It was inevitable. Razer has successfully attached Chroma RGB to mice, keyboards, streaming keylights, mousepads, microphones, and probably a stray toaster if you leave it in their California design headquarters long enough (see their history of weird and experimental hardware). So, it was only a matter of time before they targeted the ultimate piece of battle station real estate: your backside.

Meet the Razer Soma Chroma, a wireless RGB gaming chair launching worldwide today, June 25, 2026, for $499.99 (€529.99) at Razer.com.

Do you absolutely need a glowing throne that dynamically syncs with your desktop gameplay? No, of course not. Your skill in Valorant isn't going to magically jump three tiers just because your headrest is radiating neon green. But do we desperately want it anyway? Yes, obviously. It’s Razer, and adding immersive RGB to things we didn't know needed it is exactly why we love them.

The light show: Completely wireless RGB immersion

The marquee feature here is the fully integrated, reactive RGB lighting embedded seamlessly into the headrest's shoulder wings. Powered by the venerable Razer Chroma RGB engine, it hooks directly into the Chroma SDK to react in real-time to in-game events across more than 300 integrated titles—including heavy hitters like Fortnite, Valorant, and Cyberpunk 2077. If you aren’t actively gaming, you can cycle through 10 dynamic presets and 16.8 million colors via Razer Synapse to perfectly dictate your setup's vibe.

But here is the genuinely clever bit: it's entirely wireless. Nobody wants to roll their chair over a rigid power cord and accidentally yank a $4,000 gaming rig off their desk. Instead, the Soma Chroma transmits data wirelessly via ultra-low latency Razer HyperSpeed 2.4 GHz for your PC, alongside Bluetooth LE for mobile devices.

To juice the actual LEDs, Razer integrated a tidy storage pocket on the back designed to house a standard external power bank (they recommend a hefty 20,000 mAh or larger unit pushing 20W+ and PD 2.0+) via an included 200 mm USB-C cable. If you don't care about a clean, wire-free aesthetic, you can also just run it straight to a wall adapter. There’s even a built-in control panel directly on the edge of the seat base to let you tweak brightness, cycle effects, or switch wireless inputs on the fly without opening an app.

Comfort Check: Saving our posteriors from the Iskur V2

When Razer dropped the original Iskur, it blew us away with an aggressive, mechanical piston-powered lumbar support system. The premium Iskur V2 doubled down on that adaptive lumbar tech, earning massive praise for back health—but it also brought a punishingly firm seat pan. Meanwhile, the mid-range Iskur V2 X ($299) offered a much softer high-density foam seat but stripped out the adjustable lumbar support completely.

The Soma Chroma chart-corrects here with a brand-new Dual-Density Cold-Cured Foam Seat Cushion. It utilizes two distinct layers working in tandem: a softer upper layer that contours snugly to your body, sitting atop a firmer base layer that maintains its structural integrity over time. The goal is to keep the seat from collapsing or hardening prematurely during marathon sessions while actually offering plush, pressure-relieving comfort.

For back health, Razer ditched the complex, dial-driven mechanical pieces of the Iskur series in favor of a Built-In Ergonomic Lumbar Arch. It's a static, contoured support curve integrated directly into the backrest. While you lose the active left-and-right swiveling of the Iskur V2, you get a reliable curve that won’t shift out of place like a loose lumbar pillow.

Where the features got trimmed

To hit that $499.99 sweet spot while packing custom diffusers, a wireless control module, and a built-in control panel, Razer did have to make a few expected concessions:

• 2D Armrests: The Soma Chroma features basic 2D armrests limited strictly to height and swivel adjustments, a noticeable step down from the highly maneuverable 4D armrests on the Iskur V2 that slide and twist every which way.
• No Built-in Haptics: If you were hoping this would natively integrate the bone-shaking directional haptics of the recently released Razer Freyja gaming cushion, you're out of luck. This is strictly a visual show, though you could easily strap a Freyja onto it if you want the ultimate rumble-and-glow cocktail (and I'll probably do that, since I have one of those).

On the mechanical side, it remains a total tank. You get a reinforced steel frame, a 5-star powder-coated steel wheelbase, a Class 4 gas lift, and premium 6 cm PU caster wheels—the latter being a massive upgrade over the friction-heavy plastic wheels that held back the Iskur V2. It reclines up to 155° with a butterfly tilt mechanism, safely supports up to 150 kg (331 lbs), and comfortably accommodates gamers up to 6'6".

Our review unit just arrived!

The shining throne literally just rolled through our doors. We'll be assembling it, unboxing our beefiest power banks, and seeing if the dual-density foam can truly save our glutes during late-night gaming sessions.

Stay tuned for our full, deep-dive review coming shortly (and you'll be able to see it on future Windows Central Podcasts).

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

The Razer Seiren V3 Pro arrives as a pro‑level streaming microphone that finally feels like the centerpiece of Razer’s recent run of impressive peripherals. It pairs studio‑grade hardware — a large 30 mm dynamic capsule, USB‑C and XLR outputs, and tactile controls — with deep Synapse software and Chroma RGB flair, aiming to satisfy both serious creators and RGB enthusiasts.

This review cuts through the marketing: I’ll show what the mic actually sounds like, how its software and features stack up against rivals, and whether it’s worth swapping in for your current setup.

Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.

What it is

The Razer Seiren V3 Pro ($249.99 / €289.99) is a hybrid dynamic microphone tailored specifically for streamers, podcasters, and music producers.

At its heart sits a custom 30 mm dynamic capsule purpose-built to capture broadcast-style depth and natural warmth.

Structurally, it features a robust, resonance-resistant zinc unibody frame paired with an integrated, vibration-dampened adjustable arm mount.

To round out its premium aesthetic, it includes a gorgeous Razer Chroma RGB lighting ring that doubles as a real-time status and live mute indicator, which can be enabled by the mic button.

Quick set up

Unboxing the Razer Seiren V3 Pro is refreshingly simple. Unlike many high-end microphones that leave you scrambling to buy external accessories, this mic is entirely ready to rock right out of the box.

It features an included desktop stand, a built-in shock absorber, and a removable pop filter. Just plug it in via the included USB Type-C cable, complete a quick configuration, and you are up and running.

If you want to jump into the pro tier immediately, you can just as easily route an XLR cable (not included) straight from the base into an audio interface or mixer.

It’s a frictionless setup that gives you studio-grade enhancements with zero technical expertise required.

How it's different

The Seiren V3 Pro separates itself from the pack by flawlessly bridging mainstream USB convenience and professional XLR performance.

Its primary direct competitor in this hybrid category is the HyperX Flipcast, which we've also reviewed. However, the Seiren V3 Pro secures a massive hardware victory right away: it includes a high-quality desktop stand and integrated shock mount in the box, whereas the Flipcast notoriously ships without a stand or boom arm, forcing an immediate extra purchase.

Furthermore, the software support here is on an entirely different level. While HyperX’s NGENUITY app offers rudimentary controls, Razer Synapse unlocks deep, granular audio customization:

• 32-Bit Float Support: Available via Synapse, this format captures a dramatically wider dynamic range to effectively eliminate digital clipping and distortion.
• Advanced Audio DSP: Houses an advanced parametric EQ, noise gate, compressor, limiter, and AI noise remover directly powered by an onboard hardware engine.
• Synapse Advanced Mixing: Allows for multi-channel stream routing right within the application interface.

What it's great at

The biggest hardware triumph here is the dual-connectivity workflow. Having both USB-C and XLR connections on one microphone offers massive advantages, though it comes with standard hybrid trade-offs:

• The Pros: It provides immense versatility. Newcomers can start with a simple, plug-and-play desktop configuration and seamlessly transition into an advanced analog signal chain down the road without buying a new microphone. Interestingly, you can keep both the USB and XLR cables plugged in simultaneously and dynamically switch between them on your Windows PC.
• The Cons: You are paying a premium for dual internal electronics, and advanced Synapse software functions (like 32-bit float, the parametric EQ, and advanced mixing) are strictly limited to the digital USB connection.

During testing, there wasn't a noticeable difference in tonal warmth when swapping between the two connections, but the USB interface emerged as the clear favorite for me purely because it unlocks Synapse's superior sound features and DSP suite.

My experience otherwise with the mic has been great. You can hear it in action in the short review video accompanying this article, as well as on our recent Windows Central Podcast, Episode #396.

For now, I plan to keep using this mic over my HyperX ProCast. While the ProCast is an excellent, gold-sputtered large-diaphragm XLR condenser, it is strictly analog, requires 48V phantom power, and entirely lacks the modern digital conveniences, RGB integration, and software agility that make the Seiren V3 Pro so effortless to use daily.

Plus, while the ProCast had an original MSRP of $199.99 and dropped as low as $99.99 on sale, it now appears to be discontinued and increasingly hard to find, completely out of stock at both Best Buy and HyperX.

The Razer Synapse software features offer brilliant audio tuning, particularly the automatic environment noise test and AI noise remover. They do a spectacular job of silencing background hums and room reflections.

The Razer Synapse setup here was awesome: Hit a button and record yourself talking for 10 seconds. Hit another button and say nothing for 10 seconds. Then answer a few questions, e.g., what is your goal here (streamer, podcast, general, etc.) and what do you have fans running, environmental noise, etc. From that data, the system suggests your tuning, which you can then accept, and you're done. You can re-run the process anytime in Synapse should anything change.

The only minor catch is that the aggressive noise cancellation can occasionally cut your voice out a bit during quieter moments. Because of this, some manual tweaking of the noise gate threshold may still be needed to get it dialed in perfectly.

Finally, if you are already invested in Razer’s ecosystem—sporting a Razer keyboard, mouse, or monitor—adding this mic beautifully completes the package. The Chroma RGB ring integrates flawlessly into your existing lighting profiles, satisfying RGB enthusiasts while giving clear visual feedback on your live mute status via the tap-to-mute sensor.

Who's it for

This microphone is built for the forward-thinking content creator. It is perfect for game streamers, podcasters, and hybrid musicians who want beautiful aesthetic flair and USB simplicity today, but demand the studio-grade security of an XLR output as their production setup grows.

Should you buy the Razer Seiren V3 Pro?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You want USB‑C now, XLR later.

✅ You use Razer Synapse/Chroma and want full integration.

✅ You need onboard DSP (32‑bit float, AI noise removal) to cut post‑work.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You prefer a pure XLR, software‑free workflow.

❌ You’re on a tight budget and don’t need RGB or Synapse.

❌You need full feature parity on macOS without Windows Synapse.

Admittedly, my "you should not buy ifs" here are nitpicky. You can just use this as an XLR mic with a software-free workflow if you want and not worry about USB or software. But there are also more affordable XLR-only mics, hence the con.

At $249.99, Razer positions the Seiren V3 Pro firmly in the higher-end premium tier compared to the HyperX Flipcast (which currently sits at $179.99 against a $229.99 MSRP) and the now-evaporated ProCast.

However, for me, the incredible Razer Synapse DSP more than makes up for that higher cost. The sheer quality of the out-of-the-box hardware processing saves massive time in post-production. I didn't expect that to be the big selling point, but it's clever software and the kind of "don't think about it" setups I prefer.

While you could look at other heavy hitters at this price point like the Shure MV7+ or SteelSeries Alias Pro, Razer brings an unmatched physical build quality, out-of-the-box completeness, and ecosystem synergy to your desk. It delivers studio sound, simply and effortlessly.

I’m going to come out and say the obvious: this is a backpack. In the grand scheme of technology journalism, dedicating a full review to a textile housing system for my laptop feels kind of daft. Or at least it should.

But if you are getting ready to drop over $100 on a laptop bag, it couldn't hurt to do some actual research. When I first saw Razer’s updated Rogue lineup, my immediate reaction was: "Why on earth would I spend $100-plus on a backpack when the $30 no-brand bag I bought on Amazon two years ago still works completely fine?"

Yet, in a way that only Razer can consistently pull off with their ecosystem accessories, I suddenly get it. Just like what happened with their unassuming USB-C dock, another product category I previously cared absolutely nothing about, I now care a hell of a lot about a simple backpack.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Price, availability and specs

The Razer Rogue Backpack V4 line officially dropped on June 4, 2026, making its way to Razer's official store, and is also available on Amazon. The Rogue V4 comes in two sizes, priced differently depending on what you need.

• Razer Rogue 16” Backpack V4: Retails for $109.99 / £109.99.
• Razer Rogue 18” Backpack V4: Retails for $139.99 / £139.99.

Choosing between them comes down to a quick assessment of your daily haul. The 16” variant is beautifully compact and tailored perfectly for mid-sized setups like the Razer Blade 16.

However, if you are rocking an absolute behemoth of a desktop replacement, like the Razer Blade 18, or you just happen to travel heavy with massive mechanical keyboards and full-sized audio gear, you'll definitely want to step up to the 18” version for that maximum volume capacity.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's good

Despite my heavy skepticism about whether a premium backpack could actually impress me after years of relying on a bargain-basement Amazon special, I have found myself completely smitten with this Razer number.

And no, it’s not just because it looks great, though I need to mention that the clean matte-black finish, subtle leather-effect accents, and iconic Razer green stitching look incredibly sharp.

When you first unzip this bag, it immediately feels a hell of a lot more intensely engineered than a cheap import. The shoulder straps are seriously reinforced and heavily padded. During particularly chaotic weeks, my everyday carry scales up aggressively. I can be hauling anything from my standard daily laptop to both my personal and work laptops simultaneously, alongside an ROG Ally, a Kindle, a full-sized gaming headset, and all the mandatory cable paraphernalia required to keep them alive.

My normal bargain bag regularly leaves me with aching, sore shoulders under that kind of load because the straps lack substance. The Rogue V4, by contrast, features wide, ergonomically designed padded straps paired with a highly ventilated mesh back panel that distributes dense weight beautifully.

There's also a really neat velcro strip on the front of the bag for attaching badges. My partner has an entirely too large for him Xbox jacket with a stash of gaming related velcro badges that I'm about to raid.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's bad

When taking a hard look at what I missed from my old, cheap but trusty backpack, my initial critique was that the Rogue V4 seemed to lack an external charging cutout to comfortably feed a power bank cable out to my phone. Alas, as it turns out, when studying the specs, I saw that Razer actually did think of this. The backpack features a fully integrated, stealthy cable passthrough that routes charging cables from the interior to the exterior without leaving your main compartments open. It was simply buried so deeply within the bag's complex ecosystem of pockets that it managed to evade my first few looks (I found it eventually). Just goes to show exactly how many damn pockets, nooks, and crannies this thing has.

Beyond that, the only real negative here is the price tag. At $110 to $140, it's a substantial investment for an accessory that doesn't actually have a processor inside it. However, that premium cost is undeniably reflected in the build quality, heavy-duty zipper tape, and material longevity you will get. If you are a die-hard Razer enthusiast, the Razer tax is a familiar trade-off.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: The competition

Almost every major PC manufacturer manufactures a proprietary laptop backpack line to accompany their gaming laptops, though few manage to carry the same streetwear aesthetic appeal as Razer. If you want to keep your accessories strictly brand-loyal, here are a couple of other options in the same ballpark budget.

Hovering right around the $95–$120 mark, depending on active sales, the Legion 16" Armored is Lenovo’s ultimate protective shield. It features an aggressive, weatherproof EVA-molded front armor shell and an ultra-rugged base. It offers excellent structural protection against accidental drops, though its rigid, hard-shell design looks vastly more utilitarian and bulky than the Rogue V4.

Next up is ASUS’s massive 35-liter ROG Ranger alternative built for larger 18-inch rigs. It utilizes an incredibly tough 1260D high-density polyester fabric and excels at raw storage volume, but it lacks the eye-catching looks of the Rogue V4.

Finally, we have Alienware's 18 gaming backpack sitting right in the premium sweet spot at $129.99; this is Dell’s heavyweight champion built explicitly for massive 18-inch desktop replacements. On the inside, it features heavy-duty 360-degree EVA foam cushioning and a soft, anti-scratch Nylex lining to keep your chassis completely pristine.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Should you buy?

You should buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

You should not buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Final verdict

Razer has effectively treated a basic textile backpack with the exact same premium material selection and aesthetic precision that they apply to their flagship laptops. They have done the impossible: they made me genuinely care about a piece of luggage. It’s tough, and a dream bag for the meticulously organized. After all, if you've spent hundreds on your tech, what's another $100 on something to house them in? Consider me converted from the bargain basement!

There is something entertaining about a company deciding to build a product simply because it can. Most keyboards exist to hit a price point or fill a slot in a lineup. The new Huntsman Signature Edition ($499) exists because someone at Razer clearly said, “What if we made the most overbuilt Huntsman possible?” and nobody in the room stopped them.

The result is a limited-edition showpiece that feels more like a celebration of the Huntsman platform than a normal retail product. It is expensive, shiny, and completely unnecessary for most people, which also makes it a lot of fun to test.

Update: As this review went live, the first drop of this keyboard sold out in just minutes. You can be notified of the next drop at Razer.com.

Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.

What it is (and why)

Razer has a habit of letting its engineers run wild on small, high‑end projects that exist mostly to prove what the company is capable of. The $279 Viper Mini Signature Edition was the most recent example. It was a magnesium alloy mouse that felt like a science experiment that somehow escaped the lab. The Huntsman Signature Edition follows the same spirit. It is not meant to replace the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K. It is meant to celebrate how far the Huntsman platform has come and what it can be when the usual limits are removed.

At its core, this is still a Huntsman. You get the same Gen 2 Analog Optical Switches, Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, adjustable actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, and full 8,000 Hz polling. The Signature Edition takes that foundation and builds a luxury object around it. It is a showcase piece that highlights the engineering behind the Huntsman line and the attention to detail that usually never makes it into a mainstream product.

This is Razer asking a simple question: what happens if we build the ultimate Huntsman with no shortcuts.

What is different about it

The Signature Edition looks and feels like a completely different class of keyboard. The chassis is CNC milled from 6063 aluminum alloy, which gives it a heavier and more substantial feel than the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K.

How heavy? I'm glad you asked, as I weighed it myself. Just the keyboard by itself weighs 3.05 lbs (1.38 kg)! Most premium boards fall between 2.0 and 2.8 lbs. Something like the GMMK Pro is heavier at 3.3 lbs, but that's with a brass plate, for goodness ' sake. And Razer's own Huntsman V3 Pro TKL 8K, which this is based on, is ~1.8 lbs (0.8 kg).

The bottom case and accent pieces go through a physical vapor deposition process and are then polished by hand. Razer says the polishing takes around 50 hours. The result is a mirror finish that looks closer to high‑end watchmaking than gaming hardware. It immediately reminded me of Seiko’s Zaratsu polishing, where artisans spend days creating distortion‑free reflective surfaces. The Signature Edition has that same sense of precision and craft.

The packaging reinforces the idea that this is a special project. The keyboard arrives in a large presentation case with a vegan leather sound dampening mat, a PVD polished triple-headed snake keycap, a cleaning cloth, a keycap puller, magnetic rubber feet, and a Speedflex USB-C cable. It feels more like unboxing a collector’s item than a gaming keyboard.

Inside the chassis, Razer uses a full stack of acoustic materials. There is EPDM foam, EVA foam, an FR4 plate, and a silicone rubber sheet. The switches are individually lubricated and factory calibrated for true 0.1 mm precision. The reviewer’s guide highlights this directly:

The result is a deeper and more controlled sound profile. The Signature Edition has a full, rounded tone that feels closer to a premium custom board than a mass produced gaming keyboard.

How it compares to the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K

The Huntsman Pro TKL 8K is already one of the fastest gaming keyboards available. It uses the same switches and the same 8K polling. It has Rapid Trigger and Snap Tap. It is a performance monster. The Signature Edition does not change the fundamentals. What it changes is the experience around those fundamentals.

The Pro TKL 8K has an aluminum top plate, but the Signature Edition is a full aluminum chassis with hand-polished PVD metal. It is heavier, larger, stiffer, and more refined. The Pro TKL 8K has a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The Signature Edition is deeper and more consistent thanks to the internal foam layers and lubrication. The Pro TKL 8K feels fast and responsive. The Signature Edition feels smooth and controlled.

The Pro TKL 8K arrives in a standard retail box. The Signature Edition arrives in a display case with accessories that feel curated rather than bundled.

Both keyboards deliver the same competitive performance. The Signature Edition simply wraps that performance in craftsmanship and materials that belong in a different category.

tl:dr This isn't the same Huntsman Pro TKL 8K, but in metal. It's completely rebuilt from the ground up, but uses the same design principles and components.

Who should buy it

This is a 499 dollar keyboard. That alone tells you who it is for. It is for enthusiasts who appreciate materials and finishing work. It is for collectors who enjoy limited production hardware. It is for people who want the best version of the Huntsman platform and are willing to pay for it.

It is also worth noting that this is still 100 dollars cheaper than the new ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme 20th Anniversary Edition, which puts the price into perspective. Razer is selling the Signature Edition in limited drops on Razer.com, and only 1,337 units will be made. If you want one, you will need to move quickly.

This is not a keyboard for everyone. It is a keyboard for people who enjoy the idea of owning something rare and overbuilt.

Should you buy it?

You should buy it if ...

✅ You always wanted Razer's best keyboard, but at 3lbs, $499, limited edition, and with polished metal.

✅ You're a hardcore gamer, or someone who only wants the best.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You don't clean your keyboard.

❌ You have to think about that $499.

If you want the best performance for the money, the Huntsman Pro TKL 8K is still the smarter choice. It gives you nearly everything the Signature Edition offers at a much lower price (or see my recent Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8K review for even more affordability).

The Signature Edition is not about value. It is about craftsmanship, exclusivity, and the satisfaction of using something that feels special.

If that appeals to you, the Signature Edition delivers. If not, the Pro TKL 8K remains the practical pick.

But hey, there's something special here, and I'm glad Razer does stuff like this. For one, it's fun, and two, it often learns from these projects, and from them, that tech could trickle down into its normal projects.

And yeah, it's awesome to just use it for work for typing on, too! It's so solid, stable, and consistent it's like the world's most precise keys built into a rock.

Finally, I should also mention that, for $499, you are getting a 5-year warranty on the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition, compared to the 2-year warranty of its standard keyboards. This is the longest warranty Razer offers on any keyboard and is meant to reflect the premium materials and the limited‑edition nature of the product.

In summary, you can practically hear the moment Razer’s engineers snapped and decided to build a keyboard for the gods, and I think they nailed it.

Look, I am going to be honest with you: I am not a pro gamer. My days of staying up until 4 AM to climb the ranks in a twitch shooter are mostly behind me. But I still love high-end hardware, and there is something undeniably satisfying about using a tool that is over-engineered for its purpose.

The Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz is exactly that. Priced at $169.99, it sits in a competitive bracket (and not to be confused with the larger, but similar, Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz reviewed last year). It is not cheap, but for the crowd it targets, it is actually quite reasonable. You can find it right now at Best Buy and Amazon, which makes the whole "I want it today" or "I might need to return it if my hands are too small" process incredibly simple.

This keyboard is positioned as a pure competitive tool. While the "regular" V3 Pro TKL has been a staple for a while, this 8KHz version is the new flagship for the speed demons. It feels like Razer took the feedback from the community, looked at the current esports landscape, and decided to turn every dial to eleven.

I've spent the last week with it, and while I technically don't need this keyboard (8kHz browser tab switching, anyone?), I'm going to keep using it, because it's pretty awesome.

What is 8KHz and Why Does It Matter for Gamers?

If you have been following the PC peripheral scene, you have likely heard the term 8KHz or HyperPolling tossed around like a buzzword. For those who do not live in the weeds of technical specs, here is the explainer: most gaming keyboards poll your PC at 1,000Hz, or once every millisecond. The Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz polls at, well, 8,000Hz. This means the keyboard communicates with your computer every 0.125ms.

Is that overkill? For writing an email, yes. For a high-stakes match in Valorant? It is a genuine advantage.

HyperPolling minimizes input delay and provides a level of synchronicity with on-screen action that 1,000Hz just cannot match. When you combine this with Razer’s 2nd-Gen Analog Optical Switches, which "achieve highly precise input detection by measuring light passing through the entire switch stem," you get a keyboard that reacts before you even realize you have finished the press.

Razer claims these switches offer "2.5x better top deadzone management" than the competition, which is just jargon for saying these keys are incredibly consistent.

Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger Explained

The real magic of the V3 TKL 8KHz lies in the software and logic built into those analog switches. Specifically, we need to talk about Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger.

Snap Tap is Razer’s implementation of SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) resolution, and was announced in 2024. In standard keyboards, if you hold "A" to move left and then press "D" to move right, you might just stop moving entirely. Snap Tap changes the game by prioritizing the latest input. If you are strafing and hit the opposite key, the keyboard instantly registers that new direction without you having to fully release the first key. It makes counter-strafing feel "crispy and responsive," as some pros have noted.

Then there is Rapid Trigger. Standard mechanical switches have a fixed reset point. You have to let the key go past a certain height before you can press it again. With Rapid Trigger, the key resets the instant it starts moving upward, even by as little as 0.1mm. This allows for rapid, repeated inputs that feel like you have been "supercharged." You can also use DKS (Dual-Step Actuation) to map two actions to a single keypress based on how deeply you push it. It is a level of customization that makes the older V2 models look like relics.

Building a Better Huntsman V3 TKL

One of my biggest gripes with previous Razer keyboards was the "pingy" sound or the rattle of the stabilizers. I am happy to report that the V3 TKL 8KHz feels like a significant step up in build quality. Razer has added thick foam dampening and individually lubricated the switches. The result is a much more "muted typing acoustic" that stays in your flow state. The bounce and build quality feel improved over the regular V3 Pro, and the aluminum top plate gives it a premium heft.

The keycaps are textured doubleshot PBT, meaning they are shine-resistant and the legends will not fade. I also love the new onboard configuration. You can actually adjust the actuation height or Rapid Trigger sensitivity directly on the keyboard using the LED array indicator. No more diving into Synapse every five minutes just to tweak a setting. It is a nice touch for those of us who hate having too much background software running.

Razer even includes a nifty guide that you can keep on your desk for easy reference (see above).

Navigating the Razer Huntsman Lineup

Razer now has seven different Huntsman keyboards, and it is getting a bit crowded. You have the V3 Pro (Full), the V3 Pro TKL, the V3 Pro Mini, and now this 8KHz TKL version, not to mention the older V2 models still floating around.

The V3 TKL 8KHz fits in as the specialized "pro" choice. Compared to the V2, you are getting the vastly superior 2nd-Gen Analog switches instead of the standard optical ones. Compared to the regular V3 Pro TKL, you are getting that 8KHz polling and the improved lubrication.

If you are looking for a map through this forest, choose the V3 TKL 8KHz if you want the absolute cutting edge of speed. Choose the Mini if you need desk space. Choose the Full if you actually use a numpad (though, why?).

Should You Buy the Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're actually a "pro" or aspiring pro gamer

✅ You prefer TKL, don't need/want media keys or a numberpad

✅ FPS games are your jam

✅ You like what Razer is cookin'

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You're just a regular gamer

❌ You're not a gamer

❌ You have issues with Razer

So, who is this for? If you are a competitive gamer, the answer is a resounding yes. The combination of Snap Tap, 8KHz polling, and Rapid Trigger makes this one of the most advanced gaming tools on the market.

However, I have to make an exception for the productivity crowd. If you just want a great typing keyboard for office work and you game on the side, this might not be your first choice. The switches are linear and very sensitive. Even though the lubrication has improved the sound, it is still a bit loud for a quiet office environment (but not annoying loud, in my opinion, it's just ... you know, audible). Plus, do you really need 8KHz polling to write a spreadsheet? Probably not.

That said, I'm using this 90% for typing at work and absolutely love it, so take that as you will.

But if you want a keyboard that feels like it was built for the podium, this is it. It is a pure competitive tool that happens to be built like a tank.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Gaming accessories by Razer are a cut above the rest in terms of quality control and performance, and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboard is no exception.

With its high-grade build, responsiveness, and a plethora of features, it's guaranteed to help PC players secure the win in any single-player or multiplayer game.

The best part is that you won't have to pay its full $249.99 MSRP as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is currently on sale with a 32% discount for $169.99 at Amazon.

Why buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro?

One of the key strengths of the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is its exceptionally responsive keys, which use analog optical switches with adjustable actuations from 0.1–4.0mm, similar to Hall Effect sensors.

With this, you will be able to adjust how fast the keyboard registers inputs to fit certain situations.

For example, setting actuations to 0.1mm will allow it to register inputs in split seconds (which is ideal for video games that require quick reactive inputs like Call of Duty), and setting it to 3.0mm-4.0mm will slightly lower its response times to typos while writing (which is ideal for typing documents with Microsoft Office apps or drafting emails).

You can also customize its keys to have gamepad-like functions with the WASD keys acting like an analog stick, and the Q & E keys acting like triggers for more intuitive controls. Plus, you can remap certain keys to have double actions, like preparing to fire an arrow with just half a key press and then fully firing with a full key press for extra immersion.

Other notable features of this premium gaming accessory include a premium-grade brushed aluminum chassis that can withstand copious amounts of usage, and six onboard memory profiles with on-the-fly adjustments that you can quickly switch via multifunction dials and shortcuts.

While the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro may be overkill for casual users, it's a killer product for hardcore gamers looking to get the most accurate inputs out of their games as much as possible, and one we highly endorse now that its steep $249.99 MSRP has been reduced to a more affordable price of $169.99 at Amazon.

Alternative discounts

• $161.99 at Best Buy (was $249.99)
• $219.99 at Newegg (was $249.99)

FAQ

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I've been playing video games on PC with a mouse and keyboard since just barely reaching a double-digit age, so naturally, I tend to generally be pretty good at them. Even so, though, I'm not much of a competitive player, and my aiming talent falls a few rungs below where the hardcore sweats sit on ranked mode ladders.

I've never really felt the drive to try and climb those ladders, either, and so I've never gravitated much towards expensive, high-performance gaming mice that come with the latest and greatest specs. That being said, when I got the opportunity to review Razer's new Viper V4 Pro, I was very curious and excited to see how I'd like it compared to my beloved old CORSAIR Harpoon.

After putting it through its paces for over a week, I'm happy to say that this mouse has made me feel like the competitive gamer that I'm not with its top-notch specs and performance, supported by a featherlight, yet durable chassis, excellent battery life, and a nifty wireless dongle with a few simple, yet useful features. It's a sizable improvement over its Razer Viper V3 Pro predecessor, and an elite choice for hardcore players. Just be ready to accept that it won't be yours for cheap.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Specs and availability

The Razer Viper V4 Pro retails for $159.99 and is available now, both directly from Razer's website as well as through digital retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. You can get it with either a black or white colorway, with the only difference between the two aside from color being that for whatever reason, the white one weighs one gram more (you won't feel that).

Built with reinforced plastic, the mouse weighs just 49-50g, and is also packed with the most advanced specs Razer has ever put under the hood of its gaming mice. Here are its full specifications:

What's the Razer Viper V4 Pro like?

Given that the Razer Viper V3 Pro was determined to be the preferred mouse of the majority of over 2,000 polled pro players, I had high expectations for its successor going into this review. After using it for over a week, though, I'm pleased to report that it lives up to them and then some.

In Bungie's new competitive extraction shooter Marathon as well as both Battlefield 6 and Helldivers 2, aiming with the Viper V4 Pro has felt extremely precise, smooth, and snappy. The impressively accurate third-generation Focus Pro 50K Optical sensor is to thank for that, as is the top-notch 8,000 polling rate that ensures very responsive and latency free movement.

With a max DPI of 50,000 — a large increase over the Viper V3 Pro's 35,000 — the mouse also gives players a huge range to experiment with alongside in-game sensitivity options to find the setting that's perfect for them.

Coming in at 49g (50g if you get the white version), the mouse is also incredibly lightweight, which is always a plus for mice aimed at competitive gamers since they can be moved around faster. The reinforced plastic chassis ensures durability wasn't sacrificed to achieve this, as do the Optical Gen-4 switches rated for 100 million clicks.

The switches are a bit clicky and loud for my personal tastes, but given that I'm wearing a headset all the time, they didn't truly bother me. Notably, the mouse also sports an optical scroll wheel that's wonderfully smooth to use, along with two buttons on the left side you can remap through the Razer Synapse software (the app or the web-based version). Synapse also lets you tweak and calibrate a wide range of settings to get the mouse feeling just right.

At a max of 180 hours, battery life is also a significant step up from the Viper V3 Pro's 95-hour peak, though Razer says this drops to 45 if you're using 8,000Hz instead of 1,000 (you can switch between 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000). In my testing, I found this to be pretty accurate, so expect to charge the mouse around once a week if you play with max polling rate.

Lastly, there's the half-spherical puck that serves as the Viper V4 Pro's wireless dongle, and it's excellent. Not only is its connectivity flawless, it also has three color-changing LED indicators that display the quality of your connection, the mouse's current battery level, and the polling rate preset you've selected.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Conclusion

Ultimately, the Razer Viper V4 Pro is arguably best-in-class for the type of mouse that it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be the right mouse for everyone. $160 is a lot of money to spend on an accessory when you can get good mice for far less, even if this one is terrific and a dream to use in FPS games. I received it for free for this review, but honestly, I wouldn't buy it with my own money.

With that said, if you're a hardcore competitive gamer, you're looking to get your hands on the best, most impressive gaming mouse, and cost isn't a huge factor for you, then I strongly recommend the Razer Viper V4 Pro. I have a feeling that, as its predecessor did before it, this mouse will rapidly become the preferred choice of many pro players.

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Razer's Blade 16 is a gaming laptop often considered to sit at the pinnacle of premium features and design, and it's just been refreshed for 2026.

The big news? Razer has made the change from AMD Ryzen AI HX to Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, bringing super-fast RAM, superior connectivity, and a brighter OLED display in tow. Razer also says the new Blade 16 is significantly more efficient when not gaming compared to the previous generation, with up to 13 hours of battery life for productivity.

The CPU used in all Blade 16 (2026) models is now the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H with 16 cores and a 4.9GHz boost clock speed, which is four more cores than the Ryzen chip used in 2025's model. That boost should show up in both gaming and heavy workloads, plus it has an NPU with 50 TOPS of power for Copilot+ AI tools in Windows 11.

The use of Intel's latest "Panther Lake" chips unlocks faster LPDDR5x-9600MT/s RAM (compared to 8000MT/s RAM in the 2025 model), of which you can configure up to 64GB.

NVIDIA's RTX 50-series mobile GPUs are still the big attraction here for gamers, and Razer lists the RTX 5070 Ti as a starting point with options for the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090.

If you're eager to get your hands on the new gaming laptop, I have some good news. The Blade 16 (2026) is available to buy now directly from Razer.com starting at $3,499.99.

The Blade 16's OLED display gets brighter, connectivity levels up

The switch back to Team Blue processors in the Blade 16 after the previous model's use of an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a testament to the efficiency and performance improvements Intel achieved with its Panther Lake generation.

This change has also unlocked Thunderbolt connectivity. The Blade 16 sports one Thunderbolt 5 and one Thunderbolt 4 port for the best connectivity possible, especially if you're a fan of the best docking stations.

👉 I tested Razer's new Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma — I can no longer live without this extremely convenient feature

The Blade 16 (2026) otherwise offers HDMI 2.1, three USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), a UHS-II SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack for your headset. It's a solid mix of ports that I'm sure will appeal to gamers and creators alike. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 are also as cutting-edge as can be for wireless connectivity.

One last change worth mentioning is a boost to the 16-inch OLED display's brightness. It now hits 1,100 nits in HDR mode, enough to land VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000 certification. It still has a 2560x1600 (QHD+) resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.2ms response time, as well as NVIDIA G-Sync and perfect P3 color reproduction.

The Blade 16 for 2026 is still one of the thinnest gaming laptops the company has ever produced at just 14.9mm (0.59 inches) thin, a feat that's achieved by using a CNC-milled aluminum body.

This redesign is one we first saw when we reviewed the 2025 Razer Blade 16, when we called it "a fantastic redesign, once again establishing the Blade 16 as the ultimate luxury gaming laptop."

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Razer just announced a competitive gaming mouse that fixes several of the most annoying aspects of competing mice, including some older options from Razer. The newly announced Razer Viper V4 Pro promises better battery life, smoother gameplay, and crisper clicks.

The Viper V4 Pro gets up to 180 hours of battery life when set to 1,000Hz. That number dips to a still-impressive 45 hours when the mouse is set to 8,000Hz.

A 50,000 DPI Optical Gen-3 sensor sits inside the Viper V4 Pro. Razer's sensor tech syncs frames with your mouse for lower latency and better battery efficiency.

Razer just launched the Viper V4 Pro. You can purchase the competitive gaming mouse for $159.99 through Razer's website.

The Razer Viper V3 Pro earned a nearly perfect score in our review. The mouse received praise for its design, build quality, feet, sensors, and polling rate. We also called the Viper V3 Pro the "must‑buy competitive mouse" last holiday season when it went on sale.

The Viper V4 Pro improves on its predecessor in several ways.

I'd say Razer didn't reinvent the wheel with the Viper V4 Pro, but that isn't exactly true. The Viper V4 Pro has an optical scroll wheel that's 3.3 times more reliable and consistent than a traditional mechanical design, according to Razer. Notably, the Viper V3 Pro has a mechanical scroll wheel.

The Viper V4 Pro also has Razer Optical Mouse Switches (Gen-4), which should last for more clicks.

Razer shaved a bit of weight when making the Viper V4 Pro. It's 9% lighter than the last gen.

Even the dongle of the Viper V4 Pro is improved compared to that of the Viper V3 Pro. The dongle is larger and hemispherical, which Razer says improves connectivity and stability.

Razer debuted its hemispherical dongle with the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro. In our review of that mouse, Zachary Boddy said:

"This may be my favorite single improvement Razer made with the DeathAdder V4 Pro, honestly, and I hope to see this dongle design come to all of Razer's most premium wireless accessories."

Well, their wish may be coming true, at least for high-end Razer mice.

Many of the changes introduced with the Viper V4 Pro would go unnoticed by most gamers. But if you want the best experience Razer to offer for competitive gameplay, the Viper V4 Pro is the mouse to grab.

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If you’re a Razer fan, you’re used to the brand making everything — or at least a wide range of unique gadgets and accessories. While Razer-branded straws and toasters might feel like memes, the new Razer Laptop Sleeve 16" with Wireless Charging aims to earn a permanent spot in your everyday carry.

At its core, it's a premium protective sleeve with reinforced edges and a microfiber lining designed to cradle a Razer Blade 16, MacBook Pro 16 or other large laptop. But the real hook is in the flap. Razer integrated two MagSafe-compatible charging zones directly into the cover.

The Razer Laptop Sleeve 16" plays triple duty. It protects your laptop when stored away, provides a soft place to rest your PC when out and about, and gives you a convenient place to wirelessly charge up to two devices.

If you charge a single device at a time, the laptop sleeve's charger supports up to 15W. Two connected devices drop the charging down to 5W each.

Tech specs and key facts

• Charging Speeds: 15W for a single device; 5W each if you're charging two simultaneously.
• The Catch: There is no internal battery. To use the charging features, you have to plug the sleeve into a power source via USB-C. Razer recommends a 30W PD charger to hit full speeds.
• The Price: It’ll set you back $129.99, while a "dumb" version without the tech is coming later for $79.99.

Speaking of magnets, the sleeve uses a separate set of magnets to remain closed.

Reinforced edges protect devices held inside the sleeve, though I still wouldn't recommend dropping a device or being careless with your laptop.

It's an interesting accessory. It combines several elements of my desk. On my full-size desk, I have a soft mat to rest my keyboard and mouse or laptop and a wireless charger for my phone.

The Razer Laptop Sleeve 16" costs $129.99. That's quite pricey for a laptop sleeve. But if you consider the pair of built-in wireless charging zones, the price is more palatable.

The lack of a built-in battery would be an issue for me if I were shopping for a laptop sleeve like this. I often carry a power bank, but if I got a sleeve with built-in wireless charging, I'd want to be able to take the bank out of my bag.

If you already carry a high-wattage USB-C power bank for your laptop, this is a sleek way to declutter your mobile workspace. But for everyone else, you're paying a premium for the convenience of not carrying a separate charging pad.

Razer is one of the gaming industry's fan-favorite manufacturers of high-quality gaming headsets, and one of its finest examples, built for Xbox online gaming, is now enjoying a sweet 50% discount.

For just $99.99 at Amazon, you can get your hands on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro and experience the sound design of your favorite games enriched like never before.

What makes this Xbox gaming headset worth the money?

Firstly, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro gaming headset comes with Triforce Titanium 50mm audio drivers, a cutting-edge piece of technology that produces clear audio with rich highs and deep lows.

This means that while wearing this headset, your ears will be able to pick up the minutest sound design detail while playing a game for greater immersion. This can come in handy for heightening the atmospheric tension of horror games like Resident Evil, or listening for an enemy's footsteps so you don't get ambushed while playing Overwatch.

It also comes with noise-isolating earcups with memory foam cushioning to block out distracting background noise, a long battery life of up to 70 hours per charge, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a detachable Hyperclear Super Wideband Microphone to help convey your voice online with crisp detail so your teammates can hear you perfectly.

While the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro gaming lacks useful features such as multi-source audio mixing for phone calls/voice chats while gaming, Razer Synapse support on PC, and specific eSports sound profiles, it's a small price to pay considering all the other amazing hardware specs it has going for it.

What's more is that its exorbitant MSRP of $199.99 has been broken in half, so that's now $99.99 at Amazon. Getting a 50% discount on one of the best Xbox headsets Razer has produced sounds too good to be true, but it is, and I highly recommend jumping on it if you enjoy gaming with headsets on Xbox.

Alternative discount offerings

The PC version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is also on sale for $129.99, for those who prefer gaming on PC rather than Xbox consoles.

Additionally, we have found alternative discounts for the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro at other retailers for you to use in case Amazon's stock runs dry or its deal expires.

• $129.99 at Walmart (was $199.99) (PC)

FAQ

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Having Razer Synapse eat up your PC's resources could soon be a thing of the past, at least for changing simple settings. Razer just rolled out the beta version of Synapse Web, which is a lightweight alternative to Synapse 4.

Razer overhauled its software with the release of Synapse 4. That version delivers 30% better performance and uses fewer system resources compared to Synapse 3. That being said, it still runs quite a bit in the background, which is less than ideal.

Many refer to Synapse 4 as a "heavy" piece of software. Having it boot on startup or running it to make a few small changes to a keyboard often feels like overkill.

Generally, gamers want as few tasks running in the background as possible in order to squeeze every bit of performance out of their PC. Despite its usefulness, Synapse 4 works against that goal in some situations.

Synapse Web should lighten the load on your PC while still providing a way to tweak settings. Razer highlights the core features supported by Synapse Web:

• Instant access: Configure supported devices on the fly with a browser. Ideal for LANs, esports tournaments, or switching between shared systems.
• Simplified controls: Adjust key settings and Chroma RGB Quick Effects through a clean, fast, focused UI.
• On‑board profiles: View, edit, and save profiles directly to device memory for consistent settings anywhere.

Synapse Web can be used in Chromium-based browsers, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. Razer did not mention Firefox support, so gamers with that browser will need to download another one to use Synapse Web.

The first devices to work with Synapse Web will be the keyboards from the Razer Huntsman V3 lineup. That's as good of a lineup as any to start with. In our Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz review, the keyboard earned a nearly perfect score.

Other devices in that lineup have received praise as well, such as the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, which impressed our colleagues at Tom's Hardware.

Synapse Web is meant to be used in tandem with Synapse 4. The web version is a lightweight alternative for when the full version of Synapse is not an option.

Synapse 4 is still needed for more advanced options, such as multi-device Chroma RGB sync and game-specific profiles.

Synapse Web is in beta, so you should expect some bugs and issues. It also requires at least a screen resolution of 1280x720 to work. While I doubt many gamers looking to use any version of Razer Synapse have a screen below that threshold, the restriction means you cannot use Synapse Web when split screen on a 1920x1080 display.

Are you moving your keyboard settings to a browser tab to save on system resources, or is the full Synapse 4 suite still a must-have for your setup? Let us know in the comments.

At the end of 2025, I tested the E-WIN Champion Upgraded chair, which ended up causing me a huge amount of discomfort in my back, and, to make a long story short, I didn't like it.

I quickly began searching the web for a better replacement. Fortunately, I didn't need to search long as Razer had sent me its Razer Iskur V2 X gaming chair to test.

Without the chaos of Black Friday to hold me back, I was able to immediately get to work stress testing Razer's chair. Fortunately, I can confidently say that the Razer Iskur V2 X was a sigh of relief for my back, thanks to its solid and comfy materials with an ergonomic design.

Add on top a much more affordable MSRP of $299.99, and you have a high-quality gaming chair that I would easily recommend to anyone, even if there are some aspects that can be improved upon.

Here is my review of the Razer Iskur V2 X gaming chair.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Razer. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review before publication.

Razer Iskur V2 X: Build quality and assembly

To start off, the Razer Iskur V2 X was quite simple to put together. It was included with a set of instructions that perfectly conveyed how to build it with informative writing and photographs, and it had a set of tools for me to build with no problems.

Still, the difficulty of building this chair will depend on your personal strength and room space. If you're not particularly strong or suffer from mobility issues, you may require assistance to help you build the chair, as some of its parts can be quite heavy.

The build quality of the Razer Iskur V2 X gaming chair is top-class. It's Multi-layered Fabric feels nice, cool, and durable to the touch. Plus, its metal wheel base is strong enough to support my 230lb+ body with no issues to its stability, regardless of its positioning.

However, it should be noted that Razer's recommended weight limit for this chair is 299 lbs. So, while gamers in my weight range won't have any issues, this chair may struggle supporting more heavyweight gamers weighing between 300 and 400 lbs, especially if the chair's not assembled as intended.

Razer Iskur V2 X: Comfort, durability, and features

The Razer Iskur V2 X gaming chair features a decent assortment of seat adjustment options to help make it more suitable for specific users. These include durable 2D Armrests, a 152° backrest recline, and a hydraulic system to change the seat's height.

After messing around with these settings, I have found that nearly every component of this chair is comfortable to rest on, no matter what position you put it in. The seat feels nice to sit on for many hours, thanks to its contoured high-density foam cushioning fitting snuggly around my backside, and its padded armrests feel nice to rest my arms on while typing.

The backrest and lumbar support feel a bit too stiff for my liking compared to the pillowy seat cushioning. Thankfully, it was nowhere near as rough as the E-WIN Champion Upgraded chair's backrest and lumbar support, and any true discomfort I felt this time was due to bad posturing on my part rather than the chair itself.

Also, I had only recently received this chair with just a week of testing, so I'm confident that once I've broken this chair's backrest and lumbar support in, it will become more comfortable in the long run.

Still, I wished that this chair came with a lumbar support pillow, but those are sold separately at Razer's website for $59.99.

Should you buy the Razer Iskur V2 X?

✅ You should buy this if:

• You're looking for a high-quality and durable mid-range chair with comfortable seat cushioning and armrests.
• You need a chair that's simple and easy to put together.
• A chair that won't cost you over $400.

❌ You should not buy this if:

• You weigh over the 299lb recommended weight limit.
• You want a chair with a softer backrest and lumbar support.
• If you want a chair bundled with a lumbar support pillow to help ease back pain.

While the Razer Iskur V2 X's $299.99 MSRP is pricier than other chairs we've reviewed in the past like the Sihoo M57, its above-average comfort levels and tough build make a strong case that justifies its price point, especially for a mid-range chair that's comparable to the Razer Enki X.

So, if you can't afford to buy the best gaming chairs on the market due to their lofty prices, like the Secretlab TITAN Evo NanoGen or the Razer Iskur V2, then the Razer Iskur V2 X is a great, affordable alternative.

To say I've been using one of the fastest out-of-the-box PC controllers money can buy, I've been suffering a little. I've been using Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC of late as my main for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, but something has been feeling off.

When I wrote our review of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, I was blown away by its performance. But I also tested that controller in Black Ops 6, before Black Ops 7 came out.

The long story short is that if you have a fast Razer controller, such as this, and you're feeling a little sluggish, you should check your deadzones in Synapse 4.

The problem: Feeling sluggish in fast-paced competitive environments

To be clear, the controller is not responsible for my own lack of skill. But after playing only Multiplayer for the first week, most of the time since I've been either shooting (mostly) bots in Warzone Casual doing the Mastery Camo and 100% Calling Card, or in the PvE modes.

Going back to Multiplayer with the start of the Fallout crossover event, something didn't feel right. Something felt sluggish. Not massively, but gunfights and movement just felt harder. Like I couldn't move, aim, or even react quick enough, even with sweat pouring down my head.

After troubleshooting every in-game setting, I turned to the Internet, and then into Razer Synapse 4 to solve it.

The solution: Turn off Razer's double deadzone prevention

On paper, Razer's own software ensuring that you don't have clashing deadzone settings between your controller and game sounds good.

In practice, though, players have observed that having the double deadzone prevention turned on in Synapse 4, unintentionally seems to mess with your input latency.

In my experience, at least, it seems to be the case. I turned it off, set deadzones to 0 minimum and 100 maximum, and then went back to the game.

From the very first match, it felt so much better. I'm not ready for the Call of Duty League yet, but, I could definitely feel movement and aiming as much crisper.

Turning your deadzones to 0 in Synapse will give you a warning about unintended inputs and being for "pro players" but there's no cause for alarm.

The idea is to manage your deadzones inside the game, in my case, Black Ops 7. A controller like this with TMR thumbsticks doesn't have stick drift to worry about, but if you use a deadzone to help you have better control, or eliminate unwanted inputs, the game is where to set it.

It makes sense, though, that there could be unintended consequences. I'm sure Razer hasn't done it on purpose, but if the software is constantly checking that you don't have deadzone clashes, something is happening in the background. On a slower controller, it may not be noticeable. But on an 8,000 Hz one, it certainly is.

Other things to check

There are also a couple of other things with this, or any similarly tricked out controller, you should also check if you're getting issues.

The first is that your PC can actually handle the 8,000 Hz polling rate. This much communication between controller and PC increases the load on the CPU. Use Task Manager to check whether it's being particularly thirsty, and if need be, reduce the polling rate in software. Most recent CPUs should be absolute fine, though.

Also make sure your firmware is up-to-date. Through this process I did, in fact, discover I was using older firmware, though it wasn't the fix for my personal issue. Razer doesn't deliver firmware updates through Synapse, so you'll have to go and locate it manually.

So, I'm back as fighting fit as I'm ever going to be. Software features are nice, but sometimes they can be more hindrance, than help.

If you have any other tips and tricks for maximizing a controller's performance on PC, be sure to drop them into the comments below.

It feels like Razer has its hands in a little bit of everything at this point, but I still more or less know what to expect when I meet with the Razer team... until this Consumer Electronics Show, at least.

If you were expecting Razer Blade updates or new competitive PC and console gaming accessories at CES 2026, you won't find them here. Razer's showings this year were a little different, and I never quite knew what I'd be checking out next.

Razer's gaming AI companion is entering the physical world, the company has decided that smart headphones make a lot more sense than smart glasses, your gaming chair could one day offer all-in-one immersion, and... what else? Oh, the Razer Wolverine V3 is getting a Bluetooth variant designed with your TV in mind. Here's what you need to know.

Razer is experimenting and expanding

It's no secret that Razer has been investing more and more into artificial intelligence, especially given that the company unveiled its own gaming-centric AI companion, Project Ava, last CES.

AI is only becoming more important for Razer (like with many tech companies), and CES 2026 saw Project Ava take on an all-new form supported by a year of growth and evolution. Soon, instead of an unseen presence on your screen, Project Ava will be able to live on your desk as an actual, holographic companion that can see and hear you in real time. I didn't see this one coming, I'll be honest.

This is a real product coming this year, and you can actually reserve your own in the USA. The latest version of Project Ava will be a 5.5-inch, animated avatar contained within a very Razer-esque cylinder, and will theoretically be able to help you in real-life and on-screen with gaming, productivity, and everyday life.

Razer's initial avatars look pulled straight from anime, and the list will apparently grow as Project Ava's capabilities and popularity does. I'm not sure how many people will actually buy into this product, but I have to give Razer props for trying something different and trying to make AI fun in its own way.

While we're on the subject of AI companions that stick close to you, Razer also showed off its spin on the expanding smart wearables market, which is currently dominated by products like AR glasses. Enter Project Motoko, a concept for a pair of smart headphones equipped with dual PoV cameras.

By "PoV," I mean these headphones are designed to actually see exactly what you see by matching your eyeline, while most smart glasses are slightly above. Razer also argues that people are generally more comfortable wearing headphones than glasses, people with glasses don't have to worry about prescriptions, headphones make conversing with your AI companion more private, and — at the end of the day — you can simply use these as a great pair of wireless, Bluetooth headphones.

The idea is to have an always-present AI companion that sees and hears what you do, and can answer questions, provide feedback or directions, suggest ideas, translate languages, recognize images and objects, and more. Project Ava isn't making another appearance here, though, as Razer is planning to leave Mokoto open to the user; you'll be able to choose the LLM or AI companion that best suits your needs, which will run natively on the headphones until it needs your device's internet connection.

As you may have guessed from that last section, Razer is also planning to release Project Mokoto as a real product, but it won't look quite like this. The initial concept is built on something like the Razer Barracuda X Chroma I reviewed, but the final product could look very different (and will be flagship-level). Razer gave me a very tentative "2026" window for a potential launch, but that's absolutely not confirmed right now.

Razer also showed off a concept chair; no, not the concept chair that Razer showed off last CES with the built-in cooling and heating. Project Madison is all about immersion, bringing comfort, audio, haptics, and RGB together in one cohesive product. If you're familiar with the Razer Freya we reviewed, imagine a gaming chair with that built in, and with THX stereo speakers flanking your head, and reactive Razer Chroma lighting baked into the headrest.

Will this ever be a real product? I don't know; unlike the two previous "projects," Madison is following precedent in that it may never be available to purchase — but the ideas and concepts can absolutely influence future Razer products. Something you can buy is the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen. As the name suggests, it's basically the Razer Iskur V2 we reviewed, but with Razer taking in feedback about comfort and ergonomics to make it a better chair.

Finally, there's the Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth, a more mobile-oriented version of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro we reviewed and loved. This controller takes the familiar design and class-leading controls, but takes advantage of cutting-edge ultra-low latency Bluetooth for maximum performance. It was also designed in partnership with LG, with native integration with the LG Gaming Portal and built-in TV controls.

I always have fun hanging out with Razer, and I can usually count on the company to surprise me with something. At CES 2026, nothing here stood out to me as something I personally need, but I like that Razer is continuing to experiment and try new things, as well as expanding into new categories. Hopefully, Windows Central will get its hands on a lot of this as it releases in the coming months.

What do you think about Razer's hardware announcements at CES 2026? Was there anything you were hoping to see that wasn't here? Let us know in the comments below!

Razer is my go-to brand whenever I need a new gaming accessory for my Xbox, as their controllers and headsets are usually much better than Microsoft's official peripherals.

So it pleases me to announce that one of Razer's best gaming headsets, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox, is back on sale with a gigantic 48% discount for $104.97 at Amazon.

Why buy the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox in 2026?

This gaming headset takes all the major traits that made the original Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) awesome for PC platforms and applies them to Xbox consoles.

It's comfy to wear due to its earcup cushions and headband being made out of soft memory foam padded with tough and high-quality fabric.

It also has excellent sound quality thanks to its earcups being outfitted with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers. With these, your ears will experience a dynamic soundstage where every sound effect from the quietest footstep to the loudest explosion is amplified with improved auditory detail and responsiveness.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox's microphone audio quality is on par with the earcups' audio, allowing you to convey your voice with crystal-clear clarity to your friends when playing games online.

On top of that, this gaming headset has customizable audio profiles, solid wireless 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and 70 hours of battery life.

The only downsides of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are that there's no multi-source audio mixing, so you can't pair it with multiple devices simultaneously, and that it costs a very steep MSRP of $199.99.

While there's nothing that could be done to fix the former issue, Amazon has certainly fixed the pricing issue. For a limited time, Amazon is hosting a 48% discount for the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, so it's now $104.97.

So, if you need a top-notch headset to listen for enemy movements better in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 or immerse yourself in the spine-chilling sound design of the upcoming Resident Evil: Requiem, then I highly recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro as it's one of the best Xbox headsets out there.

Alternative discounted options

If you prefer gaming on PC as opposed to Xbox, the PC version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is also on sale for a slightly more expensive discount of $129.99.

The PC version of the Razer BlackShark Pro's audio quality and ergonomics are identical to the Xbox version, but it has access to Razer Synapse support on PC and eSports sound profiles for Valorant and Counter-Strike.

Also, if Amazon's stock of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (PC version) runs out or its discount expires, here is an alternative backup discount option:

• $129.99 at Walmart (was $199.99)

FAQ

Ready for a little history lesson? Back in 1999, Razer debuted the Boomslang, the world's first mouse designed specifically for PC gaming. With its unique form factor and ridiculously good performance (for the time), the Razer Boomslang effectively started the PC gaming peripherals industry.

Fast forward a few years, and the current Razer we know and love was re-founded in 2005 by Min-Liang Tan — who is still the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). It has been 20 years of a whole lot of gaming hardware and innovation since then, making Razer one of the biggest and most recognizable gaming brands in the world.

What better way to celebrate two decades then revisiting the mouse that started it all? The Razer Boomslang is returning with a super limited 20th Anniversary Edition, which takes the original's iconic design and upgrades it with all the insane capabilities and features of Razer's best gaming mice. Here's what you need to know.

The rebirth of a legend

Gaming mice have evolved by leaps and bounds since the original Razer Boomslang made waves with its 2,000 DPI mechanical ball tracking, but Razer isn't just re-releasing the mouse that started it all — it's giving it the full modern treatment.

In fact, the Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition shares a lot of similarities with the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro I reviewed, one of the highest-performance and most technically advanced gaming mice in the world.

That includes the absurdly capable Razer Focus Pro 45K Optical Sensor Gen-2 and Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-4, with up to 45,000 DPI, ludicrously precise sensitivity adjustment, less latency, greater durability and reliability, and more. The new Razer Boomslang is also fully wireless with Razer HyperSpeed and 8,000Hz HyperPolling, and comes paired with its own limited-edition Razer Mouse Dock Pro for wireless charging.

Even the iconic design has been tweaked and refined, with a beautiful translucent shell, 9-zone Razer Chroma RGB lighting, PU leather on the mouse buttons, and optional glass feet. The overall ambidextrous form factor has been preserved, but Razer has updated everything else.

There's still a lot we don't know about this mouse, including its exact specifications (like its weight), how much it'll cost, and even when it'll be available to buy. What we do know, though, is that Razer is only selling 1,337 of this ultra-limited mouse, with each one individually numbered. This mouse is squarely aimed at hardcore collectors.

Razer is also intending to host some community events and giveaways leading up to the launch. If you want to sign up to be notified, you can learn more about the Razer Boomslang 20th Anniversary Edition at Razer.com. Most of us will never actually see this mouse in person (myself included), but I still think this is awesome.

I don't play a lot of competitive online multiplayer games anymore, but there's still a soft spot in my heart for Counter-Strike 2, which I've spent hundreds of hours playing. So, color me shocked when Razer revealed a special Counter-Strike 2 collection of its most premium, most performant PC gaming gear.

Razer didn't just do a Counter-Strike 2 collection; it based the designs on the legendary Dragon Lore skin for Counter-Strike's iconic AWP sniper rifle. It's a skin so lauded, there are thousands of requests to buy it for $2,000 or more on the Counter-Strike marketplace.

I went hands-on with Razer's dragon-skinned accessories, and it's easily one of the best-looking collaborations I've ever had in my office. I also love that Razer went all-in by choosing its best gear — the products that many professional Counter-Strike esports athletes actually use during tournaments.

What is the Razer Counter-Strike 2 Dragon Lore Collection?

Razer's Counter-Strike 2 collaboration is comprised of some of its highest-end accessories, so buying just one product from this family can sting your wallet. This is for those who already planned to splurge on flagship gaming gear or the most hardcore Counter-Strike fans.

In the collection, you'll find:

• Razer Viper V3 Pro Counter-Strike 2 Edition for $179.99 at Razer.com, which is $20 more than the standard version. I reviewed the Razer Viper V3 Pro wireless mouse.
  • You can also bundle this with the Razer Gigantus V2 Counter-Strike 2 Edition large mousepad for $219.98 at Razer.com.
• Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL Counter-Strike 2 Edition for $269.99 at Razer.com, which is $50 more than the standard version. I reviewed the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro keyboard.
• Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Counter-Strike 2 Edition for $269.99 at Razer.com, which is $20 more than the standard version. I reviewed the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro wireless headset.
• Razer Iskur V2 X Counter-Strike 2 Edition for $399.99 at Razer.com, which is $100 more than the standard version. I have not tested this chair (and decided not to accept the Counter-Strike 2 version for this hands-on).

If you're really committed, it'd cost approximately $1,160 for the entire Razer Counter-Strike 2 Collection, which is about $225 more than if you bought the standard version of each product instead.

Beautiful gold-and-red designs

Unlike so many other collaborations from a variety of companies, this collection isn't the same repeating pattern of logos haphazardly plastered onto off-the-shelf products. Each accessory in this collection is meticulously designed, with new materials, detailed and smartly placed designs, and a consistently varied theme throughout.

It all starts with that gold base, which avoids feeling gaudy in the way that so many gold things do, accented by a deep, bold red and flourished by the iconic "Dragon Lore" design. It all looks incredible when put together, but you'll still notice that each product is different.

The headset is accented more by black than red, and leans more into that beautiful gold color. The keyboard puts that red color front and center, with the "Dragon Lore" design dominating the attached wrist rest. The mouse is the most balanced of the bunch, and I love the dragon fire that naturally rests directly under my pointer finger in use.

There's only so much I can say about these designs — just check out the pictures above. I was a huge fan of the Razer Phantom White Collection I previously went hands-on with, but this collection easily takes the cake for overall aesthetics.

None of these design changes impact usability in the slightest, either. That's especially important when you consider which products Razer chose for this collection.

Actually great PC gaming accessories

Most of Razer's official, licensed collaborations feature more affordable, lower-end gear for mainstream audiences, and even Razer's "Phantom" collections tend to avoid the company's highest-end products. That's definitely not the case here.

If you're going to make a collection for Counter-Strike 2, one of the most popular competitive games with a booming esports landscape, you need to focus accessories that Counter-Strike players will actually want to use, and Razer delivered with its absolute best.

The symmetrical Razer Viper V3 Pro wireless mouse I reviewed is only arguably surpassed by the newer Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro I also reviewed, but the Viper's symmetrical design seems to be preferred by several esports athletes, including Faker and the Sentinels team.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro I reviewed truly can't be beaten as a high-end, high-performance wireless headset — complete with a dedicated Counter-Strike 2 audio profile and a class-leading headset microphone. The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro I reviewed is still an incredible keyboard, too, even if it has technically been upgraded in the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8K my colleague reviewed.

My point is that this isn't just a set for the Counter-Strike fans and collectors, it's also for the players. Razer is already an established brand among the best CS players in the world, and now those players can get their favorite gear with a sick new design. Razer's next special collection will have a hard time competing with this one.

If you're interested, you can check out the complete Razer Counter-Strike 2 Collection at Razer.com.

The search never ends for PC gamers looking to snag the best gaming headsets with crisp sound quality for chatting online and immersing themselves in the rich audio design of their favorite titles.

However, we have found a gem of a headset that may be what they're looking for; the 2023 edition of the critically-acclaimed Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, now on offer for $129.99 at Amazon instead of its typical MSRP of $199.99.

Additionally, the Xbox version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro's early Black Friday discount of $119.99 at Amazon is still live.

Why should you buy the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro?

One of our lead experts in reviewing gaming headsets, Zachary Boddy, lavished praise on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, giving it a perfect 5/5-star review.

I don't blame him, as this headset is indeed one of the best PC gaming headsets out there.

The sound quality of the earphones is excellent and crisp, thanks to this headset's Razer TriForce Titanium 50mm sound drivers with a frequency response that can go from 12Hz to 28,000Hz.

The same goes for its detachable mic with a sampling rate of 32,000Hz and a frequency response rate between 100Hz to 10,000Hz. So whether you're chatting to a friend online or taking in a game's immersive soundtrack and ambience, your auditory experiences are guaranteed to get a cinema-level upgrade.

Other features include 70 hours of battery life, THX Spatial Audio, Bluetooth connectivity, an ergonomic design that makes the headset comfortable to wear for hours without straining the user, and customizable sound profiles that can be switched at the press of its Smart Switch button.

Aside from not being capable of multi-source audio mixing between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wireless modes, the only drawback is that this headset doesn't work on Xbox consoles.

Thankfully, Razer has made another version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox that also works on PC. It shares the same high-quality sound and engineering as the regular version, and is also having an early Black Friday sale for $119.99 at Amazon.

However, if you want the regular version to use with PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch hardware, then now's one of the best times to get one, as it's currently on a limited-time 35% discount for $129.99 at Amazon.

FAQ

Razer is known for a lot of PC and gaming accessories, but "webcams" are rarely the first thing that comes to mind. The company is apparently taking the segment seriously, though, as we now have a Razer Kiyo V2 to assess.

I've been using this as my primary webcam for weeks now, and I'm honestly shocked by how good it is. At $150, the new Razer Kiyo V2 manages to undercut some of the most popular premium 4K webcams, but doesn't disappoint when it comes to image or microphone quality.

The best part? The Kiyo V2 comes with a lifetime subscription to Camo Studio Pro, a popular multi-platform software that enables a wide range of webcam features. That's a $100 value on its own, and helps Razer's latest webcam compete with more established players.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Razer. Razer had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

A quality webcam designed for everyone

With the Kiyo V2, Razer has officially moved away from the chunky circle of its previous webcams and adopted a design we've seen a lot, like with the Logitech MX Brio I reviewed, which moves the webcam internals into a horizontal bar (which also has the side effect of spreading out the stereo microphones).

As such, the Kiyo V2 is not a compact webcam, if that matters to you, but it's still a clean, matte black design with excellent build quality. Razer's build quality has steadily improved over the years, and I see those efforts reflected here.

This isn't an "ultra-premium" webcam like Razer's previous Kiyo Pro Ultra or something like the OBSBOT Tiny 2 I reviewed (which is still my favorite webcam of all time), but the Kiyo V2 feels every bit as smartly designed and tightly constructed as the plethora of ~$200+ webcams on the market.

That includes a sturdy, permanently attached stand with a built-in pivot, support for standard 1/4-inch mounts, a detachable USB Type-C cable, and a clearly visible physical privacy shutter that you can open and close by spinning the rim around the sensor. Yes, there's also a white LED that shows when the camera is on — but only the camera, so the microphones can still be active while the light is off (I think Razer should change that).

Speaking of microphones, the Kiyo V2 punches above its weight here. My colleagues at Windows Central expressed surprise at the quality of these webcam mics, and I share their praise. Make no mistake — this is still a webcam, so you'll always be better off with a good headset or (even better) a dedicated microphone.

That being said, the Kiyo V2 does better than most webcams at filtering out background noise and focusing on your voice, keeping it clear and full. Any change in the distance between you and the Kiyo V2 has a huge impact on quality, though, which isn't good for someone as twitchy as me.

The surrounding hardware is top-notch, but it's the sensor at the core that makes or breaks a webcam.

A solid sensor supported by super software

At the center of the Razer Kiyo V2 is an 8.3MP Sony STARVIS sensor of decent size, although it's not as impressively vast as the Kiyo Pro Ultra that precedes it. This sensor is capable of recording at 4K and 30 frames per second (FPS), or 1080p and 60 FPS.

Strangely, the more affordable Kiyo V2 X caps out at 1440p and 60 FPS, while the Kiyo V2 is limited to 30 FPS at the same resolution. I'm not sure why that is, honestly, but in all other respects, the more expensive webcam's sensor is dramatically superior, with a much wider 93-degree field-of-view (FoV), High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, and wider compatibility with various formats and features.

As far as sheer image quality is concerned, the Razer Kiyo V2 is capable of going toe-to-toe with those aforementioned $200 webcams; color reproduction is spot on, low-light performance is respectable, and auto-focus is accurate (if a little slow at times). This webcam's one weakness seems to be with auto-exposure, as the Kiyo V2 has a tendency to blow out lighter skin tones (I definitely fall into that category).

At face value, the Razer Kiyo V2's sensor is good enough to play with the biggest players in this price range, but it doesn't outright beat them in any specific area. What sets this webcam apart is the software that supports it and the attractive price tag tying it all together.

Let's clear the air — when I say software helps make the Kiyo V2 great, I am not talking about Razer Synapse. In this case, Synapse does the absolute bare minimum; it gives you basic settings and is functional, but it simply can't compete with the mature platforms of more established webcam brands.

Razer clearly knows this, though, so it partnered with one of the most popular third-party solutions for upgrading your streaming and video conference setup across Windows and macOS: Camo Studio.

Every single Kiyo V2 (not the more affordable V2 X) comes with a lifetime license for Camo Studio's "Pro" license, and includes a variety of exclusive Razer themes and presets.

Suddenly, the Razer Kiyo V2 has all the software features you could want from the absolute best webcams, including more granular image adjustments, AI-assisted backgrounds and privacy filters, automatic face tracking, and more. Camo may be partially known for transforming your phone into a high-quality webcam, but it's genuinely a powerful and intuitive webcam software suite — and the Razer Kiyo V2 gives you access to all of it without a subscription fee.

Honestly, I'm really impressed by how responsive and intuitive Camo Studio is. The Razer Kiyo V2 doesn't boast gimbal tracking, yet Camo's auto-framing feature easily makes full use of the wide-angle lens to keep me in frame. It's a great experience... but Razer Synapse is essentially useless outside of obtaining your lifetime license, so keep that in mind if you're especially mindful of new applications eating into your system resources.

Razer Kiyo V2 review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You need a high-quality 4K webcam without spending $200+.
• You already know the value of Camo Studio and its features.
• You want a great webcam with a physical privacy shutter you can see.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You really don't want to install a new app just for your webcam.
• You really value hardware features like gimbal tracking.

Look, I'll be returning to the OBSBOT Tiny 2; the gimbal tracking, the superior image quality, and the all-in-one software suite objectively make it the better webcam. It also costs literally twice as much, though.

When judged for what it is, the Razer Kiyo V2 is truly excellent. It's only $149.99 at Razer.com, and it's genuinely not often I can look at a Razer product and remark, "that's a really good deal." This is a good deal, especially if you take advantage of the included Camo Studio Pro license, which unlocks a ton of extra software features.

It's good enough that — despite costing 33% less — I can't really recommend the Razer Kiyo V2 X for $99.99 at Razer.com (get the OBSBOT Tiny SE I reviewed instead). The Razer Kiyo V2 is a fantastic value for frequent attendees of video conferences and streamers alike, and definitively gives the more expensive Logitech MX Brio a run for its money.

When I reviewed the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro back in late 2024, I had no hesitation calling it "the closest thing we have to Xbox controller perfection." There were some minor grumbles, and in the year or so since, there have been a couple of issues to fix.

But the controller itself was, at the time, about the best-equipped controller for the enthusiast crowd and pro players. Razer doesn't sit still, though, and recently I've been using and loving the Raiju V3 Pro, a PS5 and PC controller packed with even more tech.

What I'm looking at here, though, is something which combines bits of both of these controllers, while also delivering something only possible right now on PC.

The Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC (to give its full birth name) is a Wolverine V3 Pro on the outside, upgraded a bit on the inside, and given a whopping 8,000Hz polling rate, something virtually no other controller on the planet has as standard.

If you want the best performance out of the box, this is it. This is the one. It's here in time for Black Ops 7, and I think that I'll be using it to play.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample supplied by Razer. The company did not see or have any input into its contents.

How does the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC differ from the Wolverine V3 Pro

The overall look and feel of the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is almost the same as last year's Wolverine V3 Pro. Obviously, there's no Xbox button, but you can still use the Razer button (located in its place) to launch the Xbox Game Bar on PC if you wish.

The grips are better on the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, too, wrapping around the front of the controller. It has all the same buttons as the Xbox version, and they're in all the same places, but visually it's a full black on black stealth look, which I dig.

As it's a PC only controller, the headset jack has gone from the bottom, and, as with the Raiju V3 Pro, this being a controller aimed at pro players, there are no rumble motors inside. The positive side effect is that it weighs noticeably less than the Xbox version. 84g less (0.19lbs) to be precise.

The polling rate is the big selling point, though. A number of the keenest players resort to "overclocking" their controllers to increase the polling rate. With this, you don't have to. The Wolverine V3 Pro is still pretty hot with a 1,000Hz polling rate on PC, but it pales next to its newer sibling.

For context, the Wolverine V3 Pro tops out at 250Hz on Xbox Series X|S. 8,000 is a lot more.

Why should I even care about a higher polling rate?

In the same way you want a gaming monitor with a high refresh rate and low response time, in a competitive environment, you want your controller to be fast, too. That means the lowest input latency you can manage, and for that, you want a high polling rate.

It's all about giving yourself every slight edge.

The polling rate is simply how often your controller talks to the PC. 8,000Hz means the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is reporting your inputs to the PC 8,000 times per second.

That means a polling interval, or latency, is an absurdly low 0.125ms. At 1,000Hz, it's a whopping 1ms. I say that jokingly, because in all truth, a human being is unlikely to be able to tell the difference.

But compared to a standard Xbox controller, which is just 125Hz, or even the Wolverine V3 Pro at 250Hz on Xbox, with 8ms and 4ms polling intervals respectively, you can see the difference playing on PC can have at the very leading edge.

Faster means better. If you have the best monitor, the best PC, you want the best controller to go with it. Razer's unfair advantage is in full swing.

So what's the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC like to use?

The tl;dr version is that it's utterly glorious. It's as comfortable to hold and use as the Wolverine V3 Pro, with the added bonus of being significantly lighter. When you get to my age, that's important. My wrists ache much less after a long session using the lighter, PC-only version.

Has the insane performance made me a better player? No amount of technology could do that, and truthfully, I cannot perceive any difference on screen between this, the Wolverine V3 Pro at 1,000Hz, and the Raiju V3 Pro at 2,000Hz. But it's there doing its thing, and it's as responsive a controller as I've ever put my meat hooks on.

In my testing, too, using the Polling tester by Gamepadla, it's delivering. In multiple tests, it reports a polling rate of around 7,500Hz, which, sure, isn't 8,000, but it's very close. It's also dependent on your PC.

For example, using the USB ports on my PC case, it tops out at 6,250Hz, but connected to a USB port on the motherboard yields the best performance of closer to 8,000Hz. A latency of less than 0.2ms is absurd, and the best you're going to get right now on any pro-grade controller.

Better still, the performance seems to be almost identical whether connected via USB cable or using the HyperSpeed Wireless dongle. Running the same test while connected using the dongle yielded nearly indistinguishable performance wirelessly versus wired.

That in itself is award-worthy. Traditionally, you expect to lose performance when you lose the cable, but not in this case. Objectively, the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is as good to use wired as it is wireless.

Assuming you don't factor in the battery life, which, well, is not great. It wasn't great on the Xbox version, and with more performance, it doesn't get better. You can use Synapse 4 to help, such as making sure it turns off when you stop using it, but my advice would be to use it wired. That's what I do on console or PC these days, anyway, because I don't want to have to worry about it.

As with the Raiju V3 Pro that I reviewed recently, I adore the addition of TMR thumbsticks. I still can't quantify why I like them so much or how they feel better than Hall Effect, but they do. Or I think they do. There's just something about them that you notice when you start to use them.

The Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC can also make the absolute most of them. TMR sticks can register a higher accuracy with stick position. With the absurd polling rate on tap here, you can guarantee that every little movement is accurately translated into your game.

As with Razer's other pro-grade controllers, it ships with a couple of additional thumbsticks you can swap out. One has a convex curve, and one is the same as the stock sticks, only longer.

Is there anything the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC doesn't have?

For a controller that has everything, there are things it doesn't have that some may miss. I've already talked about the rumble motors, the absence of which doesn't make this a good choice for, say, racing games.

The crazy lightness can also leave the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC feeling a little hollow, and even cheap. The plastics are the same as on the Wolverine V3 Pro, but the weight can certainly trick you into thinking it's not built as well.

Despite being Razer's highest spec controller, it doesn't quite have all the features, either. Notably, the Rapid Trigger and Digital Trigger features that was added to the Wolverine V3 Pro and came out of the box on the Raiju V3 Pro.

Given the sheer speed of the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, such features missing aren't necessarily a dealbreaker, but it's still worth highlighting.

It's also worth pointing out that there's no Bluetooth connectivity on this controller, either. If you want to go wireless, you have to use the dongle. Bluetooth isn't exactly keeping with the theme of performance, but if you're on the move, you do at least have a carry case with a slot to keep the dongle in, so you don't forget it.

Should you buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC?

It's hard to come up with a true alternative or comparison to this controller, because there's simply nothing else like it right now.

The obvious disclaimer is that unless you know you definitely only want a controller for PC play, then this one isn't for you. However, if you do, it's hard to beat on a technical level, and there are additional benefits.

For one, while it's still expensive, being a PC-only controller means it's actually cheaper than the list price for the Wolverine V3 Pro or the Raiju V3 Pro in some locations, such as the UK (sadly, they're the same price in the U.S.) Therefore, if you're a PC player, you can save a bit of cash and get more performance.

I can't think of another controller I'd recommend more than this right now to the enthusiast or pro crowd for PC. There are no real compromises, even if you want to use it wirelessly, and it removes the need for any thoughts of using third-party tools to overclock another controller.

The differences may be unperceivable to the naked eye, but the performance is there, and the testing backs it up. If you want the fastest PC controller on the planet, this is it. And if you want all this but don't care about going wireless, you can save $80 and get the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Tournament Edition, instead.

With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on the horizon, and Battlefield 6 already here, this would be a perfect controller for either.

Around the launch of the Huntsman V3 Pro, I was starting to get itchy for a new keyboard. At the time, I was rocking a Logitech G815. So you can imagine how thankful I was to get the opportunity to review the NZXT Function Elite MiniTKL about 10 months later.

Even with a solid keyboard, I wanted more. While I'm nearing closer to 40 years than the 30-year mark I'm currently living, I still consider myself to be a pretty damn good competitive gamer.

Having never played, I reached Emerald in my first competitive season of Rainbow Six Siege X. All while learning the ins and outs of every map, operator, and weapon.

So I needed a professional-level keyboard. Something that, when I used it, I felt I was gaining a competitive edge. After years of spending less on peripherals, the Razer Huntsman Pro V3 8KHZ, especially when paired with my Razer Viper V3 Pro, feels like a hardware cheat code when compared to what I was using before.

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by a review unit provided by Razer. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Pricing and specifications

First off, let's go over the pricing. With premium-level products, you can expect to pay a lot more than something like a "Redragon" bundle at Best Buy.

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz ranges from $219.99 for the TKL version to $249.99 for the full version at the official Razer store.

If you're looking for either the white or Razer green editions, expect to pay $10 to $20 more for the TKL variants. Or $259.99 and $269.99, respectively.

Now, you might be thinking, "Wow, that's a lot of money for a keyboard," and I'm not going to sit here and tell you you're wrong by any means. It is, it's a heck of a lot for a keyboard.

However, the price of entry is worth it if you're looking to invest in a skillset you know you have. I won't come out saying buy it if you're just a casual gamer, because this keyboard isn't for you.

But, if you're a good player who could benefit from better response times, better control, actuation, Rapid-Trigger, and everything else that comes with this board, then it's time to save up.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Design and build quality

The look and feel of the Razer Huntsman Pro V3 8KHZ is something you need to try for yourself to truly understand, maybe at a local Best Buy. I'll still do my absolute best to explain just how superb the experience feels.

For the second time in my gaming career, I've jumped onto the TKL bandwagon. While I do quite a bit of writing and even some sim gameplay, the tenkey always seemed to get in the way of my over-swung mouse movements.

I'm one of those players who use a giant Artisan Ninja FX mousepad, but the more room to bring that closer, the better. Often, I'd find myself hitting the side of my keyboard when trying to make sudden movements to the left, and I hadn't properly repositioned. The TKL format is compact and neat, with everything I could ever need right at my fingertips.

Whenever I swap keyboards, it always seems to take me a week to really get used to a layout before I'm back to typing and gaming like before. The 8K is just so well designed that, while it might be a placebo, I had the easiest transition ever to this board.

The feel is incredible, the subtle texture differences between my Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHZ and the NZXT Elite MiniTLK stand out when played over 10,000 key presses per hour. Almost charming when compared to the likes of the Huntsman V3 Pro (non-8K). Which was knocked for having a more subtle loudness than the newest version.

The keyboard also feels substantial without a single hint of flimsiness. I mention this because it's so light compared to recent magnetic hall effect keyboards that I thought I might break it at first. I don't know what magic Razer is using over there, but in terms of build quality, it holds up to the best there is.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Typing experience

Like the previous iteration, the typing on the Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHZ is still solid, but even better this time around, thanks to several new upgrades based on customer feedback.

First, to dampen the ~53 dB reported previously, Razer has introduced a new, denser foam they're calling "Thick EPDM + EVA" foam beneath the keys to deliver a more plush sound rather than the high-pitched clack of the prior board. It's small, but it has a noticeable impact on typing sound. Again, you notice these things after 10,000 keystrokes.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Gaming performance

The elephant in the room comes with gaming performance. What significant improvements have the team at Razer made in terms of pure, raw performance to make the board worth it? The answer: yes.

First of all, let's talk about the double-edged sword that is 8K polling.

The real-world performance difference between 1KHZ and 8KHZ is measurable in terms of latency, from 1.7ms to 0.58ms, respectively. That's a 66% increase in performance based on latency alone, from what I'd consider inhumanely measurable to unmistakably instant.

The other side of the coin can come at the cost of that 8K polling rate. The Razer app, and I'm sure other apps for similar keyboards, all give the same warning when tuning to any polling rate above 1K: "Higher polling rates will result in higher CPU usage, which may impact frame rates."

These are self-tested, but as you can see from the photos above, under no load vs me spamming the keyboard with Rapid-Trigger, Snap-Tap, 0.1 actuation, and an 8K polling rate.

While it's not the same impact I've seen with 8K mouse polling, it's still a jump. One that could eat into your top-end frames in CPU-limited games like Counter-Strike, Siege X, and other high-refresh games on 480Hz displays.

If the raw performance is what you need, then this is the board for you. What about other features?

Both Snap-Tap and Rapid-Trigger return, with the former being another boogeyman in the gaming world, as some titles like Counter-Strike outright deny its use. Rapid-Trigger, paired with the new 0.1mm to 4.0mm actuation range, is absolutely stunning.

The slightest up/down tap of a key can be counted as a repeated stroke, giving your teabagging game—or other repetitive gaming motion tasks—an absolute boost in output.

I want to reiterate the actuation range increase, as the old/current version of the Huntsman Pro V3 has a range of 0.4mm to 3.6mm. Now, they match the likes of magnetic switches found in Wooting and NZXT.

Speaking of competition.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Competition

The one thing I always ask is, "What are the pros of using?" For years, I've used Prosettings.net as the go-to place to find out. The competition these past few years has basically been Razer vs Wooting, with Wooting taking the crown by a percentage point and a more substantial overall market share.

Coming in as the second-most-used keyboard on the market, the Razer Huntsman Pro V3 is not a slouch, and with the introduction of the 8K variant, I can see this gap either closing or being surpassed.

The main difference between the old Huntsman and the Wooting 80HE was the 8K polling rate. With that gap closed, the Razer Huntsman Pro V3 8KHz could very well overtake the Wooting 60HE+ for the crown.

Other competitors in the area are cheaper alternatives that still give decent performance compared to these other top-tier boards, including the likes of SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Logitech G Pro X. Whether the difference in price is worth it to you will come down to what you're looking for in a board.

Do you settle for good, or go for the best? For quite a few years, I settled for good, and I wish I had made the jump sooner.

Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz: Final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You're looking for the best. While expensive, the Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz brings the juice that amateur and professional-level gamers have come to expect.
• You want to customize your experience to be the best of gaming, writing, and casual use, all on one keyboard.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You wouldn't get much use out of the features with 8K, 0.1-4.0mm actuation, Snap-tap and Rapid-Trigger keys, then there's no reason to pick this over something half the price.

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz is the best gaming keyboard Razer has made to date and the best one I've ever personally used. From the relatively satisfying feel of each keystroke to the gamer-centric features that are sure to raise your skill ceiling, I can't find anything to complain about outside of a high price tag. If you're in need of a high-end, premium gaming keyboard, then the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz should be at the top of your list when deciding.

There has been something of a renaissance for transparent technology in the last few years, and I love it. Some of the most iconic gaming hardware from the 1990s and early 2000s boasted colorful, translucent shells, and that approach to design has been returning with products like the Razer Phantom Green Collection I tried out.

Now, Razer is returning with its second Phantom family, this time dropping the saturation in honor of the spookiest season of the year. This is the Razer Phantom White Collection, and not only is it one accessory bigger than its green predecessor, it also simply looks better — well, in my opinion.

I've gone hands-on with the Phantom White Collection to see if any of these products are worth considering, and I ended up keeping the mouse on my desk even after I was done. Now, I can only hope that the next translucent gear from Razer is the Phantom Violet Collection (Razer, call me, I'll help out).

What is the Razer Phantom White Collection?

Surprise, surprise, the Razer Phantom White Collection is just the Phantom Green Collection, but more misty than verdant. Well, there's also the addition of a new product in this lineup, so let's go through the list.

• Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K Phantom White Edition for $169.99 at Razer.com, which is $10 more than the normal version. We reviewed the original Razer Basilisk V3 Pro wireless mouse.
• Razer Firefly V2 Pro Phantom White Edition for $109.99 at Razer.com, which is $10 more than the normal version. I reviewed the Razer Firefly V2 Pro mousepad.
• Razer BlackWidow V4 75% Phantom White Edition for $199.99 at Razer.com, which is the same price as the normal version. We reviewed the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% wired keyboard.
• Razer Barracuda X Chroma Phantom White Edition for $139.99 at Razer.com, which is $10 more than the normal version. I reviewed the Razer Barracuda X Chroma wireless headset.
• Razer Kishi V3 Phantom White Edition for $109.99 at Razer.com, which is $10 more than the normal version (and is the new addition with this collection). I reviewed the Razer Kishi V3 Pro mobile controller.

As a complete set, the Razer Phantom White Collection costs around $730, about $40 more than if you bought the normal black and white variants of each product. The Phantom collections feature more premium gear than most of Razer's other special editions, but I love that.

I prefer this over Phantom Green

I was quite positive in my hands-on with the original Phantom Green Collection, and praised Razer for actually putting in effort to make its products look as good as possible while translucent.

It wasn't just about slapping on a new plastic shell; Razer re-engineered internals, experimented with different materials and colors, and went through dozens of iterations to get it as good as possible. I even spoke to Razer's Global Head of Design about this process.

Despite all of that, I still didn't love every part of the Phantom Green Collection. The green made it difficult to actually see the internals, the RGB lighting didn't always play nice with it, and key legibility for the keyboard plummeted to nigh unreadable levels.

Razer couldn't introduce a new family of translucent devices without starting with its iconic green, though, and I still considered the lineup a big success overall. That being said, I like the Phantom White Collection a whole lot more. It also adds the Razer Kishi V3 mobile controller to the mix, which was a good choice on Razer's part.

It's a more consistent aesthetic that works better with the Razer Chroma RGB lighting that's prominent in four of the five included products. I can already see a lot of people who skipped over the Phantom Green Collection rushing to add these products to their gaming setup, and I don't blame them — because I'm one of them.

And I like this mouse enough that I'm still using it

I used to be all-in on all-black gaming accessories, but lately I've grown rather fond of lighter-hued gear. So, when I got in the new Phantom White Collection and saw how the Basilisk V3 Pro 35K mouse and Firefly V2 Pro mousepad looked compared to my standard black versions, I knew in moments I was making the switch.

The mouse, especially, is easily the highlight of the entire Phantom White Collection. I love the peeks into the internals and the threads of RGB lighting; it even impressed one of my friends, who is very much not interested in PC gaming accessories.

It certainly helps that the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K is genuinely my favorite mouse ever, of course, but I also considered the keyboard. The BlackWidow V4 75% is Razer's answer to the rise of incredible, modular enthusiast keyboards, and it's honestly great — I also reviewed the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, and liked it a lot.

That decision will have to wait, though, because I already have a mountain of keyboards to review... and the color of the switches is extremely obvious underneath the translucent keys, and something about that bugged me a little.

Put it all together, and the Razer Phantom White Collection is an excellent retro throwback, and the ghastly tone is perfect for the spooky season. If you're interested in checking out the lineup for yourself, the Phantom White Collection is now available from $109.99 at Razer.com.

FAQ

If you play on PC, you're always spoiled for choice when it comes to accessories. Controllers are no different, since you have the benefit of using hardware not only built for PC, but from the Xbox and PlayStation ecosystems.

What I've been lucky enough to play with falls into the latter of those. The Razer Raiju V3 Pro launches today and is Razer's latest and greatest controller, not just for PS5, but for PC, too.

Sony's conditions of license mean that there's only one Raiju, and as such, Razer has thrown absolutely everything it has at it. Perhaps more shockingly, I think I even prefer it to the controller I've been using since it came out, the Wolverine V3 Pro, which is Razer's best on Xbox (that obviously also works well on PC). Even with the PlayStation stick layout.

This review was made possible thanks to a pre-release review sample supplied by Razer. The company did not see or have any input into its contents.

A word on PlayStation features

This review is, naturally, focused on PC use. But for anyone who's interested in PlayStation 5, there are a couple of differences. For one, the polling rate is limited to a maximum of 250Hz on PS5.

This isn't a choice on Razer's part to deliberately limit it compared to PC, it's the maximum possible. So you're still getting the absolute best you can get on the console.

Razer also doesn't have an app for PS5 to make adjustments to the controller. Folks who have used Razer controllers on Xbox know we've had a dedicated app to tweak settings and save profiles, but this can't be done on PS5. The choices are to use the smartphone app, or hook it up to a PC or Mac and use Razer Synapse.

Also, down to decisions in Sony's licensing for controllers, you don't have the full DualSense feature set, such as the haptic triggers. In fact, it doesn't rumble at all, it just doesn't have any motors inside.

Given the target audience is traditionally gamers that would disable it anyway, it's not a huge miss. But it's probably not the controller to get if you play a lot of racing games.

The best of the best

If it's possible on a controller right now, it's on the Razer Raiju V3 Pro. Top of the list are TMR thumbsticks, the latest upgrade over Hall Effect sticks. The Wolverine 8K from Razer (the PC only controller) predates the Raiju V3 Pro in using them, but compared to the Wolverine V3 Pro I've been using, it's an upgrade.

The assumption is newer tech is better, and I've been trying to figure out whether I'm telling myself they feel better or whether they actually are. I am leaning towards the latter, albeit having taken a little while to adjust and to dial in some comfortable settings. Comparing to my Wolverine V3 Pro, the sticks do feel a hair better, but it's hard to quantify.

As with Hall Effect, though, one big advantage is eliminating the dreaded prospect of stick drift. Razer also includes a taller concave stick, and a convex stick you can swap out if you'd prefer.

One other feature I love, compared to some past Razer controllers I've used, is that the rear paddles are removable. They're still the same sort of design as on the Wolverines, but included is a screwdriver and some rubber caps to replace them with. I use all four, but some folks don't, especially with the additional buttons next to the bumpers.

It's all part of allowing you to customize it however you want, and if you'd prefer to just have grip rather than buttons you don't want to use, you can. However, it's a little fiddly unscrewing these things, and if you're clumsy — as I certainly am — those tiny screws will be easy to lose.

The face buttons are "mecha tactile" and as with every recent Razer controller, they're deliciously clicky. Razer has started utilizing its mouse technology in controllers, and so when you press the buttons and think it sounds like a mouse click, it does.

This technology is also integrated in the triggers. When you use the trigger stops, you get instant response and that same mouse click, versus a regular analog response when they're disabled. Again, all geared towards providing the best possible performance for competitive gamers.

In software, you also have the ability to enable "digital triggers," which removes the analog response entirely, but you'll probably not want that enabled for any games where you need a more sensitive trigger curve.

From someone who uses a Wolverine V3 Pro, the differences are subtle, but if you're coming from an older controller, what you get here will blow you away. Besides all the tech you can shake a stick at (and we know gamers love them some tech), one key aspect not to be overlooked is the weight.

Because it doesn't have any haptics or rumble motors at all, the Raiju V3 Pro is light. It's noticeably lighter than my Wolverine, and let me tell you, when you get to my age, especially, your wrists will appreciate it.

Customization is as easy as any other Razer controller on PC. You have the option of using the mobile app, if you like, otherwise it's a case of firing up Synapse 4, making your changes, saving them to the controller, then closing the app. Profiles are stored on the controller, so you can move between devices — and platforms — seamlessly without losing your settings.

Even with the PlayStation stick layout, I can't put the Raiju V3 Pro down

I'm no stranger to PlayStation, even if I no longer actually own a PS5. I've had every single one of them, so the stick layout is something I've had to persevere with (mostly). There were times I got away from it, such as with a previous Raiju controller, but I'm familiar, even if I don't love it.

My overall preference has always been the offset layout you get on an Xbox controller, but honestly, I cannot put the Raiju V3 Pro down. I've mostly been testing it in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and in this environment, I'm almost at the point of preferring it this way.

I think it comes down to how the controller is being held. When I'm playing Call of Duty, despite being the furthest from a pro-level player, I'm automatically in a competitive mood. I'm using all the paddles on the rear, and I didn't notice until recently, but I adjust my grip slightly compared to other games.

Whatever's going on, my centering has never been better since using the Raiju V3 Pro, and I've only been using it a week.

There are also a number of ways folks like to hold their controllers playing competitive games, and in each case, I think the stick placement here makes sense. I wouldn't use it to play a more relaxing game, but when I'm locking in for a six-hour sweatfest, I think this is going to be the controller I reach for.

One of the absolute best PC controllers around

The fact Razer had to make this an epic controller for PS5 is equally beneficial to those of us on PC. The polling rate, sticks, switches, all are about the best you'll find on any controller by any manufacturer right now.

It's a little more limited on PS5 in places due to Sony's restrictions, but on the whole, you're going to love it whichever platform you're on.

It exists, in part, because there is a demand from the top-level of competitive players, for a controller of this nature with the PlayStation stick layout. There's nothing stopping future Xbox controllers like this, either. If that's a thing you want, speak up. Don't be afraid — I know it's the forbidden fruit, but clearly there are plenty who prefer it.

Razer's closest match on PC is the Wolverine V3 8K, which I'm still waiting to test. It has a faster polling rate, but, like the Raiju, TMR thumbsticks and all the lovely mouse tech inside. There's never been a better choice across all manufacturers of pro-grade controllers.

If you're a PS5 and PC cross-player, this is an absolute no-brainer. It's light, it's comfortable, and I've used Razer controllers exclusively as my personal choice for many years now. In that time, I've never once had an issue with reliability or durability. These things are built to last, assuming you don't toss them at a wall or anything in a fit of rage.

If you're PC only, the choices are a little wider, but if you want something with the PlayStation stick layout, definitely consider this one. It is pricey, though, but the best of the best always is.

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro is available from today in selected markets for £199.99. It currently isn't available to U.S. customers as it hasn't yet received regulatory clearance, but when it does, it'll be priced at $219.99.

Razer has spent many decades crafting high-quality gaming mice, both at premium prices for people looking to get the best performance out of PC gaming, and lower-end prices for people wanting to save money.

The Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed fits the latter category while packing enough advanced features to make it viable to play the best PC games, and it's now on sale for $43.99 thanks to Amazon cutting its $69.99 MSRP by 37%.

This gaming mouse is great value for money and here's why

Razer's Viper V3 HyperSpeed is one of our highest recommendations for PC players wanting an affordable yet high-quality gateway into the world of upgrading their PC gaming rigs with the best PC gaming accessories.

Why, you may ask? Well, for starters, it has a comfy, streamlined ergonomic design with a smooth, soft-touch finish and sturdy build quality that makes it feel good to use without causing strain on the user's wrist after hours of use.

The Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed also features high-performance rates of 30,000 DPI, 750 IPS speed, 70G acceleration, and a polling rate of 1,000Hz (or 4,000Hz when paired with a HyperPolling Wireless Dongle).

This will ensure you get ultra-accurate and reliable inputs and sensitivity while playing games, especially fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty or Battlefield.

To top it off, the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed has great battery life of 280 hours at 1,000Hz (or 75 hours when set to 4,000Hz) despite not having an internal rechargeable battery.

So if you're in the market for a trustworthy and high-quality wireless gaming mouse at a cheap price, you can't go wrong with the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed, as it has a reasonable MSRP of $69.99.

In fact, its cost has become even more thrifty thanks to Amazon, which is selling the Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed for the discounted price of $43.99, saving buyers $26.00 in the process.

FAQ

If you're playing for hours at a time with a wireless Xbox controller, you're going to need a way to recharge them quickly so you can get back into the game.

One of the best tools for this task is the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox Series X|S, with its critically acclaimed design, durable build, wide compatibility with Xbox controllers, and fast recharge times.

For just $23.99 at Amazon (discounted by 20% from its MSRP of $29.99), you can get your hands on the Aqua Shift variant of this charger and get your Xbox controller recharged for action in no time flat.

Why should you buy this Xbox controller charging stand?

Razer's Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox Series X|S is packed with many admirable features that make it one of the best Xbox accessories for competitive and casual Xbox players alike.

It has a smart, stylish design with a high-quality build that will last you for years.

Plus, it's compatible with a wide range of Xbox One controllers, Xbox Series X|S controllers, Xbox Design Lab controllers, and even Elite Series 1 controllers, provided you outfit them with Razer-specific batteries, which are included with the stand.

Once you equip a controller with Razer batteries, this stand will recharge them to their full 8 hours of battery life in just under three hours by placing the controller on the stand.

It's also very easy to use as you simply plug the controller into the stand's magnet contact system connectors, and hook the stand to a console, PC, or compatible wall-plug via a USB-C cable.

To top it off, it has an extremely affordable MSRP $29.99, making it a very cheap option to charge your wireless controllers.

Thanks to Amazon's limited-time 20% discount, this option is now even more inexpensive, as the Aqua Shift color variant of this charger is available for $23.99.

The stand also comes in a variety of other colors to match specific controllers, one of which is also on sale at Amazon, like the Silver variant for £23.99.

FAQ

Razer has produced many high-quality PC gaming keyboards over the years, and one of their best and over-the-top products to date is the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro.

This mechanical keyboard is brimming with a mountain of advanced, customizable features that make it ideal for PC gaming, and it's gotten its steep $249.99 MSRP reduced to a more affordable price of $199.99 on Amazon.

Why should you buy the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro?

What makes the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro one of the best PC accessories is the smorgasbord of features Razer packed into it.

It has green clicky and silent yellow mechanical switches, which the user can switch between if they want silence or not while typing. Both switches also deliver satisfying feedback and input accuracy while playing games.

It has a unique "Command Dial" that can be used to adjust many options like the keyboard's brightness, Windows Zoom, switching tabs and apps, selecting tracks, and more.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro even has 8 extra macro keys you can assign functions or shortcuts to, so you can perform certain in-game actions much more easily.

Another customization option this keyboard provides is for its polling rate, which can be set between 125Hz to 8,000Hz, so you can adjust how responsive you want it to be.

Combine this with the most intense Chroma RGB lighting ever seen in a keyboard, wear-and-tear preventing Doubleshot Abs Keycaps, and a comfortable wrist rest that comes packaged with it, and you have yourself one of Razer's best keyboards.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro is on sale right now for $199.99 on Amazon for a limited time.

This deal will save PC gaming enthusiasts seeking to illuminate their haven with RGB lighting $50.00, so they have enough change leftover to purchase more PC games for their ever-growing catalog.

FAQ

Mobile and cloud gaming have become an integral part of the industry. So people have been turning to 3rd-party accessories like the Razer Kishi Ultra to turn their mobile devices into fully fledged gaming handhelds.

This critically-acclaimed controller with precise controls and advanced features normally runs for a high mark-up price of $149.99. Yet, Amazon has managed to put together a generous 30% discount for it, taking the controller's premium price tag down to $104.99.

Why should you buy the Razer Kishi Ultra?

What makes the Razer Kishi Ultra worth your money is that it essentially takes the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma, one of Razer's best Xbox controllers, splits it in half to fit mobile devices between it, and applies its outstanding controls and build quality for mobile and Cloud gaming.

It can connect to a wide range of mobile cases without taking them out of their cases and use pass-through USB charging, so you can charge your phone without removing the Razer Kishi Ultra.

Its controls are excellent with form-fitting ergonomic placement, satisfying click actuation, and laser-accurate input detection with Hall Effect triggers, so you can make precise and fast headshots while playing shooting games.

The Razer Kishi Ultra also sports audio-based universal haptics, which add immersive, dynamic vibrations while playing Android and PC games, optional RGB lighting, and built-in Nexus software that will allow you to remap the controller's buttons, joystick, triggers, and touch screen's functions.

The only real problem this mobile controller had was its premium MSRP of $149.99, which many people thought was too high for such a device.

Thankfully, this steep price has been mitigated by Amazon with this sweet 30% discount, so it's now $104.99 for a limited time.

So if you want one of the best Xbox accessories to help you better play your favorite Xbox Game Pass titles on the go via the Cloud with traditional controls instead of touch-screen control, then now's the perfect time to acquire a Razer Kishi Ultra.

FAQ

Razer is a titan in the 3rd-party gaming scene, as it has produced some of the best gaming accessories on the market that have made our gaming experience richer.

One such accessory is the Xbox edition of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset.

This headset is one of our favorites for its excellent, comfy design, world-class mic, and it's now on sale for a 35% discount, taking its $199.99 MSRP down to $129.99 on Amazon.

Why buy the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset?

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is packed with many technological advancements and sound-improving tech that make it one of the best Xbox headsets around.

For starters, this fine headset by Razer is equipped with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers that deliver sublime sound quality that will let the wearer hear the minutest detail of a game's sound design for extra immersion.

It's also useful for competitive gamers as this feature can help players listen to enemy movements if they're being snuck-up on in PVP titles like Call of Duty or Overwatch 2.

Other standout features of this headset include a unidirectional, hi-fi, detachable microphone that delivers crisp sound quality to your voice when speaking online, and a long-lasting battery life of 70+ hours before needing to recharge.

It also has a comfortable design with soft memory foam ear cushions surrounded by high-quality, durable, and breathable fabric to ensure the user's comfort for many hours of gaming.

If you don't mind losing out on PC-specific features of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro PC Edition, like Razer Synapse support and additional audio profiles, then we highly recommend the Xbox Edition of this headset, as it is a worthy purchase for any hardcore Xbox fan.

Amazon is currently hosting a 35% discount, slashing the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro's MSRP down from $199.99 to $129.99. This will save you $70, which is enough money to buy a fully priced Xbox title.

FAQ

If you're looking for an Xbox/PC controller with performance and build quality that goes beyond what the standard Xbox controller offers, Razer is one of the top 3rd companies to go for.

Razer has spent many years honing their craft to create the best gaming controllers on the market and one of their latest creations that will suit your needs perfectly is the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition Controller.

This wired, controller with Hall Effect components and Mecha-Tactile buttons normally fetches a somewhat high retail price of $99.99.

However, Amazon Prime Day has come to slash that MSRP tag down faster than the superhero this controller is named after to a much more affordable price of $61.50 on Amazon.

What's the major selling points of the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition controller?

Razer has always been my personal favorite company for third-party gaming accessories as their Xbox and PC Gaming compatible controllers are some of the best in the business.

My favorite one product of Razer's is the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma which was so good it felt like cheating.

Sadly though after many years helping me hunt monsters in Monster Hunter and Soulslikes like Elden Ring, its starting to give up the ghost so now I'm going to find a replacement.

Fortunately, Amazon is hosting a limited-time discount for the V2 Chroma's successor, the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition controller, making this the perfect time for an upgrade.

What's so special about the V3 Tournament Edition? It's a high-quality wired Xbox/PC controller that features all the hallmarks of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller that sacrifices wireless connectivity for half of the V3 Pro's $199.99 MSRP.

That means this controller is built with kinds of advanced features to help you beat the toughest out games out there whether they're competitive PvP titles like Call of Duty or chaotic co-op titles like Borderlands 4.

These features include Hall Effect Triggers and Analog Sticks. These components help read your button and stick movement inputs faster with high accuracy so you can quick precise headshots or stealthily sneak up on enemies without accidentally giving yourself away.

It also features additional back buttons and shoulder bumpers you can assign input shortcuts to in certain games, Mecha-tactile face buttons that can endure many hours of intense button mashing, and a compact design that is ergonomic-friendly so you don't strain your hands during long gaming sessions.

However, there are some issues to watch out for when using the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition controller. It's compact shape and oversized triggers make it difficult for players with certain hand sizes to wield.

Plus there have been reports some copies of this controller's rumble motors making rougher sounds than the Wolverine V3 Pro and its cable has questionable build-quality to the point where it cause unintentional connectivity loss during gameplay.

If you're lucky enough to a own a copy that doesn't have these issues and you don't mind using wired controllers, than the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition is a must-buy as its one of the best Xbox controllers currently on the market.

If you want to a hold of this controller for yourself if you're looking for a new controller like me, then the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition is currently on sale for $69.99, courtesy of Amazon Prime Day.

However, you will need Amazon Prime Membership to access this deal. It's not a bad price to pay however as you will get access to exclusive deals not found anywhere else, faster shipping, access to streaming services, and other useful benefits.

FAQ

The Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed is currently on offer for just $44.99 at Amazon, down from its usual $59.99.

Reviewed positively on Windows Central by Richard Devine, the DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed earned praise for its comfort and impressive battery life. It’s even replaced his previous daily driver, the V2 Pro, thanks to how long it lasts between charges.

Does the Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed stands out?

The Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed sticks to what made the series famous. It’s built on the same ergonomic design that dates back to the original 2006 DeathAdder — only this time, it’s gone wireless. Razer’s been refining the shape and feel for years, and that familiar comfort is still front and center here.

In his Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed review for Windows Central, Richard Devine called out how comfortable it feels and praised the battery life. He even swapped out his V2 Pro, which says a lot. At $44.99, it’s even easier to justify now.

You’re getting Razer’s Gen 2 mechanical switches, which deliver that classic, clicky feedback that feels great in both games and daily use. The mouse supports both HyperSpeed wireless and Bluetooth, so it’s ready for desktops, laptops, or even travel setups.

If you want the numbers, it’s rocking a 14K DPI 5G optical sensor — accurate enough for most players — and can last up to 235 hours on a single AA or AAA battery.

Since its inception in 2006, the DeathAdder line from Razer has changed drastically, becoming one of Razer’s longest-running products, and the DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed really sticks it to other mice in the same category thanks to its features and battery life.

The only real downside? It’s right-handed only, and it skips the textured side grips you’ll find on Razer’s pricier models. Small trade-offs for the comfort and performance on offer here.

FAQ

Is the Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed right for you?

If you’ve been in the market for a new mouse that’s ergonomic and well-reviewed, the Razer DeathAdder V2 X HyperSpeed is worth a look. With its long-lasting battery life and durable design, it’s a comfortable all-rounder that performs well and now comes at an appealing price.

Whether you’re a gamer or just need something reliable for everyday use, it fits a wide range of users. That said, if you’re left-handed or care about RGB lighting, this model might not be the one for you.

If you’d like more details, be sure to check out Richard’s review as it goes much more in depth and could help you give a better idea of whether this mouse is right for you, as he covers in more detail about specific use cases, ergonomics, responsiveness, and more, in a very easy-to-read and digestible format.

At $44.99, it’s a solid pick for comfort, battery life, and performance — an easy recommendation all around for those in the market for a new mouse or second mouse.

You might know Razer for its headsets, mice, and keyboards that light up your setup, but last year it turned that same flair toward audio. The Razer Seiren V3 Chroma is currently down to $99 on Amazon, a solid drop from its usual $129.99 retail price, thanks to Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.

This plug-and-play USB microphone is designed for creators and gamers who want dependable recording quality wrapped in Razer’s signature Chroma RGB glow.

What the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma is all about

Razer’s Seiren V3 Chroma microphone features a premium metal body with a sleek, pill-shaped design that feels sturdy and well-built. It connects to your PC via USB-C to A with no drivers required, making it a true plug-and-play option for creators and gamers.

In typical Razer fashion, it also includes the company’s signature RGB Chroma lighting, which can sync with gameplay or microphone input for reactive effects. The top of the mic features a tap-to-mute button, while the front dial offers quick access to volume, reinforcing how simple it is to use out of the box.

You can expect to experience clear, warm vocals when using the microphone, as well as this there is digital gain limiter which maintained clarity when managed.

As noted in Zachary Boddy’s review here on Windows Central, the Seiren V3 Chroma delivers strong recording quality and is exceptionally easy to set up. It’s not trying to compete with professional XLR microphones, but for straightforward streaming and recording, Razer has nailed the balance between usability and design.

You can also customize the RGB lighting through Razer Synapse, letting you match the mic’s glow with the rest of your Razer setup and adjust colors and effects exactly how you like.

It’s also available in more than just black, with Pink and White editions rounding out the lineup for those who want their setup to match their aesthetic.

Razer Seiren V3 Chroma FAQ

Alongside the black and white editions, there’s also the Quartz Pink version of the microphone. It’s a great choice for anyone with a pink-themed setup or existing Razer gear in the same color, offering the same features with a softer, standout look.

Is the Razer Seiren V3 Chrome right for you?

If you want a microphone that sounds good and works right out of the box on any PC you plug it into, then the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma might be for you. With its solid build quality, it’s a great choice for gamers, streamers, and content creators who record podcasts or voice-overs, and value something easy to set up and use straight away.

However, if you need studio-grade quality, full EQ control, or stronger noise suppression, this might not be the right microphone for you—especially if you live in a noisy environment.

In the box you can expect to find a braided cable, something I always appreciate as well as a desk stand and warranty information from Razer.

If you’d like a more detailed look at the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma, you can check out Zachary Boddy’s full review here on Windows Central, where they go much deeper into audio quality, design, and overall performance to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you and your setup.

Originally priced at $99.99, the black edition Barracuda X gaming headset is now on sale for as low as $66.49 at Amazon, with additional models also discounted to the same price during Amazon Prime Day.

The white edition currently sits at $69.99 at Amazon, while the limited PUBG edition drops from $129.99 to $104.99 at Amazon, making it a rare deal for fans of the battle royale classic.

Razer’s Barracuda X features and details

Reviewed by our own Daniel Rubino on Windows Central, the Razer Barracuda X is a lightweight wireless gaming headset designed for multi-device users. It’s built for players who switch between devices often, supporting PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Android through its plug-and-play USB-C dongle.

It features Razer’s TriForce 40mm drivers, delivering crisp highs, balanced mids, and punchy bass, while the detachable HyperClear cardioid mic makes it easy to swap between chatting and casual listening. Battery life sits around 20 hours, giving it solid endurance for daily use.

Xbox users will need to connect via the 3.5mm audio jack, as the Barracuda X doesn’t support wireless on Microsoft’s console. Rubino also notes that the dongle can also be easy to misplace, but if that’s a small tradeoff you’re willing to make for such broad device compatibility, then it might not be much of an issue.

Commonly asked questions about the Barracuda X

Is Razer’s Barracuda X right for you?

As with any headset, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a multiplatform gamer or casual user who switches between devices often, the Barracuda X is hard to beat. Its lightweight design, strong wireless performance, and multiple color options make it a great fit for anyone who values versatility and comfort.

If you mostly stick to Xbox or don’t need cross-device support, this might not be the perfect match. Still, at its current price, the Barracuda X offers impressive value for a headset that works this smoothly across so many platforms. It’s an easy recommendation for most players.

If you want to dig deeper before deciding, check out Daniel Rubino’s full Razer Barracuda X review on our site for a more detailed look. He covers everything from microphone performance and ergonomics to how its 7.1 surround sound enhances both gaming and everyday listening.

It wouldn’t be a Razer product without a pink variant. For those who prefer something a bit more stylish or playful, the Razer Barracuda X – Pink Edition delivers the same versatile performance in a softer, standout finish.

Whilst it’s a little more expensive than the standard models, I’ve always been a sucker for limited editions — and Razer delivers here with a striking PUBG Edition of the Barracuda X. It features a unique design with parachuting figures and PUBG’s signature yellow accents, making it a standout choice for fans of the series.

Originally priced at $129.99, the Razer Huntsman Mini is a compact 60% mechanical keyboard specifically designed for gaming in mind. Now, thanks to a limited-time sale, it's down to just $89.99 at Amazon.

With this discount, the Huntsman Mini has become a far more competitive choice for anyone looking to upgrade their setup or embrace a cleaner, minimalist keyboard design.

There are also plenty more deals going on for Amazon Prime Day.

Why the Huntsman Mini is still a top pick for gamers

For those who aren’t familiar with what makes the Huntsman Mini a 60% keyboard, the clue is in the name. It’s roughly 60% the size of a full keyboard, removing the function row, number pad, and arrow keys for a smaller, more compact layout.

If you prefer a minimalist setup, this design is ideal. It’s also perfect for FPS players who need extra desk space for precise mouse movement. Thanks to its size, it’s great for those who travel often or keep their gear in a backpack — the keyboard barely takes up any room.

Razer has equipped the Huntsman Mini with durable Doubleshot PBT keycaps, meaning the lettering won’t fade over time. This deal applies to the black model, which includes Razer’s signature Chroma RGB lighting and a detachable braided USB-C cable — a small detail, but one that adds to the premium feel.

In our review, Daniel Rubino noted that “Razer did an excellent job of reducing the volume of its 2nd Gen Razer Linear Optical Switches, which now feature silicon sound dampeners reducing the bottoming-out clack.” These linear optical switches offer faster actuation and a longer lifespan compared to traditional switches, with Razer claiming up to 15–30% faster key registration.

You’ll need Razer Synapse software to remap keys or adjust lighting, but even without it, the keyboard performs brilliantly. It also features n-key rollover, meaning it can handle multiple simultaneous key presses without missing a beat — a must for fast-paced gaming.

Commonly asked questions about the Huntsman Mini

Is the Razer Huntsman Mini right for you?

The Razer Huntsman Mini is a compact keyboard that genuinely saves desk space, but whether it’s right for you depends on a few factors. If you want a smaller keyboard that doesn’t compromise on performance, it’s an easy recommendation. It’s ideal for FPS players who value mouse freedom or anyone who prefers a cleaner, minimalist setup.

As noted in our review, the optical switches feel fast and consistent, and the added silicon dampeners make each press quieter and smoother. You can even hear the difference in our full review. While the lack of a wrist rest is disappointing at full price, it’s much easier to overlook now that the keyboard is down to $89.99.

At this discounted price, the Huntsman Mini is a strong choice for anyone looking to downsize their setup or pick up a quality Razer keyboard. If you need a number pad or prefer a full-size layout, though, it may be worth exploring one of Razer’s larger options instead.

Razer is no stranger to quality controllers. I even bought my dad the Razer V3 Pro Wireless Xbox Controller for Christmas last year, and he’s used it daily since without a single sign of wear. It’s safe to say Razer knows how to build hardware that lasts.

It’s not just premium Xbox controllers that Razer make though, the Razer Kishi Ultra — a premium USB-C controller designed for Android, the iPhone 15 and newer, and even some iPad devices. It’s built for Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW, and popular mobile titles like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Fortnite.

Usually quite pricey compared to its competitors, the Kishi Ultra is currently on sale at for just $99.99 at Amazon, down from its regular $149.99 — a 33% discount. That’s a great deal for a controller with features like Hall Effect triggers and Razer’s trademark build quality.

Why the Razer Kishi Ultra stands out from other mobile controllers

Unlike most mobile game controllers, the Kishi Ultra makes your phone feel more like a full-sized console controller. Jez compared it to the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma split in half, which gives it a far more comfortable and familiar grip than its competitors.

It features Hall Effect triggers, which use magnetic fields instead of physical contact to detect pressure. This improves accuracy and long-term durability, helping it stay consistent even after heavy use. The controller also includes clicky ABXY buttons and two programmable shoulder buttons, giving players more flexibility.

For RGB fans, the Kishi Ultra supports Razer’s signature Chroma lighting. It’s not essential, but it adds a touch of personality to an already premium design. Other welcome additions include USB-C pass-through charging and a 3.5mm audio jack for anyone still rocking wired headphones.

It’s worth noting that the Kishi Ultra is heavier than most mobile controllers and larger too, making it better suited for a backpack than a pocket. You’ll also need Razer’s Nexus app to remap buttons or set up touch-button mapping, which lets you assign physical inputs to on-screen controls.

Common questions about the Razer Kishi Ultra

Is the Razer Kishi Ultra right for you?

If you want console-quality controls on a mobile or tablet device, the Razer Kishi Ultra could be the perfect fit — especially at its current price point. If you’ve used Razer gear before, you’ll already know what to expect in terms of build quality and durability.

That said, if you mostly play casually or prefer something lightweight, its bulkier size might not be ideal. Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another controller at this deal price that feels as premium or performs as well as the Kishi Ultra.

There might be no better time to upgrade your gaming audio than right now. Razer’s Kraken V3 HyperSense headset is on sale for $74.99 at Amazon, down from its original $129.99, a huge 42% discount.

Originally a premium pick at launch, this wired headset remains one of Razer’s most immersive models thanks to its HyperSense haptic feedback, letting you feel in-game action alongside the audio.

What makes the Kraken V3 HyperSense stand out

If you read our original review, you’ll know the Kraken V3 HyperSense feels premium the moment you pick it up. It has a solid metal frame, thick padding, and soft ear cushions for comfort, with Jez describing the build quality as “top marks for design and execution.”

The headset features large 50mm titanium drivers, giving it a rich, full sound with plenty of bass and clear mids. In our review, Jez noted it was “balanced and clear,” making it powerful without being too harsh or bass-heavy.

One of its standout features is the HyperSense technology, which uses tiny vibration motors to add subtle force feedback to in-game sounds.

If that’s not your thing, you can easily adjust or disable it. There are three intensity levels to choose from. Jez mentioned that in some games, the feature works brilliantly, while in others it can react to simple menu clicks, which can be distracting.

The microphone quality is another highlight. The detachable mic captures your voice clearly and filters out background noise, making it perfect for Discord or party chat.

You’ll need the Razer Synapse software if you want to customize the headset’s settings and RGB lighting. Jez described the glowing Razer logos as stylish, and you can turn the lighting off entirely if you prefer a cleaner look.

Is the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense worth it?

Having received 4 out of 5 stars at full price in our review, the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense was praised for its comfort, sound quality, and solid build. While the haptics might not be for everyone, it’s still an excellent all-round headset that now feels like an easy recommendation thanks to the current discount.

Originally retailing for $129.99, it’s now available for $74.99 (42% off) — great value for a premium headset with immersive sound and sturdy design. It’s ideal for PC gamers looking to upgrade, or anyone building a first setup and wanting something that feels high-end without breaking the bank.

Razer is known for producing solid, well-built hardware across its huge lineup of gaming peripherals, and the Kraken V3 HyperSense is no different. Whether you’re gaming for long sessions or chatting with friends, it delivers comfort, reliability, and consistent performance that holds up over time.

The USB-only connection does limit compatibility for Xbox users, but for PC players, it’s plug-and-play simplicity with premium comfort. As Jez said in his review, it’s “a truly great headset overall,” and now’s the perfect time to grab one at nearly half the price.

One of the best Windows laptops money can buy is the Razer Blade 14, but it takes a lot of money to add this sleek and sophisticated gaming PC to your desk. The fact of the matter is, most people just don't want to spend that much money on their computer.

Well, the cost of entry just fell by a lot thanks to the steepest sale the Razer Blade 14 (2025) has ever enjoyed, bringing it down a whopping $700 to $1,999.99 at Razer.com. Don't worry, you can also find the same deal at Amazon.com, and wherever you buy the Blade 14, you'll get a copy of Borderlands 4 included.

This is still an ultra-premium laptop, but this stellar discount makes it a much more attractive option for anyone who wants a compact, powerful, and feature-packed 14-inch gaming laptop.

All of a sudden, the Blade 14 is a lot easier to recommend

I praised the Razer Blade 14 (2025) in my review for its incredible unibody design, impressive set of features, and consistent performance, but my greatest criticism was, understandably, the exorbitant price tag.

After all, why would someone consider the Blade 14 when the comparable ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 costs so much less? Razer may have no equal when it comes to design and build quality in gaming laptops, but many would rather save their cash and focus on performance and features instead.

You can get a slightly more powerful Zephyrus G14 for $2,399.99 at BestBuy.com right now, and that's a fantastic laptop. A $700 discount makes the new Blade 14 a strong alternative, though, offering a slimmer and more refined design for $1,999.99 at Razer.com, and it's available in silver on top of Razer's iconic matte black. If you're curious, this configuration is rocking the 10-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (8GB) GPU.

The cherry on the cake is a free copy of Borderlands 4 included with every purchase of the discounted $2,000 Razer Blade 14, as well as the "Gilded Glory Pack." You shouldn't have to worry about any of Borderlands 4's infamous performance issues with this hardware, either.

This laptop now being available at Amazon.com with the same color options and promotions makes it even easier to discover why the Blade 14 is one of our highest-rated laptops.

From the 14-inch, 2.8K, 120Hz OLED display and excellent six-speaker sound system to the reliable performance and all the latest and greatest Windows 11 features (this is a full Copilot+ AI PC), the Blade 14 has a lot going for it. I adore a good 14-inch gaming laptop, and this is inarguably one of the best on the market.

This isn't just for gaming, of course. The Blade 14 is arguably even better for creatives, engineers, and other professionals who need a lot of graphical firepower in a compact package they can slip into a bag and take with them to the office (or wherever else you need to work). Unlike many dedicated gaming laptops, the Blade 14 doesn't cut corners outside of raw performance — all the features you expect of a high-end laptop are here.

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) was a tougher recommendation at an absurd $2,700, but this pricing feels right. If you've been on the fence, this is the time to take that leap. Pick up the Razer Blade 14 (2025) for $1,999.99 at Razer.com (with Borderlands 4) starting today.

Few gaming brands have as wide a portfolio of products and accessories as Razer, and the company keeps stretching into new categories over time. Razer's Global Head of Design plays an integral role in every one of those launches, and I was given the opportunity to talk to him.

Most of my time speaking with Charlie Bolton was discussing how the Razer design team brings Razer's many products to life alongside the rest of the company, and part of it was hyping me up for the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro I went hands-on with. I had an hour with the man, though, so I dedicated the end of our conversation to the hypothetical.

This article is less about Razer and more about the man at the helm of its design team. Beyond the laptops, keyboards, headsets, mice, and other products that Razer makes, what does the head of design want to do?

This interview was edited for grammar and clarity. Razer had no input nor saw the contents of this interview prior to publication.

Discussing the favorites of what Razer already does

Charlie Bolton has been with Razer for over five years now, and he's had his hands on practically everything coming out of the company. I asked him what some of his favorite Razer designs have been, and the first answer caught me off guard: the Razer Blade 15 Studio that Bolton has apparently been using all this time.

"[The Razer Blade 15 Studio] is like five years old and it’s still rock solid," he told me. "The essence we have for our Blades really personifies Razer’s attention to detail."

I agree that Razer Blade laptops have timeless designs, and the Razer Blade 14 (2025) I recently reviewed may be the best the company has ever put out. You have to pay a ridiculous sum for those aesthetics, though, so it's absolutely not for everyone.

Next, Bolton called out his favorite Razer headset. "[The Razer Barracuda X Chroma] isn’t a premium product, for sure, it just does its job so well," he said. "I love doing headphones, you can be a bit more creative with them."

I reviewed the Razer Barracuda X Chroma, too, and while it's not my favorite gaming headset, the design is certainly not what I criticized. It's definitely Razer's sleekest and most travel-friendly headset design. In general, I think headsets are one of the areas where Razer shines the most.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro I also reviewed is an excellent example of this, for example, especially with its new magnetic faceplates. While I learned in part one of this interview that this change originated from new European Union regulations, Razer's design team is still excited about the possibilities.

"We’re all fans of the [Razer BlackShark V3 Pro] faceplates, or anything that gives us more opportunity to do some cool designs," Bolton told me. "I’d love to do more customization of parts, like interchangeable headbands, material changing out, ear cushions changing out. ...There’s the Kraken Kitty SKU, as well, where you’ve got the ears you can switch out."

I already told Bolton myself, but I'll say it here for posterity: I need Razer to keep heading in that direction, please. User-friendly customization is always awesome.

Fresh chances to experiment come from many sources, too. "We’re starting to do a lot of licensed projects as well," Bolton said. "...Those projects are really, really interesting, where you’ve got your Razer brand with all its brand values… and then you’re partnering up with someone with a totally different outlook."

It seems like some of the most fun the Razer design team has, though, is when they don't have to worry about reality butting in on their plans. "Where we really push ourselves is when we do a concept project, where it’s an open-ended brief, where you’re suddenly not tied down to anything," Bolton told me, with no small amount of enthusiasm.

Razer has a long history of showing off concept projects, and I even got to sit in the cool and hot Project Arielle gaming chair during CES 2025. "You don’t have to worry about ‘Is it going to be possible to get it made?’ ...They’re really fun," Bolton continued.

If there were no limits, though, what could Razer do?

Of course, I had to ask Bolton if there were any upcoming projects he was incredibly excited about, and I got the exact coy response I expected: "There’s a couple. They’re quite premium, I’d say, but that’s all I can say."

Ah, well, if I couldn't get Bolton to spill Razer's most intimate secrets, I was at least going to pick his brain on what he'd like to do. Something he and I both agreed on? A long-overdue successor to the Razer Raptor monitor we loved in 2021.

"I hope we do another [Razer Raptor]. ...If we’re doing a whole battle station of products, you need a monitor," Bolton told me. We briefly talked about how a monitor is more of a challenge for Razer than companies with vast display catalogs like Dell or HP, but if Razer's Global Head of Design is on board with us finally getting a premium, OLED Raptor refresh in the future, then maybe I actually have a chance of seeing it happen.

Next, we dived deeper into the realm of improbability. "When you start looking into the furniture side — not just chairs, but desks and setups — how that could be quite cool," Bolton said. "Really putting technology into it like we did for a CES, the [Razer Project Sophia]."

Yes, Razer does have a growing gaming chair lineup, and the aforementioned Project Arielle does incorporate technology, but it'd indeed be awesome to see Razer attempt something like the modular, all-in-one Project Sophia desk that Bolton mentioned (and Razer showed off during CES 2022).

"I want a really nice solution for [cable management] and just something very, very cool," Bolton replied after I brought up Secretlab and its fantastic Magnus smart desks (and how I do not understand how cable management works).

Bolton's most aspirational dream, though, is something completely different. "I would love to do a bit of automotive work with a car company or even a racing team, like Formula One, where you really work with them," he told me. "They’ve got all the technological know-how of making carbon fiber parts or all sorts of things. ...Just come up with something amazingly focused… that’s not happened, yet."

Plenty of companies collaborate with automotive brands, including Razer, with an extremely limited Blade 16 Lamborghini Edition back in 2023, but Bolton is envisioning something bigger. "Get them more involved, a much earlier stage in the project where they’re more integrated."

I'm not certain what that level of deep collaboration on design and engineering would result in, nor how likely it is to ever happen, but I'd love to see Bolton get that chance at some point.

Razer is one of the biggest brands when it comes to gaming, and we see a lot of Razer here at Windows Central. We don't often get the opportunity to peek behind the curtain, though, and Razer was courteous enough to provide me that chance.

I was given an hour to speak with Charlie Bolton, Razer's Global Head of Design. Bolton has his hands on every product that comes out of Razer's labs, and he's apparently not let outside too often for chats with people like me.

Part of our conversation was about the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro I already went hands-on with, and a sizable chunk was discussing what Bolton and Razer could possibly attempt in the future. You can check that out, too, but for now I want to share what I learned about how Razer brings its vast family of keyboards, headsets, mice, laptops, and other gaming hardware to life.

This interview was edited for grammar and clarity. Razer had no input nor saw the contents of this interview prior to publication.

Months of work across multiple teams for each product

"Everything which is Razer, everything you see… the design team has touched in some way," Bolton told me early in our conversation. Razer has always been a design-focused gaming brand, and product developers, engineers, and designers make up a trifecta that brings every Razer product to life.

It's a push and pull from every direction. On one hand, even the design team has some leeway to bring their own ideas to the table. "[Product development] understands what’s needed, so even if it’s a crazy idea, we can pitch it out there," Bolton explained. "Especially in the beginning of a project, we push it a little bit more. You’re not tied down and push the boundaries, and then slowly get pulled back to something more realistic and within the scope."

The same is true with the engineering side of things. "We have a lot of say. We’ll push back and say 'No, no this is not working,'" Bolton said. He used low-profile keyboards, like the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile HyperSpeed I just reviewed, as an example — if the keyboard internals aren't sleek enough, the design team can point it out.

"What’s nice about Razer is we really are very careful with the engineering; we almost design products inside out," Bolton told me, but Razer is all about checks and balances. "There are limits to what we can do for design, so we have to work very closely with the engineers."

I love learning about the how of making hardware come to life, so I asked Bolton to put the process in his own words.

"It can take two or three months just to really flesh out what the product’s going to be and how it fits into the bigger picture. … Once that’s done, we can take three months batting around ideas and concepts. … Once that’s agreed, then we start really getting into the design of the product and start really exploring ideas, concepting and many rounds of model making… we need at least three rounds for doing a keyboard or a mouse or a chair, and you have to factor in six or seven months at least.

"We will do in-house 3D prints; we can do that fairly straightforward overnight. We have CAD renderings, we can make it on paper. We can do a nice presentation showing how the design will look, so you’ve got the renders and views of the product, and you have the 3D prints. If that’s generally looking okay, we’ll do a mock-up… which basically look like the real thing. They take about two or three weeks. ... That’s before we start going into tooling.

"Once we get the green light, then it will be passed to the supplier and the engineers to actually work out the final engineering parts, do the software, do the circuit boards, everything inside is finally done and that takes another seven or eight months."

Preserving a legacy while experimenting with design and form

All told, it can easily take 18-24 months from start to finish for a single product to actually reach users. "I’ve been here five years… now doing my sort of second or third round in product families, so I’m really starting to understand all the categories a lot," Bolton said.

Bolton and I discussed how he works to preserve Razer's design legacy, especially with long-standing product families like Razer DeathAdder mice and BlackShark headsets that have a strong, outstanding identity.

"We start on the high-end one… then that DNA filters down to the different form factors," Bolton told me, referencing the recent (and massive) launch of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro lineup... which I also reviewed.

Sometimes, though, unforeseen circumstances can have an effect on Razer's design... such as the BlackShark V3 Pro's new magnetically attached faceplates. "Honestly, the way [BlackShark V3 Pro faceplates] came about were EU regulations that they need to access the battery for recycling," Bolton explained. "... So, actually, it was a technical reason, but it’s proven to be really interesting because it gives us so many opportunities… without having to change too much, we do can some really creative things."

I told Bolton I'd love to see Razer embrace the faceplates for user customization, and he wholeheartedly agreed — but nothing is official, yet, so we'll have to wait and see. Whether that happens or not, though, Razer isn't just waiting for reasons to change things up, even with its most iconic designs.

"If you get to a V4 or V5, you think… 'Okay, do we carry on doing this?'" Razer is always experimenting, especially when it comes to design. "We have so many mock-ups and samples where we test out colors, and we do some really interesting things, but it comes down to category management," Bolton said.

"We’re trying to build ecosystems of products. As much as you can do a totally random yellow mouse or purple mouse, or something crazy, we always feel like, 'Okay, now you need a purple keyboard, you need a purple headset.' Suddenly, it snowballs into quite a big project," he continued.

Of course, Razer actually did such an ambitious project not long ago, with the Phantom Green Collection I went hands-on with. "[The Phantom Green Collection] was very hard because we had existing products, and they weren’t technically designed to be transparent. ...We had to do a lot of redesigning of the internal structure," Bolton told me.

Working with the users, not against them

I already mentioned the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset, and what surprised me most during my review was how directly Razer addressed all my points of feedback from the last headset. I even joked with the Razer team about it while being briefed on the new headset.

"We listen to the esport players and casual gamers, get their comments — whether it’s from Reddit or all the comments," Bolton told me. "Feedback is really taken on board, and we try and incorporate that into our designs."

Going straight to the professionals is especially interesting. Razer definitely isn't the only brand partnering with esports teams to test, develop, and showcase gaming gear, but the company does take it seriously.

"[Esports athletes] are quite a late stage because they want to test the physical product. … You need working buttons, you need the scroll wheel… we’re testing almost a finished product," Bolton said. "Occasionally… we’d go to one of the tournaments, and we’d have 3D printed mock-ups, all slightly different ergonomics. … That’s quite early on in the project."

How late in the development process Razer is able to get a product in the hands of actual players obviously changes how much they're able to address feedback, of course, but this process does lead to results.

"Some of the Wolverines, we definitely had some feedback which was really good… and we had time to change it and update it," Bolton shared, mentioning elements like the rear buttons and their placement. "If there are drastic things we cannot do, we won’t just forget it… we will always use it for the next round."

It's always interesting to see how different product families evolve over time, especially when you can tell if a company has a realistic culture and actually listens to its users. "There’s always slight limitations on what we can do. We try to make the perfect product, but there’s always that room to improve," Bolton told me toward the end of our discussion.

I had a blast talking to Charlie Bolton about design at Razer, and it made me more excited to see what the company does next. Speaking of "what's next," I also chatted with Bolton about what his (and Razer's) future may look like.

Mere weeks separate me from reviewing the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, which I firmly declared as the absolute best wireless gaming headset you can buy across Xbox, Windows PC, and PlayStation. Despite that, I may not be switching back to it after this review.

The new Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro isn't a better headset by any means — it costs $70 less, performs worse, and boasts fewer features, after all — but the "cute" factor is real, and it's making some monumental plays with the headset I've been testing for a couple of weeks now.

It took three generations, but Razer has finally made a cat-eared gaming headset that truly doesn't compromise, and it's easily the greatest in this admittedly niche category. It may seem shallow to value aesthetics so much, but the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is as capable as it is adorable.

It's a Razer Kraken V4, but cuter

I had a lot of positive feelings when I reviewed the Razer Kraken V4, mostly centered around its more refined design and balanced feature set. Well, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro might as well be the aforementioned Kraken V4, but with RGB-lit cat ears.

It's a little more complicated than that, of course, but I'll still keep it simple. The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro shares its base design, audio quality, performance, feature set, and pricing with the Kraken V4, but feels a little less premium, adds some ears, and loses some endurance.

It's not unreasonable to describe this headset as a Razer Kraken V4 with cat ears, and that comparison is even more obvious when you notice I added some detachable cat ears to the Kraken V4 when I reviewed it. So, why does this headset exist?

Those who love gaming headsets with cat ears already know the answer — the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is cuter. With no bulky, unsightly straps securing the ears to the headband, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro looks sleeker and feels more comfortable. That customizable RGB lighting makes a difference, too, and there's even an option to make that lighting react to the game you're playing or your chat (if you're a streamer).

Yeah, it's all about aesthetics, and it's only for gamers who love adding cat ears to their headset. It's a niche category, but Razer chose the right headset to base the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro off, and it made the right decisions to make this headset as good as possible for the price.

I adore the different colorways, too. I've used the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro in both white and pink, and each looks fantastic. Personally, the white is the best of the bunch, especially with how clean the RGB lighting in the earcups and ears is.

Not the most premium, but great all around

Seeing how similar this headset is to the Razer Kraken V4, I don't need to break down every facet.

These 40mm drivers sound good for gaming and music, the retractable microphone is crisp and clear, the battery life lasts for dozens of hours if you disable the RGB lighting, Razer Synapse provides plenty of software features, you get onboard audio profiles you can quickly switch between, there's both Razer HyperSpeed Wireless and Bluetooth support, and performance is good.

There is more RGB lighting here because of the attached cat ears, though, so enabling those lights will kill the battery noticeably faster than the Kraken V4. This headset also comes in at the same price, and Razer did have to cut a corner or two to accomplish that.

Namely, in build quality. The Kraken Kitty V3 Pro still feels appropriately put together for the price, but the overall fit and finish, plus the faux leatherette ear cups, do feel slightly less premium than the earless Kraken V4.

The Kraken Kitty V3 Pro does suffer from some familiar weaknesses, too. You can't mix audio sources, for example (although I don't really expect that feature in sub-$200 headsets), and it can be a little finicky to switch between Razer HyperSpeed and Bluetooth modes.

The onboard controls are messy in general. There are just a lot of buttons and dials at this point, so there's a learning curve when setting up the headset. There's also no Xbox-specific version, which especially stings coming off the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro I recently reviewed.

Kraken Kitty V3 Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a quality gaming headset with proper RGB-lit cat ears.
• You're tired of cute headsets compromising on features or performance.
• You're looking for a great headset that comes in more than just black.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You don't care about cat ears on your headset (why are you here?).
• You prioritize performance and features far more than aesthetics.

Over two years separate Razer's fresh Kraken Kitty V3 Pro from its predecessor, and it's clear how the company's approach has changed in that time. The new headset is sleeker, cheaper, more capable, and drops the restrictive wire — all while looking better than ever.

Sure, we can't swap between different ear designs anymore (which will undoubtedly devastate some), but the new Kraken Kitty V3 Pro possesses a lot more mainstream appeal. It's the best the line has been, and while I would happily pay for an ultra-premium flagship variant, I also completely understand why Razer made this the highest-end Kitty.

And, to be frank, I like this headset enough that I may not go back to the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro — even though that headset is objectively nicer in almost every category.

It's interesting to consider where the Kitty headset goes from here, especially knowing that Razer is considering detaching it from the Kraken family entirely, but I'm not in any rush to find out. The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is the wireless gaming headset for those who want to be cute, and it's available now for $179.99 at Razer.com.

Razer also has the new, entry-level Kraken Kitty V3 X for $59.99 at Razer.com, which is perfect for children or those on a tight budget. Sadly, there's no middle child, as Razer opted to keep the alright Kraken Kitty V2 BT on instead.

Back when we reviewed the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro, we called it the "best low-profile, high-performance optical gaming keyboard." It seems Razer received more than a few requests for a true mechanical variant, though.

Fast forward a few years, and we now have the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile HyperSpeed — a rather long name for a rather compact keyboard. It's a BlackWidow because Razer's low-profile DeathStalker family isn't going anywhere, but it will continue to employ optical switches.

I've been using this new BlackWidow keyboard for a while and getting a feel for Razer's brand-new low-profile mechanical switches, and those waiting for Razer to fill this low-profile niche should be happy. The price tag isn't nearly as slim as the keyboard, though, and that'll sting many a wallet.

Two sizes and an eight-button difference between them

The BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile HyperSpeed comes in full-sized and tenkeyless flavors, both in the same black colorway. As expected, the designs are nearly identical — with around eight differences.

This low-profile keyboard is around 18.5mm in height, constructed mostly of plastic but with a brushed aluminum top-mounted plate. The protruding plastic shelf (most noticeable with the TKL variant) is odd, but I like this design.

It's too bad build quality isn't quite as refined as I'd expect for such a premium product — the seam where the metal top plate meets that aforementioned plastic shelf is uneven, for example.

The keys are a good size and the layout makes sense, though, and all the features you expect of a premium wireless gaming keyboard are here. You get Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (with a hidden garage for dongle storage), three Bluetooth wireless profiles, two-stage kickstands, sticky rubber feet, and an assortment of additional buttons and controls.

If you're like me and prefer your low-profile keyboard to be of the tenkeyless variety, though, you'll have to accept a compromise — eight fewer customizable macros.

Both versions get the control dial, the triple-function macro, an "AI" button set to open Razer's new AI Prompt Master (that you can remap to anything else you want), and a dedicated battery level button that strangely can't be customized. The full-sized version adds five remappable macro keys and three media control keys, all aligned on the top plastic shelf that's oddly empty on the TKL version.

I'm not sure if there's an engineering constraint here or something else, but I wish Razer had made room for at least some of those extra keys on the smaller keyboard.

Slim and prim, but is it good enough for the price?

Macro criticisms aside, is the new Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile HyperSpeed actually worth spending at least $199.99 at Razer just for the tenkeyless version? I get it — making unique low-profile variants of Razer's in-house Green, Yellow, and Orange switches must've been a tall order.

Squeezing two layers of sound-dampening foam, per-key RGB lighting, five onboard profiles, and a large enough battery to support up to 980 hours of use (in power-saving mode) couldn't have been easy, either. That's all on paper, though; I've been actually using this keyboard.

It always feels like there's something preventing the BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile from achieving greatness.

The typing and gaming experience is excellent (with separate modes to improve consistency or responsiveness), but this keyboard is absolutely on the loud side. The RGB lighting looks good, but it's dim and doesn't highlight all the secondary functions. The battery life can be great, but even modest RGB lighting can seriously tank that endurance. Wireless performance is nearly flawless, but you'll be limited to a 1,000Hz polling rate no matter how you choose to connect.

BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a low-profile keyboard, but make it mechanical.
• You can't have low-profile switches without ditching the wires.
• You want great gaming performance in a compact package.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You don't mind the extra vertical mass of a normal low-profile keyboard.
• You don't think "low-profile" should mean "higher price tag."

I'm not certain just how much demand there is for a high-performance, low-profile, mechanical gaming keyboard — especially one as premium as this one — but Razer has been expanding into a lot of more niche categories with its latest launches, and this is no exception.

The BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile HyperSpeed is really good, too, and I think people will like Razer's new low-profile mechanical switches a lot. There are enough compromises or weaknesses to deter potential buyers when such a massive price tag looms over this sleek board, though.

That's especially true when brands like Keychron are increasingly pushing into the PC gaming space with more value-driven, enthusiast-focused boards. Still, I really like this keyboard, and you can get it now, too, from $199.99 at Razer.com.

When it comes to playing MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) on PC, some players prefer using gaming mice with built-in number pads and other extra buttons over moving their hands around a keyboard to perform in-game actions, as it feels more natural and is generally more efficient.

If you're one of those dedicated MMO gamers, then I have good news! Amazon is currently holding a 24% discount for one of the best MMORPG gaming mice around — the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed, reducing it to $75.99 on Amazon for a limited time.

This renowned mouse is wireless with a 400+ hour battery life, and normally carries a price tag of $99.99. Don't miss your chance to bag this ultra-responsive version of one of the most popular (and for a good reason) MMORPG gaming mice ever made, at least while Amazon still has stock. Otherwise, you can grab it for the same price at Best Buy and Walmart in the US.

Razer's Naga V2 Hyperspeed is a gaming mouse explicitly designed for MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, but it can also be used for other game genres like shooters, platforms, and practically anything else.

It is a state-of-the-art PC gaming mouse, built with advanced features to help make playing complex games more intuitive and fun for those who don't like to rely entirely on their keyboard.

Some of its standout features include:

• 19 reprogrammable buttons (plus a scroll wheel) so you can customize your control scheme for whatever PC game you play (not just World of Warcraft).
• A 30K optical sensor that tracks faster movements flawlessly for precise aiming and in-game character targeting, even when playing on glass surfaces.
• Gold-plated Gen 2 Mechanical Switches that have a lifespan of up to sixty million clicks.
• Seamless wireless (2.4GHz and Bluetooth) connectivity with no discernible latency, so you don't suffer input delay while playing.
• Compatibility with Razer's Synapse app allows you to access extra settings that can further customize the Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed's performance and accuracy options.

Now, despite these awesome-sounding features, there are a few caveats with the Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed. Firstly, the Naga V2 Hyperspeed is wireless only. If you prefer using gaming mice that won't turn off in the middle of gameplay because you forget to recharge them, I would recommend checking out the near-perfect Razer Naga X, which we tested back in 2021. Here, on the Hyperpeed, you can't use a detachable USB cable.

Secondly, the Naga V2 Hyperspeed is a slight variation of the Razer Naga V2 Pro gaming mouse, lacking the Naga V2 Pro's swappable numpad side plates, swapping third-gen optical mouse buttons for mechanical switches, and dropping compatibility with rechargeable batteries.

Otherwise, the Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed retains all the most important advanced features of the Razer Naga V2 Pro, like reprogrammable buttons and a 30K Focus Pro 30K sensor, all while being sold at a much cheaper retail price of $99.99 as opposed to the Naga V2 Pro's MSRP of $174.99.

The sole fact that the Razer Naga V2 Hyperspeed possesses much of what made its predecessor earn our praises, and being nearly $100 cheaper, it's worth the MSRP alone. It's a price that's now even more affordable, thanks to this sweet 24% discount, where you can get one of Razer's best PC gaming accessories for $75.99 on Amazon, and save a similar $24 in the process.

It's also being sold for $75.99 at Walmart and $75.99 at Best Buy, if you prefer to shop at any other online retailer besides Amazon.

I know I'm certainly planning to get my hands on this mouse as my trusty Razer Naga X is getting on in its years, and I need an upgrade to prepare for the next exciting WoW expansion, World of Warcraft: Midnight.

I recently got my hands on the latest iteration of Razer's Blade 18 (2025) for review, and, much like its similarly ludicrous 18-inch gaming laptops, it was an adventure in the absurd as it shredded through my usual benchmarks with fervor. It's no real surprise given that the maxed-out NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 laptop GPU paired with Intel's almost-max "Arrow Lake" Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, so it was always going to score high.

Then again, nothing much is perfect, and this is Razer, a brand known for its premium tastes, so the prices usually start on the higher end and only go up from there. However, a decent discount brought the configurable Blade 18 down to a more "reasonable" starting cost of $2,999.99 at Razer.com for a 5070 Ti model instead.

Again, my sample was far from modest, and it felt like a trivial exercise to run the RTX 5090 with my collection of PC games only to remark something along the lines of "Wow, look at that, it runs well" — because of course it does, it's one of the most powerful gaming laptops in the world. Nevertheless, I did skimp on some significant insights into thermals and noise levels, so I'm fixing that today.

First up, people want to know how hot these dominant gaming laptops get. It's understandable, especially when they carry components that match the naming convention of their desktop counterparts. Sure, it's called an RTX 5090, but the 175W laptop equivalent is dwarfed by its monstrous 575W desktop RTX 5090 that I tested in January. Even so, it's still the top-level GPU option, so the thermals must rise in response to the extraordinary performance, right?

For a baseline test, I ran the Blade 18 (2025) on AC power via the 400W GaN charger with the 'Balanced' profile activated in Razer Synapse. The CPU temperature sensor reported around 57 - 62°C while watching a YouTube video on Microsoft Edge, keeping the idle GPU closer to a middling 52°C, which gives a hint at the ambient temperature inside the chassis. Sitting completely idle on an empty Windows 11 desktop didn't drop the CPU thermals by much either, still bottoming out at 57°C.

Externally, my 'FLIR ONE Gen 3' thermal camera detects the lower chassis at around 33.9°C during this kind of almost-idle state, with a comfortable placement for your wrists flanking either side of the gigantic touchpad. The middle of the keyboard jumps a little to around 37.8°C while the hinge-mounted vent exhausts recycled air measuring 44.1°C.

You can feel the vapor chamber working without a real need for a thermal camera, as it pushes cool air directly into mirrored spots that you can feel above the 'Esc' key and the higher end of the number pad, measuring around 27.3°C and highlighted as purple-to-black spots in most thermal imaging cameras.

Kicking the RTX 5090 L into gear with a looping 'Steel Nomad' stress test via 3DMark while keeping the 'Balanced' profile active in Synapse shows the internal GPU sensor report around 72°C as the Intel CPU reaches 69°C and the fans ramp up closer to 2900 RPM — all quite normal for high-end PC gaming.

Using the 'Performance' profile in Synapse keeps the CPU and GPU at the same temperatures for this synthetic benchmark while the fans rise to a noisy 3300 RPM instead, but I wanted to revisit my 3840 x 2400 benchmark in Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS 4 upscaling and frame generation for more of a real-world test. I originally set NVIDIA's 'Transformer' model to 'Ultra Performance' in an effort to chase extra frames, but I'll leave it on 'Auto' this time.

As the in-game benchmark plays out, averaging 149 FPS, the GPU sensor hits 74°C while the CPU reads around 84°C, and the fans max out at a slightly lower 3000 RPM. Externally, that translates to the "wrist rest" areas of the chassis measuring slightly higher at 39.3°C while the center of the keyboard moves to 43.3°C, and the hinge throws out hot air, hitting 59.7°C — an average external increase of about 9°C from its idle state.

As I mentioned, the 3-fan internal vapor cooling chamber is in place to tackle these kinds of raised temperatures, but it comes at an audible cost. I called the fan noise "loud — tornado loud", and I stand by it, even if it felt quite similar to the Razer Blade 18 (2024) sample I tested last year. It is borderline unbearable at full blast, which contributes in part to the review score's missing half-star, because I'd never subject my family to this wooshing commotion.

In its idle state, or while watching a (muted) YouTube video, the Blade 18 (2025) fans reach about 36.3 dBA while running at 1600 RPM. Moving to 3000 RPM sees that number jump to 52.1 dBA, and benchmarking 3DMark pushes the fans to 3300 RPM, increasing noise slightly to 54.2 dBA. Just for fun, I can manually set the fans to their maximum at 4600 RPM in Razer Synapse, which peaks at around 66.1 dBA, practically mimicking a vacuum cleaner.

So, yes, it's loud, but it's because the fans are keeping the internal temperatures at a reasonable level. You can't have maxed-out graphics in one of the best gaming laptops without introducing CPU and GPU heat, which is where the Blade 18's vapor chamber comes in. I still think you'd have a better gaming experience if you used a headset, like Razer's refined BlackShark V3 Pro, because the fan noise is hard to ignore, but there's a reason those blasting sounds are audible in the first place.

I'm not done with the Razer Blade 18, either. This comment on my review made a fair complaint about Razer skipping on Mini LED or even OLED options this year. It's not that the IPS panel is dim; it reaches around 590 nits at 100% brightness, but the contrast doesn't touch Mini LED. I'll reach out to Razer itself to see if there's a reason behind the move to this dual-mode IPS option, possibly relating to the massive 400Hz refresh rate on offer in 2025 — and whether that's worth the trade-off. Stay tuned.

I like having fun. I like looking cute. I like playing games. It should come as no surprise that I've been a fan of the Razer Kraken Kitty family of gaming headsets for years, ever since I reviewed the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro.

That was actually my first gaming headset review for Windows Central, and a lot of audio gear has come and gone across my desk in the intervening years. Now, the day has finally come — the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is official, and Razer made sure I was among the first to get their grubby paws on it.

• RELATED: My full, in-depth Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro review

This latest Kitty headset is a departure in some ways from its predecessor, but those changes make it even better. I also recently had a chance to sit down with Razer's Global Head of Design, Charlie Bolton, though, so I know even bigger changes are coming way down the line for this prestigious family.

In the meantime, though, here are my thoughts on the brand-new Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro.

Unboxing the new Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro

It's pretty clear at a glance that Razer took the foundation it debuted with the Kraken V4 mid-range wireless gaming headset for this product. I reviewed the Razer Kraken V4 and praised it for its balanced versatility, so I wasn't at all disappointed to spot all the blatant similarities.

You're looking at the same general unboxing experience, complete with the generous (and wonderfully color-matched) accessories. You get the same slimmer Kraken design, 40mm drivers, THX spatial audio, 9-zone RGB lighting, dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity (with no simultaneous source mixing), and the same upgraded, retractable microphone.

If you're looking for what Razer changed, you only have to look. The Kraken Kitty V3 Pro also comes in really sleek white and quartz (pink) colorways, adds RGB-lit cat ears to the top, and manages to hit the same price point of $179.99 at Razer.com, which I did not expect and love to see.

It does feel like overall build quality has taken a slight dip to avoid those ears accruing a cost premium, though, including the fabric earcup cushions of the Kraken V4 being replaced with more fragile-feeling leatherette cushions.

I think that's a fair compromise; Razer struck a good balance here, just as it did with the regular Kraken V4. This does mean we no longer get the swappable ears of the older Kraken Kitty V2 Pro, but a more elegant design, wireless connectivity, and a lower starting price more than make up for that in my eyes.

I am slightly disappointed that there's no Kitty variant of the full-featured Razer Kraken V4 Pro I reviewed, but I also understand. The Kraken Kitty family has a passionate fanbase, but it's still relatively niche — it doesn't make sense for Razer to make an ultra-premium variant that very few people will actually buy.

Still the best gaming headset with cat ears, but what's next?

You'll have to wait a little longer for the full interview, but I did recently have a long discussion with Charlie Bolton, Razer's Global Head of Design. “The Kitty family is definitely something we’re looking into… What could we do with it?" He said during our conversation. "It has been part of one of the really strong families, okay, now what’s the next thing for it?”

Since its inception, the Kraken Kitty headsets have been closely tied to, well, the Kraken headsets. After all, the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is essentially a cat-ified variant of the Kraken V4. That relationship makes a lot of sense, and I have little doubt this headset will end up being a top pick for a lot of people, but Razer is apparently considering a big shift in approach for the next generation.

“The Kitty family still has a huge, huge way to go, even if it’s not part of Kraken,” Bolton told me. I'm really excited to see what that looks like, but I won't hold my breath. There's at least a couple of years separating us from the Kitty V4, and what's the rush? We just got a great new wireless gaming headset, and I'll be reviewing it for Windows Central in the near future.

My thoughts right now? I love this design and the three available colors. The audio quality and performance have been excellent so far, and I really wish there were an Xbox-specific version. I still have a lot more testing to do, but Razer is off to a great start with the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro gaming headset, now available for $179.99 at Razer.com in black, white, and pink.

There's also the new ultra-affordable, wired Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X for $59.99 at Razer.com, if you want to save some cash. Razer is keeping the old Kraken Kitty V2 BT around as a middle-of-the-road option, too, but if you want a wireless headset, it's honestly worth paying more for the Kraken Kitty V3 Pro.

I can be rational and accept the limitations of small-scale, limited-edition collaborations between brands. I can accept that some partnerships make most sense in specific markets (even if I'm not a part of those markets), and that the economy of scale means collaborations may not always target the products I'd personally use.

It's good to know, however, that the disappointments of reality can occasionally be subverted. Case in point: Razer remembering that I don't live in China, and therefore was unable to appreciate its special edition gaming headset inspired by one of my top three favorite Pokémon of all time.

The full force of my delusion reassures me that you, dear reader, understand exactly where I'm going with this — the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition is finally available in global markets, and I've been fortunate enough to already get my hands on it.

Unboxing the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition

Razer has been going hard with its brand collaborations lately, and some have been pretty awesome. We more-or-less know what to expect, though, so I wasn't particularly surprised by what I found when unboxing this ghost-ified gaming headset.

This is the Razer Kraken Kitty V2, a wired USB, PC gaming headset with a $100 price tag, modest hardware, and an adorable design. It's the perfect base to do some limited-edition designs, and it makes complete sense to use it here.

You'll find the Gengar Edition safely encapsulated in its custom packaging, but the contents of the box are the same — it's the headset, its permanently attached cable, and some paperwork.

Razer rarely sticks to the basics with its limited-edition gear, though, so don't expect this to be a regular Kraken Kitty V2 spray-painted purple. The whole headset gets a tasteful shift in hues, with clashing purples in the plastics and cushions, bright red fabric in the ear cups, some hidden ghosties, and Gengar's iconic head and back spines replacing the standard cat ears.

It's well done, but the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition also costs $139.99 at Razer.com, a $40 premium that makes it far pricier than what you'd normally pay for this caliber of gaming headset.

Not the headset I'd use, but it's the Pokémon I'd choose

I recently went hands-on with the Razer x Pokémon Collection, and I mostly really enjoyed what felt like a well-rounded and thoughtfully designed set of gaming gear. It also made me hopeful that we'd see some other Razer collaborations hit global markets, like, hm, I don't know, the Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition that was exclusive to China for nearly a year?

I'm ecstatic now that it's here, as Gengar is one of my top three favorite Pokémon of all time (Absol and Umbreon are the other two, if you were curious). It's a good-looking headset, too, but I definitely see it more as a collector's item than anything else.

The Kraken Kitty V2 is a fine wired gaming headset, but it's also showing its age, and these limited editions always cost significantly more. When your product's whole thing is offering a great value, any noticeable price increase is a tough pill to swallow — a 40% price increase just feels ridiculous.

Still, I'm happy this headset is more widely available now, and I think it'll make a lot of hardcore Gengar fans really happy (even if they don't end up using it as their primary gaming headset). It's a fantastically spooky design built onto an already-adorable headset, and there's no such thing as "too many Gengar collectibles."

Now I just need Razer to release a new ultra-premium, wireless Kraken Kitty headset and design an awesome, extremely detailed Shiny Umbreon special edition. You only have to make one, Razer, and no one else has to know.

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Gengar Edition is now available for $139.99 at Razer.com. If you'd rather go full Pikachu, the Razer Kraken V4 X Pokémon Edition is also available for $99.99 at Razer.com, which does feel like a more approachable price.

Razer's Blade 18 has never been marketed as a humble or even sensible gaming laptop; it's an extravagant powerhouse that claims to deliver "true desktop-level performance" in a chunky chassis. I should know, I've tested iterations of it throughout the past few years, where I've seen it shred through high-end benchmarks and leave almost nothing to the imagination.

Well, it's that time again, because the latest Razer Blade 18 (2025) upgraded itself with NVIDIA's RTX 50 Series graphics and Intel's monstrous Core Ultra 9 275HX (Arrow Lake) mobile processor, alongside options for either a lot of RAM or too much RAM. It's one of the most entertaining laptops to test, just because of its ridiculously powerful nature, but there's still value in showing what you'd actually get for your money.

This review was made possible thanks to a review unit provided by Razer. The company did not see the contents of this review before publishing.

Razer Blade 18 (2025): Price and availability

Razer sells the Blade 18 (2025) with selections for its GPU, storage, and RAM, normally starting at $3,499.99 at Razer.com with an RTX 5070 Ti. However, as of writing this review, a temporary 14% discount brings it down to $2,999.99 at Razer.com instead.

Upgrading the graphics card (GPU) makes the biggest difference to performance, and it'll cost you $500 to move up to an RTX 5080 L (laptop) variant at $4,099.99 MSRP, or $3,499.99 on sale.

Choosing the top-end RTX 5090 L GPU that matches my sample forces you to a 2TB SSD for extra storage, but RAM remains flexible at 32GB or 64GB. The former would cost you $4,899.99 at MSRP or $4,199.99 with the current discount.

Otherwise, an all-out maximum spec Blade 18 in 2025 would cost you $5,199.99 MSRP or $4,599.99 on sale, with 64GB of RAM, and 4TB of storage over two 2TB SSDs.

While it's often a middle-spec option that makes the most sense, the "entry-level" Blade 18 is still an extremely capable gaming laptop, and anything above the RTX 5070 Ti will have diminishing returns unless you're planning to utilize local AI on the extra GDDR7 VRAM or have a definitive need for the top-end RTX 50 Series GPUs.

My recommended configuration:

Razer Blade 18 (2025): Design and features

For the most part, the Razer Blade 18 retains the outward design of its predecessors, with the only "obvious" change found on its underbelly: a transparent panel lined with RGB lighting that casts a slight underglow on certain surfaces — yeah, you really have to look for it. Otherwise, the familiar three-headed serpent logo still glows with animated colors on the lid, and green USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports line the sides.

However, there are improvements to the per-key RGB keyboard that I can feel when I'm typing or gaming, and they wouldn't be so noticeable at a glance. For this 2025 model, each key on the Blade 18 has a 1.5 mm travel distance, an improvement over the shallow feeling of its earlier variants, but I'd still ask for even more depth. The number pad also benefits from this change, though its inclusion still feels like an excuse to include macro keys rather than to placate numpad fans.

My favorite aspects are still present on the keyboard, like holding the function (Fn) key to exclusively highlight the shortcuts on each key, and the colors all change to fit the theme of certain games like Cyberpunk 2077, with WASD keys standing out alongside common game actions. All of this is customizable via the Razer Synapse and Chroma apps, but the default setup is great — I'll just never care about numpads on gaming laptops. Give me uniform arrow keys instead.

For something more exciting, the Blade 18 is still one of the only laptops with a functional Thunderbolt 5 USB-C port. It's the latest standard, offering the fastest speeds and broadest compatibility with the best docking stations and everything that connects to them, like certified monitors. Razer even makes its own, the highly praised Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma, but this port is still (so far) one of the more underdeveloped technologies on offer here.

On the other side, you still get a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port and an HDMI 2.1 output to connect more traditional gaming monitors, if you'd rather hook up something bigger than the 18-inch panel.

Then again, you'll probably get the most enjoyable experience with the dual-mode 240-440Hz IPS screen that's built into the Blade 18, even if it's now missing the mini-LED configuration, but external monitors make sense for a 'desktop replacement' laptop.

2.5Gb Ethernet is here too, as it well should be on any gaming laptop, ready for wired networking to avoid any Wi-Fi latency. Well, that's the concept anyway, but Razer has Wi-Fi 7 built into the Blade 18, which is similarly cutting-edge and likely wouldn't cause you any lag issues unless you were in a house full of running microwaves or other wireless-nerfing nuisances.

Otherwise, an audio jack sticks around in 2025 for wired headphones and gaming headsets, alongside a proprietary port for the monstrous 400W GaN power brick. There's also an SD card reader — huzzah (are gamers using these?)

Mercifully, the gigantic touchpad is center-aligned and performs serviceably. Serious gamers won't use it for much more than navigating Windows 11 before switching to an external mouse or joypad to actually play their games, but it's still a gorgeous example. There aren't any invisible edges or ham-fisted holograms; it just sticks to being a great precision glass touchpad.

At this point, Razer has refined its laptop chassis to near perfection, and tweaks to the 3-fan internal vapor cooling chamber are an absolute necessity as it pairs this year's Blade 18 with outrageous mobile NVIDIA GPUs like the 175W RTX 5090 L with Intel's 105W Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU — components that run hot, but are ultimately the selling point of this ultra-premium laptop.

Not to disregard the 6-way THX-certified speaker setup, as it sounds great when I crank it loud enough to offset the fans when they're under stress, and other niceties like a physical webcam shutter over the 5MP IR webcam with its Windows Hello support are totally welcome — I just doubt you're here to hear about those, so let's dig into some performance insights.

Razer Blade 18 (2025): Performance and benchmarks

Generationally, the Intel Core i9-14900HX from the Blade 18 (2024) was around 2.39% faster in Geekbench 6's multi-threaded CPU testing than the Core i9-13950HX from the Blade 18 (2023). This time, the Core Ultra 9 275HX in the Blade 18 (2025) is around 20% faster than last year's sample, so the processor offers a significant step-up in raw performance.

On the GPU side, the Blade 18 (2025) scored around 13.37% better with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 L than last year's Blade 18 (2024) with a RTX 4090 L, though itself was outranked by its own Blade 18 (2023) predecessor by around 2.56% — it's not quite the same leap as the CPU side, as I'd half expected after hearing some rumors of underwhelming RTX 5090 L performance in laptops, but it's still the world's best consumer mobile GPU.

So, to keep it simple: this year's Blade 18 comes with around a 20% increase in CPU performance and 13% on the GPU. However, this is the highest graphical option of all, and the RTX 5090 L will remain a pipedream for many. Do I think you'd be missing out if you 'downgraded' to an RTX 5080 or 5070 Ti model? Absolutely not — this is the upper echelon of graphics that borders on placebo.

It would be strange to test a gaming laptop without mentioning the games themselves, but I don't want to insult your intelligence. This is the world's most powerful mobile hardware, so the question will never be "Can the Blade 18 run [insert game name here]?" — the answer is always yes, of course it can. The more interesting question is whether you can utilize that UHD+ (3840 x 2400) screen at 4K+ in modern titles.

So, NVIDIA's RTX 50 Series GPUs come with DLSS 4 and MFG, which translate to 'Deep Learning Super Sampling' and 'Multi-Frame Generation', a pair of image upscaling and framerate-boosting techniques. The GeForce RTX 5090 L inside this Blade 18 (2025) sample is the most powerful card in its category, and it'll run most games on max settings around 1080p without assistance, but 4K+ needs a little help.

I had Cyberpunk 2077's built-in benchmark running at an average of 227 FPS with ray tracing enabled, set to 2400p with the DLSS 4 'Transformer' model on 'Ultra Performance' and MFG at 4x. Yes, this is using "fake frames" to get close to the Blade 18's native resolution, and running the benchmark without DLSS or MFG results in a brute-forced average of 22 FPS (up to 26 FPS maximum).

You can switch the display to FHD+ (1920 x 1200) at 440Hz instead, but I still only managed a 70 FPS average in Cyberpunk 2077 without any upscaling or frame generation assists — switching to DLSS 4 (Quality) and MFG 4x hits 319 FPS average on Ray Tracing Ultra at 1200p, which is nice, but I preferred the results of the first test. 440Hz really does feel excessive, but it's a rising refresh rate trend that won't stop.

The RTX 5090 L inside the Blade 18 (2025) is exactly that: a laptop GPU. It won't stand up to the same outrageous performance as the desktop RTX 5090, and performs at about 68% as well as a desktop RTX 4090 from the previous GeForce generation. So, while this is the highest-end consumer GPU you can get in a laptop, there will always be a disparity between desktops and laptops, as many PC gamers already know, but it's worth clarifying.

Again, even the 175W 5090 L is still a drop in the ocean compared to the 450W desktop RTX 4090 and 575W RTX 5090 — but this is the best you can currently get in a gaming laptop, and that's on AC power with a 440W adapter. On its battery, the Blade 18 (2025) lasts around 1 hour and 25 minutes in gaming, but I wouldn't recommend playing anything away from a dedicated power source.

Just be ready to put on a headset or a pair of headphones if you're playing anything demanding, because the trio of fans inside the vapor chamber gets loud, which isn't new for the Blade 18. Otherwise, the performance matches the similarly overpowered specs all over this beast of a gaming laptop, with color-accurate display profiles and luxuries like upgradeable SODIMM RAM lurking inside a heavy (3.10 kg / 7.06 lbs​) slab.

Razer Blade 18 (2025): Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want the best gaming laptop available.

✅ You're planning to do your gaming at home, near AC power.

✅ You want the biggest portable screen with high refresh rates.

You shouldn't buy this if ...

❌ You want a lightweight gaming laptop.

❌ You'll play demanding games without headphones.

❌ You want to do all of your gaming on battery power.

For the most part, the Razer Blade 18 in 2025 is the same as it ever was: a heavy beast with options for the best mobile GPU in the world. However, that comes with some of the same downsides, like 'fingerprint-resistant' coating still proving a bit ineffective.

Nevertheless, there's very little on the market that could ever touch it, and Razer has refined its companion apps to make Synapse and Chroma worth running in the background.

Yes, it's still the best gaming laptop in my eyes, purely because it's balls-to-the-wall insanity. How could it not rank so highly with such high-end hardware? It was inevitable, really.

In the same vein, the RTX 5090 variant remains a choice that goes beyond premium and into the realms of silliness, but the more affordable configurations with sensible NVIDIA GPUs will stand as hearty recommendations to anyone who wants a full-size gaming laptop to replace a desktop PC — stick with the RTX 5070 Ti, or push for the 5080 as its top-end if you must.

Ditching the Mini-LED screen option was a shame, but it's not like the dual-mode IPS of this year's model is dim. I still think 2400p at 240Hz is a better experience than 1200p at 440Hz, because fidelity is more exciting than framerates, but it's nice to have an option for the esports crowd. The Blade 18 remains a champion in 2025, like a mad king on a throne made of high-end graphics cards.

• Back to the top ⤴

ASUS and Razer each updated their most portable gaming laptops for 2025, adding NVIDIA's latest RTX 5000 Laptop GPUs and powerful AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPUs. Both laptops are sleek and powerful, but you only want one.

Now that we've reviewed both PCs here at Windows Central, I can offer some in-depth buying advice for those who can't decide between the two models.

I've taken into account everything from pricing, design, and display quality to performance and battery life to help you make the right decision between the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) and the Razer Blade 14 (2025).

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) vs. Razer Blade 14 (2025): Specs and availability

Before I get into a cost analysis, it's worth taking a look at the specs available in each laptop.

Razer's Blade 14 (2025) typically starts at $2,299.99 for a model with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, NVIDIA RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 2.8K OLED display at 120Hz.

Upgrading to an RTX 5070 Laptop GPU also kicks the RAM up to 32GB automatically. With otherwise similar specs, you're looking at paying about $2,699.99 at Razer.

Razer offers Black and Mercury color finishes. For the latter, Razer adds another $300 to the total, at least unless you opt for the RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. At the time of writing, Razer is offering 14% off the prices I listed here, making them seem not quite so steep.

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) typically starts at about $1,799.99 for a model with an AMD Ryzen 9 270 CPU, NVIDIA RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 2.8K OLED display at 120Hz.

Barring any sales, that's considerably cheaper than the entry-level Blade 14, although the G14's Ryzen 9 270 CPU has two fewer cores, a higher default TDP, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 16 TOPS (compared to 50 TOPS from Ryzen AI 300 chips).

Nevertheless, you can get the same GPU, display, storage, and memory in the G14 for about $500 less than the Blade 14. Even better, at the time of writing, the introductory Zephyrus G14 is $450 off at Best Buy, dropping the price to just $1,349.99. These sales are rather common.

Looking at a Zephyrus G14 with Ryzen 9 270 CPU and RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, it costs about $600 less than the Razer Blade 14 with the same GPU.

G14 models with an RTX 5070 Ti and an upgraded AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU typically cost about $2,399.99, which is still more affordable than a Blade 14 with RTX 5070 (non-Ti) and a less powerful CPU.

Zephyrus G14 models with an RTX 5080 jump to about $3,169.99; the Blade 14 tops out at an RTX 5070. It's clear that the Blade 14 costs a lot more than the Zephyrus G14, so is it worth all that extra dough?

Both gaming laptops are built to maximize portability

The Razer Blade 14 and ROG Zephyrus G14 have nearly identical dimensions, with the former having just a slightly larger footprint and a bit of extra weight.

The Blade 14 has been refined to be about 11% smaller than the 2024 model, improving aesthetics without nerfing performance. The G14, on the other hand, is thicker and heavier than its direct predecessor. Regardless, these are both some of the most portable gaming laptops on the market.

Diving into the important areas of design, the Blade 14 boasts six speakers with THX Spatial tuning. The G14 isn't to be outdone. As Windows Central laptop expert Zachary Boddy stated in their ROG Zephyrus G14 review, "the fantastic six-speaker system (with Dolby Atmos spatial audio) that blows most other laptops out of the water — including the Razer Blade 14's new six-speaker sound system."

Both laptops feature the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 standards for easy and fast, reliable connectivity, and both laptops have a front-facing 1080p webcam with an IR sensor for Windows Hello. Neither laptop has a proximity sensor for human presence detection.

Razer's Blade 14 keyboard isn't as comfortable as the one in the G14. It has shallow key travel, but its two-stage RGB lighting for each key looks great. The mechanical touchpad is massive and responsive.

ASUS didn't mess with the keyboard in the 2025 G14, and that's a good thing, according to our reviewer. As Boddy says, "The layout is comfortable and spacious, the keys are clicky and responsive, you get extra macro keys and per-key RGB lighting — it's a nice keyboard."

There's no haptic touchpad here either, with input relying on traditional mechanical means.

As for the laptop's exterior, Razer uses its usual anodization and electrochemical bonding process with a matte Black or Mercury aluminum finish. A Razer logo is planted in the middle of the lid.

The Zephyrus G14's aluminum chassis is also available in light and dark colorways, and it has the ASUS slash lighting effect across the lid. It's certainly more noticeable than the Blade 14, but you can always disable everything for a more professional look.

As for ports, ASUS offers just one USB4 port, while the Blade 14 offers two. ASUS partly makes up for it by adding a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) port. Each laptop also has two USB-A 3.2 (Gen 2), HDMI 2.1, a UHS-II microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.

OLED displays are standard in both laptops

A gaming laptop's display is a crucial part of its design and of your final decision. Both laptops feature a 14-inch screen with a 2880x1800 (2.8K) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

They both use an OLED panel with awesome color and perfect contrast; both hit 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and both reach about 400 nits of brightness. Because the laptops use NVIDIA GPUs, the displays come with G-Sync and Advanced Optimus support, together reducing screen tearing and improving battery life.

Where the Zephyrus G14 pulls ahead, however, is with its support of Dolby Vision. Razer didn't license its screens to have the HDR technology, and whether or not the image optimizations are crucial in your buying decision is up to you.

Both screens use Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming, so if you're sensitive to flickering, you might want to avoid both laptops completely.

The ROG Zephyrus G14 has more performance hardware options

ASUS decided to offer nearly the full range of NVIDIA's Blackwell laptop GPUs in the 2025 Zephyrus G14. The RTX 5060 is the most affordable option, through to the most expensive RTX 5080 option. Razer sticks with the RTX 5060 and the RTX 5070 Laptop GPUs in the Blade 14.

The same goes for the CPU. The G14 comes with either a Ryzen 9 270 or Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The latter chip is more powerful than the Ryzen AI 9 365 CPU available in the Blade 14, as you can see in the benchmark charts below.

Having tested both gaming laptops first-hand, my colleague Zachary Boddy came to the conclusion that the performance difference is negligible between the RTX 5070 in the Blade 14 and the RTX 5070 Ti in the G14.

They tested four games and saw similar frame rates with in-game settings maxed out and Frame Generation disabled. However, with Frame Gen enabled, the G14 and its 5070 Ti pulled well ahead. As Boddy explains:

Basically, the Zephyrus G14 with its 5070 Ti is much better suited to handling NVIDIA's latest performance boosts. It also comes with an RTX 5080, but I recommend against trying to squeeze that much power from such a slim laptop.

With both laptops capable of handling GPU power beyond 100W (110W Max TGP on the G14 and 115W on the Blade 14), and with both laptops offering a similar battery capacity, DC runtimes aren't too different.

You can expect an average of about six hours of life from either laptop, but that drops if you're into heavy gaming. You can also expect a larger performance throttling from the Razer laptop. As Boddy explains in their Blade 14 (2025) review:

"On battery power, expect to lose around 30% and 37% of your CPU and GPU performance, respectively — that's a sizeable bump down, but it's again better than a lot of larger gaming laptops."

So while the Blade 14 can deliver slightly longer battery life, the G14 will throttle a lot less when it's unplugged.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) vs. Razer Blade 14 (2025): Which should you buy?

Your final decision between the ROG Zephyrus G14 and the Blade 14 will likely come down to pricing. Razer's laptops are never affordable, and the ROG Zephyrus G14 really highlights the difference.

Considering you can buy the ROG Zephyrus G14 with a more powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU for less than a Blade 14 with an RTX 5070 (non-Ti), you'll have to decide if the Blade 14's strengths are really worth the extra money.

Yes, Razer's hardware continues to represent the pinnacle of premium gaming laptop design, but ASUS has made great progress in recent years. The 2025 Zephyrus G14 might not be quite as impressive from an aesthetic standpoint, but it beats the Blade 14 where it matters most: performance and pricing.

If you're interested in how the older models compare, check out my Zephyrus G14 (2024) vs. Razer Blade 14 (2024) analysis. Hint: I come to the same general conclusion as with the newer models.

Razer’s latest controller, the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, blends cutting-edge TMR stick technology with the 8000Hz HyperPolling rate first seen in the Razer Viper 8K Hz mouse. The new pro controller is available now for $199.90.

The controller features four mouse click back buttons, two claw grip bumpers, and Razer Pro HyperTriggers. It also has mecha-tactile PBT action buttons and an eight-way floating D-Pad.

The caps of the thumbsticks are swappable, and you can remap the back buttons and claw grip bumpers of the controller.

That's a lot of jargon if all you care about is how a controller feels in your hand and how responsive it is. If you'd like to geek out with me about how the TMR tech in the controller delivers precise inputs by using ferromagnetism and quantum tunneling, read on.

If you just want an excellent controller for PC gaming that's quick, comfortable, and responsive, feel free to skip the tech breakdown below.

What is TMR?

For decades, the vast majority of game controllers used resistors and relied on physical contact for input. That setup is seen in Xbox and PlayStation controllers as well as gamepads for mobile devices.

Parts that move wear down over time, even more so when multiple moving parts rub against each other. That's why so many controllers develop stick drift.

TMR stands for Tunneling Magnetoresistance. The technology uses ferromagnetism and quantum tunneling to detect signals, which is how controllers with TMR sticks support precise inputs.

Because TMR controllers have contactless magnetic sensing technology, they don't wear down or develop stick drift.

You may be more familiar with another magnet technology seen in controllers: Hall Effect. Like TMR, Hall Effect also uses contactless sensing technology.

But there are differences in how Hall Effect and TMR sticks detect movement that result in different gaming experiences.

TMR relies on detecting changes in electrical resistance caused by magnetic fields. Hall Effect technology detects voltage changes.

Because of this, TMR sticks are able to detect more precise movements.

Our Jennifer Young discussed her experience with TMR sticks in our PB Tails Metal Crush Defender TMR controller review:

"I was skeptical about whether I’d notice much difference between TMR sticks and the Hall Effect sticks on my GameSir G7 SE, but the Metal Crush controller blew me away. The sticks feel incredible, moving as smoothly as a hot knife through butter."

TMR has other advantages over Hall Effect, including using less power.

It will be interesting to see how the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC stacks up with other controllers. There are still very few TMR gamepads on the market. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro uses Hall Effect sticks, so we should be able to compare TMR and Hall Effect tech on similar controllers soon.

What is polling rate?

The TMR sticks of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC will garner attention due to their novelty. But the headline feature of the controller, and the first thing Razer mentions in its press release, is the 8000Hz polling rate of the gamepad.

Polling rate refers to the frequency a device, such as a mouse or gamepad, reports data to a PC. Higher polling rate correlates to lower latency, though the relationship can be a bit complicated.

You'll see diminishing returns in reducing transmission delay as you increase polling rate, but there is a sizeable difference between the standard 1000Hz and the 8000Hz seen in pro hardware.

GameMax has a fascinating breakdown of the relationship between polling rate and latency, including how transmission delay affects total latency.

The 8000Hz HyperPolling technology in the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC results in lower input delay than many of the best gaming mice.

Standard gaming mice usually have a 1000Hz polling rate. As you move to more premium gamepads, you'll often see 2000Hz or 4000Hz polling rates.

Very few Wireless mice have an 8000Hz polling rate, though that list got longer when Razer released its HyperPolling Wireless Dongle. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC delivers the same speed when connected wirelessly or through a wire.

When I reviewed the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), I named it one of the very best wireless gaming headsets you could buy. A year later, and we finally got a console-friendly version that was just as good — but it could obviously be better.

Now we finally have the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, and... I can't believe how big of a jump this is. When Razer briefed me on its new flagship esports-focused headset, I was rendered speechless by the ceaseless list of improvements and upgrades, all while preserving the same iconic design language.

It may be more expensive and a little heavier now, but the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is the closest to perfection I've ever seen a gaming headset reach. It's made even better that we don't have to wait for Xbox and PlayStation versions.

I don't often do this, but I'm putting my recommendation front and center. If your budget is $250 for a high-performance wireless gaming headset, then save yourself some time and go get the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro for $249.99 at BestBuy.com.

Yeah, let's just summarize those upgrades real quick

Some of you may accuse me of being dramatic if I don't lay it out loud and clear, so I'm starting by listing all the noticeable improvements Razer made with the new BlackShark V3 Pro.

• Upgraded audio. The BlackShark V3 Pro upgrades to Razer's new TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen-2 drivers, which are basically bigger and better versions of the drivers in the ultra-premium Razer Kraken V4 Pro I reviewed.
  • Not content with just that, Razer also added THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 support, which adds four virtual speakers above your head when you want that surround sound effect. The BlackShark V3 Pro supports the Xbox and PlayStation spatial audio equivalents, too.
• Bigger microphone. The BlackShark V2 Pro already had one of the best microphones on any headset, but Razer made it even better by increasing the physical size of the HyperClear Super Wideband microphone from 9mm to 12mm, and increased the sampling rate from 32KHz to 48KHz while it was at it.
• Improved performance. This headset is designed with competitive gaming in mind (especially first-person shooters), so improved performance was a guarantee.
  • The greatest performance upgrade comes from Razer's new HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2. Yes, Razer HyperSpeed actually got a next-gen upgrade with greater efficiency and stability, but Razer also reduced the wireless latency to a mere 10ms — easily the best in the industry.
  • Razer has continued working with esports athletes to develop professionally tuned audio profiles for six of the most popular FPS games, and you can now store a total of 9 unique audio profiles on the BlackShark V3 Pro.
• Refined ergonomics. Razer may have kept the same overall design language, but the BlackShark V3 Pro is still a lot more refined in a lot of ways.
  • The yoke design has returned, but it's further reinforced and now has a 15-degree swivel joint to provide a better fit to everyone's unique head shape.
  • The Memory Foam ear cushions are just as comfortable as ever, but Razer designed a new dual-layer fabric that uses leatherette for superior noise isolation underneath cloth for improved breathability.
  • The design has been refined in other ways, too, like more distinct textures for the onboard controls and adding swappable magnetic faceplates (which have nothing to do with comfort, but could be great for customization).
• Better support. Unlike the BlackShark V2 Pro, Razer's latest flagship gaming headset is coming out of the gate with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation versions — all available in black or white.
  • Not only do we already have console-specific versions, but they also fully support Razer Synapse on PC this time, so you don't have to choose one or the other.
  • The BlackShark V3 Pro can also do simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing, so you can have a voice call on one and your game on the other, or whatever combination you need in the moment.
  • If you'd rather plug in, the BlackShark V3 Pro supports USB wired audio and even comes with a 3.5mm adapter for more traditional headphone jacks.
  • You can customize your BlackShark V3 Pro using the Razer Audio App on Android and iOS, the Razer Headset Setup app on Xbox, and the Razer Synapse app on PC — and the increased onboard memory will remember all your changes.
• More features. The BlackShark V3 Pro also gains some brand-new features. I already mentioned the simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio, but there are a couple more, too.
  • Razer has brought hybrid active noise cancellation to the BlackShark, with 4 microphones (2 internal and 2 external) dedicated to filtering out unwanted background noise to keep you in the game.
  • In addition to the new ANC button for cycling through modes, Razer also added a customizable roller to the BlackShark V3 Pro, which handles chat balancing by default, but can also uniquely increase just the sounds of footsteps to give you a competitive advantage.

Whoo, that's a lot. Let's actually talk about my experience using the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro now.

It'll be difficult for Razer to impress with the BlackShark V4

I already spent a lot of words just explaining what Razer did with the BlackShark V3 Pro, but the important question is if those upgrades actually make a difference. Um, yes. Yes, they do.

At first glance, the BlackShark V3 Pro isn't a major departure from its predecessor, but this headset is noticeably more comfortable to wear, especially for long periods. A lot of that comes down to the new swivel joint, which is important for the fit but also improves isolation.

It's still a predominantly plastic headset, but the BlackShark V3 Pro does feel very well put together, and there are a lot of fine details and accents that remind you that this is a premium headset, including real stitching on the headband that's color-matched to the version you bought (black for PC, green for Xbox, blue for PlayStation).

Razer also made the faceplates easily swappable via magnets; right now, Razer isn't selling custom options to make your BlackShark V3 Pro your own, but I can't imagine Razer made this deliberate design decision without some intent to take advantage of it.

The only downside is that the BlackShark V3 Pro is about 47g heavier than before, which is a noticeable increase. It's still extremely comfortable to wear, but the added baggage is worth noting.

Performance has also evolved by a significant degree, and for two main reasons. First are the new Bio-Cellulose 50mm Drivers Gen-2, which results in a much warmer and deeper sound profile similar to the Kraken V4 Pro headset, but with some precision, soundscape, and responsiveness improvements.

The BlackShark V3 Pro does sound excellent for gaming, music, movies, and everything in between, with powerful bass and sub-bass response and clean mids. Lots of onboard memory and a solid equalizer mean you can tailor the BlackShark V3 Pro to every use case.

I did notice some distortion at higher frequencies, especially when the active noise cancellation (ANC) is enabled, and this headset sometimes struggles when switching between audio profiles, becoming hollow-sounding overall for a few (long) seconds. Overall, though, the BlackShark V3 Pro is a substantial improvement over the 2023 model.

The second major performance upgrade? Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2, which debuted with the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro gaming mouse I reviewed. The BlackShark V3 Pro sadly doesn't get the new wireless receiver design, but it does benefit from improved stability (even with a lot of interference from competing wireless signals) and lower latency.

Razer told me it probably could've made the latency even lower than 10ms, but there was no point — 10ms is how long it takes for a healthy brain to process audio, apparently. I can't really claim to tell the difference, but I can tell you the BlackShark V3 Pro sounds instant and is incredible with competitive gaming.

One area where the BlackShark V3 Pro is a bit shakier compared to its predecessor is with endurance. I wrote an editorial years ago about how it felt like it took forever to kill the BlackShark V2 Pro, and the new headset does boast similar longevity... but if you take advantage of its new features, like active noise cancellation and simultaneous audio mixing, you can absolutely kill it faster.

Speaking of ANC, the BlackShark V3 Pro utilizes 4 microphones (separate from its main mic, which you'll need for voice calls) to filter out unwanted noise, and it does work, albeit subtly. The BlackShark V3 Pro certainly isn't usurping Sony or Bose for the best ANC headphones any time soon, but the ANC does make a (positive) difference, and you do get a fair amount of control over it, including an ambient mode that is equally fine.

I also understand why it exists for marketing reasons, but the PC-only BlackShark V3 Pro does feel pointless this time around. The Xbox and PlayStation versions rightfully have full compatibility and feature parity with Windows PC (apart from the PlayStation version missing the Halo-focused audio profile), so there's no real reason to get the PC-only version.

BlackShark V3 Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a high-quality gaming headset that works across platforms.
• You want the best performance possible out of a wireless headset.
• You value features like ANC and a class-leading microphone.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You won't take advantage of this headset's competitive performance.
• You need a headset for exclusively one platform (and want to save money).

What even is left for Razer to do? Perhaps the BlackShark V4 Pro will be a bit lighter, and last a bit longer, and sound a bit better, and block out background noise a bit more, but fundamentally, it feels like Razer truly nailed it with this iteration.

Razer took every piece of legitimate criticism from every review (mine included), and actively worked to fix those weaknesses with this headset. It's the culmination of years of refinement and innovation, and the end result is easily one of the best Xbox and PC gaming headsets ever made.

The BlackShark V3 Pro may cost $50 higher starting out, but it's worth every penny you spend on it, even if you're not the most competitive gamer to walk the earth. If you'd like to save money, the standard Razer BlackShark V3 seems to basically be the BlackShark V2 Pro but with some upgrades (like simultaneous Bluetooth/2.4GHz audio) for just $150 — but bear in mind that I haven't personally used that headset.

With upgraded audio, active noise cancellation, and a bevy of other upgrades, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an incredibly easy recommendation for $249.99 at BestBuy.com or $249.99 at Amazon.com. Xbox or PC, it doesn't matter — this is the headset I'm using from now on, and it's all because Razer actually listened to us.

When I was briefed on the Razer Cobra HyperSpeed, one of the representatives said something along the lines of, "Razer set out to make the best wireless gaming mouse possible for $100."

Now that I've been using this mouse for a few weeks, I'm not convinced that Razer truly delivered the best with the Cobra HyperSpeed — but this is still a really good mouse.

The Razer Cobra family sits between the high-performance Vipers/DeathAdders and the feature-packed Basilisks, and the new Cobra HyperSpeed sits in the middle of the Cobras.

You get an ambidextrous design with RGB lighting, great performance and multi-device connectivity, and support for a lot of extra features... even if you have to pay more for some of those features.

Mastering the fine art of balance and compromise

The Razer Cobra HyperSpeed doesn't boast the highest performance, or the flashiest design, or the most features, or the lowest price. Instead, it attempts to embody the adage "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes is better than a master of one."

It's an ambidextrous design (that still favors right-handed users with its side buttons), is more compact than your average gaming mouse, and is rather light at just 62g. Despite the weight, you still get subtle RGB lighting on the rear and in the logo.

I think those with smaller hands will also really appreciate this design, but I didn't have any issues comfortably using the Cobra HyperSpeed with my larger hands, either.

It's a good-looking mouse, although I'm not a big fan of the texture of the glossy plastic accents. You get one additional button than your average mouse, too, which by default is mapped to Razer's AI Prompt Master feature that has appeared in several of its latest mice.

I personally don't care about this feature, but some may find it handy to have such an accessible (if basic) AI companion at their fingertips — and if you don't, it's easy to remap that button through Razer Synapse, which includes lots of other customization options, too.

The Cobra HyperSpeed is also possessed of a healthy number of features, including Bluetooth in addition to the standard HyperSpeed Wireless, compatibility with Razer's wireless charging dock or mousepad, and support for Razer's 8,000Hz HyperPolling. You can even pair your Razer keyboard to the Cobra HyperSpeed's dongle, freeing up another USB port.

Of course, two of those four features require an additional purchase, so many are likely to never take advantage. Some of Razer's most premium mice don't support some of these features at all, though, so it's still all about give and take.

When it comes to performance, the Cobra HyperSpeed feels responsive, accurate, and reliable. Razer's familiar Focus X 26K mid-range optical sensor is here under the hood, as well as an optical scroll wheel and Razer's brand-new gen-4 optical switches (which are more responsive and more reliable... but are also noisier).

The most competitive gamers may desire more performance, but for most people the Cobra HyperSpeed will be excellent. It also boasts some impressive endurance, with around 100 hours of actual usage feeling more than achievable — I just wish it would charge faster.

Cobra HyperSpeed review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a compact, symmetrical wireless gaming mouse.
• You want support for extra features like wireless charging.
• You don't want to spend more than $100 on a mouse.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You don't want to have to pay extra to get all your mouse's features.
• You simply need the best possible performance for your money.

Overall, Razer did a fantastic job balancing the Cobra HyperSpeed, smartly choosing compromises to bring the price down without damaging the experience. The Cobra HyperSpeed is a strong performer and has plenty of features, and it's all packed into an attractive, lightweight design.

I really like this mouse, but I do feel it's not quite priced aggressively enough, especially considering the full Cobra HyperSpeed experience will end up costing you a whole lot more if you want the most convenience and the best performance.

Paying extra for wireless charging or the HyperPolling dongle aside, the Razer Cobra HyperSpeed is an awesome choice for those looking for balance in their mouse. You want to play competitive games, but you also want a flashier design, and Bluetooth connectivity, and other features that high-performance mice often omit, and you don't want to pay a big premium for all of it.

If that sounds like you, the Razer Cobra HyperSpeed is now available for $99.99 at Best Buy or $99.99 at Amazon.