The Razer Kraken V3 Pro is the most recent in a long series of Razer gaming headphones. The Kraken moniker has become synonymous with no-nonsense, no-frills, straight-up audio quality in gaming devices. Heck, it's a (relatively) safe bet that most gamers across all platforms have owned a Kraken Razer headset at some point in their lives - from the original 'Kraken,' to the Kraken Tournament Edition, and the entry-level X and Lites, there have been plenty, and all have been worthy of the name, with some even appearing on the internet's best gaming headset lists.

Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless Headphones
Now, the Kraken V3 Pro, the latest premium, high-end - no, top-end - Kraken, joins the competition. Not only is this the high end of all Krane's today, but it's also the top end of the V3 update that was announced and released throughout the range in the last few months. The whole line is aimed at giving some of the greatest PC gaming headphones in 2022, but the V3 Pro goes wireless and adds a fun function. Let's see how it compares.


Design and characteristics of the Razer Kraken V3 Pro

The first thing you'll notice about the V3 Pro is that it has a Kraken-like design and construction DNA, but it's also a distinct progression. The earcups, in particular, give away that this is a Kraken headset, although they've been revised to be somewhat narrower and thinner at the same locations throughout the cups. It's not by much, but it's most evident on the cups' edges and where the headband connects to them. Razer's simple black aesthetic is draped over the whole headset (though you'd think a green one would be coming at some point, right?) and is only punctuated by the RGB Razer patterns and rings when the headset is switched on.

The whole headband is cushioned, which provides for a comfortable fit no matter how you wear your headset, and the cups are faux leather on the exterior edges and a soft substance on the head-facing side, unlike the new Kaira series of console headsets. Overall, this is a really comfy headset, so there are no concerns here - or about the overall design and construction. Solid. It's worth mentioning that the dongle is simple to set up for wireless usage and that it's also compatible with the PS5 and PS4 – you'll even receive haptics for those consoles.

The controls are evenly located and split across the two cups, making them simple to use. The mic mute button, the volume slider (which is quite sensitive), the power button, and the audio jack, USB-C, and microphone ports are all located on the left cup (the mic is detachable). The Hypersense haptic button is located in the right-hand cup (more on that later). Everything in Synapse, like any other Razer headset, can be tweaked, and in my experience, you'll need to spend some time in there to get the most out of the set.


Performance of the Razer Kraken V3 Pro

Without a question, the Kraken V3 Pro continues the long heritage of great audio that the Kraken line is known for right out of the box. The in-game audio is of such outstanding depth and richness across the sonic spectrum, no matter what you play, thanks to the latest 50mm Razer TriForce Titanium speakers.

The noises of Metro Exodus' post-apocalyptic landscapes - as well as the tighter confines of the tunnels - are crystal clear and add to the ambiance of the game's locations and locales. Everything is absolutely clear and crisp in Total War: Troy and the Red Alert Remaster; the creepy sounds in Control are masterfully rendered, and the positional and surround sound available in titles like Apex Legends is fantastically accurate and edge-granting.

The inclusion of haptics, on the other hand, is where the V3 Pro really shines. These are excellent, and a significant improvement over the (quite acceptable) haptics in the Nari Ultimate from a few years ago.

However, there are a few drawbacks on the auditory and haptic fronts. To begin with, the Kraken V3 Pro's sound is rather trebly right out of the box. This was discovered when I switched from my Razer speakers to the Kraken while music was still playing - it can be a touch piercing, so some time spent in Synapse adjusting and rejigging the EQ settings is almost probably required.

The drawback with haptics is that they will not only rumble your face off in a high-intensity shootout, but they will also move your head around if your colleague inquires about your day. This is a bit bothersome, and it meant that I had to turn off the haptics in my co-op play, which is a pity because many co-op games are among the most bombastic and deserving of haptic technology. I sincerely hope that the next stage in haptics development will include the ability to distinguish between game audio and conversation audio.

For what it's worth, and despite the fact that it's virtually the same as the BlackShark V2 Pro's, I think the Kraken V3 Pro's mic is fine. It hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in terms of some of the greatest communication that the best gaming mics can provide, but it isn't bad either. It turned out okay as it warmed up, but it did come out as a little tinny - but you can fiddle with this in Synapse as well. Despite its flaws, the Kraken V3 Pro delivers a rich, immersive audio experience for all games, regardless of what you're playing or how you're playing them.


Should you get the Razer Kraken V3 Pro?

Is the Razer Kraken V3 Pro something I'd recommend? Absolutely. It's easy to suggest based just on audio quality, construction and design execution, or haptics. When those attributes are combined, though, the result is a fantastic headset. The pricing is the relative elephant in the room, since it costs $200 / £200, which is $20 / £20 more than the BlackShark V2 Pro (retail price). Of course, this is a significant sum of money, but the haptics will almost certainly necessitate a higher investment than the BlackShark V2 Pro.

Yes, the Kraken V3 Pro's price tag means it won't be challenging the best inexpensive gaming headsets right now, but it's extremely nice, and it's put me in a difficult (though fortunate) situation of having to choose between it and my BlackShark. It's possible that my primary PC headset has been taken over.

If you like haptics, the extra money over the BlackShark is certainly worth it - after all, they have identical drivers and mics beneath the hood - but if you don't care about haptics, I might still suggest the BlackShark. Just. At the moment, it's difficult to make a decision at the top of the Razer headset range.

Overall, and to the point, the Kraken V3 Pro is a victory in increasing immersion; the features and audio quality combine to form one of the best wireless gaming headsets on the market right now, and you will not be disappointed if you choose it.