1. The quick list
2. Best for most
3. Best budget
4. Best for online
5. Best for PS5
6. Best for Xbox
7. Best for Switch
8. Best noise cancelling
9. Best earbuds
Whatever your platform, Razer headsets are some of the best in the business, and they'll serve you perfectly in 2023. That said, finding the right set of cups for you can be tricky. Razer splits its headsets across four main ranges, the PC-focused BlackShark, console-focused Kaira, multi-platform Barracuda, and immersion-focused Kraken. Across each of these ranges sits multiple iterations and models, pitching at different price points. That means the best entry level Razer headset could sit across any of these cups, as could the top contender overall.
That's why we've put all the latest Razer headsets to the test - living, working, and playing with each set of cups in order to rank our favorites for a variety of use-cases. We're not just listing the highest quality, most expensive cups on the market here, though. In order to get the best value for money possible, we're going all over the price range. That means you'll find our top budget and mid-range picks in here as well.
Razer produces some of the best gaming headsets on the market, whatever platform you're looking for, with a long and storied history in the industry. There's plenty of pedigree in this name, but not all releases are winners. You'll find the cups that are worth your time below.
The quick list
The best Razer headset for most
The Razer BlackShark V2 has been one of our favorite headsets overall for some time now, thanks to its excellent value and fantastic performance.
The best Razer headset for online play
The BlackShark V2 Pro packs an incredible microphone and excellent directional audio, making it a go-to for online play.
The best budget Razer headset
The Kraken has been a budget headset winner since it was first launched, and that still rings true today. You're not paying much for a lightweight, bass-first device with a great mic.
The best Razer headset for PS5
Between excellent haptics, that PlayStation aesthetic, and great sound, the Kaira Pro is our favorite Razer headset for PS5.
The best Razer headset for Xbox
Our top Xbox pick is the Microsoft version of the Kaira Pro. This was released just after the console but still impresses today.
The best Razer headset for Nintendo Switch
With a simple plug and play system but also plenty of connectivity options to aid your commute, the Barracuda X is excellent value for Nintendo Switch players.
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The best Razer headset with noise cancellation
There aren't many Razer headsets with noise cancellation, so while the hybrid ANC on offer here does impact audio it's our best pick of the lot.
The best Razer earbuds
With a premium feel, low-latency connection and excellent audio for gaming and music, these are some impressive buds.
The best Razer headset for most
In a very strong field, the released BlackShark V2 is the best Razer headset you can get now. It's one of the best, if not the best, Razer headset I have tested in, well, ever, and a very worthy inhabitant of this top spot.
The BlackShark V2 is comfortably one of the best headsets we've ever tested.
Razer BlackShark V2 review
With a new spin on the original BlackShark's design - from eight years ago - the V2 packs brand new tech, a lightweight design, and Razer quality and stylings into a great value, exquisite PC offering. Its design is lightweight and comfortable; its audio quality is seriously excellent thanks to brand new Titanium drivers; its microphone is one of the best I've ever used - and is brand new too; and through a companion app, it's got features and customization coming out of everywhere. The stars have really aligned with this headset and I can't wait to use it every time I sit down to play.
Teamed with the recently-released THX Spatial Audio app, and a whole new world of game audio, customization and refinement will be open to you, taking the already-excellent audio of the headset to greater heights. And with a price tag of $100, you get enormous value for money. If you have the budget and you want one of the best, this is it.
Read more: Razer BlackShark V2 review
The best Razer headset for online play
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro had a hefty refresh in 2023, and is now the best Razer headset for anyone looking to play online with chat. While the version we tested is locked to PS5 and PC use, the standout microphone, long-lasting battery life, and excellent comfort makes this a must-see for anyone playing competitively.
We'll kick off with the biggest feature here - that microphone. Razer has doubled the sampler rate from 16kHz to 32 in this year's refresh, which means a rich, velvety voice quality and super clear comms. Our teammates were incredibly impressed by the results, commenting that the mic itself was podcast worthy and it sounded like we were actually in the room with them. That's high praise, and solidified by our own listening to recordings - making this the best mic we've tested on a gaming headset yet.
Red Dead Redemption 2 was a joy. It might be the best audio experience in that world I’ve ever had.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review
The classic BlackShark aesthetic is maintained here, with a matte black finish to the helicopter pilot style form factor. Still, with memory foam cushions and a lighter weight, this is a particularly comfortable headset. We did notice the steel headband slipping slightly when first put on, but it stayed nicely in place during actual gameplay.
The BlackShark V2 Pro also excels when it comes to audio quality. These cups deftly handle everything from more competitive shooters (and all the directional audio they require) to older atmospheric single player experiences. This is a luxury audio quality, with punchy gunfire, a wide soundstage for spookier echoes and creaks, and plenty of attention paid to locating enemies. You'll be doing all that for up to 70 hours at a time as well, thanks to that boosted battery life. Perhaps our favorite element of this audio, though, is that Synapse EQ settings can be stored on the headset's onboard memory. That means you can keep your presets for PS5 as well as PC - a true rarity.
Read more: Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review
The best budget Razer headset
This iteration of the Razer Kraken is a very competent and comfortable headset that will serve you whatever you use it for
Razer Kraken review
There's a reason the Razer Kraken is the latest iteration of Razer's famous and popular headset. It offers great sound at great value, and can be used across a wide variety of devices. This popular Razer headset is lightweight and despite the large earcups, you can wear them comfortably for long gaming sessions. Sound-wise, the mid-range is a bit muddy, but the bass packs a punch. The fully retractable, unidirectional microphone allows for clear voice chat, and you can even choose between oval or circular ear cushions. If you're looking for a Razer headset under £100/ $100 that still performs, this is it. There's even a stripped back version of the Kraken called the Kraken X which keeps a lot of what is good about the headset, slightly repackaged into a cheaper pair.
Read more: Razer Kraken review
The best Razer headset for PS5
If you're looking for the best Razer headset for PS5 to pair with your new-gen console, then the Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation is the easiest recommendation to make.
The rumble of gunfire is particularly immersive, and when you turn the haptics up to their full power, it really is something else to behold.
Razer Kaira Pro review
The headset shares a lot with the Kaira range generally that we saw rolled out for Xbox prior to the PlayStation range, and, as a result, looks similar, while maintaining a white and black colourway to match the console. One of the biggest selling points to us, however, is the inclusion of Razer's newest haptic feedback tech. The inclusion of this blew us away in our testing and makes this Razer headset stand out as a set that will add and enhance immersion.
The haptics only requires the existence of audio frequency to work which is impressive, but we found the one drawback wit this to be that your teammates and friends speaking to you will also set them off which is a little annoying - perhaps the next generation of haptics will be able to tell between in-game audio to enhance and chat audio to ignore...
But when the haptics in the Kaira Pro teamed up with a DualSense, our gaming experience was taken to a different place and made for a truly exciting ride and immersive experience (you can turn them off if that's not your bag). Then you'll 'just' be treated to the Kaira Pro's excellent audio quality that really does a brilliant job from the deepest of booms to the highest-pitch notes.
We found that the mic could be better despite extensive testing with my friends saying I was a bit tinny and thin sounding, but this isn't too much of a detractor on what is an exceptional PS5 wireless headset.
Read more: Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation review
The best Razer headset for Xbox
The Razer Kaira Pro for Xbox came out well before its PlayStation equivalent, so it hit that original console launch window a lot better. However, it still holds out today as the best Razer headset for Xbox Series X / S or even Xbox One players. Many of Razer's gaming headsets have targeted the Microsoft console directly, but this is the latest and greatest.
The Razer Kaira Pro is a headset that strides into the Xbox Series X console generation and throws down a gauntlet.
Razer Kaira Pro review
We noted how flexibility between console and mobile gaming sits at the fore here. As an Xbox Series X headset, the Razer Kaira Pro has to satisfy both markets after all. That means the portable form factor, Bluetooth 5.0 connection options, and built-in microphone make this the perfect go-between for all your Game Pass needs. An onboard dial also handles chat mix balancing for you as well. Of course an additional detachable mic is also included for those hardcore console sessions.
That Xbox black and green colorway immediately pit the Razer Kaira Pro in Microsoft's territory, but the matte black plastic and subtle green accents steer it away from a garish accessory. In the hand, we noted the premium feel of the materials used - especially the Flowknit memory foam cushioning.
The actual audio is rich and well-rounded, with those 50mm drivers balancing lows, mids, and highs particularly well. Not only that, but the surround sound is also notably improved over previous direct-for-Xbox headsets. We were able to pinpoint attacks flying past us in Outriders and enjoyed the swirling winds of Destiny 2 in 3D. We did notice some odd crackles every so often during our testing, which may cause some concern for the longevity of that audio, though.
While it may not be obvious to anyone who hasn't used a Razer headset before, the Kaira Pro is also compatible with free Razer software direct on the Xbox itself. Here you can tweak your EQ settings and make use of preset profiles for certain genres.
Read more: Razer Kaira Pro for Xbox review
The best Razer headset for Nintendo Switch
The Razer Barracuda X is not just the best Razer headset for the Switch, but it's the best Nintendo Switch headset for most people overall as well. That's because of its simple plug and play design, and no-fuss audio quality. If you're after a portable set of cups that won't break the bank, this is certainly where you need to be looking.
With added Bluetooth support, longer battery life, and commuter-friendly on-headset controls, the new release takes an old favorite and brings it up to date.
Razer Barracuda X review
Why Nintendo Switch specifically? The Razer Barracuda X just handles the intricate melodies of Nintendo's titles and the flexibility needs of its on-the-go design particularly well. While compatible across PlayStation and PC as well, the Barracuda X feels most at home slung in a backpack with your hybrid console. Simply slot the USB-C 2.4GHz receiver into the bottom of your handheld or slot it into the dock to use during big-screen play. This is a versatile headset that doesn't force EQ or RGB features into its price tag (though the former is still available via the Razer Audio app), it offers up excellent sound quality and a long battery life without any additional fuss.
That means you're not spending any extra cash on features you won't want or use, making more room for high-end audio at a lower mid-range price point.
Read more: Razer Barracuda X 2022 review
The best Razer headset for noise cancelling
If you've got a healthy budget and are looking for a premium headset that can do it all, then the Razer Barracuda Pro could well be for you. It channels all that makes Razer headsets great, first and foremost with a high grade of gaming audio. This can still be tinkered with to your heart's content with Synapse of course, but it covers all the bases for all media - particularly good as it's prime for use as a mobile and on-the-go headset.
This is a great do-it-all headset that could be some people's singular solution to gaming and media audio across all their devices.
Razer Barracuda Pro review
The design and build are robust and you can have confidence slinging the Barracuda Pro on no matter your platform, situation, or whereabouts, and while the built-in microphones are just 'OK', I've used this headset almost every day and haven't had any meaningful trouble - they just struggle a bit in gaming scenarios. But, equally, that's the tradeoff you get when ditching a boom mic for built-in ones.
Another slight weakness is the ANC capability which changes the audio experience a bit too much for our liking but is serviceable for a commute's worth of play. It's also more expensive than the wonderful BlackShark V2 Pro which is a fabulous wireless headset that can offer serious value in the face of the BArracuda Pro. However, if you are really looking for a boom-mic-less, do-it-all, multi-platform headset, then this Razer headset is definitely worth a look - and certainly whenever it receives a price cut.
Read more: Razer Barracuda Pro review
The best Razer earbuds
The new Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeeds combine premium features like active noise cancellation, both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, and a relatively strong battery life compared to the rest of the gaming earbud market. That's all packaged in a fair $149.99 / £149.99 price tag - and considering these buds perform just as well for music as they do games, that's excellent value.
It's an aesthetic that will easily tie the Hammerheads into any PS5 setup, and look good while doing so.
Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed review
With a luxury look and feel, complete with matte grey PlayStation-style charging case, these are some pretty buds. The stems are a little longer than you'll find on other earbuds (and we found the tap gestures to be a little hit and miss), but overall the build quality is excellent here. A small RGB logo on the side of each piece keeps things decidedly Razer as well.
The choice between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth means these are particularly versatile to boot. Whether you choose the Xbox or the PlayStation version, you're covered for Nintendo Switch, iPhone, Android, and PC. Two low-latency connection modes ensure that you're always at your best.
You've even got a suite of EQ and tap gesture settings controls, available in the Razer Audio app. While this isn't as in-depth as the full-fat Razer Synapse software, it's a handy tool for setting up the right soundstage. If you'd prefer not to tinker there's good news as well. We found the audio quality to be particularly bold straight out of the box. Between rich dialogue and full-bodied soundtracks, there was plenty to love across everything from Pokemon on Switch to The Last of Us on PS5.
Read more: Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed review
Best Razer headset: FAQ
What is the best Razer headset?
The best Razer headset is the BlackShark V2 right now. It's an excellent all-in-one headset for a range of platforms, that doesn't break the top end of the price range. However, if you are looking to spend a little less we'd recommend checking out the Razer Kraken for a budget-friendly alternative.
What is the latest Razer headset?
The latest Razer headset is the 2023 Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, launched in May. Razer does release its headsets in a few ranges, though - BlackShark, Kraken, Barracuda, and Kaira. You'll find the latest in each of these lines below.
BlackShark - Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (May 2023)
Kraken - Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense (October 2021)
Barracuda - Razer Barracuda Pro (May 2022)
Kaira - Razer Kaira X for PlayStation (September 2021)
Are Razer headsets worth it?
Razer headsets come with a pedigree and, yes, they are sometimes more expensive than their counterparts. However, there are plenty of budget-minded releases on the shelves right now, some of which offer the best value of the pack. Razer does offer excellent audio quality and a commendable plug and play approach that will see you through a wide variety of platforms and genres. While the top end of the price scale is more pressured by the competition offering different features at the same cost, or slightly less, the brand's entry level headsets can trade blows with their shelf-mates.
If you're looking for rundowns of some other top brands' headsets, then check out our guides to Turtle Beach headsets, and Sennheiser gaming headsets.
