AbstractWe compare various notions of algorithmic randomness. First we consider relativized randomness. A set is n-random if it is Martin-Löf random relative to ∅(n − 1). We show that a set is 2-random if and only if there is a constant c such that infinitely many initial segments x of the set are c-incompressible: C(x) ≥ ∣x∣ − c. The ‘only if’ direction was obtained independently by Joseph Miller. This characterization can be extended to the case of time-bounded C-complexity.Next we prove some results on lowness. Among other things, we characterize the 2-random sets as those l-random sets that are low for Chaitin's Ω. Also, 2-random sets form minimal pairs with 2-generic sets. The r.e. low for Ω. sets coincide with the r.e. K-trivial ones.Finally we show that the notions of Martin-Löf randomness, recursive randomness, and Schnorr randomness can be separated in every high degree while the same notions coincide in every non-high degree. We make some remarks about hyperimmune-free and PA-complete degrees.