The all-new Kraken V3 Pro is virtually identical to the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense. It shares the same handsome design, excellent audio, comfort, and 50mm Triforce drivers; the Pro has a slightly better microphone, but that's it. In other words, for better or worse, they share all the highs and lows that my colleague Reece outlined in his review. As is customary, the name Pro on Razer products implies the best features, and here it mainly means wireless connectivity.

The Kraken V3 Pro, which retails for $199, $70 more than the HyperSense, is along the lines of what I consider a "professional gaming headset." Moreover, like some of the better gaming headsets, it does not even have Bluetooth for dual-mode wireless. But unlike the V3 HyperSense, the Pro at least allows you to connect to non-compatible devices with a detachable 3.5mm cable while enjoying haptics. This allows us Xbox owners to enjoy haptics as long as the headset is powered; Windows PCs, Macs, and even PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 work perfectly with the Pro.

Wireless, HyperSense haptics and RGB lighting require a solid battery. With all features turned on, the V3 Pro only lasts 10-12 hours in my tests.

With all haptics and lighting turned off, the headset lasts a much longer and more satisfying 44 hours. With a smart combination of haptics on for gaming and off for music and work calls, the average user can get about 20 hours of use. They also sound great, thanks to the removable Hyper Clear supercardioid microphone. Vocals are clean and natural sounding and can be fine-tuned with the Razer Synapse software.

Like the V3 HyperSense, the Pro sounds great in games and other media. Audio is clean and powerful thanks to the 50mm Triforce drivers, which use three independent drivers for high, mid, and low frequencies. The base sound image localization is excellent for in-game accuracy, but THX Spatial audio takes it to new heights, especially in supported games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Forza Horizon 5. can be configured via Razer Synapse.

The V3 Pro's haptic drivers are identical to the V3 HyperSense. Low frequencies are translated into proper vibration of the earcups. However, the haptic cues are not integrated into the game's programming, so the onboard DSP will guess, which is hit or miss.

In games like Dying Light 2, the haptics are great and match the beats with gunshots and explosions. In games like Doom Eternal, it can be a rumbling, headache-inducing mess; the same is true in CoD:Warzone, where the haptics destroyed my concentration and aim, and even clouded the sound of enemy footsteps.

Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible to correctly detect enemy footsteps when your hypersense is activated. Haptic is best suited for story-driven games or slower-paced games where audio accuracy is not as important. Voices in games and chat rooms also activate haptics, which is an unpleasant way to hear your peers; Razer needs to do some work to filter out voice frequencies, but unless you have a mild concussion, the highest settings on haptics are unusable for most things, and it's It is also safe to say that.

But it is when listening to music that I really appreciated the haptics, which add texture and power to almost every track. I found the Haptics to be a great addition to the system because it feels like you are listening to a stereo system with a powerful subwoofer. Hip-hop, lo-fi, and trap really benefited from the Haptics, but I was surprised that some orchestral film music also brought out the headset's happy ringing.

One problem is that the haptics shake the Triforce drivers more than they are supposed to, making the low end muddy. Most people will prefer to listen to music with the haptics on a low to medium setting or even off depending on what they are listening to.

The Razer Kraken V3 Pro is one of the most intriguing headsets I have reviewed in a long time. The haptics are unlike any other headset, and while they don't always work, they can give a truly unique audio experience. While I wouldn't use it for competitive gaming, I would definitely use it for Elden Ring and Snoop Dogg beats, and while the Pro is the crown jewel of the Kraken family in every way, for most people the less expensive V3 HyperSense makes much more economic sense.