination signals a headset meant to look the part on a desk and survive being tossed in a bag. IYGR even ships a carrying case, which is unusual at this tier and genuinely useful if you move between setups.
On paper, the K98 pushes harder on volume headroom. Its sensitivity is rated at 105 dB versus the Razer's 100 dB, so at the same source volume it should play noticeably louder — handy on consoles or controllers with weaker headphone amps. It also lists a 15 millisecond audio latency figure, which is a wired-latency spec rather than a wireless one, and it's low enough that lip-sync and gunfire timing stay tight in normal use.
The frequency response is the key difference to understand. The K98 is rated to 20 KHz, while the Razer extends to 40 KHz. In real terms, that upper extension matters little for gaming, but it reflects a different tuning philosophy — the K98 is a general-purpose gaming headset, not a positional-audio specialist. Its noise control is listed as sound isolation via the closed oval cups, similar in principle to the Razer's passive approach. Controls are simple: a push-button volume control on the headset itself. Buy it if you want RGB looks, a metal frame, a carry case and broad PC/PS5/PS4/Xbox/Switch compatibility. Skip it if you specifically want the tightest possible positional audio for competitive shooters.
• Best for competitive positional audio → Razer BlackShark V2. The TriForce Titanium driver design is purpose-built for separating highs, mids and lows.
• Best for voice clarity → Razer BlackShark V2. The HyperClear cardioid mic actively rejects sound from the back and sides.
• Best for long sessions → Razer BlackShark V2. At 240 g with memory foam cushions, it's the lighter, more fatigue-friendly option.
• Best for build durability → IYGR K98. An aluminum alloy frame and a bundled carrying case make it the tougher travel companion.
• Best for loud, easy-to-drive audio → IYGR K98. Its 105 dB sensitivity gives it more volume headroom on weak sources.
• Best for desk aesthetics → IYGR K98. RGB lighting and a black/gray finish are part of the package.
• Best for console-first players → Razer BlackShark V2. It's explicitly styled and tuned around Xbox Series X|S, with 3.5 mm cross-platform support.
• Best for multi-platform movers → IYGR K98. PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox and Switch are all covered, and the case makes swapping setups painless.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the Razer BlackShark V2. In my opinion, the TriForce Titanium driver tuning, the cardioid mic and the 240 g build add up to a more focused gaming tool — especially if you play shooters where hearing direction and being heard clearly actually decide rounds. The IYGR K98 is the better pick only if you value the aluminum frame, RGB lighting and carrying case more than positional precision. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one variable that can flip this decision.
For competitive gaming, yes — in my opinion. Its TriForce Titanium drivers and cardioid mic are designed around positional clarity and clean voice pickup. The K98 is more of an all-rounder with RGB and a sturdier frame.
The IYGR K98 has the edge on paper. It's rated at 105 dB sensitivity versus 100 dB for the Razer, both at 32 ohm impedance, so it should reach higher volume on the same source.
Yes. It uses a 3.5 mm jack and lists compatibility with PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox and Switch. The Razer BlackShark V2 is also 3.5 mm and cross-platform, but it's primarily positioned for Xbox Series X|S.
The Razer BlackShark V2. At 240 g with thicker headband padding and leatherette memory foam cushions, it's built to stay comfortable over long play sessions. The K98 uses memory foam too, but its aluminum frame adds weight.
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