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.

I have not been blessed with one of the best gaming chairs for the last few years. Instead, I've been making do with a $100 Amazon-job with ripped armrests, a flat cushion, and a seat base that was far, far too wide. After a few too many evenings with aching across my shoulders, I realized my posture needed to change fast, and the cradle I was sitting in for hours every day wasn't going to help matters.

Here's my problem. When I have too much space to sit on a chair, I tend to cross my legs and squish - frog style. If the backrest doesn't support my slightly-forward posture, I naturally make things worse by hunching and crunching my neck. In other words, I'm a chiropractor's dream and worst nightmare. That's why I knew I needed a gaming chair with a floating backrest. Enter the Autofull M6 Ultra.

Gaming chairs are great and all, but they're generally made for a wider, taller body type. That leaves me with an empty space behind me that forces my shoulders to hunch as I type. If that's a familiar sensation, I'd seriously recommend looking into a gaming chair with a floating backrest.

Since I've completed my Autofull M6 Ultra 2.0 review, I've noticed myself relaxing back into the lumbar cushion a lot more than usual. The lumbar support of my old gaming chair never quite hit my actual back, forcing me forwards a lot more. Being able to pull that cushion outwards means I can still keep my cross-legged ways while holding my shoulders level and my spine straight. The 'floating' part also means that the rest follows me as I move. When I'm a proper grown-up, with my feet on the ground, everything is aligned just right.

It's not just Autofull playing in this space, either. The GamesRadar+ team isn't left wanting for gaming chairs with floating back rests. There are three more that we recommend on the daily.

Eureka Ergonomic Python II

The Eureka Ergonomic Python II comes in considerably cheaper than the Autofull M6 Ultra II, but still offers a floating backrest with dynamic lumbar support. While it's not quite as adjustable as Autofull's fully retractable system or Razer's rollable dials, you're still getting extra roaming support for your back.

I wouldn't recommend this model to those having the same issue as me. If you're too small for your gaming chair, I'd still opt for a set of cushions with a floating back that can push out into the seat depth. However, if it's the dynamic movement you're after, this is the best value on the market right now.

A fabric design keeps those temperatures down, and Duncan loved the comfort on offer in our Eureka Ergonomic Python II review. Just be warned that there's no headrest here, and those arm supports look a little backwards.

Autofull G7

The Autofull G7 offers a different take on the floating back support of the M6 Ultra. This is a full mesh chair for ultimate breathability, but it offers a lumbar belt across the lower back that cradles rather than pushes as you sit. It's a spring-loaded system designed to follow your back around while still providing additional customization in the way its sides fold out and how far up the chair it sits. There's no option to push the lumbar support further into the depth of the chair, though.

In our Autofull G7 review, Duncan was particularly appreciative of that seemingly endless adjustability, with fantastic arm rests (and plenty of action in them) and general ergonomics throughout. The G7 also manages two rare feats; it offers an actually comfortable mesh seat base and garnered praise for its footrest (that's difficult to do).

Razer Iskur V2

The Razer Iskur V2 has a spec sheet that reads like an older version of the Autofull M6 Ultra 2.0, just without the heating and cooling features. The V2 benefits from a similar adjustable lumbar support system, complete with a scroll dial on the side, that can move up, down, as well as inward and outward. That means you're still getting that floating back support when sitting forward in the chair.

Ben took on our Razer Iskur V2 review and still uses this set of cushions to this day. Yes, it's a little more expensive than the competition; that's Razer tax for you. Its premium build and subtle design have helped it stay afloat against the rest of the market, though.

It's worth noting that you lose the additional headrest adjustment of the Autofull M6 Ultra here. This noggin cushion is simply strapped onto the back.

Should you buy a gaming chair with a floating back rest?

It should be obvious by now that my personal recommendation for anyone with a smaller body type would be to opt for a floating back rest. In the last few months, I've noticed how the empty space previously sitting between myself and my chair forced me into unnatural and spinally horrendous positions. Since being able to keep my lower back firmly in place, I'm fidgeting less and noticing less of a strain across my shoulders and neck.

Aside from my personal experience, though, gaming chairs with floating back rests provide greater ergonomic support for your whole body. Every time you move out of the optimal position in a regular gaming chair, you're essentially asking different parts of your body to take an unnatural strain. When your chair can adjust to meet you where you're sitting, while dynamically moving with you as you shift, that stress is removed.

• See all gaming chairs at Amazon

We're also hunting down all the best console gaming chairs and the best pink gaming chairs for those after something a little brighter. Or, check out the best gaming desks for a full setup refresh.

OLED gaming laptops were once reserved for those with exponential budgets in their back pockets, but something changed last year. Machines available for as little as $1,299 started proudly sporting these high-contrast displays, running affordable mid-range or even entry level components while still offering panels only the best gaming laptops could have dreamed of a few years ago. These days, it's easy to find an OLED gaming laptop for well under $1,500, but two options stand taller than the rest right now.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI are both available for between $1,100 and $1,500 with an RTX 5060 graphics card, offering some of the best bang-for-buck value on the market, especially if you can't part with that premium display.

The OLED gaming laptops to watch in 2026

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10

I can't tell you how many times I've spotted the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 slimming down its price point and rushed to get a story out. Even at full price, this machine represents exceptional value for anyone after a high-contrast display. Where does it fall short? Well, its panel throws up considerably more glare than the two more expensive options on this list. If you're used to playing in a daylit room, you may well struggle with darker scenes. It certainly comes to life when the sun goes down, though.

Configurable up to an RTX 5070, I tested an RTX 5060 version and came away impressed with its FHD performance in both lighter and more demanding games. Yes, you'll need to employ a few DLSS tricks or dial some sliders back for full 60fps in heavier titles, but that's the norm for a GPU of this class.

This is the best value gaming laptop I've tested so far for a reason, and it's currently the cheapest machine I recommend with an OLED display.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI

In the middle we have the Acer Predator Helios Neo. This is a slightly more expensive model, but it compliments that higher price tag with an RTX 5070 Ti configuration option, a far less glossy display, and a slick design. I tested that top-end version, so my benchmarks will run a little high compared to the RTX 5060 configuration we're talking about today. Still, there are some translatable findings.

The Helios I tested managed to keep pace with far more expensive rigs, giving the admittedly slimmer Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 and its RTX 5080 GPU something to think about, while beating the chunkier Asus ROG Strix G16.

The crown jewel is that OLED panel, though. These machines start at around $1,600 at full price, $400-odd more than the Lenovo Legion 5 above. Both rigs offer excellent contrast and colors, but the Predator fares better in higher lighting conditions as well.

Do you need an OLED gaming laptop?

These two OLED gaming laptops are certainly cheaper than the rest of the market, but it's still only worth grabbing a high-contrast display if you know you'll make use of it. That's why you don't typically see too many 18-inch devices running these kinds of displays.

If you're buying a gaming laptop only to hook it up to an external display, there's no reason to invest so much in the panel. In that case I'd prioritize port speed, Thunderbolt 5, and a chunkier chassis for better performance. Dropping back down to an IPS display could well leave space in your budget to climb up a GPU class, offering far better returns when connected to one of the best gaming monitors.

Having spent the last year getting my hands on all the latest OLED gaming laptops, though, I'd generally recommend most players shoot for a high-contrast display. The difference in color handling and overall clarity is undeniable - just one look at the best Alienware laptops (a brand that hasn't quite jumped on the OLED bandwagon just yet) shows how much you can spend on an inferior screen.

I upgraded to an OLED Razer Blade 14 last year and haven't looked back.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops. Or, for something more portable check out the best gaming handhelds on the market. If you need the full tower power, take a look at the best gaming PCs we've been testing.

Razer's running another of its super limited hardware drops in just two days time, and this time it's the Huntsman keyboard getting the premium treatment. The Razer Huntsman Signature Edition has been CNC milled from 6063 anodized aluminum and polished off with PVD finishing. Throw in the brand's analog switches, a set of PBT keycaps, and sound dampening internals, slap a serialized stamp on the side and you've got yourself a Signature Edition. Oh yeah, it also costs $499.99 / £499.99.

You'll need to be a serious fan of the Huntsman line to take a place in line when the 1,337 available units start dropping at 8am PT on February 22. I can see why you would be, they're some of the best gaming keyboards on the market, especially if you're after analog customizable switches. $500 though? This is a showpiece rather than a full release.

Still, it's fun to see what Sneki's been cooking up for its 1,300-odd most loyal fans.

For your $500, the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition is constructed from the brand's favorite hard-wearing CNC aluminum before being finished with a process known as Physical Vapor Deposition. It's a coating system that essentially vaporizes the top layer of a metalic surface before fusing a concoction of chemicals to the surface to boost durability and bragging rights.

Razer wants its final hand-polishing stage to create "a mirror-like sheen" over the exposed surfaces and, looking at images released alongside the announcement, it looks like it's succeeded. That is one shiny surface.

Of course, you're also getting all the staples of the Huntsman line here, including those Razer Analog Optical Switches Gen-2. These are some of my favorite adjustable clickers, with a slick joystick mode and a comfortable dual-step actuation that makes for a gameplay experience as simple or complex as you need. You don't need to spend $500 on a premium chassis to get that, though. In fact, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini is one of the best decks of all time and comes in at $133.19 at Amazon right now.

The Razer Huntsman Signature Edition isn't a serious gaming keyboard, it's a fun costume change, a confetti canon for the hardcore Sneki-heads. Still, if you've got the cash to burn and you want a statement piece, those 1,337 units are likely to move fairly fast so it's worth sticking around Razer on February 22.

• See all Razer keyboards at Amazon

I'm also rounding up all the best membrane keyboards on the market as well as the best wireless gaming keyboards. For something more mechanical, though, check out the best hot-swappable keyboards I've tested.

Pokemon's 30th anniversary kicks off on February 27. The biggest gaming accessory brands have yet to announce anything new to mark the occasion, but you can already pick up Razer's Pokemon Edition Kraken V4 X wired headset to celebrate. The pair is plastered with the adorable faces of Pikachu and Kanto starters Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, and is down to a record low just in time for the big 3-0.

At Amazon's Woot, you can grab the Poke-pair for $69.99 (Woot), which marks the lowest price I've seen it at yet. Even at Amazon's own US storefront, the gaming headset is only as low as $80.99, and that's the cheapest it's ever been. As a wired pair, it's not the most premium headset around, but licensed tech tends to be pricier than the rest, so any cash off is a saving worth catching for Pokemon fans.

Should you buy the Pokemon Edition Razer Kraken V4 X wired gaming headset?

If you're a huge Pokemon fan, this version of the Kraken V3 X is a valid choice. It's not the best-looking Pokemon accessory Razer has put out, as that award would go to the Gengar Edition Kraken Kitty V2 headset, which you can pick up for $139.99 at Razer US right now. But I appreciate that not everyone has the budget for a $140 headset, nor the urge to don a pair of large, purple ears on their head.

This is definitely a better option for those who want to show off their 30-year love of the franchise in a more subtle way. The yellow and black color palette gives off Pikachu vibes without calling too much attention to it. Personally, I prefer my officially licensed accessories to look obnoxiously in your face, but that's just me.

This is a wired headset, so you'd have to make do with the lack of Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless support. If that's a deal breaker, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma and its $109.99 (Amazon US) price might be more your speed. Yet, with a simple 3.5mm wired connection, it does make the V4 X compatible with the Switch 2, so you can play Pokemon Legends Z-A and other games in the serieswith the official Pokemon product, which is optimally nerdy in the best possible way.

With any licensed tech, you typically pay more for the use of official imagery and art. But with this $30 off deal, it brings the price of this Poke-pair down from its full $99.99 MSRP to match that of Razer's non-flashy wired options, making it a no-brainer for Pokemon fans on a budget.

• View all gaming deals at Woot
• View all Razer Pokemon gaming accessories at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if this wired Razer pair isn't for you.

Razer has jumped on the web-tool bandwagon this week, releasing a beta for its Synapse Web customizer. Except it's been all but a smooth rollout.

The tool is currently compatible with three Razer Huntsman decks, including one of the best gaming keyboards on the web, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Mini. Alongside the V3 Pro 8K and V3 Pro TKL 8K, the Huntsman should be fully configurable through your web browser. If it could load.

I dug out my Huntsman V3 Pro Mini to take the beta out for a test drive and was reassured when the browser spotted the keyboard immediately. Actually loading the configurator tool proved too much, though, and it actually cut communication with my Corsair wireless mouse as well.

That was my first clue that something wasn't quite right. For now, at least, it looks like the Synapse Web tool can only run when no other configurators are alive in the system tray. Quitting out of everything else granted me entry.

It's early days yet; Razer has plenty of time to get its Synapse Web tool right, and when it does, it will be a weight off its hardware's shoulders. This has always been a heavy, clunky piece of software, but at the same time, I generally find more features included compared to the rest of the market.

The brand tried to streamline efforts in recent times with Synapse 4, but the software still suffers from convoluted firmware update processes, strange crashes, and interference with other programs. I've managed to get Synapse Web running, and it's looking pretty sweet inside. It carries over the core functionality of the standalone software, but still has some fancy extras.

The Huntsman's analog switches are all supported by actuation and rapid trigger settings, as well as your standard RGB fare.

The move comes after years of competitors taking their dedicated configurators to the web. Corsair and Keychron are leading the way here, with the former's Web Hub offering a particularly expansive selection of tools for everything from the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 to the Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight.

While most programs don't hurt your CPU usage too much these days, they are annoying to keep on your system - and even harder to justify when they constantly hibernate in the system tray. Having multiple accessories by multiple brands compounds the problem. Hopefully, Razer's role in the solution is fixed sooner rather than later.

For now, you can test out Razer's Synapse Web tool beta at synapse.razer.com/dashboard.

• See all Razer keyboard deals at Amazon

I'm rounding up all the best Razer keyboards on the market, as well as the best wireless gaming keyboards and the best hot-swappable keyboards available.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, one of the most popular and influential controllers of the last few years, has just taken a sizeable discount at Amazon. If you're an Xbox fan looking for a new gamepad, I'd recommend you take note, but it's PC players I want to really point toward this deal. I've seen a lot of gamers shopping for a new PC controller lately, and they think the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K for PC is the better option for them.

I've played with both versions extensively, and while I think they're both great in their own right, I'd rather spend my money on the original. In total truth, there isn't much separating these controllers, so when one is discounted things should be a no-brainer. Originally down from its $199.99 full price to $169, the Wolverine V3 Pro has now dropped even further to $140 at Amazon, which is a pretty deep discount for a random week at the end of January.

Let's back up though, because some folks might not even realize that there are multiple versions of Razer's flagship controller. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro launched in late 2024, and in my opinion, it's the best Xbox Series X controller the brand has ever produced. Razer seems to know that it's onto a winner as well, because it's reshaped its entire controller range around the V3 Pro's design.

Shortly after, a more affordable Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Tournament Edition was released, which took away wireless support, swappable parts, and a carry case in return for a more affordable price. Then, Razer launched the Kishi V3 line, a range of mobile controllers that emulate the super speedy microswitch design of the Wolverine V3 Pro. Then came the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, a PlayStation version with symmetrical sticks, and alongside it, a PC version that takes away the official Xbox licensing and adds TMR thumbsticks and an 8K polling rate.

But here's the rub; most players don't need, and will never notice an 8K polling rate versus the 1K polling rate of the original. As an enthusiast, I can appreciate that the 8K PC version will be able to fully tap into the TMR technology inside its thumbsticks, moreso than any other TMR controller right now. But since I have the reflexes of an adult, human male, that makes very little tangible difference to the way I play games, competitively or otherwise.

We're talking about impercievably quick differences in the responsiveness of controllers, and keep in mind that the Xbox Series X has a maximum polling rate of 250Hz for accessories - and no one notices any latency on that platform.

I also think that the 8K polling rate makes a sacrifice that flies in the face of the original Wolverine V3 Pro's versatility and premium build quality. In an attempt to make it more lightweight, or perhaps due to a side effect of taking away the Xbox licensing, the 8K PC Wolverine V3 Pro loses its rumble and feedback. Some players won't mind this, because rumble and haptics can be distracting, but I think it's a really great feature to have for single-player adventures - a gamepad this pricey shouldn't just be for competitive games, you should look to get your money's worth in other genres.

The 8K version removing feedback doesn't just strip out a feature; it makes the entire controller a lot more lightweight and flies in the face of its $200 price tag. Those snappy mouse switch buttons don't feel as robust and premium; they feel more hollowed-out and the whole product lacks a substantial heft.

The right controller for you is going to come down to a number of factors, but personally, I'd recommend getting the original Razer Wolverine V3 Pro while it's discounted if you were torn between it and its 8K PC-designed sibling.

I don't think many players will actually benefit from the 8K polling rate, but I think most gamers will notice the lack of a premium feel and they'll miss the vibrating feedback that you should really expect from a controller this pricey. Most pro pads with rumble motors or haptics give you the option of turning them off, but you don't have that option in a controller without those motors in the grips.

Looking to dive deeper? Take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox steering wheels, and the best mobile controllers.

Razer has just unveiled that it's teaming up with K-pop group Blackpink to release a range of PC gaming accessories, and suddenly, I wish I were a stan. The line features a range of existing peripherals that are draped out in a stunning pink colorway, which Razer states is inspired by the group's "concert visuals and performance energy."

Just like Razer's past collaborations, it's not the best gaming chair, keyboard, and mouse that has been given the limited edition treatment. Instead, it's the brand's more budget-friendly accessories, from the Razer Enki X chair to the Razer Ornata V3 TKL keyboard, that have been given a Blackpink coat of paint, which should it maike it more accessible to fans. Yet while the new Blackpink x Razer collection includes just about everything you'd need to turn your PC setup into a Blackpink shrine, it's missing one fundamental thing - where's the gaming headset?

Past Razer collaborations, like the Razer x Gengar Collection, which launched late last year, included a gaming headset, so it's extra strange that it's missing from this upcoming lineup. Blackpink is one, if not the biggest K-pop group in the world, and according to Forbes, the group's track "Jump" just earned a Gold Certification, meaning that it's sold over half a million units in the US. Yet, this new collection doesn't include a gaming headset to allow fans (also known as 'Blinks') to actually listen to their tracks.

Instead, it includes a Razer Enki X Blackpink Edition chair, which comes equipped with a 100-degree extended shoulder arch and an ultra-wide seat base. It's usual all-black look has been replaced with pink accents, and the K-pop group's logo on the back. The chair matches the Razer Ornata V3 TKL - Blackpink Edition gaming keyboard, which has also been given a makeover for all the Blinks out there.

The entire board is now pink, including the wrist rest, which has the Blackpink and Deadline logos on each corner. While I had the track Jump on repeat for a big chunk of 2025, I wish I was abig K-pop fan to merit grabbing the keyboard, as it'd tie nicely into the pink theming of my office. As would the Razer DeathAdder Essential - Blackpink Edition gaming mouse, which is also part of the collection.

The wired mouse features a 6,400 DPI optical sensor and 5 programmable buttons, and the same black and pink design. This time, the 'Deadline' logo is subtly printed on the left-click; meanwhile, the palmrest is playing host to the Razer and group's logos.

While a gaming headset has been omitted from the upcoming collection, there is a matching Razer Gigantus V2 Blackpink Edition mouse mat to tie everything together. As you can imagine from the rest of the set, it's essentially just a pink mouse mat with the Razer and Blackpink logos printed on the textured micro-weave cloth surface.

The entire Blackpink Collection will debut on January 21 later this month at the Blackpink World Tour Deadline Pop-Up Store in Hong Kong. If you can't be there, you'll be happy to know that it'll launch during Q2 later in the year, but pricing details are still hush-hush for now. However, before you jump to action to grab them in the months ahead, be wary that the Razer peripherals will likely be a bit pricier than their non-Blackpink designs to account for any licensing fees it took to put this collaboration together.

• View all Razer gaming accessories at Amazon
• View all PC gaming accessories at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, best SSDs for gaming, and the best gaming PC if your setup could use a boost.

If you're trying to build a cute and cozy PC gaming setup in 2026, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro should be on your radar. Its customizable cat ears make the V3 Pro easily one of the most adorable headsets out there, but its full $179.99 MSRP is not ideal if you're trying to keep your collective costs as low as possible.

That's why I'm glad I spotted the pair of cups for $160 at Amazon today, a whole $19 cheaper than its full price. A saving of almost $20 off the gaming headset might not seem worthwhile, but its new deal price aligns it more with other mid-range options that share a lot of its features, which include its tri-mode connectivity, 40 mm Razer TriForce Titanium audio drivers, and up to 70-hour battery life. Of course, if you ask me, those Chroma-powered RGB ears are worth a little markup in price, but this is a self-described crazy cat lady talking.

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

If you've been clawing at the Razer Kitty headset line but are unsure which one to grab, make it the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro. This release marked the first in the entire catalog to finally incorporate 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, which is far more reliable and latency-free than the Bluetooth-only versions that came before it.

Of course, the older versions are going to cost you considerably less with or without this current deal at Amazon. Anyone that's budget-conscious could pick up the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT instead, which is down to just $89.99 (Amazon), but you will be giving up not just the use of a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, but the longer battery life of the V3 Pro to boot.

If you've got the cash to spare, the Kitty V3 Pro is the most feature-full of the lot. It's equipped with wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz options, which makes it compatible with a wide range of platforms, from your gaming PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and more. While testing it for review, I played it predominantly on my PC, where I was able to customize the RGB ears to be reactive to each time I chatted to friends via the built-in proximity chat in the indie game Repo, and the results were hilarious. Nothing better off-sets the fear of being hunted down in creepy mansion maps than seeing my room light up pink each time I scream for help.

The ears are undoubtedly the best thing about the headset, and they look even better in person than they do in the images I've shared above. You can tailor the ears to any static color of your choosing via Razer Synapse or pick from a range of lighting effects. What cemented my love of them was that, as they're Chroma powered, I was able to sync them up with the Razer Leviathan V2 X soundbar, making my work-in-progress, cute gaming office look far more the part than ever before.

Annoyingly, having the light on can be a serious battery drain. You get up to 70 hours without them and only 30 hours otherwise. Ideally, for a headset that's typically closer to the $200 mark, I would have preferred a bit more juice, but I still got multiple hours (and days' worth) of Repo without charging being an issue.

Whether you're after a cute new PC headset for gaming or have been dreaming of finally owning a pair of cups with RGB cat ears on them, I'd wholeheartedly recommend grabbing the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro while it sits at its current record low price. These cutely designed headsets are known to come with higher price points, so any record-low is worth jumping on while you can.

• Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro - Black | $179.99 at Best Buy
• View all Razer gaming headsets at Amazon

If you're not a cat person, I've also rounded up all the best PS5 headsets, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets that still look as good as they sound.

Asus, Lenovo, MSI, and Alienware have all packed up the gaming laptops they've been displaying on the CES showfloor all week, but some machines have been suspiciously absent. The Razer Blade wasn't featured once at CES 2026, in either its 14-inch, 16-inch, or 18-inch form factor.

That's a bizarre twist. Vegas's January show is normally the gunshot at the start of the race, the CES showfloor acting as a starting line for the best gaming laptops of the year before they make their way to the shelves in the spring. And yet Razer's still in the locker room.

While the 2025 Razer Blade 16 was one of the more impressive machines from my personal testing pool, it didn't have an easy ride last year. Criticisms emerged in the summer, citing hardware faults around the trackpad and bugs continuing throughout Synapse software. Combine that with reports of poor customer service, and the tides started to turn against Sneki online.

If there was one year for Razer to miss it's going to be this one. Every few years we have a CES like this. No new GPUs to play with, incremental CPU upgrades, and no room for major chassis adjustments. You can see it across the new Zephyrus G14 and G16 from Asus and MSI's new Raider and Stealth lineup. These aren't massive updates, they're just new processors and slightly more power.

Only Lenovo's Legion Pro Rollable and the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo did anything particularly novel, experimenting with displays in new and thought-provoking ways. Alienware had a big OLED reveal, but it's still only playing catch-up.

It's easy to see why Razer wouldn't make a big song and dance about incremental upgrades in its 2026 machines, but to not even show them in the desert? That's a concerning bucking of the trend.

There are two possibilities here.

The first is 2026 won't see any new Razer laptops. That's hard to believe, but there's a thin string of logic to the theory. New machines need to balance their price tags with existing rigs, after all. Last year's roster of gaming laptops might be slightly weaker in the CPU department, but age brings price drops and value could well be on the side of previous generation rigs this year. Add in rising component prices and RAM shortages, and Razer might be facing an impossible MSRP that would undervalue its existing range too much.

That's highly unlikely, though. Sneki isn't giving his whole laptop department the year off. I'm expecting to see more from the Razer Blade army in the next few months, potentially launching via an event run by the brand itself. So they might just not be ready yet, or Razer wanted to focus on something else this year.

No prizes for guessing what that 'something else' is.

Razer didn't let up on its AI tools this year. Alongside its Project Ava copilot and AI development toys, the brand had a machine-learning headset and an entire AI development workstation on show at CES. 2026's show was unashamedly AI-focused, but Razer seems to have leaned in harder than most - potentially at the expense of its hardware.

Whatever the reasons, we didn't get a look at the new generation of Razer Blade gaming laptops at CES 2026. These are some of my favorite machines on the market, but last year's heat could have made the ground unsteady.

While I'm happy that Razer is experimenting with new ideas, developing on previous concepts, and exploring new areas, the love I have for these slimline form factors is fuelling concern. It's all eyes on Sneki for a sneak peek of its new luxury toys over the next few months and hey, if Razer wants the extra time to iron out its issues they can take it.

• See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy

I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops. Or, for a change in form factor, check out the best gaming handhelds on the market.

Razer has announced a refresh of its flagship gaming chair at CES 2026 today. The aptly named Razer Iskur V2 "NewGen" carries over the same design philosophy, dynamic lumbar support system, and signature Razer look, but updates what is one of our favorite gaming chairs with a few new perks.

Namely, the NewGen model will now feature more breathable Gen-2 EPU leather with CoolTouch technology. Perhaps a less niche update is that the chair will now come in more colorways, which will let you match it to your setup. There's the classic Black and Green, a plain Black option, Quarts (a grey/white model), and a pink one.

Razer also says it's upgrading the NewGen Razer Iskur V2 with Dual-Density Cold-Cured Foam in its seat cushion. The original model has similar high-density foam cushioning, but more of an emphasis has been placed on breathability here, which goes hand in hand with the upgraded synthetic leather upholstery.

The upside is that these upgrades don't (exactly) cause a hike in price. The NewGen Iskur V2 will be available for the same $649 price tag as the original, which will most likely amount to the same UK price of around £599 too. While it is nice that the 2026 edition won't cost more, as someone who keeps their finger on the pulse of the gaming chair market and reviews plenty of them, I can't help but notice that this refresh comes at a convenient time for Razer to continue charging MSRP just as more dynamic backrest chairs are entering the spotlight.

In recent times, I've noticed the Iskur V2's price drop more and more regularly. In 2025, its price at Amazon dropped to a new low twice, taking it to a dramatically low $399 over Prime Day in July and in mid-September. As nice as this discount was, I did think it was strangely deep at the time. With not too many feature upgrades to speak of in the newly announced model, I do wonder if this is an attempt to keep up with the competition of Secretlab's Titan Evo NanoGen Edition, as well as the novelty of other premium chairs like the LiberNovo Omni.

Thankfully, last year, Razer did ship a more budget-friendly version of this chair called the Razer Iskur V2 X, which is also benefiting (somewhat) from this NewGen upgrade. An updated model of the X will also be available, giving you the CoolTouch tech and three of the same colorways (no pink this time). You will need to spend slightly more on this though, as last year's model only cost $299, and this year's will set you back $349.

We're big fans of both the Razer Iskur V2 chairs, with the original still being the throne of choice for our Tabletop and Merch Editor, who awarded it 4.5 stars. Upon asking, the incomparable Benjamin Abbott told me that while the original version isn't super breathable due to the synthetic leather, he hasn't thought of the temperature control being too much of an issue for him personally, which may tell you all you need to know about the NewGen versions.

We awarded the Original X model with 4 stars, and we like that it brings a lot of great features to a much more affordable price point, although it is flanked slightly by the AndaSeat Novis, which also launched last year.

For more refinements to your gaming setup, check out the best console gaming chair, the best gaming desk, and the best 4K gaming monitor.

The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the latest addition to the Kitty lineup of adorable cat-themed headsets, and has been a long time coming. A majority of the Kitty cups have relied on wired connections, leaving those who prefer not to be at the mercy of wires left to pick from the not-quite-as-cute other Razer gaming headset offerings out there.

The addition of the new V3 line changed all that, and I'm a big fan of the results. Sure, there were wireless options available before, like the Kraken Kitty V2 BT, but these only supported Bluetooth. The V3 Pro has the trifecta of connectivity support, from wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, and it's also equipped with the brand's iconic 40mm TriForce Titanium audio drivers, which are integrated into some of my favorite Razer headsets of the past, like the Barracuda X Chroma.

This headset is unfortunately a bit pricier than the X Chroma, with its $179.99 / £179.99 MSRP. That's $50 more despite the shared sound quality, so you're pretty much paying for the added privilege of having the adorable and customizable Chroma-powered cat ears here. But if you don't mind the additional cost as you're just after the best (and the cutest) of the Razer Kitty lineup, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro will be a purr-fect fit.

Key specs

Design

As the latest entry into the Kraken Kitty headset lineup (besides the Gengar Edition Kraken Kitty V2), the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is a headset with cat ears. That's the whole ethos of the Kraken Kitty catalog if it wasn't entirely obvious from the fact that there's "kitty" in the name. But each new pair has a unique element to its design and the way it implements the ears that set it apart from the rest.

The ears of the V3 Pro are securely sat in place, and are powered by Razer's Chroma software so you can customize the RGB lighting. Unlike past cat-themed headsets like the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro, these are not removable and are a permanent fixture on top of this headband, but they can come in Black, Quartz Pink, or Mercury White, depending on the colorway you pick. I was provided with the Mercury White version by Razer to review, and it just so happens that the cat I had for 20 years was white, so I'm personally a bit partial to that SKU above the rest of them. (I'll forever miss you Mr Norton the cat.)

While I've always personally wanted experience with the interchangeable Kitty headset, I much prefer the way the lighting looks on the V3 Pro. Instead of just one section on each ear, there's a triangular area and an outside edge above it that can be customized, which gives it a more professional and unique appeal. It's not the only bit of RGB lighting on the headset either, as the exterior of each cup features a glowing serpent Razer logo and a series of dots through which the light can permeate, which looks especially stunning whenever you power on the cups, and it runs through each color of the rainbow.

The ears and the lighting are the most striking parts of the V3 Pro, but it's a great-looking pair of cups overall. The white headband is embossed with 'Razer' lettering, and is soft to the touch thanks to its leather-like fabric coating. It's the same material that's coating the foam ear cushions, which are over-shaped and even able to keep my big Dumbo-sized ears isolated from unwanted sounds.

The only issue I have with the design is that the ears can make it feel a bit top-heavy from time to time. At 390g, it's not the heaviest headset I've ever tested, but if you're sensitive to migrainesor headaches, this will be a pair you will be more regularly breaks from during long gaming sessions.

Features

Talking of the earcups, on the left one, you can find the mic mute button, the volume dial, the textured power button, USB-C port for charging, and the retractable HyperClear Super Wideband microphone. The opposite cup isn't as busy, having just the Razer quick switch and the Game / Chat balance button.

The headset features tri-mode connectivity, so you can hook it up to your PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms via a wired connection, Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless via the accompanying USB-C dongle. When you get your connection of choice up and running, you'll then hear your game audio from its 40mm Razer TriForce Titanium audio drivers, which are the same ones you can find on other Razer cups like the Razer Barracuda X Chroma or the Razer Kraken V4.

The headset is also powered by THX Spatial Audio, which can be toggled on the Razer Synapse software, the same place where you can customize the cups RGB lighting. When you want to do the latter, you can actually sync the V3 Pro with other Chroma-powered devices (more on that later). However, having the RGBs on can be a serious battery drain. With them you can only get up to 30 hours of playback compared to the up to 70 hours without.

Performance

With the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro sporting the same audio drivers as many a Razer headset I've tested before, I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed with the audio quality. The 40mm Razer TriForce Titanium drivers sound just as great as they did when I took out the Razer Barracuda X Chroma for a test drive earlier in 2025, making games like Marvel Rivals and Counter Strike 2 on PC sound as clear as day.

They aren't the most balanced driver types the brand has released, and there is a slight hollowness to the lower, bassy frequencies. This wasn't hugely noticeable in Marvel Rivals as the background music in the game gets overshadowed in every match by the incessant calls of various characters' ultimate moves, but it became more apparent the more games I tested. What helped is that I had THX Spatial Audio at my fingertips on the PC, which, when selected via Razer's Synapse software, made the audio sound a lot fuller and more balanced, which was strange as the EQ remained unchanged.

With it selected, everything I played, whether it was games or music, sounded better, and it really lent itself to online titles like Repo, making this headset feel better suited to PC players. The driver quality and combined THX Spatial Audio allowed me to hear every nuanced, eerie sound of the Headman Manor map. Sounds which frightenly included the horrifying childish giggles of the Shadow Child, a monster who is partially made up of doll parts, and that will be haunting my dreams for months to come. Its spatial audio tech really lent itself to online games like Repo, as it was far easier to find my fiance on a darkened map when I could easily pinpoint whether he was straight ahead, or more to the left or right of me in the 3D space. What also helped was undoubtedly the high quality of the HyperClear Super Wideband microphone.

When I first switched to the retractable mic at the beginning of the testing period my partner iterated that I sounded "perfect" and that's likely to do with its wideband specs. Its wideband ways meant that it was able to capture a wider frequency of sound, making my voice sound louder and clearer whether I was just chatting away on Discord, or via online games like Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and Repo's built-in proximity chat. While I was a fan of the microphone's quality, I wasn't a fan of its retractable design.

I'm not averse to retractable mics, as one of my go-to console headsets, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless has one, and it's brilliant just to be able to tuck it away at a moment's notice. However, the boom arm of the Kitty V3 Pro is so bendy that you can't retract it with one hand. Razer at least provides a little gap next to the tip of the mic so you can get your finger in there and pull, but it's such an awkward and tedious endeavour that I had to take the cups off each time I wanted to chat, which is not ideal, and got more annoying over time.

At least I was able to get over that tedium after I began to have fun customizing the main show-stopper to this headset, its Razer Chroma-powered RGB ears. Via the beta Chroma PC software, I could select any color of my choosing from the colorwheel, and select from a range of lighting effects, from a wave of every color in the rainbow to the static color of my choice - which was naturally a bright pink to match the theming of my office. What I adored the most was that I could sync it and my Razer Leviathan V2 X soundbar together, and have the RGB lighting react to my voice and in-game chat.

Every time I blethered away as a pink robot in Repo, my gaming desk would light up pink, creating a cute, flashy environment that I adored. It's not something that improved my gameplay in any way, but as an RGB defender and fan, it's now my favorite way to play any game that involves game chat. It did and continues to drain the battery pretty fast, and so I had to remind myself to ensure it was charging every night to get the most of those up to 30 hours. But it was worth it to add that little bit of RGB magic to my gaming nights.

Should you buy the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headset?

The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro has felt like a long time coming. In the past, Razer's cute headsets always looked the part, but rarely had the features to match those of other feature-full PC headsets for gaming, particularly in the connectivity department, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro has changed things up.

Finally, Razer has a strong entry in the Kitty line that not only provides the adorable RGB Chroma-powered ears and cute colorways the line is known for, but also combines wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio support, great sound quality from its 40mm TriForce Titanium drivers, and a fantastic microphone in one cute package. It's a solid example that style and substance can go hand in hand, but its $179.99 / £179.99 price isn't what I'd prefer it to be.

The headset shares a lot in common with older (and cheaper) cups like the Razer Barracuda X Chroma, which uses the same drivers and similar customizable RGB lighting that can sync up with other Chroma-powered devices. Its detachable mic is different, as its cardioid nature can pick up more sensitivity and nuance in the voice, but the X Chroma is a very similar headset in terms of tech specs. Where it differs is naturally in its design, and the lack of the added $50.

If you have your heart dead set on picking up a high-quality wireless headset with cat ears, and not one of the many knock-offs that flood the Amazon search results, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the one I'd recommend. It looks adorable, and its tri-mode connectivity means it's not limited like older wired entries in the Kitty catalog. You just have to be okay with the fact that its cuteness comes at an extra price.

How I tested the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro

I made the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro the one and only headset I used for over two weeks, whether it came to gaming, music listening, or catching up with the latest shows on streaming apps like Netflix and Disney+. To begin, I tested the headset while playing PC games Marvel Rivals, Counter-Strike 2 and Repo, and later tested it alongside Marvel Rivals, Fortnite, Death Stranding Director's Cut, and Unicorn Overlord on the PS5. Additionally, I used to play Pokemon Legends Z-A on the Switch 2 and indie-game Discounty on the Steam Deck.

As it was the season, I also used the wireless headset to listen to various holiday tunes via streaming apps like Spotify, including A Very She & Him Christmas album by She & Him, and my on-going obsesssion right now, Slime City's latest album National Record of Achievement. Additionally, I used the headset to catch up with streaming shows like the latest episode of Fallout on Amazon Prime and the most recent season of The Simpsons via Disney+. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro isn't for you, our guides for the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PC headsets are full of other high-quality cups that are worth your time and attention.

Razer is a brand synonymous with some of the best gaming headsets, but the brand is also well-known for producing some of the cutest cups around with the Razer Kraken Kitty line. These headsets differ in specs depending on the time of release, but all have some form of adorable ears sitting on the headband, and can be perfect for gifting over the holidays.

With so many Kraken Kitty headsets to choose from, it can be a bit confusing to find the perfect headset gift for gamers this festive season. The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 line-up consists of not just a series of black, quartz pink, and mercury white wired RGB cups, but there's also the updated V2 Pro line, which adds detachable cat, bunny, and bear ears into the mix for some extra cute variety - oh my. Razer also launched the new Kraken Kitty V3 line earlier this year, which provides that same level of cuteness but with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless into the mix.

To help make finding the perfect Kraken Kitty headset for the holidays easier, I've gathered the main entries in the lineup in one collection down below. I've even included some of the officially licensed Kraken Kitty cups, which feature Pokemon and Sanrio makeovers, in case your loved one happens to be a huge Gengar or Hello Kitty and Friends fan.

Wired

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 line consists of headsets equipped with the brand's iconic TriForce 40mm audio drivers, 7.1 surround sound, and a bendable HyperClear Cardioid microphone. The ears are powered by Razer Chroma and can be customized through the Razer Synapse software, and can sync up with any other Chroma-powered Razer accessories.

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Universal Fit Clip-on ears that I've included down below can provide a cute, cat look without the need to buy an entirely new headset.

Wireless

The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 headset line up takes after the V2 headsets in design with its Razer Chroma-powered cat ears and wired connectivity, but introduces wireless Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless options into the mix. There's also a retractable microphone so it can be tucked away when not in use, and the headsets come equipped with THX Spatial Audio.

Collabs

If you're looking for a cute gift for someone with a particular interest in Pokemon or cute Sanrio characters, there's also a Kraken Kitty headset for that. You can grab the wired Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition cups with features glowing Gengars on each cup. Or, you can gift the wireless Kuromi Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT or the equally adorable wireless Hello Kitty & Friends Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT headset instead.

If you're on the hunt for some last minute gaming goodies for the holidays, check out our guides to the best retro gifts, the best Nintendo gifts, or the best PlayStation gifts for ideas to suit any budget or any size.

The Razer Boomslang was the first ever gaming mouse when it launched in 1999. Ok, fine, it was the first ever mouse designed specifically for gaming (rest easy IntelliMouse). That may have been a little longer than two decades ago, but Sneki is celebrating its OG with a celebratory 20th Anniversary Edition this week.

The best gaming mice of today will be quaking at the sheer width of those main clicks. Not everyone will be able to grab this piece of history, though. This is a drop limited to 1,337 serialized devices.

So what's changed in 20 years? First, a little history lesson. Before the Razer Boomslang, mice were generally limited to 400 DPI (and that was if you were lucky enough to evade those little rubber balls), with some stretching to 500 DPI in the early 00s. Razer slid in with a 2,000 DPI sensor straight off the bat. Throw in its own software, ambidextrous design, and additional programmable buttons (and all that hyped marketing) and you've got a blueprint for the next 2(6) years of gaming mice.

In 2025, the Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition launches with the brand's Focus Pro 45K Optical Sensor Gen-2, a 45,000 DPI eye with a 900 IPS and 85G acceleration. That means you also unlock some of the best features of the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro; dynamic sensitivity, rotation calibration, and 1-step DPI adjustments.

The OG used mechanical main switches, whereas Razer has outfitted its new release with Gen-4 optical clackers. Say goodbye to that 90s cable, the new model charges wirelessly via the Mouse Dock Pro and runs at an OP 8,000Hz wireless polling rate. Razer's also chucked PU leather on the main clicks and used a gorgeously 90s transparent plastic shell.

Gaming mice just don't look like this anymore, but veteran players will need to fight to get their hands on an upgraded piece of history. There will only be just over 1,000 Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Editions produced, and you'll need to sign up to notifications to know exactly when that drop is landing. That also means we don't know how much this new model will cost (I'd be setting those sights high, though) or when it will start shipping.

Of course, I'm also testing all the best wireless gaming mouse models, but if your brand allegiances lie elsewhere you'll also find all the best Logitech gaming mice I've had my hands on so far. For a full setup refresh, check out the best gaming keyboards on the market.

The official Razer Pokemon Gengar Collection launched exclusively in Asia last year, and ever since I first caught a glimpse of the pretty and purple peripherals, I dreamt it would release elsewhere. My dream finally became a reality when the Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 headset launched in the US and UK earlier this year, but the rest of the collection had yet to show its grinning face.

Razer finally released the matching Gengar Edition Cobra gaming mouse and the Gigantus V2 mouse mat during October to complement the rest of the collection, and my PC setup has never looked better. There's still no keyboard to complete the set, as seen in the original marketing. However, these stunning Gengar PC gaming accessories remain a great budget-friendly option for Pokemon fans and those who want to give their setup an injection of Gengar goodness. When it comes to official gaming tech collaborations, this is exactly what I like to see.

The original marketing images for the Razer Gengar Collection showed off a Razer Viper V3 Pro, however it's the Razer Cobra that's been given a Gengar makeover for the US and UK release. Typically, these licensed collaborations tend to focus more on design and aesthetics than providing makeovers to some feature-full peripherals, so that wasn't all too surprising. Plus, I even prefer what we got.

The Razer Viper V3 Pro comes with a $159.99 MSRP, and it would have been even pricier with the license fee on top. Instead, this wired mouse is available for $59.99 at Razer, which feels more than reasonable for a high-quality wired Pokemon peripheral, especially one that costs $39.99 on its own. While on the cheaper side, the mouse still features Gen-3 optical mouse switches with a 0.2 ms actuation, two re-mappable side buttons, and Razer Chroma powered RGB lighting, which you can sync up to any other Chroma-powered accessories, including the Razer Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 headset.

I'm a bit of an RGB defender, but the nice and subtle inclusion of the lighting on this mouse is enough to turn anyone into a fan. Out of the box, the iconic Razer serpent logo on the palm rest glows purple, and there's an understated matching light glow on the bottom of the mouse, which reflects beautifully on any surface. It reminds me of the purple, hazy glow around Ghastly, Gengar's first evolution form, which feels entirely fitting. You can customize the lighting via Razer Synapse as you see fit, but the light purple illumination feels as Gengar as you can get.

It's not just the lighting that makes this mouse look great, but Razer has used the Pokemon iconography really nicely here. There's a dark and light purple pattern on the palm, with features images of Poke Balls and ghost Pokemon, and there's a mischievous grinning Gengar on both the left and right buttons. It's a shame that the PC isn't really the place for playing Pokemon games, but it nonetheless looked fantastic and felt lightweight and comfortable to use when playing games like Discounty on Steam - my current indie game obsession. The PTFE mouse feet allowed the mouse to easily glide across the matching mouse mat, which also looked the part.

Gliding the mouse across the matching Razer Gigantus VS Gengar Edition mouse mat has been a treat. That subtle lighting I mentioned earlier looks especially neat when it's ever so slightly illuminating the images of ghosts and Poke Balls that are covered all over the mat. This pattern is pretty much a match for the mouse, although the images are a lot bigger, which is to be expected when you've got the XXL version sprawled across your desk.

The Gengar mat just fits on my corner PC setup, but I imagine it'll look a lot better if you have an L-shaped gaming desk, as you'll have more surface real estate at your disposal. Either way, the mouse mat looks fantastic, and Razer even cleverly opted to pop the large grinning art of Gengar on the right-hand side, so any mouse movements don't obscure the spooky Pokemon imagery.

In the weeks I've had this mat sitting under my keyboard and mouse, it's not budged an itch either, so the "Anti-slip base" is definitely doing its job and then some. My only hindrance with the mat is that it's so large that it is more easily subject to the occasional coffee and tea spill. That's more my issue than a general problem with the mat, but if you're upgrading to one of this size and like to have a coffee at your desk, it's worth being extra careful where you place your mug. Maybe Razer should be in the coaster business too?

The new Gengar Edition mouse and mouse mat pair wonderfully with the headset, and I've enjoyed having them at my disposal, whether it's been just for typing up news for work or when playing through Discounty on Steam. However, I hope they end up being joined by a keyboard down the line.

The original marketing images in Asia showed off a Gengar Edition BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% Wireless gaming keyboard with a purple board and Gengar printed keycaps. That'd be a bit pricey for this lineup, as it has a $299.99 MSRP and a licence fee on top will make that even worse, but its images give a nice peek into would could be. I'd much rather something lower cost, like the Razer Cynosa V2 keyboard, be used instead. That way, anyone looking to show off their ghost-type love can do so without forking out an exuberant amount of cash. Adding a keyboard to the mix would also help unify a setup, as it looks far better when everything matches. My current Hatsune Miku Asus x TUF Gaming keyboard stands out a tad when it's surrounded by Pokemon PC accessories.

I'd love to give this set another look if we do get a Gengar Edition keyboard in the future. In the meantime, the Razer Cobra mouse and matching mouse are a treat for this Pokemon fan of 27 years, and are worth checking out if you're just as much a fan of Gengar and the franchise as I am. And of course, if you like purple.

• View all Pokemon Gengar Collection at Amazon
• View all Razer Pokemon accessories at Amazon
• Gengar Edition Razer Kraken Kitty V2 | $139.99 at Razer

Looking to upgrade your setup? Check out our guides to the best PC headset for gaming, the best gaming keyboard, and the best streaming gear which are full of our team's top PC gaming accessory picks.

I'm someone who reviews controllers for a living, and I'm going to say something that a lot of big brands won't like. There is literally no reason that a pro gamepad should cost as much as $200. You can talk to me about build quality and extra features, and show me as many quirky designs as you like, but I'd still feel the same way. When budget brands are out here charging under $100 for their best PC controllers with similar features, all of the high-end options fall flat on their faces.

Sadly, I do not have a say in how much the latest and greatest gamepads cost, and I can't deny that some of the best controllers I've tested in the last year have launched to the tune of $200. As good as some of them are, it's hard for me to recommend them at full price. That's why Black Friday season is so great, because right now, you can sneak into the Christmas period with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro in your stocking, having only spent $169.99 at Amazon.

I don't think any controller should cost $200, but the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is one of few I think comes closest to justifying that cost. It does, despite my protests, have amazing build quality, it has six extra buttons for you to map and use in high-level gameplay, and it has some clever design perks that other controllers can't match.

If you've been shopping for a new pro controller for a while, the Wolverine V3 Pro, or its cheaper alternative, the Razer Wolverine V3 TE, might have been on your shortlist already. This has been one of the breakout gamepads of the last few years, and it's absolutely sent Razer's controller division on a tear with some of its latest models. Having just reviewed the PS5 equivalent, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, I can definitely trace its design lineage back to the Wolverine V3.

What separates this controller from the rest, in my opinion, are two things. Firstly, the massive improvements it makes over previous Wolverine controllers. A lot of the time, the biggest brands can fail to listen to feedback and prefer to stick to their guns on a product design. It's not often we see the biggest brands course correct on a product that's been around for more than five years.

Previous Wolverine controllers were received well, but they had some massive flaws, like unusable back buttons and really mushy-feeling microswitch buttons (see my review of the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro, for instance). I think the V3 Pro is actually worth buying because it makes the improvements that were needed to modernize this gamepad against its current market - and the end result is all the better for it.

Secondly, I think Razer's signature design flourish with this controller makes it insanely speedy, which is a huge win for competitive players. Thanks to the use of Razer's Esports mice switches in all of the Wolverine V3's buttons, every press clicks in at lightning speed. You've no sooner twitched your finger than you're seeing your in-game avatar perform the split-section reaction you've just had, and with six extra buttons at your disposal, you really do feel as though the V3 Pro is giving you an advantage.

Given Razer is at the premium end of the high-end controller pricing spectrum, I'd be totally shocked if we saw the V3 Pro come down any lower over the next few weeks. We may be nine days out from Black Friday at the time of writing, but this is an early deal I wouldn't wait on.

• Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: $169.99 at Amazon
• Razer Wolverine V3 TE: $75.25 at Amazon
• EasySMX X10: $35.99 at Amazon

Keep up with more discounts over the next few weeks by reading up on Black Friday gaming PC deals, Black Friday Secretlab deals, and Black Friday Meta Quest deals.

Razer Blade gaming laptop deals have been a little soft this year so far. With tariffs initially getting in the way of launch and the retailer keeping strict hold of certain configurations on its own site, savings on these luxury machines have been a little less forthcoming in 2025.

Black Friday is nearly here, though, and Sneki's finally getting into the festive spirit. The result? A new record-low price on the RTX 5060 Razer Blade 16 and a massive $900 discount on the RTX 5070 Razer Blade 14. The former is the cheaper option, offering up one of the best gaming laptops I've tested so far for $1,699.99 (was $2,399.99) - impressive considering I've only ever seen it at $1,799.99 in the past.

Yes, you'll find Black Friday gaming laptop deals with these components for less than this across the market, but these are Razer laptops we're talking about. The brand is typically more expensive than others, leaning heavily on a higher build quality and premium displays to justify its cost. If you prioritize look and feel, though, this is the gold standard.

Should you buy a Razer Blade?

I've had my hands on both the Razer Blade 16 and Razer Blade 14, and I expect most players will be leaning towards the larger model this Black Friday. Both are solid machines, but the 16-incher packs that oh-so-satisfying scissor switch keyboard, a more immersive screen, and more room for its components to truly breathe. The Blade 14 also taps out at an RTX 5070 configuration, whereas you can stuff everything up to an RTX 5090 inside its larger sibling.

If you're after a portable powerhouse with the slimmest waistline, though, the Blade 14 is going to take most of your attention. Its main competition is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 ($2,099.99 at Best Buy right now), a compact machine with a similar footprint but the ability to move beyond an RTX 5070 into RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 territory.

The Blade 14 wins on its waistline and also takes the lead in its display quality. It's incredibly vibrant, with details popping a lot more in my testing compared to the Zeph.

Then we've got the big'un. The Razer Blade 16 is one of my favorite gaming laptops of the year, with a gorgeous OLED display and a super slick keyboard under the hands. It outpaces a lot of the competition in my benchmark tests (I was running an RTX 5090 though), while still looking and feeling great. The slimmer design means you're not quite getting the performance of the HP Omen Max 16 or Alienware 16 Area-51, but this one's all about the quality of life.

• See all Black Friday deals at Razer
• Razer Blade 16 (RTX 5060) | $2,399.99 $1,699.99 at Razer
• Razer Blade 14 (RTX 5070) | $2,699.99 $1,799.99 at Razer

We're also getting you ready for this year's Black Friday gaming PC deals and Black Friday Alienware deals. If you're after something more console focused, check out the best Black Friday PS5 deals we've found so far.

I've never had a desktop PC, relying solely on gaming laptops hooked up to all manner of monitors and docks. I'm still able to play everything I like, at sturdy resolutions, all while being able to transport my setup whenever I choose. A little helping hand certainly comes in handy when it comes to cooling even the best gaming laptops, though.

I've always been wary of laptop cooling stands - cheap options often just blow dust back into your system, causing more problems than they solve. The Razer Laptop Cooling Pad is different, though, and it's been at the center of my setup all year round. After months of price checking, I can finally say the savings are here. The pad is available for $129.99 at Amazon this week, the first time it's ever been discounted from its $169.99 MSRP.

This thing has been stuck at $169.99 throughout its entire life so far. Today's discount marks the first time I've ever seen those numbers waver. $40 off is a pretty impressive first saving on a Razer gadget, and goes a long way to keeping the pad competitive.

Should you buy the Razer Laptop Cooling Pad?

When I'm not testing a new gaming laptop, I use the Razer Laptop Cooling Pad with a Blade 14, but you don't need to have a Sneki machine. The pad is compatible with all 14-inch, 16-inch, and 18-inch rigs, providing additional pressure chamber cooling to keep everything running smoothly.

Of course, there are some sweeteners mixed in if you do have one of the best Razer laptops. Blade owners can enjoy smart controls via a USB-A connection, dynamically adjusting fan speeds based on your system's current load and temperature.

It's not a replacement for a GPU upgrade, you won't suddenly see framerate improvements in demanding games. Stability is noticeably improved when your system is already struggling, though. My RTX 4070 Blade 14 performs much better across Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Avowed, both running in QHD, with the fans whirring. There's less stuttering, and in some cases I'm even able to whack textures up a little further.

The plastic casing irked me on release, and I would still prefer something a little more premium looking today. However, it slots neatly in the corner of my desk and has its own RGB LEDs to contribute to the light show as well.

If you've got an older system that can struggle to keep its head level in larger releases, it's certainly a neat helping hand.

• See all Razer accessories at Amazon
• See all Holiday Deals at Amazon
• Razer Laptop Cooling Pad | $169.99 $129.99 at Amazon

If you don't need the extra cooling features, check out the best Asus gaming laptops and best Alienware laptops I've tested so far. Or, keep a closer eye on upcoming Black Friday gaming laptop deals for more offers.

There's an overwhelming amount of gaming headsets now fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. But if you're privy to some gaming on the go action, the Razer Barracuda X is still one of the best pairs to grab.

New Razer headsets have come and gone since the Barracuda X originally launched, but it's still worth your time and attention, especially now that it's down to just $69.99 at Amazon (was $99.99). The Nintendo Switch headset is just 99 cents away from its lowest ever price, but even at its full $99.99 MSRP, I'd recommend it as it's decked out with full Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, and the brand's iconic Triforce 40mm audio drivers, all in one sleek, lightweight package. Just now, you get all that and save $30 to boot.

Should you buy the Razer Barracuda X for the Nintendo Switch 2?

If you're after a low-cost pair of cups (especially after forking out the $449 for the Switch 2), the Razer Baracuda X is one of the best options out there. I mean, there's a reason why it topped our best Nintendo Switch headset guide for month in and month out, only to be recently knocked off its top spot for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset.

For one, the cups are incredibly lightweight at just 285g, which is ideally what you want if you're gaming on the go. With that extra comfort, you can pop in Pokemon Legends Z-A and get immersed in the latest Pokemon journey without a horrible, heavy pain on your head. More importantly, the headset sounds great, even years after release. Razer packed the Barracuda X with its iconic Triforce 40mm audio drivers, which bring a nice balanced sound no matter what you're playing.

These are the same drivers packed into this headset's RGB counterpart, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma, and ones I personally have near my Ninty setup at all times. You can grab this RGB upgraded model for $129 at Amazon instead right now if you're into customizable lighting, but I honestly recommend sticking with this non-flashy pair instead, especially now it's just $69.99 today.

For that price, you're not just getting that comfortable fit and great sound for your Switch 2 gaming sessions, but the Barracuda X is also equipped with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio, a detachable Hyperclear Cardioid microphone, and up to 70 hours of battery life - a combo of features that are ideal for any Switch 2 portable gaming fan.

• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon
• Razer Barracuda X Chroma | $129 at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PC headset for gaming, the best PS5 headset, and the best Xbox Series X headset if you're after a more high-end and up-to-date pair of cups.

Razer's first officially licensed pro controller for PS5 held a lot of promise. The Wolverine V2 Pro never became my favorite gamepad though, because its back buttons were all over the place, its build quality felt like a Hasbro toy, and its price was through the roof. When it launched, its suite of features was hard to ignore, but compared to a burgeoning market of PS5 controllers that swiftly followed its arrival, it fell by the wayside, and Razer went back to the drawing board.

The original Razer Raiju was one of the very first officially licensed PlayStation 4 controllers, and it helped to bring a new wave of pro controllers to Sony's platform as well as the mainstream market. We haven't seen a Raiju launch this generation, and I'm so glad Razer kept it in its back pocket until now. You see, Razer really did go back to the drawing board after the Wolverine V2 Pro. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro launched on Xbox back in August of 2024, and since then, the brand's gamepad division has been on a tear.

This edition of the Raiju brings the Wolverine's excellent mouse switch design to PS5 and PC players, but with more ergonomic grips, symmetrical TMR thumbsticks, and six extra buttons that are such a vast improvement over the Wolverine V2 Pro's. Perhaps more importantly, Razer has abandoned the needlessly high $249 price point, opting to stick with the rest of the high-end controller pack here, at least in the UK. There's no cheaper Tournament Edition, but for $219.99 / £199.99, it mocks the DualSense Edge for trying to call itself a "pro" controller at this type of price point.

Design

Almost every officially licensed PS5 Pro controller made by a third party feels like it's trying to be an Xbox controller in disguise. There's definitely a place for debating the benefits and drawbacks of asymmetrical and symmetrical thumbsticks, but PlayStation controllers have always had symmetrical ones. I think it's a fair comment to say that this type of gamepad is an intrinsic part of PlayStation's DNA, and although the Xbox controller fanbase tends to be a little louder in online forums, there are loads of gamers who prefer the symmetrical layout that PlayStation gives them.

I'm not sure I prefer one over the other these days, but I know I love symmetrical controllers, and it pains me that you really don't see many of them in this day and age.

The first reason that I love the Raiju V3 Pro is that it doesn't feel like it's forcing the Xbox layout onto PlayStation gamers. This makes the Raiju feel so authentic to PlayStation, and it's bizarre that five years into this console generation, it feels like it's filling a gap in the market as a result.

The new Raiju is available in all black or in a black and white color, which arguably fits in with the rest of Sony's own PS5 hardware a bit better. It feels very similar to the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro thanks to its use of a lot of the same features, but it doesn't feel like an Xbox controller. Longer grips, a very distinct set of triggers, and that signature touchpad and PlayStation Home button make it feel like a PlayStation gamepad, not something that's been ported over from Microsoft's platform.

The same rubberized grips are here as they are on the Wolverine V3, although they don't feel as premium as they do on the Xbox version, for reasons I'll come onto shortly. One of the biggest design flaws for me has to be the D-pad, which feels a lot more floaty compared to the Wolverine's. In fact, it feels as out of place and spongy as the one on the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro, and it's maybe the only part of the controller I'd happily swap out.

There are six extra buttons here - four back buttons and two extra bumpers. Thanks to elongated grips, the back buttons are sublimely comfortable, even more so than the ones on the Wolverine V3. The way that they're shaped means that my middle fingers sit on the top ones, and my ring fingers sit on the bottom ones. However, my middle fingers wrap around the grips so comfortably that I can easily actuate the bottom pair of back buttons with the tips of my middle fingers, and the top set with their inner knuckles.

I've never found another controller with four back buttons placed in such a comfortably versatile way, and although it might take you some re-learning if you've used back buttons differently in the past, this is a truly excellent method I'd recommend giving a try. Hats off to Razer's product engineers - I'm not even sure this was an intended bit of design, but it gives the Raiju V3 Pro an entirely different way to be enjoyed.

Features

To really explain the biggest downside about the Raiju V3 Pro, I need to talk to you about licensing parameters.

When a third-party brand enters a deal with PlayStation or Microsoft to make a controller, they have certain criteria they have to stick to. Third-party Xbox controllers, until recently, weren't able to be wireless if they weren't homemade by Xbox. That meant a lot of limited functionality, and for whatever reason, Xbox laxed that part of its licensing. All of a sudden, we saw an influx of wireless Xbox controllers with charging stands and excellent features, and it was a huge quality-of-life bonus for anyone looking for a new Xbox Series X controller.

One of PlayStation's licensing parameters this generation is that third-party controllers cannot have any type of haptic feedback or rumble. This is to bolster the strength of the DualSense and DualSense Edge, and make their Haptic feedback something that only first-party pads have access to. That's been incredibly annoying up until now, but testing the Raiju V3 Pro is the first time I feel as though this licensing parameter is really limiting the hardware that's being made for PlayStation's platform. Not having the haptics, I can maybe understand, but not even having rumble leaves the Raiju feeling cheap, lightweight, and lacking in a premium feel that I'd argue players should get for their $200 price of entry.

All that to say, the Raiju V3 Pro doesn't have any rumble motors, vibration, or feedback, and that's a real shame, because compared to the Wolverine V3 controllers, its grips feel a bit more hollow. I did hope that Razer might follow the lead set by the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro and make it so that when in PC mode, rumble motors in the grips come to life, but that isn't the case here.

What the Raiju does feature is TMR thumbsticks, making it the first TMR controller to land on the PS5 platform. Unfortunately, the polling rate of this controller tops out at 500Hz, which doesn't live up to the more recent Xbox controllers that sport a 1,000Hz speed. Most players won't notice a difference, and using a wired or wireless connection, I never noticed any latency or lag spikes from the Raiju - in fact, the wireless connection, thanks to the 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, felt very strong. It's a shame this doesn't have the competitive might of the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, or even the 1,000Hz polling rate of the regular Wolverine V3, since these speeds can really harness the power of TMR thumbsticks. Still, I think people will notice the benefits of TMR tech in this peripheral regardless.

The buttons on this controller all feature excellent microswitch feel, and that's because Razer has once again pulled from its experience with the best gaming mice and best gaming keyboards. Raiju's buttons use the same PBT that's used in Razer's Esports keyboards to give them a super responsive and clicky actuation, but a cushioned and comfortable press that provides feel. For me, these buttons are up there with the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited in terms of their premium feel. I think Nacon's lighter actuation takes the cake, but the Raiju V3 Pro feels just as speedy and responsive as the Wolverine V3 Pro.

The four back buttons have a great clicky microswitch feel too, but if you don't want them, they're completely removable. I love this option for folks who aren't big fans of using back buttons, but it's also a brilliant feature for accessibility purposes. I do think Razer missed a trick here, however. Having removable buttons presents the opportunity for more customization. With a carry case included, I'd have loved a more modular outlook to the controller that matches up with the Victrix Pro BFG, or even the DualSense Edge. Providing some different back button shapes or mechanisms would have been a serious perk, but alas, there aren't any.

In the carry case, you do get a few thumbstick toppers, but again, it feels as though Razer has been stingy for that $219 price tag. I use the long option on the right thumbstick for more sensitive aim, and the standard small size on the left stick. Admittedly, that means the left one feels tiny, and the only other option is a domed-shaped, slightly taller one in the box.

Customization is done through either Synapse or the Razer controller app. I used the mobile app during my tests because I really try to avoid Synapse at all costs, and I felt like it was conclusive enough for PS5 players who don't want to have to find a PC to customize their PS5 controller. With options for button mapping (although this can be done without any app or software using button combinations), deadzone calibration, profiles, and more, the app catered to all my needs, and it was pretty easy to connect to as well.

Performance

I think I must have said this in every review for a TMR thumbstick controller up until now, but there really isn't anything like using this technology for first-person shooters. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Hunt: Showdown, this controller is one of the absolute best I've tested in this genre. There's a feeling of pinpoint precision when aiming that, even more so than with Hall Effect sticks, they pick up on your every tiny adjustment and movement.

This controller feels even more enhanced thanks to its four back buttons and two additional bumpers. Even in those two testing games, where there's a heavy control scheme of lots of different in-game functions, my thumbs barely had to leave the sticks. I felt fluent from the get-go with this controller in FPS titles, and it's one I can thoroughly recommend to competitive players on PS5 and PC.

There's also a lot of comfort to be had from playing with the Raiju V3 Pro. Thanks to those longer grips, it's especially welcoming for bigger hands, and the multiple ways of actuating the back buttons I was talking about in the Design section mean it works equally well as a sit-back-and-relax controller in a less competitive game. I still revisit Top Spin 5 from time to time, and I was surprised by how well the Raiju pivoted from an ultra-competitive FPS controller to a comfortable, cozy gaming peripheral. The same was true when driving around in Cyberpunk. Suddenly, longer trips across Night City didn't feel cumbersome, and I'd happily go on roadtrips with the Raiju in my hands.

The speedy responsiveness of this pad felt incredible in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. Just like with the Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition and its full-fat Pro model, the speedy actuation of Razer's mouse and keyboard switches came to life in a button-mashing game like this. This is a game I wouldn't typically get a lot of back button use out of, but that only gave the face buttons a chance to shine. I really like the feel of these buttons, and even if their actuation can feel a bit heavy when you first unbox the controller, in sweatier play sessions, I never noticed that as an issue.

Their responsiveness is a massive benefit in 2D platformers like Towerfall Ascension, where the slightest split-second reaction could be the difference between life and death, and the slightest inaccuracy in the controller can cause a lot of frustration. I had a few close calls while testing the Raiju V3 where I felt the speedy actuation was genuinely saving me. With a lesser controller, I get the opposite feeling, but the speed of this controller's buttons is not to be underestimated in fast-paced 2D games.

What is a little disappointing is the floating D-pad. While it's nice to have pronounced diagonals, I don't like that it slides across in the directions you're pressing, rather than being pushed down. It feels too slippery for my liking and makes the controller feel a bit cheap.

All in all, this is a controller that's really difficult to fault. I'd have loved some more modular aspects, or at least a couple of more detachable thumbsticks and back button options at the least. While I can appreciate that not every user will require that, the competition supplies things like that for a similar cost. The biggest unshakeable flaw, however, is the lack of any feedback. Razer has made a great controller despite rumble missing, but that's the thing that would elevate this pad to the highest levels.

Should you buy the Razer Raiju V3 Pro?

Even if it doesn't quite take the top spot from the Victrix Pro BFG's versatile, modular Esports design, the Raiju V3 Pro is a fantastic controller that has shot right to the top spots on the PS5 controller leaderboard. It's the first TMR controller on PlayStation, and with six extra buttons working alongside its thumbsticks, that makes it a FPS enthusiast's must-have.

What's maybe even more important is that Razer has managed to bring the latest specs and features of the best PC controllers in 2025 to PlayStation without the end result feeling like an Xbox controller. The Raiju V3 Pro feels authentically PlayStation and caters to folks like me who love symmetrical thumbsticks.

It's a shame that the biggest flaw is something that was out of Razer's hands. When you compare the number of third-party controllers on Xbox with that of the PS5 in the last few years, the PlayStation side of things has been really quiet, and that's a shame. Whether that's by design, because of a renewed strategy from Xbox, or because of difficulties with securing licenses, it's a shame. Having more controllers to choose from can drastically improve the quality of life for a console. I can't help but feel that the PS5 is limited because of its smaller gamepad offering, and I really believe that if PlayStation changed a few licensing parameters, that might not be the case.

How I tested the Razer Raiju V3 Pro

I swapped the Raiju V3 Pro into my gaming setup for about two weeks before writing this review. In that time, I used it as my main gamepad for all sorts of genres. From FPS games, to a standby controller for driving around in Cyberpunk 2077, to my usual tests in fighting games and 2D platformers in titles like Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero and Towerfall Ascension, I used the Raiju for all sorts of gaming tasks to see how it fared.

For points of comparison, I used the Razer Wolverine V2 and V3 Pro controllers, as well as other TMR controllers I've tested so far.

For more on how we test controllers, take a look at the full-length GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Do you play on a different platform? Check out the best Nintendo Switch controllers, the best PS4 controllers, and the best Xbox One controllers.

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma gaming headset just got a fresh new retro-futuristic plastic look. Its new translucent shell feels like a perfect callback to my early 00s childhood, where being able to peek into the innards of my favorite gaming tech was the norm.

The gaming headset has been re-launched as part of Razer's new Phantom White Collection. This brand new set swaps the boring all-black form factors of not just the wireless headset, but also the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse, Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard, and even the Razer Firefly V2 Pro mouse pad for a look that screams Y2K in the best possible way - and it's available right now for all you fellow 00s kids.

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma already looked great even before this Phantom White makeover, but the millennial in me is really drawn to the new look.

I grew up during the late 90s and early 00s when the translucent plastic Nintendo 64 consoles and Game Boy Color designs were commonplace, so this headset design is incredibly nostalgic. Razer's choice to blend "retro gaming vibes with modern minimalism" also feels especially fitting for the Chroma-powered cups, as the rings of lighting look more prominent than ever before, as there's more ways for the lights to glow, resulting in a ghosting RGB effect.

This new look costa an extra $10 / £10, likely to fund this new flashy aesthetic. It's disappointing, but its new $139.99 / £139.99 price tag doesn't feel unreasonable for the RGB version of one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets available today.

If you aren't too fussed about having your pair of cups look like it stepped out of the decade where MTV still ran music videos, and there were only two generations of Pokemon, you can instead grab the original Barracuda X Chroma for $129 at Amazon, and less as it has dropped to as low as $105 during big sales events.

The cups will come equipped with the same customizable rings of lighting, 40mm Razer TriForce audio drivers, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, detachable Hyperclear cardioid microphone and its up to 70 hour battery life, so you'd only be missing out on its flashy look. There's another option too, as this technically isn't the first time the headset has received a new retro lease of life.

The Phantom Green Razer Barracuda X Chroma released earlier this year and swapped the all-black aesthetics for a translucent green design instead, one that harkens back to the crystal green Xbox console from the early 00s. Though personally, I'm more of a fan of the Phantom White look, as it can much more easily tie into my pink and white cozy setup. Not everything goes with green.

If you're a sucker for nostalgia like me, you can grab the Razer Phantom White Razer Barracuda X Chroma and the rest of the collection at Razer and other US and UK retailers right now.

• View the complete Phantom White Collection at Razer
• Razer Basilisk V3 Pro wireless gaming mouse | $169.99 at Amazon
• Razer BlackWidow V4 75% gaming keyboard | $199.99 at Amazon
• Razer Firefly V2 Pro mouse pad | $109.99 at Razer

Is the Razer Barracuda X Chroma not for you? Check out our guides for the best PC headsets for gaming, the best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets, which are full of our other Razer headset top picks.

I've been using the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra for years now. Of all the webcams I've tested, it does the best job of capturing crystal clear 4K footage in loads of different lighting scenarios. In my eyes, it's as close as you'll get to a DSLR camera without spending big on one, and it should absolutely be part of anyone's dream gear for streamers setup.

It's been over two years since that camera was released though, and Razer hasn't launched a new webcam until now. The brand has just released two new models, the Razer Kiyo V2, and Razer Kiyo Pro V2 X, but they seem to be successors to the original Razer Kiyo webcams more than the content creation powerhouse that is the Kiyo Pro Ultra.

There are upsides and downsides to that. Firstly, the prices are a lot more reasonable for everyday users and non-professional content creators who just want a better quality webcam. The Kiyo V2, which gives you a max recording capability of 4K, 30fps, costs $149.99 / £149.99. The Kiyo V2 X only gives you a max of 1440p recording at 60fps, but it costs just $99.99 / £99.99. 4K webcams have been getting more affordable since the Kiyo Pro Ultra's day, when the high-end options cost around $300.

"With the Kiyo V2, we wanted to give creators the best of both worlds,” said Addie Tan, Global Head of Lifestyle Division at Razer. “The original Kiyo Pro set a new standard for webcam image quality, but we knew creators needed more than just sharp visuals."

The new webcams also adhere to the latest trend in the market - AI integration. With clever pan, tilt, and zoom functionality, the new Kiyo V2 cams will have a lot of versatility, although from our reviews of the Obsbot Tiny 2 and the Insta360 Link 2, it can sometimes be hard to find uses for these AI features, and they're definitely not going to be needed by most users.

The real downside in my eyes is that with a change in design, the new Kiyo V2 and V2 X will miss out on one of the Kiyo Pro Ultra's biggest weapons, its large sensor. The new models will still make use of a Sony Starvis sensor, but the Kiyo Pro Ultra sets itself apart because it has the largest Starvis sensor ever put in a webcam.

Yes, this did mean the design was bigger and clunkier, but the picture quality makes up for it, especially in lower-light scenes. The design of the new Kiyo V2 gives it an uncanny resemblance to the Logitech MX Brio, a webcam that captures great 4K footage, but isn't on par with the Kiyo Pro Ultra in terms of picture quality.

Instead of improving on the hardware, Razer is leaning into AI in more ways than one.

It's teamed up with Reincubate and its powerful Camo Studio app. This is often a popular bit of software among folks who can't afford better webcams, because it lets you customize things like exposure, lenses, filters, and more to get your on-camera visuals the way you want them. Razer has teamed up so that Camo's features are integrated into Synapse, which will enable things like One-Click Image Enhancement - sort of like Nvidia's DLSS upscaling, but for webcam image quality.

"Camo Studio has helped millions of users level-up their video, and combined with Razer’s cutting-edge hardware, we’re making it easier than ever for creators to focus on what matters most: their content and their communities,” said Aidan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Reincubate.

I have no doubt that this software will help the pretty affordable Kiyo V2 cams be on par with its current-day rivals, but as a content creator, I'm really looking for improvements to hardware that truly give me the versatility of a DSLR camera.

I'd love a new version of the Kiyo Pro Ultra that I could use to capture 4K60 footage, or one with a smarter lens that would allow me to play with aperture. The Kiyo Pro Ultra is in the same boat as the Obsbot Tail Air in that it blurs the lines between webcam and fully-fledged camera, and I hope a Kiyo Pro V2 Pro Ultra might be in the pipeline to capitalise on that.

• See all webcams at Amazon
• Razer Kiyo V2 X: $99.99 at Amazon
• Razer Kiyo V2 | $149.99 at Amazon

If you're looking for more content creation gear, take a look at the best capture cards, the best streaming mixer, and the best microphones for streaming and gaming.

The Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma may look expensive if you haven't been in the market for a high-end hub for some time. However, those hunting around for a new connection system may be pleasantly surprised by that $399.99 MSRP.

After all, this isn't just a Thunderbolt dock. It's also an external SSD enclosure with support for fancy dual-laptop sharing features - it also puts on a pretty good light show to boot. If you're looking to outfit one of the best gaming laptops with an equally premium base of ports, this is one of the best you can get right now.

Design

Like most Razer gadgets, the Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma is a black brick of anodized aluminum with an explosion of RGB color. It's a design fans of this brand will be familiar with, stark and cold but undeniably cool. Without those LEDs blaring, the whole dock can easily sit on your desk unnoticed (with a rubberized bottom to keep it in place). However, switch them on and it's obvious this is a hub created for gaming.

It's compact, neat, and tidy, with rear-mounted ports keeping the action out of view and allowing those lights to shine. I did find myself missing the front-facing connections of my Razer USB 4 Dock, though I constantly swap in new mice and keyboards - your needs for easy access may vary.

A larger issue (in every sense of the word) might be that power brick. This thing is chunky, almost measuring up to the size of the dock itself. It's likely going to be tucked away and forgotten about, but if you - like me - only have a limited amount of space for cables under the desk, it certainly adds its own bulk.

Features

There are two main features that set the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma apart from the rest of the competition, and they both work incredibly hard to make that $399 / £399 price tag impressive. I'll cut straight to it; the internal SSD enclosure and Thunderbolt Share license make this a must-see.

Starting with the feature most of us will actually be able to use now, even with a Thunderbolt 4 machine. Razer has included space for an NVMe stick inside the dock itself. Flip the dock over and unlatch the bottom panel, and you'll find a bay ready and waiting for a PCle 4x4 drive running at the full 7,000MB/s whack. Put those tools away; this is a pop-and-lock situation. You don't even need to prep your drive; heatsinks are already included in the design.

That's a fantastic result if you also need to add storage to your laptop (though note that you'll need to buy your drive separately), but it's also incredibly helpful if you happen to work across two different laptops. Simply keep everything on the 'external' drive, and you've got full access just by swapping one cable.

If that's got you dual-wielders excited, just wait until you hear about Thunderbolt Share. This is one of Intel's newer developments, and you'll need a complete Thunderbolt 5 ecosystem to make use of it, but it essentially allows you to connect two systems via a single cable, transfer files, and use accessories between them. Razer included that critical license in its dock, so you're all good to go.

Ok, we've covered the fun stuff - what about the nitty gritty?

The Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma packs 11 connections in total: one upstream Thunderbolt 5, three downstream Thunderbolt 5s, two USB-As running at 10GB/s, one USB-C at 10GB/s, a UHS-II SD card slot, an ethernet connection, and 3.5mm audio. It's not the most expansive selection of ports on the market, but it's designed to complement your entire laptop experience rather than simply add a bulk of connections. I still had everything I needed for my single monitor setup, consisting of keyboard, mouse, Razer Laptop Cooling Pad, Logitech speakers, webcam, and headset.

You may have noticed something missing, though. There's no dedicated video ports here, no DisplayPort, no HDMI - this is a Thunderbolt device, and it means it. That's a little disappointing considering it's not exactly an expensive addition, and the lack of these traditional ports certainly makes initial setup more of a headache.

Once you've all the right kit, you're good for a single 8K monitor at 60Hz or, more likely, three 4K displays at 144Hz.

A 140W power delivery is certainly a step up compared to older Thunderbolt 4 options, but I still needed to keep my gaming laptop roster plugged in. Those using the Thunderbolt 5 Dock for productivity purposes with integrated graphics should be able to get by easily on a single connection alone.

Performance

Thunderbolt 5 gaming laptops are out there, but they're still infiltrating the market. You'll be running one of the most powerful machines available if you're able to take advantage of the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma's full speeds right now. I didn't have any compatible laptops in my arsenal while testing, but I do have a number of Thunderbolt 4 options to test run.

I hooked the dock up to the Alienware 16X Aurora and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI for a couple of days each and had no issue with stuttering or low power draw. I've seen my fair share of cheaper docks in my day, and they almost always cause problems when the heat is on.

If you're looking for a particularly serene working environment, it's worth noting that the brand's cooling system can kick up a stir. It's by no means as loud as your gaming laptop is likely to be, though.

Should you buy the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma?

If you're looking to invest in a high-end Thunderbolt 5 dock, there are a few options open to you. Of course, you can always take aim at the cheaper market, but I generally find that you get what you pay for in terms of stability here. Those building a new future-proofed setup will certainly want to take a look at what Razer's putting down here.

iVanky packs more ports with that same 140W power delivery and ups your ethernet to 2.5Gb for $499.99 at Amazon. That's for those maximizing connectivity, though, you're paying $100 more and dropping the SSD enclosure and Thunderbolt Share license.

I've had good experiences with Ugreen in the past, and its Revodok Max is hitting the same $399.99 MSRP as Razer, with a couple extra ports thrown in. Again, there are no fancy features added to that cost.

Overall, Razer is actually looking pretty strong right now. It's matching and beating competitor prices while offering more features, albeit at the slight expense of connection breadth.

How I tested the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma

I used the Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma over the course of four weeks, with it tethered to both the Alienware 16X Aurora and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI. I installed a Seagate Firecuda 530 R 1TB SSD and connected all my usual peripherals. For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

After a machine to connect that dock to? Check out the best Asus gaming laptops and best Alienware laptops. Or, if you're hooking up a smaller screen, check out the best Steam Deck docks on the market.

Gaming hardware markets can be very competitive spaces. Loads of brands try to peddle what can often be really similar products but, for the most part, marketing for them all stays pretty cordial. I've been covering gaming hardware for three years now, and I seldom see one brand blatantly name its rivals and try to tear down the competition. Elgato seems to be taking a different approach because it's just thrown a lot of shade at some of the best gaming chairs money can buy.

A few days ago, Elgato unveiled the Embrace, a completely new product from this arm of Corsair. For a brand that usually makes tech, peripherals, and some of the best gear for streaming, it's fun to see it branch out into a new market. However, the Embrace is not a gaming chair, and it seems like Elgato really wants to make that really clear.

"In the mid-2000s, gaming chairs came onto the scene," said Jeff Stegner, Product Manager at Elgato, in an announcement video on the brand's YouTube channel.

"These chairs came in at a premium price point and were extremely popular, and are still sold to this day by a multitude of brands. However, the issue with these chairs is they lack adjustability. You can essentially adjust its height, armrest height, and then you have the recliner on the back, and that's it. And when you're sitting on a chair for hours on end, the lack of adjustability can cause problems with comfort."

I review gaming chairs for a living, and while I can say that that's a true statement for a few, pretty limited and cost-effective seats, it's really not the norm.

Gaming chairs pride themselves on their adjustability these days, and have done so for a while. So, Elgato issuing a blanket statement while showing a clip of someone violently adjusting the recline level on an AndaSeat product definitely made my ears prick up. I'd go so far as to say that the majority of gaming chairs these days include multiple-dimension armrest adjustments, custom lumbar support, with a few flagships even offering seat depth adjustments, and even floating backrests.

"Steggy" continues by noting that, to combat the increasing popularity of office chairs, gaming chair brands have started to include more ergonomic adjustability and high-end features, but says that to get these things, you need to pay over a grand.

As he's saying this, the video cuts to show retail screenshots of the Herman Miller Logitech Embody and the Asus ROG Destrier Ergo chair, two particularly pricey chairs, but two blatant outliers in the market when it comes to price.

This is when I got a bit confused. Elgato's parent company, Corsair, also makes gaming chairs, including the excellent Corsair TC500 Luxe, which offers most of the features Elgato's marketing team says gaming chairs lack - for the price of $500 - which just so happens to be the cost of the new Elgato Embrace.

I can list you plenty of gaming chairs, like the Fractal Refine, the Secretlab Titan Evo, the Boulies Master Series, and the AutoFull G7, that all offer loads of adjustability for around the $500-$700 mark, and if not, they're absolutely under the $1,000-$2,000 price point Elgato is firing shots at.

In fact, one brand the video names and shames is Razer, which charges $699 for its Iskur V2, but put out the Razer Iskur V2 X this year, providing a lot of the same features for just $299. Similarly, AndaSeat, the example in the video of a clunky and non-adjusting gaming chair brand, released the AndaSeat Novis this year, which keeps its cost below $500.

"Our goal with Embrace was to offer a chair with the comfort, features, and manual adjustability of a high-end office chair, but at a much more accessible price point," Stegner says.

The video then goes on to cover what makes Embrace so great compared to all these rival offerings, starting with the assembly process.

Now, I've had to assemble a fair few gaming seats in my job, and I can tell you that they basically all have the same build process, minus a few discrepancies. You put the wheels in the wheelbase, the gas pipe in the wheelbase, connect the seatbase to the bottom, then fix the backrest to the rest of the piece.

Despite Elgato saying other chairs have "laborious" setups, that exact process is precisely what's outlined in the video for building the Elgato Embrace. Thankfully, Elgato does seem to be improving on convention in one way, and that's sustainability. All the plastic packaging most gaming chairs use for wrapping parts of the chair up, or separating tools, has been removed, substituted for cardboard, and recyclable cloth pouches.

When it comes to ergonomics though, I really don't think Elgato's marketing has been fair or accurate to what else is available at this price range.

The Embrace has a mesh back, a non-mesh, cushioned seat, 4D armrests, adjustable lumbar support and seat depth, and five levels of recline. You also get a recline tension twister, so you can determine how much you need to push back to actually get into that reclined position.

Pretty much beat for beat, that means that the Embrace has the exact same list of features that the Fractal Refine does. That chair launched at $549 / $474 and can be frequently found on sale for less. So, I'm left questioning what exactly is so new and accessible about Elgato's "studio" chair.

This is where the real issue lies for me.

A brand outwardly naming and shaming other products and saying they don't do enough is fine, so long as the brand doing so can actually prove it's doing something different. As someone who gets all the press releases and announcements about new gaming chairs and covers this market for a living, Elgato's way of unveiling its own chair seems a tad combative and misleading for consumers.

All the while, it says that its chair isn't a gaming chair, it's a "studio" chair, as if that makes all the comparisons okay.

Either way, this approach of steering into a new market is not a great look for Elgato, especially when its parent brand is one of the only big gaming chair makers that isn't directly shown as a bad example in the video, and yet its products do the same things as everyone it's critiquing.

The Elgato Embrace isn't available to purchase yet, but there is a listing for it at the brand's website. While it's only going to be available in one color at launch, there are hints in the reveal video that more colorways will be available later.

• See all gaming chairs at Amazon
• Fractal Refine: $599.99 at Amazon
• Corsair TC500 Luxe: $518 at Amazon

Want to find some other Elgato gear? Read up on the best capture cards, the best microphones for streaming and gaming, and the best streaming mixers.

The day has finally arrived where I can rest easy knowing that more of the Razer Gengar Collection is now available in the US and UK.

When I was fortunate enough to get a look at the Gengar Edition Kraken Kitty V2 headset last month, I lamented that it was disappointing that the rest of the set, which had been out overseas in China for quite some time, wasn't made available alongside the ghostly pair of cups.

My hopes have now been answered, as now the Gengar Edition Razer Cobra gaming mouse, and its matching Gengar Edition Razer Gigantus V2 XXL mouse mat are available starting from $49.99 at Amazon, and as a 26-year-old Pokemon fan, I'm desperate to level up my PC setup with the rest of the spooky set.

The first new addition to the set, the Razer Cobra gaming mouse, perfectly ties in with the gaming headset. The left and right click buttons are adorned with Gengar's mischievous face, but it's the palm rest I can't look away from.

Instead of overusing Gengar imagery, the main body of the mouse features this perfectly on-brand ghost Pokemon pattern, consisting of tiny ghost icons and some purple Poke Balls too. Even the Razer Chroma RGB lit-up logo glows purple to tie everything together.

This set is all about its licensing, so while it looks the part, it's not the best gaming mouse out there, which is worth taking on board if you're after an upgrade. Unlike the fancy Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, the Razer Cobra is not as feature-full and is just a wired mouse equipped with Razer's Gen 3 optical mouse switches, Razer Chroma-powered RGB lighting, and one available onboard profile to save your favorite custom settings.

If you want to match your new Gengar edition headset, however, grabbing the Razer Cobra mouse would be a good place to start. As would be grabbing the Gengar Edition Razer Gigantus V2 XXL mouse mat.

This mouse mat is a bit less understated than its headset and gaming mouse brethren, featuring a massive in-your-face image of the ghost Pokemon on the left-hand side of the design. The 37.04 by 16.15" inch mouse mat also features that lovely patterning as found on the Gengar edition Cobra mouse, and is equipped with an anti-slip base to prevent it from moving around on your desk.

If it looks like something is missing from the set by now, you'd be entirely correct. The Gengar Edition Gengar Edition BlackWidow V4 Pro gaming keyboard, as seen with the original release of this set in China, is nowhere to be seen.

That's not entirely surprising, as there are some differences to this set in terms of its design, so the keyboard might just be off the cards entirely. However, I hope that's not the case, as typing away on a dark purple board plastered with spooky Pokemon imagery sounds like a dream, and the perfect way to spend the upcoming Halloween season.

I can't complain too much, as I never thought any part of this glorious Gengar Edition set would see the light of day in the US or the UK. If you're a big Gengar fan too, you can grab the new Gengar Edition Razer Cobra gaming mouse and the Gengar Edition Razer Gigantus V2 XXL mouse mat for $59.99 / £64.99 and $49.99 / £54.99 right now, straight from Razer and retailers like Amazon.

• Gengar Edition Razer headset starting from $139.99 at Razer
• View the Razer Gengar Edition set at Amazon
• View the Razer Pokemon Collection at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best PC gaming headset, the best gaming keyboard, and the best gaming chair if you're itching to give your PC setup a makeover.

I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of this Razer Pokemon Collection (the Gengar Edition headset and the rest of that spooky set of tech is more my style), but from one Pokemon Trainer to another, I still feel obliged to let you know it's currently on sale.

Thanks to today's Prime Day gaming deals, every item in the cute and colorful set is discounted, including the Razer BlackWidow V4 X keyboard, Razer Kraken V4 X headset, Razer Cobra mouse, and Razer Gigantus V2 medium-sized mouse pad. The biggest saving can be found with the wired headset, which is down to $70.14 at Amazon (was $99.99), a record-low for this pair of cups.

While its cuteness might not be super effective against me, any item in this set would be sure to light up the life of any Pokemon fan, making them the perfect gift for the holidays. Or, you can always treat yourself to a Pokemon gaming keyboard, mouse, headset, and a matching mousepad - I won't tell anyone, promise.

• View all Razer Prime Day gaming deals at Amazon
• View all headset deals at Amazon
• View all keyboard deals at Amazon

Still hunting for last minute Prime Day savings? Our hubs for the best Prime Day PS5 deals, the best Prime Day gaming laptop deals, the the best Prime Day monitor deals are full of discounts worth your time.

Razer's giving its latest BlackWidow V4 line a complete thrashing, with hot-swappable, full-sized, and Pro releases all taking up the last few years. Now it's turned to the low-profile market, with the 18.5mm-thick Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed.

At $199.99 (for the TKL version I've been testing, the full-sized model comes in at $229.99), the BlackWidow is more expensive than its competitors. The newly released Logitech G515 Rapid TKL is available for $159.99, and the more compact Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile comes in at $189.99. Considering the latter is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market, Sneki's got some work to do.

Razer's laying its hat on its switches this time around, with brand new low-profile mechanical clackers on show. With a sturdy build quality, satisfying (if slightly annoying-sounding) typing experience, and bold RGB lighting, there's plenty to celebrate here.

Design

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile looks fantastic. It's a stunner as soon as it slides out of the box. With a brushed aluminum topper, a rock-hard plastic chassis, and an inky matte black finish, it certainly looks the part. The thinner lip of a low-profile keyboard is always going to be more comfortable than the chunkier bodies of most mechanical decks, and Razer's iteration is as palm-friendly as the rest - even though there's no wrist rest to speak of.

Despite its thinner form factor, it's a particularly dense design. I'd be shocked if I ever heard a creak from this plank, and the main chassis stays firm and rigid under pressure.

Add in Razer's super vibrant RGB lighting (the best in the business if you're going for a color show), and you've got a slick, subtle deck that knows how to party when the lights go down.

That's all the good, but there are a few downsides I noticed during testing.

The first comes down to volume. It's been a long time since I'd last heard keyboard switches pinging around a chassis, but Razer hasn't escaped the echo that often comes with a slimmer design. There are two layers of sound-dampening foam inside the case, but they're not quite doing enough to prevent that ping sound. Considering one of my favorite things about the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile (my top skinny deck at the moment) was its cushioned sound profile, that's an eyebrow raiser for Razer.

The BlackWidow V4 Low Profile has a mouth on it then, but it also has a forehead. The TKL version has a strangely thick top bezel that looks a little off. It adds a good amount of height to the device overall and could easily have housed additional media controls (the full-sized model does, in fact). As it stands, this is just blank space added to the top, which is a little disappointing.

Keycaps

Razer's low profile keycaps do a fantastic job of keeping shorter switch actuations satisfying and comfortable, with a cushioned thickness and a durable strength to the middle section.

These are PBT toppers, and they carry that trademark roughness that so many prefer. I'm in that camp, generally prioritizing texture and grip over smoother controls. There are certainly grittier caps out there, but I still found these to be tactile and precise in both typing and gaming.

Caps are spread out to allow for a clean strip of LED lighting between them, but the legends can struggle to maintain that same uniformity. Longer shine-throughs lose light towards the edges, which other keyboards often manage to avoid.

Switches

Razer's low-profile switches come in all the same flavors as the rest of the lineup: clicky greens, tactile oranges, and silent yellows. I've got those orange clackers in my test device, with a fairly strong actuation bump, 45g of actuation force, and a full travel of 2.8mm.

They're a little heavier than switches I opt for personally, so I was concerned about fatigue over longer typing sessions. A comfortable 1.2mm actuation point means they still feel nippy, even if repeat presses can drop sometimes.

Software

Razer Synapse has been overhauled in recent years and now runs much cleaner on your system. It's a massively welcomed change, as it's actually one of the more in-depth keyboard programs on the market right now. You'll be using Synapse 4 to configure everything from RGB effects to SOCD controls and keybinding, with a set of intuitive menus at your fingertips.

Synapse is super easy to navigate, with a series of boxes arranged on a single screen to give you a top-down view of all your controls in one go. You've also got space for five onboard profiles here, as well as the brand's HyperShift secondary programming layer.

This program also plays a larger role in the BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed compared to other Razer gaming keyboards. That's because you'll need Synapse 4 to use one of the keyboard's shiny new controls.

Controls

Razer really wants AI Prompt Master to happen. I'm not convinced.

The dedicated button allows you to quickly dive into ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, with a prompt you've already shaped and crafted using Razer's own software. It's essentially a backdoor to your AI engine of choice, with a copy-and-paste for the prompt. Is it revolutionary? No, but the brand's keen to stay forward-thinking when it comes to its place in a productivity-focused setup.

That AI Prompt Master clicker sits next to a vastly more helpful control. It may sound small, but the handy battery button is actually incredibly useful. Hitting this dedicated clicker puts the whole keyboard into a low-power mode, while holding it displays your battery level along the number row. That means no more guessing or booting up extra programs to double-check you've got enough juice to see you through a session.

That all sits underneath a wide volume roller with a nice clickable action and smooth glide. Unfortunately, there are no dedicated media controls in the TKL version. That's odd, there's certainly enough space for them and their absence is quickly noted in a form factor many opt for in order to keep them on the desk.

Connection

The 'Hyperspeed' in the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile's name is your first clue that you'll be ditching the cable for this deck. Both the TKL and full-sized versions run off both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, with the option to connect a USB-C cable available as well.

That $200 price tag puts the BlackWidow in the same category as some of the best wireless gaming keyboards for competitive players, but its polling rate doesn't exactly follow through. This is a 1,000Hz device - more than enough for casual gameplay, but not quite offering the same headroom as competitors like the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL.

Is that a deal breaker for everyday players? Absolutely not, but if you're starting to climb the leaderboards and have esports arenas in sight, you'll want to find something with faster communication.

Battery

Razer claims that its BlackWidow can run for up to 980 hours in its lowest power setting, and with a Bluetooth connection. That sounds impressive, even if other decks can push a lot further (the Asus ROG Azoth's best-case-scenario is 2,000 hours), but real-world usage is considerably lower.

It's not a bad battery life by any means - I ran the BlackWidow for about nine days (at approximately 73 hours total) before the battery finally blinked out. That's with full RGB while running over 2.4GHz.

Typing

In my test configuration, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile is, generally, a pleasant keyboard to type on. These keys feel a little heavier than the full-height mechanical linears I'm used to working on, which translates to a slight fatigue over particularly long sessions. However, they were far more comfortable than I first expected when getting my hands on them.

There's a heavy actuation bump here, trading out that slick, smooth linear action for enhanced accuracy and reduced accidental key presses. It's plenty fast, though not quite as nippy as a lower-resistance switch, and I didn't experience any wobble from larger key stabilizers. My typing speed averaged at around 96WPM with an accuracy of 94%. That's pretty much regular speed for me, though not as fast as some decks would offer, with an accuracy erring towards the bottom of average.

The only problem is that ping sound. I first noticed it quite early on in testing, and I don't know if it grated on me more or actually did grow louder, but I swear the space bar is clacking a lot louder than it used to. If you're after a deeper auditory profile, this isn't the deck for you.

Gaming

Keeping those caps and switches short makes for fantastic gameplay. No, it's not going to transform your reflexes overnight, but the additional comfort and much shallower travel does make more competitive endeavors feel more controlled.

Without magnetic or analog inputs, there's very little room for actuation customization, but we're already pretty sensitive here. I never felt like I was lacking speed or control during FPS battles or slower single-player adventures.

Should you buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed?

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile looks and (overall) feels great on a desk. Its high-end caps, luxury design, vibrant RGB lighting, and versatile wireless connections keep it in the arena when it comes to competitor flagships, while its software integration offers a few unique features some might miss.

If you want the additional customization features of magnetic switches, Logitech's G515 magnetic competitor is $40 cheaper, however. Meanwhile, those looking for the best typing experience possible should scrap the TKL form factor for the 65% Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile. Both are cheaper than Razer's latest release, while offering more in the gaming and typing arenas, respectively.

Instead, I'd recommend the BlackWidow to low-profile die-hards looking for a larger TKL or full-sized deck that can keep up with more modern software features while still looking fantastic in a setup.

How I tested the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed

I sued the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed for two weeks, running it across all my games and daily work. During that time I primarily tested across Apex Legends and Doom: The Dark Ages, with a healthy amount of Spiritfarer and The Sims 4 thrown in for good measure. I also completed three typing speed tests, taking my average WPM and accuracy from all three.

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

I'm also rounding up all the best hot-swappable keyboards on the market, as well as the best membrane gaming keyboards if you're after something cheaper. If you're fitting out a full setup, it's also worth checking out the best gaming mouse models.

I know I know, pre-orders have only just hit the shelves. But as luck would have it, the very gaming keyboard I would pair with the new ROG Xbox Ally has just taken its first ever price cut. If you're looking to take your handheld on the road in a larger setup, this is the deal you need to be looking at.

The Razer Joro has clung onto its $139.99 MSRP its entire life up to now. A squeaky $10 discount has just dropped it to a record-low price at Amazon, taking us down to $129.99 for the scissor-switch darling. Considering this is one of the best wireless gaming keyboards on the market, that's a small saving worth celebrating.

You can pick up cheap Bluetooth keyboards for as little as $10 by themselves these days, but you won't find this polish, speed, or typing experience in any of them. $129.99 might be a bit pricey if you're building a budget-friendly setup ahead of your ROG Xbox Ally pre-order, but if you're going all out on a new set of toys this offer is well worth a look.

Should you buy the Razer Joro?

Cards on the table, I was prepared to hate the Razer Joro. When I first took it out of the box back in May, though, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not normally a fan of low profile keyboards, and while I did miss the thock of a full-height cap in my day to day work the scissor switches under these luxury clickers kept everything springy and tactile.

It's a similar system to the keyboard you'll find on the Razer Blade 16, but rather than attaching a $3,000 gaming laptop to it, you're investing in a super portable, incredibly snappy gaming keyboard that can easily connect to your Windows handheld via Bluetooth and weigh just 374g while doing so.

For those reasons, it pairs beautifully with the Asus ROG Ally, and will undoubtedly do so for the new ROG Xbox version as well. I used the Razer Joro with my OG Ally for Doom: The Dark Ages while also pairing it with my iPad Air and, while that Bluetooth connection isn't going to be fast enough to keep up with 2.4GHz options, it can easily keep up with single player affair.

This is where the Razer Joro feels most at home, among the best gaming handhelds on the market. Used as a daily driver for longer typing sessions, those stiffer keys introduce a little fatigue and the lower elevation struggles to remain comfortable.

If you're after a one of the best gaming keyboards for a compact desk setup, I'd recommend the Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile instead. On the road, though? This is your best friend.

• See all gaming keyboards at Amazon
• Razer Joro | $139.99 $129.99 at Amazon
• Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile | $169.99 at Amazon

I'm also rounding up the best membrane gaming keyboards if you're after something a little cheaper as well as the best hot-swappable keyboards for more customizable options. Of course, you can also check out the best gaming mouse models on the market for more on-the-go setup ideas.

I've just finished reviewing the Razer Blade 14, and was greeted with some hefty savings to soften the blow of that lofty MSRP. That's lucky, these portable gaming laptops have always had a little brand tax associated with the cost, and considering the 2025 Blade 14 taps out at an RTX 5070 you're not paying for power.

Instead, the Blade 14 is a hybrid work / play device targeted towards those after luxury feel above all else. If you want that premium experience without the price tag, you can head over to Razer's own official store for up to $700 off the newest release.

I'd recommend checking out the RTX 5070 version first. This is the configuration I put against some of the best gaming laptops on the market and the one that feels best positioned as a true 2025 gaming device. It's less powerful than other machines you'll find (even at today's $1,999.99 sale price), but you still get enough juice to run more demanding titles at 1080p and that gorgeous OLED panel to help lighter games shine in full QHD+.

At full cost, this model would set you back a full $2,699.99. That's a lot to spend on a machine outperformed by some a whole price bracket below it. For the big spender looking to upgrade both their work and play, though, this just feels right.

Of course, the RTX 5060 version is also getting in on the action, but I'd only recommend it to those who only play lighter games.

Should you buy the 2025 Razer Blade 14?

I've been using the previous generation Razer Blade 14 for years now, and can attest to its long term durability. These machines are made to stand the test of time, and continue feeling new and shiny well past their first year of life.

That said, they aren't the best for those looking to push framerates, and 2025's iteration doubles down on this form-over-functionality approach. This is the thinnest Razer Blade yet, though it's less than 0.1-inches thinner than my trusty RTX 4070 version. That's a squeeze for high-end components, especially with that CNC-milled aluminum chassis bringing temperature concerns into the mix.

That not only means that the RTX 5070 has less room to breathe inside this chassis, but it's also the reason you won't find any RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 options. If you're after the best Razer laptop for more demanding games running at full QHD+ resolution, I'd recommend checking out the Razer Blade 16.

I still love this little machine, though. It's got one of the best screens on the market in that OLED panel and it's just so damn sleek. A low weight, ultra-portable form factor means this is still a consideration for anyone looking to combine work and play machines. The battery can comfortably see you through tasks while out and about, and that RTX 5070 can still perform when plugged in at home as well.

• See all gaming laptops at Razer
• Razer Blade 14 (RTX 5060) | $2,299.99 $1,699.99 at Razer
• Razer Blade 14 (RTX 5070) | $2,699.99 $1,999.99 at Razer

I'm also rounding up the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops. Or check out the best gaming PCs for something more desk-based.

The recent Razer Pokemon Collection wasn't very super effective at igniting the 26-year-old Pokemon fan within me. It felt lazy compared to past collaborations, and by that point, I had already seen a ton of gaming accessories plastered with Pikachu and friends' faces. The Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 gaming headset is much more, and is exactly how I believe a licensed bit of gaming tech should look in every which way and form.

There are still images of the Pokemon found throughout this wired pair of cups, but the original design team went all out in replicating the deep purple colors, and the adorable spikey ears and tuffs of hair I associate with the classic Gengar aesthetic. It's so good that the first time I glanced its way after Razer launched it outside of Asia, I genuinely considered re-joining the world of cosplay and basing an entire outfit around it, and the iconic ghost Pokemon from my childhood.

I take licensed gaming headsets pretty seriously as they're often an amalgamation of my two favorite things: nerdy IPs I adore and gaming accessories.

The previous Razer Pokemon Collection felt like a waste of the Pokemon branding, but this Gengar Kraken Kitty V2 is anything but. The moment I feasted my eyes on the Razer headset as I pulled it out from its shimmery purple packaging, I was grinning from ear to ear, just like the ghostly bad boy himself.

I had seen images of it before, as it was originally exclusive to Asia, but I didn't fully appreciate just how stunning it would be in person. The official promo images don't quite do the gorgeous dark purple colorway justice, nor just how brightly the Razer Chroma-powered RGB silhouettes of Gengar on the side of either ear cup glow.

I assumed that the ears and recreations of Gengar's hair tufts on the headband would feel cheap and flimsy, too, but they're super sturdy and have a nice weight to them, but not so much that it makes the headset uncomfortable to wear.

That comfort is aided by the lovely, matching plush dark purple leather-coated earcups. The leather coating is the perfect shade to match the rest of the headset, but Razer went the extra mile by including a ring of lighter purple leather between the cups and padding, which matches the padding on the underside of the headband. These little details help break up the dark colorway, without losing out on its purple identity, and it looks absolutely stunning.

All these lush official Pokemon design elements come at an extra $40 / £50 cost, but that's pretty common with licensed tech. Whether you're willing to pay for that depends on how big a Gengar fan you are, as you could instead grab the original Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB headset for just $99.99 at Amazon, or directly from Razer, in either Quartz Pink, White, or Black and save some cash in the process.

Without its ghostly Gengar aesthetics, this headset is essentially just the Kraken Kitty V2 USB headset.

It features the same Razer TriForce 40mm audio drivers, which are also found on the Razer Barracuda X, and the same Razer HyperClear cardioid microphone. That's not a bad thing by any means. Playing through the spooky game Still Wakes the Deep through this spooky Pokemon headset sounded delightful, and even without the benefits of spatial audio support, the 7.1 surround sound made the eerie chatter of the game's monsters sound as if they were in my living room with me.

The microphone is also alright and gets the job done. Much to my annoyance, it's not detachable, but fortunately, the boom arm is bendy enough that you can push it away when not playing online games or chatting to your friends via Discord, and it will actually stay out of the way.

My only issue with the headset is that, much like the original, it's a USB wired pair of cups and doesn't use a 3.5mm jack. For any console players, like myself, who have their PS5 a few metres away from their sofa, that's a big issue. I had to sit right at the edge of my seat, not because I was scared of Still Wakes the Deep, but because the headset wire wasn't long enough to sit back and relax.

Like any bit of licensed tech, it's not a perfect headset by any means. Those wired limitations make it better suited for PC players, and that's a bit of a bummer given you're only going to find the most recent Pokemon games on the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile gaming platforms.

Its extra $40 / £50 markup over the original Razer Kraken Kitty V2 headset isn't ideal either. However, that's a small price to pay for what is, in my opinion, one of the best-looking headsets the brand has released to date. Not to mention, a fantastic collector's piece for any die-hard Pokemon and Gengar fans.

Now, if only the rest of the Razer Gengar Collection could get the same overseas treatment.

• View all Razer headsets: at Amazon
• Razer Kraken Kitty V2 USB Wired Headset:  $99.99 $86.99 at Amazon
• Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro Wireless: $179.99 at Amazon

Not into wired headsets? Check out our guides to the best PS5 headsets, best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets for a full range of alternative wireless alternatives.

I've been using an RTX 4070 Razer Blade 14 for two years now and love it, so I was cautiously protective when the new RTX 50-Series model landed on my doorstep. This is the grandchild of the device I've been carting around all this time, and the new blood brings a host of features that threaten the old guard's position on my desk.

Razer releases some of the market's best gaming laptops every year, but they come with a heavy cost. With full CNC-milled aluminum builds, premium displays, and sleek, slimline form factors these are the Macbooks of the gaming laptop world - and the 2025 Razer Blade 14 is no different.

Configurations

There are two main configurations of the Razer Blade 14 available, and they both stick to the mid-range of Nvidia's RTX 50-Series graphics cards. You're choosing between the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 here, with both sporting AMD's Ryzen AI 9 365 processor. This is a step down in power level compared to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which starts life with the boosted RTX 5070 Ti and caps out at an RTX 5080 and bumps you up to an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

In reality, most players will be opting for the RTX 5070 option anyway. The cheaper RTX 5060 version limits you to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. You'll need to pick up at least 32GB RAM for the RTX 5070 version, but it's the only way to double up storage to 2TB.

Compared to Asus, you're not going to be interested in the Blade if you're looking to chase the highest framerates possible. These 14-inchers have never been about blazing power, though - they want you to run your favorite games well and look good doing it.

Design

If it weren't for the fingerprints on the lid of my 2023 model, the newest Razer Blade 14 wouldn't look too different on the desk. The only real clue that there's two years of work in the latest release reveals itself when viewed side on.

Razer has slimmed its 14-inch rig down to just 0.64-inches (closed). Most of this space has been saved on the lower half of the chassis, which makes for a marginally more comfortable experience when used at a desk. I never had any issues carting my slightly thicker model around in a backpack, so I'm not completely sold on the portability benefits of going super-slim like this. We're talking about 0.06 of an inch here. Would I rather that over an RTX 5080 option? I'm not so sure.

The new Blade 14 is noticeably lighter, though. My older model hits at 4.05lbs whereas we're down to 3.59lbs here. It's still slightly heavier than the less-stocky Zephyrus, but it's a more tangible improvement over previous iterations.

Of course, you know what I'm going to say about the aesthetic design. This is a Razer Blade laptop, it looks like just about every other Blade ever released, a simple black brick with a green LED logo stamped on the back and a minimalist design running throughout.

It's the most sturdy design I've come across, though. Each machine is milled out of a single block of aluminum and anodized, with a Black or Mercury (silver) finish. That means a rock solid base and easy one-handed opening. Is it as flashy as the Zephyrus with its LED light strip and more curved form factor? Maybe not, but it's far cooler.

Display

I don't know why I was surprised to find an OLED panel when I first booted up the 2025 Razer Blade 14. After all, these luxury displays have come to dominate the luxury market this year and the 2025 Razer Blade 16 is the best example I've seen. Maybe it's because I'm used to the standard IPS panel on my daily driver.

This was the hardest part of testing the Blade 14, though - the only part that made me err on the side of a premature upgrade. This is a sumptuous 14-inch OLED panel, with incredibly rich color, texture, and definition all conspiring with a slightly higher-than-average resolution to make everything from Doom: The Dark Ages weapons to Tiny Bookshop landscapes appear breathtaking.

It's not as immersive as larger iterations on the Blade 16, but in this smaller chassis this OLED panel is super sharp, cuttingly crisp, and potently punchy. I found myself getting lost in menus, gazing at details on Doom weapons close-ups that I'd never stopped to admire before.

There's glare, not as much as I found with the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10, but certainly more than a non-OLED (and if I recall correctly, more than I found on the Zephyrus G14). I was still able to catch all the details in a sunlit room, though - without too many distractions.

Ports

The Razer Blade 14 offers up two USB-A connections and two USB-C options. The actual specs of those ports give it a slight edge over the Zephyrus G14, you've got two USB4 Type-C ports here rather than the one featured in Asus's model. That's a very small detail; it will only come in useful if you're connecting directly to a high-speed monitor while also looping up a separate USB-4 dock.

Port placement is pretty standard for a slimline 14-inch gaming laptop. These are machines designed to be transported regularly, so there are no rear-positioned ports. With a USB-C and a USB-A on each side, though, you've got plenty of options and - if you're economical with accessories - there's the potential for keeping the right side completely clear.

Attach a few wired gadgets, though, and the setup can look a little messy while getting in the way of mouse movements.

Like the G14 (and most 14-inchers) there's no ethernet connection available here.

Keyboard and trackpad

I really tried to keep a level head when testing the Razer Blade 14's keyboard. After all, I've been using this layout for writing over the course of two years - it's always going to feel more comfortable and natural compared to brand new machines.

Regardless of that experience, though, I am confident in saying that the Blade 14's keyboard offers a fantastic typing experience. It's not too dissimilar from my older model, both with super light keypresses, flat square caps of a generous size, and a nicely cushioned bottom-out.

Full-sized left and right arrow buttons are slightly undermined by half-sized up/down keys. I'd still take that over the tiny arrow buttons on the Zephyrus, though. The Zephyrus is, however, a little springier in its action, providing more energy in its switches and a little more protection against unwanted keypresses.

Keyboard feel is personal, but if you lean more towards the soft/silent experience Razer's going to win this matchup. If you prefer a more tactile keypress with a satisfying amount of grit behind it, Asus is on top.

A glass touchpad sits beneath that main keyboard deck, stretching from the left-alt to the edge of the Copilot key for an expansive panel. Gestures are smooth and picked up responsively, with intuitive palm rejection in place as well.

Performance

In its super slimline chassis, and with the power of an RTX 5070 to play with, the Razer Blade 14 is never going to out-gun chunkier models, or those with the capacity to run up the GPU ladder. It does, however, comfortably out-pace the previous generation RTX 4070 model and generally manages to keep up with the chunkier Asus ROG Strix G16.

I noted an average 14% gen-on-gen performance increase compared to my older model in synthetic 3D Mark benchmarks, a solid boost between the RTX 4070 and RTX 5070, especially when taking that reduced waistline into account.

Easier tests see it sit a little behind the Asus ROG Strix G16 with the same 5070 at the helm, but the Blade 14 inches ahead in more complex Steel Nomad runs. With the advantage of that more powerful RTX 5080 configuration option, though, the G14 is comfortably outpacing the Blade in 2025.

In-game, the story's much the same. FHD benchmarks give us a look at how far the Blade 14 can be pushed with less strain on resolution, and it hits the minimum 60fps in everything at top settings. Its biggest test is Black Myth Wukong (with RT enabled), where it matches pace with the RTX 5080-toting Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

It does, however, fall away from these bigger guns in other tests. Horizon Zero Dawn saw us dropping close to that 60fps threshold, where even the RTX 5070 Asus ROG G16 sailed through at 80fps. Still, despite its smaller size the Razer Blade 14 can comfortably take anything you can throw at it in FHD resolution.

The Blade 14 continues to hold its own in QHD+. At 1600p, the Razer Blade 15 has a strong lead against the previous generation, and beats the thicker G16 in easier runs. Not only that, but it's keeping up with the RTX 5080 Zephyrus twins as well.

We might not be hitting 60fps as regularly as other models, but we're keeping pretty even with the G14 in Cyberpunk at RT Ultra. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 has the extra width to take the lead in both easier and more demanding runs, sometimes trading places with the G14, but inches away from the Razer Blade 14 considerably in its benchmarks.

The Razer Blade 14 is a victim of its configuration options here. The RTX 5070 limitation means that the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 inches ahead in performance thanks to its wider scope. Similarly, that super slick portable chassis has to have a downside, and it's clear from the Blade's fight with the Asus ROG Strix G16. The chunkier chassis means the RTX 5070 has plenty more space to play in the G16, offering up better framerates overall as a result.

Battery

It's time to get the stopwatch out. The Razer Blade 14 proved itself decent in the productivity arena. With the screen and keyboard set to 50% brightness, the Blade 14 ran for about five hours before calling it quits. That's not going to sound like much if you're coming from the world of pure-productivity laptops, but it's certainly more than I could have hoped for from slimline gaming laptops a couple of years ago. It's also beyond the stretches of chunkier, more power-hungry configurations.

Gaming is a little tighter, with Doom: The Dark Ages running without RGB lighting and the screen at full brightness I managed to keep the Blade 14 alive for one hour, 18 minutes.

Should you buy the 2025 Razer Blade 14?

The Razer Blade 14 will make perfect sense for those after a productivity / play hybrid machine that prioritizes display quality, soft, comfortable typing, and portability. This is the niche that the 2025 release absolutely dominates, beating the previous generation with its OLED panel and inching ahead of the Zephyrus G14 in style and screen.

It's not for those looking to chase framerates. If you want to squeeze the best components possible into a compact form factor, and still hit high-hundreds in your framerates, I'd recommend checking out Asus's more expansive configuration options and boosted processor.

How I tested the Razer Blade 14

I used the 2025 Razer Blade 14 as my daily driver for two weeks, running the device for all work and play. I spent most of that time working off the laptop by itself, taking in that fantastic screen as much as possible, though I did connect to an external monitor via Razer's USB-4 dock for a few work tasks.

I benchmarked using synthetic tests across 3D Mark, running Time Spy, Fire Strike, and Steel Nomad and ran in-game tests across Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Total War: Three Kingdoms, Cyberpunk 2077, Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered, and Black Myth: Wukong. Outside of dedicated testing, I used the Blade 14 to play Doom: The Dark Ages and Tiny Bookshop.

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

I'm also hunting down plenty more of the best Razer laptops, best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops.

The Razer Blade 16 has seen some of its biggest discounts yet over at Razer this week, and while things certainly are still pricey for these RTX 5060 / RTX 5070 configurations, those looking for a high-end OLED panel should be taking note. After all, it's the face on this bad boy that ultimately makes it one of the best gaming laptops on the market right now.

Razer's largest discount sits on the RTX 5070 configuration, with $600 off the $2,799.99 MSRP dropping us down to $2,199.99 via the brand's own store. If you're truly looking to prioritize display quality, though, the RTX 5060 configuration is down to $1,899.99 thanks to a $500 discount. That's $100 cheaper than I've seen it in previous sales.

It's only these lower-end configurations on sale at Razer's store right now, though if you're putting overall immersion over pure framerates they're well worth the investment. If you are hunting for something a little beefier it's worth keeping an eye on that RTX 5090 configuration over the next few months.

Should you buy the Razer Blade 16?

The Razer Blade 16 is an expensive gaming laptop, and the 2025 iteration doubles down on that premium offering. This is the Macbook Pro of the PC gaming world - and it's not going to fit everyone.

For today's $1,899.99 sale price on the cheapest RTX 5060 version you could pick up an RTX 5070 Ti configuration of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S at Best Buy (and still keep an OLED display, just not the one I fell in love with on the Blade). That $1,899.99 would also net you an RTX 5070 version of the Asus ROG Strix G16 while it's on sale at Best Buy - with a chunkier chassis that will boost performance more than the slimline design of the Blade.

The Razer Blade has never been the best value on the web, though. This is a laptop more about style and overall quality of life. That means it pumps more into its display and luxurious chassis than its absolute performance, and if you share those priorities it's well worth a look.

I tested an RTX 5090 configuration that would normally come in at an eye-watering $4,499.99, but it still featured the same 240Hz QHD+ OLED screen you'll see here - and that panel is worth the leap. More and more gaming laptops are adopting OLED panels these days, but Razer's is the one that has impressed me the most.

It's super vibrant, with very little glare, and offers the kind of impact I still miss to this day. Colors pop brighter and details are sharper than other versions I've had on my desk - if you can get down to a store to see one for yourself, it's well worth the journey.

If you're investing in a luxury experience and you prioritize a slimline design, premium chassis, and high-end visual experience this is where you should be right now.

• See all gaming laptops at Best Buy
• Razer Blade 16 | $2,399.99 $1,899.99 at Razer
• Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI | $1,899.99 at Best Buy

I'm also hunting down all the best Asus gaming laptops and the best Alienware laptops. For more Sneki, though, take a look at the best Razer laptops on the market right now.