If you want a lightweight wired headset with closed earcups and a bendable mic for focused gaming and vlogging, choose Razer BlackShark V2; if you need a detachable microphone, a fold-flat design, and a steel-reinforced headband, choose SteelSeries Arctis 1. Both are wired 3.5 mm headsets, so neither is a wireless Bluetooth headset for vlogging. For most people choosing between these two, the real question is whether the Razer’s sound-isolating design or the SteelSeries’ removable mic and portable shape better suits the way they work and play.
Razer BlackShark V2 vs SteelSeries Arctis 1 at a Glance
• Razer BlackShark V2: Its 50 mm drivers, closed earcups, and 240 g weight make it a compelling choice for focused sessions; the trade-off is a fixed wired design with a non-detachable mic.
• SteelSeries Arctis 1: Its detachable ClearCast microphone, fold-flat earcups, and adjustable steel-reinforced headband suit gaming that sometimes turns into everyday listening; it is wired, too.
• Choose Razer if you want a bendable mic and a closer earcup seal; choose SteelSeries if you want to remove the mic and pack the headset more neatly.
Razer’s strongest case is its combination of a lightweight 240 g build, 50 mm drivers, and closed over-ear cups. Its driver design separates the tuning of highs, mids, and lows, while the stated frequency range is 20 Hz–28 kHz. Those figures describe its audio hardware, not a guarantee that every listener will hear the same result. In practical terms, the design is aimed at distinct game audio across different parts of the sound spectrum, with positional 7.1 surround sound available on Windows 10 64-bit.
The closed earcups and their closer seal are useful if you want to reduce outside sound reaching you while gaming or recording at home. The bendable cardioid mic can be positioned near your mouth, and its pickup pattern is designed to favor voice over sound from the back and sides. That makes the Razer a reasonable fit for someone who wants one wired headset for games, calls, and occasional vlogging, especially when a mic that stays attached is not a problem. Its 3.5 mm connection supports a range of listed platforms, including PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
The cushions combine memory foam and leatherette, and the headband has added padding. Those details suggest a design focused on a comfortable fit over longer gaming sessions, while the 240 g weight keeps the headset relatively light on paper. The trade-off is that the microphone is bendable rather than detachable, and the headset cannot fold flat as the SteelSeries can. Its 7.1 surround feature also has a stated Windows 10 64-bit limitation, so buyers should not assume it applies identically across every platform.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the Razer if you want to remove the mic for travel or prefer a fold-flat headset for carrying.
The Arctis 1 makes a different argument: it pairs a detachable ClearCast microphone with a low-profile design and fold-flat earcups. If you switch between gaming and listening without wanting a mic in the way, being able to remove it is a practical distinction. Its 3 m cable gives you a wired connection, and its 3.5 mm jack is listed for use with PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Compatibility still depends on the device’s connection and any platform-specific requirements.
The SteelSeries uses AirWeave fabric ear cushions and an adjustable headband reinforced with steel. The fabric construction is described as helping keep ears cool and dry, while the steel reinforcement is intended to add durability. These are useful design choices for someone who wears a headset for extended play or wants an adjustable fit. Its listed audio frequency range is 20 Hz–20 kHz, and SteelSeries describes the sound as balanced for game audio. Those specifications are not a direct measure of comfort or sound quality, but they give buyers a clear outline of the headset’s stated range and intended use.
The ClearCast microphone is bidirectional, detachable, and described as designed to reduce background noise while keeping speech clear. That can make the Arctis 1 the more flexible pick for recording or gaming in a shared space, although the product sheet does not establish that it eliminates surrounding noise. It is still a wired headset, not a wireless Bluetooth option, despite Bluetooth appearing in its product information. The stated cable length is 3 m, which may be useful when a wired setup needs some room but will not suit someone who wants to move around untethered.
Who should skip it: Skip the SteelSeries if a wireless connection or a fixed, always-ready microphone matters more to you than removing the mic and folding the earcups.
• Best for a closer, more isolated earcup fit → Razer BlackShark V2. Its closed cups and cushions are designed to create a closer seal and limit sound leakage.
• Best for removing the mic between uses → SteelSeries Arctis 1. The ClearCast microphone detaches, which makes the headset easier to use in a lower-profile configuration.
• Best for a bendable microphone position → Razer BlackShark V2. Its mic can be adjusted toward your mouth, and its cardioid pickup pattern is designed to favor voice from the front.
• Best for a headset that packs flatter → SteelSeries Arctis 1. The earcups fold flat, and its microphone can be removed for a simpler travel setup.
• Best for a stated lightweight build → Razer BlackShark V2. Its listed weight is 240 g, a useful reference for buyers comparing headset weight.
• Best for a longer listed cable → SteelSeries Arctis 1. Its 3 m cable may fit a setup where the headset needs to reach farther from the device.
• Best for Windows 10 64-bit positional 7.1 audio → Razer BlackShark V2. That feature is specifically limited to that operating system.
• Best for a gaming headset that can double as on-the-go headphones → SteelSeries Arctis 1. Its low-profile design, removable mic, and fold-flat earcups support that use more directly.
Buying Considerations
Think about how you will handle the microphone. The Razer’s mic stays attached but bends into position, which may be convenient when you want to move from a game to a call without storing a separate mic. The SteelSeries mic detaches, giving you the option to use the headset without it. For vlogging, that distinction matters if the headset will also serve as everyday headphones between recordings. Neither product sheet specifies a dedicated recording mode, a boom-mic mute method, or video equipment compatibility, so check the input requirements of your camera or recording device before choosing.
Neither headset is described as having transparency mode. Razer lists passive noise cancellation through its closed earcups, while SteelSeries lists sound isolation. Those are not transparency features: they describe ways the headset is intended to limit or isolate outside sound, not a mode that deliberately feeds ambient audio into your ears. If transparency mode headset for vlogging is a must-have, neither is a match based on the listed features.
For the broader search for the best gaming headphones for vlogging, I would narrow the decision to the use case rather than the label. Razer has the clearer fit for a focused, closed-ear gaming setup with a bendable mic and a specified lightweight build. SteelSeries makes more sense when you want a removable mic and a form that folds flatter for carrying. Both are wired, and platform compatibility should be confirmed against the device you plan to connect.
In my opinion, I would choose the Razer BlackShark V2 for gaming and vlogging if I wanted a lightweight headset with closed earcups and a mic I could position near my mouth. Its specified 240 g weight and 50 mm driver design make a straightforward case for focused sessions. I would choose the SteelSeries Arctis 1 instead if removing the microphone and folding the earcups flat were more important to my routine. For my main use case—vlogging alongside gaming—I give Razer the edge, but only for a wired setup where its fixed mic is acceptable.
Razer has a bendable cardioid mic designed to favor voice from the front, while SteelSeries has a detachable bidirectional ClearCast mic described as reducing background noise. Choose based on whether you prefer an adjustable attached mic or one you can remove.
No. Both are described as wired headsets using a 3.5 mm connection. The SteelSeries product information mentions Bluetooth in a control field, but its connection details specify wired connectivity.
Neither product sheet lists a transparency mode. Razer describes passive noise cancellation through its closed earcups, and SteelSeries lists sound isolation; neither is presented as a feature for hearing ambient sound through the headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 has fold-flat earcups and a detachable microphone, so its design is more adaptable for packing. The Razer BlackShark V2 has a bendable mic but is not described as folding flat.
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