Razer Kraken V4 Pro Review: Haptics, ANC, and Wireless Audio Tested
For Australian gamers chasing a deeper, more cinematic feel from their setup, the latest flagship headset from Razer arrives at a time when local prices for premium wireless gear are climbing past four figures. The Kraken V4 Pro sits at the very top of Razer's lineup, pairing THX spatial audio with rumbling haptic drivers, active noise cancellation, and a detachable broadcast-grade microphone. After a few weeks of plugging it into late-night Counter-Strike 2 sessions in Sydney, weekend Baldur's Gate 3 marathons, and a long-haul flight to Perth, I have a much clearer picture of what it does well and where the cost hurts.
Razer has stacked this headset with features: dual haptic drivers, four ANC modes, TriForce titanium drivers, a removable 9.9mm supercardioid mic, and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle that promises sub-25ms latency. It also supports Bluetooth, so you can pair a phone while the dongle handles PC or PlayStation duties. At Australian retail, the V4 Pro lands around AUD $499, in the same territory as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Logitech's G Pro X 2 Lightspeed.
Testing was done on a desktop rig running an RTX 4070, a Steam Deck OLED for couch play, and a PlayStation 5 hooked up to a 4K TV. The headset saw daily use across Discord calls, a couple of flights out of Tullamarine, and several evenings in front of a humid Brisbane afternoon with the windows open. That kind of variety tells you more about real-world comfort and noise handling than a clean lab ever could.
Out of the box, the V4 Pro feels like a mature, polished piece of kit. The ear cushions are plush, the headband distributes weight nicely, and Razer has kept the aggressive gamer aesthetic to a minimum compared to older Kraken models. Anyone who has spent time with a BlackShark V2 Pro will spot the jump in material quality immediately.
Design, Comfort, and Build
The V4 Pro carries forward Razer's understated black-and-green look while leaning harder into a premium finish. Memory foam ear cushions wrapped in a hybrid of leatherette and breathable fabric sit on a steel-reinforced headband, with the Razer logo etched rather than lit. The whole package weighs around 380 grams, which is heavier than the average wireless headset but still manageable for full-day use.
Clamping force is on the firmer side out of the box, though the cups loosen up noticeably after a week of regular wear. During long Elden Ring sessions in Melbourne's heat, the cushions stayed comfortable and didn't trap as much warmth as fully sealed designs. For glasses wearers, the cups have enough give to avoid uncomfortable pressure points on the temples.
The microphone boom snaps in magnetically with a satisfying click, handy when you want to flip it up briefly. Physical controls are sensible: a power slider, a mic mute button, a volume wheel, and ANC switch all within easy reach. The 2.4GHz dongle and USB-C charging cable tuck into the base of the left cup. Paired with a NZXT Function MiniTKL review on a smaller desk, the headset's larger footprint never feels out of place.
Haptic Feedback and Immersion
Razer's haptic implementation is the single biggest reason to consider the V4 Pro over its cheaper siblings. Each ear cup houses a dedicated driver that vibrates in response to low-frequency effects, simulating the chest-thump of a subwoofer without the bulk of an actual bass module. Razer calls this Hypersense, and on the V4 Pro it is more refined than the older Kraken V3 HyperSense.
In games, the effect ranges from subtle to genuinely surprising. A grenade going off in Insurgency: Sandstorm sends a sharp pulse through the cups, while the rumble of a spaceship engine in Starfield creates a constant low-end hum that you feel more than hear. Movies benefit too: a streaming session of Mad Max: Furiosa with the haptic intensity set to medium is the closest thing to having a subwoofer at your desk without buying one.
The key is that haptics work in tandem with the audio drivers rather than replacing them, so explosions still hit with the proper tonal weight while the vibrations add a physical layer. Intensity can be dialled up or down per game through Razer Synapse, and a simple switch on the headset itself toggles the whole system on or off. On flat or well-mixed audio tracks, haptics can feel a little artificial, so leaving them off for music is the sensible call.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency
ANC has finally become a real selling point on gaming headsets, and Razer's implementation here is competitive. Four modes cover the basics: Active Noise Cancellation on, Transparency mode, an Aware preset for gaming that mixes in some environmental sound, and full off. The microphones used for ANC are tucked into the outside of each cup and do a reasonable job with consistent low-frequency noise.
On a flight between Sydney and Perth, the V4 Pro trimmed the drone of the jet engines to a soft background murmur without that pressurised vacuum feeling some over-ear ANC headphones produce. Air-conditioner hum and the chatter in a busy JB Hi-Fi store were also handled gracefully. For sudden, sharp noises like a door slamming, the ANC can't compete with premium travel headphones, but that is true of every gaming headset on the market.
Transparency mode is clean and natural enough to hold a conversation with the headset still on your head, which is genuinely useful when you need to hear the doorbell or grab a coffee order from across the room. There is a faint white noise floor in the quietest moments with ANC active, but it is mild enough to disappear in any game with even modest background sound.
Microphone Performance for Chat and Streaming
Razer has rebuilt the detachable mic for the V4 Pro, using a 9.9mm supercardioid capsule designed to reject off-axis noise. In practice, this means background sounds like keyboard clicks, fans, and street traffic drop away while your voice comes through clear and present. Compared to the older Kraken models, the difference is night and day.
Testing in a quiet home office produced a clean, broadcast-style vocal that needed very little post-processing. A Discord call with a friend in Adelaide confirmed the mic sits comfortably above the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in raw clarity, especially once the broadcast EQ preset in Synapse is enabled. For streamers who do not want a dedicated USB microphone, this is one of the better built-in options available at JB Hi-Fi or Centre Com today.
Wind and aggressive background noise are still challenges. Recording near an open window with a Brisbane storm rolling in, the mic did pick up some gusts even with the foam windscreen attached, though my voice remained intelligible. The flip-to-mute function is reliable, and the on-cup indicator light ensures you do not accidentally broadcast your entire household to a competitive lobby.
Wireless, Battery, and Sound
The 2.4GHz wireless connection stayed rock solid across a typical Sydney share house full of Wi-Fi networks, smart appliances, and the occasional microwave. Range comfortably covered a two-bedroom apartment, and there were zero dropouts during hours of competitive play. Latency is indistinguishable from wired for the vast majority of gaming scenarios, and Bluetooth pairing to a phone for music worked without interrupting the dongle connection.
Battery life is rated at around 50 hours with haptics and ANC off, dropping to roughly 24 hours with everything firing. With all features on at around 60 percent volume, the headset lasted through a full week of two-to-three-hour sessions before needing a charge. USB-C top-ups are quick, and you can keep playing while plugged in.
Sound quality is distinctly Razer. Bass is forward and punchy, mids clear enough for dialogue-heavy games, and the high end has enough sparkle for positional cues without becoming harsh. THX Spatial Audio is useful in titles like Valorant and Apex Legends, where pinpoint footsteps win rounds, though purists may prefer the default stereo mix. The default tuning is fun, but Synapse EQ lets you flatten things out for a more neutral reference.
| Feature | Razer Kraken V4 Pro | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro | Logitech G Pro X 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haptic Feedback | Yes, dual drivers | No | No |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, 4 modes | Yes, active | No (passive only) |
| Microphone Type | 9.9mm detachable supercardioid | Retractable boom | Detachable cardioid |
| Wireless Connection | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth | 2.4GHz Lightspeed |
| Battery Life (max) | ~50 hours | ~36 hours | ~50 hours |
| Approx. AUD Price | $499 | $549 | $399 |
Should You Buy the Kraken V4 Pro?
Worth picking up if you are:
- An Australian competitive player who wants clear, customisable spatial audio and a strong broadcast-grade mic for ranked play.
- A single-player fan who plays a lot of narrative, horror, or action games and would benefit from layered haptics.
- A hybrid worker who splits time between PC gaming, console sessions, and the occasional flight or commute.
- A streamer or content creator who needs a quality detachable mic without adding a separate USB condenser to the desk.
- A buyer who already owns other Razer Synapse devices and wants one app to rule audio, lighting, and macros.
Worth skipping if you are:
- A casual player who only needs a solid stereo headset and will find better value in the Kraken V3 or BlackShark V2 Pro.
- Sensitive to weight on the top of the head after long sessions and should try before buying.
- An audiophile seeking a flat, studio-reference tuning who will need to spend serious time in EQ.
- On a tighter budget, since 90 percent of the wireless experience can be found in the Logitech G535 or HyperX Cloud III Wireless.
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is a confident flagship that delivers where it counts. Haptic feedback changes how single-player titles feel, ANC is finally good enough for a flight, and the new microphone is among the best on a wireless gaming headset at Australian retail. It is not cheap, and the weight will be a dealbreaker for smaller heads, but for anyone who wants one headset to handle competitive nights, story games, and the occasional trip out of Tullamarine, it earns its place at the top of Razer's catalogue. Head to your nearest JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, or Razer authorised reseller to try a pair, and watch for bundle deals that include a mouse or keyboard to soften the AUD $499 asking price.