Razer BlackShark V2 X vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against headsets at a similar price

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless scores 7.0/10 overall, ahead of the Razer BlackShark V2 X at 5.8/10.

The Razer BlackShark V2 X leads on microphone and noise cancelling and value.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless leads on sound and connectivity and battery.

They score the same on comfort.

The biggest difference is connectivity and battery, where the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless scores 9/10 to the Razer BlackShark V2 X's 5/10.

Razer BlackShark V2 X

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The Razer BlackShark V2 X is for gamers who want a light, wired headset with a dedicated mic. It suits anyone who can plug into a 3.5 mm jack on PC, console or phone and doesn't need wireless or noise cancelling. It is a poorer fit for people who care most about balanced sound or want a detachable cable.

Typically about £59.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

7.0/10verdict: buy

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless suits people who game across more than one system and want strong sound with wireless and Bluetooth connected together. Hot-swappable batteries and dual connections are its clearest strengths, based on both specifications and owner reports. It is less convincing for buyers who want strong noise cancelling or who are sensitive to the price.

Typically about £199.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Razer BlackShark V2 X	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Sound	25%	5/10	8/10
Microphone	20%	7/10	6/10
Comfort	20%	7/10	7/10
Connectivity and battery	20%	5/10	9/10
Noise cancelling and value	15%	5/10	4/10
Overall		5.8/10	7.0/10

Specifications

Spec	Razer BlackShark V2 X	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Connection	Analog 3.5 mm, 1.3 m cable	Simultaneous 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.0, 12 m wireless range, USB-C charging
Noise cancelling	None; passive isolation only, no active noise cancelling	Active noise cancellation with transparency mode
Microphone	HyperClear cardioid, unidirectional, 100 Hz to 10 kHz, 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio, click-to-mute	Retractable boom mic with ClearCast Gen 2
Battery life	not listed	Two hot-swappable batteries, up to 22 hours per battery
Weight	240 g	338 g (Reviewed); 339 g per The Loadout
Works with	PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and mobile (with 3.5mm connector)	PC, PlayStation 5 and 4, Switch, Mac, mobile via Bluetooth; ROG Ally and Steam Deck over USB

Strengths and weaknesses

Razer BlackShark V2 X

+ Light at 240 g; owners praise long-session comfort
+ Owners praise the cardioid microphone
+ 3.5 mm connection works across many platforms
− Owners report muffled, flat sound with 7.1 on
− Cable is fixed and can snag
− No wireless connection or active noise cancelling

Skip it if:

Buyers who want Bluetooth, a wireless dongle or multipoint
Anyone who needs active noise cancelling for noisy rooms or commuting
Listeners who care most about balanced sound for music or surround

Read the full Razer BlackShark V2 X review ›

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

+ Two hot-swappable batteries, up to 22 hours each
+ Sound praised by reviewers and owners
+ 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth connected at once
− ANC struggles with low-pitched rumble
− Only one Bluetooth device paired at a time
− Owners report buggy software and a high price

Skip it if:

Buyers who want strong noise cancelling, especially against low-pitched rumble
Anyone who needs several Bluetooth devices paired at once
Buyers on a tight budget who are sensitive to price

Read the full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review ›

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