If you want a lightweight wired headset with a bendable cardioid mic, choose Razer Kraken X Lite; if you need adjustable fit, memory-foam cushions, and a retractable mic for webinars, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P.
For this SteelSeries vs Razer headset comparison, the practical split is simple: Razer emphasizes a light frame and PC-only software-enabled surround sound, while SteelSeries brings more fit adjustment and a mic that retracts into the earcup. Both connect through a 3.5 mm jack, so neither is a wireless option.
• Razer Kraken X Lite: Its 230-gram listed headset weight and bendable cardioid mic suit long gaming sessions; the key trade-off is that its software-enabled 7.1 surround sound is for PC gaming only.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P: Adjustable earcups, an AirWeave memory cushion, and a retractable mic offer a more customizable setup; its listed headset weight is 236 grams, and the cable is 4 feet long.
• Both: Use a wired 3.5 mm connection, have onboard volume and mute controls, and are designed for gaming across multiple platforms.
• For webinars: SteelSeries is the more adaptable fit-and-mic choice; Razer is appealing if low listed weight and a bendable mic are your priorities.
• Choose Razer for a light, straightforward headset; choose SteelSeries for greater fit adjustment and a mic that can tuck away.
The Kraken X Lite is a wired, over-ear headset built around a flexible aluminum frame and a 40 mm driver. Its listed weight is 230 grams. The bendable cardioid microphone can be positioned near the mouth, and the headset has a mute button and volume slider under the left earcup. For someone who wants simple physical controls within reach, that is a practical arrangement.
Its 7.1 surround feature is software-enabled and limited to PC gaming. That qualification matters: if you are shopping mainly for console or mobile use, do not assume the same surround processing applies there. The headset connects by 3.5 mm jack and is listed as compatible with PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and mobile devices.
I would consider the Razer for someone who values a light-feeling design, a flexible mic, and a direct wired setup. It may be a less fitting choice if you specifically want memory-foam cushions, extensive fit adjustment, or a microphone that retracts out of sight. It also offers less microphone placement flexibility than a retractable boom that can be stowed in the earcup.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The Arctis Nova 1P is also a wired, over-ear headset with a 3.5 mm connection. Its listed weight is 236 grams, and its fit system includes height-adjusting, rotating earcups and a stretchy band. AirWeave memory cushions add a distinct comfort feature, while the onboard controls provide volume adjustment and mic muting.
For gaming audio, SteelSeries specifies 360-degree spatial audio and compatibility with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound. Its bidirectional ClearCast Gen 2 microphone is designed to reduce background noise by up to 25 dB and can retract fully into an earcup. Those features make it a strong match for a buyer who wants a more adjustable headset and a boom they can tuck away between calls or gaming sessions.
For webinars, the retractable mic and adjustable fit are useful features to weigh, though neither guarantees that a headset will suit every room or every wearer. If your top priority is the lowest listed headset weight, Razer has the edge on paper at 230 grams versus 236 grams. If you want the greater range of fit adjustments and memory-foam cushions, SteelSeries has the clearer case.
• Best for the lower listed headset weight → Razer Kraken X Lite. It is listed at 230 grams, compared with 236 grams for the Arctis Nova 1P.
• Best for adjustable fit → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. Its height-adjusting, rotating earcups and stretchy band provide more fit adjustment.
• Best for memory-foam cushions → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. AirWeave memory cushions are part of its comfort design.
• Best for a bendable microphone → Razer Kraken X Lite. Its cardioid mic can be positioned by bending the boom.
• Best for a mic that stows away → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. The microphone retracts fully into the earcup.
• Best for PC-only software-enabled 7.1 surround → Razer Kraken X Lite. That feature is specifically limited to PC gaming.
• Best for Tempest 3D Audio compatibility → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. It is specified as compatible with Tempest 3D Audio on PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound.
• Best for people choosing between them for webinars → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P, if fit adjustment and mic storage matter most; Razer Kraken X Lite, if you favor a bendable mic and lighter listed weight.
Neither headset is described as having wireless audio. Both use a 3.5 mm jack, which keeps the connection straightforward but means a buyer seeking freedom from a cable should look beyond these two. The Nova 1P’s listed cable length is 4 feet; a comparable cable-length figure is not provided for the Kraken X Lite, so I would not make a direct cable-reach comparison.
The two microphone designs also serve different preferences. A bendable boom on the Razer can be placed where you want it and left there. SteelSeries offers a bidirectional mic with stated background-noise reduction and the convenience of retracting it into the earcup. For a shared home space, that mic feature may be worth prioritizing, but it should not be confused with active noise cancellation for the listener.
That distinction matters if you are searching for active noise cancelling head phones for webinars. Neither product’s listed features establish active noise cancellation for what you hear. The SteelSeries mic’s background-noise reduction applies to microphone pickup; it does not mean the earcups actively cancel room noise for you.
Comfort claims are best approached by matching features to your own preferences. Razer’s lower listed weight may appeal if you want to minimize headset weight. SteelSeries offers memory cushions and more adjustment points, which may help you find a more suitable fit. Neither specification alone tells you how comfortable the headset will feel on your head, so treat those as design differences rather than guarantees.
The same caution applies to searches for the best memory foam ear cushions headphones for webinars. The Arctis Nova 1P is the only one of these two with a memory-cushion feature specified. That makes it the closer match for someone prioritizing memory foam, but it does not establish a universal comfort winner. Likewise, a parent searching for the best kids headset for webinars should note that both product sheets describe an adult age range; neither is specifically identified as a children’s headset.
For platform flexibility, both offer a 3.5 mm connection and list support for multiple gaming systems. Razer’s product information names PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and mobile. SteelSeries lists PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Switch, and mobile, with additional compatibility information for PS5 spatial audio. If your main reason for buying is a particular sound-processing feature, check that the feature applies to your platform: Razer’s 7.1 surround is for PC gaming, while SteelSeries names PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound compatibility.
I would buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P for webinars because its adjustable fit, memory cushions, and retractable mic make it the more adaptable choice for moving between calls and gaming.
For someone who values the lower listed weight and a bendable cardioid mic more, I would choose the Razer Kraken X Lite instead. My webinar recommendation is SteelSeries, but the deciding factor should be which design features you will actually use.
FAQ
For webinars, I lean toward the Arctis Nova 1P because it has an adjustable fit and a retractable microphone. The Kraken X Lite is also a reasonable option if you prefer its bendable cardioid mic and lower listed weight.
The product details do not specify active noise cancellation that blocks sound for the listener. SteelSeries does specify background-noise reduction for its microphone, which is a different function.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P is specified with AirWeave memory cushions. The Kraken X Lite’s listed features do not identify memory-foam cushions.
No. Both are wired headsets with a 3.5 mm jack. If you are comparing their current prices, check the current price on Amazon using the page’s price button.
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