Compare Razer BlackShark V3 Pro vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset

Preset EQ evidence was negative from SoundGuys, especially for the Music preset, which they said worsened balance and listening quality.

Preset EQ profiles were repeatedly praised for game-specific tuning and live switching, with only minor caveats that not every preset made a big difference.

Included accessories had limited positive evidence, with one reviewer appreciating the included 3.5mm cable for passive use.

Included accessories were a weak point in one review because the included charging cable fell short of expectations.

Multipoint and simultaneous audio reliability was mostly strong, with reviewers noting calls and dual-device mixing worked well; one found the switching implementation clunky.

Multipoint reliability was a caveat: reviewers liked switching modes, but several criticized the lack of true simultaneous Bluetooth or device limitations.

ANC drew strong praise from many reviewers for blocking fans, AC, transit, or household noise, but some found it weaker or dependent on seal and pad design.

ANC was a weakness because reviewers noted its absence and framed that omission as disappointing or baffling at this price.

Portability was weak because the headset does not fold or rotate flat and is not ideal for travel or handheld setups with the dongle.

Portability was helped by folding/flat ear cups and an understated look, though this was more prominent on wired or travel-adjacent comments.

Sidetone adjustment was mixed: some reviewers found it fuzzy or unpleasant, while others liked its real-time performance and usability.

Sidetone quality was a strength in the few reviews that discussed it, especially for real-time, clear monitoring.

Dongle feedback was the clearest hardware complaint: most reviewers disliked the wired/bulky dongle, though one praised its technology and range.

Dongle feedback was mixed: reviewers liked the low-latency, slim, offset design, but some disliked port blocking or lack of onboard storage.

Stability was mixed: one reviewer had game-audio reliability issues, while another praised the wireless range and signal performance.

Stability evidence was positive in one review that said the headset did not slip accidentally.

Instrument separation and detail were praised, especially by reviewers who heard clearer instruments, better tonal separation, and less congestion than older models.

Separation was generally adequate, but one reviewer noted it could feel jumbled during dense action scenes.

Footstep scaling divided reviewers: some liked it as a competitive extra, while others found it gimmicky, game-dependent, or disruptive to other sounds.

Footstep-focused preset evidence was positive, with one reviewer saying the preset made footsteps more pronounced in stealth gameplay.

Build quality was strongly praised across reviews, with comments on sturdiness, premium finish, improved robustness, and well-built construction.

Build quality was mostly solid for plastic construction, but reviewers also noted plasticky feel or merely steady construction.

Hinge durability evidence was mixed: reviewers noted smoother or reinforced parts, but one still wished the earlier weak spot had been better addressed.

Durability evidence around hinges and arms was positive, with reviewers highlighting flexible construction and stress-resistant support.

Value was sharply split: some reviewers said the premium was justified or competitive, while others preferred cheaper V2 or non-Pro alternatives.

Value was a strong consensus positive across nearly every review, with reviewers repeatedly calling it a good budget or midrange buy.

Game/chat balance control was praised as an extremely welcome and practical control, especially for quickly shifting focus between chat and gameplay.

Game/chat balance was useful where available, though one reviewer disliked the hold-and-wheel implementation compared with a dedicated wheel.

Detachable microphone convenience had limited evidence and was mildly negative because one reviewer disliked detachable mic design as a personal preference.

Detachable mic convenience was mixed: reviewers liked the cleaner/travel-friendly look, but some preferred retractable mics or worried about losing the boom.

Mic noise reduction was highly variable, from excellent background suppression to complaints about weak rejection or EQ/noise tools changing the voice tone.

Microphone noise reduction was one of the stronger mic-related areas, with multiple reviewers praising barking, room, episode, keyboard, or background-noise suppression.

Soundstage impressions were mostly positive for gaming, with reviewers hearing wider or more open presentation, though one found it narrower and another said it was not open-back wide.

Soundstage was serviceable but not universally expansive, with one review saying it lacked full wraparound immersion and another calling the stage wide enough.

Weight comfort was generally good because the headset does not feel too heavy, though a few reviewers noted lighter alternatives or extra weight from new features.

Weight comfort was a major strength, with many reviewers emphasizing the headset’s lightness and reduced fatigue.

Call and chat mic quality was split: PCMag praised Discord clarity after EQ, while other reviewers found it muffled or merely usable.

Call and chat voice quality was generally clear, with reviewers reporting adequate Zoom/call performance and clear detailed mic sound.

Maximum-volume clarity was mixed: one reviewer heard off-sounds at higher volume or peaks, while another heard no crackle or distortion even very loud.

One reviewer praised maximum-volume bass clarity, noting thump without distortion.

Clamp comfort evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer appreciating the reduced clamp force for longer wear.

Clamp comfort was mostly positive, balancing secure fit and comfort, though one review described the fit as tight.

Treble was the most repeated audio caveat: several reviewers found harshness, distortion, spiky peaks, or fatiguing high-end energy despite some tunability.

Treble drew mixed responses: some heard clearer highs, but others found high tones shouty, recessed, or occasionally irritating.

Positional audio was a standout strength, with reviewers repeatedly locating footsteps, gunshots, enemies, and environmental cues accurately.

Positional audio was a strength for gaming, with many reviewers hearing footsteps, gunfire, reloads, and directional cues clearly.

Fit and seal were mixed: one reviewer liked the seal, while SoundGuys found the yoke and fabric made a reliable seal difficult.

Fit/seal reliability was a small caveat because one lab review found sound quality sensitive to positioning and fit.

Bass was generally viewed as punchy and useful for games, though some reviewers said it was only above average, too boosted, or not a true bass-monster.

Bass feedback was mixed: wireless reviews often praised boom and thump, while several wired or measurement-focused reviews noted restrained sub-bass, boxiness, or less low-end impact.

Midrange comments leaned positive, with reviewers noting natural voices, present mids, and improved accuracy compared with earlier tuning.

Midrange was usually clear enough for voices and dialogue, though one measurement-focused reviewer found it recessed before tuning.

Design and aesthetics were highly praised for the aviation-inspired look, premium finish, sleek styling, and recognizable BlackShark identity.

Design and aesthetics were broadly liked, especially the soft color options, clean look, and less aggressive gaming style.

Multi-platform compatibility had limited but very positive evidence, with one reviewer saying it could cover an entire gaming ecosystem.

Multi-platform compatibility was one of the strongest positives, especially for the 3X model and cross-console/mobile use.

Frequency response was seen as improved but imperfect, with good tonal accuracy or enjoyable tuning offset by V-shaped balance and treble/bass issues.

Frequency-response commentary was mixed: the tuning served gaming clarity, but some reviewers found music tonal balance less accurate or less pleasant.

Bluetooth was consistently valued for simultaneous or extra-device audio, with reviewers calling it a huge win or a blessing despite some implementation quirks.

Bluetooth was viewed positively when tested, especially for painless switching, mobile use, and fallback connectivity.

Ear cup padding was praised for breathability, sweat control, and softness, though one reviewer found the pads getting warm after about an hour.

Ear cup padding was usually praised for memory foam, fabric, breathability, and glasses comfort, though one reviewer found the material hot and not plush enough.

Microphone quality was the most divisive feature: some reviewers found it clear or excellent, while others saw it as muffled, stuffy, or a downgrade from V2 Pro.

Microphone feedback was generally good for gaming chat, ranging from exceptional to adequate, with some caveats about fuzziness or headset-like tone.

One reviewer found the available volume headroom initially disappointing until changing PC audio settings.

Volume output was a mild weakness in the evidence, with reviewers calling the default output quieter or less efficient than some competitors.

The companion apps and software were useful for EQ and mobile/PC control, but one reviewer found the app workflow awkward in simultaneous mode.

The app/software was a major value driver because reviewers praised mobile presets, Sonar, GG customization, and usefulness, despite a few complexity complaints.

Cable quality had one clear negative note: the USB-C-to-3.5mm cable produced distracting cable noise when brushing clothing.

Cable comments were negative, mostly because reviewers disliked the short charging cable or stiff wired headset cables.

Replaceable earpads had limited positive evidence, with one reviewer noting the pads are user-serviceable.

Replaceable earpads were praised for interchangeability and long-term support.

Wireless latency was one of the strongest technical positives, repeatedly described as ultra-low, imperceptible, and among the fastest available.

Wireless latency was consistently praised, with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth testing producing low-latency or no-lag impressions.

Comfort was one of the strongest consensus positives, with many reviewers wearing it for long sessions without fatigue, pressure, or discomfort.

Comfort over long sessions was one of the strongest consensus positives, with many reviewers wearing it for full workdays, long gaming sessions, or glasses use comfortably.

Earpad replacement evidence was limited but mildly positive because removable pads support repairability, even if the clip mechanism could be better.

Earpad replacement ease was supported by a reviewer calling the pads easily replaceable.

Headband adjustment had limited positive evidence, with one reviewer finding the sliding earcup mechanism refreshingly different and effective.

Headband feedback was mostly positive for pressure distribution and adjustability, but some reviewers noted sweet-spot or large-head limitations.

Physical controls were generally useful and snappy, but reviewers disagreed on usability, with some loving them and others finding buttons hard to distinguish or unintuitive.

Control usability was mostly simple and easy, but some reviewers disliked crowded or less intuitive one-hand control layouts.

Connectivity versatility was a major selling point because reviewers valued Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB, analog, simultaneous audio, and broad device flexibility.

Connectivity versatility was a clear strength, with reviewers praising broad platform use, USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired options depending on model.

Battery life was mostly praised as long or solid, though some reviewers noted feature use can reduce runtime and that the 70-hour claim is not always the whole story.

Battery life was generally strong for the wireless model, commonly described as enough for days or long sessions, though one lab test found less than the advertised 2.4GHz rating.

The added swivel/rotation was welcomed as a comfort and fit improvement, even if the headset still does not rotate fully flat.

Swivel and rotation were praised for comfort, neck wear, and fit flexibility.

Passive isolation was mixed because the cloth pads and fit can leak noise, though one reviewer thought passive isolation was enough for typical gaming.

Passive isolation was acceptable for quieter rooms but not strong, with reviewers saying it blocked some outside sound while leaving plenty of awareness.

Spatial audio was usually positive for immersion and positional depth, though some reviewers preferred stereo for competitive play or found ANC narrowed the presentation.

Spatial audio was praised for gaming immersion and directionality, especially through Sonar or console spatial systems.

EQ customization was a major strength, with reviewers praising onboard EQ, 10-band controls, Synapse depth, and game-specific tuning flexibility.

EQ customization was a strength overall, especially on PC and mobile, although some mobile implementations lacked a true custom equalizer.

Reviewers broadly praised the headset for strong gaming sound, with several calling it fantastic or greatly improved, while a few found it less convincing for music or all-around use.

Reviewers generally liked the sound, especially after EQ, describing it as detailed, immersive, or impressive for the price; a few wired-model notes called the default profile merely fine.

Software/setup simplicity was mixed to negative: setup could be easy, but Synapse and mode switching were described as finicky, clunky, or buggy.

Setup simplicity was mixed: wired setup was plug-and-play, but PC software routing could become confusing.

Audio-video sync evidence was limited but excellent, with SoundGuys reporting no noticeable delay on the low-latency wireless connection.

The wired model’s USB DAC was useful mainly for extra volume and software access rather than a broad hi-res claim.

Fast charging was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly praising the 15-minute charge usefulness.

Console compatibility limitations were limited in current evidence; one Switch 2 concern was followed by successful firmware testing.

Detachable cable convenience was split between praise for replaceable/removable cables and criticism of a nonstandard aux-style cable.

The integrated retractable mic on the wired model was praised as convenient and clean when not in use.

Replaceable ear plates were viewed as easy and potentially cool, but some reviewers considered them limited or not very useful out of the box.

RGB customization was mostly praised on wired models as subtle, customizable, and tasteful, with one reviewer saying options were limited.

Smudge resistance had limited but positive evidence from one reviewer praising the non-fingerprint-prone ear plate surface.

Sound leakage was the clearest serious drawback, with one reviewer calling leakage shockingly bad even at low volumes.

Transparency or ambient mode had limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer valuing it for hearing surroundings while wearing the headset.

USB-C was viewed as a useful upgrade because it enabled better connectivity and subtle sound/software advantages.

Xbox compatibility was positive for the 3X variant, though buyers must choose the Xbox-capable version.