We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a full-size, closed-back gaming headset that shuts the room out with passive isolation and gives you a boom mic right at your mouth, choose Razer BlackShark V2; if you need something featherweight that disappears in your ears for marathon sessions and doubles as a daily-carry pair for calls and music, choose Aitalk Earbuds.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest strength: Over-ear closed earcups with thick memory foam and leatherette cushions that seal around your ears for serious passive noise isolation, plus a bendable cardioid boom mic.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest trade-off: It's a wired over-ear headset only, and at 240 g it's still a headband you're wearing, not something that vanishes.
• Aitalk Earbuds — biggest strength: Just 18.8 g with a 45° angled in-ear design and 12mm composite drivers tuned for footsteps and positional cues, plus a 1.2 m Y extension cable and a 3.5 mm-to-USB-C adapter in the box.
• Aitalk Earbuds — biggest trade-off: Isolation depends entirely on getting a good seal with the S/L tips, and there's no boom mic — just a small in-line mic on the cable.
• Pick Razer BlackShark V2 if you game at a desk or console and want maximum room-shutting isolation with a proper voice mic.
• Pick Aitalk Earbuds if you want near-weightless isolation, portability, and one pair that handles gaming, calls and music.
The BlackShark V2's whole pitch is shutting the world out. The closed earcups fully cover your ears, and Razer pairs them with leatherette memory foam cushions that press in for a closer seal. That's passive noise isolation done the old-fashioned way — no electronics, no batteries, just a physical barrier between you and the room. If you game next to a noisy AC unit, a fan, or a household that doesn't respect your raid schedule, that seal is the feature you're actually buying.
At 240 g with thicker headband padding, it's clearly designed for long tournaments and training blocks. It's wired over 3.5 mm, and although it's styled as a PlayStation headset, that same jack works across PS5, Xbox Series X, PC and Switch. I'd steer you here if you want a real boom mic, maximum isolation, and don't mind a headband. Skip it if you hate over-ears in summer, want wireless freedom, or need something that fits in a pocket.
Aitalk Earbuds: Who It's For
The Aitalk Earbuds go the opposite direction: instead of sealing around your ears, they seal inside them. The 45° angled in-ear shape plus the included S and L tips are what create the isolation — the spec sheet literally says properly fitted tips deliver better noise isolation, which is the honest truth about every in-ear design. Get the seal right and you'll cut a surprising amount of background noise. Get it wrong and you'll wonder what the fuss is about.
The 12mm composite diaphragm drivers are tuned with gaming in mind: boosted footsteps, crisp gunshots, and a 360° soundstage for pinpointing direction. That's the classic FPS-first tuning, and it's paired with a one-button in-line control for play/pause and calls plus a built-in mic. At 18.8 g, the fatigue argument is real — nothing presses on the top of your head, nothing heats up your ears, and there's no headband to adjust mid-match.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for maximum noise isolation → Razer BlackShark V2. Over-ear closed cups with a leatherette memory foam seal block more of the room than any in-ear tip will.
• Best for long-session comfort → Aitalk Earbuds. 18.8 g versus 240 g is not a close contest if you play for hours.
• Best for voice chat quality → Razer BlackShark V2. The bendable HyperClear cardioid boom mic beats a small in-line mic every time.
• Best for portability and travel → Aitalk Earbuds. Magnetic buds, a compact cable and a USB-C adapter fit in a pocket; a full headset doesn't.
• Best for console gaming → Razer BlackShark V2. It's purpose-built for PS5 and works across Xbox Series X, PC and Switch via 3.5 mm.
• Best for phone and laptop use → Aitalk Earbuds. The USB-C adapter covers iPhone 15/16/17, iPad and MacBook, and the L-shaped plug is made for handheld play.
• Best for positional audio in FPS games → Aitalk Earbuds. The tuning is explicitly optimized for footsteps, gunshots and directional cues.
• Best for everyday all-rounder duty → Aitalk Earbuds. Music, meetings, calls and gaming in one 18.8 g package.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Razer BlackShark V2 — because isolation is the whole point of this comparison, and a closed over-ear seal with a boom mic is simply the more decisive tool for that job at a desk or console. That said, I'd genuinely recommend the Aitalk Earbuds to anyone who games in short bursts, travels, or wants one pair for work calls and music too. The honest split: isolation and voice clarity go to Razer; weight, portability and versatility go to Aitalk. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit — that's the one variable that can flip this decision.
FAQ
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise-isolating headphones reduce outside sound physically rather than electronically. The Razer BlackShark V2 does this with closed earcups and sealed memory foam cushions; the Aitalk Earbuds do it by blocking your ear canal with properly fitted tips.
That depends on the type. Active noise cancellation uses electronics; both of these use passive isolation instead. The BlackShark V2's closed cups and the Aitalk's in-ear seal both cut background noise without any battery or processing, which keeps the audio path simple for gaming.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
In my opinion, the best pick here depends on form factor. For over-ear isolation with a boom mic, the Razer BlackShark V2 is the stronger choice. For lightweight in-ear isolation tuned for footsteps and positional cues, the Aitalk Earbuds fit better.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes — and both of these use passive isolation rather than active cancellation. The Razer BlackShark V2 relies on closed earcups and cushion seal, while the Aitalk Earbuds rely on angled in-ear tips. Neither needs charging, and neither adds processing to your game audio.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Shure SRH440A vs PreSonus Fender Quantum Creator, Gulanxo Open Ear Headphones vs miyonsin, CCA CRA vs Linsoul 7Hz, Logitech Pro X vs Kensington Noise Cancelling H