If you want a straightforward wired gaming headset with an adjustable boom mic, choose Razer Kraken Gaming Headset; if you need wireless freedom and a headset that can mix game audio with calls, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. For calls, the Nova 7P is the more flexible pick, while the Kraken keeps things simple with a 3.5 mm connection and direct in-line controls. Neither is an open-ear design, so shoppers searching for the best open ear headphones for calls or best open ear earbuds for calls should look elsewhere.
• Razer Kraken Gaming Headset: 50 mm drivers, a retractable noise-isolating mic, cooling gel-infused cushions, and a 3.5 mm wired connection; the trade-off is no wireless listening.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P: 2.4 GHz wireless plus Bluetooth, simultaneous audio streams, and up to 38 hours of battery life; the trade-off is that wireless use requires charging.
• Razer is for players who want a direct, cable-connected setup with physical volume and mute controls.
• SteelSeries is for players who want wireless gaming audio and the option to mix in a phone call or music.
• For calls overall: Nova 7P has the more versatile connection setup; Kraken offers a simple, retractable boom mic and wired operation.
The Kraken is a wired over-ear headset for someone who wants to plug in and get on with gaming. Its 50 mm drivers are designed for positional audio, and the headset supports software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on 64-bit Windows 10. That surround feature has a specific system requirement, so it should not be treated as a universal mode across every device.
For voice chat, the Kraken has a retractable cardioid microphone intended to reduce background and ambient noise. Its in-line controller puts an analog volume wheel and mic-mute switch on the cable, which is a useful, uncomplicated arrangement when you want quick access without digging through menus. The mic retracts when it is not needed.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Cooling gel-infused cushions and a flexible bauxite-aluminum frame are the main comfort and construction points. The listed connection is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and the headset is described for PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and mobile use. That makes it a reasonable fit for someone who moves between supported devices and does not mind a cable.
I’d skip the Kraken if wireless movement, Bluetooth, or mixing a phone call with game sound is central to your setup. It has no listed wireless gaming connection, and the information here does not describe simultaneous audio streams. If you want fewer wireless features and prefer familiar wired controls, though, the Kraken’s straightforward design is its appeal.
The Nova 7P is the more feature-rich choice for a multi-device wireless setup. It connects over 2.4 GHz through a USB-C dongle and also supports Bluetooth. Its dual-audio-stream feature can combine mobile-device audio, including calls or music, with game sound. That is a concrete advantage for someone who wants to stay reachable while playing.
The headset has a retractable microphone for games or calls, and its stated battery life is up to 38 hours. USB-C fast charging is listed as providing six hours of play after a 15-minute charge. Those details make it better suited to longer stretches away from a charging point than a headset that depends on a cable for its connection—but the Nova still needs charging when used wirelessly.
For sound and fit, SteelSeries lists neodymium magnetic drivers, 360-degree spatial audio, an adjustable steel headband, and AirWeave memory-foam ear cushions. The headset is compatible with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound, and the description also mentions a 10-band parametric EQ in Sonar software. It is aimed at people who want wireless flexibility and audio tools, not someone looking for the simplest plug-in headset.
The Nova 7P is the stronger match if you want a wireless headset for calls alongside gaming. It is not an open-ear headset, however, and the data does not specify a noise-cancellation system for calls. Anyone looking for the best bluetooth headset for calls should also consider whether they want an over-ear gaming headset at all: the Nova combines Bluetooth with gaming features, but its listed design is still over-ear and sound-isolating.
• Best for wireless gaming and phone audio together → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. Its 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connections support two audio streams, including a mobile call mixed with game sound.
• Best for a simple wired setup → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. It uses a 3.5 mm jack and has a cable-mounted volume wheel and mic-mute switch.
• Best for listed battery endurance → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. It is specified for up to 38 hours, with fast charging that provides six hours of play after 15 minutes.
• Best for a retractable mic with in-line mute control → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. The mic retracts, and the cable controller has a dedicated mute switch.
• Best for calls while gaming → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. Its simultaneous audio streams can bring mobile calls into a game-audio setup.
• Best if you want no battery-management step → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Its listed wired connection does not rely on a wireless battery for listening.
• Best fit for PS5 spatial-audio compatibility → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P. It is listed as compatible with Tempest 3D Audio, alongside its 360-degree spatial-audio feature.
• Best if you want cooling gel-infused cushions → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. SteelSeries instead lists AirWeave memory-foam cushions, so this choice comes down to the cushion design you prefer.
I would choose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P for a gaming setup that needs to handle calls, too. Its wireless connections and ability to mix mobile audio with game sound make it the more adaptable option for that job. The Razer Kraken is still a sensible pick if I wanted a wired headset with clear, direct controls and no wireless charging routine. For calls specifically, I’d take the Nova 7P.
It has the more flexible call setup: Bluetooth can connect to a mobile device, and the headset can mix calls with game audio. The Kraken has a retractable mic and in-line mute control, but its listed connection is wired.
The product information lists a 3.5 mm headphone jack and describes the headset as wired. Although Bluetooth appears in the connectivity fields, no wireless gaming mode or Bluetooth calling feature is specified, so I would not choose it on the assumption that it works wirelessly.
The Nova 7P is specified for up to 38 hours of battery life and supports USB-C fast charging. The Kraken uses a wired connection, so there is no listed battery runtime to compare.
No. Both are described as over-ear headsets with sound-isolating design details. If you want open-ear listening so you can remain more aware of your surroundings, neither matches that form factor.
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