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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
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 — biggest strength: it's a 236g/0.52lb wired 3.5mm headset with a retractable noise-cancelling mic, 360° spatial audio and a Pro-grade Parametric EQ, so it plugs into basically anything with a headphone jack.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 — biggest trade-off: it's wired-only through a 3.5mm jack, so there's no USB connection, no RGB and no software-free surround on every platform.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest strength: a USB-C wired headset with Razer's TriForce 40mm drivers, 7.1 surround sound, a retractable HyperClear cardioid mic and Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest trade-off: it's wired USB-C only (with a Type-C to Type-A adapter), so it doesn't plug into a plain 3.5mm jack, and it's a much heavier 0.65 kg.
• Who each pick is for: Arctis Nova 1 for console-and-PC players who want light comfort and a jack that works everywhere; Kraken V4 for PC and USB-C players who want surround sound, RGB and a themed design.
The Arctis Nova 1 is built around the Nova Acoustic System and custom high-fidelity drivers, with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 22,000 Hz and 36 ohm impedance. That low impedance matters in practice: it means the headset is easy to drive from a controller, a phone or a laptop headphone jack without needing extra power. On top of that, you get 360° spatial audio, plus official compatibility with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound, so positional cues like footsteps and reloads are pushed to the front of the mix. In my opinion, that's the single most useful feature for competitive shooters.
The comfort story is the other half of the pitch. At 236g/0.52lb with SteelSeries' ComfortMAX system — height-adjusting rotating earcups, an AirWeave memory foam cushion and a stretchy band — this is a headset designed for marathon sessions rather than short bursts. The ClearCast Gen 2 bidirectional mic cuts background noise by up to 25dB and fully retracts into the earcup when you're not talking, which makes it a decent pick for calls and voice chat, not just gaming. On-board volume and mute controls sit right on the headset.
Who should buy it: anyone on a mix of PC, PS5/PS4, Xbox, Switch, Mac or mobile who wants one wired headset that just works everywhere. Who should skip it: if you specifically want USB-C audio, RGB lighting or a virtual 7.1 surround mode tied to desktop software, this isn't that headset.
The Kraken V4 X (My Melody Edition) takes a very different approach. It's a wired USB-C headset with a convertible Type-C to Type-A cable, so it connects to PC, Mac, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 without any adapter shopping. Inside are Razer's patented TriForce 40mm drivers in a three-part design that separates highs, mids and lows so they don't muddy into each other — 32 ohm impedance, 96dB sensitivity, 20 kHz frequency response. Combined with 7.1 surround sound, the goal is a wide, cinematic soundstage rather than a flat stereo image.
The mic is a retractable Razer HyperClear cardioid unit. A cardioid pickup pattern is more directional than an omnidirectional one, so it favors your voice and rejects more of the room around you, and the retractable design lets you stow it out of the way. Comfort comes from hybrid fabric-and-leatherette memory foam cushions with close-fitting earcups, which also give you passive sound isolation — that's the physical kind, not active noise cancellation, and this headset doesn't claim ANC. Chroma RGB is the headline flourish: 16.8 million colors and lighting effects that sync with a large ecosystem of supported games and devices.
Who should buy it: PC and USB-C players who want surround sound, a themed pink My Melody design, RGB and a two-year manufacturer warranty. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a 3.5mm jack, wants the lightest possible headset, or doesn't care about lighting and themed styling — at 0.65 kg it's a notably heavier wear.
• Best for comfort and long sessions → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. 236g/0.52lb versus 0.65 kg is a real difference over a six-hour session.
• Best for console flexibility → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. A universal 3.5mm jack covers PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile.
• Best for surround sound on desktop → Razer Kraken V4. 7.1 surround sound is a core feature here.
• Best for RGB and style → Razer Kraken V4. Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors and a My Melody theme is the whole point.
• Best for mic noise rejection → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 on paper, with the bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 rated to cut background noise by up to 25dB; the Kraken V4 counters with a cardioid pickup pattern that favors voice over room noise.
• Best for USB-C players → Razer Kraken V4. Its convertible Type-C/Type-A cable is the simplest path for laptops, handhelds and modern consoles.
• Best for sound tuning → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. A 10-band Pro-grade Parametric EQ gives you far more control over the curve than preset lighting-style tuning.
• Best for passive isolation → Razer Kraken V4. Hybrid fabric and leatherette cushions with close-fitting earcups isolate more outside noise; the Arctis Nova 1 leans on AirWeave breathability instead.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Not because it does everything better — it doesn't do USB-C, RGB or 7.1 — but because the combination of 236g weight, a 3.5mm jack that works on every platform I own, spatial audio compatibility with PS5 and Windows, and a parametric EQ covers the widest range of everyday gaming and call situations. The Kraken V4 is the better choice if you're PC-first, love the My Melody look and want 7.1 surround and RGB lighting. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the variable that changes most.
FAQ
how much gaming headphones
how to game with bluetooth headphones
Neither of these is a Bluetooth-first headset. The Kraken V4 is wired USB-C with a Type-C to Type-A adapter, and the Arctis Nova 1 is a wired 3.5mm headset. For gaming, wired is actually easier: no pairing, no latency, no charging.
is gaming better with headphones
For most players, yes. Both headsets here are built for it — the Arctis Nova 1 with 360° spatial audio and Tempest 3D/Microsoft Spatial Sound compatibility, the Kraken V4 with 7.1 surround — which makes directional cues like footsteps and reloads easier to place than through TV speakers.
are gaming headphones good for calls
Both can work. The Arctis Nova 1 has a bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 mic rated to reduce background noise by up to 25dB, and the Kraken V4 has a retractable cardioid mic that favors your voice. The Arctis Nova 1's retractable mic and on-headset volume/mute make it the more natural fit for mixed gaming-and-calls use.
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