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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium audio quality with the convenience of wireless technology for general use, including music and calls, the Apple AirPods Max offer superior sound, active noise cancelling, and are optimized for Apple devices, though they come at a premium price and are heavier, which might not be suitable for extended use or exercise. However, for gamers or users who prioritize microphone quality and affordability, the Razer Kraken is a great wired option with excellent mic performance, making it more suitable for long gaming sessions or video calls, though it lacks wireless features, noise cancellation, and isn't optimized for exercise or travel due to its larger size 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 Max
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.3
The Razer Kraken is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.5
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Razer Kraken is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.7
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.4
The Razer Kraken is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.5
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken is only fair.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Razer Kraken does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Razer Kraken costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Razer Kraken has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Razer Kraken are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Razer Kraken compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Razer Kraken |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 9/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 322 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Razer Kraken
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Rob Dwiar | March 2019
"Generally the Kraken is a very comfortable headset and there’s nothing that really identifies it as anything else. All in, the Kraken performed exactly as I’d expect a premium, designated gaming headset to perform: performing well in game audio, though not quite with the same quality of those headsets further up the price scale."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Razer Kraken
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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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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.
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