Razer Kraken V4 Pro: Rarely has a gaming headset left me so perplexed after testing it

One of Razer's most expensive gaming headsets to date had to face a number of challenges in our detailed test and was rather mediocre.

The new gaming headset from RazerKraken V4 Procosts around 450 euros. It comes with haptic feedback, a gimmick I love, RGB lighting, an OLED control hub station and it's wireless. It's immediately clear here that Razer is focusing on single-player immersion rather than competitive challenges.

In the ten years that I've been testing gaming headsets, models over 300 euros were in the minority. There will be a clear trend in 2024: gaming hardware will become more and more expensive - but prices are still usually around 200 euros if you buy a solid wireless device.

As a fan of haptic feedback in headsetsand base stations for devices, I of course had to get up close and personal with Razer's new flagship model - and given the high price, I of course did just that.

My preliminary summary:I can only recommend the expensive audio experience to a few of you, although apart from the high price it could have been perfect.

Transparency note:Razer provided me with the Kraken V4 Pro free of charge for testing. Razer had no influence on the article content and was not given access to it before the test was published. There was no obligation to provide a test report.

Once at the beginning

Without question, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro makes an impressive first impression. The weighty hard box contains not only the gaming headset, but also an OLED control hub station.

OLED Control Hub for the Win? Not really

Using the OLED control hub station, we can connect the headset wirelessly to our console or PC. An AUX port is also available.

When you connect it, a retro spaceship animation flickers, reminiscent of Space Invaders, across the display. Since it looks nice but doesn't do anything else, the mini screen can also be assigned other displays, such as the battery level.

A large, beautifully grooved wheel lets us tweak the headset's volume and other settings.

Because all adjustmentsbut can also be done directly on the computer using the necessary software, or on the headset itself, the initially pretty station on my desk quickly gathered dust.

Interior view Exterior view

The Kraken V4 Pro's earcups lay flat.

I could down to the mere existencedo not find any real added value in themselves. Unlike headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and the Astro A50 Wireless, the station functions exclusively as a control and connecting link.

This extension does not offer a loading function, which is why I personally use itpure playbook. However, this gimmick drives up the overall price.

RGB lighting on headsets: Look good for others

Without a doubt, the RGB lighting is one of themand V4 Pro gaming headsets are some of the nicest I've seen so far. But it doesn't make me a better player, nor do I get any visual benefit from it, because I can't see it myself while I'm wearing the headset.

For streamers or people who don't live alone, but at least those standing by can enjoy the light show. I like RGB on other devices, but I always turn it off on wireless headsets to save battery life.

This falls around 50 hoursAlthough it works solidly without lighting and vibration, it is reduced to around 13 hours when both are switched on (manufacturer's information, which was confirmed in the test).

Learned nothing on the mic

In, which was released just a few months before the V4 Pro, I already criticized the retractable tube microphone.

Around 250 euros moreand a few months later, the Kraken V4 Pro also gets this same non-removable microphone, which is difficult to push back into the earcup of the headset.

In addition, in relation to the price, which is twice as highNow the voice quality can also be criticized. For 450 euros, I expect my voice to be reproduced in top sound quality. This is not the case with the V4 Pro. I sound dull.

The microphone can be easily bent towards the mouth and then stays in the desired position, but the voice quality should be better for the high price.

The device would also have benefited from pop protection. Razer probably did without this so that the microphone could be retracted - a design decision that, in my opinion, is not very practical.

Razer is increasingly relying on vibration

I'm a big fan of haptic feedback. So big that I wrote a column just for this feature:

As you can also read in this one, but there are also case studies in which I would advise against it. This includes multiplayer titles, for example, because footstep sounds can sometimes be masked by the vibration noises.

Similar to the Razer Freyja, a chair pad with haptic feedback, in my opinion this works best with appropriate music.

However, in the Razer Kraken V4 Pro testUnlike the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense and the Razer Kraken V3 Pro, the implementation of the vibrations neither in the game nor when listening to music or watching series convinced me.

For once, I didn't start with my metal playlist, but with softer songs from Audioslave and Soundgarden, only to find that even at the highest and most dynamic level I could hardly notice any significant vibration increases.

No problem, after all Force Feedback is less suitable for gentle music anyway. The change to Napalm Death, Carcass, Brujeria, Arch Enemy, Sepultura and Bloodywood brought a little more mood to the ears.

Especially withWe Will Risevon Arch EnemyThe headset was able to score points. During the opening sequences, the bass sounded like a previously imperceptible second heartbeat to the ears. A completely new musical level was heard and felt.

The subsequent endurance testwith some songs byTool, which for me are particularly characterized by their ability to display particularly multi-faceted, dynamic bass levels, the V4 Pro still couldn't pass the test.

Basically, the sound without haptics didn't really blow me away when listening to music. I expected more for the price.

At, which I also found too expensive, I wondered why it didn't come with haptic feedback. After all, models like the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense and the Razer Kraken V3 Pro had this integrated as an integral part and are available much cheaper.

At that time, this was justified by the higher price and lo and behold, we now have this with the Pro version.

Overall, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro delivers tonallySolid throughout, but for 450 euros solid isn't enough. Even when playing with the headset, the Sensa HD Haptics stood outnothing particularly positive.

ImThe sound was similar, despite Sensa HD Haptics. Like I did in minewrote, the haptic feedback with Sensa HD Haptics doesn't play in cutscenes, but does play in battles and when you pick up a note.

In Doom, with which I also tested the Kraken V3 Hypersense and the Kraken V3 Pro, I remember that the older devices performed significantly better in terms of haptic feedback than their more expensive and heavier big brother, the V4 Pro, and all without Sensa HD.

I wasn't really blown away by Metal: Hellsinger either. Which is a shame, because the reinforcing vibration is actually ideal for games like this.

The feedback from the older models sounded more voluminous and allowed for better tuning in the three stages. In addition, both devices are available for less than 150 euros each.

Not enough games for Sensa HD

Razer Sensa HD Haptics could be a fantastic feature, if more games (to the Razer Sensa HD Haptics game list with compatible titles) would fully support it and if work continues on its implementation.

I have already discussed this fact in more detail in my Freyja column linked above. However, Razer is in contact with the game developers. Sensa HD Haptics continues to be worked on.

Should you buy the Razer Kraken V4 Pro?

The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is worth it for you if...

• you are looking for exactly the features of this device: haptic feedback, lighting, OLED control hub, wireless
• one of your favorite games is compatible with Sensa HD Haptics
• you are on multiple platforms

Alternatives to the Razer Kraken V4 Pro

• Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense/Razer Kraken V3 Pro(wireless) if you want more powerful, less booming force feedback for a quarter of the money.
• Logitech Astro A50, if you want a base station that also functions as a charging cradle.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, if you want removable batteries that can be plugged into a charging station.
• , if you want the same lighting at a lower price.

The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is a solid but overpriced choice. For most interested parties, there are better or cheaper alternatives, whether it's the base station as a gimmick, the lighting or even the haptic feedback. In the latter case, the competition once again comes from within the company. But if you're looking for a gaming headset that combines exactly the same special features as we find in the Kraken V4 Pro, you'll get a high-quality device.