If you want a closed-back fit with a bendable mic and a lightweight design for focused gaming, choose Razer BlackShark V2; if you need adjustable comfort, a retractable noise-reducing mic, and spatial-audio support, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. For college students moving between a dorm room, a shared space, and a console, my pick is the Nova 1 for its fit adjustments and mic flexibility. The BlackShark V2 makes more sense if passive isolation and its specifically tuned 50 mm drivers matter more.
Razer BlackShark V2 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 at a Glance
• Razer BlackShark V2: Closed earcups and 50 mm TriForce drivers are its standout strengths; its mic does not retract into the earcup.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1: Adjustable earcups, a stretchy fit band, and a retractable noise-reducing mic add flexibility; its listed frequency range ends at 22 kHz, compared with 28 kHz for the Razer.
• Both use a wired 3.5 mm connection and support multiple gaming platforms.
• Choose Razer if you want a close-sealing fit and positional audio features for compatible Windows gaming.
• Choose SteelSeries if you want more fit adjustment, onboard mute and volume controls, and a mic that tucks away.
The BlackShark V2 is the more focused pick for someone who wants over-ear cups that cover the ears and help limit sound leakage. Its 50 mm TriForce drivers divide audio into separately tuned highs, mids, and lows. That design gives it a clear identity for gaming, where you may want distinct voice cues alongside fuller low-end sound. Its stated frequency range is 20 Hz to 28 kHz.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
At 240 g, the BlackShark V2 is described as lightweight and uses padded, breathable foam ear cushions. Its bendable cardioid mic can be positioned near your mouth, and its pickup pattern is designed to favor voice over sound from the sides and rear. I’d consider it for someone who wants passive isolation and a mic they can position precisely. Skip it if you want a retractable mic or more ways to adjust the earcups and headband fit.
The Arctis Nova 1 puts more emphasis on dialing in the fit. Its ComfortMAX system includes height-adjusting, rotating earcups and a stretchy band, while the AirWeave memory cushions are intended to keep the headset comfortable during longer sessions. At 236 g, it is also a lightweight wired option. Those adjustments could be useful if a headset needs to work for different sessions, devices, or people.
Its bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 microphone is designed to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB, and it retracts into an earcup when you do not need it. That gives it a practical edge for someone who moves between multiplayer chat and listening without a mic in the way. Onboard controls let you adjust volume and mute yourself directly on the headset.
The Nova 1 connects through a 3.5 mm jack and supports PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and mobile devices. It offers 360-degree spatial audio, with compatibility for Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound. Its listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 22 kHz. I’d choose it for adjustable fit, flexible mic storage, and multi-platform use. If your priority is the Razer’s closed-earcup design and its 50 mm driver tuning, the SteelSeries may not be the more compelling match.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for fit adjustments → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Its earcups adjust in height and rotate, and its stretchy band adds another fit adjustment.
• Best for a mic that can be tucked away → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. The mic retracts into an earcup; the Razer’s mic bends into position but does not have that listed feature.
• Best for positioning the mic near your mouth → Razer BlackShark V2. Its bendable cardioid mic can be placed where you want it.
• Best for stated mic background-noise reduction → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Its bidirectional mic is specified to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB.
• Best for the wider listed frequency range → Razer BlackShark V2. Its range is 20 Hz to 28 kHz; the Nova 1’s is 20 Hz to 22 kHz.
• Best for compatible Windows 10 64-bit 7.1 surround sound → Razer BlackShark V2. The feature is explicitly limited to that Windows configuration.
• Best for onboard volume and mute controls → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Its headset controls provide both.
The open-ear headphones for college students search is a different fit category from either of these: both products are over-ear gaming headsets, not open-ear headphones. And if you are searching for crystal clear calls clip on earbuds for college students, neither headset is a clip-on earbud. They are more relevant if you want a wired over-ear headset with a boom-style gaming mic for class calls or multiplayer chat.
I’d buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 for college students who want a wired headset that can adjust to different fits and whose mic can retract when it is not needed. Its onboard mute and volume controls add useful convenience.
I’d choose the Razer BlackShark V2 instead if closed-earcup isolation, a bendable mic, and its 50 mm driver design are the priorities.
For my own overall pick between these two, the Nova 1 is the more flexible everyday option.
I’d lean toward the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 if adjustability and a retractable mic matter for switching between gaming, calls, and listening. The Razer BlackShark V2 is a strong alternative if a closed-earcup fit and its bendable mic suit your routine better.
They use different approaches. The Razer has closed earcups designed for passive noise isolation, while the SteelSeries mic is specified to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB. That mic feature does not mean the Nova 1 provides active noise cancellation for what you hear.
Both are wired headsets with a 3.5 mm jack. The listed wireless-technology fields do not make either one a wireless gaming headset, so plan on connecting by cable.
Both connect through a 3.5 mm jack and list support for major consoles, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch. The Nova 1 specifically lists compatibility with PS5 Tempest 3D Audio; the Razer’s 7.1 surround feature is limited to Windows 10 64-bit.
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