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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and active noise cancelling, prefer to use earbuds for air travel, and don't mind spending more, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 could be the better choice. However, if you prefer over-ear headphones for gaming and watching TV, are looking for a more budget-friendly option, and don't need wireless capability or noise cancelling, the Razer Kraken V3 would suit you better. Keep in mind that the Razer has a boom microphone and virtual surround which could enhance your gaming experience, while the Bowers and Wilkins have optimized app controls and are sweatproof, making them a better fit for exercise activities. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Razer Kraken V3
- Good for music
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.7
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.3
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
4.7
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Razer Kraken V3 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.0
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken V3 is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Razer Kraken V3 does not have a battery.
Cost
$181
$80
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Razer Kraken V3 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Razer Kraken V3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Razer Kraken V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Razer Kraken V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Razer | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 325 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Razer Kraken V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Sam Smart | November 2022
"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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Razer Kraken V3
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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