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 wired esports headset with spatial surround sound and a boom mic for competitive PC gaming, choose Razer BlackShark V2; if you need open-ear wireless earbuds you can wear running, in the gym or outdoors while still hearing traffic and your surroundings, choose Skullcandy Push 720. These two are built for completely different jobs, so the right answer comes down to where and how you actually listen.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest strength: THX 7.1 spatial surround (on Windows 10 64-bit) paired with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, plus a detachable HyperClear cardioid boom mic for clear voice pickup.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest trade-off: It's wired only, with no battery at all, and the spatial surround is a Windows-only feature, so console and mobile users get plain stereo.
• Skullcandy Push 720 — biggest strength: An open-ear clip-on design with IP67 waterproofing, up to 30 hours total battery and a wireless charging pouch — built for movement and weather.
• Skullcandy Push 720 — biggest trade-off: Open-ear means you hear everything around you, and the 12mm drivers simply can't deliver the kind of isolation or positional audio a closed over-ear headset can.
• Who each pick is for: Razer for PC players who want footsteps and comms dialed in at a desk. Skullcandy for runners, gym-goers and outdoor listeners who need to stay aware of their environment.
The BlackShark V2 is a closed-back, over-ear wired headset, and everything about it points at one scenario: sitting down at a PC and playing seriously. The headline feature is THX 7.1 spatial surround, which is designed to give you directional audio cues beyond a standard 7.1 mix — the kind of thing that matters when you're trying to place a footstep behind you. That feature is available on Windows 10 64-bit only, so it's genuinely a PC-first product. The 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers use a three-part internal design to tune highs, mids and lows separately, which Razer frames as brighter, clearer audio with richer highs and more powerful lows. The frequency range runs 20Hz–20,000Hz, impedance is 32 ohm and sensitivity is 100 dB.
Comfort is clearly a priority here. The ear cushions are oval and infused with cooling gel, which is meant to cut down on heat and pressure over long sessions, and the foam density is tuned to reduce clamping force. The closed earcups also isolate you from the room — useful if you game near a TV, a fan or other people. The detachable HyperClear cardioid mic has a tighter pickup pattern for focused voice capture, and you get extra voice tweaking through Razer Synapse 3. In the box you get the headset, the removable mic, a USB sound card (the audio-enhancing DAC) and a manual. It's a 3.5mm wired connection, so it works across PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and Xbox consoles — but remember the surround processing is Windows-only.
Buy it if you play on PC and want spatial audio, a proper boom mic and a headset that stays comfortable for hours. Skip it if you want wireless freedom, listen on the move, or mostly game on console and expect surround sound — you won't get it there. It weighs 0.6 kg and has a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
The Push 720 Open is the opposite philosophy. It's an open-ear, clip-on (ear cuff) wireless earbud, and the entire design is about staying aware while you move. Because nothing seals your ear canal, you hear the world around you — traffic, a training partner, an announcement at the gym — while 12mm dynamic drivers push audio in. That's a deliberate trade: you give up isolation and deep bass slam in exchange for safety and situational awareness. Frequency range is 20Hz–20,000Hz, impedance is 16 ohm and sensitivity is 122 dB, so they're easy to drive from a phone.
The practical specs are where it shines for active use. Battery life is up to 30 hours total — 6 hours in the buds, 24 in the case — and Rapid Charge gives you about 2 hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up. The case charges wirelessly, so there's no cable fumbling. It's rated IP67, meaning it's waterproof and sweatproof, which is the spec that makes these a legit option for running in the rain, heavy gym sessions or outdoor work. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the connection, controls are touch-based, and the Skullcandy app lets you adjust EQ presets, remap button behavior, and even use an earbud to trigger your phone's camera. There's adaptive noise cancellation listed too, though on an open-ear bud that mainly helps with call clarity rather than blocking the world out. Weight is a mere 0.08 kg, and the warranty is 1 year.
Buy it if you run, lift, hike or commute and want music without cutting yourself off from your surroundings, plus real water resistance and long battery. Skip it if you want maximum bass, deep isolation, or a boom mic for competitive voice chat.
• Best for PC competitive gaming → Razer BlackShark V2. THX 7.1 spatial surround and the cardioid boom mic are built for exactly this.
• Best for running, gym and outdoor workouts → Skullcandy Push 720. IP67 waterproofing, a clip-on no-slip fit and open-ear awareness.
• Best for battery life → Skullcandy Push 720. Up to 30 hours total with rapid charge; the Razer has no battery because it's wired.
• Best for voice chat and streaming → Razer BlackShark V2. A detachable cardioid mic with Synapse tuning beats touch-controlled earbuds for comms.
• Best for hearing your surroundings → Skullcandy Push 720. The open-ear design is the whole point; the Razer's closed cups do the opposite.
• Best for console gaming → Razer BlackShark V2 (with caveats). The 3.5mm jack works on PS5, Xbox and Switch, but surround is Windows-only.
• Best for all-day desk comfort → Razer BlackShark V2. Cooling gel oval cushions and reduced clamping force are aimed at long sessions.
• Best for wireless convenience and travel → Skullcandy Push 720. Bluetooth 5.3 plus a wireless charging pouch, at 0.08 kg.
In my opinion, these don't really compete — they solve different problems, so I'd pick based on your main use. If you're a PC gamer who wants spatial audio, a real boom mic and a headset that stays comfy through long sessions, I'd buy the Razer BlackShark V2. If your priority is moving — running, the gym, the outdoors — and you want to stay aware of what's around you with waterproofing and long battery, I'd buy the Skullcandy Push 720. If you do both, honestly, own both: they're complementary, not rivals. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
No. It's a wired headset with a 3.5mm jack and a USB sound card, so there's no Bluetooth and no battery to charge. The Push 720 is the wireless option here, with Bluetooth 5.3 and a charging pouch.
Yes — they carry an IP67 waterproof and sweatproof rating, so rain and heavy sweat are within spec. The open-ear design also keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings, which is a real plus outdoors.
The Skullcandy Push 720, clearly, since the Razer has none — it's wired. The Push 720 offers up to 30 hours total (6 in the buds, 24 in the case) plus a 10-minute rapid charge for about 2 hours of playtime.
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