Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
Get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2. Unless you talk a lot in team games — then the BlackShark V2 Pro, with its far better mic.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023)
A light, comfortable esports headset with an excellent mic, about 70 hours of battery and Bluetooth for your phone. No cable option, and no Xbox.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
Light, comfortable and sharp-sounding, with about 54 hours of battery and Bluetooth that works alongside the wireless dongle. The one most gamers should get.
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The Nova 7 Gen 2 is light and comfortable, plays your phone over Bluetooth alongside the game and has an Xbox version, for less. The BlackShark V2 Pro has one of the best mics on a wireless headset and lasts longer per charge, but it can't mix dongle and Bluetooth audio and doesn't work with Xbox.
- —You play team shooters and talk a lot.
- —You want the longer battery.
- —You play on PC.
- —You want your phone's audio in the game.
- —You play on Xbox (get the 7X).
- —You want to spend less.
What verified owners report
Only reviews from checked buyers count, and every 1–3 star review is read by us. How we do this
Owners single out the mic, one of the best they've used, and like the sound and value. The two lukewarm owners found the ear foam itchy, or hard to talk with both earcups on.
- ✓Excellent mic
- ✓Great sound
- ✓Easy to connect and use
None came up often enough to list.
Owners love the sound, the comfort and using Bluetooth and the dongle at the same time. Complaints are rare: one found the ear cups and headband too small.
- ✓Great sound
- ✓Light and comfortable
- ✓Phone and game audio at the same time
None came up often enough to list.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Excellent detachable mic
- +Light and comfortable
- +About 70 hours, dongle and Bluetooth
- −Wireless only, with no cable.
- −Doesn't work with Xbox.
- −Can't play the dongle and Bluetooth at the same time.
- −The yokes feel a little flimsy.
- +Light and comfortable
- +Up to 54 hours of battery
- +Dongle and Bluetooth at the same time
- −The mic is fine for chat but sounds thin and nasal.
- −The volume and chat dials feel a little cheap.
- −The USB dongle is wide and can block the port next to it.
For the curious
A deeper look at full specs.
Battery
Up to 70 hours on the Razer; up to 54 on the Arctis.
Mic
Detachable on the Razer; retractable on the Arctis.
Weight
320 g against 325 g.
Technical specifications
| BlackShark V2 Pro | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 50 mm TriForce Titanium, 12 Hz–28 kHz | 40 mm neodymium, 20–22,000 Hz |
| Connection | HyperSpeed 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 | 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle and Bluetooth 5.0, both at once |
| Works with | PC, PlayStation (USB-A dongle), Android and iOS | PC, PlayStation, Switch, handhelds; USB-C to USB-A adapter included |
| Mic | Detachable super wideband, unidirectional | — |
| Noise | Passive isolation | — |
| Spatial audio | THX Spatial Audio | — |
| Battery | Up to 70 hours | Up to 54 hours (2.4 GHz), 42 hours (Bluetooth), 38 hours (both) |
| Ear cushions | Oval, memory foam | — |
| Weight | 320 g | 325 g |
| Fast charge | — | 15 minutes for up to 6 hours |
| Microphone | — | ClearCast Gen 2 retractable boom, noise-cancelling |
| Controls | — | Volume and ChatMix dials, mute |
From the maker's spec sheet for the BlackShark V2 Pro (Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) RZ04-04530100 (US)) and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 (Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2)), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, Tom's Hardware, PC Gamer, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the BlackShark V2 Pro: 23 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.
Owner reports for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: 14 verified buyer ratings at Currys, read October 2026.