The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is part of Razer’s “Immersive Headset” line, offering premium quality audio and customization at a premium cost. After spending nearly a month with my Kraken V4 Pro, using it across my PS5, PC, and Switch 2, I have to say that it certainly lives up in both audio quality and customization, although whether that’s worth the price of $400 is another question.
Razer Kraken V4 Pro Specs
- Frequency Response – 20 Hz – 28 kHz
- Impedance – 32 Ω (1 kHz)
- Sensitivity – 98 dBSPL / mW at 1 kHz by HATS
- Driver specifications – 40 mm
- Connection type –
- Wireless: 2.4 GHz Wireless via OLED Control Hub or Bluetooth 5.3
- Wired: USB Type A or 3.5 mm
- Bluetooth Codec: AAC, SBC
- Weight (approximate) – 397 g / 0.88 lbs
- HyperClear Super Wideband Mic
- Pick-up Pattern – Unidirectional
- Microphone Frequency Response – 100 Hz – 10 kHz
- Microphone Sensitivity (@1kHz) – -42 ± 3 dBV/Pa, 1 kHz
- Virtual Surround Encoding -THX Spatial Audio: Only available on Windows 10® 64-bit (or higher)
- Volume Control – Volume Dial
- Other Controls
- Mic Mute Button
- Razer Multi-Function-Button (MFB)
- Razer Sensa HD Haptics Button
- Battery life
- Up to 50 hours (Haptics and Lighting OFF, 2.4 GHz connection)
- Up to 45 hours (Haptics and Lighting OFF, Simultaneous 2.4 GHz + BT connection)
- Up to 13 hours (Haptics and Lighting ON, 2.4 GHz connection)
- Lighting – Razer Chroma™ RGB
- Compatibility
- PC, Mac (wireless, wired)
- PlayStation (wireless, wired)
- Nintendo Switch (wireless, wired)
- Steam Deck (wireless, wired)
- Mobile Devices (wireless, wired)
- Android, iOS
As someone with a large head, I often find gaming headsets a tad too small, leading to headaches. I found the Kraken V4 Pro to fit comfortably on my head, with large ear cups that didn’t smush my ears against my head. I was able to wear it for extended gaming sessions without any issue, outside of my ears getting a little hot underneath the headset, but nothing uncomfortable.
I found the audio quality to be quite impressive, regardless of platform or game. I went ahead and played some games that could benefit from the haptics, like Skate Story on PS5 and Don’t Stop, Grilypop! on Steam, and those soundtracks were bumping. The bass from the strong soundtracks of both games was incredible with the headset on, but some of the smaller audio also shone. In Skate Story, I found the sound of the skateboard going across concrete and asphalt to sound as close to someone skating in real-life as a video game could sound.
When it comes to customization, there are plenty of options available on the control hub, like mic monitoring and haptic intensity, with the second one I played around with a ton, as a few games were bumping a little too intensely in certain spots. The control hub is easy to use, with a dial and button allowing for quick controls. While it was easily accessible at my PC setup, it wasn’t when plugged into my PS5 and Switch 2. There are some controls on the headset itself, and once I got it dialed in how I liked it, I didn’t need to mess with the controls too much, but depending on your setup, there is some loss of convenience in favor of more precise control.
Even games that didn’t necessarily feel like they needed high quality sound, like Dispatch, really gained something from having that extra bit of pop. The soundtrack in that game rocks and getting haptic feedback from that and action scenes really helped me lock into the narrative in a way that the audio coming out of my TV simply wouldn’t have.
The true test came from playing some Marvel Rivals. While I’m not always in the mood to talk to my teammates–especially when we’re losing in a competition–even with the mic muted, the precision I could hear enemy movements was unmatched. My prior headset certainly captured the direction of enemy movements, but I felt like Daredevil, knowing exactly where my opponents were, even if I couldn’t see them.
From the friends I did play with, the audio quality of the microphone seems unmatched when it comes to gaming headsets, and a quick recording on my PC confirmed that it sounds crisp and clean. I’m not sure it could replace a professional microphone for audio recording, but it’s far closer than any other gaming headset I’ve used before.
I also used the Bluetooth functionality to pair with my phone for music and podcasts. Switching between inputs is done with a button on the headset, making swapping between the plugged-in control hub and Bluetooth incredibly easy. You can also pair via Bluetooth and the control hub at the same time, if you want both game audio and music at the same time. It can be an overwhelming amount of noise depending on what you are doing, but being able to have both Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor audio and a podcast in the same headset made for a better experience.
The spec list says the battery lasts about 13 hours with the RGB colors on, which is just about what I clocked it at when I let it go without charging. That said, I turned the colors off afterwards to get the maximum battery life, and while I like to keep my devices charged at all times, it is nice to be able to go multiple gaming sessions without needing to think about charging.
As for the price tag, $400 makes this inarguably a luxury headset. While I cannot tell you if you’ll personally feel like it’s worth that price, I can say that it does live up to its “Immersive Headset” title. The audio quality while gaming across a variety of devices, not to mention using it to listen to music or podcasts, is some of the highest quality I’ve personally experienced with a headset.
The Good:
- High quality audio with immersive haptics
- Long battery life, extended further when RGB effects are disabled
- Smooth swapping between audio feeds
The Bad:
- The control hub can be inconvenient depending on your setup
- A hefty price tag
Final Word:
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is a high-end gaming headset for people who want to feel fully immersed. The audio quality is incredible, and the haptics take that to the next level, letting you feel every punch, shot, and beat drop. It’s comfortable to wear for extended sessions and offers a solid battery life. The price tag makes it a big decision for anyone, and the control hub loses a bit of its magic when I have to walk across the room to use it, but there’s no question that I would recommend the Razer Kraken V4 Pro to anyone serious about audio.
