Razer is launching a brand new mobile controller today, and it's quite a departure from the brand's most recent on-the-go gamepads. The Razer Prio folds down to a footprint that's smaller than your phone, and will happily fit in your pocket or backpack. Razer has ruled the roost in terms of full-sized mobile controllers for the last few years, but it's now looking to provide a more portable option for those gamers who just want a quick and easy way to play on the go.

I first saw the Razer Prio at Gamescom last week, where the brand's product designers walked me through their ethos for the device. Where the Razer Kishi Ultra and Kishi V3 Pro line were all about translating the feel of the brand's console and PC controllers to a mobile device, the Prio tries to squeeze that feeling down into a practical and portable design.

“With the Razer Prio, we set out to erase the tradeoffs between portability and precision," said Travis Furst, Head of AI Hardware and Console Division at Razer. "It folds down to the size of a credit card, but the moment it opens, it plays like a full controller. That's the whole game, wherever you happen to be sitting.”

The Razer Prio could very easily pass for a payment card wallet, and in some ways, it's a shame the designers didn't leave any room for you to store some cards in it, because that'd be the only way to make its design more inventive.

Indicated by three small lines on one side of its back, you push one half of the controller away from the other. The sides will then separate, unfolding a bit like a clamshell. From there's it's a matter of spinning the right-hand side of the controller down the way, revealing the proper face of the controller.

On the right-hand side, there's a USB-C port, a tiny thumbstick, and AXYB fact buttons. On the left, there's another tiny thumbstick as well as a four-way D-pad. On top, you'll find the usual RB and LB bumpers, as well as a set of spongy triggers that depress all the way down. Unlike some other mobile controllers that try to squeeze down functionality into a portable footprint, these aren't just simple press buttons; you'll be able to accelerate properly in driving games, for example.

There are no back buttons to speak of here, and no extra functionality. It's a simplistic and relatively basic mobile controller (y'know, besides its incredibly inventive design), and that's intentional. Razer already provides options for you if you want a "pro" controller feel while playing on the go. The Prio is for those users who don't want a mobile powerhouse gaming setup; they just need something simple for a commute, or something they can take with them in case they get bored while out somewhere.

One of the true bits of genius when it comes to the Prio is how cables are hidden between its two halves. The elasticated band that holds them together also hides the wiring that will provide power and register button presses from one side to the other.

Interestingly, the thumbsticks are symmetrical but, unlike the Scuf Nomad, they're placed at the bottom of the controller and, due to their size, they're embedded slightly into the controller's face. I haven't done any proper testing of the Prio yet, but I'm interested to see how this feels, even in shorter sessions, since it could prove to be a bit uncomfortable.

Razer hasn't opted for Hall effect, TMR, or Potentiometer thumbstick sensors here. Instead, it's utilized contactless, capacitive analog thumbsticks. These will be immune to stick drift since there are no physical contacts to wear down and, in theory, have a higher resolution than even TMR sensors. To some degree, these are wasted on such a tiny controller but I'll be interested to see how they perform if Razer carries them over to full-sized products in the future.

There's just one main issue with the Prio from my point of view, even without testing it. Priced at $99 / £99, it's bloody expensive for something that's proclaimed as a simple, portable option first and foremost. The Razer Kishi V3 Pro line isn't that much more expensive. In fact, the Kishi V3 is currently discounted down to $69.99 at Amazon, so surely something that's geared at more casual on-the-go players should be a lot more affordable?

The GameSir G8 Galileo is a nice middle ground between comfort, functionality, and portability, and that's easily found around the $60 mark these days. The ELO Vagabond, which is the best mobile controller overall, is priced at the same $100 point in the market, and it offers a lot more functionality, so I do feel as though Razer has priced this a little high for its intended use.

For a verdict on how the Prio performs, come back soon and hear my thoughts after I've tested it.

For more on controllers, take a look at the best TMR controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best PS5 controllers.

The 25th Anniversary Xbox celebrations continue. Razer has just dropped a series of officially licensed Xbox accessories on its online store, which sport the same transparent-green retro look as the upcoming anniversary console.

Part of the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection, the brand has launched pre-orders for a new Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed earbuds, Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard, and a Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse that are set to drop on October 20 later this year. Better yet, you can pick up the entire set of Razer accessories for $199.99, $209.99, and $179.99, respectively, and still spend less than the rumoured $899.99 for the upcoming limited-edition console.

The limited edition collection starts with the $199.99 Razer Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed gaming earbuds. Just like the original model, these earphones are equipped with the brand's SmartSwitch Dual Wireless, so you can alternate between Bluetooth 5.2 and a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection. The buds also provide up to 10 hours of battery life, with an additional 25 hours if you top up their juice via the RGB charging case.

If you don't want to carry around Xbox-branded earbuds, you can save $20 by grabbing either the multi-platform or the PlayStation model instead. But you'll have to accept the extra cost if you want to add a touch of nostalgia to your PC setup.

It's the same situation with the $179.99 Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse. It's $20 more than the original release, but you're essentially paying more for that Xbox branding and retro-futuristic design. The gaming rodent boasts a second-generation Focus Pro 35K Optical Sensor and a whopping 140-hour battery. It's also rocking customizable RGB lighting, which you can customize through Razer's Chroma software and sync up with the matching Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard.

At $209.99, it's the most expensive item from Razer's Xbox 25th Anniversary line-up, though its MSRP looks far nicer on the eyes than that rumored Series X price. The board includes a 75% layout, as the name suggests, and it includes blue, yellow, green, and red directional keys that harken back to the original ABXY buttons of the OG Xbox Duke gamepad.

Razer isn't the only brand to be part of Xbox's new 25th Anniversary Collection. According to the official Xbox Wire blog, 8BitDo is also launching an X25 Special Edition Charging Dock for its Xbox controllers, which is available to pre-order for $39.99 (8BitDo) at its online store.

The charging dock is expected to ship in October 20 later this year. However, if you're too impatient, you could alternatively pick up the 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse, 8BitDo Ultimate 3 controller, or the 8BitDo Retro 87-Key keyboard starting from $59.99 at Amazon today. They're missing their 25th anniversary branding, as they've been around for a while. But with them, you'll still get that same see-through design.

The Backone Pro also has a 25th Anniversary Edition controller launching this October. With it, you have the chance to receive a blue, bold orange, and crystal-clear colorway at random, all colors that harken back to the original Xbox console. If you'd rather know what you're getting, pre-orders for the $44.99 (GameSir) GameSir X5 Lite for XBOX are now live, sharing the same green 25th look as the rest of the anniversary collection.

• View all 25th Anniversary Xbox accessories at Razer

Looking for accessories for your Xbox Series X? Check out our guides to the best Xbox Series X headsets, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Xbox Series X hard drives.

Razer's highly detailed Artisan Keycap sold out pretty quick. Just eight minutes after the brand's X (Twitter) post that the accessory was live and ready to buy, the hand-painted key made in "highly limited" quantities was snatched up by Team Sneki fans across the globe.

Not even its lofty $89.99 / £89.99 asking price could deter it from selling out entirely. You could spend a fraction of the cost and get yourself one of the best gaming keyboards with a whole spread of keys, never mind just one. However, as it's already sold out, it's too late to remind everyone of its hefty MSRP. Instead, I'd much rather use my privilege of being sent a sample by Razer to assure those who have bought one that they're getting exactly what Razer said they would: a "painstakingly painted and assembled by hand" accessory that is full of detail and even prettier than it has any right to be.

Opening up the small cardboard Razer Artisan Keycap box for the first time was a surreal moment. I've seen custom keycaps in the past, so I was well aware of just how tiny they could be. However, the amount of detail on display in the marketing images made my brain assume the finished cap would be a large beast, and not the cute and compact accessory it turned out to be.

That's pretty great, as when it comes to practical keycaps, you ideally don't want something so big that it mammoths over your other keys and makes typing awkward, or even darn-right impossible. Fortunately, Razer's keycap doesn't do either of those things.

With its cross-stem (MX-style) switch compatibility, popping it onto any board I had in my household was a breeze. MX switches are pretty much the standard these days, so it didn't just fit my Asus TUF Gaming Hatsune Miku keyboard, but pretty much every board I had at my disposal. Even better, getting it all hooked up was just as simple as swapping out any other keycap. All I needed was a key-puller to pull out the original pink Escape key on my Asus board and a pair of sturdy hands to push down the Razer one in its place, and it was good to go.

Once attached to my board, I was pretty impressed with the amount of stunning detail that Razer managed to pack into such a tiny resin form factor. The microscopic slithers of yellow paint for the eyes are exactly where you'd want them to be, with not a touch out of place. Even the snake's little noses have been accounted for and painted, which I didn't suspect.

During Razer's original unveiling on its website, you can see the shadows that looked airbrushed on to create depth, but they look even better in person. The shadows bend perfectly with the Razer-green snake heads, and there are no harsh lines that look amateurish or like you're looking at a baby's firstWarhammer minature paint job. Despite being made of resin, a tricky material that often cirmounts in swarms of air bubbles, the surface on my sample was immaculate too. The only 'bumps' were the tiny little scales which you can see (and feel) across the backs of each snake.

It looked so impressive right out of the box that I was scared to use it, but the brand insists it's for "everyday typing," and so I put it through its paces with just that. Over the last week, the triple-headed snake replaced my pink Hatsune Miku Escape key and was used to type up multiple articles for GamesRadar+, as well as playing through games like Counter-Strike 2 and Marvel Rivals. I did deliberately attach it to a key that barely gets a lot of use, but at no point did it fall off, break, or render my 'Escape' functionality useless. Good job, snakes!

Yet as stunning, practical, and unique as this Razer accessory oddity is, I don't think I'd be personally comfortable parting with almost $100 for it. But then, I'm not a keycap aficionado, nor do I collect pieces of Razer gaming history, so there's every chance I just don't "get it" and might not be the target audience that this piece of gaming art was intended for.

I much prefer the look of Razer's Sanrio keycaps, which are far cheaper at $19.99 a box and include resin replicas of Hello Kitty and friends. That being said, while the triple-headed snake isn't my style (or within my personal budget), I'm glad that it's exactly as Razer said it would be - a "hand-finished resin masterpiece" that's easy to install, practical, and swarming with slithering amounts of detail. Should you be sitting there waiting like Scott Pilgrim at the door for yours to arrive, you should feel at ease that you only have your bank account to worry about, as its appearance even managed to live up to my venomous expectations.

• View all Razer keyboard keycaps at Razer

Check out our guides to the best Razer mice, the best Razer headsets, and the best Razer laptops if you're a fan of Team Sneki.

Believe me when I say I didn't wake up yesterday looking to make a Razer Game Boy. Just like most of you, I picked up the 8Bitdo FlipPad to do that to my smartphone, but the tiny hinged controller ended up incompatible thanks to silly design choices with the Asus ROG Phone.

Yes, I'll get to exactly how I created a Razer Game Boy using 8Bitdo's new flippy retro controller. But first, I want to explain how I got here, just in case some sort of retro handheld court wants to hear my story. The short answer is that my daily driver, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, isn't compatible, and upon discovering that unfortunate hiccup on my review path, I started rummaging for something that could accommodate the buttons.

My whole experience using the 8Bitdo FlipPad so far feels like that "Junk Cars" meme. You know, the one often used to depict monstrous Lego creations that deviate from the instructions, preceded by a "We buy junk... Aw man, what's wrong with my car?" Case in point:

Yes, Asus' daft offset USB-C port means you can't use the FlipPad to turn it into a Pokémon machine. You'll have to stick with the GameSir Pocket Taco if you've got that gaming phone, a sentence that sounds absurd when you say it out loud. What you can easily do, though, is pop 8Bitdo's rival onto the Razer Edge, an Android handheld with a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, flip it vertical, and you've got yourself a stupidly long, high-spec Game Boy.

I can already hear an angry mob, gearing up to hunt my Razer Game Boy Frankenstein monster and me. One friend remarked, "Ew, what is that?" while another jabbed at my creation, saying, "Game Boy? Looks more like a Long Boi." In making the questionable decision to pair the FlipPad with the Edge, though, I've actually made a handheld that slaps for 2D romps and uses length to become a solid machine for TATE arcade shmups.

Naturally, having 5 inches of screen length stretching past the 8Bitdo FlipPad feels a little unbalanced. Some handhelds that use an extra-long screen, like the MagicX Zero 40 for Nintendo DS games, give you something to grip onto, but holding the Razer Edge by the buttons on the bottom feels a bit like flipping pancakes.

I'd say the benefits of flipping that 20:9 aspect ratio screen really outweigh the cons, though, as you'll end up with a 4-inch Game Boy play window that's larger than the Analogue Pocket. Plus, the colors and contrast rival my Game Boy Color AMOLED screen mod while tapping into the handheld's 6.8-inch display and 2400 x 1080 144Hz capabilities.

Is using the Razer Edge as a Game Boy overkill? Perhaps, but extra length at the top aside, you'll still end up with a really high-spec vertical handheld if you spin it and use the 8Bitdo FlipPad. As I've already spoiled, its real strengths lie in its natural TATE abilities, as that extra 5 inches is perfect for vertical shmups like Truxton.

The only handheld I can think of that offers up a larger screen for blasting down alien ships in a longer dogfight is the Evercade EXP-R. It specifically boasts a TATE mode while placing two alternative A and B buttons to suit the orientation, and Blaze also sells an optional grip. I'd argue the Razer Edge and 8Bitdo FlipPad provide a really similar experience to that portable, albeit with elevated screen specs.

I'll be giving the 8Bitdo FlipPad proper review treatment over the weekend, and that includes sourcing another smartphone for testing. So far, I'm absolutely delighted at its clicky metal dome switches, satisfying magnetic hinge for retaining full screen access, and its overall feel. On the flip side, I reckon phone compatibility, putting the shoulder buttons on the face, and no real standalone connectivity options will stand as controller cons, and that makes sense given my situation right now.

• Retro handhelds at Amazon
• Retro controllers at Amazon

Swing by the best retro consoles for classic remakes and emulation machines.

I think we can all agree that most technology is getting way too expensive, but if there's one absurd thing to me, it's the price tags of some of the best PS5 controllers. Sure, I love a controller with extra buttons, enhanced designs, and the ability to customize with swappable parts, but $200 is needlessly, inexplicably pricey when PC controllers that don't have to go through licensing for Sony's console cost way less.

Clearly, someone at Woot agrees with me, because one of the most expensive, newest, and feature-rich controllers on the shelves has just taken a gargantuan discount from its $219 price. In fact, in all my years of reviewing PS5 controllers and keeping an eye on their prices, I don't remember any of them getting quite so aggressive a discount.

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro only launched last year, and it's on the premium end of the PS5 controller spectrum. It's made by Razer, for one, so it's more likely to be pricey. It's also got six extra buttons for you to map to whatever functions you want and TMR thumbsticks (the latest standard of thumbstick technology that's even more futureproofed than stick-drift-immune Hall effect ones).

It's also designed around the same core principles as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, in that it's covered from head to toe in the clickiest of microswitch buttons. In fact, Razer wanted to eliminate the speed differentials of PC and console players to such a degree that they just put the same clicky switches in these controllers as they do their Esports mice.

Of all of the third-party PS5 controllers I've tested, the Raiju feels the most authentic to PlayStation, not least because of its symmetrical thumbsticks and lengthy grips that accommodate your pinky fingers even better than the DualSense does.

There are only two real downsides that pop up when I think about the latest Raiju, the first being the fact that without any rumble motors inside it, it feels a little light and a little cheaper than its full price would suggest. That's not really on Razer, but something that every PS5 controller has to adhere to if it wants to properly earn its Sony logo and be compatible with PS5. Still, it's not ideal.

The other thing stopping me from recommending the Raiju V3 Pro is its price, and in this deal, that's not a thing you're going to need to worry about.

Is the Raiju V3 Pro my favorite controller for any platform? No, probably not, but in the fairly limited pool of PS5 pads, it's certainly up there with the ones I'd recommend first if you can afford it. But if anything, its price and its pedigree and its PlayStation licensing make this deal even better because usually those things would prohibit it from seeing a discount for a few years after its release.

This is one of the better controller deals I can remember seeing in the last year, so if you've been saving or shopping around for one, take this Woot offer seriously while it's less than half price. The retail page says you've got eight days left to make the most of it, "or until sold out", which might be possible with a price this good.

Expanding your search to other platforms? You can also find the best PC controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Switch 2 controllers.

No Sanrio character is free from being transformed into cute and practical Razer tech, and that includes Pompompurin, who will soon be available as a wireless Bluetooth headset.

A listing for the headset has appeared at Target for $139.99 as discovered by my old stomping ground at Dexerto, and is set to be available in-store and online on October 4. Much like the Cinnamoroll pair before it, this is not technically a new model, but a re-skin of Razer's Kraken Kitty V2 Bluetooth pair, a wireless headset that sports the brand's 40mm Triforce audio drivers, Bluetooth 5.2, and, most importantly for Sanrio fans, Pompompurin's yellow ears and his little brown beret.

Razer has yet to officially reveal this adorable pair on its socials, but the listing reveals everything you can expect when the pair eventually drops. As I mentioned above, it's powered by Razer's 40mm Triforce audio drivers, which are found in an abundance of the brand's headsets, including some of my favorite budget releases, from the Razer Barracuda X Chroma to its predecessor, the Razer Barracuda X. That means you don't have to fork out the extra expense for the upcoming Pompompurin Edition to get the same sound, but you will if you want to want your tech to pay homage to one of Sanrio's cutest mascots.

Talking of which, I love that the design of this new release doesn't play it safe. Razer already has a slew of Pompompurin accessories available, which you can create through the Razer Customs section of its online store. There, you can give the Orochi V2 mouse, Gigantus V2 mousepad, and even your phone case an official makeover of the cute pudding doggo, but it's just printed art rather than anything unique or flashy.

Actually modeling the headband over Pompompurin's ears and hat is far more interesting and helps it stand out from other licensed tech. Utilizing a design that looks that cosplay-worthy is what drew me to the Kuromi Collection and the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Kuromi Edition, and I'm happy to see my friend's favorite Sanrio character get the same adorable treatment. There's also a bit of Pompompurin artwork on the underside of the headband, an extra detail that you're rarely going to see when it's on your head, but one I know fans will appreciate nonetheless.

If you happen to care more about its specs than its looks, it's also equipped with a Hyperclear Cardioid microphone, 7.1 surround sound, and stream-reactive RGB lighting. However, just as is the case with the best gaming headsets, be wary that having them on at all times can seriously drain the up to 40-hour battery of the wireless cups. If that doesn't quite cut it (this is a pair that's more about style than substance), then I recommend checking out the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro, as it's cute but also piles on tri-mode connectivity and an impressive 70 hours of juice.

Regrettably, there's no word on when you can expect to pre-order the newest addition to Razer's Kraken Kitty lineup. However, I recommend bookmarking the Target link and checking back in regularly if you're eager to make it yours. If you're desperate for some other Sanrio accessories in the meantime, the Sanrio Keycap Blind Bags are available at physical and online Target shops for $19.99. The keycaps are randomized, but if you get one, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you manage to get Pompompurin above the rest.

View all Razer wireless gaming headsets at Amazon

If you aren't a Sanrio fan, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets to check out.

Razer is adding more exclusive keycaps to its arsenal, but this time, instead of cute 3D depictions of Hello Kitty and friends wielding the brand's iconic tech, it's a detailed and, if I can be frank, somewhat terrifying Triple-Headed Snake Edition keycap inspired by the brand's "legendary emblem."

The Artisan Keycap is set to drop on August 23, later this month, and you can sign up to be notified when stock slithers to the site via the official Razer online store, should you want more Team Sneki representation. Unlike the brand's best gaming keyboards, this is a truly cosmetic addition to your setup and has no in-game benefits besides some bragging rights and the ability to bop the heads of a highly detailed snake as you game away.

When Razer's PR came to me about the keycap, they mentioned it was a bit of a "quirky" release, and I fully expected something along the lines of their recently released Sanrio line, but this is far more fancy-pants. According to the official blog post shared on August 13, 2026, the cap was brought to life using "advanced 3D modeling techniques" and then manufactured using resin.

The resin was mixed with color to "the ideal ratio" and "fully cured for maximum hardness", which should mean there are no air bubbles in sight in the final product. Back in my cosplaying days, I made a fair few accessories with resin, and air bubbles were my biggest nemesis, but I'm sure Razer has a better tight-knit manufacturing process than some bottles of UV resin and a nail gel light.

What I admire most about the Sneki accessory is that each one has been individually hand-painted. If you were worried that the process would result in errors of paint going out of line, I wouldn't be. Razer iterates that each cap is scrutinized against the original 3D model, and any errors, like visible air bubbles or surface defects, are taken care of. If only I had that amount of energy for scrutiny when it came to my cosplaying back in the day, I would have been unstoppable.

The finished product is designed to fit securely with cross-stem switches, so you don't even need a Razer-branded board like the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro to add it to your keyset. MX cross-stem switches are pretty much the standard these days, so you shouldn't have much issue with having a board that can facilitate the keycap, though I'd definitely triple-check before making the purchase. Anything that's labeled as a "one of a kind" collector's item is likely not going to come cheap, and you don't want to fork out a large sum on something you can't actually use.

If you do still feel compelled to add the highly detailed snake to your board, I recommend signing up to be notified about its drop on Razer's site, as these are being "produced in highly limited quantities and never to be found anywhere else." I suspect they will creep onto second-hand sites like eBay shortly after release, but you can definitely expect an inflated price to come along with them.

• View all Razer gaming keyboards at Amazon

Want to give your PC setup a makeover? Check out our guides to the best Razer headsets, the best gaming mice, and the best gaming chairs while you're here.

It's been four years since Razer last upgraded its multi-tool gaming mouse, the Naga. Today, the brand has unveiled the Razer Naga V3 Pro, bringing those same three control panels to a device packed with the latest Focus Pro sensor, Gen-4 optical switches, and Gen-2 Hyperspeed wireless. Essentially, it takes the swappable side-button approach that has earned the rodent a spot among the best gaming mouse models, and upgrades the internals to sit on the same competitive shelf as the Viper V4 Pro and DeathAdder V4 Pro.

That kind of tech comes at a price, though. While the average cost of a flagship pointer has risen to $150 / $160 in the last year, the Razer Naga V3 Pro is launching at $179.99. That makes it one of the most (potentially the most) expensive regular-release gaming mouse I've seen.

If you're unacquainted with the series, the Naga line is primarily pitched as a multi-genre jack of all trades. The three swappable side panels offer different control modes to suit everything from competitive FPS to macro-heavy strategy and MMO titles. They're toolless, simply snapping on and off the sides as required. We've still got the traditional array of buttons here: 12-button, six-button, and two-button side panels to swap between.

The main unit is slightly squatter than you'll typically find in a more FPS-oriented gaming mouse. That bulbous design can divide fans, but from my experience with the Razer Naga V2 Pro it retains its comfort in a claw or palm grip (provided you don't have particularly large hands for the latter). The V2 was always a little too heavy to be truly competitive, though, holding its two-button option back for FPS ranked players.

The previous generation weighed in at 134g, whereas the new model hits 117g. That's an improvement, but it's far from the 40-60g form factors of the fastest mice on the market.

So what's new here? Well, that Focus Pro sensor runs at 50K DPI with a 950 IPS tracking speed. It's the same model found in the new Viper V4 Pro, with numbers tracking higher than those of the Logitech G Pro X 2 Superstrike (the Viper's main competition). That's a blisteringly fast eye, but at this point you're getting diminishing returns from sensor specs. Most players won't move beyond 6,000 DPI, though that IPS ceiling gives you plenty of room for accurate and reliable tracking at high speeds.

The Razer Naga V3 Pro also uses Gen 4 optical switches, touted to be 12% lighter than the previous generation. The whole mouse now runs on the same high-speed wireless system as Razer's other flagships.

It's not all under the hood, though. The Naga V3 Pro brings back the ring finger button, now lockable, while also adding an extra button to the pinky rest on the right flank. When the MMO-inspired panel is attached, that gives up 23 programmable inputs to play with.

The Naga is also borrowing a feature from the Razer Basilisk line. The Basilisk V3 Pro introduced a slick smart scroll wheel, capable of automatically switching between a notched and free-spin response. That's all here, alongside two different notched 'Tactile' modes to choose from.

It looks like the Razer Naga V3 Pro is pickpocketing some of the best parts of the best Razer mice, but its value to you will entirely depend on whether you'll make the most of those swappable panels. Those who only stick to one genre can save some cash with individual Razer lines. Those investing in one gaming mouse to rule an eclectic Steam library, however, will find that $179.99 price tag easiest to swallow - though it might be worth keeping an eye on this similar rodent Duncan found at Computex.

• See all gaming mice at Amazon

I'm also testing more of the best wireless gaming mouse models, or check out the best gaming keyboards and best gaming headsets for more upgrade options.

Razer just unveiled a brand-new line-up of console skins for the Nintendo Switch 2 on X (Twitter) yesterday, based on a range of iconic Sanrio characters. Just like the brand's new keycaps, there's a set available for fans of everyone from Cinnamoroll to PomPomPurin, to be stuck to your official dock, Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, and even Joy-Con grips to give a touch of Sanrio cuteness.

Like previous Sanrio keycaps these are exclusive to Target, and available now starting from $19.99. That means there's no way to get hold of these adorable skins in the UK for now, so this range is entirely for the US Sanrio fans.

Razer iterates that these new Nintendo Switch 2 accessories are crafted from premium 3M cast vinyl so not only do they seriously up the cute factor of your Switch 2, but they're sturdy enough to help "guard against scratches, scuffs, and daily wear from travel, docking, and frequent gameplay." Talking of docking, that's one of the main pros to grabbing a skin over a wrap-around case.

You see, right now I have a Pokemon-themed bumper case attached to my console, and the extra width renders a lot of my accessories entirely useless. As much as I love the Belkin Charging Case Pro, I can't actually use its charging capabilities as my slip case adds too much thickness for the USB-C port. Instead, these are "ultra-thin" and offer "full dock compatibility."

You don't need any tools to get these skins attached either. If you happen to get bored of Cinnamoroll (how dare you), Razer states these are also easily removable "without residue" so you won't need to worry about the condition of your console underneath. That's great news if you do want to switch things up, as this range encompasses not just Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and PomPomPurin, but Razer previously launched a set for Kuromi and Hello Kitty fans for the same $19.99 (Target) price.

If you're UK-based like me and want an alternative, Dbrand's Switch 2 skins ship to the UK, but you will have to forgo hopes of finding Hello Kitty's friends on their versions. But hey, some of its skins glow in the dark, which is cute in a nostalgic 90s kinda way.

• View all Razer Sanrio gaming accessories at Target

New to Switch 2? Check out the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases while you're here.

Razer's a little late to the party, but its first attempt at creating a multi-connection microphone is here. The Razer Seiren V3 Pro has capacity for both an XLR and a USB connection, and with a serious, studio, Shure-reminiscent design, it's clear that Team Sneki has not come to play around. This looks and sounds like a contender for the top spots on our best microphones for streaming and gaming list, but does it sound like one?

I, for one, am a little surprised to see some pro-level content creation gear coming from Razer in this day and age. Its Stream Controller X has been all but discontinued since Loupedeck was bought over by Logitech. Its presence in the capture card space is pretty much dead; its USB microphones are tiny, unicorn vomit devices that, although sound great, don't look like they want to be taken seriously. The Seiren V3 Pro has a professional, studio look to it that reinstates this brand as a name in content creation again. That said, I can't help but feel its XLR connection is without a friend because Razer's Razer Streaming Mixer is so out of date it should be in a museum.

But surprisingly, Razer has nailed it with this microphone. Its quality is excellent both in USB and XLR modes; it's easier to use than some of the other more premium XLR options on the shelves, and its price is only $249.99 / £249.99, which is actually on par with some of the other premium mics on the shelves today. Razer tax, where art thou?

Design

The Razer Seiren V3 Pro isn't subtle about the fact that it wants to go after the Shure SM7dB. Along with the BEACN Mic, the Maono PD200W, and Shure's MV6, it's joining the lineup of black, cylindrical microphones that want you to talk into them for your podcast, livestream, or YouTube video. This is an iconic look, and I like the way Razer has put its own spin on it.

Around its rim, there's an RGB ring which is fully customizable using Razer Chroma, and the capsule of the mic is covered by a familiar cylindrical pop filter/wind guard. There's some very subtle Razer branding which can be seen if it catches the light, but blends into the bodywork of the microphone so as not to overplay its hand and spoil the Shure lookalike contest.

What I really like about the design of the Seiren V3 Pro is that the mounting system complements the pickup pattern. A lot of XLR mics (and the Shure SM7dB specifically) require you to be pretty close and direct with them; hence why they opt for this black cylindrical design, and their mounting systems reflect that. The mounting arm here is more versatile in order to cater to a more generous polar pattern. I've attached mine to a boom arm and had it hanging down towards me, almost like it is actually a boom mic.

When in shot of my webcam, it does actually look like it's being held from somewhere out of view, and it gives my entire setup a premium podcast host feel. Its angular stand allows for that inverted type of mounting, but if you so please, you can leave it upright on its stand, or boom-mount it so it's facing up vertically. There's versatility here that I really like, and form complements function because the pickup pattern doesn't care about which direction you use it from.

The internals of the mic have had a lot of thought put into them too. The V3 Pro sports a 30mm Dynamic capsule with the below specs that I've compared directly to the Shure SM7dB for context.

The USB side of the microphone obviously demands a few more design bells and whistles than a standard XLR option. There's a manual gain control dial on the bottom of the mic, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for live monitoring through a headset. Note that this is reliant on Synapse, or at least didn't work for me until I had Synapse installed, so it isn't on a mere hardware level. There's also a capacitive mute button.

Features

As with the other hybrid mics we've seen hitting the shelves already, the Seiren V3 Pro harnesses the power of both USB-C and XLR connections. I've plugged them both in with different machines, and they've both worked at the same time. It is missing the wireless connection of the Maono PD200W, but in terms of the dual-connectivity it has it matches up with the Rode PodMic USB, Shure MV7+, and SteelSeries Alias Pro. It is probably worth noting that while a USB to USB-C cable comes in the box, you'll need to supply your own XLR cable.

On the software side, a lot of the V3 Pro's best features are reserved for Synapse pairing, which, if you're anything like me, is a big let-down. The RGB, 3.5mm live monitoring, gain control, and mute button all require USB power, so don't go in expecting those if you're going to hook it up using XLR through one of the best streaming mixers.

Synapse is going to give you lots of access to EQ, bass boosting, exciters, noise gate controls, AI noise cancelling, and other settings of the V3 Pro. There's also support within Synapse for 32-bit float support, which barely any of the competition mics have unless you go wireless with something like the Rode Wireless GO Gen 3. Moreover, Synapse now has a full mixing suite within it if you are using USB connections and can't mix using a separate interface. While this is an impressive update to Synapse that gives the Razer mics some longer legs to run with, it's a real shame that you're reliant on the entire Synapse ecosystem to use these things.

There's a reason that Elgato has its own separate software for audio devices, camera devices, and capturing footage with its capture cards. If you're buying one device from a brand, you shouldn't have to download a very intrusive and performance-heavy application that tacks on everything else it makes. Just let me have the parts I do need, and stop making it so hard to install and uninstall this silly program that's insistent on becoming the main character of my PC.

Performance

The first thing I'll say is that I really, really like the way this mic sounds. It captures some excellent quality that's absolutely up there with the Shure and Rode options out there. It's also consistent across its USB and XLR connections, with minimal sound disparity between the two.

I did the majority of testing in XLR mode through the RodeCaster Duo, and I have to say, it's on par with the kind of quality I expect from the Shure SM7dB, although with a few caveats. It feels like because of that extra adjustable gain and lack of 32-bit float, AI noise cancellation, and noise gate through Synapse, it's a bit more unruly. That could be a good thing for you if you've used the SM7dB and you've not got on well with its fairly low gain levels. But it also means that in XLR mode you're going to struggle to keep ambient room noise out of the mix.

Moreover, the pop filter simply isn't as strong as Shure's. Its foam isn't very dense, so it isn't doing as good a job at blocking out those attacking plosives. In USB mode, this is kept under control a lot better, presumably thanks to Synapse, AI noise cancelling, and 32-bit float. The pop filter doesn't do quite as strong a job as I'd like it to in XLR mode, where I feel like it's really going to be needed more for those professional recording quality uses. Its foam doesn't hug the capsule quite as tightly as Shure's does either, so I'm not convinced by it.

What I do love about the Seiren V3 Pro is its pattern, how generous it is, and how that works alongside its mounting design. I mention it in the audio sample above, but there's a brilliant versatility to this mic so that you can attach it to a boom arm at pretty much any angle, and as long as you're in close proximity, you get excellent, consistent studio-quality recordings. With Shure's SM7dB, you need to be a bit more direct and position yourself more closely in front of it to get the best sound, and even though it has some leeway, Razer has nailed an even more accessible polar pattern.

There's definitely still best value in proximity here, but people buying Razer's mic over something like Shure or Rode are likely going to be a little less studied in their mic etiquette, and it feels like Razer is aware of that and is actively trying to make the V3 Pro more user-friendly.

USB connection is good, as you'll hear from the quality above. Besides the gain being a little more muted and more of the Synapse effects working their magic, I'd say it's all pretty consistent with the XLR sound.

It's not unusual for USB mics to be reliant on software for the best results, but I do think Razer has been a tad too reliant on Synapse to get the best results here. No, you don't need Synapse open and running for these to work, but Synapse, when installed, is pretty much always running in the background, so it's hard to tell when it's really in use and when it isn't.

For the V3 Pro's lack of a noise gate in XLR mode, its USB noise gate is very, very aggressive, even after a firmware update to try and remedy this issue. You can hear in the USB sample audio that some of my words, especially at the beginning of sentences or after a small break in speaking, that my speech is getting cut off by the sheer wroth of the noise gate. That's not ideal, and I personally feel like the way Razer's noise gate cuts off any and all noise when it doesn't detect your voice is a bit too obtuse for a professional sound. It ends up sounding a bit cheap, manufactured, and silly when there's a really obvious cut-off of all the audio. If I was listening to a video, podcast, or stream and that was happening, it'd be so distracting I'd end up listening out for the cut instead of whatever a person was saying.

Hopefully this side of things gets patched and fixed as time goes on, but it's a bit much for my liking.

Should you buy the Razer Seiren V3 Pro?

I think there's real value for money in the Razer Seiren V3 Pro. The kind of quality it gives you in either XLR or USB mode is superb and is definitely good enough to compete with the Shure and Rode options out there. If you're a fan of the design of the Shure SM7dB but don't want to pay that much for it, this is a strong alternative that gives you a more accessible and user-friendly method of using it. Its noise gate in XLR isn't ideal, and its noise gate in USB mode is far too aggressive for my liking. Moreover, you are going to miss out on some features if you only use it in XLR mode.

In fact, this mic does feel like it's out here making a stand all on its own. I'm not saying Razer needs to make a rival to the RodeCaster Duo with all its bells and whistles, but a microphone like this is screaming out for a Synapse-compatible companion mixer. If Razer wants people to buy into its ecosystem, what does it want people to pair its XLR microphone with? I think it's time for a revamped audio interface, please, Mr Razer man.

Unfortunately, the mic market is really competitive. For an XLR option on price, the V3 Pro is sort of on par with the Shure MV7+ and Rod PodMic USB when ages, prices, and discounts come into play. Equally, the mic market has a Maono problem right now because, for paying less money, newcomers with lesser budgets could get the PD200W for far less and get great quality and a wireless connection.

I really, really like Seiren V3 Pro, and would happily use it for my own content. I'm not such a big fan of its reliance on Synapse, and if that's a problem for you too, I'd maybe steer clear of it. As a Shure alternative with excellent sound and an okay price, it doesn't get much better than this.

How I tested the Razer Seiren V3 Pro

I've used the Razer Seiren V3 Pro as my main microphone for all gaming, content creation, and work meets for around two weeks now. I mounted it to my boom arm, plugged it into the RodeCaster Duo, and adopted it as part of my setup. I compared it closely to my daily driver, the Shure SM7dB, using it in the same ways and using it with the same settings through my audio interface.

I recorded plenty of audio samples and listened back to them, testing various ways in which the mic acts and reacts to different use styles. I also tested across different PCs, using a USB connection with a laptop to test out all of Razer Synapse's extras.

For more on testing methods, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

For more streaming and podcasting gear, take a look at the best capture cards and the best ring lights for streaming and gaming.

The new Razer Sanrio Edition Keycaps have finally appeared at Target's online storefront, but the price for one single (and randomized) blind box is a bit more than I had hoped.

The official product page for these PC accessories lists them for $19.99 (Target) each, and there are up to five to collect in total. Each box contains one randomized collectible of Cinnamoroll, Pompompuri, Hello Kitty, Kuromi, or My Melody, so you'd have to spend around $99.95 to collect the lot - and that's if luck is on your side. Not to mention, there's an additional chrome-plated secret design to be found in one in every 24th box, so a full set could cost you more than the brand's own gaming keyboards, like the $119.99 Razer Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic Mini.

You don't have to try and collect the full set, of course. I'd be happy with just a single $19.99 keycap, especially as I have a soft spot for just about every Sanrio character included in this collaboration. However, if you're looking for a specific character, the nature of this blind box presentation could make it a costly endeavour.

It's a shame that it's not available as a full and complete set for those who prefer it. I'm sure plenty of Sanrio fans would much rather either know what they're getting, or have the ability to collect the lot without the risk of doubling up. It would make more sense too, as plenty of people with any of Razer's existing Sanrio tech, like that of the recently unveiled Cinnamoroll headset, would then be able to better match the cute caps to their existing Hello Kitty and friends-themed setups.

Talking of which, if the costly price of collecting the set wasn't a bummer enough, a review on the Target product page states that the "key caps don’t even fit with the Sanrio Razer keyboards", which seems like a major missed opportunity.

To play devil's advocate for a moment, Razer didn't state that they would. On the original blog post shared on July 12, 2026, the brand iterated that the keycaps were compatible with MX cross-stem switches, including the Razer BlackWidow V4 lineup. The Sanrio keyboards, like that of the Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless Kuromi Edition I tested in March of 2025, utilize the brand's Mecha-Membrane switches instead. However, I feel like releasing a set compatible with the brand's existing Sanrio tech would have been a no-brainer.

If you're planning on heading to a physical Target store or want to pick up one of the blind boxes online, just go prepared. You'll need to make sure that your keyboard is equipped to handle the caps, and most importantly, that you can afford the investment should you not get the Sanrio character you want the first time around.

• View all Razer gaming accessories at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best gaming chairs, the best gaming headsets, and the best gaming mice if you're looking to refresh your PC setup.

Razer kicked off its adjustable switch operations with analog clackers in its Huntsman keyboard line; now it's gone full Hall effect. The new Razer Huntsman V3 HE ditches the analog optical in favor of the trendier HE moniker, but while it's not quite at the TMR forefront, those prices are certainly a sight for sore eyes.

If you've been perusing the world of the best gaming keyboards over the last couple of years, you'll notice a rising cost associated with newer magnetic switches. As mainstream brands like Corsair, Logitech, and SteelSeries have jumped on the adjustable actuation bandwagon, costs have soared to the $400s in some cases (looking at you, Asus). While most Hall effect keyboards now land in the $150 to $250 range, though, the new Huntsman V3 HE line starts life at $119.99.

I know! Razer, of all brands, coming in cheaper than the rest of the industry? What in the 2026?

Well, Hall effect isn't the buzzword it used to be. The cool kids are all about TMR with its improved power efficiency and (this is a personal take) better feel overall. It's why Corsair managed to impress with the Clipper Pro Mini 60 at just $99.99 earlier this month. Contrary to the way most of the industry seems to be going, those HE clackers are getting cheaper surprisingly quickly, and new releases are proving it.

That's not to rain on Razer's parade. Corsair's cheaper option comes in a 60% form factor, whereas you're paying just $20 more for Sneki's 65%-er and $139.99 all in for the TKL. That's undercutting the mid-range market (populated by the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid and, funnily enough, Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini) quite considerably.

So what do you get for your cash?

Barrie Ooi, Head of PC Gaming at Razer, states that "while our analog optical keyboards remain the benchmark for players seeking the absolute best in esports performance, the Huntsman V3 HE Magnetic 8KHz line is designed for competitive players looking for the best magnetic keyboard." If you can parse the difference between those two players there, be sure to let me know.

Regardless of who it's for, the latest Huntsman offers all the usual features you'd expect: 'Snap Flex' for assigning two inputs to a single key and "Dynamic Keystroke" for packing four actions based on the depth of your keypress. But we've also got "Instant Cancel Control" that allows you to halt that sequence of actions immediately.

Switches can be configured for actuation between the usual 0.1-4mm, with the usual suspects Rapid Trigger, adjustable actuation and Snap Tap (SOCD when it's at home) all invited to the party as well.

There are a few newbies here that I look forward to testing out, between that instant cancel and the Dual-Keypress system ensuring directional priority is assigned as quickly as possible. Perhaps more notably for most of us, though, Razer's boasting that its Huntsman V3 HE comes with thick foam dampening and individually lubricated switches. With the rattle and echo of the Huntsman V3 Pro Mini still ringing in my ears, Sneki's new sound profile better live up to its hype.

• See all gaming keyboards at Amazon

I'm also hunting down all the best hot-swappable keyboards and the best wireless gaming keyboards on the market.

The Razer Blade 18 took its place on my list of the best gaming laptops on the market last week, after making it out off the test bench with a 4/5 review score. It wasn't the dual 4K / 1200p resolution display or the slimmer 18-inch chassis that put it there, though, it was the fact that the Razer Blade 18 nearly beat the MSI Raider A18 HX's performance.

That's a big deal considering no gaming laptop has managed to near that beast's benchmark records since I reviewed it last year. Of course, time has moved on for the MSI Raider, and the numbers today tell a different story where value is concerned. With an extra 12 months under its belt, the RTX 5090 MSI Raider A19 HX A9W is a little harder to find on the shelves. Instead, you're more likely looking at an RTX 5080 model (16GB vs 24GB), which isn't going to give you the same payoff for 4K gaming. The invoice is far kinder, though.

Right now, the RTX 5090 model is only available at Excalbur PC on backorder, but its age means it still undercuts the Blade 18 at $4,499.99. So what does that mean in real-world play?

At full 4K resolution, the two machines are tying. The Blade 18 bookends its runs, with wins in the lightest title, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and the most demanding, Cyberpunk 2077 (though only just), while the Raider scores higher in Total War: Three Kingdoms and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered. These are still neck and neck scores, though, a trend that continues further down the resolution ladder.

In FHD and QHD+, we've got a similar situation, though the Blade takes a lead in QHD performance overall.

Numbers match up once more when we looked at synthetic benchmarks, though, with MSI taking the more demanding Steel Nomad test alongside the easier Fire Strike run.

It all comes down to Geekbench 6, then, and the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W's higher average single-core test. This is a machine using the abominably powerful AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, after all - even the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus inside Sneki's rig can't quite compete. The Blade scored 3,053 in its single-core test, while the Ryzen 9 typically averages at around 3,186. This is the only test in which a winner is decided.

Does that mean big spenders should buy the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W? Not quite.

The Razer Blade 18 has still made its way to my top list, now sitting as the best luxury gaming laptop I've tested so far. That's because, while it just whiskers out of the performance race against the MSI Raider it does so in a far sturdier chassis, with a much better keyboard, a higher refresh rate display, and a surprisingly solid battery life.

If I had $5,500 to spend on a gaming laptop, the lack of OLED or Mini LED display would be the only turn off here. Razer's decision to instead fit a dual-resolution 4K (240Hz) / FHD (440Hz) screen up top means you're not getting the more immersive contrast, color profile, and impact of a more luxurious panel. It's also unlikely that most players will be looking to fully take advantage of the top end of that 440Hz refresh rate - outside of elite competition, the vast majority of us will be able to get along just fine with framerates coming out of that RTX 5090 in 4K. The dual screen is an added expense that doesn't serve the majority of the market and cuts the Blade 18 off from the kinds of premium upgrades readily available in much cheaper machines.

That being said, there are very few 18-inch 4K gaming laptops on the market right now, and if that high-end build quality, excellent performance, and 240Hz refresh rate are worth more to you than color contrast it's a difficult one to beat.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops on the market. For something a little chunkier, check out the best Alienware laptops I've tested so far.

Razer is on a roll with its new cute releases, from its Pokemon Espeon and Umbreon Collection to its Pikachu and Eevee Collection - but now it's got Sanrio Edition keycaps out in the wild.

The new Sanrio Edition Razer Keycap Blind Box set was originally unveiled on Razer's community blog on July 12, 2026, but a new X (Twitter) post now reveals that it's available at Target stores in the US. These keycaps feature five designs of Hello Kitty and friends and can be swapped for your ESC key to inject it with that 'cute and cozy' factor. Only if you're okay with pressing a large replica of Sanrio's top mascot characters over the far easier-to-press original key of your gaming board.

Cute keycaps aren't exactly a new phenomenon. If you're as chronically online and immersed in the 'cute and cozy' world of gaming builds as I am, you've likely seen plenty of videos of them in the past and have been contemplating adding them to one of the best gaming keyboards you've got in your setup. However, these cute keycaps in particular include the likes of Hello Kitty and my personal favorite Sanrio character, Kuromi, holding real-life Razer tech.

While Razer doesn't state exactly what each character has amongst the palm of their paws, I could spot the white model Razer BlackShark V2 Pro that's perched on Cinnamoroll's head from a while away. It also appears that Pompompurin has managed to get his hands on the white model Razer Wolverine V3 controller. It's hard to decipher what laptop Kuromi has her hands on, but I at least hope she's got the Razer Blade 16, which currently sits on our best gaming laptops guide.

These keycaps are designed to fit MX cross-stem switches, which include the likes of the Razer BlackWidow V4 line-up. Their pricing hasn't yet been unveiled so I can't let you know what you can expect to fork out for these cute bling bags. However, if you're heading to a local Target near you to grab a few bags regardless, do make sure to check what board you have first to ensure it's compatible before spending a fortune on these randomized keycaps.

Talking of which, as you'd likely already surmised by now, they're available in blind boxes and cannot be purchased as a set. You have your "chance" to unbox one of the five designs and a secret chrome variant, which appears in one out of every 24 boxes, according to Razer. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of blind boxes, as you don't know what you're buying. There's every chance you could end up with just five Kuromi keycaps, and as much as I adore her, there is such a thing as too much Kuromi.

If you're in the same boat, you could alternatively grab Razer's Sanrio accessories from its Hello Kitty and Friends lineup starting from $27.99 at Amazon, no blind boxes included.

• View all Razer Sanrio PC gaming accessories at Target

Not a Sanrio fan? Our team has also rounded up the best gaming chairs, the best gaming headsets, and the best gaming mice if you're looking to refresh your PC setup.

Razer has unveiled two new collaborations with the Pokemon Company just days apart, including the Espeon and Umbreon Collection and the Razer Pikachu and Eevee Collection, and they're just as adorable as you'd expect them to be.

Both collections include accessories like the Razer Kraken V4 X headset, which has hung up its plain all-black looks for imagery of the adorable Pokemon instead. Yet as stunning as its new purple starry Espeon and Umbreon or pastel pink Pikachu and Eevee look is, I wish that the best Razer headsets and other top-of-the-line accessories in the brand's back catalog got the same treatment.

These collections always revolve around existing Razer headsets, keyboards, mice and mouse mats, but they typically encompass products on the lower end of Razer's price range. That means that while you might be getting one of the cutest pairs of cups out there, you won't be getting the one with the best features - which is a shame given the extra $30 cost you're paying for the privilege of your headset looking fit for a Pokemon master.

Brands like Razer always have to factor in the licensing fee that's required whenever it produces new lines with big-name companies like The Pokemon Company. With that in mind, there is some sense in always utilizing its lower-end accessories for these kinds of collaborations. I can only speculate, but if I were Razer and I knew I had to factor in that extra $30 cost for each item regardless, I could understand wanting the products to be as appealing as possible, and that'd involve keeping prices low to make them more accessible to a wider range of fans.

If you take the Razer Kraken V4 X headset into consideration, it's normally priced at $79.99 at Amazon when there are no sales around. When you incorporate the extra $30 cost, that takes the pair up to $109.99, which is exactly how much you can expect to pay for both the Espeon and Umbreon and Pikachu and Eevee Razer headsets. However, if Razer were to incorporate one of the best gaming headsets in its back catalogue instead, like that of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, it'd be a far higher price to contend with. The wireless headset has an MSRP of $249.99 (Amazon), which would mean fans would have to spend $279 for its own Pokemon makeover.

That price tag is likely one that would not appeal to passing fans of the franchise who just want cute accessories and don't care much for its specs. Or even parents of kids who are eager to please their kids with cute accessories featuring their favorite Pokemon but don't have the budget to spare on high-end accessories - particularly ones that little ones may not know how to take full advantage of. But I don't like to assume that people who yearn for cute accessories don't also care about specs - especially as I care about both, and I know I'm not alone.

In particular, I wish more feature-rich headsets were regularly part of these new collections. The pair frequently used by Razer for its Pokemon tech isn't bad by any means, but it's missing some key features that may not appeal to fans who care about substance as much as style.

The Razer Kraken V4 X carries the same Triforce 40mm audio drivers as past pairs like the Razer Barracuda X, a pair that frequently topped out best Nintendo Switch headset guides for years due to its quality. The brand's drivers enable a leveled sound that still makes games sound incredible regardless of which pair they're in. However, the V4 X is a wired-only headset, which makes it more limited compared to other Razer alternatives.

As someone with the Gengar Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB at my disposal, its wire gets tangled easily, and its USB-A connection makes it suited for PC platforms only. The Kraken V4 X fortunately comes with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, but you still have to put up with being tethered to a wire. I'd much rather prefer donning a cute headset on my head while experiencing the freedom of Bluetooth and 2.4GHz low-latency wireless, which is what you'd get if the BlackShark V3 Pro were selected for these new collections instead.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro doesn't just have the option of a wired 3.5mm or USB connection, but you can utilize Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless too. It's also decked out with the brand's TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen 2 audio drivers, which "entralled" our team's own Tabitha Baker in her review with how much space it conjured in its low end - a sound that many Pokemon fans would appreciate.

These limitations are just going to be apparent with the headsets chosen for these releases, but they're apparent with other accessories too. The Razer Cobra is the gaming rodent of choice when it comes to all of Razer's Pokemon sets, and it's a wired-only mouse that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of, say, the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro. Currently sitting as our best gaming mouse top pick, the Deathadder V4 Pro provides both wired and 2.4GHz connectivity options, includes Razer's Gen 4 optical switches over that of the Gen 3 found in the Cobra, and is even more lightweight at just 56g over the Cobra's 58g form factor.

It'd be incredibly neat if Razer chose a mouse like it, and options like the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, which joined our best gaming keyboard list last year, for their future Pokemon collaborations. That way, those who want to create a cute and cozy PC gaming setup don't have to feel inclined to settle for cheaper and less feature-full accessories.

It'd at least be nice to have the option as to what Razer accessories to add to your setup that are covered in cute Pokemon accessories instead. Razer even currently has a customizability option hidden amongst its online store, which could be perfect to utilize for just that purpose - pleasing those who are okay with budget-friendly accessories, and those who want something with beefier specs instead.

Within the Razer Customs page, you can select the Razer Orochi V2 mouse, Razer Gigantus V2 mousemat, and your smartphone to be bestilled with art from a selection of notable IPs that Razer has partnered with, including Squid Game, The Smurfs, Borderlands 4, and even art and designs from VTuber Iron Mouse. Pokemon is notably absent from the customization process, but its inclusion, along with a larger range of Razer gaming products, could be a great way to appeal to a wider selection of Pokemon and hardware fans.

Of course, it'd be entirely dependent on whether The Pokemon Company and Razer would agree to slapping Pikachu, Eevee, Gengar, and the Eevee evolutions across a wider variety of products, rather than the ones that are chosen time and time again. I can only speculate, but there's every chance that the Razer Cobra mouse or the Razer Kraken V4 X appear time and time again, as they're the only products allowed to be chosen for these collaborations.

In the meantime, by the time Razer announces its fifth Pokemon partnership, I hope I have a chance to pick up a headset that is dripping not just in cuteness the kind of impressive specs my PC gaming setup yearns for.

Check out our guides to the best PC controllers for gaming, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best gaming chairs if you're on the hunt for new accessories that focus on substance over style.

The Razer Pikachu and Eevee Collection follows on from the brand's Espeon and Umbreon release just ten days ago. While our dark psychics took on more of a nightglow appearance, though, the Let's Go duo is looking a little brighter.

The all-pink Razer accessory set combines the adorably snoozy Pokémon with a baby pink aesthetic that will sit well in any cosy gaming setup. The full collection is mostly PC-focused here, with the Razer Ornata V3 TKL keyboard, Razer Cobra mouse, and Razer Gigantus V2 mouse pad. Nintendo Switch players can also get involved with the Razer Kraken V4X headset, though.

Like many of its themed drops, Razer's Pikachu and Eevee Collection focuses on the cheaper gadgets in the brand's arsenal. That means this isn't the way to upgrade your tech's specs or features if you've already got one of the best gaming keyboards or the best gaming headset. It does, however, plant two little sleepy fluffers on your desk - at a considerable markup.

As with all limited edition releases, you're paying a premium for that print. The Kraken V4 X headset usually ships at $79.99, so it represents the most egregious price jump in this roster. That Pokémon outfit will set you back a full $109.99, a rate that can easily net you a more sophisticated headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless. In its base black color, the Razer Ornata goes for $69.99 - for the Pikachu privilege, you're paying $119.99.

Yes, licenses are expensive, and I'm not here to quash your fandom. If you're looking to get the best value out of your baby pink glow up, though, I'd concentrate on the Razer Cobra mouse and Gigantus mouse pad.

At $59.99, the Razer Cobra is still about $20 more expensive than you'll find it otherwise - but it's a much smaller price to pay for that special edition print. Plus, the Cobra itself holds up with a good set of specs that will see casual players through particularly well. The Kraken V4 X and Ornata? Not so much.

Then there's the cheapest in today's haul, the Razer Giganuts V2 mouse pad. This is where I'd recommend you start. After all, there's far less that can go wrong with a pad, and Razer's Gigantus is pretty solid for $30.

• See all Razer special editions at Razer

This isn't the only cute'n'cozy kit on the market right now. Razer also recently launched a Cinnamoroll line and Hori's diving deep on classic Pokemon aesthetics for its new Switch 2 accessories.

The 2026 Razer Blade 18 is more of an iterative update on what came before, swapping out that Intel Core Ultra 275HX processor for a shiny new 290HX Plus model. Still, this is a machine that's keeping pace with the most powerful on the market - and doing it all in a premium, slimline chassis. Throw in a dual-mode 4K display that you'll either love or loathe, a sturdy battery life, and a solid deck of keys and you've got yourself a suitably expensive rig vying for best gaming laptop status.

I'll be primarily comparing the Razer Blade 18 against the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (as our current go-to 18-incher) and MSI Raider A18 HX for some 4K insights (and as the most powerful gaming laptop I've tested so far). The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX / RTX 5090 Scar I've had my hands on goes for $4,499.99, $900 less than the Blade, while the Raider packs an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and RTX 5090 for $5,609.99 - $210 more than Razer's.

Razer Blade 18 configurations

This being such a premium machine, the Razer Blade 18 sticks to the top end of the GPU market. That means you're choosing between RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 flavors, paired up with Intel's 2026 Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus CPU. It's the processor that marks the biggest departure from last year's model, though the real-world performance upgrade is going to be minimal. That's why the price jump from $4,899 to $5,399 for an RTX 5090 model feels pretty squeaky.

Of course, with rising component costs everything is more expensive in 2026 - but when the previous generation model is still available (and starting at $3,499.99), it's worth sitting down with some priorities.

After all, this is the same dual UHD / FHD display with largely the same specs, and the same rock-solid chassis. RAM spans 32GB up to 128GB in the US (only 64GB in the UK), while 2TB and 1TB storage options are available as well.

Ports are bountiful, with both a Thunderbolt 5 and 4 at your disposal (though some kind of labelling system would have been appreciated), as well as three Type-As and an RJ45 for a wired connection.

Razer Blade 18 performance

Well, this is about as close any gaming laptop has got to threatening the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W's throne. The previously 'most powerful' gaming laptop I tested has come in neck and neck with the Razer Blade 18 from my RTX 5090 tests, and at times Sneki's in with a shot at gaining an edge.

MSI beat Razer in two out of my three 3D Mark tests (Fire Strike, the easier run, and Steel Nomad, the hardest and most true to life run). An early point for the Raider. Then we get to the in-game benchmarks, where the duo tie in FHD and UHD wins, with Razer taking the crown for QHD performance overall. That's a tie so far.

* With DLSS x4 generation enabled, the Razer Blade 18 averaged 172fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K RT Ultra.

We can try and break that tie with CPU-only scores. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scored 3,053 in its single core test and 20,387 in its multi core test. The first is good news for the Raider with its beefy AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D averaging around 3,186 in user tests. The second brings Razer right back into the race - AMD generally only musters a 20,220 position here.

The Razer Blade 18 has blown it out the park with its performance. This is a slimline chassis operating with half the RAM of the MSI Raider and still keeping pace with the monster.

That means we'll need to look deeper into the most important benchmarks; demanding QHD and UHD in-game runs and single core CPU performance.

Cyberpunk 2077 in RT: Ultra represents the biggest challenge in my test pool, and we're still pretty close here. The Razer Blade 18 ran at an average of 86fps in these conditions, with the MSI Raider eking ahead at 90fps. The script is flipped in 4K, with the Razer Blade 18 sitting at 60fps and the Raider dropping slightly to 59fps. These are both evenly matched machines.

Ultimately, then, it comes down to that single core performance. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus may be helping the Blade 18 keep its battery life in check, but it's not quite getting the machine over the line against the most powerful rig on the market.

What I loved about the Razer Blade 18

4K is a real luxury

You won't find too many 4K gaming laptops on the shelves right now, which is a little frustrating considering the RTX 5090 is the first mobile GPU I've seen that can actually natively tackle this kind of resolution in modern demanding games and DLSS 5 can get you there on lower cards as well.

Still, this is one of the few rigs I've tested in the last few years pushing that resolution up to a super crisp UHD+, and games look fantastic as a result. Doom: The Dark Ages is one of my favorites to run on these high-end panels, and every gnarly detail is offered up in incredible sharpness.

If you're spending big on immersive single-player content, this is a rare feature to keep an eye on. While other 4K rigs, like the MSI Raider A18 HX, opt for MiniLED panels, though, Razer has stuck with an IPS screen here. It's still got a card in its pocket, though, because at the flip of a switch (and a restart of the laptop), the Blade 18 can run in either 4K 240Hz or 1200p 440Hz.

It's a double edged sword as we'll see below, but it does give Razer a unique leg up against the competition. This is a unique party trick, allowing for both immersive solo ventures at full UHD+ resolution or faster competitive endeavours that prioritize sky-high framerates over visual detailing.

I did, however, encounter a few times when my refresh rate seemed to become locked to 60Hz in full 4K. A quick jump into Nvidia Control Panel could generally rectify the issue, though not always, and Synapse software didn't quite seem to catch up with the change once I'd made it. I've reached out to Razer regarding the issue, and will update here once I've heard back.

Big doesn't have to mean chunky

I feel like I say it every time a Razer laptop is on my desk but yes, this looks like a Razer Blade. Sneki hasn't deviated from the all-black CNC-milled aluminum chassis in years and it's not about to now. Being an 18-incher, this thing is still a lot wider than the Razer Blade 16 or Razer Blade 14 perched on my desk, but it's far from the cumbersome giants I usually have to wrestle with.

Measuring in at 1.1 inches thick with the lid closed, it's thinner than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 and MSI Raider A18 (both 1.26-inches) while also maintaining a lighter weight. You're adding 3.1kg to your backpack, compared to Asus's 3.3kg waistline and MSI's 3.6kg heft.

That's still by no means at the lightest end of the market, an 18-inch gaming laptop isn't designed to be karted around, but it is slightly more portable than the chunkier beasts.

Impressive battery life

I can forgive gaming laptops for lacking battery life, and 18-inch powerhouses get an additional pass, but the Razer Blade 18 manages to perform surprisingly well without its charger close by. That's a relief, considering the chunky power brick shipped in the box.

I generally aim for a comfortable two-odd hours of gaming time on a larger 18-inch machine, with power and graphical settings whittled down to a playable state. The Blade 18 held up for just over three hours of Doom: The Dark Ages during testing, with about six hours of work (Chrome tabs, Spotify, and the odd image edit) achievable in a more balanced productivity setting.

For reference, the MSI Raider lasted for just over an hour when gaming and about three hours in productivity with full Eco Silent Mode and 50% screen brightness.

That's certainly a win for the efficiency-minded Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus.

Satisfying controls

With a full-sized keyboard and an expansive trackpad, the Blade 18 is outfitted with everything you need for both games and productivity - but it also feels fantastic.

1.5mm key travel and a 63g actuation force make for a nicely snappy set of switches with a firm base and energetic bounce. Of course, I'd expect a $5,000+ gaming laptop to offer a nice typing experience but it can't be taken for granted. The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, for example, has a little more flex than I'd expect from this kind of price and the MSI Raider (despite its SteelSeries mechanical keys) is particularly wobbly.

While both its competitors do away with Razer's half-sized up/down arrow keys, then, it's by far the best option for those typing over longer periods.

What to consider about the Razer Blade 18

Price doesn't keep up with incremental update

The only major difference between the early 2025 Razer Blade 18 and this one is that processor. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has stepped in and taken the reins from the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU. That's a processor that averages out at 2,799 single-core and 17,783 multi-core on Geekbench 6. We're looking at a 9% increase in the former test, and a 14.6% increase in the second.

The problem is that overall 10% price increase. While it sits inline with CPU performance upgrades (though slightly higher than single-core performance uplift), the 275HX is unlikely to meaningfully downgrade your experience. These are very similar chips - you'll feel that RTX 5090 start to sag long before the CPU starts presenting problems.

Screen investment only makes sense for niche players

Back to that dual UHD+/FHD+ display, then. One can only assume it's adding to the final price tag, and potentially in no small way. Considering we're already paying a premium compared to last year's model, I'd argue the ability to swap down to high-speed 1200p isn't in the best interests of most players. It's only going to be the ultra-competitive among us who are unhappy with the kinds of framerates that RTX 5090 can spit out at full throttle, and only those players who will even be able to take advantage of the sky-high 440Hz refresh rate.

Considering Mini LED options are rife across the rest of the high-end 18-inch market, offering a boosted punch to colors and vibrancy compared to the Blade 18, I'd rather invest the cash in that panel type or keep it in my pocket.

Runs a little warmer than chunkier models

The Blade 18's slimline design comes with its own drawbacks as well. The machine becomes noticeably hot to the touch after around half an hour of intensive gaming. Poring over a sweltering keyboard in a heatwave isn't exactly my idea of comfort, even if thermals never climbed to a throttling level. Using the Blade 18's keyboard becomes a slightly sticky endeavour after a short while, by virtue of that more condensed unibody design.

Chunkier machines may be more difficult to transport but, as a desktop replacement, I'd take the extra vents and grills instead.

Should you buy the Razer Blade 18?

See, now this is why I love and hate Razer laptops. I can spend a thousand words talking about how great it looks, feels, and plays, and then ultimately have to say it's difficult to recommend.

Up there with the best Alienware laptops, these are some of the most expensive models on the market and the 2026 Blade 18 not only upcharges by $500 compared to last year's, its dual-mode display is adding potentially unnecessary costing into that final price. It's vastly more expensive than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 and a good chunk of change costlier than larger 16-inch models.

And yet, in some lights, it's worth it.

The older model I mean, definitely buy the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX variant while it's still around.

This thing is packing just as much power as the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W, for slightly less cash than MSI's $5,609.99 MSRP. For your money you're getting the same performance, a faster UHD+ refresh rate, a far more premium build quality, an actually workable battery life, and a more compact form factor. That's pretty compelling.

It's not a decision without sacrifice; the Raider wins for its overall screen quality thanks to that Mini LED panel and it also adds an additional Thunderbolt 5 rather than reserving one USB-C for Thunderbolt 4. The final ace in MSI's deck is its SSD. It's one of the few gaming laptops packing a full Gen 5 drive.

Ultimately, if you're shopping in these upper echelons with your heart set on a machine that looks and feels like its price tag, Razer's going to be your best bet. If you just want 60fps QHD power on a larger, immersive 18-inch display, Asus still wins for overall value for money.

How I tested the Razer Blade 18

The Razer Blade 18 became my central control panel for a period of two weeks, with some testing overlapping the Acer Nitro 18 AI. In that time I used the machine for work, play, and everything in between, running Doom: The Dark Ages, High on Life 2, and Planet Coaster 2 for day to day sessions.

I used 3D Mark's Time Spy, Steel Nomad, and Fire Strike benchmarks with the Blade set to a Turbo performance setting while testing in-game across Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, 1600p, and UHD+ in each game's high and highest settings. Each test was completed three times, with the final result above representing an average of each run.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I've been testing plenty more of the best Razer laptops, as well as all the best Asus gaming laptops on the market. For something a little more reserved, though, check out the best gaming handhelds available.

Razer is known for its cat-ear headsets, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the set I'd recommend the most for those after the purrr-fect pair.

While the majority of the Kraken Kitty line is full of limiting wired or Bluetooth-only headsets, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the first to bring 2.4GHz into the mix. Its extra wireless options don't make it an entirely no-brainer recommendation as its $179.99 MSRP is a bit much for its boasted features. However, today's discounted $104.99 rate at Amazon feels far more reasonable, especially as it's never been this cheap before.

There's always a bit of an assumption that headsets that cater to players with a love of everything cute and cozy must be pretty rubbish, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is proof that's not the case. While it's definitely priced a bit higher than I'd like on a normal discount-free day, this is still a fantastic wireless option.

Finding a pair with a trio of connectivity options around the $100 mark isn't a difficult feat, but it's important when you consider that so many of Razer's other pairs aimed at 'cute and cozy' players are usually wired or Bluetooth only. Even the most recently announced Cinnamoroll Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT pair drops 2.4GHz.

Those after a cute pair with customizable Chroma-powered RGB ears deserve to take advantage of a low-latency wireless connection as much as anyone.

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The headset also features the brand's 40 mm Razer TriForce Titanium audio drivers, the very ones found in the Razer Barracuda X Chroma -one of my favorite Razer releases.

Amazon states that today's Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headset is a "limited time" deal, and as of typing, 53% of people have already claimed one for their own setups. That's not too surprising given this is the lowest I've ever seen for this headset, which I'm more used to seeing marked down to $129.99, as it was during March earlier this year. But with that in mind, you need to be quick if you want to pick this up for a price that seems more than reasonable for its specs on offer.

• View all Razer Kraken Kitty gaming headsets at Amazon

If you're not a cat person, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets for your setup.

Razer announced its brand new Cinnamoroll Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT wireless headset on July 9, and it's one of the most adorable pairs of cups the brand has unveiled so far.

The Kraken Kitty V2 BT, which is set to launch on July 20, 2026, has swapped its usual pointy, RGB Chroma-powered cat-ears for Cinnamoroll's adorable puppy dog ones instead. While other Razer collabs result in headsets that are simply covered in officially licensed art, this partnership with Sanrio has resulted in a pair that looks so recognisable for the iconic Sanrio mascot that you could use it for cosplay. As someone who hasn't officially made an outfit in several years, I am seriously considering doing just that with this upcoming $139.99 (Razer) pair.

I cover plenty of the cutest and best gaming headsets released by brands like Razer, but so often these collabs result in designs that are a little more understated. Take the recently announced upcoming Razer Espeon & Umbreon Collection for an example. It includes an Espeon and Umbreon Edition Razer Kraken V4 X headset, but it's essentially just a purple version of the existing pair, with some images of the two Pokemon on the headband.

As officially licensed tech typically comes at a higher price (this Cinnamoroll Edition is $40 more than the typical Kraken Kitty V2 BT at $99.99 at Amazon), I much prefer when the designs are more in your face about their inspirations. Fortunately, that's exactly what's happened for this new Cinnamoroll Edition model. Cinnamoroll is known for his down-turned floppy ears, and they're right there on the headband, as is the iconic white and pastel blue color palette that I associate with the Sanrio puppy.

If you were to create a gijinka cosplay (which means to create a human design inspired by an animal/creature), this pair would be perfect. I can already imagine the little ears peeking through a matching white wig. The only problem that would arise would be disguising the Chroma-powered RGB Razer logos on each cup, but the rest of the Cinnamoroll iconography is fortunately reserved for the interior of the headset, which is ideal for cosplay. The real Cinnamoroll doesn't wear images of himself, so why would you in cosplay form?

Of course, I'm not going to recommend that you grab this upcoming $139.99 pair if you purely if you want to dress up as your favorite Sanrio character. It should really be on your radar if you want to look cute and if you're after a new gaming headset. It's rocking the brand's TriForce 40 mm audio drivers, which are found throughout the best Razer headsets available today and still sound fantastic.

Begrudgingly, this is a Bluetooth model, and so there's no 2.4GHz wireless to take advantage of. With that in mind, I'd mainly recommend it to PC players, rather than anyone rocking a PS5. While that might be disappointing to some, this headset is part of a wider PC Cinnamoroll Edition lineup, which also includes a Razer Iskur V2 X NewGen gaming chair available for $449.99 at Amazon, so there's plenty of opportunity to give your desktop a freshly baked Cinnamoroll look.

• View all Razer wireless gaming headsets at Amazon

If you aren't a Sanrio fan, I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets to check out.

So long as the current gaming climate hasn't made you throw out your consoles in a fit of rage, you can soon grab a pair of Razer's Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed earphones for both your Xbox Series X/S and the PS5.

Razer unveiled on July 9, 2026, that both an Xbox and a PS5 model of the best gaming earbud contenders were incoming, sporting bespoke Xbox and Sony branding. Of course, these new earphones aren't just about showcasing the brand's synonymous logos and black and white color palettes, as they now allow full Bluetooth support to work natively on both consoles, which was not previously possible.

Xbox and PS5 consoles don't natively support Bluetooth audio, which is why you often see the best gaming headsets released in Xbox models too. However, with these upcoming buds, that won't be an issue, though you'll have to wait a bit to find out pricing and availability if you want these buds for yourself.

Razer has remained hush-hush on the pricing and availability for these upcoming earphones for now. However, both incoming Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed earbuds for Xbox and PS5 appear identical to the existing model, besides the fact that each one will allow Bluetooth audio to work without a hitch.

They'll not only provide you with Bluetooth 5.3 support, but you'll also be able to take advantage of the brand's speedy ultra-low-latency 2.4 GHz audio, which you can enable by plugging the charging case into the console of your choice. That's right, the included HyperSpeed Case doesn't just look the part with its RGB lighting, but it doubles up as a wireless transmitter, so you don't have to keep track of any tiny additional dongles.

Talking of the buds HyperSpeed Case, it can provide an additional 25 hours of charge for the buds, adding to the 10 hours of existing playback. Up to 35 hours isn't to scoff at, especially if these upcoming buds are priced at a similar $100 price point to the non-Xbox and PS5 model.

Additionally, the earbuds feature an IPX4-rated water-resistant design, so they'll double up as a great way to listen to music on the go, something I do with my SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds regularly. However, gamers will be able to specifically take advantage of the pair's spatial audio capabilities, which include support with Windows Sonic for Xbox platforms, 3D Audio on PlayStation, and THX Spatial Audio on PC, so even those who play their favorite Xbox titles on their gaming PCs haven't been excluded.

Razer did not include any pricing or availability details in its Hammerhead V3 X Hyperspeed for Xbox and PlayStation announcement, so you'll have to be patient if you want these for yourself. However, PS5 players can simply grab the existing pair if you don't mind giving Bluetooth a miss. In fact, that could even be the cheaper option if these proprietary Xbox and PS5 versions drive up the MSRP - which is worth looking out for.

• View all Razer gaming earbuds at Amazon

If you prefer traditional cups to earbuds, I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PC headsets for gaming available today.

Razer has dropped the third of its Pokemon collaborations, this time giving Eevee evolution fans something to get excited about with the new Espeon & Umbreon Collection.

Launching in partnership with The Pokemon Company and coincidentally a few months before the Pokemon 30th Anniversary, the Espeon and Umbreon line-up is made up of a stunning Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless gaming keyboard, Razer Cobra gaming mouse, Razer Gigantus V2 mouse mat, and a wired Razer Kraken V4 X gaming headset, all decked out with art of the two Gen two Pokemon. However, unlike Pokemon Gold and Silver, there's no special requirements to grab them besides logging onto the official Razer store and parting with your hard-earned cash.

Where to order the Razer Espeon & Umbreon Collection

Just like the Razer Gengar Collection, purple is the color of choice for the entire collection, which is actually a clever decision on Razer's part. Not just because Espeon is known for its pretty purple color palette, but grabbing any of these new PC gaming accessories would tie in nicely with the Gengar ones, should you already have them in your setup.

In fact, the Gengar Collection doesn't have a keyboard, which makes this new Espeon and Umbreon Edition Razer Ornata V3 Tenkeyless ($119.99 at Razer) even more intriguing. It's the same gaming keyboard that you can buy without the Pokemon branding, sporting low-profile keys and the brand's Mecha-Membrane switches, but the board is coated in this stunning dark purple colorway, which shines when the Razer Chroma-powered RGB lighting is set to a matching light purple-pink, as seen in the official marketing images.

The two Eevee evolutions can be spotted hiding around the directional keys and are hard to ignore as they sit dead center on the accompanying wrist rest. While the Pokémon theming is a bit more subtle than I personally prefer, the little star designs and the UV-painted keycaps should help this keyboard shine amongst your setup, as would the matching Razer Cobra gaming mouse.

At $59.99 it's one of the cheapest additions to this new collection, yet it's also one of the cutest. Espeon and Umbreon can be found on the left and right keys, and Razer has gone for a slightly different design this time around. Instead of just re-using the same depiction of the sitting Pokemon as the keyboard, Espeon is giving a cheeky wink as Umbreon stands guard. The palm rest of this Razer Optical Mouse with Gen 3 switches also plays host to a swarm of stars that surrounds an RGB Chroma-powered Razer logo, which is a nice touch.

I would have preferred to see a glowing Pokeball instead, but it makes sense that Razer would want to keep its branding intact. Especially as it mirrors that of the Gengar Edition Razer Cobra gaming mouse. At least the Razer branding is minimal on the matching Espeon and Umbreon Razer Gigantus V2 mouse mat ($29.99). The medium model remains the cheapest item in the set, and features a textured micro-weave cloth surface that showcases the two Pokemon as they appear on the gaming keyboard.

Last but not least, the Razer Espeon and Umbreon Collection is rounded off with a new version of the Razer Kraken V4 X headset. As the hardware team's best gaming headset connoisseur, this is the accessory that has most caught my eye, though I'm disappointed to see that Razer played it a little safe with this new Pokemon release.

While the Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 headset went all out by replicating the Pokemon's ears and hair tufts with a pair of cups that I'd easily incorporate into a cosplay if I still made costumes, this new Kraken V4 X headset has none of that. Don't get me wrong, it still looks great with its light and dark purple color palette, and the Espeon and Umbreon illustrations that are peeking from inside the earcushions, but I was hoping for a design that felt a bit more elaborate.

I was also hoping that Razer would take an existing wireless headset like the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro and use it as the basis for its next Pokemon collection, as the Kraken V4 X is limited by its wired connectivity. However, at least it's a pair that's got the brand's TriForce 40 mm audio drivers in tow, so while you won't have Bluetooth or 2.4GHz to play around with, it should still sound pretty grand.

The entirety of this new Razer Espeon and Umbreon Collection is available now from the official Razer online store. However, if you aren't a fan of these old-school Eevee evolutions, you could always grab the Gengar Collection starting from $59.99 at Razer instead.

Check out our guides to the best PC gaming headset, the best gaming keyboard, and the best gaming chair if you want to catch all the best accessories for your PC gaming setup.

Razer has been in the microphone market for just over a decade now, but the latest entry in the Seiren product range is taking a slightly different approach than the USB options that came before it. The Sieren V3 Pro taps into one of the best trends in the microphones for streaming and gaming market of late: hybrid connectivity.

The Sieren V3 Pro features both XLR and USB-C audio connections, which makes a clear statement that Razer wants to compete with the best. There still aren't many of these mics around; there's the Shure MV7+, the Rode PodMic USB, and the Maono PD200W. Razer says with this mic it wants to bridge the gap between entry-level gear for streaming and content creation that may not be the type of quality folks need in the long term, and the overly pricey but equally limited XLR options aimed at "pro" users.

The Sieren V3 certainly looks like it's taking a different approach to things. Gone is the loud RGB of the Sieren V3 Chroma, as it's relegated to a smaller (much classier) ring around the mic's body. The all-black aesthetic and cylindrical shape are a solid entry into a Shure SM7dB lookalike contest - which undoubtedly makes people associate it with a pro-level microphone.

It's got 32-bit float support for a wider dynamic range, with a view to streamlining post-production work. It comes with a built-in noise gate, compressor, limiter, and AI-noise remover, which may help to match it up against the Elgato Wave3 Mk2.

A 30mm dynamic capsule resides inside, protected by a built-in shock absorber and a removable pop filter. Unlike a lot of XLR mics, the V3 Pro also has some on-board controls, like a small gain control dial on its bottom, and a tap-to-mute sensor button. If you're not quite at the stage where you're thinking about one of the best streaming mixers yet, the Sieren V3 Pro has a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can channel all your other PC audio through it and still benefit from live monitoring.

The Zinc unibody design means you can mount it to a boom arm, but it comes with a standard desk stand.

Of course, any Razer peripheral is going to lean on Synapse to help you manage it. The lighting, audio enhancements, and the initial setup of the mic will all rely on Synapse software. I'm not a huge fan of this since Synapse is a fairly heavy peripheral application that tends to compete with any and all other applications you run through your gaming PC. It also has a hefty install size and has proven near impossible to uninstall for me in the past without the use of a third-party storage software that can get by Razer's background trickery.

As you might guess, I'm not super eager to use Synapse again to test this mic out, but I'm hoping if it's plugged in through a RodeCaster Duo or other audio interface through XLR, Synapse won't force itself into play as a middleman. Either way, to get the full benefits, you might be beholden to team Sneki's app.

In terms of value, the Seiren V3 Pro does sit in an interesting place. At $249, it's definitely pricey at first glance, especially if you're used to Razer's previous USB-only mics. Compared to Shure's MV7+, the V3 Pro is $50 cheaper, but that's really about it in terms of other hybrid mics that are more expensive than this in 2026. The Rode PodMic USB has a full price of $209 but is frequently discounted down below that (right now it's grabbable for $180 at Amazon). The SteelSeries Alias Pro, which comes with an XLR/USB interface, comes in at $369 at full price, but is again frequently discounted, with a lowest-ever price at Amazon of $159 (average price of $259).

Then things get even worse, because the Maono PD200W comes in below them all at $119.99 (currently available for $99.99 at Amazon). The Razer Seiren V3 Pro has a lot going for it, and I'm looking forward to testing it out for sure, but the mic market has a problem competing with the PD200W because it offers such insane value with not only XLR/USB connections, but also wireless connectivity as well.

I'd have thought that an XLR mic from Razer might mean we finally see a new audio mixer from the brand, since its one and only so far has been quietly aging and might even be unavailable in some territories now. Razer tells me that there are no plans for a new mixer or audio interface at this time, which feels like a missed opportunity to squeeze in some bundles and further upgrade paths for pro-level creators.

Razer has been in the gaming chair market for a while now, but at the time of writing, it finds itself in a tough spot. Yes, it's facing the same old competition as it always has from the mainstay brands like Secretlab and Herman Miller, but it's the newer, emergent brands and "smaller" names on its flanks that are starting to eat into its market share. Desk chairs, including the best gaming chairs, are in an innovative renaissance right now, and the worst thing a brand can be at a time like that is stagnant.

Razer now has to contend with the likes of LiberNovo and its viral dynamic backrest; it has to deal with AutoFull offering a floating backrest, heating and ventilation, Shiatsu massage features, and 720-degree armrests. Razer has to go up against a million and one ergonomic "office" style chairs that dip into the gaming market, and scrappy brands like Eureka Ergonomic and AndaSeat that try to offer as many features as possible for a more affordable price than you'll find elsewhere. And Razer's answer? Doubling down on the Iskur V2 it came out with over two years ago.

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen commits the sin of not feeling "new" at all, because while all the other brands duke it out with impressive attributes and innovations, Razer is sticking its hand in the air and shouting, "Hey, remember our chair though?" I certainly do remember the original Iskur V2, as well as its full price tag of $649.99/£649.99, and I'm not sure slapping that sticker back on the "NewGen" version is going to do Razer any favors.

Price

Floating backrests and dynamic lumbar systems are becoming a common theme in the gaming and desk chair market at the moment, and for good reason. It feels as though designers are finally waking up to the fact that adjustability is one thing, but human beings move frequently when they sit down all day, so we need something that can keep up without needing loads of manual adjustments. Razer was one of the first big brands to offer this with the original Razer Iskur V2, which had one of the best lumbar support systems we had come across at the time.

It had an issue, though. It was $649.99/£649.99, which put it at a more expensive cost than the likes of Secretlab (before adding any extras onto the Titan Evo). Even worse, $649 then became a price point to avoid for any smaller brand, so it looked expensive versus newer rivals like the Corsair TC500 Luxe. Eventually, as more innovations started emerging and floating backrests became more commonplace, the Iskur V2 started to look limited compared to something like the AutoFull G7, or indeed the AutoFull M6 Ultra.

I got the impression from covering the gaming chair market in the years following the Iskur V2's release that, while it offered quality, it suffered because of its high price. When a chair starts drifting further and further away from its launch price and into discount aisles more often than not, you get the impression it's struggling to keep up with the competition. Soon enough, I started seeing the Iskur V2 in the discount aisle during Prime Day, Black Friday, and pretty much every other seasonal sale on the calendar. Then, all of a sudden, it was nowhere to be seen - I could barely find stock to recommend it at most of the big e-tailers.

Its cheaper alternative, the Razer Iskur V2 X, meanwhile, seemed to show that the brand was prepared to offer a simpler, more affordable gaming chair than usual, and I had hoped this was a sign of things to come for the inevitable Iskur V3. Lo and behold, the Iskur V2 NewGen was announced at CES 2026. Truth be told, it had Benjamin, our incomparable Tabletop and Merch Editor (who reviewed the original Iskur V2 for us), and me scratching our heads. Costing the same $649 as its predecessor did, its big selling point was a new, more breathable leatherette upholstery and... not much else?

I remember asking Benjamin if he's ever had an issue with the leatherette on the Iskur V2 not being breathable enough. He said no, and he's sat in it since reviewing it. I looked online to see if folks on Reddit had been complaining about temperature control issues in the Iskur V2. I couldn't see anything, so I'm a tad perplexed at this refresh.

Thankfully, Razer isn't charging more for this new model than it did previously. But I can't help but look at this as a way to discontinue the frequently-discounted Iskur V2, bring back the original price, and sell again with the premise of "New".

Design & Features

Because there's no avoiding it, the Iskur V2 NewGen is essentially the exact same chair as the original. In many ways, it feels like an answer to the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition. It's essentially the same product, but the emphasis on refreshing it has been through using a new upholstery, a more breathable cushioning setup, and slightly widening the dimensions.

To actually determine what is different about the NewGen model, I've scoured the product pages for both versions of the Iskur V2. The original's hyperflex backrest was called the "World's First 6D adaptive & adjustable lumbar support", while the NewGen model rebrands it to the "World's First Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support System" - from the descriptions, both do the same thing. Similarly, both chairs are said by Razer to use "Dual-Density, Cold-Cured Foam Seat Cushions", but the new model has a breathable, perforated design. By the looks of it, the seat on the NewGen edition has also been widened slightly both in its shoulder curvature and seatbase.

Of course, the Razer Gen-2 EPU Leather with Cooltouch Technology is the biggest departure, and is apparently 13x more durable than regular PU leather. Elsewhere, all the listed designs and features of both seats are identical.

I do think only adding a new upholstery and some color options (the NewGen edition is available in Black and Green, Black, Quartz, and Light Grey) is a bit of a copout, even if there are other minor changes. But I don't misunderstand that new upholstery can make a big difference to any chair. People don't realize it, but one upholstery versus another can fundamentally alter the comfort and plushness of a seat.

If a leather or a fabric material is put together with too tight a weave, then it won't have the stretch it needs to really bend into the cushioning under your weight. Similarly, if the fabric is too loose, the hard work a brand has done finding the exact cushioning firmness they want will be compromised. Don't use a premium material, or don't use the right amount over each chair section, and it'll fray and damage over time. There's a lot to think about with gaming chair upholstery, so I don't mistake how big a change it can make.

From my experience with the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen, I don't feel upholstery alone can make a big enough difference on its own, though. For its NanoGen model, Secretlab went back to the foundations and added a whole new level of cushioning at the same time - and even then, it didn't make a massive difference for me personally. From all the marketing and press material I can see, it doesn't seem as though Razer has added new cushioning to this seat, just made it more breathable.

Carrying over from the original, you get 4D armrests, reactive seat tilt, and 152 degrees of recline.

Assembly

One thing I do have to applaud is Razer's assembly process, not because it's any more streamlined than your average gaming chair, but mainly because of the consolidation of packaging and the unique charm and personality given to the process. Upon first opening the box, you'll be met with a whimsical placard and a pair of nylon gloves. Razer is clearly catering to its audience here with nerdy Thanos references as well as some excellent sitting position warnings. A+ for humour - it's not something I've seen in any other gaming chair assembly process.

Jokes aside, the addition of a pair of gloves actually comes in really handy during the build. They're not going to save your fingers from being crushed, but I have broken skin a couple of times while putting one of these things together. Not only that, they help to keep the chair clean, and your hands free of any oils that might be put on the metalwork for lubrication purposes. Maybe this is something brands like Secretlab should add to their included toolkits.

Assembly was fairly easy, the standard steps of how to build a gaming chair, so not anything to really report here. I did manage to build it myself, but then again, I am a professional, so if you struggle lifting heavy parts, a co-op partner can come in handy.

Performance

In a general sense, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a really decent gaming chair with good build quality and a reasonable level of cushioning. Some chairs struggle to strike a balance between support and comfort, and the jury's still well and truly out on what is too firm and too soft - because every brand in the market has different ideas.

The Iskur V2 NewGen feels comfortable to fall into, and in the three or so weeks I tested it, I didn't notice myself with a numb rear end that made me shuffle into new positions often.

In a similar way, I really like the armrests. They have quite a plush surface to them and a really great shape that means your forearms have a flat surface to glide across while using mouse movements. There aren't infinite height adjustments, but I felt I had loads of scope to match up the exact level I needed for my desktop. I'd also like to applaud Razer for sticking to a more traditional 4D armrest system. Each dimension is controlled by a release catch, none of this clicky rotation nonsense, which never fails to fall out of position and infuriate me.

Overall, there's a lot to like about this chair, which is why, for all my reservations about its price and its lack of innovations, I would still recommend it. On the other hand, I do think this is a chair for gamer that's above my height.

There's a bit too much seat depth here for people under 6ft to really benefit from the ergonomics it offers. Don't get me wrong, I love having lots of seat depth and a bit more width to the seatbase, so I have the ability to cross my legs over or shuffle my weight onto one side if need be. But too much depth will start to encourage you outward from the back of the chair, moving your lower back away from where it's supposed to be, and sneakily introducing a slouching position as you sink deeper into it. That then makes the lumbar support less effective, and the chair's ergonomics as a whole suffer a bit.

Again, this is a problem I had as a 5'10 man, so your mileage may vary, but it completely threw the ergonomics Razer was clearly going for out of whack. I couldn't, for the life of me, find a lumbar adjustment that suited my back. Even at its lowest setting, I felt like my spine was being hyperextended. This Iskur V2 NewGen just feels to me like an XL chair that would suit larger frames a bit better.

This is where the price really starts to bother me, because I've tested more affordable gaming chairs, like the Eureka Ergonomic Python II, that offer almost an identical experience to the Iskur V2 (albeit without adjustable lumbar support) and do the entire ergonomic setup better. That chair comes in at half the price of the Iskur V2 NewGen, and has an even more substantial seat cushion, so there's very little excuse to be made for Razer charging as much as it does.

One thing I cannot understand going unchanged from the original Iskur V2, is the headrest. Back when my colleague Ben reviewed it, we raised the point that even back then, neck pillows with wraparound straps were out of date compared to more efficient magnetic ones. While testing the original, the headrest would continually shift out of position, and the new model suffers the same.

In fact, it pinged off the back of the NewGen model so often during testing that I decided the only way to remedy it was to take it off entirely. Without that neck pillow to encourage me to sit upright though, I felt my head falling forward far too often, again encouraging a slouched position.

It's 2026, and magnetic neck pillows are by far becoming the norm for gaming chairs, especially over $400. I cannot fathom why, if it were coming out with a NewGen model, Razer wouldn't look to make this change.

But instead, Razer focused on breathability, and if I'm totally honest, I'm not sure it shows. The leather material used on the NewGen edition feels premium and certainly cooling to the touch, but it isn't a perforated leatherette, which I would think of as a more breathable alternative.

Testing it in my Scottish flat as the temperature rises gently into the Summer months, a "breathable" option shouldn't have too much trouble staying cool. I still felt the backrest trapping heat, hugging my t-shirt, and I'd still have to peel myself away after a long period sitting in it. It really isn't as cooling as I think the brand intended, and I shudder to think how it would fare in countries that actually get warm during Summer.

If I get really nitpicky, it's also a bit infuriating when this leather material squeaks as you move around in the chair. Floating backrests can have this problem as upholstery needs to stand up to the friction of moving parts, but the leather used here is so much louder and doesn't fill me with confidence about longevity - even if Razer claims it's more durable.

Should you buy the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen?

Not at full price, no. I really do not think this is a chair that's worth $649/£649, and I expect Razer is going to find that out again as we see it start to drop in price. It may take a year, it may take a year and a half, but I don't see this almost identical design to the original Iskur V2 performing too well in a market that's moved on from it in many ways.

Further, I'd personally recommend that if you're under 6ft tall, you look at something else. Your mileage and somatotype may vary from mine, but this feels like a gaming chair designed for larger frames.

If you do manage to get it discounted by $100-200, I'd recommend it. There's a really decent chair here, with solid armrests and good cushioning.

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen

I used the latest Razer Iskur as my chair for daily work and play for about three weeks before coming to a final verdict in this review. I usually like to test a chair for a full month, but seeing as we've already done longevity tests with the original model, I feel more confident taking less time with the new one.

I sat in it for around 8 hours a day and beyond when I was gaming at my desk on top of a remote working life. I assembled it alone, I configured the backrest and lumbar support in many different ways to get a feel for how it could serve both my and readers' bodies. I compared it against previous versions of the Iskur on specs and price, and compared it closely with my experience of sitting in loads of different types of gaming chairs over years of reviewing them.

For more on how we test gaming chairs, take a look at our hardware policy.

There's a lot of gaming hardware out there. Take a look at the best gaming desk, the best standing desk, and the best console gaming chair.

Razer and Logitech have been duking it out for generations now, but each brand's 2026 entries couldn't be more different. While Logitech went for reinvention with the X2 Superstrike's haptic switches, Razer went in the other direction.

One rolls the dice on a new way of interacting with your games, the other refines an already-winning formula. One is almost silent, the other is about as loud as you'll find. With both options occupying the high-end price range, the best gaming mouse for you will come down to how you hold your rodent and how you like your clacks.

Competitors

What I loved about the Razer Viper V4 Pro

Speed-focused design...

For particularly competitive players, there's a set of numbers that means more than everything else. The Razer Viper V4 Pro trims its waistline down to a solid 49g (in the black version I'm testing, the white option hits 50g). That's not quite the lightest gaming mouse on the market (check out the Corsair Sabre Pro V2 Ultralight for a reliable 36g option), but it's still pretty effortless in the hands. It's also easier to flick and spin than the Logitech G Pro X 2 Superstrike and its 61g form factor. The Viper range has always lived to become an extension of your arm, and this is the best we've seen so far.

Like its ancestors, the Viper keeps a flatter dome than many of its competitors and siblings. While the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and Superstrike are by no means uncomfortable and accommodate a good range of grip types, there's a little extra wiggle room in this shape. There's more clearance to pivot the main body between the thumb and pinky during finer aiming moments in a claw grip, while taller mice will often bump into the base of the palm instead.

I do naturally prefer a greater curve on the thumb side than you'll find on either the Viper or the Superstrike, but that's only because I typically use the top of my thumb for a lot of the legwork. Everyone uses different muscles in their unique grip and control styles, so it's fairly subjective - if you find yourself working the thumb a lot more, though, something with a deeper gradient like the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX offers a much more comfortable shape.

I was never cramped or forced into an awkward hold here, though. The softer matte finish isn't to my personal taste, but it's still grippy enough to withstand more frantic gameplay moments and feels luxuriously smooth in the hand.

... with the sensor to back it up

Nobody's expecting to come here and read that the Razer Viper V4 Pro is anything less than blindingly fast, but here we are. Whether or not the upgrade to a 50K DPI sensor, 930 IPS, and 90 G acceleration in the Focus Pro Optical sensor will be worth it for mere mortals is a question in itself. This isn't where Razer keeps its costs low, the Viper line is where it lets its tech rip - whether players need it or not.

The same can be said for its new 2.4GHz receiver, the same dome-shaped plugin we saw in the DeathAdder V4 Pro. It supports polling rates up to 8,000Hz - a speed that only the upper echelons of esports glory will be able to notice, let alone make use of. It's no reason in itself to buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro, but it's there for those who want it.

Sturdy battery life

Razer has historically done pretty well with the battery life of its rodents. While Corsair, SteelSeries, and Logitech tend to skew a little lower (averaging between 70 and 110 hours between them), even older releases like the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K have been punching at 110 to 150 hours. The Razer Viper V4 Pro ups the ante again, coming in at up to 180 hours in base 1,000Hz polling. That's the marketing number, but I've been running for two weeks (and that's been a two weeks of more gameplay than usual, with roughly 110 to 120 hours of work and gaming combined) and I still have 38% left on this charge.

Goodbye Synapse 4.0

Try as it might, Razer never quite managed to make its Synapse program the lightweight, stay-out-of-your-way software it needed to be. Thankfully, the brand is following a number of mainstream gaming hardware brands and taking its customizations to the web. That means no more downloads, crashes, and resource hogging. Synapse Web covers all the basics, including keybinding, DPI settings, sensor calibrations (and the nifty rotation and dynamic sensitivity tricks that come with them), and polling rates.

Unfortunately, it doesn't provide a fix for annoying Razer firmware updates - there are still far too many hoops to jump through in that department, and you'll still need to download the full suite.

Super tight scroll wheel

I do have to make special mention of this scroll wheel. Razer's done a bunch of fancy stuff with its encoder, swapping over to an optical sensor rather than a mechanical one. That makes for finely tuned precision in gameplay, but the actual mechanism behind this wheel is pulling just as much weight. There's a nice sense of heft to each rotation here, but it's a tactility that never gets in the way of speed. Notches clearly defined, comfortable, and easy to hit accurately. It's a small feature, but this is easily my favorite scroll wheel to date.

What to consider about the Razer Viper V4 Pro

The V3 Pro still looks pretty great as well

Unlike Logitech, Razer isn't doing anything revolutionary with this year's flagship. This is still the same shape and feel as you'll find in the Razer Viper V3 Pro. A better sensor, slightly lower weight, that gorgeous scroll wheel, and small tune up on battery life certainly makes it a worthwhile release for the true competitors among us, but there's nothing massive separating the V4 Pro from its predecessor.

Unless you're at the top of your leaderboard, there's nothing in here to pull you away from the older (and now much cheaper) previous generation.

You'll certainly hear it coming

I was taken aback by the sheer audacity of these main clicks when I first got the Viper V4 Pro on the desk - and I'm a fan of a sturdy snap. It's a large, brash, thunky sound profile that raises the decibels over pretty much everything else I've tested in the last year. These clicks are never hollow or pingy, but they're going to be noticed if you're sweeping and tapping in a quieter space. If you need your setup to stay quiet, they're loud enough to turn you away from the Viper entirely, running straight into the Superstrike's whisper-quiet haptic arms.

Should you buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro?

As with all flagship releases, the Razer Viper V4 Pro isn't actually made for the vast majority of players. Its tech, features, and FPS-first mentality just aren't justifiable for the budgets of cross-genre Steam generalists. If, however, you're a competitive player looking to up your game or support your skills with lightweight, super-fast hardware, that value comes into sharper focus.

The Viper V4 Pro succeeds in everything it sets out to do. It's supremely fast, effortless to wield, and holds its power for a particularly long time. Whether that's enough when the Logitech G Pro X 2 Superstrike is lumbering onto the battlefield is another matter.

If you're going for a classic FPS experience, where low weight, high reaction times, and fingertip grips rule all, the Viper V4 Pro is your go-to. It's a traditional esports gaming mouse dressed to the nines. If you want a new generation of main clicks, and you're happy to experiment with the possibilities afforded by the Superstrike, though, new technologies could prove more fruitful.

How I tested the Razer Viper V4 Pro

I used the Razer Viper V4 Pro for a period of two weeks, running the mouse for all my daily work, play, streaming, browsing, and everything in between. I tested specifically in Apex Legends and CS2, both on its own and side by side with the Viper V3 Pro and Logitech G Pro X 2 Superstrike, while also using the mouse for Mixtape, Planet Coaster 2, and High on Life 2.

For more information on how we test gaming mice, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We're also hunting down all the best wireless gaming mouse models as well as more of the best Razer mice and the best Logitech gaming mice on the market.

The detail on display with Razer's Gengar Collection is sublime. From the glowing silhouettes of the ghostly apparition on the headset to the subtle background pattern on the mouse that features iconography of not just Gengar, but tiny little Poke Balls too - it's hard not to be obsessed as an old school Pokemon fan.

If I had to point out an issue however, it'd definitely be the price. At launch, you were mostly paying for the Pokemon aesthetic, as is often the case with any licensed gaming tech. That's why I was grinning ear to ear like Gengar itself when I saw it had all been discounted for Amazon Gaming Week. As of now, you can grab the Razer Gigantus V2 XXL Gaming Mouse Pad for just $39.99 (Amazon) and the matching headset for $111.99 (Amazon), the lowest prices I've seen for them yet. Even the mouse has dropped in price, but if you're after the whole lot, I recommend getting there quickly, as these kind of savings are god-pack level rare.

I'm a sucker for a good set of licensed gaming accessories, and Razer's Gengar Collection is so good that it still haunts my dreams and my PC setup. The official accessories range is not the first of Razer's attempts at launching a wealth of goodies with Pokemon slathered all over them, but it's undoubtedly the best - well, so long as you're a Ghost-Type fan.

f you're questioning grabbing any of these discounted goodies today, I'd recommend being a big fan of Gengar, as it's the star across the whole range. That may sound obvious, but some of the products go so ham into the theming that I can't foresee casual Pokemon fans appreciating their splendour.

Take, for example, the glorious Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB Wired Headset, which has never been this cheap before. It doesn't just feature some overused artwork, but the headband replicates the ears and spikes of hair on Gengar's head. It's basically a 'what-if a pair like the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro was Gengar themed'. Cosplayers might want to take note.

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB Wired Headset isn't a wireless headset, though, so you are still paying a bit more for style over substance with today's deal. Alternatives like the Razer Barracuda X Chroma, available for $89.99 at Amazon, are plenty more featureful, but won't scratch that Pokemon itch. While you aren't getting the most high-end features here, this headset still sounds fantastic as it's equipped with Razer's iconic 40mm Triforce audio drivers, which are found in a range of my favorite older headsets from the brand.

It's a similar situation with the Razer Cobra Wired Gaming Mouse. If I were to ask the hardware team's resident rodent expert, Tabitha Baker, for the best gaming mouse out there, she'd likely recommend the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro or the Logitech G203 Lightsync and not this bad boy. However, it's still going to be a nice touch to any Pokemon-themed setup. The Razer Chroma-powered RGB lighting can sync up to the Gengar headset too, which is a really nice touch.

Can you find a more featureful range of accessories that match (or are even cheaper) than today's Razer Gengar Collection Amazing Gaming Week savings? Absolutely. Even with these record-low price drops, you're still paying more for the Pokémon-ness of it all, rather than what the tech can do.

Yet if you're after a spooky and cozy look to your gaming space, this range is ideal for Pokemon nerds - so much so that my partner has 'borrowed' the entire range from me, and I don't expect I'll see it returned to me any time soon.

• View all Razer Pokemon gaming accessories at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PC controllers for gaming, and the best gaming chairs if you're looking to give your setup an upgrade.

I've always thought the best gaming laptops should fade into the distance, not take up my whole desk or backpack. That's why I've championed 14-inch machines for this long. I've been through generations of Razer, Asus, Acer, and HP's slimline rigs, shouting the benefits of compact machines to anyone who would listen. Now I'm putting them all head to head.

The subjects of today's trial are three of the most popular 14-inch gaming laptops on the market; the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Razer Blade 14, and Acer Predator Triton 14. Asus has held onto the crown for another year running, but it's last year's model doing that work - not the 2026 version I had on my test bench earlier in the month.

While the Zephyrus G14 is the best 14-inch gaming laptop I've tested so far, the new release is likely going to be significantly more expensive. The RTX 5070 Ti performance I benchmarked offered a real tangible boost in playable framerates (especially in more demanding runs), but we still don't know when these machines will hit the market and with supply chain difficulties, that all-important price tag is looking higher by the day. I've even spotted more budget machines retailing with just 8GB RAM, so there's no telling how high those luxury rates could climb. It may well be one of the best Asus gaming laptops, but if it's out of reach it's all for naught.

That means we're sticking to 2025's entry for the top performance slot, with Razer taking home the design award and the Predator proving best for those after a true hybrid work / play system.

The contenders

Full benchmark results

The best 14-inch gaming laptop performance

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 does something very few 14-inch gaming laptops can; take you all the way to the RTX 5080. While Razer and Acer tend to halt at the RTX 5070, Asus pushes further with two more GPU classes above its competition.

The RTX 5080 2025 model I tested last year handled QHD gameplay far better than the GPU-capped Razer Blade 14, with Shadow of the Tomb Raider running at 155fps in its highest settings and Cyberpunk 2077 holding its own at 55fps in RT Ultra. There's a new kid on the block, though.

The 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the latest in line, and the RTX 5070 Ti configuration I've had on the test bench managed to beat last year's numbers thanks to a higher overall wattage. With all that under its belt the latest model can handle 60fps Cyberpunk in full whack - something I haven't seen from a 14-incher before.

There's a caveat to that performance, though, and one that brings me back round to last year's release as my primary recommendation. The new Zeph still hasn't hit the shelves in the US, and looking at the eye-watering pricing across the rest of the world it doesn't look like this is going to be an easy upgrade. With the cost of the 2025 offering packing significantly higher value I'd stick with the older model right now.

The best 14-inch gaming laptop design

The latest Razer Blade 14 has been my ride or die for months now, and I previously ran the model before it as my daily driver. It can't quite match the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 for sheer performance (Razer can only get an RTX 5070 in this thing), but if look and feel are your primary concern this is an easy winner.

Razer hasn't changed the rulebook of its gaming laptop designs in some time, because it doesn't need to. Each machine is CNC milled aluminum with a supremely durable finish. That means this thing handles like a solid brick of luxury, but one that doesn't take up your entire backpack (or hurt your shoulders).

It's a super skinny 14-inch gaming laptop but there's no flex or creaking anywhere across the chassis. Not only that, but the premium feel continues inside with a gorgeous OLED panel and a particularly satisfying keyboard underneath.

This is no cheap alternative, though. While the Blade 14 can see its own price drops, that MSRP is pretty firm and an RTX 5060 build often comes in more expensive than RTX 5070 options elsewhere. If you need to balance looks with power, though, it's an excellent option.

The best 14-inch gaming laptop battery

If you're hunting down the best 14-inch gaming laptop for battery, you likely need an all-day workhorse that can run your favorite games later on. That's precisely what the Acer Predator Triton 14 wants to do. The strange Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor choice means you're not getting the full potential of the RTX 5070 (as tested) under the hood, but it does lend itself to a particularly power-economical device that can run your office for a full day before plugging in for some games.

The Predator Triton is a little confused in its use-case, but for those after a true two-in-one that could be a niche win. With a stylus included in the box, that slightly weedier processor (from a gaming perspective, anyway), and efficiency at its core, this is a real hybrid machine.

It's priced a little high for its benchmark results, I must say. Considering this rig can sometimes sit higher up the price scale than even the Razer Blade 14, its 2,593 Steel Nomad 3D Mark score raises some eyebrows and the fact it's just clinging on to 60fps in Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered could give some pause for thought.

This isn't a framerate chaser, though, it's a jack of all trades for work and play. If you're happy bumping down to 1080p to get solid High-settings performance in more demanding games, all while benefitting from a slick and streamlined business machine, this is well worth investigating.

How we test 14-inch gaming laptops

I run all 14-inch gaming laptops through the same series of tests as any other machine, with each rig set to its highest preset performance profile. First up comes 3D Mark. This is a testing suite of benchmarks that put GPUs (and, to a lesser extent, CPUs) through their paces across demanding scenarios. I primarily use Steel Nomad, the most recent release, for the best real-world performance indication, but also run older tests Time Spy and Fire Strike to provide context around earlier releases.

Steel Nomad tests a system's graphical stability and speed across a non ray-traced scenario. Rendering techniques and devices like volume illumination, ambient occlusion, and depth of field are all core to this test, pushing a system's ability to maintain a smooth visual experience. Steel Nomad presents a score at the end of each benchmark - like all 3D Mark tests, higher is better.

I run each of these synthetic benchmarks three times, taking the final average score as my main result.

Then we're onto real-world performance. I benchmark in both 1080p and 1600p using each game's 'High' and 'Highest' settings, running each test three times and taking a final average score. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the easiest test, before moving up to Total War: Three Kingdoms, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Outside of pure performance testing, I work, play, travel, and live with each 14-inch gaming laptop for a minimum of two weeks before finalizing my review.

For more information on how we test gaming laptops, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Also consider

Should you buy a 14-inch gaming laptop?

I wouldn't recommend a 14-inch gaming laptop to everyone. After all, there are some performance sacrifices inherent in this more compact form factor. However, with SoC machines becoming a real possibility in the next few years, we could see a larger trend towards more portable power.

As it stands today, without the extra chassis space (read cooling space) of a 16-inch or 18-inch device, these rigs typically run hotter, have more trouble with thermal throttling, and cost you slightly more for the privilege. It's not easy to squeeze high-end components into a portable shell, after all.

I personally wouldn't buy anything else, though. I take my gaming laptop with me everywhere I go, working most of the time but also relying on it for gameplay when I'm away from home for a few nights. I don't want a chunky device that's going to take up all my bag space just for the sake of a few hours of gameplay. I don't want to have to lug a giant power adapter across the country. I'm happy to sacrifice a few frames to save my back, shoulders, and inventory space.

If that sounds like you, a 14-incher is absolutely the way to go. They're the best all-in-one gaming laptops for a hybrid work / play approach. If you know you're going to keep your machine at home for most of its life, a larger model is going to give you a more immersive display, generally better performance, and better cooling.

I'm also running through all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Razer laptops on the market. Or, if you really want something a little chunkier, check out the best Alienware laptops I've tested.

April is a month typically associated with rebirth, so it feels entirely fitting that Razer chose it to drop the next iteration of its flagship gaming earbuds. The brand-new Razer Hammerhead V3 Hyperspeed gaming earbuds were unveiled on April 9 and come equipped with a feature-filled case that's not just decked out with an on-case LED bar, but also serves as a 2.4 GHz wireless receiver.

As you'd expect with the best gaming earbuds, the included HyperSpeed Case charges the earbuds when placed inside. However, when the HyperSpeed dongle is placed inside along with them, the entire case becomes a 2.4GHz receiver, which can be plugged into your gaming PC, laptop, PS5, Steam Deck, or whatever gaming platform of your choosing to provide low-latency gaming audio.

With the dongle nice and snug in the decked-out Hyperspeed Case, you can also charge it and still make full use of the earbuds at the same time. The little built‑in LED status indicator on the side of the case will let you know how charged your buds are, and will change depending on your connection status and if you get any system alerts while using the Hammerhead V3 Hyperspeed buds.

If 2.4GHz isn't your preferred wireless type of choice, Razer has also packed in Bluetooth 6.0 for " improved power efficiency, and greater stability in crowded wireless environments." With Bluetooth 6.0, you'll have wider compatibility with a range of smartphones, making these buds handy for not just gaming audio, but listening to music on the go too.

In fact, once I get my hands on a pair for testing, that's exactly what I intend to check out as the earbuds feature an up to 40-hour battery (10 hours via the earbuds and an extra 30 hours from the charging case). The buds are also equipped with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, which Razer boasts features "50% improved noise reduction" compared to the older Hammerhead buds, which sounds far more ideal for listening to music out and about, and for gaming naturally too.

At just $129.99 at Amazon and available straight from the online Razer store, these gaming earbuds are bursting at the seams with features. You can also take advantage of THX Spatial Audio if you're a PC player, and customization via the Razer Synapse 4 software. If that's a little out of your budget, Razer also dropped the Razer Hammerhead V3 X HyperSpeed at the same time.

These cheaper buds are just $99.99 at Amazon and also feature the same multi-functional Hyperspeed Case that doubles up as a 2.4GHz receiver. However, to keeps costs low, you're losing out on the ANC and have to settle for just up to 25 hours of battery life and Bluetooth 5.2 instead.

• View all Razer gaming earbuds at Amazon

If you'd rather have a headset instead, our team has also rounded up the best Razer headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best PS5 headsets.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro impressed me and fellow headset enthusiast (yes, that's a thing) Tabitha Baker so much that it quickly earned a spot in our best gaming headset guide after release. The most premium pair of the brand's latest V3 line-up features Razer's super speedy HyperSpeed Wireless Gen 2 wireless tech, but it's the audio quality that made this pair a no-brainer addition to our best of guides.

At the time of the review, Tabitha exclaimed that the "power of its audio can't be challenged" but that its $249.99 / £249.99 price tag was "commanding". I entirely agree, as $250 is a lot to fork out for even the best PC headset, no matter how great it sounds. However, now that we're approaching its one-year anniversary, the premium pair of cups has dropped to $209.99 (Amazon), its lowest ever price so far.

Should you buy the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless headset?

If you're on the hunt for one of the best PC headsets for gaming, you're gonna struggle to do much better than the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro - at least as far as its audio prowess goes. In her Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review, our team's own Tabitha Baker stated that she was "immediately enthralled" by the amount of space in the low end of the pair, but that it was the "power that's put into those deeper details is even more impressive."

At the time of the review, Tabitha tested everything from Marvel Rivals to Doom The Dark Ages, and even Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where the finer details of its soundstage were put to the test, and it never faltered. In fact, she even went as far as to state that the V3 Pro "probably beats" her go-to SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, which is a massive compliment given the Pro Wireless is what has remained our best gaming headset pick for quite some time now.

If you care about sound quality first and foremost, then the headset and its TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen 2 audio drivers would be a great fit for your PC gaming adventures. However, that's not all it has going for it. The BlackShark V3 Pro is also equipped with tri-mode connectivity, ranging from wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless support. The latter of which resolves around a wired in Hyperspeed Wireless Gen-2 dongle, rather than a typical USB dongle you might be used to.

It still provides a wireless connection, and the V3 Pro can provide up to 70 hours of battery life for PC players at that. However, instead of popping in a small dongle to your rig, you'll need to find space for one that's attached to the end of a wire, which takes a bit to get used to. This was the same case for the Razer BlackShark V3, which I reviewed last year, but so long as you have the desk space, its speedy low-latency wireless connection and great sound will soon distract you from the awkward cabled accessory. As will the $40 Amazon has dropped off the full price of this typically pricey but great-sounding headset.

• View all Razer gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if Razer's BlackShark V3 Pro doesn't suit your setup.

If you've been hunting for the fastest Xbox Series X controller on the shelves, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro has been the clear choice for the last little while. With speedy microswitch buttons all over it, six extra buttons, and a refined use of esports mouse tech, it's an excellent controller to choose for competitive play where every millisecond counts.

It's now got a new rival though, which feels as though it's been produced as a response to Razer's new need for speed. The Asus ROG Raikiri 2 is, in many ways, an excellent rival to the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. Both controllers are fresh-feeling reworks of an older generation controller that really needed a facelift. Both controllers have those speedy actuating buttons and a similar Xbox-shaped take on ergonomics. And both of them are officially licensed for the Xbox Series X at around the same price.

It's a tricky toss-up then, because you're essentially choosing between near-identical controllers. I'm not even sure there is a clear winner between these two because it's like watching Anakin and Obi-Wan twirl their light sabers at one another. Both will serve you well if you plan to play games on an Xbox or if you're broadening your horizons and you need a PC controller. Having been lucky enough to test and review both of them, I'm here to walk you through the subtle differences and help you choose the one that's going to be exactly right for your hands.

Design

While both of these controllers shoot for a similar speedy functionality, their designs are a bit different. Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro is truer to that brand's gamepad heritage. Its grips are more rounded, they're shorter in length, and overall, it just feels chunkier. The V3 Pro comes in black, with the previous generation of Wolverine controller's RGB highlights noticeably missing. This gives it a more stripped-back look, as though it takes itself more seriously - think Christian Bale's Batman costume removing colorful design frills in favour of matte black textures.

The Raikiri 2 shoots for a bit more style. Its facial elements are framed with tiny ROG and Xbox logo prints; there's a bit more RGB involved that shines out from under your palms when you hold it. But the overall aesthetic is similar to the Wolverine V3 Pro - there's a lot of matte black texture here too, and some of the design work (like the pointless wee screen) from the Raikiri Pro has been removed.

More importantly, the grips on the Raikiri 2 are a bit more elongated, which, for folks like me with slightly larger hands, is a welcome choice.

Winner: It's hard to say who wins out in this round. The Raikiri 2 has a bit more pizazz to its aesthetic, and has longer grips so, personally, I like its design a bit more than the minimalist Wolverine V3 Pro. That said, if you're in the small hand gang and you prefer a shorter, stocky controller with no RGB, the Wolverine is going to be better for you.

Personally though, if I had to choose a winner, it'd be the Raikiri 2.

Features

Thanks to their Xbox licensing, these two controllers pack very similar things in their carrying cases. For one, both have wireless dongles and a 1K polling rate, so you can play without a tether on Xbox or PC. That said, with either, you'll need to play on PC to get the full speed out of them since the Microsoft console can only get a max of 400Hz.

The Raikiri may have an edge by offering a slightly more practical case, which can charge the controller within while it rests inside. The Asus pad has a wireless charging stand too - the Wolverine V3 arrived a bit before this became the norm for this league of Xbox controller. Further, the Raikiri 2 sports TMR thumbsticks while the V3 Pro has Hall effect ones. That loss isn't too great since Razer adopted Hall effect modules. Both controllers come with swappable thumbstick tops in their cases.

The Wolverine V3 Pro does have the edge with feedback, however, since it has Razer's Sensa HD Haptics, which provide a bit more detail.

Winner: Besides a few technicalities, thanks to the Raikiri 2 being newer, it maybe has the edge on features. Then again, the average gamer who hasn't tried Hall effect or TMR thumbsticks isn't going to notice a massive difference between the two. Either gives you a full suite of features for your gaming setup, so I'd really argue this round is a draw, short of preferences for a charging stand being included.

Comfort

This is another close round in a so far split-decision fight. Again, it's going to be subjective for you, but there are two points I'd take on board if you're trying to decide between these gamepads.

The Raikiri 2 has very similar microswitch buttons to the Wolverine V3 Pro - both of them have very short actuations, but the ones on the Raikiri 2 feel as though they have less cushioning under them. I'm not sure whether it's a result of the faceplate being harder, the actuation being shorter, or just different types of microswitch, but Razer's ever-so-slight sponginess means the Wolverine V3 Pro's buttons are more forgiving.

This is important because, while both can offer really speedy button presses, I found the Raikiri 2 to be a little more uncomfortable due to its buttons hurting my finger joints during longer sessions when I was in more intense games. This could lead to injury, and even if not, pain is never what you want in a gaming accessory.

On a slightly different end of the comfort scale, I personally find the grips of the Raikiri 2 to be more comfortable because they're longer. Then again, this is more up to you and your preferences. I was raised on PlayStation controllers, so I'm a bit more prone to longer grips that support my pinkies a bit more than Razer is willing to.

Winner: The winner of this round is too tough to call for me. Razer may edge it out because the V3 Pro doesn't cause pain when button-mashing, but I'd much rather have the grips of the Raikiri 2 to wrap my hands around.

First-person shooters

Either of these pads will give you an excellent weapon to use in your favorite FPS games. The Raikiri Pro's back buttons are placed really well, thanks to those longer grips though, which personally makes it a favorite for me. Out of the box, the Wolverine V3 Pro has an advantage because the deadzones and stick settings overall are a bit more usable.

The Raikiri 2 uses the most advanced and up-to-date module, TMR tech. As a TMR controller, it's set up for success in the competitive FPS genre - even more so than the Hall effect sensors inside the Wolverine V3 Pro.

If this is ultimately what it's coming down to, I'd urge you to think about what platform you're using. The Wolverine V3 Pro does have an 8K version that drops the Xbox licensing and has a faster polling rate than the 1K limit of the Raikiri 2, adopting TMR sticks in the process. Be warned though, the 8K version of the Wolverine removes any vibration, which makes it feel lighter and not as premium as the original Xbox variant.

Both controllers give you swappable thumbstick options, so that's a win for whichever you choose.

Winner: Although its deadzones aren't the best out of the box, the Raikiri 2 does have the better specs for FPS gaming thanks to those TMR thumbsticks.

Price

This is a tricky one. In the US, the Raikiri 2 has a full price of $189.99, which is $10 cheaper than the Wolverine V3 Pro at $200. But in the UK, both share the same £200 price tag.

But hold on, the Wolverine V3 Pro is older, and is now seeing discounts a lot more frequently - to the $149 mark and under. Razer also has a secret weapon for this round, the Razer Wolverine V3 TE, which comes in white. It drops the wireless play, swappable accessories, and carrying case, and costs just $99.99. While it loses some bells and whistles, you do get the same controller and features - the question will come down to whether you need to go cord-free and and want to drop a few extras.

Technically, you can get the Wolverine V3 Pro for cheaper than the Raikiri 2 these days, so is it the winner? The Raikiri 2 has just taken its first price drop at the time of writing, dropping to $169.99 at Amazon. That makes it excellent value for money versus the other Xbox controllers that cost $200, but it's not cheaper than the Wolverine V3 Pro is willing to drop.

Winner: This one, as far as I can see, is too close to call. Depending on the week, time of year, or where you're shopping from, one could be cheaper than the other. For me, this is a draw, even if I admire the fact that Asus has managed to pull together a more reasonable full price in the US.

The winner is...

In many ways, this one is too close to call. Both controllers match up so well that tiny preferential things are going to decide it for you as an individual. Is one really "better" than the other? The Raikiri is certainly more modernized since it has the benefit of being brand new in 2026, while the V3 Pro is showing its futureproofing after a launch at the end of 2024.

In all honesty, both controllers will give you very similar experiences. I would really recommend watching prices and going with whatever one is cheaper.

Thanks to those face buttons being ever so slightly comfier, I'm inclined to say I lean toward the Wolverine V3 Pro as an overall winner. But TMR thumbsticks make a huge difference in the games I like to play, and the longer grips mean the Raikiri's back button placement feels that little bit better.

For more on controllers, check out the best Switch 2 controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox accessories.

I accidentally stumbled across the new Razer Blade 16. While price checking some other accessories, its brand new face flashed up on my screen. That wasn't there yesterday, and after weeks of waiting for any sign of new machines it seems Sneki is quietly sidling into the party rather than making a grand entrance.

The new Razer Blade 16 starts at $3,499.99 / £3,099.99 for an RTX 5080 / Intel Core Ultra 9 386H / 32GB RAM configuration, rising up to $4,999.99 / £4,399.99 for the top-spec RTX 5090 model. What's new? The update to one of the best gaming laptops on the market brings Intel's latest Panther Lake processor, a reportedly brighter OLED panel, and promises "significantly improved" battery life.

It's that LPDDR5-9600MHz RAM that had me worried in the first half. With component shortages igniting prices for both consumers and brands, storage and memory are hard to come by at the moment. Razer seems to have cut a deal, though. This year's Blade 16 launches at about the same MSRP as 2025's iteration.

No, there are no RTX 5070 Ti configurations just yet. The previous generation would have let you get the full luxury experience for $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 last year. These days, Razer is keeping its specs high to make sure those prices don't seem so crazy. For reference, the RTX 5090 / AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 model (32GB RAM and 2TB SSD) I tested last year came in at $4,499.99 / £3,899.99 new. That price is being matched by the new update in the US (it's £100 more expensive this year in the UK) even with the swap over to Intel and current RAM shortages.

That's no mean feat, but whether or not the power upgrade will make the tall asking price worthwhile is another matter.

Right now the only Razer Blade 16 I've been able to get into my cart at Razer's own store (these have been exclusives for just over a year now) is an RTX 5060 model with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 for $2,399.99. That's a seriously expensive 5060 device, coming in about $1,000 higher than I'd expect to see last year's lower mid-range configurations.

The power upgrades to an RTX 5080 / Intel Core Ultra 9 386H from that kind of rig are going to be immediately noticeable, but if you can still get your hands on an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 2025 version the differences aren't going to be as tangible.

Intel's Panther Lake release is more of a refresh, offering a small step up in performance by all accounts so far. With no major GPU updates this is an iterative upgrade - surprisingly level in its pricing - but iterative nonetheless.

It's down to that battery improvement and display brightness to carry the new Blade 16 home, then. I'm optimistic. While Razer's charge has never burned the brightest, I'll take any extra minutes I can get my hands on. Meanwhile, the previous generation Blade 16 had one of the best screens I'd ever tested on a gaming laptop. I'm certainly excited to see what Sneki's been cooking up over the last year.

• See all Blade laptops at Razer
• See more gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm putting all these models head to head to find the best Razer laptops on the market, but I'm also checking out all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops available.

I know, I know, a handheld should be hand... held. But hear me out here.

I've been using the Razer Joro with my portable setup for just under a year now and if you use your Steam Deck in the same way as me it's an easy recommendation. I love crunching over a handheld system, but one of the biggest benefits of my Asus ROG Ally is its ability to plug in wherever I find myself. With one of the best Steam Deck docks in-hand, I'm playing on the big and small screen - Switch style.

That's where the Razer Joro comes in. It's a super slimline, lightweight Bluetooth keyboard that keeps a fantastic connection with handheld systems. It takes up practically no space in a backpack, feels great under the fingertips, and allows me to play Planet Coaster without smashing my head against the wall. It's also just dropped below $100 in Amazon's Spring Sale.

The Razer Joro isn't going to suit anyone looking for a heavy-duty writing keyboard. Its low profile keys feel fantastic for gaming, but I found fatigue can set in during longer sessions in my review. Still, as a Bluetooth Steam Deck companion there's nothing else quite like it.

The 65% layout keeps things compact while Razer's scissor switches make sure key action is springy and energetic. That's a far cry from the portable keyboards I used to hook up to my iPad, there's absolutely no sponge to this experience.

That lack of 2.4GHz connection isn't going to put any of the best gaming keyboards out of their positions on your main PC setup, but with a long-lasting battery and easy Bluetooth switching the Joro is a unique proposition for handheld power-users.

Mine normally lives in a backpack, pulled out with an HDMI cable and dock whenever I'm on the road with my Asus ROG Ally. I'm not a competitive player, but being able to tick through strategy and simulation games with a keyboard to hand whenever I need it is a massive benefit. Paired up with a cheap and cheerful mouse, like the Logitech G305 Lightspeed (now $29.99 at Amazon), it's a full setup on wheels.

• See all gaming keyboard deals at Amazon
• View the full Big Spring Sale at Amazon

We're also hunting down all the best Steam Deck accessories, but for more typing options check out the rest of the best wireless gaming keyboards and best hot-swappable keyboards I've tested.

Razer has announced its latest Gigantus mouse pad, and I'm sure there are probably lots of people out there thinking it's a bit much. Giving people five levels of mouse pad speed to choose from probably sounds a bit silly - at a certain point, isn't it more about your aiming skill than the gear you're using? Well, I'm one of those weirdos who actually cares about the nuances different gaming mouse pads can give you, so let me tell you why I'm all for it.

The new Razer Gigantus V2 Pro goes even deeper than the SteelSeries QCK Performance pads we saw release last year, which offer three distinct feeling surfaces with different friction levels and speeds. Razer has expanded that to five different speeds with the new Gigantus V2 Pro; Max Control, Control, Balance, Speed, and Max Speed.

All of the new Gigantus V2 Pro mats use Razer's proprietary GlideCore Foam, but each "speed" uses it in different ways. The slowest two (Max Control and Control) utilize Soft Foam, with large air pockets for a softer and spongier feel and more stopping power. The Balance and Speed variants use a medium foam that Razer claims is "optimized for smooth glide with reliable control", and the Max Speed version uses a harder foam that's closer to glass/hard surface mats that have become more popular in recent years.

Last summer, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole with mouse pads, because until then, I really hadn't considered that there were even different speeds and that they could make such a drastic difference to your mouse aim. Then I tried the SteelSeries QCK Performance pads, which highlighted it all to me. My mind was blown - turns out I had been using a much, much slower pad than I should have been for over a year, and that's a reason I was losing so many close-quarters fights in my favorite multiplayer games.

It turns out that depending on the games you play and the way you configure your mouse settings, there's an optimal type of pad for you. While you might still be thinking that "a bad workman blames his tools", I promise you, after trying different mouse pad speeds and textures, it really does make a tangible difference to how you aim.

A harder surface with less friction, like Razer's new "Max Speed" pads, tends to be really popular among FPS gamers who play titles that require them to make fast moves, big flicks, or continuous tracking while shooting in games like Apex: Legends or Marathon. In games that require accuracy for a precise stopping points with your mouse, you'll probably benefit more from a pad that has more friction so you can stop exactly on an opponent's head - think Counter Strike or Valorant.

The FPS game I play the most is Hunt: Showdown, which is sort of a hybrid of the above examples. It's old western weaponry, so I need that stopping power and accuracy in my mouse pad to aim with single shots at a time, but I also need the speedy flicks to be quicker on the draw than my opponents. There are a lot of nuances to mouse pad speeds depending on the game.

For this reason, I really like that Razer is offering five different speeds. I'd be interested to try them to see if the middle options really do actually feel different from one another, but it's great that Razer is allowing people to lock into their favorite game's specific speed.

If there's something I'm disappointed about, it's that there only seems to be one size of each pad available right now. The Gigantus V2 mouse pads made different sizes their USP, so I'm hoping Razer follows up with more generous sizing options soon. I'm someone who loves having their whole desk space covered in the same surface, so if you're the same, the SteelSeries QCK Performance pads that do come in XL sizes might be the best option for you.

The new Gigantus V2 Pro mats have low-profile stitched edges, which is great for preventing fraying over time, as well as wrist irritation. Razer also claims that they've been optimized for optical sensors thanks to micro-texturing.

For more on gaming mice, check out the best wireless gaming mouse and the best Razer mice.

Sneki has refreshed its popular FPS-first range with the new Razer Viper V4 Pro, taking the same recipe as the previous V3 Pro and adding a boosted 50K optical sensor and running battery life up to 180 hours. That's one hell of a tracker - DPI aside, this Focus Pro eye can hit 930 IPS tracking speeds with 90G acceleration - beating Logitech's Hero 2 sensor pretty easily.

With its sights set on some of the best gaming mouse models around, the Viper V4 Pro is more of an update to the original formula than an entire redesign. Unlike the Logitech G Pro X 2 Superstrike, positioned by Razer's competitor as an endgame adjustable esports mouse, the Viper doubles down on speed. It's available now for $159.99 / £159.99 via Razer.

Weighing in at just 49g it's one of the lighter entries to the competitive market from a mainstream brand. While the Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight is still going to feel nippier under the hand at 36g, Razer's not too far off ultra-levels of weightlessness here and it's still packing that hefty sensor inside.

930 IPS is the fastest I've seen on a high-end flagship to date, which should make for smooth, reliable tracking even during the most hectic of moments. Whether or not anyone needs that 50K DPI spec is up for debate, but safe to say this is a mouse positioned directly at high-intensity esports affairs.

Elsewhere the Viper V4 Pro updates the rodent's mouse clicks, with Gen-4 switches matching those of the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro. Replacing the Gen-3 options on the Razer Viper V3 Pro, I found these clackers to offer a slightly crisper feel under the hand. Razer also states that they're good for a 100-million click lifecycle with no debounce delay.

Is the Razer Viper V4 Pro going to be worth the upgrade for anyone already on the Viper or DeathAdder bandwagon? It's unlikely. These are solid upgrades, but they're iterative and, especially if you're not playing at the top of your eSports league, they're not going to make a night and day difference to your speed, reliability, or final ranked position. If you feel the Viper V3 Pro's clicks are a little softer than you'd like, or you're after the biggest battery life in the lightest shell possible, there could be an in here.

• See all gaming mice at Razer

For more setup options, check out the best gaming keyboards and the best gaming headsets on the market. We're also hunting down all the best gaming monitors as well.

Razer has been supplying officially licensed controllers to both PlayStation and Xbox platforms for about a decade now, so it'd likely be hard to force the brand to pick a favorite platform. Despite some Xbox games like Starfield and Avowed landing on the PS5 lately, the console war can still get pretty heated. As a gaming hardware reviewer, I see that most often among the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best PS5 controllers.

In fact, Razer is one of the few brands that has officially licensed pro controllers on both platforms. Most are locked to either one or the other, and some brands like GameSir and PowerA can't seem to break into the PS5 space at all. But ever the pacifist, Razer has dropped the price of its flagship Xbox and PS5 controllers to new record lows at the same time. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is down to just $129.99 at Amazon, and the Razer Raiju V3 Pro has finally taken its first price cut to $179.99 at Amazon.

They might have different names and platforms, but these two controllers are more similar than they let on. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro came first, redefining the brand's approach to gamepad design with super speedy microswitch buttons and a much more ergonomic shape than previous Wolverine generations. From there, we saw this design philosophy creep into the wider Razer controller sphere, until eventually, it reached the PS5.

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro arrived last year, offering the same kinds of ergonomics and speed that the Wolverine V3 Pro did for Xbox and PC players to folks on Sony's platform. It misses out on any haptics or vibration due to Sony's licensing parameters, which does make me lean slightly toward the Wolverine as a better option overall. But the Raiju V3 Pro feels so authentic to PlayStation, and is almost the mirror image of the Wolverine, just for a different platform. The Raiju even has TMR thumbsticks, improving on the formula and really making a difference in FPS games where you need accurate aim.

Naturally, the Wolverine V3 Pro being older means its record low price is substantially less than the Raiju's. The PS5 pad only launched late in 2025, and when you remember Razer tax is a thing, you're naturally going to need to stomach a heavier price for a while yet.

But I've gone hands-on with both of these Razer pro controllers, and I can comfortably say that either will give you a super speedy, comfortable pro controller for your platform.

For competitive players, especially, these controllers are geared at giving you the speedy experience of using a mouse and keyboard in gamepad form. The entire idea of Razer putting its Esports Mouse technology in a controller was to end the compromise that controller users feel versus their PC competition.

Obviously, a lot of that will come down to the game you're playing and your own abilities, but I don't think there are many pro controllers out there that can boast faster actuation and more functionality than the Wolverine V3 Pro and the Raiju V3 Pro.

If you're looking for the best of both worlds, check out the best PC controllers. If you're on Nintendo's platform, check out the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.

The world of 14-inch gaming laptops is certainly a small one, with only Razer and Asus populating these ultra-portable shelves in recent years. There's one other rookie in the wings, though, and the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI wants a piece of the work-play pie. Going up against some of the best gaming laptops on the market is no easy feat, though.

With a price tag that rivals the very top end of this market, the Predator needs to work hard to justify its position. Unfortunately, with a weaker processor, awkward touchscreen display, and slightly more restrictive supply of components, Sneki wins this Razer Blade 14 vs Acer Predator Triton 14 AI matchup for the majority of gamers. That changes slightly if you're a professional content-creation powerhouse, but overall I'd point most players (and their ~$2,500) in Razer's direction.

Performance

The Acer Predator Triton 14 AI uses a weaker Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, which keeps it restricted in overall performance. The larger L3 cache on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 of the Razer Blade 14 is pulling its weight here, giving that RTX 5070 more space to get its engines revved even if Intel's performance cores can move a little faster than AMD (5.1GHz turbo vs. 5GHz).

We're not comparing apples with apples here, though. The Ryzen processor can multithread, running eight threads from its four performance cores - Intel's CPU keeps things like-for-like. The Predator Triton's processor is technically running at a higher clock speed, but Razer's is doing more with its 5GHz.

From my testing, it means a 17.16% performance decrease across PC Mark 10 benchmarks.

That drop makes its way over to more dedicated gaming tests. 3D Mark Steel Nomad represents the most up-to-date run for these systems, testing graphics card performance (and how well the CPU lines up those tasks) across a non ray-traced landscape, rendered internally at 4K.

From my entire testing pool, RTX 5070 gaming laptops typically fall around the 3,200 to 3,300 mark in this test. With their slimmer designs, both the Razer Blade 14 and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI fall below this average, but the Acer is trailing well behind. With a 2593 final score, there's a 17.28% performance disparity here.

Things are similar in-game. Lighter runs like Shadow of the Tomb Raider demonstrate a 19.17% performance decrease when the Acer's running at full QHD+ resolution in max settings. That gap is closed slightly in the more demanding Cyberpunk 2077, with both slimline rigs struggling to keep their heads close to 60fps. Acer's framerates trail by 10.2% in this benchmark.

What does that all mean for you? It means you're going to need to sacrifice more to run more demanding games at 60fps on the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI compared to the Razer Blade 14. That means dropping textures down, killing more advanced lighting effects like ray tracing and ambient occlusion, and possibly scaling back to 1080p in full-throttle titles.

• Winner: Razer Blade 14

Display

Both the Razer Blade 14 and Acer Predator Triton 14 AI use use 120Hz OLED panels with a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 display. Both are slightly over-specced in their resolutions, especially if you tend to only play more demanding titles, while both keep their refresh rates a little more conservative.

There's one key difference here. The Acer Predator Triton 14 AI has a touchscreen. If you're buying a productivity laptop first and a gaming machine second, that could well be a benefit. It's rare to find these kinds of panels on rigs with RTX 5070 grunt.

If you want your machine to primarily function as a gaming laptop I'd steer clear. That's because the touchscreen tech enforces a faintly visible series of pixels across the screen. It doesn't get in the way of gameplay too much, but it's certainly noticeable in brighter shots and everyday web browsing. At least, it would be enough to give me pause when considering dropping more than $2,000 on a gaming laptop.

Otherwise both panels match up nicely. There's perhaps a touch more glare on Acer's model, but nothing that's going to shift the dial too much.

• Winner: Razer Blade 14

Build quality

Acer has certainly been eyeing up the best Razer laptops from the design room. The Predator Triton 14 AI is almost like-for-like in its CNC-milled, matte black construction. The brand's Predator logo occupies the same spot on the main lid, with the same RGB backlighting. Meanwhile, the inside is similarly barren of stamps, iconography, and additional levelling details.

Acer includes a slightly alternative two-tone internal design, with a lighter gray panel around the keyboard and also adds another logo in the bottom right corner. Other than that, these are very similar machines to look at.

Razer has thickness on its side, but not by much. If you're going for ultimate portability, the discrepancy between the 0.68-inch Blade and 0.64-inch Triton might make for a new point of consideration, but the reality is these are both about as skinny as gaming laptops come. They travel well, sit tucked away on a desk, and both weigh around 1.6kg.

Razer uses a super-strong T6-grade block of aluminum for its main chassis and, while Acer's materials aren't specifically listed, it's ever-so-slightly harder to flex. Really the only difference, though, is when I hold the corner of each machine between my thumb and fingers and push up and down. There's more resistance in Razer's deck than Acer's, but it's an almost insignificant disparity.

• Winner: Razer Blade 14

Keyboard

This is where Acer might claw back some points. The keyboard on the Predator Triton 14 AI packs a slightly crisper feel than the Razer Blade 14. Combined with larger keycaps, it's taking the lead slightly for those who regularly type for long periods at a time.

Both decks offer a particularly snappy response reserved for high-end machines, but there's an extra sense of energy in Acer's clackers. By contrast, the Razer Blade 14 can feel a little softer under the fingertips.

• Winner: Acer Predator Triton 14 AI

Extra features

Both machines come with their own software packages, though Razer's is a little more intuitive in its layout and manages to stay less in-your-face than PredatorSense on the Triton. The latter feels a little outdated in its angular, science-fiction design but still gives you access to performance and fan settings as well as key machine metrics.

That Intel processor also means that the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI is able to take advantage of Thunderbolt 4. In short, it's better for high-speed external displays and data transfers, making it a point of note if you're leaning more into the content creation side of this value package.

I also won't be able to live with myself if I don't warn you about that boot up noise. Acer's entry has a particularly booming sound effect running out across its speakers as soon as it powers up. It's not pleasant.

• Winner: Tie

Razer Blade 14 vs Acer Predator Triton 14 AI

The Razer Blade 14 is a higher performing laptop than the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI, with a display better suited to gaming and a slightly improved build quality. It's easily the better buy for the majority of players, providing better bang-for-buck power value and a clearer screen to see it all on. It's still got the portable productivity chops most will need, but spans its work/play hybrid philosophy in a more balanced way.

I would only recommend the Acer Predator Triton 14 AI to those primarily buying a productivity machine, and you'd have to be a power user to make the most of it at that. Thunderbolt 4 is going to serve content creators better than USB4 and that touchscreen panel could well be on your hit list as a must-have.

• Winner: Razer Blade 14

I'm also hunting down the best Asus gaming laptops as well as the best Alienware laptops on the market. For something even more portable, though, check out the best gaming handhelds.

There's a lot not to like about living in the UK, and Razer has now made matters worse. The brand behind some of the best gaming headsets has released an adorable new Hello Kitty edition headset, but it's only available in the US. Worse yet, it's a Target exclusive, and we don't even have that retailer around these parts.

The new Hello Kitty Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB Headset is available for $139.99 (Target) and has a stunning rose gold colorway, from its earcups to the tip of its kitty ears. Its design is a bit of a hodge-podge between two existing cups, as it features the moulded ears and bow from the Hello Kitty Kraken Kitty V2 BT and the Hyperclear cardioid mic as found throughout the older Kraken Kitty V2 lineup. Those lucky enough to be based in the US can already get their paws on the new USB headset, but the rest of us will have to make do with what we've got.

As I mentioned briefly above, there is technically already a Razer Hello Kitty headset out there. The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT is still available for $127.99 at Best Buy, and sports the same ears and bow on its headband. If it weren't for its missing microphone, it would appear like this new US exclusive version was just it spray-painted rose-gold. However, there are some other differences between the two.

The Target-exclusive Hello Kitty Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB headset isn't wireless and, due to its USB connection, is best suited for PC players. Whereas the original Hello Kitty pair relies on Bluetooth, and is ideal if you're on the hunt for a pair to use alongside your Nintendo Switch 2. You could use the new Kraken Kitty V2 USB headset alongside the Switch 2 dock, you'd just have to be very wary of how far your couch is located from your gaming setup.

Of course, the look and appeal of the headsets is really what sets them apart. The pink and white colors of the older version have been replaced with blush-colored gold instead, and there's adorable printed imagery of Hello Kitty's face on the headband, and even underneath the gold foam padding. I'm more of a silver person myself, but it's hard to ignore the allure of that luminous paint job - especially as it adds a more adult and luxurious edge over what came before.

Setting aside looks for the moment, under the hood, the drivers for both headsets are the same. Both headsets include Razer Triforce 40mm audio drivers and are equipped with 7.1 surround sound, so there shouldn't be any differences in audio quality. If you're a bit bummed that you can't get a hold of the rose gold version, sticking to the older pair won't leave you losing out on audio quality - so it's not all doom and gloom.

Not to mention, there's a plethora of Sanrio-flavoured Razer accessories and headsets out there for both US and UK Sanrio fans, including the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Kuromi Edition, which I took a look at last year. Instead of taking after Hello Kitty, it pays homage to the best-girl Kuromi, including replicating her jester bunny ears on the headband.

If rose-gold accessories are more your thing and you're based in the US, you can instead grab this new US-exclusive headset, and I will be a bit jealous. However, at least there's plenty Sanrio goodness to go around.

• View all Hello Kitty accessories at Razer
• View all Razer Kraken Kitty gaming headsets at Amazon

I've rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if this Hello Kitty pair of cups isn't for you.

I sometimes feel a bit embarrassed to admit that I absolutely adore the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro and the rest of the best gaming headsets out there with cat-ears. There's a weird stigma attached to them that, because they're cute, means they mustn't be an actually decent pair of cups, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

While I try not let that embarrassment get to me, what does get to me is their price, as this pair in particular is $179.99, which is a hefty sum to pay for a wireless headset with the brand's older 40mm TriForce Titanium audio drivers. That's why I love that they're down to just $129.99 at Amazon today, as it cuts a huge $50 off their full price and makes them far more purr-fectly reasonable for those like me, who love all things cute and high in quality.

Should you buy the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro gaming headset?

If you've been aching for one of those cat-ear headsets, then by all means, this should be the one you get - especially now it's down to $129.99 today. This is the first of Razer's Kraken Kitty line-up to include not just Bluetooth, but also 2.4GHz wireless into the mix, which makes it better suited for those who play on everything from the PS5 to the Nintendo Switch 2.

As the Sony console doesn't natively support Bluetooth, the best PS5 headsets all require having some form of wireless 2.4GHz dongle, which you get with this pair. Previous Kraken Kitty headsets, such as the Kraken Kitty V2 BT, relied on Bluetooth only, so you'd have needed to grab an adapter to make it PS5-friendly. Not to mention, having that low-latency 2.4GHz connectivity makes setup easier for the PS5 and pretty much everything, as you just need to pop the dongle in a spare USB port and you're golden.

Switch 2 players will need to have it hooked up to the handheld's dock, but you can switch to Bluetooth if you're a handheld mode preferer like I am. No matter your platform of choice, Razer's signature 40mm Razer TriForce Titanium audio drivers sound sublime. During my review, I tested everything from Marvel Rivals to Repo, and the soundstages sounded equally as clear and balanced. Yet, PC players are going to have a better time with the sound of the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro.

PC players will have access to THX Spatial Audio, which is particularly incredible to have at your disposal for online games. Every creek of the Headman Manor map in Repo sounded utterly terrifying with the spatial audio tech, and even my friends' screams and cries sounded as if they were going off all around me. Even if you prefer single-player games, this will elevate the immersion of everything you play.

During testing, I also managed to customize the RGB cat-ear lighting to my own voice, which resulted in some particularly hilarious Repo moments. Your screams become less terrifying when your gaming office lights up pink each and every time you open your mouth. You can, of course, turn this off, and you'll reach closer to that optimum 70-hour battery life. But I will warn you that after grabbing this headset, you'll find it impossible not to want to have the cat-eyes glowing at every opportunity.

If you're on the hunt for a cat-ear headset, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the one I'd recommend, especially as it's current $129.99 deal price. Unfortunately, it's just the white version that's this cheap today, so you'll need to keep a closer eye on the pink version if you're chasing after that even cuter, pink aesthetic.

• View all Razer Kraken Kitty gaming headsets at Amazon
• View all Razer gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if you're not a cat person.

I really wanted to like Asus's last pro controller for Xbox. The Raikiri Pro had a lot of promise, which ended up amounting to a lot of style over substance. After not-so-favorable reviews all over, a full rework has now happened, and the Raikiri II has arrived seeking redemption. It's a tough old market to step into right now, though, because some of the best Xbox Series X controllers are offering a pretty conclusive package.

Thankfully, the folks at Asus seem to be on the ball, and their new officially licensed Xbox Series X controller is matching that. The charging case, the swappable parts, the wireless play on PC and Xbox; it's all here, and in fact, you can even get TMR thumbsticks in the Raikiri II, which not many other brands have offered yet. Weighing in at $189.99 / £199.99, there's a clever undercut happening here (at least in the US), which dodges the standard $200 price of the competition.

Not only has Asus managed to redeem itself from a lacklustre Raikri Pro a few years ago, but it's taken on one of the most popular controllers of the last few years, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, toe-to-toe. That's a mammoth task, but I have to admit that Asus has done an amazing job, and it's going to be very tricky to pick between these two pads going forward.

Design

My main take on the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro was that it was too much style over very little substance. While Asus hasn't completely abandoned the unique aesthetic its controller had, you can tell that a big focus with the Raikiri II has been refining the functionality of the device. Gone is that (fairly pointless) onboard display. Those edgy back buttons that were facing the wrong direction to actually be pressed are gone too. But the face of the controller still has finer details with "ROG" lettering framing the thumbsticks, D-pad, and facial buttons.

RGB is present along the borders of the grips and in the central logo, but none of it feels too overt. When you're holding the controller, it's actually pretty hard to notice the grips shining from under your palms.

Regardless, there are practical design elements that go hand-in-hand, showing that Asus has really gone back to the drawing board. The tiny USB wireless dongle has its own wee tray in the back of the controller - perfect so that no one loses it, but even better for people who are pairing this controller with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and need to take their pad on the go.

The thumbstick tops are swappable, but they have really defined rims, which means that it's easy to keep your thumbs on them. There's also a handy charging stand and carrying case, and the former fits in the latter. In fact, you can charge your controller in the case thanks to a handy passthrough USB-slot in its back.

Features

The best way I can describe the features of the Raikiri II is by talking about the design philosophy of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. That gamepad saw Razer taking microswitches from its Esports mice and putting them all over the controller. Face buttons, back buttons, bumpers, you name it, it all clicked in with the speediest of actuations, resulting in a gaming peripheral that feels bred for competitive play.

The Raikiri II emulates that feel to a tee, and overall, this controller feels very similar to play with. That said, the shape of the grips isn't so short and stubby - Asus has blessed us with longer, more cylindrical grips that accommodate your pinkies. There are four back buttons integrated onto the grips, but because there's more real estate, I'd argue these are actually placed more intuitively than on the Wolverine V3 Pro. Asus hasn't been afraid to put the bottom set further down the grips, which is actually ideal for using your ring fingers to press them.

I do have hesitations about how forgiving these clicky buttons are to use, which I'll come to shortly. Overall, the Raikiri Pro II is a very fast controller, and even its triggers can turn into microswitches if you use the trigger stop switches.

The other big thorn in Razer's paw is that the Raikiri Pro II has TMR thumbsticks. Both of Razer's Xbox Wolverine controllers are limited to Hall effect sticks, and even if its 8K polling PC-tilted version has TMR sticks, it substitutes rumbly feedback for them, leaving the controller feeling very stripped back. Asus hasn't compromised here, and even if its Raikiri II has a max polling rate of 1K, it's cheaper than the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro in the US, which makes for a very interesting match-up indeed. Yes, the V3 Pro has an additional set of bumpers, but if you're a bigger fan of back buttons, you probably won't get much use out of those anyway.

On top of the charging stand and case I mentioned in the design section, Asus also gives you two swappable thumbstick tops in the box, a USB cable, and some feet for the charging stand.

Performance

As you might expect, if I'm comparing the Raikiri II to the Wolverine V3 Pro, this is a pad that's going to work wonders for anyone who plays games competitively. Speedy microswitches mean quick and crisp button presses that register faster than a traditional membrane button. The downside of them, then, is feel.

A lot of the best PC controllers in the last few years have adopted microswitches, but they've tried to find workarounds for the lack of feel. None has done it better than the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited, which has face buttons with lightning-quick actuation, but they feel so light and cushioned that you'd be forgiven for thinking they were some kind of lovechild-hybrid. But even GameSir, with its budget-friendly microswitch buttons, like the ones on the GameSir G7 Pro, has added some cushioning to the switch to counter the unforgiving blow to your finger joints from using them for a while. Go too far, and they turn out spongy, but I haven't come across many instances of that in recent years.

Asus, for all their brilliance in undercutting Razer's microswitch buttons, has not provided what feels like any cushioning at all. To be completely fair, if it were trying to emulate Razer, I understand why there hasn't been an attempt for that. Razer's microswitch buttons don't feel very cushioned either, but I think that because Asus has combined tiny actuations with a really rigid plastic surface on the Raikiri II, playing longer sessions with it feels totally unforgiving on your hands.

On one hand, you want the speed this kind of controller can give you. Fighting games like Dragon Ball Sparking Zero never feel better than with one of these because it's dying for you to hammer in button-mashed combos, but on the other hand, if you plan to play longer sessions, please be careful for carpal tunnel and repetitive strain injuries. Even if the Raikiri II has a comfortable shape, those button actuations are anything but comfortable.

I definitely recommend playing around in the ArmoryCrate software if you invest in this controller. As annoying as that application can be on PC because it tries to run everything in your gaming PC, it'll allow you to customize the thumbsticks and deadzones of this device, which I found necessary. For a TMR controller, there were some unruly feeling deadzones and stick sensitivities out of the box, which infected my playtest of Hunt: Showdown and the six or so hours of Cairn I tried. TMR sticks should be the ultimate go-to for tiny corrections, but in either game, it was as though I was getting inconsistent results with the smallest of moves of the sticks.

Towerfall Acension gameplay was solid, and I was zipping around each level with ease, but I didn't feel quite as connected to the game as I did with something like the Flydigi Apex 5, which cuts down the line between responsiveness and feel. On a similar note, I'm an RGB fan, but it did feel like a bit of pointless battery wastage having lighting on the grips of this controller, where no user will see it. Thankfully, the central logo flashes red when wireless battery life is getting low, which is actually useful.

While I loved this controller for those speedier presses in multiplayer games, I'd caution against buying this controller if you predominantly plan to use it for single-player titles. It does add some light rumble to the mix, but this is pretty understated, and I'd recommend something else if you're mainly looking for an immersive feel.

One last gripe to get out of the way before I sum up is that I can't understand what Asus was thinking with the placement of its four menu buttons. There's a standard options and in-game menu button here, but also an Asus ROG button and a library button - neither of which are going to be the first port of call for the majority of players. For some reason, these Asus buttons are put in prime position, on top of the pause buttons? It does not feel natural or intuitive to reach for the pause buttons underneath these, and that's a continual bit of friction I've had in testing.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Raikiri 2?

The Asus ROG Raikiri II is a marked improvement over the Raikiri Pro, and it has a lot going for it. For its $189.99 price, it offers a lot of what Nacon, Razer, and other big names are offering for less money. It has TMR thumbsticks and a level of responsiveness that any competitive player will no doubt have an appetite for. There are also some lovely bits of practicality baked into the design, which really shows Asus has been willing to take a more user-friendly approach this time around.

But how far are you willing to go in pursuit of a speedy gamepad? While I love a controller that can keep up with mouse and keyboard configurations on PC, I do think a peripheral like this that costs over $150 should really have some singleplayer potential too, and I'm not sure this is one I'd grab out of my collection to play singleplayer or cozy games with.

How I tested the Asus ROG Raikiri II

I adopted the Asus ROG Raikiri II controller into my setup for over a week before this review was written. Like with all the controllers I review, I used it for all of my playtime during that time, living with the controller as though it were my own. I compared it closely with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and its variants, as well as other Xbox Series X controllers on the shelves right now.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

You can take a deeper dive into controllers by looking at the best PS5 controllers, best PS5 steering wheel, and best Xbox steering wheel.

Listen, I appreciate the Razer Blades as some of the best gaming laptops on the market right now, but battery is never a strong point. Now the brand wants you to use that precious juice to power its new wireless charging laptop sleeve, running two wireless charging spots from a USB-C connection to your rig.

The charmingly-named Razer Laptop Sleeve 16 with Wireless Charging for Devices comes in at a whopping $129.99, though if you don't need to keep your devices topped up there's also a charging-free version due to land later at $79.99. The main model supports wireless fast charging at up to 15W on one slot and 5W on another, with both Qi and MagSafe supported from the same pads.

What makes a laptop sleeve so special it costs $130 (other than the wireless charging, of course)?

In classic Sneki fashion, this is a matte black case with green stitching running down the side, a padded microfiber interior, and bumpered edges for extra protection. There's no easy way to say it, this is an incredibly expensive laptop sleeve. And its main feature still raises an eyebrow.

If you're using a Macbook or more battery-robust productivity laptop, that wireless charging feature is actually pretty solid. Simply throw the supplied USB-C cable into the side of your laptop and top up charges on two separate devices, neat. But you know Razer doesn't want you using this laptop sleeve with just any old machine, it's been primarily designed for the Razer Blade 16.

That's one of the best Razer laptops out there, but battery life isn't exactly its crowning achievement, giving up some of that juice to top up my phone is going to be a difficult decision if I'm out and about.

We're talking about relatively low battery drain for the sake of a 15W / 5W wireless charging pad here, but I've been working out of coffee shops and different offices for years now.

I know the stress of a low battery indicator without a plug point in sight. For those spending a few hours tapping away in lighter productivity tasks, this could well be an interesting investment, after all. That's no more cables in your bag, no more portable chargers to remember. Ultimately, though, spending $130 on a laptop sleeve is going to be tricky.

• See all Razer gadgets at Amazon

If you're after a slightly different flavor, check out the best Alienware laptops and the best Asus gaming laptops. Or cut that bag bulk even further with the best gaming handhelds.

Cut to January of 2025; it's CES time, and my jaw is just about on the floor. Razer has just revealed that it's launching a budget-friendly gaming chair. I thought that was some kind of (very) early April Fool's joke at the time. Razer's gaming chairs have always been great, but the thought of a budget-friendly one sounds a bit impossible for a brand known for "Razer tax".

But a little more than a year on, the Iskur V2 X is actually even better value than what I thought was a joke price. This chair hasn't seen its MSRP of $299 since before the start of the year, and although it enjoyed a prolonged period down at $249, it's sitting at $269.99 at Amazon currently. For a budget product from a premium brand, I didn't expect that we'd see discounts on this regularly, but with a prolonged absence of that $300 full price, it's becoming one of the easiest entry-level recommendations in the gaming chair market.

Sometimes, a bit of gaming hardware never sitting at its original price is a sign of poor sales, a dodgy product, or a troublesome market. Other times, like now, I think it has less to do with the quality of the product and how it's being received, and more to do with how the competition is faring. See, little did Razer know back in January of 2025, but AndaSeat was also launching a budget-friendly gaming chair that matched up very well against the Razer Iskur V2 X.

The AndaSeat Novice doesn't have the kind of marketing and exposure that a name like Razer does, but that brand's budget throne has a full price of $249 ($50 less than Razer's). It's also seen frequent discounts since launch, down to $229 at AndaSeat, like it is currently.

I'm not so sure Razer is basing its pricing solely on one brand's rival product, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's keeping its eye on competitors because these are both really worthwhile chairs for the money if you're a gamer looking for a new place to sit without splashing out big bucks for a flagship.

Whatever the reason, Razer's budget gaming chair asks even less of your wallet now than it did back then. If I were you, I'd enjoy that continued discount while it lasts because it was announced at CES this year that a new model of the V2 X will appear at some point with updated upholstery that will help to keep it cool as a refreshed version of the Iskur V2 also hits the shelves. That model will likely cling to its MSRP, and the current stock of original chairs will probably disappear.

For its budget price, the Razer Iskur V2 X lacks the adjustable lumbar support and floating backrest of the full-fat Razer Iskur V2, but it still has a lot of features worth considering versus budget brands' level of quality.

For a chair of this price, it has integrated lumbar support, which isn't all that common. No, you won't be able to adjust it, but it's built into the design of the seat as opposed to being an awkward and clunky cushion that doesn't really do as much as it promises.

Elsehwere, you'll get 2D armrests, generous recline for the money, and Razer's premium look and design work.

If you're looking to spruce up your gaming space, check out the best gaming desks, the best standing desks, and the best gaming PCs.