Some headsets try to impress with software, lights, and surround gimmicks. The Razer Kraken does none of that, and it has stayed a fixture on desks for years because of it. This review covers a month with the Kraken in its classic green wired form, used across PC, PS5, and Switch, and the short version is that a simple 3.5 mm headset still has a lot to say in a world of wireless flagships.
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Design and Build
The Kraken is immediately recognizable: a green aluminum frame, oversized oval ear cups, and a headband that looks like it could survive a drop down the stairs. The aluminum frame keeps the weight low, and the headset genuinely feels lighter than it looks, which matters more than any spec for sessions that run past the three hour mark.
The ear cushions are plush and sit around the ear rather than on it, and the memory foam holds its shape well after weeks of use. The frame has a useful amount of flex, so it accommodates different head sizes without pinching, and the whole build feels solid in a way that cheaper plastic headsets do not. It is not a travel headset, since it does not fold flat, but it survives a bag without complaint.
The box includes the headset, a 3.5 mm cable that connects at the ear cup, and a small manual. Older PCs with separate headphone and microphone jacks will need a splitter, which is a minor extra but worth noting for desktop builders, since most laptops and modern consoles take the single plug directly.
Key Features
The Kraken connects over a simple 3.5 mm jack, which is both the simplest and the most flexible feature on the headset. It works on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Series S, and mobile, because every one of those platforms has a 3.5 mm output, and it needs no drivers, no dongle, and no charging.
The microphone is the other defining feature. It is retractable rather than removable, sliding up into the left ear cup when not in use, and it carries a noise isolating design that keeps your voice clear while cutting background noise from the room. The mic arm holds its position well once bent, which is a small thing that cheaper headsets get wrong. On the left cup there is also an inline volume wheel, a handy detail for quick changes mid game.
Inside the ear cups sit 50 mm drivers, which is the size class that gives gaming headsets their roomy sound stage. The drivers are not the flashiest on paper, but they are matched to the closed back design, and the combination delivers the kind of balanced Audio That makes footsteps and environmental cues easy to place without being fatiguing over hours of play.
Real-World Performance
I used the Kraken as my primary headset for a month, rotating it between a gaming PC, a PS5, and a Switch docked in the living room. Game audio sounded clear and well balanced. The 50 mm drivers deliver solid bass without mud, and directional cues, such as footsteps and gunfire, came through with enough clarity to matter in competitive play, even without virtual surround software.
Comfort was the standout. The low weight and plush cushions meant I forgot I was wearing it during long evenings, and the clamping force stayed gentle throughout. The sound leak is minimal for a pair of this size, and the closed ear cups do a reasonable job of blocking background noise, so a busy room does not bleed into the game.
Outside of gaming, the Kraken pulled double duty for music and movie nights. Music sounded fuller than I expect from a gaming focused headset, with a present low end and clear vocals, and films carried the weight of their soundtracks without the harshness some budget headsets add. It is not an audiophile piece, but it is far better for everyday media than most gaming headsets in its price class.
The microphone performed well for team chat. Voice came through clean and intelligible in Discord and in game voice, and the retractable design means it is out of the way entirely when you want to eat or drink without the boom in the way. The one limit is the wired reality: the cable reaches most setups, but if your rig sits far from the console or PC, you will need an extension, since the cord is not the longest in its class.
I did most of my testing through the console controller jack and the PC front panel, and the headset performed the same in both. That consistency across sources is a quiet strength of a wired 3.5 mm design: there is no codec negotiation, no battery timer, and no connection drop, just sound whenever the plug is in.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight aluminum frame that stays comfortable for hours
- Works on nearly every platform over one 3.5 mm cable
- Retractable noise isolating mic that stays out of the way
- Solid, durable build at a sensible price
- Clear game audio with strong directional cues
Cons:
- Wired only, with no detachable cable option
- No built in virtual surround software
- Cable length can be short for far sitting positions
- Does not fold flat for easy travel
How It Compares
Against the current crop of gaming headsets, the Kraken is a value pick that competes with wired models like the HyperX Cloud series and the Logitech G headsets. Where the HyperX Cloud leans on its build and comfort, the Kraken counters with its aluminum frame and cross platform reach. Wireless headsets, meanwhile, cost more and add charging to your routine in exchange for no cable.
| Feature | Razer Kraken | HyperX Cloud | Wireless Flagship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | 3.5 mm wired | 3.5 mm wired | Wireless dongle |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum | Varies |
| Mic | Retractable | Detachable | Detachable |
| Platforms | PC and all consoles | PC and consoles | Platform limited |
| Charging needed | None | None | Yes |
The Kraken makes the most sense when you switch between platforms often and do not want to manage multiple headsets or dongles. You can check the current Razer Kraken price on Amazon to see how it lines up against newer models.
The Kraken also holds its value as a second headset, because it lives in a drawer and works whenever a wireless pair is charging. That is a practical role many players overlook, and it is one more reason a dependable wired headset stays relevant even in a wireless household.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Razer Kraken if you play across PC, PlayStation, Switch, or Xbox and want one headset that simply works everywhere, if comfort matters more than wireless convenience, or if you want a tough, affordable headset without batteries or software to manage.
Skip it if you absolutely need a wireless connection or detachable mic, or if your setup places the jack out of cable reach. For everyone else, the Razer Kraken gaming headset on Amazon remains a genuinely good value.
One more consideration is longevity. Because the Kraken has no battery and no wireless chip, there is very little inside it that can fail over the years, and the aluminum frame is built for the long haul. That makes it a sensible buy for a young player's first headset or a spare for the living room, where ruggedness beats features.
How We Test
I used the Kraken for a month across PC, PS5, and Switch, judging comfort over long sessions, game audio clarity, directional audio in competitive titles, and microphone quality in Discord and game voice chat.
I kept the same games and music library across the test weeks so the comparisons were fair, and I logged comfort at the two and three hour marks to catch any clamping fatigue the early hours hide.
I compared it directly with a wired HyperX model and a wireless headset I keep in the lab, so the verdict rests on side by side use. Independent testing, such as the gaming headset roundups at PCMag, is a useful second opinion on where the Kraken sits in the wider market.
The Razer Kraken listing on Amazon has the current price and available color options.
Razer Kraken Gaming Headset: Questions People Ask
Does the Razer Kraken work on Xbox Series X and S?
Yes. The 3.5 mm jack plugs into the Xbox controller, so the headset works on Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Switch, PC, and mobile.
Is the microphone on the Razer Kraken removable?
The mic is retractable rather than removable. It slides into the left ear cup when not in use, and the boom carries a noise isolating design for team chat.
Is the Razer Kraken comfortable for long gaming sessions?
It is, thanks to the lightweight aluminum frame and the padded ear cushions. The headset stays comfortable for sessions that stretch several hours.
Does the Razer Kraken need software to work?
No. As a wired 3.5 mm headset it works with no drivers, though Razer Synapse can add customization on Windows if you want it.
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