If you want a lighter headset with PC-only software-enabled surround sound, choose Razer Kraken X Ultralight; if you need a removable microphone and straightforward wired controls, choose Turtle Beach Recon 50. For school gaming and calls, I’d lean Razer for its 250-gram design, while the Turtle Beach makes more sense if taking off the mic matters.
Razer Kraken X Ultralight vs Turtle Beach Recon 50 at a Glance
• Razer Kraken X Ultralight: Its 250-gram weight and bendable cardioid microphone are standout features; the 7.1 surround effect requires software and is available for PC gaming only.
• Turtle Beach Recon 50: Its microphone can be removed, and its in-line controls handle volume and mic mute; it does not list a surround-sound feature for PC.
• Razer connection: Wired through a 3.5 mm jack, with on-headset volume and mic-mute controls; it is not wireless.
• Turtle Beach connection: Also wired through a 3.5 mm jack, with controls on the cable; it does not need charging.
• Choose Razer if low weight and PC positional audio are your priorities.
• Choose Turtle Beach if you want to remove the mic between gaming and other listening.
The Razer’s clearest practical advantage is its listed weight: 250 grams. That makes it the lighter pick on paper, which may matter if you wear a headset through a long study session, a stretch of online play, or back-to-back calls. Its over-ear design and flexible frame are intended for regular use, while the bendable cardioid microphone is designed to focus more tightly on your voice and reduce sound picked up from the sides and rear.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
For PC gaming, Razer also offers software-enabled 7.1 surround sound with its 40 mm drivers. That feature is specifically limited to PC gaming, so I wouldn’t choose this headset expecting the same software surround effect on a console or phone. It connects over a 3.5 mm jack and includes a volume wheel and mic-mute switch on the headset itself.
I’d consider the Kraken X if comfort through lower weight, a bendable mic, and PC positional audio are the main priorities. I’d skip it if you want to remove the microphone for music or movies: its mic is bendable, not listed as removable. And if Bluetooth is a must, neither of these wired models fits.
The Recon 50 is the more flexible choice for switching between gaming chat and listening without a microphone. Its mic is removable, so you can take it off when you don’t need it. That’s a useful distinction for schoolwork, watching a video, or packing the headset away after a game. The over-ear headset uses 40 mm speakers, and its 3.5 mm connection is listed for PS5, PS4, Xbox consoles, PC, and mobile devices.
Its volume and mic-mute controls sit in-line on the cable. That keeps those adjustments within reach, though the control placement differs from Razer’s on-headset wheel and switch. The Recon 50 is wired, so it does not need charging. Its listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz; Razer lists 12 Hz to 28 kHz. Those figures describe different published ranges, but they don’t establish by themselves how either headset will sound to you.
I’d pick the Turtle Beach if removing the mic is a real everyday convenience or you prefer cable-mounted controls. I’d look elsewhere if you specifically want Razer’s software-enabled 7.1 surround feature for PC gaming, or if the lowest listed weight is your deciding factor. The Recon 50 is listed at 5.44 ounces, but the Razer’s sheet gives its weight in grams, so those figures use different units.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best fit for a lighter listed design → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. It weighs 250 grams, while the Recon 50’s listed weight is 5.44 ounces. The units differ, so compare carefully rather than assuming a direct conversion from the labels.
• Best if you want to take off the microphone → Turtle Beach Recon 50. Its mic is removable; Razer’s is bendable but not described as detachable.
• Best for adjusting volume and mute on the headset → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. Its volume wheel and mic-mute switch are built into the headset.
• Best for cable-mounted controls → Turtle Beach Recon 50. Its in-line controls handle master volume and mic mute.
• Best for switching among listed platforms → Either, depending on your priorities. Both use a 3.5 mm jack and list compatibility across multiple consoles and mobile devices; check that the connection suits your specific device.
• Best for a headset that doesn’t need charging → Either. Both are wired, and the Recon 50 is explicitly described as not needing a charge.
• Best if you’re choosing a school headset for gaming and calls → Razer for lower listed weight; Turtle Beach if a removable mic matters more. Both support wired use, so neither is the pick for a Bluetooth-first setup.
The phrases “best touch control bluetooth earbuds for school,” “best open ear earbuds for school,” and “best comfortable earbuds for school” describe different kinds of products from these over-ear gaming headsets. Neither model is an earbud, neither connects over Bluetooth, and neither is described as open-ear. If those are your actual requirements, the useful comparison here is not a close match; these are wired headsets with microphones and gaming-oriented features.
I’d buy the Razer Kraken X Ultralight for school gaming and calls because its 250-gram weight is a concrete advantage for wearing it over longer stretches, and its PC surround option adds a useful extra for computer gaming. Its mic can’t be removed, which is the Turtle Beach’s strongest everyday convenience. But for my school-focused pick, I’d take Razer’s lighter listed design and keep the 3.5 mm wired connection in mind.
No. It is a wired headset with a 3.5 mm jack. The Turtle Beach Recon 50 is also wired, so neither is a Bluetooth option.
The Turtle Beach Recon 50 has a removable mic. The Razer Kraken X Ultralight’s microphone bends for positioning but is not listed as removable.
The listed 7.1 surround feature is software-enabled for PC gaming only. The headset works with multiple consoles through its 3.5 mm connection, but that does not make the PC surround feature a console feature.
I’d choose Razer if lower listed weight is the priority for long stretches of use. I’d choose Turtle Beach if removing the mic after calls or gaming is more useful. For either one, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
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