Headphones can be an essential device to have if you’re using a computer. But with a wide selection of headphones in the market, choosing the perfect one can be difficult. One of the most well-known brands in the market is Razer.
Razer is known for their top of the line gaming gear, systems, and software. The company also sells headphones of top-of-the-line quality. One of these headphones is the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate.
Razer’s Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate are some of the company’s audio gear. We’ll be looking at the difference between these two headphones to see which one is the better.
Main Differences
As the name suggests, the Razer Nari Ultimate Gaming Headset is an improved form of the Nari Essential. It has improved features like a larger driver and better impedance. Both models connect wirelessly via a USB wireless adapter. The Ultimate also features RGB lighting.
Comparison – Razer Nari Essential vs Nari Ultimate
Razer Nari Essential | Razer Nari Ultimate | |
 |  | |
Headset Type | over-ear headset | over-ear headset |
Ear Cushion | fabric for heat dissipation / synthetic leather / memory foam | fabric for heat dissipation / synthetic leather / memory foam |
7.1 Sourround Sound Speaker | ||
Speaker Frequency | 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz |
Driver Unit Size | 40 mm | 50 mm |
Impendance | 32 Ohms | 32 Ohms |
Microphone Type | Unidirectional flip microphone | Retractable unidirectional microphone |
Microphone Frequency | 100 Hz to 6,500 Hz | 100 Hz to 6,500 Hz |
Removable Microphone | Retractable | |
Wind Noise Reduction | ||
Mute Function | ||
Control Panel | placed on device | placed on device |
RGB Lighting | Razer Chroma | |
3.5 mm Connection | ||
USB Connection | ||
Wireless Connection | ||
Battery Runtime | up to 16 hours | up to 8 hours with Razer Chroma and HyperSense / up to 20 hours without Razer Chroma and HyperSense |
Changeable Cable | without cable connection | without cable connection |
Cable Length | without cable connection | without cable connection |
Windows | ||
macOS | ||
Nintendo Switch | ||
PlayStation | ||
Xbox | ||
Mobile Device | ||
Dimensions | 7.29" x 8.63" x 3.94"/ 18.5 x 21.9 x 10.0 cm | 7.29" x 8.63" x 3.94"/ 18.5 x 21.9 x 10.0 cm |
Weight | 0.95 lbs / 0.433 kg | 1.04 lbs / 0.473 kg |
Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Razer Nari Essential | Razer Nari Ultimate |
| | |
Headset Type over-ear headset | Headset Type over-ear headset |
Ear Cushion fabric for heat dissipation / synthetic leather / memory foam | Ear Cushion fabric for heat dissipation / synthetic leather / memory foam |
7.1 Sourround Sound Speaker | 7.1 Sourround Sound Speaker |
Speaker Frequency 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz | Speaker Frequency 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz |
Driver Unit Size 40 mm | Driver Unit Size 50 mm |
Impendance 32 Ohms | Impendance 32 Ohms |
Microphone Type Unidirectional flip microphone | Microphone Type Retractable unidirectional microphone |
Microphone Frequency 100 Hz to 6,500 Hz | Microphone Frequency 100 Hz to 6,500 Hz |
Removable Microphone | Removable Microphone Retractable |
Wind Noise Reduction | Wind Noise Reduction |
Mute Function | Mute Function |
Control Panel placed on device | Control Panel placed on device |
RGB Lighting | RGB Lighting Razer Chroma |
3.5 mm Connection | 3.5 mm Connection |
USB Connection | USB Connection |
Wireless Connection | Wireless Connection |
Battery Runtime up to 16 hours | Battery Runtime up to 8 hours with Razer Chroma and HyperSense / up to 20 hours without Razer Chroma and HyperSense |
Changeable Cable without cable connection | Changeable Cable without cable connection |
Cable Length without cable connection | Cable Length without cable connection |
Windows | Windows |
macOS | macOS |
Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch |
PlayStation | PlayStation |
Xbox | Xbox |
Mobile Device | Mobile Device |
Dimensions 7.29" x 8.63" x 3.94"/ 18.5 x 21.9 x 10.0 cm | Dimensions 7.29" x 8.63" x 3.94"/ 18.5 x 21.9 x 10.0 cm |
Weight 0.95 lbs / 0.433 kg | Weight 1.04 lbs / 0.473 kg |
Warranty 2 years | Warranty 2 years |
Connectivity
The Nari Essential and the Nari Ultimate can be connected wirelessly to a PC and Playstation Consoles through a USB dongle you can plug into your pc. But you do have to install the drivers in order to use the device properly. Only the Nari Ultimate can be connected through a wired connection, and it is also compatible with XBOX Consoles.
Both the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate have a wireless range of about 12 meters, which is plenty if you plan to use it just for your computer. But since it does have 12m of range, you can step away from your setup or mobile device.
Sadly both the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate don’t have Bluetooth connectivity integrated. So you will have to use the USB dongle with your devices.
The Nari Ultimate has a 3.5mm detachable cable, which is helpful when you need a better connection with the device and headphones. It also has an L-Shaped AUX Connector so that the cable won’t bend and won’t break too easily.
The Razer Nari Essential has a lower battery life compared to the Nari Ultimate. The Nari Essential only has a battery life of up to 16h of playback, while the Nari Ultimate has 20h of playback, 4 hours longer than that of the Nari Essential.
The Razer Nari Ultimate is better when it comes to connectivity than the Nari Essential. It has better features and if you want to connect to a PC, Playstation, or XBOX. The Nari Ultimate also has RGB lighting integrated, unlike the Nari Essential.
Sound quality
When choosing headphones, sound quality is the first thing you have to look at. Although the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate are in the same lineup as Nari, both have a few differences in sound.
Both the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate have Passive Noise Canceling, which means they passively cancel noise from outside forces. These headphones ensure that you can focus on what you’re listening to. But the Nari Essential does have an Active Noise Canceling that gives you the chance to overpower outside noise with louder volumes.
These headphones also have stereo speakers that provide richer sound and give a more surround sound experience. These speakers are helpful when gaming or watching movies to help immerse yourself in gameplay or entertainment.
The Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate have identical frequency ranges, from 20Hz to 20000Hz. Both have the same crispy, clear trebles and strong bass. But the Nari Ultimate has the upper hand because it has a bigger driver that gives louder sound and better bass.
Both headphones have THX Spatial Audio integrated into them; this stimulates sound in a 360º sphere, unlike traditional surround sound. But the Nari Ultimate has Razer Hypersense integrated into the device. The Razer Hypersense is a Haptic Feedback that vibrates the headphones, giving users a more immersive experience and subwoofer-like sound.
Both headphones have great quality sound, from bass, mids, and highs. But the Nari Ultimate does have an edge since it has a bigger driver that makes the volume louder than that of the Nari Essential.
Microphone
The Razer Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate have Unidirectional Boom Microphones that are integrated and flexible. Their microphones are not removable, but the Nari Ultimates mic is retractable, while the Nari Essentials are just bendable.
Only the Nari Essential has Noise Canceling integrated, but the Nari Ultimate does not. These headphones do not have wind noise reduction.
The Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate microphone has a frequency range of 100-6500, which is good enough, but not the best. Both the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate don’t have stellar mic quality, but they are enough that your voice is clear. These headphones have mute functions that can help when you need to stay silent without typing in a shortcut.
Comfort
These headphones are very comfortable, having over-the-ear cups that cover the full size of the ears. It increases sound isolation and the fact that it will not leak any sound to your neighbors. It has the potential for extreme bass and loudness levels.
The earcups of both the Razer Nari Essential and the Nari Ultimate are made from Memory Foam, Letherette, and Heat-Transfer Fabric that are very soft and comfortable for the ears. The Nari Ultimate has an advantage because it has Cooling Cushions inside its Swiveling Earcups, which helps the ear cups fit the shape of your head and give better cooling.
The Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate have self-adjusting headbands that ensure that your headphones fit your head perfectly. The Nari Ultimate has a Unibody Aluminum Frame that can withstand heavy usage without sacrificing weight.
Although the Nari Ultimate is slightly larger than the Nari Essential, it is slightly lighter than the latter. The Nari Essential is heavier at .92g than the Naru Ultimate, but it is noticeable when worn.
Controls
Both headphones have mute controls integrated into them. But the Nari Ultimate has Volume buttons, the aforementioned Mute Button, and a Game/Chat Balance Button located at the earcups.
Price
The Nari Essential has a price of $99.99. It’s a fair price considering the build quality and manufacturing of these headphones, and it is a “budget” version of the Razer Nari.
The Nari Ultimate has a price of $199.99. It’s an expensive headphones, but its quality and features are a significant factor in its cost, and it is the best headphones on Razors’ Nari headphones line.
Conclusion – Razer Nari Essential vs Nari Ultimate
Both the Nari Essential and Nari Ultimate are quality headphones. There is no winner on this one because it all depends on the person’s budget.
Although the clear winner is the Nari Ultimate, it packs much more features, has a better build, and is more comfortable. But in the end, both headphones are the same in terms of sound and microphone quality.
People with a higher budget can go for the Nari Ultimate for its better features, comfortability than the Nari Essential. But if the buyer doesn’t have a larger budget, they can go for the Nari Essential with a lower price. It is the same headphones but just lacks the features that the Nari Ultimate has.
