Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless  Headphones Review

Review updated Apr 28, 2021 at 02:29pm
Test bench update Oct 27, 2021 at 02:30pm
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 1

The Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless are decent wireless gaming over-ears. They have Razer HyperSense built-in, which is a haptic feedback system that transmits vibrations or rumbles to the user that can help immerse you in your games. They're also comfortable and well-built. However, they're very prone to inconsistent audio delivery, and their five-hour battery life is very disappointing, especially as they can't be used passively since they need to be on, even when wired. On the upside, they have low wireless latency when used with their USB receiver. While their boom mic does an okay job of recording your voice, it can separate it from moderate noise around you.

Our Verdict

0.0
Neutral Sound 

The Razer Nari Ultimate are fair for neutral sound. Their frequency response consistency is sub-par, so different people may experience their sound profile very differently. However, on average, they have a very bass-heavy sound profile that some users may find muddy. Their mid and treble ranges are much more neutral and accurate. However, due to their closed-back headphones, they don't have a very open or spacious soundstage.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Inconsistent audio delivery.
0.0
Commute/Travel 

The Razer Nari Ultimate are disappointing for commute and travel. They don't block out much background noise, so they won't isolate the low engine rumbles from a bus or plane. They also have a very unstable fit and are very bulky, which makes them difficult to carry around without occupying a lot of space in a bag. They aren't the best for long travel days as their battery only lasts around five hours, and they can't be used passively.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Poor isolation performance.
0.0
Sports/Fitness 

The Razer Nari Ultimate aren't recommended for sports or fitness. These bulky over-ears don't have a stable fit and tend to slide all over with minimal movement. They’re also not very breathable, like most gaming headphones. They don't support Bluetooth either, so you can't use them wirelessly with your phone.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
Cons
  • Unstable fit prone to slipping off head.
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Not very breathable.
0.0
Office 

The Nari Ultimate are acceptable for office use. They're comfortable enough for long listening periods and can be used wirelessly with any PC. Unfortunately, they don’t isolate noise well so you can hear your coworkers chatting. Their 5-hour battery life may not be able to get you through long work days either. Luckily, you can use them while charging. They also have great customization options, though you have to install the Razer Synapse software to gain access to them, which some workplaces may not allow.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Poor isolation performance.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

The Razer Nari Ultimate are decent for wireless gaming. They’re fully compatible with PCs as well as PS4 and PS5 consoles when using the included wireless USB receiver. They have very low latency and are comfortable enough to wear for a while without causing too much fatigue. They have lots of customization options via the Razer Synapse app and their microphone offers decent overall performance. They have a very unstable fit, though, and need to be readjusted often, which is frustrating while gaming. Their 5-hour battery life is also poor, and you may need to plug them in to charge them after playing for a while, depending on your settings.

Pros
  • Unique haptic feedback system.
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Very low latency.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Inconsistent audio delivery.
  • Not very breathable.
0.0
Wired Gaming 

The Razer Nari Ultimate are good for wired gaming. They can be used on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X consoles with full mic and audio compatibility by plugging them directly into your controller with the included 1/8" TRRS cable. The boom microphone does a great job at separating your voice from background noise. However, while your voice sounds decently clear and intelligible, it also sounds thin and lacking in brilliance.

Pros
  • Unique haptic feedback system.
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Inconsistent audio delivery.
0.0
Phone Calls 

The Razer Nari Ultimate are okay for phone calls. They have a decent boom microphone that does a great job of separating your voice from noisy environments, though your voice sounds thin and lacking in brilliance. They don't support Bluetooth and are quite bulky, so they may not be the best choice for taking calls on the go. However, they may be a good option if you make a lot of calls on your PC at home or work.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Great noise handling.
Cons
  • Disappointingly short battery life.
  • Poor isolation performance.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Oct 27, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
    2.  Updated Apr 28, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
    3.  Updated Feb 25, 2020: Test Bench 1.4.
    4.  Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.

    Check Price

    Classic BlackNari Ultimate
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    Classic BlackNari Ultimate
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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Razer Nari Ultimate come in one color variant: 'Classic Black'. These headphones also come in an Xbox One variant, which has a 'Classic Black/Green' color scheme. This variant has Xbox Wireless technology so that you can game wirelessly with Xbox consoles. Although we haven't tested this variant, it should perform similarly to our model in most regards.

    If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The Razer Nari Ultimate are decent wireless gaming headphones that set themselves apart with their unique haptic feedback feature and RGB lighting. They're well-built and more comfortable than the Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless, but they’re also significantly bulkier and less stable than most gaming headphones.

    If you’re looking for gaming headphones and want to see a greater variety of fit options, check out our recommendations for the best wireless gaming headsets, and the best gaming headsets for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

    Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless

    Track

    The Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless are somewhat better gaming headphones than the Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless. While both headphones are well-built, the Kraken V3 Pro have a more neutral sound profile and significantly better battery performance. Their mic also has a better recording quality. However, the Nari Ultimate are more comfortable, have a more out-of-head passive soundstage, and their mic has better noise handling.

    Razer Kaira Pro Wireless

    Track

    The Razer Kaira Pro Wireless are more versatile than the Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless. The Kaira Pro are Bluetooth-compatible, have a more stable fit, a more comprehensive control scheme, and are better-built. They also have almost four times the battery life and a superior boom microphone. That said, the Nari can be used on a wired connection via their 1/8" TRRS cable and have a slightly better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box.

    Astro A50 Gen 4

    Track

    The Astro A50 Gen 4 are way better wireless gaming headphones than the Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless. The Astro are more comfortable, better built, have a longer battery life, and a better overall microphone performance. On the other hand, the Razer provide bass haptic feedback, which some users may prefer.

    Razer Kraken Ultimate

    Track

    The Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless are better performing gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken Ultimate. The Nari Ultimate can be used wired as well as wirelessly, they're slightly more comfortable, and they have a more bass-heavy sound that some gamers may prefer. They're also compatible with the Xbox One via their analog cable. However, they don't have the longest-lasting battery, especially when compared to other gaming headphones. The Kraken Ultimate, on the other hand, have an adjustable surround sound feature, and their boom microphone performs better overall. Since they're wired, you don't have to worry about battery life, either.

    Show more 
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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.DifferenceLockedLock °C

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedLock
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedN/A
    Android Latency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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