Our Verdict
The Kraken USB are sub-par for mixed usage. They have a wired usb connection which has low latency for gaming but also makes them practically unusable with mobile devices. They have an odd sound profile that puts a lot of emphasis on bass which results in a boomy and muddy sound that's not suitable for critical listening. They're bulky, they have poor isolation and they won't be ideal for commuting or sports.
- Great microphone.
- Low latency wired USB connection
- low leakage.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Below-average bass-heavy sound.
- Plasticy build quality and mediocre comfort.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
Below-average for neutral listening. They have a subpar audio reproduction with a lot of bass and a skewed high-frequency response. This gives them a boomy and muddy sound that overpowers instruments and vocals. Unfortunately, the dip in the treble range further emphasizes their muddy sound, as lead instruments and vocals lack a lot of clarity and presence. They also don't have the best imaging and soundstage which means they won't be a good option for neutral listening. On the upside, you can somewhat EQ the sound quality with the Razer Synapse software.
Poor for commuting. They do not isolate well enough for loud environments, they're bulky and have a wired USB connection that's not suitable for mobile devices.
Poor for sports. They have a cumbersome design, no control scheme for mobile devices and they get a bit too warm if you wear them for a while. They're not made or suitable for running and working out.
Below-average for office use. They do not block enough noise and they're slightly uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
This wired gaming headset can't be used wirelessly.
Decent for gaming. They have very low latency and a great app with a lot of customization options. Unfortunately, they have a poorly balanced, bass-heavy sound and they're not comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions. They're a bit too tight, they have awkwardly sized ear cups and mediocre breathability. They also have no controls on the headphone so you must use the software or change volume levels directly on your PC which can be somewhat inconvenient at times.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 17, 2017: Review published.
Check Price
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Razer Kraken V3 X are slightly better gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken USB. The V3 X are more comfortable, have volume and mic mute controls, are better-built, and have a more balanced and flat mid-range, which some users may prefer. However, the USB have access to a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. Their boom mic also delivers better overall performance.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
