Razer Kraken V4 Pro review: “an expensive leap off the screen”

GamesRadar+ Verdict

GamesRadar+ Verdict

TODAY’S BEST DEALS$399.99at Razer$920.23at Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS$399.99at Razer$920.23at Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS$399.99at Razer$920.23at Amazon

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

$399.99at Razer$920.23at Amazon

$399.99at Razer

$399.99at Razer

$920.23at Amazon

$920.23at Amazon

Pros+Powerful haptic feedback with plenty of nuance+Bold, robust audio quality+Slimmer design feels better than V3+Nice range of haptic controls+Base station provides quick access+Solid battery life without extras switched on

Powerful haptic feedback with plenty of nuance

Bold, robust audio quality

Slimmer design feels better than V3

Nice range of haptic controls

Base station provides quick access

Solid battery life without extras switched on

Cons-Mid-range can sometimes feel too clustered-Sensa HD Games can’t run at the same time as Audio-to-Haptic-Some effects are too fast to notice Sensa directionality-More expensive than the competition

Mid-range can sometimes feel too clustered

Sensa HD Games can’t run at the same time as Audio-to-Haptic

Some effects are too fast to notice Sensa directionality

More expensive than the competition

Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.

Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.

TheRazerKraken V4 Pro doesn’t hide its premium nature. The haptic-focused headset sits behind a massive $399.99 / £399.99 price tag and offers everything from brand-new immersion tech to nine-zone RGB lighting. Packaged in the Kraken’s iconic industrial aesthetic, this is the next generation of the brand’s most well-known flagship. That’s a considerable price tag, though, putting the $349.99 / £329.99SteelSeriesArctis Nova Pro Wireless and $379.99 / £359.99 Astro A50 X in the firing line.

With its OLED control hub, Sensa HD haptics, and bio-cellulose drivers, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro is firing on all cylinders in its attempts to be crowned thebest gaming headseton the market. Great price tags come with great responsibilities, though, and the V4 Pro is going to have to work exceedingly hard to justify itself. I’ve been vibrating my skull with these cups for three weeks now, to see exactly how they live up to the investment.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyKey SpecsPrice$399.99 / £399.99Connection2.4GHz / Bluetooth, wired (USB-C / 3.5mm)DriversRazer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 40mmFrequency response20Hz - 28kHzMicrophoneRetractable HyperClear Super WidebandANCNoneControlsVolume, mic mute, multi-function button, hapticsBatteryUp to 50 hoursWeight397gCompatibilityPC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Key SpecsPrice$399.99 / £399.99Connection2.4GHz / Bluetooth, wired (USB-C / 3.5mm)DriversRazer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 40mmFrequency response20Hz - 28kHzMicrophoneRetractable HyperClear Super WidebandANCNoneControlsVolume, mic mute, multi-function button, hapticsBatteryUp to 50 hoursWeight397gCompatibilityPC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile

Design

Razer Kraken V4 (Left) and Razer Kraken V4 Pro (Right)(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 and Razer Kraken V4 Pro with ear cushioning exposed and different materials

This is a slimmer design compared to theRazer Kraken V3 Proas well, giving off a more grown-up feel overall. It’s not the obnoxiously wide headset you may have seen in the past, but the Kraken V4 Pro still retains its recognizable form factor. The cup cushioning itself has been elongated to sit around the ears rather than directly on top - it gives the actual form a slanted appearance under closer scrutiny but makes for a far more comfortable listening experience over longer sessions.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (Left), Astro A50 X (Top), Razer Kraken V4 Pro (Right)(Image credit: Future)

Close up on headband designs of Razer Kraken V4 Pro, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and Logitech Astro A50 X gaming headsets

The Kraken V4 Pro feels like a solid piece of kit in the hands, with a milled chassis and smooth, sturdy hinges. Earcup swivel runs up to the full 180 degrees and the hinge maintains its tension nicely the entire way around - the cable running from the headband to the cup is coiled to accommodate a flat form factor without stretching. It also elongates in line with the headband’s notched adjustment system. There’s not as much flexibility in the headband as you’ll find in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which could be a cause for concern if your tech travels with you, but there aren’t any creaks or rattles when manipulating the cups or band.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro on its side with one headband slider up to max, showing extension of coiled cable running to the cup

Of course, let’s not forget that blazing RGB on the side. It’s easily switched off if you’re in a more focused setting, but even switched on it’s a subtle effect. This isn’t a blaring set of LEDs - more of a pastel-colored swirl of effects. Of course, who that’s really for is up for debate. You’re not looking at the side of your headset when wearing it and the device will likely be powered off when sitting at your desk. Streamers tend to sit head-on to their camera, leaving the side lights waving to nobody. I don’t know how much those LEDs contributed to the overall price tag, but when costs are this high it can be difficult to overlook unnecessary add-ons.

Features

There’s a good degree of control over just how these haptics function in the Razer Synapse 4 app as well. It’s worth noting here, though, that the main Synapse program houses the audio haptic conversion whereas the Chroma program is your destination for fine-tuning specific Sensa HD integrated games.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Synapse 4 program used to adjust haptic feedback range on Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset

Of course, Synapse 4 also brings all the usual customizations with it; a full audio equalizer across both stereo and THX Spatial Audio, as well as specific game profiles, chat mix, a mic equalizer, and RGB controls.

(Image credit: Future)

Close up on haptic and multi-function buttons on Razer Kraken V4 Pro right earcup

You’ve got access to three haptics modes via the headset (and OLED base station) itself - low, medium, and high - but also onboard profiles for music, media and gaming. These are all toggled at the touch of a button on right cup - via two buttons that sit right next to each other and feel identical under the hand. That’s not ideal for quickly changing your settings on the fly - especially if you don’t want to scroll through menus on the hub. Having to cycle through all preset options when I simply wanted to boost haptics got pretty old pretty quick. Still, there’s a good amount of control on the headset itself considering you’ve also got a whole second scroll wheel to play with on the desktop itself as well. The right is limited to these preset and haptic settings, but the left adds mic mute, volume, power, and houses the retractable microphone.

This is similar to the mic I use on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, hiding away in the main cup when not in use. The process of actually whipping that mic out is nowhere near as smooth here, though. The end of the microphone sits pretty flush with the headset itself, with only a small lip for grip when pulling it out. When it comes time to push it back in, the extra flexibility in the arm makes the whole process a little unwieldy - it never feels like it quite wants to go back into its hidey hole.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset on a desk with microphone extended

The microphone itself impresses, though. This is the same HyperClear Super Wideband mic that we celebrated on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro and Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed, with a 32kHz sampling rate for boosted clarity and a more robust voice presence on chat.

There’s another big change for the Razer Kraken V4 Pro, though, the new OLED control hub. This plays a similar role as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless’s own connection hub, though with a slicker design and far easier controls. The large dial feels great under the hand, used for adjusting volume and chat mix or cycling between various haptics profiles and source settings (there are two USB-C ports, one for PC and one for a console). Plus, the screen itself can display far more than SteelSeries’ model, with track, system, or headset info available with a tap of the main dial.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro OLED control hub showing headset information on screen

Razer does have a leg up compared to the Astro, however, as Bluetooth connections are direct to the headset itself, rather than the base station. That’s a major annoyance withLogitech’s device, and one which means it’s essentially redundant outside of the home. The Kraken V4 Pro can travel with you, making it far more versatile for handheld and mobile use.

Performance

There’s some good news and bad news when it comes to the Razer Kraken V4 Pro’s actual performance - and many areas where the two bleed into one. The headset itself sounds great - I noticed a particularly strong attention to directional detailing in more competitive pursuits like CS:2 and Apex Legends, with such precision even lending itself well to the zip of a spell in Hogwarts Legacy as well. These roaring cut scenes were certainly impressive, and the headset handled sparser moments with a strong sense of presence. The swelling soundtrack of those first few hours in Hogwarts played out beautifully between these cups, with power and clarity deserving of a high-end price tag.

My Spider-Man: Miles Morales test on PS5 kept this directional focus even without THX Spatial applied. Energetic, bouncy sound sprung from all angles during the mission Time to Rally, and even kept up remarkably well when panning the camera.

(Image credit: Future)

Reviewer’s hand holding earcup of Razer Kraken V4 Pro with RGB on

The natural soundstage does lend itself particularly well to less populated, but highly atmospheric titles. The Last of Us Part 2’s The Descent mission had me creeping through the dangers of that crumbling hotel with a renewed sense of terror. Given the space to breathe (and with haptics on a very low setting), the mid-range showed up with a fantastic handling of smaller environmental sounds, balancing impact with detail beautifully and demonstrating some real urgency in its power.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro earcups

Then we get to the haptics. I’m all for increasing immersion - I’ve been testing the Kraken V4 Pro alongside the haptic Freya cushion for a reason. Razer’s Sensa HD tech promised directionality and detail in its haptic feedback, and I just don’t see enough of that in day-to-day play. With the headset set to only take haptic feedback from audio, explosions and more impactful soundtrack moments play out with a satisfying punch. It makes for a far more present experience, locking you into the action and lifting these scenes straight off the screen. There are audio-to-haptics presets available for a wide range of titles as well, so you don’t have to worry about fiddling with too many settings for the optimal experience.

Of course, different titles will use these effects in different ways. Other games pack more Sensa HD-ified actions, but there’s another problem here. Yes, feeling the slow, dreaded pulse of Silent Hill 2 across your head makes every step feel all the more terrifying, but faster movements, like the sweep of a sword in Final Fantasy XVI are too quick to really notice. Razer claims that this is when you’re going to feel the full directionality of its haptics, with vibrations traveling across the headset. Most of the time, it felt like a pretty standard buzz to me - simply because the in-game action is too fast to truly feel the benefit of this haptic movement. It’s more noticeable when gain is reduced, to allow those motors a little more detail and a little less power in their performance - but there’s still plenty of room to grow here.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset laying flat on wooden desk

I much prefer using the Kraken V4 Pro for music - this is where I can see myself keeping the headset in daily rotation. Not every song benefits from haptic feedback - in fact, more mellow tracks do far better with those motors switched off. However, bold basslines and brash drum beats feel incredible. Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy, Sub Urban’s Cradles, and Halsey’s Castle all have just enough space between their driving basslines to allow the Kraken to truly shine. However, more chaotic tracks like Chase & Status / Stormzy’s Backbone also demonstrate the nuances in these motors. A growing rumble and sharp drop into full haptic vibration are perfectly executed here, with multiple layers of feedback providing a full-bodied feel. If you like music that leans more towards the lower ranges you’re going to have a particularly good time here.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyFinal ScoresComfort★★★☆☆Audio★★★★☆Battery★★★☆☆Microphone★★★★☆Versatility★★★★★Build quality★★★★★

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Final ScoresComfort★★★☆☆Audio★★★★☆Battery★★★☆☆Microphone★★★★☆Versatility★★★★★Build quality★★★★★

Should you buy the Razer Kraken V4 Pro?

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (Left), Razer Kraken V4 Pro (Center), Astro A50 X (Right)(Image credit: Future)

Razer Kraken V4 Pro (center) with packaging and OLED control hub, flanked by SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Logitech Astro A50 X headsets

Let’s not forget this is a $400 / £400 gaming headset - the most expensive I’ve personally tested. That’s an eyebrow-raising amount of money, injecting skepticism into any buyer’s mind before they’ve even taken a look at what the Kraken has to offer. It certainly did for me - as I said at the top of this review, the V4 Pro needs to work exceptionally hard to prove its worth. If this was a $300 headset it would certainly succeed, this would be a 4 / 4.5-star review. At $400, it’s a little trickier to recommend.

$399.99 / £399.99 is an almost impossible price point to justify in the current market. Razer is betting big on its Sensa HD haptic tech and overall its tactile feedback is incredibly powerful, there’s just more to be done here to be worth an extra $100 / £100 compared to SteelSeries. It’s got plenty of fancy effects, and the power behind these motors is certainly impressive, but it’s no silver bullet for everyday players.

If you’ve got the budget and you want all-out immersion, it’s a no-brainer. The tech on offer isn’t available in any other headset and you’re still picking up a fantastic audio quality (with some tweaks), premium design, and high-end connectivity. If you don’t already know that you need to be on the cutting edge of haptics, though, there’s much better value for money elsewhere on the market. We’ll speak again when that price drops to $299.

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How I tested the Razer Kraken V4 Pro

I used the Razer Kraken V4 Pro for all my daily work, play, and music over the course of three weeks. Alongside work meetings and Spotify sessions, I tested the headset across Doom Eternal, CS:2, Apex Legends, Hogwarts Legacy, Snowrunner, and Silent Hill 2 on PC as well as Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Doom Eternal on PS5. Outside of specific testing, I also used the Kraken V4 Pro during more casual Fallout 76 and Spider-Man 2 gameplay on PS5. For more information onhow we test gaming headsets, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We’re also rounding up all thebest PS5 headsetson the market as well as thebest Xbox Series X headsetsif you’re after something moreMicrosoft-shaped. Or, head over to thebest PC headsetsavailable for more Windows goodness.

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I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastyPlanescape: Torment was a revolutionary RPG, but many of its devs had no experience with the D&D campaign it was based on: “What the f*ck is that?“18 years after Guitar Hero 2 released, a streamer has completed the hardest challenge there is - perfecting all 74 songs back-to-back without missing a single note

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18 years after Guitar Hero 2 released, a streamer has completed the hardest challenge there is - perfecting all 74 songs back-to-back without missing a single note

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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

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Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

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Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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