The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you need portability and are frequently on the move, the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are lightweight, have a very compact charging case, and offer excellent battery life, making them convenient for travel and exercise. They also support wireless charging, which adds to their convenience, and are optimized for Apple devices, giving you a more seamless experience if you use Apple products. However, their sound isolation is poor, which might be an issue in noisy environments, and they may not be the best choice for immersive music listening or gaming.
On the other hand, the Razer Kraken V3 headphones are more suitable for gaming and watching TV due to their impressive build quality, comfort, and good sound with virtual surround capabilities. They have a boom mic that provides better voice quality for calls and gaming comms, but they aren't as portable as the AirPods, lack wireless capabilities, and their over-ear design may not be suitable for exercise or travel. Choose the Razer Kraken V3 if a gaming focus and better sound isolation are priorities and you don't mind a wired connection and less portability. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
Good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken V3
Good for music
Good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8/10
7.3/10
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8/10
7.3/10
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9/10
5.0/10
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair for phone calls, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1/10
4.7/10
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.4/10
7.0/10
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
6.0/10
The Razer Kraken V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Razer Kraken V3 does not have a battery.
Cost
$89
$70
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $70.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.5/10
The Razer Kraken V3 has very good build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Razer Kraken V3
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.