kraken v4 banner Razer Kraken V4 Review: A Wireless Gaming Headset Built for Comfort and Immersion

Razer Kraken V4 Review: A Wireless Gaming Headset Built for Comfort and Immersion

Razer has long been a dominant name in gaming peripherals, consistently delivering products that blend performance with signature aesthetics. The Kraken V4 is their latest addition to the lineup, promising a refined experience tailored for gamers who value both comfort and immersive audio. With a focus on wireless connectivity and premium sound, this headset aims to meet the expectations set by its predecessors.

Unboxing the Kraken V4 immediately reveals Razer’s familiar design language, with its black and green theme extending to both the packaging and the headset itself. Unlike previous iterations, this model is fully wireless, relying on a USB-C dongle for 2.4 GHz connectivity. Additional accessories include a braided USB-C to USB-A charging cable and an adapter, ensuring compatibility with various devices.

The Kraken series has always been known for its blend of functionality and comfort, and this iteration continues that tradition. Its plush ear cups, breathable padding, and lightweight frame make it ideal for extended gaming sessions. Combined with signature Razer elements such as Chroma RGB lighting and customisable audio settings, the Kraken V4 stands out as a modern gaming headset designed for both performance and convenience.

Design and Functionality

The Kraken V4 maintains the familiar aesthetic of its predecessors, featuring large ear cups that provide ample coverage for a snug yet comfortable fit. The deep foam padding ensures long-term comfort, and instead of traditional leatherette, Razer has opted for a breathable mesh fabric. This material choice helps reduce heat buildup, making it an excellent option for marathon gaming sessions.

The overall build feels sturdy while maintaining a lightweight profile, which is essential for prolonged wear. The headband is well-padded, distributing weight evenly to prevent pressure points on the top of the head. The clamping force strikes a good balance—firm enough to stay in place but not so tight as to cause discomfort during extended use.

A defining characteristic of Razer peripherals is RGB lighting, and the Kraken V4 continues this trend with customisable Chroma RGB accents on the ear cups. The lighting can be adjusted through Razer’s Synapse software, offering a variety of effects from subtle glows to dynamic patterns. This feature enhances the visual appeal, especially for those who enjoy a coordinated setup.

The microphone follows a practical retractable design, allowing it to slide neatly into the headset body when not in use. This makes it convenient for users who don’t need the mic at all times, though the recessed placement can make it slightly tricky to grab. The mute function has also been relocated to the ear cup chassis, which improves reliability but changes the user interaction from previous models.

For wireless connectivity, the Kraken V4 employs a USB-C dongle that operates on a 2.4 GHz frequency, ensuring low-latency performance. The inclusion of a USB-C to USB-A adapter extends compatibility to older systems, making it easier to use across multiple devices. This setup allows for seamless connection without the hassle of pairing via Bluetooth.

Razer has maintained a strong focus on user-friendly controls, with intuitive buttons placed directly on the headset. Volume adjustment, power, and audio profile switching are all accessible without needing to navigate software. This ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing users to make real-time adjustments without breaking immersion during gameplay.

Key Features

One of the standout aspects of the Kraken V4 is its wireless functionality, which eliminates the clutter of cables while ensuring a stable connection. The included USB-C dongle delivers a reliable 2.4 GHz wireless signal, minimising latency for seamless audio transmission. This makes it an excellent choice for gaming, where real-time audio feedback is essential for performance.

The headset features Razer’s TriForce Titanium 40mm drivers, which are designed to deliver a balanced and dynamic sound profile. These drivers separate bass, midrange, and treble frequencies to enhance clarity and depth, ensuring that every sound—from in-game footsteps to cinematic explosions—is crisp and well-defined.

For those using the Kraken V4 on a Windows PC, the headset supports THX Spatial Audio, providing a virtual surround sound experience. This technology enhances positional accuracy, making it easier to detect enemies in competitive games or immerse yourself in atmospheric single-player experiences. The spatial audio feature helps create a more realistic soundstage compared to standard stereo setups.

The headset includes Razer’s SmartSwitch function, which allows users to toggle between different onboard audio profiles. With modes optimised for gaming, movies, music, and custom settings, it offers versatility for different listening experiences. This ensures that users can easily switch between an immersive gaming mode and a balanced audio profile for everyday media consumption.

Microphone quality is a crucial factor for gaming headsets, and the Kraken V4 does not disappoint. Its retractable microphone is equipped with an internal pop filter, reducing unwanted noise and delivering clear voice communication. Whether for multiplayer chat or streaming, the microphone ensures that speech is transmitted with minimal distortion.

Razer has also integrated noise-isolating features into the ear cups, helping to block out external distractions. While not active noise cancellation, the design effectively reduces ambient noise, making it easier to focus on gameplay. This passive isolation enhances immersion, particularly in noisy environments.

Another convenience is the easy-access mute button, now placed directly on the ear cup for quick control. This change improves reliability compared to previous models, where muting required pressing the microphone tip. The revised design ensures more intuitive functionality without compromising ease of use.

Experience Using the Product and Performance

Using the Kraken V4 for extended gaming sessions proved to be a comfortable and immersive experience. The ear cups provided excellent cushioning, and the breathable mesh fabric helped minimise heat buildup. Even after several hours of use, the headset remained comfortable, with no excessive pressure on the ears or head.

The wireless connection was consistently stable, with no noticeable lag or dropouts. The 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle ensured a seamless experience, making it easy to transition between different devices. The included adapter was a helpful addition, allowing compatibility with older hardware that lacked a USB-C port.

Sound quality was a major highlight, with the TriForce Titanium 40mm drivers delivering clear and well-balanced audio. The separation of bass, mids, and highs was noticeable, creating a rich and dynamic listening experience. Whether in intense gaming scenarios or casual media consumption, the audio remained detailed and engaging.

The THX Spatial Audio feature significantly enhanced immersion, particularly in games with complex soundscapes. Directional audio cues were precise, helping with situational awareness in competitive shooters. In single-player titles, the virtual surround sound created an expansive atmosphere that added depth to the overall experience.

Switching between the various SmartSwitch audio profiles provided noticeable differences in tuning. The Game mode emphasised positional accuracy, while Movie mode enhanced cinematic effects. Music mode provided a more balanced sound signature, and the Custom profile allowed for personalised adjustments through the Synapse software.

The retractable microphone performed well in voice communication, delivering crisp and natural sound. The internal pop filter effectively minimised plosive sounds, ensuring that speech was clear and free from distortion. Background noise was also well managed, making it suitable for multiplayer chat and streaming.

One minor inconvenience was the way the headset appeared as two separate devices in the audio settings. The “Game” and “Chat” options required manual adjustments depending on usage, which could be slightly confusing for new users. However, once set up properly, the system worked as intended without causing major issues.

The onboard controls were intuitive and responsive, allowing for quick volume adjustments and profile switching. The mute button placement on the ear cup was a practical improvement, making it easier to toggle without fumbling for the microphone tip. These small refinements added to the overall ease of use.

Battery life was more than sufficient for extended use, with the headset lasting multiple gaming sessions on a single charge. The included USB-C charging cable made recharging convenient, and the headset maintained a stable connection even while charging. This ensured that downtime was minimal between sessions.

The Kraken V4 delivered a premium gaming audio experience with a strong combination of comfort, performance, and versatility. While software quirks existed, they were minor compared to the excellent sound quality and reliable wireless connectivity.

Conclusion

The Kraken V4 continues Razer’s legacy of delivering high-quality gaming headsets with strong audio performance and user-friendly features. Its wireless connectivity, combined with a comfortable and breathable design, makes it a solid choice for extended gaming sessions. With clear, well-balanced sound and THX Spatial Audio support, it provides an immersive experience across various gaming genres.

The inclusion of Razer’s TriForce Titanium drivers ensures crisp and dynamic audio, enhancing both in-game performance and entertainment value. The SmartSwitch function offers convenient customisation, allowing users to switch between different sound profiles depending on their needs. Additionally, the retractable microphone delivers clear voice communication, making it a reliable option for multiplayer gaming and streaming.

While the software experience has some quirks, these do not overshadow the headset’s strengths. The minor inconvenience of the “Game” and “Chat” audio separation may require some initial setup, but once configured, the system works well. The repositioned mute button and intuitive onboard controls add to the overall ease of use, further enhancing the headset’s appeal.

For gamers looking for a well-rounded headset with excellent wireless performance, the Kraken V4 is a compelling option. It successfully balances comfort, audio quality, and practical features, making it a great choice for those who want an immersive yet hassle-free gaming experience.