How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired, no-nonsense gaming headset that you can keep for years and plug into basically any 3.5 mm jack, choose HyperX Cloud; if you need surround sound, RGB, and a USB-C connection that hops between PC and consoles, choose Razer Kraken V4.
• HyperX Cloud — biggest strength: memory foam comfort paired with a sturdy aluminum frame, plus a detachable noise-cancelling mic you can pull off the moment you go solo.
• HyperX Cloud — biggest trade-off: it's a wired 3.5 mm headset with passive noise cancellation only, so there's no surround processing and no lighting.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest strength: TriForce 40 mm drivers, 7.1 surround sound, and Razer Chroma RGB in one USB-C package.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest trade-off: it's USB-C only (with a Type A adapter), so older 3.5 mm-only gear is out, and the RGB styling is very much a look.
• HyperX Cloud is for you if you want a durable daily driver for PC, console, or phone over a plain headphone jack.
• Razer Kraken V4 is for you if you want virtual surround, a retractable mic, and a headset that matches a pink-and-RGB setup.
The HyperX Cloud is built around one idea: comfort and durability you don't have to think about. The padded memory foam ear cushions are wrapped in leatherette, and the frame is aluminum rather than all-plastic — that combination is what makes it feel like a headset you can leave on for a long session without constantly shifting it around. The over-ear enclosure also gives you passive noise cancellation, which simply means the cups physically block some outside sound instead of using electronics to do it.
Audio-wise you get dynamic drivers covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, tuned for crystal-clear sound with enhanced bass reproduction. That range is the standard full-bandwidth spread, so it handles everything from footsteps to explosions without gaps. The detachable noise-cancellation microphone is the detail I like most: leave it on for co-op and party chat, pull it off for single-player or music. In-line controls let you mute and adjust volume without opening a menu.
Razer Kraken V4: Who It's For
The Razer Kraken V4 X is the feature-forward option. Razer's patented TriForce 40 mm drivers split the driver into three parts so highs, mids, and lows don't muddy each other, and that's paired with 7.1 surround sound for positional audio. In practice, surround is the feature that matters most in competitive games — it's how you place a footstep behind your left shoulder instead of just hearing "something moved."
The mic is a retractable HyperClear cardioid unit. Cardioid pickup means it favors your voice over room noise, and retracting it protects it when you're not talking. Cushions are hybrid fabric and leatherette memory foam, which is a smart mix: fabric breathes, leatherette seals. The spec sheet lists sound isolation rather than active cancellation, so expect the cups to block noise, not electronics.
Connectivity is USB-C with a convertible Type A adapter, covering PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally. Razer rates it at 32 ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity — efficient enough to run off a console or handheld without a separate amp. The obvious extra is Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors. In my opinion, lighting is the least important spec here; the surround sound and driver design are the real reasons to pick it.
Who should buy it? PC and multi-platform players who want surround, a retractable mic, and a headset that looks like part of their setup. Who should skip it? Anyone whose gear is 3.5 mm-only, or who wants a low-key look rather than pink and RGB.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for long-session comfort → HyperX Cloud: memory foam cushions and an aluminum frame designed to hold up over time.
• Best for platform flexibility → Razer Kraken V4: the USB-C to Type A adapter covers PC, Mac, PS5, and handhelds; HyperX goes the other way with a universal 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for mic flexibility → HyperX Cloud: detachable noise-cancelling mic with in-line mute and volume.
• Best for mic discretion → Razer Kraken V4: the retractable cardioid mic tucks away instead of dangling.
• Best for durability-first buyers → HyperX Cloud: aluminum enclosure versus the Kraken's fabric, memory foam, and plastic build.
• Best for a themed setup → Razer Kraken V4: Chroma RGB with 16.8 million colors, versus no lighting at all on the HyperX.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → HyperX Cloud: no software, no adapter, no charging decisions.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the HyperX Cloud. My reasoning is simple: aluminum frame, detachable mic, in-line controls, and a 3.5 mm jack that works with nearly anything I already own — that's a headset I stop thinking about, which is exactly what I want from a daily driver. I'd only switch to the Razer Kraken V4 if surround sound were my priority, because 7.1 positional audio and the TriForce drivers genuinely change how competitive games feel. Pick the Kraken V4 for the feature list and the look; pick the Cloud for the long haul.
how much gaming headphones
That varies a lot by model and by retailer, and it changes often, so I won't quote a number here. Both of these sit in the wired mid-range bracket rather than the budget or premium extremes. Check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide.
is gaming better with headphones
For most people, yes — headphones give you private, close-up audio and a microphone in one device, which matters for voice chat and for hearing directional cues. The HyperX Cloud's passive noise cancellation and the Kraken V4's sound isolation both help you hear the game instead of the room. If you play competitively, the Kraken V4's 7.1 surround is the bigger advantage.
are gaming headphones good for calls
They can be, with caveats. The HyperX Cloud's detachable noise-cancelling mic and in-line mute make it easy to switch from game chat to a call, and the 3.5 mm jack plugs into phones directly. The Kraken V4's retractable cardioid mic prioritizes voice over background noise, but it connects over USB-C, so it suits a laptop or desktop more than a phone call on the move.
how to game with bluetooth headphones
Neither of these is a Bluetooth headset — both are wired, which is actually why they avoid Bluetooth's audio delay. The HyperX Cloud uses a 3.5 mm jack and the Razer Kraken V4 uses USB-C with a Type A adapter. If you want wireless, you'd be looking at a different class of headset entirely.
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See also: Redragon H510 vs HyperX Cloud: Gaming Headphones, Razer Kraken Ultimate RGB vs GXTrust Gaming GXT 490W, Amazon Renewed HyperX Cloud II vs Skullcandy Hesh ANC