Razer is persistent in pushing the envelope on what we can expect from gaming peripherals. The latest iteration of the Kraken Pro gaming headset series, the V4 Pro, is a testament to that goal. Packed with innovative features and an impressive sound experience, the Kraken V4 Pro wireless headset aims to set a new standard for gaming headsets.
Taking design inspiration from previous models, the Kraken V4 Pro carries over much of the look and feel of the V3 Pro, at least on the surface. The rounded earcups with leatherette and memory foam cushions are back, now featuring enhanced 9-zone RGB lighting on each earcup. Metal brackets secure the earcups to the headband and allow a 90° swivel for easy storage. The headband provides a sturdy yet comfortable fit, while maintaining an impressively flexible design.
The V4 Pro fits securely on the head and remains comfortable to wear, even with glasses. The earcups completely enclose the ear without pressing on the earlobes, offering a closed-back audio experience. Each earcup has an array of controls to manage the many features of the V4 Pro. The left earcup handles power, volume and mic mute, while the right manages audio and haptic profile selection. All controls are well placed, making it easy to quickly mute or swap profiles on the fly without fumbling for the right setting.
“The latest iteration of the Kraken Pro gaming headset series, the V4 Pro, is a testament to Razer’s goal of pushing gaming peripherals forward.”
For those wanting more control and fine-tuning, the Kraken V4 Pro includes a new hardware component not seen in earlier versions: the Razer OLED Control Hub. This sleek controller features a small OLED display, a mode button and a radial dial, all of which work together to offer impressive control over the Kraken V4 Pro headset. It’s easy to use and understand, making it simple to adjust everything from volume to input selection and most other settings.
On the note of input selection, the Kraken V4 Pro offers four different connection options, three of which are managed through the Control Hub, while the fourth can be controlled directly from the headset. The Control Hub provides two USB Type-C connections (one for console and one for PC) along with a 3.5 mm output port, allowing connection to both a PC and a PS5 or Switch console.
Thanks to the Control Hub, the Kraken V4 Pro offers a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection. The Bluetooth connection (managed directly from the headset) allows for mobile device pairing and works in tandem with the PC or console, letting you take calls from your phone via Discord while gaming on your preferred device.
Finally, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro features a retractable Razer HyperClear Super wideband mic that fits neatly inside the left earcup when not in use. The mic is easily accessible and extendable, thanks to a well-designed divot in the earcup. This design is an improvement over the V3 Pro, which featured a detachable mic.
The microphone proved impressive in testing. Aside from the regular gain and side-tone settings found in many modern gaming headsets, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro also features full EQ adjustments with convenient presets ready to go out of the box. The result is a full, clear audio capture experience that, in testing, provided some of the cleanest recordings I’ve captured from a headset mic to date.
Returning to the headset itself, the Kraken V4 Pro has made a few tweaks from the previous V3 design regarding drivers. While the V3 Pro featured 50 mm Razer Triforce Titanium drivers, the V4 Pro uses smaller 40 mm Razer Triforce Bio-Cellulose drivers.
The key distinction here is the use of bio-cellulose material to create the driver diaphragm. While bio-cellulose can maintain the rigid structure needed to produce clean harmonic sounds like titanium, it is considerably lighter and thus requires less power to achieve the desired effect. The result is a headset that can produce the same sound pressure levels while requiring less power to drive.
“Thanks to the Control Hub, the Kraken V4 Pro offers a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection.”
In testing, the results speak for themselves. The Kraken V4 Pro produces clean audio profiles, and thanks to the presets (with the option to create custom EQ mixes), the V4 Pro sounds incredible in any setting. Game testing was especially surprising. As usual, I tested the headset by playing DOOM Eternal, known for its impressive audio mix and sound effects. During testing, I noticed sound effects I hadn’t previously heard—an impressive feat considering how much time I’ve spent playing DOOM Eternal.
Everything sounds crisp and clear, with a deep, rich low end, full midrange and clear high end. Combined with full THX Spatial audio for PC gaming, you have an incredibly powerful gaming headset. Switching to the music profile and streaming some of my test playlists, I was equally impressed. The music listening experience was clear, well-balanced and enjoyable. These 40 mm Razer Triforce Bio-Cellulose drivers sound superb.
To further enhance the immersive experience, the Kraken V4 Pro also features Sensa HD Haptics. Essentially, the headset has small haptic motors that provide rumble feedback in sync with the audio experience. The Kraken V4 Pro offers two methods of haptic feedback: audio-to-haptics and Sensa Game Integration. The former offers multiple profiles that provide varying levels of feedback based on real-time audio. The latter is a preset integration of haptic responses designed in partnership with specific game developers.
This is an interesting feature that I’m still deciding if I personally like. Functionally, it works well, is responsive and adds a new level of immersion to the audio experience. However, it’s also incredibly powerful and can, if turned up to higher levels, be a distraction. In testing, I found the lower settings enhanced the immersion provided by the audio, but higher levels shook so much that it detracted from the experience. This was most noticeable while wearing glasses, as they would often shake slightly when the haptics activated.
Thankfully, the settings can be adjusted on the fly, allowing you to customize them to suit your needs. While it may not be a feature for everyone, I could see some gamers enjoying the Sensa HD Haptics experience. Interestingly, Razer also offers the Razer Freyja gaming cushion, which can sync with the Kraken V4 Pro. This cushion is equipped with a full set of haptic motors, further enhancing the experience. While it might not appeal to everyone, I appreciate Razer’s desire to create a more engaging and immersive gaming experience.
“Synapse V4 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly experience.”
A quick note on battery life: the Kraken V4 Pro provides a solid battery performance, lasting around 50 hours if all extras (RGB and haptics) are turned off. With them on, battery life drops, with the haptic motors being the biggest drain. With full RGB and haptics, expect closer to 12-15 hours of use on a single charge.
Razer has not only updated its hardware with the Kraken V4 Pro but also improved its software support to complement the latest generation of Razer products. Synapse V4, while still in beta but publicly available, is a huge improvement over its predecessor. Much of the convoluted UI has been redesigned, offering a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Likewise, the previously frustrating process of connecting products to the software has mostly been resolved. Connecting the headphones took only seconds, and thanks to Chroma integration, users can easily control every aspect of the headphones.
The only other point to note with the Razer Kraken V4 Pro is the $399.99 price point. This is a significant increase from the previous V3 Pro, currently priced at $249.99. While the Control Hub, 40 mm drivers and 9-zone RGB lighting are nice updates, it still seems a bit steep for the average gamer. The option to connect to Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz simultaneously, along with a centralized hub to manage connections, somewhat justifies the price, but it still feels high. A price closer to the $300-$325 range would have been preferable.
Despite this critique, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro wireless gaming headset is a beautiful, premium-sounding piece of technology. It offers a high-quality build and produces a superb audio profile. The inclusion of the Control Hub and solid battery life further elevate the Kraken V4 Pro above the crowd. While the price may be a barrier for some, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro provides an excellent gaming and audio experience across multiple platforms.
