Razer Kraken V3 X Wired USB Gaming Headset Reviewed

I honestly jumped at the chance to review the Razer Kraken V3 X when Razer asked me a couple of weeks back. I loved the Razer Kaira Pro and wanted to try something that’s compatible with the Playstation 5.

Now that I have the Razer Kraven V3 X…what do I think about it?

Read on an find out!

What is the Razer Kraken V3 X?

The Razer Kraken V3 X is the latest version of Razer’s awesome Kraken line of headsets. It’s not as premium as some of the company’s offerings, and is aimed more for those wanting a great wired headset without busting the bank. The headset’s compatible with the PC, Mac and Playstation consoles. The Razer Kraken V3 X features Razer’s TriForce 40mm drivers, alongside its HyperClear cardioid mic, 7.1 surround sound (on the PC) and incredibly luxurious cushions.

In Singapore, the Kraken V3 X has a MSRP of SG$109.90.

Honestly, for that price, you’re getting a pretty good deal. Like the Razer Kaira Pro that I reviewed, the Kraken V3 X is also geared for console gamers. This time around, it’s the Playstation that’s getting the love. But before I get down to that, let’s talk about the headset’s build quality.

The Kraken V3 X is all plastic, which makes it incredibly lightweight.

I’m used to heavy headsets (I used to use the Sony WH-1000XM2 and current use the XM4) on my head for long periods so the Kraken V3 X seems weightless when I use it. The headband’s easy to adjust and stays in place even if I move around while wearing them. Sadly, there’s no swivel capability on the cups, though I didn’t really notice that when in use.

The earcups are VERY comfy too with the plushy cushions! It’s also very easy to use, with there being only 2 buttons on the left earcup; volume control and mute (for the mic).

I’m also partial to the Razer Chroma integration. It’s nothing major, but the glowy Razer logo on both earcups just give it a cool look, especially in the dark.

While the plastic makes it lightweight, it also (unfortunately) makes the Razer Kraken V3 X seems like a cheap product. Fortunately, once you’re over that, you’ll find the headset more than worth its asking price.

The build quality is classic Razer, with smooth lines and the green and black colors of the brand. The whole thing is solid and very well made so no worries on quality.

The another downside for me is that the cardioid mic isn’t detachable. That’s the only bad thing I can say about it though as the sound quality is crystal clear and the bendable stalk its attached to lets you adjust it until you’re fine with where it hangs.

As for my final nitpick, it’s the USB wire that the headset comes with. For PCs and notebooks, it’s not a problem at all as you’d probably be near your machine when you play. For a console though…that’s an issue. You need to have a USB port free AND have it be in range of the cable.

For those who sit a distance away from the console, this isn’t a very good solution at all. They either have to move closer, or not use the headset. Perhaps Bluetooth would’ve been a better solution.

It’s a shame that it’s a hassle for Playstation gamers, as the Kraken V3 X is a great headset, even on the Playstation consoles. I used it for my Playstation 5 and it’s a great…although I wish the maximum volume was much louder. It’s fine on the PC but on the PS5, it’s much too soft for my liking even after maxing out the volume via the PS5’s UI.

That’s disappointing as the Kraken V3 X has pretty good sound capabilities. On the PC, the audio’s great and very detailed. On the PC, bass is sufficiently deep, with lighter tones crisp and clear. I tested the headset on a variety of games (Overwatch, Phasmophobia, Aliens: Colonial Marines and Red Alert 3: Uprising) and it was awesome on every one. Phasmophobia was especially heart stopping, with every noise in the game getting to me. By the end of the session, I was a wreck!

There’s no better compliment for a headset than that!

The 7.1 surround certainly helps, and there’s even a way for you to upgrade to THX Spatial Audio for a small fee. It’s definitely worth it if you have compatible games.

Unfortunately, due to the lower volume on the Playstation, I wasn’t too impressed with the sound. Explosions and other sound effects don’t sound as bombastic as they do on the PC and the lower volume made it harder to make out finer details. I tried Rez Infinite and Persona 4: Dancing All Night (both musical games) and was unimpressed with the sounds. Perhaps if it volume was higher I’d be more impressed.

The Bottom Line.

If you’re looking for a decent headset to use on the PC and are on a budget, you can’t really go wrong with the Kraken V3 X. It might not be wireless and lacking some premium materials in its build, but it’s a solid choice for a gaming headset for those on a budget.

It doesn’t perform as well on the Playstation though that’s mainly due to the low volume. If Sony or Razer patched that, I reckon it’d be a great choice for gaming on the machine. The wired nature of the headset might also be an issue, as you need to plug it in to the console to get it recognized. For this reason alone, those who have their consoles far from their gaming area might want to pass.

If you can overlook that, then the Razer Kraken V3 X is a great choice for gaming across multiple platforms.

TLDR:

Great for PC gaming, decent for Playstation…with a couple of caveats.