How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• JBL Quantum 910X — biggest strength: dual spatial audio (QuantumSPATIAL 360 with head tracking, plus QuantumSPHERE 360 on PC) over a low-latency 2.4 GHz dongle, with Active Noise Cancelling and up to 37 hours of battery.
• JBL Quantum 910X — biggest trade-off: it's a 420 g over-ear wireless headset that leans on a dongle for its best features, so console players get the spatial layer but PC players get the deeper QuantumENGINE version.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest strength: a wired, plug-and-play USB-C/USB-A headset with 7.1 surround sound, a retractable HyperClear cardioid mic and hybrid fabric/leatherette memory foam cushions.
• Razer Kraken V4 — biggest trade-off: it's wired, so there's no battery freedom and no active noise cancelling — isolation comes from the closed cushions, not from electronics.
• Who each pick is for: JBL Quantum 910X for players who want wireless freedom, ANC and head-tracked positioning across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC; Razer Kraken V4 for players who want a simple wired setup, a clean retractable mic and a softer, fashion-forward look.
The JBL Quantum 910X is built around positioning and freedom. Its headline trick is JBL QuantumSPATIAL 360 with integrated head-tracking, which runs on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch straight through the USB-A dongle — no software layer required. On Windows 10/11, that same dongle unlocks JBL QuantumSPHERE 360 through JBL QuantumENGINE for a more advanced 3D audio stage. If you play shooters where footstep direction and vertical cues decide fights, that head-tracked layer is the reason to look here.
The rest of the package is about staying in the session. The 2.4 GHz wireless connection is designed for low latency, so your voice and your audio stay in sync with the action. Active Noise Cancelling is tuned for gaming environments, which matters if you play near a TV, a fan or a busy household. Battery life is rated at up to 37 hours with the dongle and up to 42 hours over Bluetooth 5.2, and you can charge and play at the same time with the included USB cable — a genuinely useful detail for marathon sessions. The 50 mm Hi-Res certified neodymium drivers handle both quiet detail and loud impact, and the Game Audio-chat balance dial lets you ride game and chat levels separately without digging into menus. JBL Dual Source is the sleeper feature: the dongle keeps you on game audio while Bluetooth 5.2 handles a phone call or music at the same time.
Razer Kraken V4: Who It's For
The Razer Kraken V4 takes the opposite approach: it removes variables. It's a wired headset with a convertible USB Type C to Type A cable, so the same cable covers PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck and phones. No pairing, no dongle, no charging. You plug in and you're playing. For anyone who has ever been mid-match when a wireless headset died, that simplicity is the whole pitch.
Audio comes from Razer's patented TriForce 40 mm drivers, a three-part design meant to keep highs, mids and lows from muddying each other, paired with 7.1 surround sound for a wider, more positional stage. The microphone is a retractable HyperClear cardioid unit — the improved pickup pattern is aimed at capturing more voice and less room noise, and because it retracts, it tucks away cleanly when you're just listening. Comfort is handled by hybrid fabric and leatherette memory foam cushions that seal around the ear for passive isolation, which is the only noise control here: there's no ANC, just sound isolation from the closed fit.
Then there's the look. This is the My Melody Edition, styled in soft pink with marshmallow-like earcups and Razer Chroma RGB offering 16.8 million colors and lighting effects that sync with a large ecosystem of games and devices. The enclosure mixes fabric, memory foam and plastic, and the package includes a protective case plus the USB-C to USB-A adapter. Buy it if you want a fuss-free wired headset with a genuinely good retractable mic, soft long-session cushions, and a design that stands out on a desk. Skip it if you need wireless freedom, active noise cancelling, or a battery you can rely on for a full day away from your setup — none of that applies to a wired headset.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for wireless freedom → JBL Quantum 910X. 2.4 GHz low-latency wireless plus Bluetooth 5.2, with no cable tethering you to the desk.
• Best for battery life → JBL Quantum 910X. Up to 37 hours with the dongle and up to 42 hours over Bluetooth, with play-and-charge support.
• Best for competitive positional audio → JBL Quantum 910X. Head-tracked QuantumSPATIAL 360 on consoles and QuantumSPHERE 360 on PC is the more advanced spatial setup of the two.
• Best for mic clarity on a budget of fuss → Razer Kraken V4. A retractable HyperClear cardioid mic with a tighter pickup pattern, and nothing to configure.
• Best for all-day comfort → Razer Kraken V4. Hybrid fabric and leatherette memory foam cushions with a snug, isolating fit.
• Best for plug-and-play across many devices → Razer Kraken V4. One convertible USB-C/USB-A cable covers PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck and phones.
• Best for a distinctive look → Razer Kraken V4. The My Melody Edition in gentle pink with Chroma RGB is a style statement; the JBL is a black, understated gaming headset.
In my opinion, the JBL Quantum 910X is the one I'd buy if I could only pick one. Wireless freedom, active noise cancelling, head-tracked spatial audio across consoles and PC, a game/chat dial and up to 37 hours of battery cover more of what most players actually do in a week than any single wired feature can. I'd steer toward the Razer Kraken V4 if my setup never moves, if I hate charging things, or if I specifically want that retractable mic and the My Melody styling. Both are honest headsets; they just solve different problems. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one variable that can flip this call.
Both work on PlayStation. The JBL Quantum 910X connects wirelessly via its USB-A dongle and adds head-tracked QuantumSPATIAL 360 on PS5. The Razer Kraken V4 is wired through its USB-C/USB-A cable and delivers 7.1 surround sound. Wireless convenience favors JBL; simplicity favors Razer.
Does the Razer Kraken V4 have noise cancelling?
The JBL Quantum 910X gives you up to 37 hours of battery and charges while you play, so a session won't be cut short — but it weighs 420 g. The Razer Kraken V4 is wired so it never needs charging, and its memory foam cushions are designed for extended comfort. Pick based on whether weight or battery matters more to you.
Yes. Its convertible USB Type C to Type A cable is meant to cover PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally and phones. The JBL Quantum 910X also supports Bluetooth 5.2 for mobile use alongside its dongle connection.
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