Razer Kraken Tournament Edition vs. Kraken Pro v2: Which gaming headset should you buy?

Razer headset
Razer headset (Image credit: Windows Central)

The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition and the Kraken Pro v2 are similar gaming headsets — the fact they're both from Razer notwithstanding. However, which one works best for you depends on which platform you plan on using it for.

Very similar but still different...

It's no coincidence that at first glance both of these headsets could be mistaken for each other. The Kraken family DNA runs through both, and each has the same basic design and quality construction.

On one hand, that's a good thing because whichever you choose you're getting a great looking, superb sounding headset that's comfortable to wear for long periods. The microphone is one of the weaker points on both, but neither is significantly better or worse even here. They're both very comparable on all the key aspects.

It's the little differences that are really what needs to be considered when you're buying a Kraken, along with what platform you're buying for.

PC gamers get more

The main difference between these two headsets is the USB audio controller you get with the Tournament Edition. Its basic features are found on the inline remote on the Kraken Pro v2, so there's nothing lost there. You can mute and adjust your game and chat volumes with hardware buttons on both.

The main difference between these two headsets is the USB audio controller, which makes a huge difference for PC players.

The Tournament Edition has THX spatial audio, though. Tunable in the companion software, this technology is designed for better positional awareness, a crucial part of playing a number of modern games, especially battle royales like Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends.

It's also such a big feature that it makes it easy to make a solid recommendation. If you're a PC gamer, get the Tournament Edition. It's not much more expensive and the spatial audio is well worth it.

If, however, you're a console gamer, the Kraken Pro v2 is the one to get. It doesn't have the flashy extra features you can't use — it's a regular 3.5mm connection straight into your controller and it costs less than the Tournament Edition.

They're both great headsets, but there's a definite split based on which platform you do your gaming on.

Richard Devine
Managing Editor - Tech, Reviews

Richard Devine is a Managing Editor at Windows Central with over a decade of experience. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you'll find him steering the site's coverage of all manner of PC hardware and reviews. Find him on Mastodon at mstdn.social/@richdevine