If you want a retractable mic, cooling gel cushions, and a flexible aluminum frame for gaming or for sleeping, choose Razer Kraken Gaming Headset; if you need adjustable earcups, a retractable noise-reducing mic, and customizable spatial audio, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P.
For a wired headset, both offer broad gaming-device compatibility, but neither is a multipoint wireless earphone or a Bluetooth headset designed for sleeping.
Razer Kraken Gaming Headset vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P at a Glance
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P’s biggest strength: adjustable fit, 360-degree spatial audio, and onboard volume and mute controls. Trade-off: it is also wired, and its sound customization relies on software features.
• Razer is for: players who want a sturdy-feeling frame, cushioned over-ear design, and a mic that tucks away when not in use.
• SteelSeries is for: players who value fit adjustments, voice-noise reduction, and a wide range of audio tuning options.
• For sleeping: neither is a strong match if your priority is compact, wireless multipoint earphones; these are wired, over-ear gaming headsets.
The Kraken’s clearest appeal is its combination of console-friendly wired connection, gaming audio features, and comfort-oriented ear cushions. Its 50 mm drivers support software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on 64-bit Windows 10, and the sound design is intended to help distinguish positional cues in games. That surround feature has an important limit: it is software-enabled for that Windows setup, not a universal feature across every connected device.
The retractable cardioid microphone is practical for someone who alternates between team chat and solo play. Pull it out when you need to speak; tuck it away when you do not. The inline controls put volume adjustment and mic mute within reach, while the 3.5 mm connection supports a range of consoles and mobile devices. Its flexible aluminum frame adds a durable design element without making the headset wireless.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The Arctis Nova 1P puts its emphasis on adjustable fit and audio control. Its ComfortMAX system combines height-adjusting, rotating earcups with AirWeave memory cushions and a stretchy band. That gives it more fit-adjustment points than the Kraken’s described design, which may matter if getting the earcups into a comfortable position is a priority.
For gaming, SteelSeries lists 360-degree spatial audio and compatibility with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound. The headset also supports sound customization through a parametric EQ using Sonar software. These options make it a compelling fit for someone who likes to adjust audio for different games rather than simply plug in and leave the sound alone. The stated 3.5 mm connection works with PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Switch, and mobile devices.
Its bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 microphone is designed to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB, and it retracts fully into the ear cup. On-headset controls handle volume and muting. I’d choose the Nova 1P if adjustable earcups, audio tuning, and mic noise reduction are the priorities. I’d look elsewhere if I wanted a wireless headset or compact earbuds for bed: despite wireless technology being mentioned in the product information, the described gaming connection is a wired 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for cooling gel-infused cushions → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Its ear cushions are specifically described as gel-infused to help limit heat buildup.
• Best for adjustable earcup positioning → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. Its earcups adjust in height and rotate as part of the ComfortMAX design.
• Best for a flexible aluminum frame → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Its frame is made from bauxite aluminum and designed to flex.
• Best for mic background-noise reduction → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. Its mic is specified to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB.
• Best for a mic that retracts out of sight → Tie. Both microphones retract into the ear cup, though their stated mic designs differ.
• Best for software-based audio customization → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. Its Sonar software supports parametric EQ adjustments.
• Best for software-enabled 7.1 surround on Windows 10 64-bit → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. That surround feature has a specific operating-system requirement.
• Best for sleeping or finding multipoint earphones for sleeping → Neither. Both are wired, over-ear gaming headsets. Shoppers searching for the best Bluetooth earbuds for sleeping should focus on a different product category.
The connection is a meaningful divider, not a minor spec detail. Both models use a 3.5 mm jack for gaming, so neither offers the freedom of a wireless Bluetooth headset for sleeping. And neither sheet describes multipoint pairing. If that is what you need, these two are not direct substitutes for multipoint earphones for sleeping.
For console use, both provide a wired route across several gaming platforms. SteelSeries explicitly includes PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Switch, and mobile in its compatibility description; Razer lists PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and mobile. The practical choice is less about a universal winner and more about which features you will actually use: the Kraken’s cooling cushions and aluminum frame, or the Nova 1P’s fit adjustments and audio-tuning options.
I’d choose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P for gaming because its adjustable earcups, parametric EQ support, and specified mic noise reduction give me more ways to tailor the fit and sound.
For sleeping, though, I would buy neither: both are wired over-ear headsets, not compact wireless earbuds.
If your main priority is cooling gel cushions and a flexible aluminum frame, the Kraken is the stronger fit.
Neither is designed as a compact sleep earbud. Both are over-ear gaming headsets with a wired 3.5 mm connection, so shoppers seeking a Bluetooth headset for sleeping should look at a different category.
The Nova 1P’s bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 mic is specified to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB. The Kraken’s retractable cardioid mic is also designed to reduce background and ambient noise, but no decibel figure is provided for it.
Both use a 3.5 mm jack and list support for gaming platforms and mobile devices. Check that your device has a compatible 3.5 mm connection; the product information does not describe either headset as wireless for gaming use.
Is the SteelSeries Nova 1P worth choosing over the Razer Kraken?
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