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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a lightweight, wired USB-A headset built for long PC and PlayStation sessions with a certified boom mic, choose ASUS TUF Gaming H1; if you need a wired headset that switches between USB-C and USB-A across PC, Mac, consoles and handhelds with a retractable cardioid mic and RGB flair, choose Razer Kraken V4.
• ASUS TUF Gaming H1 — biggest strength: A 297-gram frame with a metal suspension headband and removable, cleanable ear cushions, plus a TeamSpeak-certified unidirectional mic for clear voice chat.
• ASUS TUF Gaming H1 — biggest trade-off: USB-A wired only, so it stays tethered to a PC or PlayStation and won't plug straight into a USB-C phone, handheld or Mac without an adapter.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest strength: A convertible USB-C to USB-A cable, a retractable HyperClear cardioid mic, 7.1 surround sound and Chroma RGB, so one headset covers far more platforms.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest trade-off: Heavier on the head, and the My Melody styling and RGB won't suit everyone's setup.
• Who each pick is for: ASUS TUF Gaming H1 for the PC/PS5 player who wants a light, durable, fuss-free wired headset. Razer Kraken V4 for the multi-platform player who wants one cable to rule them all.
The TUF Gaming H1 is the headset you buy when comfort and durability matter more than features. At 297 grams with a metal suspension headband, the design spreads weight across the top of your head rather than clamping down, which is exactly what you want when a session runs long. The ear cushions are on-ear, made from faux leather, metal and plastic, and they're removable — ASUS states they resist alcohol and hypochlorous acid, so wiping them down after use is genuinely practical instead of a chore.
Audio comes from ASUS Essence dynamic drivers with 32-ohm impedance and a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, paired with virtual 7.1 surround sound for positional cues in shooters. The microphone is the standout spec here: a unidirectional, TeamSpeak-certified boom mic aimed at clean voice chat rather than podcast-grade capture. There's also TUF Gaming white lighting to tie it into a matching build, and controls run through push buttons.
Razer Kraken V4: Who It's For
The Kraken V4 is the more flexible of the two, and it's aimed at players who refuse to own three headsets. The headline feature is the convertible USB-C to USB-A cable: plug into a PC, Mac, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 or a handheld, and the same headset just works. That single-cable versatility is the strongest argument for it, and it's not a small one.
Sound comes from Razer's patented TriForce 40 mm drivers — a three-part design that separates highs, mids and lows so they don't smear into each other — with 32-ohm impedance, 96 dB sensitivity and a 20 kHz frequency ceiling, backed by 7.1 surround sound. The mic is a retractable HyperClear cardioid unit, and the cardioid pickup pattern is the real spec to note: it favors your voice and rejects noise from the sides, which is what you want in a noisy room. When you're not talking, it slides away.
Comfort is handled by hybrid fabric and leatherette memory foam cushions in an over-ear fit, which gives better passive sound isolation than an on-ear design. Razer Chroma RGB adds 16.8 million colors, and the My Melody Edition styling is unmistakable — soft pink with marshmallow-like earcups. Controls are push-button, and the box includes a protective case and the USB-C to USB-A adapter. Note that noise control here is sound isolation, not active noise cancellation.
Who should buy it: multi-platform players, handheld owners, and anyone who wants one wired headset with a retractable mic and customizable lighting. Who should skip it: players who want the lightest possible fit, or who need a visual style that disappears into a plain black desk.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for comfort over marathon sessions → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. 297 grams with a metal suspension headband is the lighter, more forgiving build.
• Best for microphone clarity in a noisy room → Razer Kraken V4. A retractable cardioid mic with an improved pickup pattern is designed to favor voice over background noise.
• Best for a certified comms mic → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. The unidirectional mic carries TeamSpeak certification, a concrete marker for in-game chat.
• Best for easy cleaning and long-term hygiene → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. Removable cushions that resist alcohol and hypochlorous acid are built for regular wiping.
• Best for sound isolation → Razer Kraken V4. Over-ear hybrid fabric and memory foam cushions seal around your ears; the H1 is on-ear.
• Best for customization → Razer Kraken V4. Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors and lighting effects beats a single white lighting scheme.
• Best for a plain, low-key setup → ASUS TUF Gaming H1. Black finish and white lighting; no pink, no RGB ecosystem required.
If I'm buying for myself, I'd take the Razer Kraken V4, and the reason is the cable. One headset that converts between USB-C and USB-A and works across PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch 2 and handhelds solves a problem I'd otherwise solve by buying two headsets. The retractable cardioid mic and over-ear memory foam cushions seal the deal. That said, if your world is a single PC or PlayStation and you want the lightest, simplest, easiest-to-clean option, the ASUS TUF Gaming H1 is the smarter buy — 297 grams, a certified mic and removable cushions are exactly right for that job. Match the headset to your ports and your platforms, and you won't regret either.
how much gaming headphones
That varies widely by brand, model and edition, and prices change often, so I don't quote figures here. The honest answer is to check the current price on Amazon for both the ASUS TUF Gaming H1 and the Razer Kraken V4 and compare them side by side before deciding.
how to game with bluetooth headphones
Neither of these is a Bluetooth headset — both are wired. The ASUS TUF Gaming H1 connects over USB-A, and the Razer Kraken V4 connects over USB-C with a USB-C to USB-A adapter included. If low latency matters to you, wired is actually the safer route.
is gaming better with headphones
For most players, yes. Both of these offer virtual 7.1 surround sound, which is designed to give you directional audio cues, and both use 32-ohm dynamic drivers. The Kraken V4's over-ear memory foam cushions also isolate more outside noise than the H1's on-ear design.
are gaming headphones good for calls
They can be. The ASUS TUF Gaming H1 uses a unidirectional, TeamSpeak-certified mic built for clear voice chat, and the Razer Kraken V4 uses a retractable cardioid mic with an improved pickup pattern that favors your voice over background noise. Either works for calls, though neither is marketed as an office headset.
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See also: Astro Gaming Logitech G vs Razer Kraken V4, HyperX Cloud vs ASUS TUF Gaming H1, JINSERTA Gaming Headset vs Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken V4