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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken X — biggest strength: At 230 grams it's built for all-day comfort, and the 3.5 mm wired jack works with PC, Mac, Xbox and PlayStation without charging anything.
• Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken X — biggest trade-off: It's a renewed unit with a 90-day limited warranty, and its 7.1 surround is software-enabled on PC only via a download code.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest strength: 50 mm Triforce Titanium drivers, THX 7.1 spatial audio, a detachable 9.9 mm supercardioid mic and up to 24 hours of wireless battery life.
• Razer BlackShark V2 — biggest trade-off: It's heavier at 11.36 ounces, relies on a 2.4 GHz USB transceiver for wireless, and you're paying for premium features you may not need.
• Who each is for: The Kraken X suits wired PC and console players who want low weight and simplicity. The BlackShark V2 suits players who want wireless freedom, stronger audio hardware and a removable boom mic.
The Kraken X Lite is the headset you buy when weight and simplicity matter more than anything else on the spec sheet. At 230 grams, it's the lightest Kraken design Razer has built, and the on-ear aluminum frame is flexible enough to survive being tossed in a bag or worn for hours without the clamp fatigue that heavier headsets create. The 40 mm dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range, which is the standard full-range window for gaming audio, and the cardioid noise-cancelling mic bends to sit where you need it and reduces background noise for clear chat.
The surround feature deserves a careful read. The 7.1 positional audio is software-enabled and works on PC only, activated through a download code that ships inside the box. On console, you're getting straight stereo through the 3.5 mm jack. Volume control lives on the cable, and the headset relies on passive sound isolation rather than active noise cancellation, so it muffles the room without electronics doing the work.
Buy it if you play on PC, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4 or PS5 and want one wired headset that covers all of them without a battery to manage. Skip it if you need wireless range, if you want a detachable mic, or if you're not comfortable with a renewed unit backed by a 90-day limited warranty. In my opinion, it's the smarter pick for someone who games with a controller and a cable and doesn't want to think about charging.
Razer BlackShark V2: Who It's For
Comfort here comes from over-ear memory foam cushions that Razer says are breathable to prevent heat and pressure buildup, plus closed earcups for stronger sound isolation. The catch is weight: 11.36 ounces versus the Kraken X's 8.1 ounces. That's the price of bigger drivers, a battery and over-ear padding.
Wireless is the headline. A 2.4 GHz connection runs up to 24 hours per charge with a 15-minute charge time, and a 3.5 mm jack is there for console use. Buy it if you want to move around your desk untethered, if you stream or record and need a mic you can remove for solo listening, or if you play competitive shooters where spatial cues and voice clarity decide rounds. Skip it if you want the absolute lightest option or you only ever game at a wired desk setup.
• Best for all-day comfort and low weight → Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken X (230 g versus 11.36 oz on the BlackShark V2).
• Best for wireless freedom → Razer BlackShark V2 (2.4 GHz connection, up to 24 hours per charge, 15-minute charge time).
• Best for PC surround sound → Razer BlackShark V2 (THX 7.1 spatial audio) — though the Kraken X also offers software-enabled 7.1 on PC via download code.
• Best driver hardware → Razer BlackShark V2 (50 mm Triforce Titanium, three-way tuning, 12 Hz–28 kHz versus 40 mm and 20 Hz–20,000 Hz).
• Best mic flexibility → Razer BlackShark V2 (detachable 9.9 mm supercardioid mic versus the Kraken X's fixed bendable cardioid mic).
• Best for console-first players → Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken X (wired 3.5 mm across Xbox and PlayStation, nothing to charge or pair).
• Best for hot, long sessions → Razer BlackShark V2 (breathable over-ear memory foam and closed earcups for isolation).
• Best for buyers who want a long warranty → Razer BlackShark V2 (2-year manufacturer warranty versus 90 days limited on the renewed Kraken X).
I'd buy the Razer BlackShark V2. In my opinion, the 50 mm Triforce Titanium drivers, THX 7.1 spatial audio, detachable HyperClear mic and up to 24 hours of wireless play make it the more complete headset, and the 2-year warranty is a real advantage over a 90-day limited one on a renewed unit. The Kraken X wins on weight and simplicity, and if all you want is a light wired headset that works everywhere, it's a genuinely good answer. But for most players, the BlackShark V2 is the one I'd recommend. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since renewed and new stock both move around.
what is the best selling headphones
There's no single authoritative answer, and I won't pretend otherwise. What the data here shows is that Razer markets itself as a leading gaming peripherals brand based on U.S. retail dollar sales tracked by The NPD Group — but that's a brand-level claim about peripherals, not a headphone sales ranking. Judge each headset on its specs and your needs.
what is the best selling headphones of all time
I can't give you a factual all-time ranking, and neither data sheet contains sales figures. What I can tell you is that the Kraken X Lite is positioned as a lightweight, broadly compatible wired headset, while the BlackShark V2 Pro sits higher in Razer's lineup with wireless and premium drivers. Popularity claims shouldn't drive your purchase; fit and features should.
what are the best selling headphones in the world
No reliable global ranking exists in the data I'm working from, and I won't invent one. If you're trying to pick between these two, focus on the specs: 230 g wired versus 11.36 oz wireless, 40 mm versus 50 mm drivers, fixed versus detachable mic. Those differences affect your daily experience far more than any popularity label.
what is the most popular brand of headphones
Razer is one of the most recognized gaming headset brands, and both data sheets reference NPD Group U.S. retail tracking data on gaming peripherals dollar sales. That's a market-position statement, not proof that Razer is the most popular headphone brand overall. For your decision, brand recognition matters less than whether you need wireless, a detachable mic and wider frequency response (BlackShark V2) or maximum lightness and wired simplicity (Kraken X).
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