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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If budget is a concern and your primary use is gaming or using a PC, the Razer Kraken V3 would be a great choice for its good sound and mic quality, especially since it is significantly less expensive. However, if you travel often and prioritize noise cancellation and wireless convenience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 with excellent noise isolation and very good app support, including customization of sound and controls, would be worth the higher price. The Sony also excels for uses during air travel due to its battery life and comfort, while the Razer falls short in portability and use during exercise. 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 Razer Kraken V3
- Good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Gaming
7.3
5.6
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Razer Kraken V3 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.7
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.0
5.8
The Razer Kraken V3 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Razer Kraken V3 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Razer Kraken V3 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$70
$398
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Razer Kraken V3 has a price of $70 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Razer Kraken V3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Razer Kraken V3 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Razer Kraken V3 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$70 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Razer | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 325 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Razer Kraken V3
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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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Razer Kraken V3 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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