One-minute review

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a premium gaming chair which Razer cut no corners on when it comes to design.

If you've got the Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair, it might feel like no significant upgrades have been made to the base model, despite the significant price increase, but when you start to look below the surface there's some impressive new features tucked in its build to make it feel like a worthy investment.

It's got all the features you'd expect to see in a premium chair, such as in-built lumbar support, breathable material, 4D armrests, and quite an impressive seat tilt and recline function. You'll also find Gen-2 EPU leather with "CoolTouch" technology which is a game changer, especially for anyone who finds themselves uncomfortable with the standard faux leather so many gaming chairs are built from. All of these elements come together to create a chair that certainly puts comfort first.

However, due to its plethora of features, you are also expected to pay a premium for it. As a result, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is not a budget-friendly chair, which is enough to put first time buyers off unless they've already committed to a Razer setup.

That said, I've spent over seven weeks with this chair as my primary seat, and can happily say that it does offer some premium comfort, even when closely compared to my faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe gaming chair.

There's a lot to love about the Iskur V2 NewGen, and no matter how you're using it, it always offers high-quality comfort. This is massively supported by the sheer amount you can tailor to your preferences, but the actual chair itself shows that a lot of care has gone into its design. Particularly in the materials used which help to justify its rather steep price tag.

Price and availability

• Costs $649.99 / £649.99 / AU$999.95
• Available through Razer
• 5-year extended warranty

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen launched on February 13, 2026, and is by no means a budget-friendly gaming chair with its $650 price tag. Its price point certainly gives the impression that it's more like an investment than a casual purchase, and is bound to get any potential buyers questioning what sets it above the rest of chairs available at the same sort of point.

For this price, you are getting a very sleek, well-built chair that is bound to suit anyone with a Razer-oriented setup already, but there's definitely some comparison to take into account.

Especially when you've got chairs like the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition retailing at a similarly high $799 / £669 and the Corsair TC500 Luxe coming in cheaper at $499.99/£499.99. Two fantastic chairs offering the same level of features for a far more reasonable price.

But that's not to say that the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen doesn't feature anything to justify its rather generous price point. It's certainly built to be a more premium gaming chair, offering features like extra durable armrests, new technology lumbar support, an ultra wide seat base, and a breathable fabric that means you never have to awkwardly peel yourself off the chair, so it's the sort of seat you can use all day without feeling it after a few hours.

Specs

Design and features

• A sleek, comfortable chair
• Available in four colourways
• Razer embellishments are embroidered rather than printed

Razer always tends to nail their branding when it comes to hardware, so obviously the Iskur V2 NewGen follows suit. With a sleek black design, and iconic Razer green piping along the edge of both the seat and backrest of the chair, it certainly looks the part. You've also got the addition of embroidered embellishments on the front of the chair with the Razer logo behind where the memory foam cushion sits, and the text Razer logo on the back in the same green.

The main talking point of the chairs design is the snakeskin embroidered backrest and seat, which I really found myself admiring. I'm usually pretty impartial to additional flourishes like this, but had to appreciate the fact it wasn't your standard diamond or crosshatch embroidery we often see on gaming chairs. The Razer Gen-2 EPU leather the entire seat is made out of is worth praising too.

Not only does it feel like a high-quality product rather than the cheap, rustling pleather found on more budget friendly chairs like , but it's surprisingly cooling. Which was fantastic given a week of my testing with this chair was during a heatwave in the UK, so I really put this feature to the test.

This, paired with the dual-density, cold-cured foam seat cushion the product is quick to highlight on its store page, means that you're never stuck feeling a little sweaty in your seat.

To coincide with the high-quality material the chair is made out of, the armrests need to be highlighted too. My faithful Corsair TC500 Luxe has 4D omni-directional armsets, much like the Iskur, but my biggest pet peeve is that they don't lock into place. So, if you lean at an awkward angle, they'll move.

However, the Iskur V2 NewGen features the same style of armrest with the ability to lock them into place with the handy use of buttons found on the sides of each rest. Plus, the extra durable build means you don't have to worry about peeling or cracking, unlike something I faced with the Secretlab Titan Evo many moons ago.

You also benefit from the first addition of the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support system, which gives you a huge range of back support and is perfect for anyone like me who often finds themselves sat with shrimp-like posture when tethered to a desk for hours on end. This can be fully customised to your preferences too, courtesy of its 360 degrees swivel design.

The sculpted memory foam cushion is a nice touch for extra support, but I would've preferred if this was magnetic rather than relying on an elastic strap around the headrest of the chair. For $699, it would've definitely felt more luxurious to have a magnetic cushion, especially as that's what's included in the Corsair chair. It's also a shame to cover the embroidered embellishments on the chair with both the cushion itself and the elastic strap.

The Iskur V2 NewGen is also currently available in four different colourways: white, black, black and green, and a rather attractive Quartz. So, there is some level of flexibility to get a chair that perfectly fits your existing aesthetic. It's not as customisable as the covers you can get for the Secretlab chairs, but at least you don't have to pay any extra to get a colour.

Comfort and performance

• Lots of customisation options to suit how you sit
• Ultra wide seat base lets you sit however you like
• Breathable, cooling fabric actually makes a difference

When it comes to a gaming chair, the main factors that go into deciding whether it's good or not are: how comfortable it is to use for extended periods of time, and how much you can customise it to suit your sitting style and position.

Fortunately, the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen excels in customization. There are so many buttons and dials to make the most of, which is great for someone who constantly fidgets like I do. The back support also encouraged me to sit with generally better posture during all of my testing, which is something most people who work at a desk could benefit from.

One downside to its performance is that the back cushion, where the Razer Hyperflex Lumbar Support System is stored, moves around when you shift in your seat. It's not like those head or neck cushions that conveniently shift themselves into an uncomfortable position the second you decide to adjust how you're sat, but it does move with you when you move in the seat.

I'd rather have a solid backrest, like the Secretlab Evo NanoGen or even the Boulies Master Series gaming chair, but this feels like a pretty insignificant gripe in the grand scheme of things. At least it's not one of those lumbar cushions you just have to hope and pray stays in the same place.

The fabric really deserves a special shoutout too. During my testing, the UK was hit with a sweltering heatwave, so I really could put the breathable and cooling material of the chair to the test while I sat and worked away.

It's safe to say that there is actually a noticeable difference too, and I didn't find myself feeling uncomfortably clammy while sitting. Previously, I'd tested the Boulies Master series gaming chair in a rather hot flat, and definitely didn't find the same level of comfort when the temperature began to increase.

This meant I could quite happily spend hours sitting without feeling it or having to get up and walk around a bit. There's enough cushioning to make the chair comfortable, while still being firm enough to support you in all the right places.

This is definitely supported by the ultra-wide seat base which gives you enough room to sit with either your feet on the floor, or your feet on the chair if you want to embrace the terrible posture which I always tend to. But, I'd say it's safe to assume that you'd expect that level of comfort given the premium price tag.

Assembly

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is easy to put together too. It's suggested as a two-person job on the instructions, but you really only need another set of hands to help position the seat base on the piston - the rest is quite easy to achieve solo.

All the tools you need are packaged delightfully, alongside a pair of gloves (or, Gamer Gauntlets as they're labelled in the box) to make sure you don't get any potentially nasty chemicals on your hands while building.

Not that I did. Again, because of its price tag, I'd expected there to be quite a few additional flourishes that would make assembly that little bit more challenging, but it was remarkably straightforward.

Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen Gaming Chair?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If you're not quite convinced by the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, we've got some alternatives you might want to check out.

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair

• Spent a month and a half testing the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen
• Tested as my primary office chair for those two months
• Used when working, gaming, and watching films to test comfort

I tested the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen gaming chair over a month and a half-long period, keeping it as my only chair for work, gaming, and basically anything that required me to sit at my PC. During my testing period, I made use of all its features like the inbuilt lumbar support and adjustable armrests to keep a comfortable position while working, and then a more relaxed position when watching a film.

Regardless of what I was doing at my PC and how I was sitting, whether that was with my legs and feet on the base of the chair, cross-legged, or with my feet on the floor, I never found myself uncomfortable or struggled to sit for long periods of time. I was also able to closely compare it to my standard office chair, the Corsair TC500 Luxe, and it performed incredibly well. I've been struggling to find a competitor for my trusty Corsair TC500 Luxe, but the Iskur V2 NewGen certainly comes close.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2026.

Razer Pro Type Ergo review: two-minute review

Ergonomic keyboards have long been Logitech's territory, but the Pro Type Ergo is Razer's most convincing argument yet that it belongs in the productivity conversation, and not dismissed as just a gaming brand.

It's the brand's first split ergonomic keyboard, and it arrives with a full-size layout, clever software and a mild enough learning curve to make ergo peripherals feel genuinely accessible. There's a lot to like here — the software depth is impressive, the wireless connectivity is versatile, and the adjustment period is shorter than you might fear. But at its higher price tag, the lack of mechanical switches is hard to ignore, and that one compromise colors the whole package.

In practice, the Pro Type Ergo impresses in several key areas. The adjustment period is impressively short — I was largely up to speed within a couple of days, even with some stubborn old typing habits to shake. The fixed vegan leather wristrest is plush, the sculpted keycaps keep your fingers where they should be, and the duplicated 'B' key is a small but smart touch.

Software is a genuine highlight too, with Razer Synapse 4 offering up to 100 mappable functions for the twin command dials, deep macro key customisation, and an AI Prompt Builder that pipes queries into ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot if you want it to. Connectivity is equally versatile, covering three-channel Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz USB-A receiver and USB-C wired, with a claimed three months of battery life per charge and an ideal set of outputs for power users.

However, there are limits that stop the Pro Type Ergo from being an easy recommendation at this price. The most glaring is the switch choice — scissor-actuated membrane keys on a £179.99 keyboard feel like a bit of a compromise, however comfortable and snappy they might be in use.

The Keychron Q13 Max lands at a similar price and is properly mechanical, while the Logitech Ergo K860 covers the core ergonomic brief for roughly half the cost. The Pro Type Ergo's full-size layout and non-removable wristrest also means it takes up a significant amount of desk space, which rules it out for anyone working in tighter quarters – it even made my 120cm desk seem tiny.

At $189.99 / £179.99 / AU$299.95, Razer is asking you to pay a premium for style, software depth and ergonomic approachability — and on the whole, it delivers with a product that's comfortable, likeable, and especially versatile.

Just bear in mind the trade-off by going for a non-mechanical choice at this price. The Pro Type Ergo justifies much of its premium price tag with its versatility, clever software and a learning curve that won't upend your entire working week. If you want to take the plunge into ergo peripherals without sacrificing style or features, this is a very good place to start.

Razer Pro Type Ergo review: Price & release date

• $189.99 / £179.99 / AU$299.95
• Released April 1, 2026
• Towards the top end of the market

Razer launched the Pro Type Ergo in April 2026, and it's available for $189.99 / £179.99 / AU$299.95, which puts it towards the top end of this non-mechanical market, not least for a more niche product such as an ergonomic keyboard. It's available from Razer's own website and secondary retailers such as Amazon.

For reference, it's possible to get more office-oriented ergo keyboards with a similar split layout for more affordable prices, such as the Logitech Ergo K860. It's about half the cost of the Pro Type Ergo with similar fundamentals, although it misses out on Razer's clever software trickery and the oodles of customisation it comes with.

For a more affordable choice, there's also the Logitech Wave Keys, which isn't quite as drastic with some of its ergo sensibilities, although it lacks the snappiness of scissor-actuated keys with more standard rubber domes.

Outside of the usual mainstream brands, the Keychron Q13 Max is a similar price to the Pro Type Ergo and comes with a full-size layout, a machined aluminium chassis, a command dial and macro keys, plus QMK software powers, and it is also properly mechanical. For a different take on ergonomics, the HHKB Studio is a fellow premium choice, but instead of offering split keys and such, it moves some keys around for a more comfortable layout and is fully mechanical.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Razer Pro Type Ergo review: Specs

Razer Pro Type Ergo review: Design

• Large profile on desk
• Lots of convenient creature comforts
• Mild ergonomic layout optimisations

The Pro Type Ultra is Razer's first split ergonomic keyboard, and it blends several of the brand's key design hallmarks into a brand new form factor. For instance, it comes with its usual modern and understated design language that has characterised a lot of its more recent releases.

The fact that it's a full-size layout keyboard with a number pad, nav cluster and function row alongside a big wristrest and function dials means it takes up an awful lot of desk space. That vegan leather wristrest is a large part of the bulkiness of this keyboard, and it isn't removable.

Nonetheless, Razer has designed this keyboard to be functional and comfortable with that full-size layout in mind, and the fact that this is a milder form of ergonomic keyboard than some of the weirder options from Kinesis and ZSA that can take even more getting used to.

What I mean by this is that this keyboard has a mild split down the middle that's designed to align your hands directly with your shoulders to help reduce the risk of getting RSI or carpal tunnel syndrome.

To Razer's credit, even though the angle of the split is fixed, the keyboard has a natural rise and fall across its chassis to help reduce pronation, or forearm strain. The fixed wristrest is also decently plush in the middle, and you get some excellent two-stage feet in all four corners on the underside of the keyboard to raise the angle up or down as you'd prefer.

This split layout forces you to learn how to touch-type properly, which can take some getting used to if you have an odd technique, as I do, where I rarely use my ring and pinky fingers to type, and usually use my fore and middle fingers to do most of the work, sometimes on either side of the keyboard.

Razer has made some small, but noticeable, changes to a standard full-size layout, making some keys slightly elongated, with the 7, T, G, H and B keys. Weirdly, the B key has been duplicated to improve speed and comfort, and the space between the two Space Bars on the bottom row. The keycaps are also slightly sculpted, similarly to the Logitech MX Keys range of products to help keep your fingers where they should be.

Outside of the ergonomic benefits of the Pro Type Ergo, Razer has also made sure to give this keyboard other accoutrements, such as programmable macro keys down the left side and a couple of command dials in each corner. There are also three silver shortcut keys in the top right corner for opening Razer's own AI Prompt Master software, checking battery status and a custom button, plus there are dedicated buttons for wireless pairing over Bluetooth and the bundled 2.4GHz receiver.

The front interface is quite simple, with a convenient toggle switch for wired or wireless use and a USB-C port for charging and wired use.

• Design score: 4/5

Razer Pro Type Ergo review: Performance

• Less of a learning curve than expected
• Comfortable feel, although not mechanical
• Extensive software and connectivity options

Usually I take a couple of weeks to review a keyboard to best understand its quirks and features, but took a little longer with the Pro Type Ergo, owing to its ergonomic credentials. In my experience, it can take a good week or so to get fully used to using an ergonomic keyboard or mouse, so I thought it best to take my time to give Razer's keyboard a fair shot.

To be truthful, the adjustment period of moving to this ergo keyboard wasn't as long as I was expecting it to be, and I found myself mostly up to speed within a couple of days. It took longer to try to get out of some of the habits I've picked up over decades of typing in a funny way. For instance, I found myself usually reaching over to press the Y key with my left forefinger out of habit, which I had to train myself not to do during the review period. It might be useful if Razer put two Y keys to help out with this habit, especially as they've already done it for the B key on the bottom row, but your mileage may vary, of course.

Nonetheless, I found the Pro Type Ergo to be a comfortable device to use, especially after the smaller adjustment period. It makes a product like this a more compelling purchase against ones that force you to make more wholesale changes to your routine, which can be quite upending in some instances.

Under finger, this Razer product isn't mechanical, which surprised me considering its high price tag. Instead, it's using a scissor-actuated mechanism that's similar to what you'll find on the smaller Razer Joro or any of the brand's Blade laptops. This means it's a short and snappy keypress, but one that lacks the precision or tactility of a mechanical option.

There are ergonomic keyboards that are also mechanical, but owing to the bigger size of full-height mechanical switches, they are likely to be bulkier than the Razer Pro Type Ergo – I can understand why this isn't a mechanical product, but it's still a shame it isn't.

Connectivity is versatile, with three-channel Bluetooth and 2.4GHz with the bundled USB-A receiver on the menu, and pairing is simple, too. Simply hold the button down on the keyboard until the button flashes blue and the Pro Type Ergo shows up in the pairing menu of your device. You can also use the bundled USB-C cable for wired connectivity.

As for battery life, Razer also promises three months of use from a single charge, though I imagine you'll have to cut RGB lighting to reach that. You can check the keyboard's battery level with the dedicated button in the top-right corner, which is neat. The Pro Type Ergo takes five and a half hours to recharge, but if the charge lasts up to three months, that's a small price to pay in my book.

Software duties are handled by Razer Synapse 4, and the Pro Type Ergo, unfortunately, isn't compatible with the new web-based variant of Synapse. It's an improvement on the older and clunkier forms of Synapse that came before it, and provides a lot of customisation opportunities for the keyboard, with up to 100 different functions available for the keyboard's command dials, custom key bindings for the macro keys (or you can use built-in ones for apps such as Photoshop or MS Word), and even remapping every other key on the keyboard.

The dedicated AI Prompt button on the keyboard works in a similar way to Logitech's Logi Prompt Builder, allowing you to build a prompt in software, which is then answered by your choice of either ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot in a browser window.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should I buy the Razer Pro Type Ergo?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also consider

How I tested the Razer Pro Type Ergo

• Tested for around three weeks
• Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
• A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist

I tested the Pro Type Ergo for around three weeks, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.

I used it for typing up thousands of words a day with my PC and hooked up to my MacBook Pro over Bluetooth as my primary keyboard for work, too, to judge its performance. I also used the Razer Synapse 4 software on Windows to remap keys, program the macros and see what else it had to offer.

I've been a tech journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

Finally, Rockstar Games has announced GTA 6's price, which retails at $79.99 (likely £75 / AU$114.40), and the excitement has unsurprisingly reached an all-time high among gamers.

With the game now locked in for a November 19 launch, there are plenty of ways to get prepared for gaming's biggest event in decades. Whether that's via buying a PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S console, or acquiring necessary accessories, this announcement comes at a perfect time.

It's Prime Day, and if you're a PS5 owner, you're in luck, as several deals on headsets and controllers will certainly come in handy once the long-awaited day finally arrives later this November.

First and foremost, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro is available on Amazon for $144 (was $219.99), with a strong 35% discount, making this top-of-the-line controller much more affordable.

You can find the Razer Raiju V3 Pro available in the UK on Amazon for £142.08 (was £199.99), at a slightly lower price.

If you're all set on your controller setup already, and you need a gaming headset to enjoy GTA 6's immersive audio, look no further.

The Logitech G Pro X 2 wireless gaming headset is available on Amazon for $199 (was $279.99), thanks to a 29% discount. This is a gaming headset that will keep you locked into your games for hours, only requiring 5 minutes of charging for 1 hour of playtime, compatible with PC, PS5, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch 2.

Another big highlight is the Razer BlackShark V3, which is available for $85.49 (was $149.99), a wireless gaming headset that prioritizes great surround sound audio, long battery life, and ultra-low latency.

Effectively, there's something for everyone this Prime Day — and it's one of the best times to prepare for one of the biggest games of all-time and celebrate your GTA 6 pre-order.

Today's best Prime Day controller & headset deals in the US

Today's best Prime Day controller & headset deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Razer Blade 18 (2026): Two-minute review

Another year, another Razer Blade laptop lineup. At this point, these reviews have become something of a foregone conclusion for me; if there are three things I can reliably expect from each new Blade release, it's great gaming performance, a sleek and robust design, and a sky-high price tag.

Sure enough, the latest Blade 18 (2026) delivers on all three fronts – but I can't just say 'yep, buy it if you can afford it'. This new Blade is superior to its predecessors in several ways, and it's quite possibly the best large-screen gaming laptop (or portable workstation) you can buy right now.

Having seen the dawn of Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs in Razer's laptops when I reviewed the Razer Blade 16 (2025) last year, I had some idea of what to expect in terms of performance. The new Blade 18 did not disappoint in this regard, delivering top-notch gaming quality across everything I tested.

Those games look better than ever on the new display as well, since this Blade doesn't eschew 4K display options as the 16-inch model does. That's not all I have to say about the screen, though. This Blade has an ace up its sleeve; a dual-mode display that can be switched between UHD+ 240Hz and FHD+ 440Hz modes.

I'll dig more into the specifics of this later, but it's a feature that will appeal specifically to esports-oriented gamers. In the upper echelons of competitive gaming, resolution takes a back seat to framerate in terms of importance, so being able to nearly double the maximum refresh rate of your screen at the cost of locking your resolution to 1200p becomes a very attractive tradeoff.

Still, even if you're not a hardcore esports gamer, there's little doubt that the Razer Blade 18 is worthy of standing among the best gaming laptops on the market right now. The updated design and premium build quality of the CNC-milled metal chassis, combined with the powerful gaming and creative performance (and great functionality for AI workloads, if you're so inclined), make this an easy winner – just as long as you can afford the steep price of the higher-spec configurations.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Price & availability

• Starts from $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870)
• Available now in the US and UK
• No Australian release yet

Yeah, it's pretty bloody expensive. Just the starting configuration of the Razer Blade 18 will set you back a hefty $3,499.99 / £3,299.99 (around AU$4,870), though even the base specs are fairly impressive: an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32GB of RAM (no wonder it's so pricey, with RAM prices spiralling out of control due to AI datacenter demand), and a 1TB SSD.

You can also get RTX 5080 and 5090 models, with my review configuration sporting the latter GPU along with an upgraded Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus CPU and double the SSD storage.

The absolute top-spec model, which also bumps the RAM up to 128GB, will cost you an eye-watering $6,999.99 - and this configuration is only available in the US, with UK models topping out at 64GB and no availability whatsoever in Australia – sorry to our readers on the other side of the globe, but you're stuck with the Blade 14 and 16 unless you want to spend extra to import the 18-inch model.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Specs

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Design

• Thin for a large gaming laptop, but heavy
• Premium precision-milled aluminum chassis
• Plenty of ports

Long gone are the days when Razer couldn't resist the urge to cram RGB lighting into every nook and cranny of a product. Like its most recent predecessors, the 2026 Blade 18 is a clean, minimalist piece of hardware, with a pleasingly large keyboard and a chassis crafted from a single block of tempered aluminum.

As you might expect, the large display and all-metal body mean that the Blade 18 is rather heavy, weighing more than 3 kilograms. It's not exactly a device you'd want to regularly take with you on the go, but I will note that it's surprisingly slender for such a powerhouse laptop, measuring barely more than an inch thick with the lid closed.

The wide touchpad and well-spaced, comfortable backlit keyboard are excellent, making longer typing or gaming sessions very comfortable – though of course, I used a USB mouse for gaming. No, I'm not one of those terrifying Valorant players who only use the touchpad.

Speaking of plugging in peripherals, there's a fine selection of physical ports here, with the 18-inch Blade giving you three USB-As and two USB-Cs (one of which is a high-speed Thunderbolt 5 port) as well as an HDMI port, RJ-45 Ethernet, and an SD card reader – great for professional creatives who work with cameras. With regard to wireless connectivity, you get Bluetooth 5.4 and high-speed Wi-Fi 7.

The webcam is also surprisingly decent, capable of capturing 1440p video at 30Hz, which comfortably outdoes any webcam you'll find on the average office laptop. Considering that the webcam is frequently an afterthought on gaming laptops, this was nice to see. It features an IR camera for Windows Hello logins, and a physical privacy shutter (the latter of which should frankly be a feature on every webcam in this day and age).

As is usually the case for modern gaming laptops, there's not much in the way of upgradability here, but you can add in more storage if you're so inclined. There are two PCIe M.2 slots, one of which is occupied by the existing SSD, and the system supports up to 8TB of additonal storage per slot, meaning you can have up to 16TB of storage – assuming you have very deep pockets, given the current price of SSDs.

Now, let's discuss this display. In its default mode, it's a particularly nice 4K (3840 x 2400p) panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and an impressive 600 nits of maximum brightness. It's also Calman verified for color accuracy, with a 100% DCI-P3 gamut, meaning that games look bright and vibrant, and pro-level photo or video editing is a very realistic proposition.

But if you swap it into high refresh rate mode, the maximum resolution drops to FHD+ (1920 x 1200p) and the refresh rate leaps to a blindingly fast 440Hz. It's geared towards hardcore esports players who want their framerates to be as high as possible, for games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant where every millisecond matters.

Now, I'll be honest here; the beefy gaming performance of my RTX 5090-equipped review unit meant that I was comfortably getting high framerates at native UHD+ resolution, so I never really felt the need to use the 440Hz mode. I accept that I'm not the target audience for a feature like this (yes, I kind of suck at Valorant), but I'm not in a small crowd there. The majority of PC gamers won't really be able to eke any significant benefit from the high refresh rate mode, and switching to it is a bit of a fiddly process too: you have to use Razer's Synapse software to change the display mode, then restart the whole laptop.

This might seem like a bit of an unfair criticism, but I have to assume that including this dual-mode display functionality added to the overall cost of the Razer Blade 18, and considering that most users won't need or use it, it's a bit difficult to justify its presence here. It's certainly a neat feature that isn't offered by Razer's competitors, though, so I can't knock Razer too much for it.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Performance

• Silky-smooth AAA gaming
• Powerful creative performance
• Gets a bit hot under load

Unsurprisingly, the RTX 5090 and Core Ultra 290HX Plus in my Razer Blade 18 review unit absolutely chewed through our selection benchmarking tests, as well as everything else I threw at it.

Razer has long been the brand of 'performance at any cost', and this laptop is no exception to that rule. In 4K gaming benchmarks, it delivered solid performance further boosted by Nvidia's DLSS upscaling, but I didn't need to turn on the still-controversial frame-generation features to ensure a high and stable FPS.

In terms of gaming performance, I was comfortably getting a stable 60+ frames per second at 4K resolution with maximum graphical settings in almost every game I tested, both within our usual suite of benchmarking games and in a handful of other titles I played during my general testing process, which included Marathon and Alan Wake 2. The fans got a little noisy in the process, but I've heard far worse from other gaming laptops, and

The notable exception here was Total War: Warhammer III, which is historically more reliant on the CPU than the GPU; it appears that the 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra processor inside the Razer Blade 18 still struggled a little with the 4K Ultra preset here, though I would note that it still managed to maintain an average above 60 FPS at maximum graphical settings, and it's also very power efficient (more on that in the next section).

The only other part of my game testing that gave me pause was a relatively low average at 4K Ultra settings in Marvel Rivals. Although the game ran stably, my average FPS sat at a little over 70 in the built-in benchmark – yet in actual matches, I found that the FPS counter very rarely dropped below 100, so I'm a little unclear on what caused this. Driver and OS updates, multiple tweaks to the in-game and display settings, and even running the game via an external 4K monitor did not seem to remedy this. I won't mark the Blade 18 down for this, though, as it appeared to be an anomaly with Rivals rather than the laptop itself.

Turn on Nvidia's frame-gen tech, and you'll see those numbers skyrocket across almost every game I tested. I was getting 40% stable gains on average with 2x mode across four different games, with no noticeable impact on visual fidelity.

3x and 4x modes push the framerate higher, but do start to degrade the visual quality of gameplay; I found that 4x mode was prone to tearing and artifacting in all games tested except Alan Wake 2, to the point where it wasn't worth the trade-off in improved framerate.

Outside of gaming benchmarks, the Blade 18 excelled in virtually every area; 2D and 3D rendering, productivity workloads, transfer speeds, single- and multi-core CPU workloads... you name it, this laptop can power through it. For users who want a gaming laptop that can also pull double duty for high-end professional creative or scientific workloads, this Blade has got the goods.

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Battery life

• Fantastic for a gaming laptop
• Outlasts many rivals
• Bundled charger is proprietary, not USB-C

I'll make no bones about this: for a high-powered gaming laptop, the battery life on the Razer Blade 18 is nothing short of phenomenal.

The average gaming laptop tends to peter out before the 6-hour mark in regular use, with powerful internal components that draw a lot of juice; if you're actively gaming on it, you'll usually be lucky to get more than two hours of play time before needing to seek out a wall socket.

But the Blade 18 mustered an impressive amount of longevity in my testing, reaching nearly eight and a half hours of continuous video playback and more than three and a half hours of continuous gaming in Marathon – a distinctly superior showing to the vast majority of gaming laptops we test at TechRadar, and is most likely down to the excellent power efficiency of the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor.

The only downside I can possibly pick out here is that you need to use the bundled proprietary adapter for power delivery, and it's a pretty chunky brick that hurts the laptop's portability. But considering that it's already a great big 18-inch slab of machined aluminum, you shouldn't be buying the Blade 18 if you want a super-portable gaming laptop anyway!

Should I buy the Razer Blade 18 (2026)?

Razer Blade 18 (2026): Scorecard

Buy the Razer Blade 18 (2026) if…

Don't buy it if…

Razer Blade 18 (2026) review: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Blade 18 (2026)

• Tested for one work week
• Used for gaming and other tasks
• 8+ years of experience reviewing dozens of laptops

I swapped out my usual desktop workstation rig for the Razer Blade 18 for five days (one work week), during which I used it for all my usual activities. This included day-to-day work in the Google software suite, online research, playing videos, and of course a lot of after-hours gaming.

In terms of the games tested, I ran out entire synthetic and gaming benchmark lineup (listed in the 'performance' section of this review, as well as playing some other games that are in my current rotation: Marathon, Warframe, Alan Wake 2, Borderlands 4, and of course my current addition Slay the Spire 2 (though let's be honest, that last one isn't exactly a performance stress-test).

I've been a PC gamer since my tender pre-teen years, starting out on my dad's boxy beige home office desktop, and I've been a professional tech journalist reviewing all kinds of laptops and PC tech for nearly a decade now, starting out at Maximum PC magazine before making the jump to digital journalism and joining the TechRadar team. I've personally reviewed more than seventy laptops, so you can trust that my knowledge and experience give you reliable insights into the quality of the products I write about.

• First reviewed: June 2026
• Read more about how we test

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz: One-minute review

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz is one of the brand’s new flagship gaming keyboards. It features analog switches with huge customization potential, designed to meet the exacting requirements of esport professionals.

It has a simple and basic form, although there are few touches that add a little flair. The shiny, brushed top plate and high floating keycaps are sleek, while the bright but subtle RGB lighting adds some much needed color.

It’s also light and compact, but very solid at the same time. The materials feel premium, with the Doubleshot PBT keycaps being the highlight. Some might not like their prominent graining, but to me they’re among the best gaming keyboard caps around in terms of texture.

Razer’s Synapse software has a smorgasbord of options to play around with. There are plenty of rebinding options and performance-related settings, including in-depth Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, and controller emulation features, to name a few. The app is clear and easy to use, although I did experience a few minor issues with settings failing to take hold at certain points, although these are ultimately fixable.

The optical switches in the Huntsman V3 lack the dampening or clickiness of other boards, and can feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing, which is also made difficult by the sheer height of the keycaps themselves. Overall, though, they’re still pleasant to use, and the smooth and easy travel of the keys makes them effective when gaming.

The analog performance is also smooth and precise. However, there’s a lack of feel and feedback at the top of each key’s travel. Press further down, though, and you’re met with more resistance, which provides more control when attempting to hit certain actuation points, or when emulating controller sticks and triggers.

With its sub-$200 price point, the Huntsman V3 represents good value considering all that it offers. There are very strong contenders in the analog gaming keyboard space, but the Huntsman V3 acquits itself just well enough to justify its place among them.

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Price and availability

• $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95
• Available now in one color
• Decent price for an analog board

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95 and is available now in black only. The keycaps are removable, but the switches aren’t.

This is a decent price for an analog keyboard, especially one with as many software tweaks as the Huntsman V3 features. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, for instance, has a considerably higher list price, although we have seen it with significant discounts lately, bringing it closer in line with the Huntsman V3. The Apex Pro is a truly phenomenal board, with a superior build and performance to that of the Huntsman V3. It doesn’t have as many analog tweaks, though.

For a more budget option, there’s the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Like the Huntsman V3, this also has plenty of analog adjustments and features, including controller emulation. However, I found its analog performance inferior, lacking the same levels of precision and control as the Huntsman V3.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Specs

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Design and features

• Light and compact board
• Tall floating keycaps
• Wealth of settings in Synapse

The Huntsman V3 has a basic appearance, although a few touches set it apart. The aluminum faceplate has a shiny finish with a brushed effect, which is subtle but may still prove divisive. The prominent floating keycaps lend it a healthy dose of sleek minimalism.

The RGB lighting is reasonably subtle, only shining through the keycap characters, although a small amount does leak between the gaps. It’s quite bright, and there are numerous options for customizing patterns.

It’s quite a light and compact board, but it feels surprisingly solid at the same time. There’s very little flex and all materials feel premium. This includes the Doubleshot PBT keycaps; their prominent graining is satisfying to touch and also helps with traction. Again, though, this mightn’t be to every gamer’s taste, given that many keycaps are super smooth.

While the board itself is quite thin, it actually feels a lot thicker, thanks to the height at which the keycaps float above it, as well as the tallness of the keycaps themselves.

However, the tilt angle provided by the feet does help to make it more comfortable to reach the keys. There are two sets of feet which offer meaningful differences in angle.

You’ll find the USB-C port on the back left of the unit. It’s deeply recessed, which makes it a little more difficult to connect and disconnect, but this small inconvenience is a fair trade-off for the security it provides.

To customize the Huntsman V3, you’ll need to download Razer’s Synapse software. This has an impressive gamut of adjustments. There are plenty of remapping options, including a wealth of Windows and media controls you can assign to keys. You can also assign up to four inputs to a single key, each triggering depending on how far down you press.

Like many modern gaming keyboards, there’s a Snap Tap function, letting you assign priority to a single key when two are pressed simultaneously. There are various options here, with different types of priority to choose from. There’s also a Snap Flex feature, which allows you to bind a second input to a key that triggers when you release it. This can be assigned on up to four different keys.

Then there are the analog settings, which again are very extensive. Aside from being able to adjust the actuation point for each key between 0.1mm and 4mm, there’s also a Rapid Trigger function with independent upstroke and downstroke sliders, each with ranges between 0.1mm and 1mm. You can even enable Continuous Rapid Trigger.

There’s a controller emulation mode, too, allowing you to assign gamepad inputs to your keys. This includes trigger and stick inputs, where you can also adjust their curve profile to set their response and sensitivity to your liking.

Controller inputs are easy to assign, in part thanks to the ability to assign multiple common mappings with a single click. For instance, there’s an option to assign the left stick to the WASD keys. A simple but useful visualizer attends the controller section, showing trigger and stick behaviours in real time with your presses.

Aside from being able to create your own profiles, Synapse features some useful preset profiles, including those designed for certain games. For example, the Racing profile binds gamepad triggers and joysticks to the WASD keys. These profiles can be selected via Fn shortcuts, and there are hotkeys for other performance-related functions, too.

Synapse is clearly laid out and features helpful explanations and tutorials. It’s fast and smooth, although I did experience a few minor bugs. For instance, the keyboard passthrough feature for controller emulation, which allows keys not bound to controller inputs to work as normal, failed to work on occasion. However, a simple replug of the USB cable seemed to remedy the issue.

• Design and features score: 4 / 5

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Performance

• Precise analog response
• Slight harsh and numb keys
• Not great for typing

The keys in the Huntsman V3 are more clicky than thocky, although they feel less sharp than the clickiest switches out there. Their sound is both lower in pitch and quieter than many mechanical models, too.

They don’t have much dampening, which can make the board feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing — and the act isn’t made any easier by the thick keycaps, their elevated height, and the absence of a dip in the middle row. This combination makes gliding around the keys tricky, and it also causes some discomfort, owing to the angle at which you have to bend your wrists to reach them.

Thankfully, I was more comfortable when gaming in the WASD position. The keys are comfortably spaced, while the space bar and other peripheral keys are easy to reach.

The standout aspect of the Huntsman V3’s performance, though, is its analog response. It’s very precise and sensitive, reacting very well to different levels of pressure, which in turn gives you a broad range of control.

However, this precision is somewhat undermined by the lack of feel in the keys themselves. They don’t provide as much feedback as I would've liked, which can make it a little tricky to dial in the exact amount of pressure to hit certain actuation points or make smooth adjustments when emulating triggers and sticks.

What's more, there’s a small but noticeable amount of wobble to the keys, which means presses don’t feel particularly secure. Thankfully, though, most of the analog issues I’ve outlined only pertain to the top of presses; once you press further down, more resistance is generated from the springs, which allows for much smoother and more granular control.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz

• Tested for several days
• Used many features
• Extensive gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general use.

I played games such as Subnautica 2, which makes use of the typical first-person keys, from WASD and the number keys to the space bar and control and shift keys. I also played games that allowed me to make use of the Huntsman V3’s controller emulation, such as Assetto Corsa, by using W and S to emulate triggers and A and D in place of the left stick.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a number of keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, including other Razer models.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Two-minute review

Razer is a good brand for PC gaming hardware, but I have noticed a tendency over the years to make its generational hardware upgrades... iterative might be the kind way to put it, but if I were feeling uncharitable, I might call them rudimentary – improving something, but sometimes not to a sufficient degree that an entirely new product release feels worthwhile.

I feared this might be the case with the Razer Viper V4 Pro. That wouldn't have been a disaster by any means; we gave the previous Viper V3 Pro a four-star score when we reviewed it back in 2024, which is perfectly respectable. But when I saw the V4 Pro for the first time, my first thought was that it didn't look any different from the V3 Pro whatsoever, and my heart sank.

Once I got my hands on the new model, though, I was pleased to be proven wrong. Despite looking virtually identical to the previous model, the Viper V4 Pro has undergone extensive improvements where it counts – on the inside.

For starters, Razer has managed to shave off another five grams from the already-low package weight, bringing this mouse down to a staggeringly lightweight 49g. The battery life has been almost doubled, and the buttons (and scroll wheel) have been updated with new optical switches, which provide better durability without compromising on tactile feedback.

The sensor has been upgraded, too, with the Viper V4 Pro packing Razer's third-generation Focus Pro 50K optical sensor. 50,000 DPI is far more than 99% of people will ever need, but it helps cement this as a peripheral for serious, hardcore competitive gamers. The 8K polling rate (returning from the V3 Pro) also aligns with this; the average gamer won't need it, but for pros, it's a must-have.

Really, it's genuinely difficult for me to find anything I don't like about this mouse. It's comfortable in the hand and feels supremely responsive even in high-stakes virtual shootouts. The lack of a left-handed version is a shame (although I imagine many of my fellow southpaws have adapted to life in a right-handed world and use their mouse on the right out of habit), and it's admittedly pretty expensive, but these feel like minor issues – bugs on the windshield of an extremely nice car. From my time with it, I'm very confident in saying that the Razer Viper V4 Pro deserves a place among the best gaming mice on the market.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

Anyone familiar with Razer's hardware will be aware of the 'gamer tax' on the brand's products, but even taking Razer's often-steep pricing, this is one very expensive mouse.

At $159.99 / £159.99 / AU$279.95, it's very slightly cheaper than the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, which we featured in our list of the best mice, and is fundamentally very similar to the Viper V4 Pro beyond its right-handed grip shape.

Don't get me wrong: this is an extremely high-quality mouse, but there's no getting around the fact that it'll simply be out of reach for many PC gamers at this price point. It's arguably also quite feature-light for such an expensive mouse; some potential buyers might feel shortchanged here, especially if they're looking for a mouse with more customization options.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Design

• Incredibly lightweight design
• Sturdy, tactile optical switches
• No version for left-handed users

Compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I use daily for work and gaming, the Razer Viper V4 Pro feels like I'm holding nothing at all (nothing at all...)

Seriously, I almost can't believe the Viper V4 Pro even weighs the 49g listed on the spec sheet; this thing is phenomenally lightweight, to the point where I actually busted out the kitchen scales to make sure I wasn't going crazy. Sure enough, it weighed exactly the listed 49g.

It's also just a generally very comfortable mouse to use. The exterior casing is almost entirely symmetrical and lacks a thumbrest, which would generally mean that it's best suited for claw and fingertip mouse grippers, but as someone who tends to shift between claw and palm grip styles, I can attest that the latter feels comfortable with the Viper V4 Pro as well. As I noted further up in this review, despite the mostly symmetrical design, the Viper only comes in one right-handed model, so lefties are out of luck.

The buttons and scroll wheel have a pleasing amount of tactile feedback, updated to shiny new optical switches underneath the matte plastic buttons. They feel robust, with the main two mouse buttons rated for 100 million clicks, though I would note that they have a fairly loud 'click' to them – something to bear in mind if you prefer a quieter mouse.

The underside of the mouse features only the sensor, a DPI/power button, and two wide PTFE feet that offer a good amount of smoothness on a variety of surfaces (more on that down in the performance section). I'm personally not a huge fan of DPI buttons being inaccessible during use, but it's unlikely to bother the majority of users.

Overall, it's a pleasingly straightforward design; considering that the Razer name is sometimes considered synonymous with bright RGB lighting, I like how stripped-back and purpose-built the Viper V4 Pro feels.

In fact, the only LEDs to be found here are a single white power indicator above the scroll wheel, and three RGB LEDs on the wireless dongle – which rather helpfully display the mouse's connection status, battery life, and polling rate mode via color-coding.

This dongle was recently redesigned from a rather blocky shape to a far more aesthetically pleasing mini dome with the Razer logo emblazoned on the top, and it connects to your PC via an included USB-C to USB-A cable. This cable can also be used to charge the mouse itself or connect it for fully wired play, but there's no Bluetooth support here, so laptop gamers with limited ports should bear that in mind.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Performance

• Snappy, satisfying performance in shooters
• Razer Synapse is better than ever
• 8K polling rate is probably unnecessary for most PC gamers

Simply put, this is one hell of a gaming mouse for first-person shooters. I used the Viper V4 Pro to play Valorant, Marathon, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike 2 – and while I'm not sure if it actually made me better at clicking heads, I certainly felt like it was a better fit for fast-paced, twitchy shooting than my usual Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless.

Razer was kind enough to send me some mouse mats to test the Viper V4 Pro on, and I found that it offered a good amount of glide on practically any surface. From the moderate friction of the Razer Gigantus V2 Pro (featured in the photography for this review) to the silky-smooth tempered glass Atlas Pro mat, the Viper felt swift and easy to use regardless of surface. In fact (sorry Razer), I'd even say that you barely need a fancy mouse mat for this mouse; it worked perfectly even just on the bare wooden surface of my desk.

The Razer Synapse app has come a long way – no longer the annoying bloatware I used to heckle in every Razer product review, but now a sleeker and more effective (and, importantly, less intrusive) piece of tweaking software. Even better, it's now available as a web app, letting you tweak settings in your browser without needing to download the main app itself.

There isn't a vast amount of customization options here, which is unsurprising given the minimalist nature of the Viper V4 Pro, but the options you do get come with a great amount of granularity. Most importantly, the mouse sensitivity can be adjusted right down to 1-DPI increments to get you the exact right amount, and you can also adjust the sensor's tracking angle to ensure that the mouse input from fast horizontal movements stays level, which I actually did find helped with landing repeated shots on strafing targets. As you'd expect from a premium gaming mouse, you can also set up macros, but you'll need to download the full-fat version of Synapse for that.

One feature that didn't actually help at all was the 8,000Hz polling rate mode. This feature is becoming increasingly common as a selling point for both mice and keyboards, but I remain dubious; in my recent review of the Keychron Q1 Ultra 8K gaming keyboard, I called it a gimmick – and I stand by that assessment.

See, an 8K polling rate helps minimize input latency from your peripherals (the standard is usually 1K, which the Viper V4 Pro is set to by default unless you turn on the 8K mode in Razer Synapse), which is undeniably a good thing, but 1K polling is frankly already good enough for the vast majority of users in the vast majority of use cases. The average gamer likely won't even notice the difference – I feel like there was a very slight, almost imperceptible increase in reactivity, but not enough to actually make me hit my shots more consistently.

Still, I won't knock the Viper V4 Pro down a point for this, because it's something every gaming mouse manufacturer is also doing, and because this is a mouse marketed towards esports gamers. I'm sure the Valorant and League of Legends masters Razer quotes on its website actually can tell the difference in a high-stakes tournament match, I'm just too much of a filthy casual to really reap the benefits. It also doesn't make me any better at Slay the Spire 2. Seriously, the Waterfall Giant can sod off.

One nifty feature that I did appreciate was an adaptive polling mode, which can be toggled on with Synapse (though it's not yet available in the web app version). This switches on the 8K polling rate for gaming, but automatically returns to 1K mode for other activities on your PC, which helps preserve the battery life of the mouse. And on that topic: the battery life is great. Razer advertises up to 180 hours, almost double the 95-hour battery of the last-gen Viper V3 Pro, and I can confirm that I didn't need to charge the mouse even once during the week I spent testing it.

Should you buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro?

Buy the Razer Viper V4 Pro if…

Don’t buy it if…

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Viper V4 Pro

As is standard for my mouse reviews, I swapped out my ever-reliable Logitech G502 Lightspeed for the Razer Viper V4 Pro for one week, using it for both my day-to-day tasks and gaming during my off hours.

I downloaded the Razer Synapse app and spent a while tweaking the mouse settings to my liking, then dived straight into my current addiction (Marathon, which truly does not deserve the hate it's been getting online). I also played a selection of other games, mostly online shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends, plus a spot of solo RPG gaming in the rather excellent Esoteric Ebb.

First reviewed May 2026

• Decentralized GPUs enabled large-scale AI generation without cloud providers
• Peer-to-peer computing significantly reduced image generation costs
• System scaled automatically during peak demand without manual intervention

During April Fools' Day 2026, Razer asked users to upload pet photographs and receive personalized 3D AI companion characters through a campaign called AVA Mini.

The initiative generated over 11,000 unique images between March 31 and April 4 without relying on any hyperscale cloud providers.

Razer partnered instead with Akash Network, a peer-to-peer compute marketplace where GPU owners compete on price in real time.

Abandoning cloud subscriptions for competitive bidding

Generalist inference APIs typically charge between $0.03 and $0.15 per image for equivalent Flux-family generation workloads.

Those rates would have made a free consumer-facing campaign financially impossible to sustain at any meaningful scale.

AkashML sourced compute from individual providers operating RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 cards across a decentralized marketplace, driving per-image costs down to $0.01.

Multiple Razer AIKit containers ran on separate machines behind a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint that AkashML managed automatically.

The service handled load balancing, enforced a configurable rate limit of 500 requests per minute, and maintained graceful degradation under heavy traffic conditions.

As campaign traffic climbed toward its April 1 peak, additional AIKit instances spun up across the provider pool without any manual intervention.

Throughput reached 30 images per minute, while average response time held at 3.24 seconds end to end, a measurement that includes each user's photo upload and transfer.

The 4-billion-parameter Flux model from Black Forest Labs operated entirely within the memory limits of a single consumer GPU throughout the campaign.

No capacity ceilings appeared at any stage, and no on-call engineers received emergency alerts during those five days.

Scaling decentralized infrastructure for production environments

“We’re thrilled about leveraging Razer’s AIKit on Akash’s distributed compute network and seeing it in action during the April Fools’ campaign,” said Greg Osuri, founder of Akash Network.

“The unit economics couldn’t work out better. I’m excited about collaborating further on Akash Homenode and deploying on Razer products to expand Akash’s compute landscape.”

Sustained high-concurrency production environments still demand engineering coordination beyond what typical local-first toolchains can provide.

However, while this specific marketing event succeeded, industrial applications require consistent performance across volatile hardware nodes that lack centralized oversight.

Decentralized marketplaces introduce a layer of uncertainty that could affect time-sensitive enterprise workflows requiring absolute stability.

However, this campaign proved that peer-to-peer GPU networks can deliver personalized AI at costs no hyperscaler currently approaches.

“The future of AI isn’t just better models — it’s efficient infrastructure. With Razer AIKit, many use cases already run locally,” said Quyen Quach, Vice President, Software, Razer.

“With Akash Network, it extends that into a decentralized cloud to scale efficiently.”

Such results suggest that decentralized compute models might eventually overcome the reliance on massive, expensive data centers.

Back in my prime Counter Strike and MOBA days, I refused to use anything but a wired mouse. Sure, I was never going to win any esports tournaments, but a boy can dream. Now that gaming habits are far more casual and I spend more time working on my PC rather than playing, I swapped to a wireless mouse for convenience. With the Razer DeathAdder Essential down to £16.09 at Amazon, though, I'm strongly tempted to return to my go-to mouse for years.

Sure, it is the most basic gaming mouse out there, but it has all the crucial features you might need at a bargain price. You get a precise 6400 DPI sensor for smooth and responsive movement, five reprogrammable buttons with macro support, including some handy side buttons, and an understated design with tasteful RGB.

I always found my Razer mouse was good for longevity, too, both in terms of how comfortable it was to hold and it would survive extended use thanks to some durable mechanical switches.

Now, there are clearly better and more advanced gaming mice out there if you want something even more precise or with extra features. However, for under £20, I think the Razer DeathAdder Essential is extremely hard to beat. That's especially true if you're someone like me who enjoys competitive gaming but is fully aware they're unlikely to hit the pro leagues any time soon.

Buy the Razer DeathAdder at Amazon

This Razer DeathAdder Essential deal is part of the current Amazon Tech Week sale, which features dozens of other offers on laptops, smartwatches, appliances, and more gaming gear.

I've had a look through the event and picked out some of the best deals that are currently live. You can find record-low prices on some top-rated tech, such as one of our favourite Garmin running watches, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC, and a portable fan from Shark.

Deals on this gaming mouse and everything mentioned end on Sunday, though, so do check them out before it's too late to see if anything grabs you.

• Goddess of Victory: Nikke is getting a Razer collaboration
• It includes the ability to unlock a new character skin featuring the brand's Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT headset
• There will also be pop-up events at some Razer stores

Goddess of Victory: Nikke publisher Level Infinite has revealed a new collaboration with gaming hardware giant Razer that brings one of the brand's cutest headsets to the mobile game.

Starting on March 26, 2026, players will be able to unlock the new Punky Street skin for the character Viper by working their way through the limited-time Punky Street Pass. The skin decks out Viper in trendy streetwear and a white Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT wireless gaming headset, complete with cat ears and some custom pink decals.

In addition to the unique look, the skin includes some exclusive voice lines.

The Punky Street Pass will also contain a few limited title and avatar frame cosmetic items that players can obtain for free.

For those living in China, Japan, and South Korea, a cool Nikke x Razer collab will be put up for sale. It includes a white Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT headset (plus a set of stickers you can use to make it match the in-game skin), as well as a custom Razer Orochi V2 Wireless Mouse with an exclusive Viper design on its shell.

This is on top of an enduring anime merch staple: the acrylic standee. This depicts Viper in her new outfit. There are also two brightly-colored badges, both with Viper on them. What's more, you can even get a code for immediate access to the in-game skin.

Although that box won't be available outside of Asia, players in the West can look forward to some real-world events. This includes pop-ups at Razer's flagship stores in Los Angeles and London, England with Nikke themed decor, prizes, and professional cosplay experiences.

If you're not already familiar, Goddess of Victory: Nikke is a mobile shooter game by Stellar Blade developer Shift Up. Set in a post-apocalyptic future dominated by android characters called Nikkes, it's one of the most popular gacha role-playing games to date, and is known for its bombastic character designs.

It's available as a free-to-play title for mobile and PC.

Amazon UK is nearing the end of its Big Spring Sale, and — in a surprise move — has actually increased the discounts on a number of Razer gaming peripherals. Headsets and mice that started the week with a decent price-drop are ending it with a much bigger one.

Certain deals seem almost too good to be true. For example, the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse has a list price of £159.99, dropped to £101 at the start of the week and is now £72. We awarded this mouse a near-perfect 4.5 stars in our Basilisk V3 Pro review, calling it an "absolute ace" and shouting out the "great ergonomics, fast performance and long battery life."

• View the full Amazon Spring Deal Days sale

Another standout is the BlackShark V2 Pro headset, which was down to £165.96 and is now £120.28. That one also scored 4.5 stars in our Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review, with our tester most impressed by the "immersive sound, amazing mic and great battery life".

Scroll down for more of the biggest and best discounts on Razer gaming gadgets, or head to TechRadar's Amazon Spring Deal Days live hub for a guide to all the top deals across a range of tech and gadgets.

Razer gaming deals — ranked by biggest discount

More of today's best Amazon Spring Deal Days deals

• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Blink & Echo from £13.99
• Apple: AirPods & Apple Watch from £139
• Appliances: up to 30% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Clothing: up to 50% off Sketchers & Crocs
• Essentials: from £5
• Gaming: up to 50% off PS5 & Switch games
• Headphones: Sony & Shokz from £59
• Health & Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Smart home: up to 50% off cameras & doorbells
• Smartwatches: Apple, Samsung & Huawei from £99
• Tablets: Fire & Galaxy Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego
• TVs: from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 30% off Shark & Vax

Look, I love my Nintendo Switch 2 - but its high asking price means that it's not going to be worth buying for everyone. If you already own a powerful phone, why not turn it into a capable gaming machine with a compatible mobile controller like the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, which is now on sale for £127.49 (was £149.99) at Amazon.

• View the full Amazon Spring Deal Days sale

It's compatible with both iOS and Android, and is one of the few properly full-size mobile controllers on the market. I took it for a spin before giving it to our reviewer (editor's privilege, sorry Jamie) and found it to be extremely comfortable and easy to use.

It's a blessing for games like Zenless Zone Zero or full-on console to mobile ports like the recent Tomb Raider release. While the UK offer is part of the Amazon Spring Deal Days sale, if you're in the US, you can still score a decent discount with the controller on offer for just $199.99 (was $149.99).

Today's best mobile controller deal

More of today's best Amazon Spring Deal Days deals

• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Blink & Echo from £13.99
• Apple: AirPods & Apple Watch from £139
• Appliances: up to 30% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Clothing: up to 50% off Sketchers & Crocs
• Essentials: from £5
• Gaming: up to 50% off PS5 & Switch games
• Headphones: Sony & Shokz from £59
• Health & Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Smart home: up to 50% off cameras & doorbells
• Smartwatches: Apple, Samsung & Huawei from £99
• Tablets: Fire & Galaxy Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego
• TVs: from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 30% off Shark & Vax

Razer Enki Pro: One-minute review

The Razer Enki Pro is a premium, high-end gaming chair that provides you with immense comfort, to the point I would consider it one of the most comfortable gaming chairs I have ever sat in.

It offers exceptional lumbar support, even for those who enjoy sitting in weird positions in their chair - myself included. You get 4D armrests, which are a joy if you’re someone who prefers a certain position for typing and then another for gaming.

However, one of the major downsides here is the fact that it will set you back $999 / £999, which is double the cost of even some of the best gaming chairs on the market, like the Secretlab Titan Evo, which comes in at just $500 / £469.

At this hefty price point, you would expect a feature-packed seat with close to perfect ergonomics, but the Razer Enki Pro falls a tad short here. The Herman Miller x Logitech Embody gaming chair is another top-end premium seat, which comes with ergonomics designed to support your entire back and a 12-year warranty in comparison.

Another qualm I’ve got with the Razer Enki Pro, which is almost definitely more of a personal one, is the lack of style on offer from the chair here. It looks like a bog-standard gaming chair when it comes to colour, design and silhouette, which is a bit disappointing coming from Razer - whose products are typically very stylish.

Of course, this will be down to personal preference, but the hardback shell of the seat is just not for me.

Razer Enki Pro: Price and availability

• Costs $999 / £999 / AU$1799
• Pricey when compared to similar gaming chairs
• Only one colorway available

At just under $1000, the Razer Enki Pro is a pricey chair considering what’s on offer. Chairs that offer a similar feature set include the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 and the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL, which both come in closer to the $500 mark.

You can pick up the Razer Enki Pro in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Stock is limited in other regions thanks to how large and heavy the chair is, which can make shipping difficult.

You can grab a couple of special editions for the Razer Enki Pro, including the Lamborghini, Williams Esports, or Koenigsegg editions, which come in at a higher price point of $1,299 / £1,299, but the base chair only comes in a black and green colourway.

The chair often goes on sale over at the Razer website, where you can typically grab the seat at $100 / £100 off making the value proposition a little better.

Razer Enki Pro: Specs

Razer Enki Pro: Design and aesthetics

• Extremely heavy
• 4D armrests
• Alcantara seat

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Razer Enki Pro, before even unboxing the chair, is the weight.

At around 30kg, this chair is extremely heavy, to the point that it feels weighty even when just moving it around or swivelling. While the weight does make the chair seem very heavy-duty, it can get annoying to constantly have to work hard to swivel the chair while you’re sitting in it, just because of how heavy it is.

A lot of this weight is likely down to the hard shell exterior of the seat, that isn’t my cup of tea in terms of style. It makes the chair appear bulky rather than sleek and slender, which is what I would prefer.

You have the benefit of 4D armrests, which is almost expected when spending this much on a gaming chair. These allow you to move the armrests completely so they can sit exactly as you like. They can be adjusted up and down, left and right, forwards and backwards, which makes this perfect for those who want their armrests a certain way for gaming and then another way for typing.

The Razer Enki Pro also comes with a 152-degree seat recline, which is pretty common in many gaming chairs. It also has weight-adjusted tilting, meaning you can lean back in the chair and it will adjust accordingly without the need for any manual adjustments.

I didn't use this feature very often because I’m currently trying my best to repair my absolutely awful posture by sitting up exceptionally straight all the time, but when I did decide to sit cross-legged in the seat, it was great to be able to comfortably lean back.

Something that sets the chair apart from alternatives on the market is the Alcantara leather, which feels like suede.

This is much harder wearing and moisture resistant when compared to typical leather, but still doesn’t absorb all of your sweat that some felt or cotton chairs do. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of the feel of the Alcantara, but again, this will be down to personal preference and taste.

In terms of the silhouette, you get 110-degree extended shoulder arches and a 21” base to allow for optimal weight distribution for long-lasting comfort and all-day gaming.

These wider shoulder arches make the chair suited to those who may have a wider frame, but it's worth noting that it has a maximum user weight of 136kg. You get built-in lumbar support - which isn’t adjustable - that encourages you to sit upright.

Razer Enki Pro: Comfort and adjustability

• Adjustable headrest
• Extremely comfortable
• Able to sit for long periods without strain

After constructing the chair, it was very quick and easy for me to determine that the Razer Enki Pro was one of the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat in. I typically find myself fidgeting a lot throughout the day, changing positions and trying to sit in weird ways just to feel comfortable, but this was an issue of the past - for the most part - with the Razer Enki Pro.

The lumbar support is pretty good; it would be nice to be able to adjust it to suit my back, but it still feels very comfortable even when I’m sitting at my desk all day long.

I feel content sitting in this chair for long periods of time without any strain. I often find myself getting up and stretching, and walking around every so often in my other chairs just because I feel achy and strained, but I didn’t need to do this in the Razer Enki Pro.

Of course, it's recommended to get up and move around at least once an hour if you’re sitting at a desk for long periods of time.

The one downside when it came to comfort was the headrest. It isn’t as well cushioned as I was expecting, so I ended up just removing it altogether. The headrest is magnetic, meaning that removing it or adjusting it is super simple, so no matter what your preference is, you’re able to get the headrest where you like it.

Razer Enki Pro: Assembly

• All tools in the box including a pair of gloves
• Very heavy box
• I’d recommend two people for assembly

When first unboxing and constructing the chair, I struggled a tad. I’ve built countless gaming chairs in my time, thanks to the never-ending stream of review seats, but the Razer Enki Pro takes the crown for being one of the heaviest chairs I’ve ever built.

However, it was very easy to put together in spite of that, with everything just sliding into place. It only needed eight screws to attach the back to the base of the seat, which was very simple, but lifting the actual base up and trying to slide it onto the guide rail was so difficult to do alone, and I needed to call in some help in order to do this.

While it could be done solo, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Should I buy the Razer Enki Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If you’re not sold on the Razer Enki Pro or you just want to weigh up some other options then here’s how it compares to two other alternatives that we’ve reviewed.

How I tested the Razer Enki Pro

• Sat in all day for work and all evening for gaming
• Used for a month in total
• Compared to other gaming chairs

I spent all day, every day, using the Razer Enki Pro for a month, including working all day and gaming all evening.

I would sit in it for multiple hours at a time, including full working days. I would adjust the armrests and recline often to change seat positions or to relax in the evenings when I was gaming.

I compared my experience to multiple other gaming chairs I have reviewed over the years, right down to the build experience and design, to the features on offer and the comfort.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2026

Razer BlackShark V3 X review: One-minute review

The bells-and-whistles version of Razer’s latest BlackShark V3, the V3 Pro, is one of the best wireless gaming headsets on the market. This model might share the name and the basic chassis design, but it’s available at a very different price, and that means the feature spec sheet looks wildly different too.

Razer’s positioning this as an esports model, based on the low-latency wireless connection its Hyperspeed 2.4GHz wireless dongle offers, and the impressively svelte 9.6oz / 270g weight. In reality, as welcome as those attributes are, they’re probably more relevant to a non-professional gamer who wants to save some cash, stay comfortable while they play, and avoid connection dropouts more than a professional player in a stadium.

One thing that translates very well all the way down the BlackShark range is the comfort and adjustability of the headband and earcup design. There’s a brilliant balance of clamping force and headband weight distribution that makes this headset immediately comfy, and it stays that way into the last moments of your 40-player World of Warcraft raid.

The microphone isn’t especially standout, but it offers decent clarity and noise cancellation, and it’s detachable, which means if you opt to connect the headset to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you can wear these on the train or bus without looking like you’re organizing air traffic.

Your mileage of the 7.1 virtual surround may vary, but to this reviewer’s ears, it sounds thin and artificial, inevitably detracting from the original audio source rather than widening it. These aren’t the same titanium drivers as you’ll find in the standard Razer BlackShark V3, and they’re not quite as precise or authoritative in their sound production, which means there’s less leeway for affecting audio sources with virtual surround.

But if you can live with merely good audio and mic quality, the huge 70-hour battery, lightweight, comfortable feel, and clean look are a pretty considerable upside.

Razer BlackShark V3 X review: Price and availability

• Costs $99.99 / £99.99 / around AU$141
• Comparable to Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless headset
• Considerably cheaper than the V3 and V3 Pro, so don’t expect a similar experience

This version of the Blackshark is really all about the price. A lot of the V3 and V3 Pro’s luxury trimmings have been jettisoned in order to meet a sub-$100 price point, but Razer’s decades of experience mean it knows which bits are essential: comfort, reliability, and usability. Those have stayed, of course.

The specs compare favorably to rivals at this price point, like the official Xbox Wireless headset and RIG R5 Spear Pro HS, a wired model that we’ve been digging lately in the sub-$100 pool.

Razer BlackShark V3 X: Specs

Razer BlackShark V3 X: Design and features

• Similar design to the flagship BlackShark V3
• Hyperspeed and Bluetooth, but not simultaneously
• Simple control layout

The basic headband, earcup, and hinge design will be familiar to anyone who’s familiar with previous versions of the BlackShark, or indeed the pricier variations of this current V3 generation. The wireframe hinge allows for plenty of adjustability, and there’s a near-perfect balance between the weight carried by the wide, well-cushioned headband and the clamping force generated by the earcups against your temples.

Around those earcups, there’s a generous slice of memory foam to keep that horizontal force from digging in too much and becoming uncomfortable, and there’s a good amount of extension in the wireframe to allow for larger heads.

The control layout is simple and effective. On the left earcup, just above the USB-C cable input, there’s a textured power button, volume scroll wheel, and a mic mute button, while on the right-hand side, you’ll find the holy grail for gaming headsets, particularly more affordable models: a game/chat balance scroll wheel. Having grown accustomed to having this luxury through years of use with Arctis 7 headsets, I always miss it when it doesn’t feature, and I’m seriously grateful to find one on a cheaper headset like this one.

While one probably wouldn’t expect simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity at this price, it should still be noted that, unlike the V3 and V3 Pro, it isn’t available on this model.

The Hyperspeed wireless connection is very stable in my experience, though, suffering no dropouts over the several years I’ve been connecting wirelessly with Razer devices. It does invite some very infrequent audio artefacting in my experience, but that only manifests as a glitchy half-second of audio here and there when connecting to a PC.

Overall, the combo of comfort and looks of this model makes for a powerful one-two punch. Material choices and finish quality are both fantastic at this price range, and really distinguish this headset from rivals priced similarly.

Razer BlackShark V3 X review: Performance

• Decent sound but lacking that spark
• Capacious battery
• Mic does the job

The drivers within this V3 X’s earcups are a similar design to the V3 and V3 Pro’s drivers, with some important differences. All feature a 50mm size, but while the V3 Pro uses a bio-cellulose construction for its flagship version of the Tri-Force driver and the V3 uses titanium, this cheaper version uses… something else. It’s not stated in Razer’s materials.

That’s all academic until you get into road-testing the sound, and I’m bringing up the materials of various driver variations because those materials allow for faster and more supple articulation, which in turn gives you more sparkly high frequencies and more convincing, visceral lows. It’s in the raw sound quality category where I felt the V3 X’s pricing most obviously, and that certainly doesn’t mean they sound bad.

They’re clearly tuned for a balanced sound reproduction instead of wow factor, and that’s the right call. While at the extreme ends of the frequency response range, they sound a little dull, the overall quality is nice and neutral, and that speaks to the esports positioning of this headset. Pro players would probably use a more expensive model, of course, but if they did use this, they wouldn’t have to contend with vital audio cues being drowned out by over-emphasised bass.

Elsewhere, the battery deserves some serious acclaim. All the BlackShark V3s boast a 70-hour battery life, and while that’s boosted in part by the absence of RGB, it’s still an insane number. And it holds up in reality. I found I was even able to eke out a bit more than 70 hours from one charge, and charging is very quick via USB-C.

More muted praise – if you’ll excuse the excellent pun – for the microphone, which is simply serviceable. The audio reproduction lacks a little body, but it’s certainly crisp enough to cut through the mix and ensure your callouts are heard.

Should I buy the Razer BlackShark V3 X?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Razer BlackShark V3 X? Here's how it compares to two similar sets.

How I tested the Razer BlackShark V3 X

• Weeks of daily use on PC and Xbox Series S
• Both connection types tested
• Compared to the flagship Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

I swam the waters of low-budget gaming headsets for two weeks with the V3 X Hyperspeed, which meant the usual mix of gaming, Discord, and work calls to get a feel for the driver and mic performance alike.

The meditative, ambient soundscapes of Cairn comprised a lot of that time, along with some callout-heavy Counter-Strike 2 sessions, a few co-op Minecraft adventures, and some long drives in Assetto Corsa Evo.

Both compatible devices were tested, and I kept track of each charge’s duration to check Razer’s stated 70 hours checks out in reality.

First reviewed January 2026

Read more about how we test

Razer BlackShark V3: One-minute review

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset is a truly fantastic piece of kit, which has finally convinced me to move on from the same headset I've been using for years. The sleek black design strays from the tacky-looking appearance of a lot of gaming headsets without losing the iconic branding of Razer products, but it never feels garish.

Controls on both earcups are straightforward and easy to use, too, giving you all the power you need in one convenient place rather than having to mess around with additional software. Plus, with 70 hours of battery life when fully charged, you're able to sink into all your favourite games with no threat of interruption.

Its crystal clear audio when gaming, paired with the outstanding microphone quality, makes it the only headset you need for your gaming setup too rather than needing platform-specific products.

The detachable microphone also makes it adaptable to suit your style, whether you're playing with friends over Discord or roaming around in-game while listening to some tunes. It's hard to want to use another headset once you've spent time with the BlackShark V3, which is high praise coming from a creature of comfort who doesn't like to change their peripherals often.

Razer BlackShark V3: Price and availability

• List price: $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$350
• Not exactly a budget-friendly headset, but quality makes it worth investing
• Has almost identical features to the (more expensive) BlackShark V3 Pro

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless headset launched in July 2025, so a reasonable two years after the previous version: the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed. Having also used the V2 HyperSpeed in the past, I can safely say those two years of extra baking time definitely paid off, and there are some noticeable differences to make the additional $20/£20 cost worthwhile. Such as a new set of Razer Triforce Titanium 50mm Drivers, a lightweight ergonomic design which really feels as if it's putting comfort first, and a shiny new HyperClear Super Wideband 9.9mm Mic to make sure none of your audio gets missed.

Compared to other premium wireless gaming headsets on the market, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro 7P Gen 2 or Astro A20 X, the BlackShark V3 isn't an extortionately priced product. In fact, the $149.99 price tag is a reasonable ask for what you're getting, considering how many premium wireless gaming headsets fall closer to the $200 mark.

It's not an eyewatering asking price compared to something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, yet it still feels like a worthy upgrade if you're used to rocking budget-friendly gaming headsets. Having launched alongside the Razer BlackShark V3 X Hyperspeed, a tempting $99/£99/AU$179.95 headset, you may be convinced to cut costs and go for something that sounds almost identical in name. But you'd be doing yourself a complete disservice in doing so, which I need you to trust me on.

Razer BlackShark V3: Specs

Razer BlackShark V3: Design and features

• Black design is more elegant than RGB-intense gaming headsets
• Super lightweight design for long-term comfort
• Despite its middle-ground price tag, it definitely feels like a high-end product

The Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset looks practically identical to the other Razer BlackShark V3 sets: the V3 Pro and the V3 X HyperSpeed. It's got a sleek black design with subtle Razer branding on the earcups and headband, which I appreciate since so many gaming headsets would take any opportunity to shove colours and logos in your face, which is somewhere I found the Astro A20 X fell short, since its design verged on slightly too in-your-face. But it doesn't need an interesting or quirky design to be a good product. In fact, it's a perfect example of something being so simple yet so incredibly satisfying.

Both the headband and the earcups have firm cushioning and padding, and aren't made of that horrible glossy material a lot of cheaper headsets use, similar to a headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, which boasts a similar build quality and black design. The headband used a breathable, almost netted fabric, and each earcup is made from breathable Sportsweave memory foam. Since the headset almost prides itself on being for esports, these elements have clearly been carefully designed to cater to being comfortable for competitive players. But for more casual gamers like me, they just feel like a nice treat.

Despite the firmness of the cushioning on both the headband and earcups, I was surprised at how comfortable they were in use. Usually, firmer earcups make wearing glasses when gaming uncomfortable as they push the arms into the side of your head, so I was shocked when I never experienced this discomfort.

All the controls you need are located on the ear cups too, which reduces the need for external software if you don't fancy downloading, with the left featuring all the important buttons like a textured power button alongside a smooth mic mute, so there's no chance of pressing the wrong thing when wearing the set.

In addition, a dial on the front of the ear cup is where you control your audio level, which is far easier to use than a scroll wheel on the bottom - something that most of the headsets I've used in the past specialise in. Now that I've had the convenience of a larger dial, I never want to go back to relying on these wheels, which are so easily knocked and altered.

The left cup is specifically for optimising your audio setup to suit what you're playing. Here, you've got a configurable roller which you can use for footsteps scaling in games like Battlefield 6 or Arc Raiders, game-chat balancing so you can sort out your game audio and Discord audio without having to open your audio mixer, and mic monitoring. This convenient wheel is accompanied by a smart switch button, too, in case you need to change your connection in an instant. Basically, the entire headset has been designed to make your life a lot easier and give you more game time rather than wasting precious minutes on sorting your peripherals.

The mic plugs into the right ear cup, too, which in itself boasts a sturdy build quality and matches the same sleek black design of the rest of the headset. If I had one complaint, it would be that the size of the foam cover is quite large, and it does feel pretty invasive given the short length of the mic as a whole.

That, and you can't conveniently store the microphone on or around the headset if you don't want to use the mic - you're at the mercy of your own ability to keep it safe when unplugged. Again, if you're used to the convenience of a compact headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, then this may be a frustration. But these are such minor inconveniences that were almost instantly outweighed by the joy of using the headset.

Razer BlackShark V3: Performance

• Seamless setup, which means you can jump straight into use
• Might as well be noise-cancelling
• Customisable to suit whatever sort of gamer you are, competitive or not

Given I'd been using the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset until now, which I really praised as my holy grail, I thought the audio quality of a cheaper headset wouldn't be as impressive, and I couldn't be more mistaken. In fact, it's hard to express how impressive the sound quality of this mid-range headset really is without you hearing it for yourself.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset is by no means of bad quality. In fact, I was amazed by it when I first tested it and kept using it long after. However, I often found myself frustrated by all the wires that accompany it. After meeting the BlackShark V3, I feel as though I've got all the same sound quality as the Arctis Nova Pro with the satisfaction of a wireless headset.

From the second you set it up and start using the BlackShark V3, you're met with rich, deep audio, whether that's in-game or if you're just listening to some tunes while you do something else. For music-oriented games like Sword of the Sea and Herdling, two games I played during my testing of the BlackShark V3, the clear audio and almost noise-cancelling capabilities (though not actually part of the design) helped me to really sink into the game and experience each and every note in their soundtracks.

Even just watching YouTube videos or listening to in-game dialogue feels more intense, especially given the headset's ability to block out external audio without being completely noise-cancelling. The memory foam earcups really help in this regard, and they really help you from getting distracted by any noise around you.

This is also helped by the almost 70-hour battery life when fully charged, since you're rarely interrupted by those tedious beeps that remind you to plug it in. Battery life is a huge selling point with wireless headsets, which is another place the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, or any SteelSeries headset for that matter, becomes a close competitor with the BlackShark V3. If you do find yourself listening to these obnoxious reminders, what makes the Razer BlackShark V3 wireless headset worth investing in alone is the fact that a 15-minute charge provides you with an additional 6 hours of battery life.

You don't need to do any sort of additional setup to get an incredibly solid performance from the headset, though the option is there if you want it, courtesy of the additional Razer Audio software you can download. I don't usually bother with messing around with many settings, especially since I don't often find myself needing to enhance my audio to hear things like footsteps or distant gunshots, but it felt rude not to at least try it out in a game of Arc Raiders.

So, I downloaded the Razer Audio app and started playing around, and was once again pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to take your audio customisation that one step further. Paired with the configurable wheel, it feels as if the Razer BlackShark V3 headset really has been designed to enhance your gaming. Even though the packaging blatantly says it's an esports headset, all these details and ways to make your gaming experience that little bit easier by utilising all the audio cues of other players certainly reinforce that factor.

Although you can use Razer Synapse to customise things like your EQ settings and play around with THX Spatial Audio, the dedicated audio app definitely feels easier to use. Plus, having it conveniently on your phone rather than a desktop means you can more seamlessly customise your settings across platforms rather than having one setup on PC, and then others programmed in the app for console.

The buttons are incredibly well-positioned on both earcups, too. Unless you're a frequent connection switcher or a competitive gamer, you rarely need to use the left cup. And, the added texture on the power button makes using the buttons a breeze rather than having to go through that awkward fiddly phase of hitting the wrong thing when you change your headset, and you're not quite used to where everything is. Yes, I'm definitely projecting, but it's one of those little things that you don't really appreciate until you experience it.

Its impressive performance doesn't stop at its stellar button placement and crystal clear audio either. The 9.9mm HyperClear Super Wideband detachable mic offers astounding quality given its mid-range price tag, so much so that I actually received compliments on the "noticeable upgrade" compared to my old headset when jumping into a Discord call with my friends.

Should I buy the Razer BlackShark V3?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Razer BlackShark V3 wireless gaming headset? Here's how it compares to two similar sets.

How I tested the Razer BlackShark V3

• Compared with my beloved SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset
• Used every day for gaming and other media
• Mic tested in Discord calls and Google meets

As soon as I realised just how quality the BlackShark V3 was, I ditched my old SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset. So, for two weeks, I've relied on this bit of kit to carry me through all sorts of adventures in games like Sword of the Sea, Once Upon a Katamari, and even made the most of its customization in a couple of rounds in Arc Raiders. Outside of gaming, it's also accompanied me for hours upon hours of Spotify sessions and the odd evening watching Netflix. If anything, these almost all-nighters definitely put the battery life to the test, too.

I also spent around 10 hours testing the BlackShark V3 with the PS5 in a decent session of Red Dead Redemption 2. I will admit, I wasn't jumping in for the fast, gunslinging combat, so I can't comment on how immersive that is. But, I must say the BlackShark V3 is phenomenal when it comes to showing off the natural sound design. Birdsong is clear as day with this headset, and I could've quite happily spent a lot longer riding around on my horse and tracking down every bird I could hear - something that I'd missed out on entirely when just relying on my TV's default speakers.

To test the microphone, I used the BlackShark V3 for meetings, voice calls, and multiplayer games like Peak, R.E.P.O., Outlast Trials, and shouting at my friends over Discord. Although I'd already put my old SteelSeries headset to one side, I did dust it off for a quick comparison, alongside my wireless Razer Kraken Hello Kitty and Friends edition Bluetooth headset, and they just don't compare.

First reviewed December 2025-January 2026.

Read more about how we test

• Razer showcased an upgraded Project AVA animated holographic AI assistant at CES this year
• Project AVA has a selection of avatars with their own simulated personalities that can engage in conversation, see your screen, and track your gaze
• Razer is widening Project Ava's role beyond gaming coach to everyday tasks like scheduling and organizing your life

AI assistants right now mostly take the form of a wall of text or a disembodied voice, but Razer thinks people would prefer to talk to a small, animated hologram with a matching personality sitting on their desk.

It brought its Project AVA to CES this year to showcase exactly that. AVA first debuted at CES last year as an esports coach inside a gaming rig, but the glowing, 5-inch holographic avatar can now live on your desk, conversing with you and offering help on everything from your daily schedule to the perfect outfit of the day.

AVA's cylindrical home sits next to your keyboard, appearing to house a lively hologram looking like one of a handful (so far) of assistant forms, such as original Razer characters, AVA, Kira and Zane, or recognizable esports figures.

The holograms have facial expressions, lip-synced speech, and personalities that Razer says go "from bold and sassy, to calm and friendly."

The built-in camera, far-field microphone array, and “PC Vision Mode” enable AVA to see your screen, hear your voice, and follow your gaze. According to Razer, the hologram isn’t just for show. The projected avatar mirrors your interactions with subtle head movements, blinking, lip syncing, and expressions designed to feel alive without veering into the uncanny valley. The eye-tracking hardware lets it maintain “eye contact,” giving conversations a surprising sense of reciprocity.

Despite its gaming roots, AVA is designed to be a full-service assistant. Along with analyzing in-game footage and suggesting strategy tweaks in real time, it can organize your schedule, remind you of appointments, and suggest entertainment options based on your browsing.

Hologram AI

AVA is supposed to use what it learns about you, from your speech patterns to your on-screen activity, to adapt to your mood and habits. Razer suggests AVA will leverage that information, and its screen access, to give you ideas to help with making spreadsheets, editing code, or putting together presentations.

The standard concerns about sharing that much information with an AI model apply to AVA, but with an extra dimension of eeriness possible when that AI has a face and voice. Razer has said the data stays local and that privacy protections are a top priority, but the intellectual understanding of an AI collecting information about you might feel more visceral when it has a human or human-like form.

Razer has opened up $20 refundable reservations for AVA in the U.S. ahead of an unrevealed shipping date, likely later this year. While you technically only need a Windows PC and USB-C connection, AVA needs relatively high system performance to support its real-time avatar rendering and analysis, so it's not a casual toy.

Whether power users willing to pony up for AVA find it to be a persistent digital buddy they miss when it’s off might decide AVA's fate in the wider world. The glow of a small animated being quietly watching you from your desk might not appeal to the more tentative AI tool users.

• Razer introduces local AI hardware focused on developers and on premise work
• Tenstorrent accelerator adds portable AI compute via Thunderbolt connected devices
• AI device supports daisy chained units for local multi accelerator workloads

Razer has revealed an expansion beyond gaming hardware with an external AI accelerator and a new workstation platform aimed at developers working locally on advanced models.

Launched at CES 2026, the Razer Forge AI Dev Workstation is a high performance system designed for training, inference, and simulation workloads without relying on cloud services.

The on premises solution is for developers who want direct control over datasets, models, and experiments while avoiding subscription fees.

Tenstorrent external AI accelerator

The Razer Forge AI Dev Workstation supports up to four professional graphics cards from Nvidia or AMD, allowing large pooled VRAM configurations for multi GPU workloads.

Processor options include AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO and Intel Xeon W chips, paired with support for eight DDR5 RDIMM slots for large memory capacity.

Networking is handled through dual 10Gb Ethernet ports, while storage includes up to four PCIe Gen5 M.2 NVMe drives and eight SATA bays.

Cooling is designed for sustained loads, with multiple high pressure fans intended to maintain airflow across dense internal components.

The workstation can operate as a standalone tower or transition into rack environments, allowing it to scale from individual desks to clustered deployments.

Alongside the workstation, Razer has been working with Tenstorrent on a compact external AI accelerator aimed at portable development workflows. Tenstorrent is led by Jim Keller, best known for his work on AMD’s Zen CPU architecture and early self driving silicon at Tesla.

The accelerator connects over Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 and is designed to add local AI compute to laptops and other compatible systems.

It is based on Tenstorrent’s Wormhole architecture and supports the company’s open source software stack for running LLMs, image generation models, and other AI workloads.

Multiple units can be connected together, with up to four devices forming a small local cluster for larger models.

“A device anyone can plug into their laptop unlocks the next generation of developers building on our open platform,” said Christine Blizzard, chief experience officer at Tenstorrent. “Our goal is to make AI more accessible and we trust Razer to deliver products that developers love.”

“AI developers on the edge demand power, flexibility, and mobility – and this collaboration delivers all three,” said Travis Furst, head of notebook and accessories division at Razer. “Our partnership with Tenstorrent combines their cutting-edge AI acceleration technology with Razer’s expertise in high-performance engineering and external enclosure design. Together, we’re advancing edge AI development as part of Razer’s broader vision for AI – bringing portable, uncompromising compute to developers.”

Pricing and availability for the external AI accelerator have yet to be announced.

TechRadar will be extensively covering this year's CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2026 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. You can also ask us a question about the show in our CES 2026 live Q&A and we’ll do our best to answer it.

And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!

• Razer unveiled its Project Motoko AI headset at CES
• Project Motoko can see, hear, and react to your surroundings in real time
• The headset pairs cameras, microphones, and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini to offer hands-free assistance

Razer offered a glimpse of a world where your headset sees, hears, and thinks while it pipes your music to your ears at CES this year. The company's new Project Motoko AI-native headset is still in the concept stage, but it joined its new remote and gaming chair in Las Vegas. Motoko is a way of seeing how Razer's approach to AI wearable tech might easily catch on.

Razer’s pitch for wearable AI is basically a headset that sees and hears whatever you do and provides proactive help based on context. Project Motoko melds Razer’s design sensibilities with AI chips and extended reality tools. The wireless headset is laden with cameras and microphones that share information with AI models able to recognize and interact with whatever you're looking at, while keeping a digital eye on the world beyond your peripheral vision. Razer claims the headset will respond to visual cues, translate signs, summarize documents, track workouts, and generally act like a low-key, always-on assistant.

The dual forward-facing cameras mounted at eye level give the headset a natural first-person perspective, allowing it to recognize traffic lights, recipes, or anything else in front of you and offer whatever help seems most needed. The multiple microphones let it parse both your voice commands and whatever else it hears around you. They combine to provide what Razer calls “augmented AI awareness.”

Project Motoko is agnostic about which AI tool is helping you out, so you can have a conversation with Gemini, ChatGPT, or even Grok. The headset can process and respond based on whatever system you already use.

Razer hastened to make clear that Motoko is not just for gaming, even if it debuted under Razer’s gaming-forward brand. The company wants people to use the headset every day for more mundane tasks. That might mean organizing your calendar, handling chores, browsing the web, or walking through a foreign city while it quietly translates the signage and helps you avoid construction zones.

The look of the headset compared to smartglasses might be part of the draw. Smart glasses, which have struggled with adoption due to awkward designs and social discomfort, while over-ear headphones are already widely accepted.

Omniscient headset

Of course, since Motoko isn’t shipping yet, a lot of its capabilities are left to demos and speculation. Razer is likely particularly keen to avoid the pitfalls that plagued Humane's AI Pin into extinction and led to so many complaints for the Rabbit’s R1 assistant.

Motoko doesn’t claim to be the first or the only solution. But it does reflect a growing trend for context-aware devices that live in everyday accessories. Razer even sees potential in robotics and machine learning research. The idea is that people could use Motoko’s human-like field of view and depth data to train other AI models to see and understand the world. One way or another, headsets might become a common AI interface sooner than we think.

“Project Motoko is more than a concept, it’s a vision for the future of AI and wearable computing,” said Nick Bourne, Global Head of Mobile Console Division, Razer. “This is the next frontier for immersive experiences.”

• Razer and LG have partnered to announce a new controller at CES 2026
• The Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth is designed with LG Smart TVs in mind
• LG claims it will be the world's fastest controller in terms of wireless response time

Razer and LG have partnered to announce the Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth controller at CES 2026.

The controller is based on the design of the superb Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, one of the best Xbox controllers and best PC controllers you can buy today. The Wolverine V3 Bluetooth controller differs in that it's been designed with Smart TVs in mind - and specifically those from LG.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth will be the first controller to be a part of the 'Designed for LG Gaming Portal' certification program, and will primarily be used to play games via cloud streaming on the LG-developed Smart TV app.

In a press release accompanying the announcement, LG says the Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth is the first controller ever to adopt ultra-low latency Bluetooth connectivity. It also boasts integrated TV controls and claims it's "the world's fastest gaming controller" with a wireless response time of less than 3 milliseconds.

We've had no word on price or a release window for the Razer Wolverine V3 Bluetooth controller as of yet, but it seems reasonable to expect it to launch sometime this year.

Price is a tricky one. If it has all the bells and whistles of the Wolverine V3 Pro, then we might expect a similarly premium rate, perhaps around $199.99 / £199.99 as we see with the V3 Pro. However, if its compatibility is limited to Bluetooth-enabled devices, we could see a reduced price, a la the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition; a wired-only model that comes in at a cheaper $99.99 / £99.99. Personally, I'd expect something in between the two.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Two-minute review

The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is a very capable mobile controller that comes with reliable and remappable inputs, a comfortable form factor, great software, and a very high price tag. It’s a top choice for those who want a console-style experience on the go thanks to its great analog triggers, full-size thumbsticks, and intuitive design, but doesn’t quite feel as sturdy as a dedicated standalone controller.

With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is reliable enough that it disappears into your hands once you get a game going, either from the home screen or the brilliant Razer Nexus app, which serves as a launcher as well as a home base for settings and calibration. It’s precise enough to give you a real edge in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Mobile, and also works well in platformers like Dadish 3D as well as 2D classics like Jetpack Joyride. It also supports a variety of remote play, streaming, and emulation solutions, so however you like to play the Kishi V3 Pro has you covered.

The Kishi V3 Pro costs as much as the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra did at launch – that is to say more than most mobile gaming controllers and nearly as much as a Nintendo Switch Lite. That said, the Kishi V3 Pro is a way to access a console-like gaming experience for less than a dedicated gaming handheld, so long as your phone is powerful enough to run your favorite titles.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Price & availabiltiy

• $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
• Available from Razer and third-party retailers
• More expensive than many mobile and standalone controllers

The Razer Kishi V3 is a rather expensive bit of kit. In fact, it’s more expensive than any of the options on our list of the best mobile controllers except the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra, which comes in at the same RRP. With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro offers more functionality than many of its rivals, with additional shoulder buttons and paddles on the grips.

The Kishi Ultra has been relegated to the ‘Classic Models’ section of Razer’s website, but can still be had at a discounted price in the UK and US as stock is cleared to make way for the new Kishi V3 Pro, and considering that the two controllers offer nearly the exact same functionality, it could be worth checking for deals on the older model before looking for the Kishi V3 Pro.

You should have no issues getting your hands on the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, as Razer is one of the most popular and widely distributed gaming brands - it just depends on how much money you’re willing to spend. As was the case for the Kishi Ultra, the Nintendo Switch Lite comes in at just $50 / £50 / AU$60 more than the Kishi V3 Pro, which offers a more dedicated handheld gaming platform with a large library of exclusive games.

However, I’d argue that the Kishi V3 Pro unlocks handheld-style gaming for the phone you probably already have, for a bit cheaper than a dedicated console. Through this lens, I think the Kishi V3 Pro offers decent value for money.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Specs

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Design and features

• Resembles the Razer Kishi Ultra
• Extends up to eight inches
• Can fit small tablets

The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is an extending mobile controller that closely resembles a Razer Kishi Ultra, just without the RGB light strips in the handles.

It’s composed of a regular controller that’s been split down the middle by a spring-loaded extending spine with a maximum length of eight inches. That means it can accommodate any phone, so long as it has a USB-C port to connect to the controller, as well as the iPad mini. The controller comes with three pairs of rubber cushions which you can mix and match between to suit your handset, or eschew entirely if your phone is too bulky.

The two controller halves use the asymmetrical design that Xbox and Nintendo Switch fans will be used to, but even as a PS5 player I found the Kishi V3 Pro very comfortable to hold and use. The grips are rounded but substantial, and while the whole thing is made of plastic the textured panels on the grips themselves are a welcome addition and add valuable traction to what is overall a compact control surface – with that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is large enough to need a bag if you’re taking it out and about.

The construction of the Kishi V3 Pro isn’t quite as robust as a standalone controller, though, and the controls themselves are a mixed bag in terms of feel.

I love the resistance in the adaptive shoulder triggers (an impressive feature on its own), but the adjacent bumpers have no travel at all – similarly, I love the dish-like design of the D-pad but not its clicky action. I was, however, impressed with the smoothness of the full-sized thumbsticks and encountered no sticking or drifting in my 10 or so hours with the Kishi V3 Pro. The sticks are reasonably tall and feel very precise during gameplay.

On that note, the best thing about the Kishi V3 Pro is just how much control it offers. As well as your standard layout, the Kishi V3 Pro sports assignable back and shoulder buttons, which can be mapped to mirror any other button on the controller via the free Razer Nexus app. These buttons are thoughtfully placed and genuinely useful, allowing you to, say, reload without having to stop aiming in Call of Duty: Mobile, or quickly open the map in Fortnite. I never experienced any issues in-game that I’d blame on the controller – it’s very reliable and responsive. There are also some bespoke controls in the small hom escreen, screenshot, and Razer Nexus buttons, all of which are welcome additions.

As mentioned, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro connects via USB-C, and sports a handy LED that lights up when a connection is made. As well as connecting your phone or tablet to the controller, this USB-C connection allows for pass-through charging via another USB-C port and audio via a dedicated 3.5mm jack – a rare sight on any phone accessory and holy grail for headset users. That USB-C port can also be used to connect the Kishi V3 Pro to a PC to use as a standalone wired controller.

And if you’re an Android user, you’ll get to experience Razer’s Sensa HD haptics. The Kishi V3 Pro offers an impressive amount of rumble, with more precision than I expected to feel from a mobile controller – but because the haptics respond to in-game audio, there is a bit of a delay between on-screen action and feeling the aftershock. This feature is unavailable on iOS, but since most of the best gaming phones are Android models anyway, I’m sure this feature will find many fans.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Performance

• Console quality gaming on the go
• Fantastic Nexus software
• Hit and miss virtual controller mode

As someone who has only gamed seriously on dedicated consoles up until this point, I was surprised by just how immersive using the Kishi V3 Pro felt.

The frame holds your phone in place sturdily and lets you focus on the important stuff – the games themselves. Like all the best controllers, the Kishi V3 Pro is so reliable that it disappears into your hands and makes you feel connected to the game – inputs are always accurate and responsive.

That unlocks a lot of potential for mobile games like Red Dead Redemption, which is playable on a touch screen, but offers a much better experience when you can aim accurately and take in the gorgeous visuals with an unobstructed view. Having spent a good amount of time riding through the deserts of New Austin in Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4, I was surprised at how similar the two experiences felt.

I spent plenty of time with the Kishi V3 Pro in the newly released Fortnite: Chapter 7, running and gunning in Zero Build Battle Royale. I was able to get a competitive edge thanks to the precision of the thumbsticks for moving and aiming, as well as the mappable multi-function buttons (I assigned the map and pickaxe to the shoulder bumpers and slide and weapon select to the back buttons).

Again, I was quite amazed at how close the experience felt to playing on an actual console, and was clocking up Victory Royales like it was nobody’s business. What’s more, I was able to play for hours at a time without so much as a sign of cramp – if you’re looking for a mobile controller that’s comfortable enough for marathon sessions, the Kishi V3 Pro is a great pick. I’d even suggest that it’s more comfortable than my original Nintendo Switch.

The Kishi V3 Pro, like other Razer mobile controllers, supports and is supported by the Razer Nexus app, a launcher and hub for your compatible mobile games. Nexus also lets you toggle XInput and audio haptics before jumping into your game of choice, set favorite games, and browse popular Kishi-compatible titles, with easy links to the Google Play Store or App Store.

The app also offers the inventive Virtual Controller mode, which allows you to overlay controls on unsupported titles, effectively allowing you to play games that don’t support the Kishi V3 Pro natively.

However, Virtual Controller didn't always respond well when I tested the mode on Brawl Stars, despite Razer Nexus highlighting the game as a great candidate, and I couldn't figure out how to get Alto's Adventure (also highlighted) to respond either. TechRadar's Gaming Editor Dashiell Wood had Virtual Controller up and running during testing for our Kishi Ultra review, so I know the potential is there, but I didn't find it too effective.

As someone who typically avoids tacked-on software, I’m happy to report that Nexus is anything but an afterthought – in fact, it’s a thoughtfully laid-out and feature rich companion that helps you get the most out of the Kishi V3 Pro.

I used its settings to remap the multi-function buttons and increase the polling rate of the thumbsticks, but there are also settings for things like the input range for the triggers or setting thumbstick deadzone size. It’s a great app that elevates the Kishi V3 Pro from a peripheral to an experience of its own.

Should I buy the Razer Kishi V3 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Consider these alternatives if the Razer Kishi V3 Pro isn't quite the right mobile gaming controller for you.

How I reviewed the Razer Kishi V3 Pro

• Tested for approximately 8 hours of game time
• Tested on Android and iOS with a range of games

• Almost ten hours of game time
• Tested with a variety of games
• Tried a range of devices too

Though I wasn't counting closely, I estimate that I clocked in for approximately 8 hours of game time with the Razer Kishi V3 Pro across a variety of games.

I tested the controller with an iPhone 15 and Oppo Find X9 Pro to ensure it works well across both iOS and Android, as well as with the Xiaomi Pad Mini Android tablet. I played a variety of games, from demanding console ports like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption to staples like Call of Duty: Mobile and Jetpack Joyride. I also tried out platformer Dadish 3D and horror side-scroller Carrion, and tested the Virtual Controller mode with Brawl Stars.

I focused on first and third-person games to get a good sense of the thumbsticks’ performance, and played competitive online games to test how the controls held up in high-pressure scenarios. I also tested the 15W pass-through charging and headphone jack, and dove deep into the Razer Nexus app to activate features like the multi-function buttons and audio haptics.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2025

If you're shopping for the perfect gifts for some mobile gamers, then look no further than these mobile controller deals.

The star of the show is an incredible price on the popular Backbone One mobile controller, which is now just £34.95 at The Game Collection. That's an incredibly low price considering its usual £99.99 going rate, and superb value overall.

If you would rather pick up a Bluetooth option, then the Scuf Nomad is discounted too. You can find it on sale for just £38.99 at Very, down from £69.99.

Read on for more details about each of these offers, plus other top picks.

Today's best mobile controller deals

Two of these mobile controllers appear on my guide to the best mobile controllers right now: the Backbone One and the Razer Kishi Ultra. Both are superb options for mobile gamers, offering compatibility with a wide range of games and an excellent play experience.

Out of the two, the Razer Kishi Ultra is my personal pick. It's more expensive than the Backbone One, but is simply luxurious to use thanks to its increased size. It feels incredibly close to a full-on console controller, which is what most people want when gaming on mobile.

The Backbone One does win when it comes to portability though. It's easy to stash in a pocket or slip into a bag.

You shouldn't discount the Scuf Nomad too, especially not at the price. It scored lower than the other two controllers but my biggest complaint was that it's only compatible with iOS devices, despite not using a physical connector. This is only an issue if you intend to game on Android, so definitely consider it if you're an iPhone user.

Not in the UK? Here are the best prices on each of these models near you.

For many, having the Cyber Monday deals event firmly in the rear view mirror will be a blessing. Now, you can at least do some Christmas shopping at your own pace, and there are plenty of cheap gifts for gamers that'll make ideal stocking fillers for the Holiday season.

I've hunted down a number of gaming controllers and accessories that are both small enough to fit in a stocking, and come comfortably under the $25 / £25 mark. The CRKD Atom, for instance, is always a reliable pick. It's a fully working controller that doubles as a collectible piece for just $19.99 at Amazon.

Meanwhile, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C controller can be had for as little as $22.48 (was $29.99) at Amazon right now. Another gamepad favorite is the GameSir Nova Lite which, while not currently on sale, is one of the best cheap controllers around at just $24.99.

Check out our deal blocks for these products and more, as well as their UK equivalents, below.

Today's best cheap stocking filler gaming deals in the US

Today's best cheap stocking filler gaming deals in the UK

Shop more of today's best post-Cyber Monday sales

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

While you might worry that you've missed all the great Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday is here to take over, and it's your last chance to act on some incredible gaming keyboard deals from top brands such as Razer and Corsair.

• Shop Amazon's full Cyber Monday sale

A heavy focus here is on analog and mechanical models, since the best gaming keyboards use these switches. These keyboards and their premium price tags are warranted, and the addition of enticing discounts makes an acquisition much easier.

To highlight this, the Corsair K100 Air Wireless is now $179.99 at Amazon US (was $329.99), with a huge $150 saving. It's a great mechanical board, catering to lightning-fast reflexes, coupled with quality battery life, making it one of our favorite luxury peripherals.

You can also find the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% Wireless now only £199.99 at Amazon UK (was £299.99), with a £100 price drop. Having reviewed this model, I can assure you it's a great option, as I loved its ultra-smooth and tactile mechanical switches.

If you're after analog switches, you'll find the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless is now $147.99 at Amazon (was $219.99), and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is now $189.99 at Amazon (was $239.99), making for a $72 saving in the former's case and $50 in the latter's.

Amazon's Cyber Monday gaming keyboard deals – quick links

• Corsair K100 Air Wireless: was $329.99 now $179.99 at Amazon US
• Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% Wireless: was £299.99 now £199.99 at Amazon UK
• Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless: was $219.99 now $147.99 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3: was $239.99 now $189.99 at Amazon

Today's best US Cyber Monday gaming keyboard deals

Today's best UK Cyber Monday gaming keyboard deals

For more in-depth information on the best gaming keyboards and other peripherals, take a look at our buying guides below, where we've included links to our detailed reviews.

• Best gaming mouse
• Best gaming keyboard
• Best PC controllers
• Best gaming laptop
• Best mouse
• Best keyboard

More Cyber Monday deals in the US

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

More Cyber Monday deals in the UK

• Amazon: up to 66% off tech & essentials
• AO: up to £500 off Dyson, Bosch & Hisense
• Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
• Boots: save on 1,000s of beauty products
• Currys: deals on Ninja, Shark & Lenovo
• Dell: laptops from £279
• Dyson: up to £550 off vacuums
• EE: Switch 2 bundles from £20/month
• John Lewis: up to 50% off tech & fashion
• Lego: sets & accessories from £2.99
• Samsung: deals on appliances & phones
• Very: up to 40% off tech, toys & fashion

If you're looking for the best gaming chair money can buy right now, then you're in the right place. The TechRadar team and I have been testing gaming chairs for years now, and the seats featured in this guide are among the most comfortable and robust on the market.

I've covered gaming hardware for years and have spent thousands of hours testing a huge variety of gaming chair models. Myself and the wider team know what separates great gaming chairs from good ones, whether money's no object or you're operating within a strict budget.

Between us, we've put an obscene amount of testing and reviewing hours into this list and have whittled the market down to half a dozen we consider the best for their price bracket and/or speciality. Whether you're after a budget wonder, something for the office space, or a reliable seat that excels at pretty much everything, I'm confident there's something for you here.

The best gaming chairs you can buy in 2026

The best gaming chair overall

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is our pick for the best overall gaming chair available right now. This is because it offers an unparalleled level of comfort, adjustability, and style in its price bracket which means it still stands tall above the rest even a couple of years after its initial introduction. What's more, now there are more options than ever when it comes to sizes, colors, styles, and materials.

Regardless of which material you choose, the constants remain the same. This means you're getting leading adjustability with the four-way lumbar support combined with some of the most ergonomic designs that we've ever seen from a gaming chair's backrest and seat. Assembly is also a breeze, taking about 15 minutes with the clear instructions included in the box. If you're after a premium feeling chair and a fuss-free build then this is the one for you.

We've also been consistently impressed with the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 in our many months of testing with various different versions of the gaming chair. Whether it's the tried-and-tested original leatherette model, the larger XL variant, or the fabric SoftWeave version, this chair has provided support that few others can match.

• Read more: Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

The best budget gaming chair

The Corsair TC100 Relaxed easily ranks as the best budget gaming chair that you can get. This model borrows design cues from its pricier siblings but keeps the overall asking price low with only a few minor concessions made to the product. Overall, it's a well-rounded gaming chair that punches far above its weight.

As expected from its modest price point, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed has a relatively no-frills feature set. You're still getting 2D armrests, a recline of up to 160 degrees, and a wider seat base than a standard office chair here, though. One of the real bonuses of this particular model is the included headrest and lumbar pillows, which are both comfortable and conveniently strapped to the backrest.

While the Corsair TC100 Relaxed may not turn many heads, it passes the most important test of being incredibly comfortable. Owing to its "relaxed" nature, you aren't quite as hemmed in by the angular racing-seat style shape that you would find on many of the more aggressively styled models on this list. This, combined with the pillows, and the height and weight accommodation of 188cm/6ft 2in and 120kg/264lbs make it an ideal choice for those who want a super comfortable gaming chair on a budget.

• Read more: Corsair TC100 Relaxed review
• Find the best deals of Corsair products with our Corsair promo codes

The best premium gaming chair

When we think about top-end premium gaming chairs, the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody cannot be ignored - for me, it's probably the most comfortable gaming chair I've ever tested. While it may carry the steepest price tag of all the models in our roundup, its form factor is specifically designed for those who need who value comfort most, and it oozes Herman Miller's ergonomic pedigree. Plus, posture health is worth investing in - and the 12-year warranty adds peace of mind.

If you're someone who doesn't want to struggle with assembling a gaming chair piece by piece then the Embody is for you as it comes pre-assembled in the box and only has to be rolled out. That aside, you're looking at an incredibly modern gaming chair that forgoes the typical design trappings and features lumbar support which traces your spine and can be easily adjusted through its knobs.

While the full suite of adjustability features takes a little getting used to, there's simply nothing else on the market quite like the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody. We found the BackFit backrest to be the best of any gaming chair we've used, and the layered hybrid seat (consisting of both foam and springs) to be in a league of its own.

• Read more: Herman Miller x Logitech Embody review

The best mesh gaming chair

Mesh gaming chairs don't come better than the Razer Fujin Pro. Its breathable mesh, understated design, and superbly high level of comfort make it an excellent choice for both gaming and productivity.

In our hands-on testing, the assembly of the Razer Fujin Pro was completed in approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Although this is quite a long time compared to the setup of a simpler model like the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, it is still blissfully simple with each part clicking into place and being secured easily with the included screws and Allen key. Once built, the chair is incredibly high quality, pairing an aluminum frame with a malleable mesh material that's easily adjustable via the chair's settings.

When it comes to comfort, the Razer Fujin Pro is almost unparalleled. There's no dedicated cushioning or separate lumbar support, but the mesh has a subtle contour that molds to the shape of your back and rear end, ensuring that a seating position and level of comfort that suits you is easy to reach. The one downside here is that its extremely understated aesthetic means that it doesn't boast an exciting finish - but that might also be what you're after.

• Read more: Razer Fujin Pro review
• Get the best deal on Razer products with our Razer coupon codes.

The best gaming chair for big people

The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL is the best gaming chair for bigger people that we've tested. It achieves this while simultaneously offering a great-value package with a variety of premium features.

All in all, this is a sleek, incredibly comfortable gaming chair, and one that has a robust and larger design perfect for bigger players of up to 395lb / 180kg in weight and 6'8" / 210cm in height. But simply being bigger and stronger with a robust steel chassis and strong castor wheels isn't the only thing that defines the Kaiser 3 XL - it also offers comfort, lumbar support, excellent finishes, an excellent range of adjustability options from the arms to the back, and a well-designed ergonomic seat. It also offers excellent value coming in at the $500 / £500 mark.

Construction is simple with easy-to-follow instructions paving the way for a smooth build process, while particular highlights of the chair's comfort include the integrated lumbar support and impressive cushioning throughout (despite some sub-optimal stitching and logo work). A brilliant chair for those looking for more room.

• Read more: AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL review

The best office chair for gaming

What if you wanted to go more up-market than a standard gaming chair but didn't want to sacrifice comfort and functionality? That's where one of the best office chairs comes in, and they aren't much more feature-rich or suitable for gaming than the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management chair.

With its high-grade aluminum frame combined with its mesh body, the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management certainly sets itself apart from many office and gaming chairs out there. Out of the box, you've got 4D armrests as well as stunning wheels that could easily glide across hardwood floors and didn't struggle on the carpet either. The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management also features Variable Lumbar Support which can be easily adjusted to suit your spine.

In our testing, we found that the mesh body of the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt made for one of the most comfortable and breathable chairs we've ever tested. Unlike some leather or leatherette gaming chair models, there was a light flex to the backrest which kept us incredibly cool at all times. The adjustability of the lumbar support is also a cut above the rest.

• Read more: X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management chair review

18 more chairs we've also tested

We've reviewed so many gaming chairs at TechRadar over the years that we couldn't possibly fit them all into one guide. The half-dozen we've selected above are, we feel, the current cream of the crop. However, if none quite fit what you're after, you may be interested in the following 18 gaming chairs that we consider to be honorable mentions.

How to choose the best gaming chair

There's no one-size-fits-all answer for the best gaming chair as everyone is different. However, thinking about a few different factors can help you narrow down your options and pick out the best match for you in a crowded field.

Think about size and dimensions
You can start by considering your height and build. If you are taller than 6ft 2in / 1.88m and weigh more than 200lbs / 90kg, you're going to want to look at an XL model to ensure you're comfortable. Then, think about the actual dimensions of the chair - will you have enough room for its width and height, not just on its own, but with you sitting on it?

Consider materials
Next, consider how you prefer your chairs to feel, and what you need the materials to do. Generally speaking, we've found mesh and fabrics to be nicer in the warmer months and more comfortable over time compared to leatherette, but fabrics are a bit harder to keep pet hair off and clean.

Always think about the budget
Sadly, a Herman Miller Embody chair will just be permanently out of reach for most, but that doesn't mean you can find great ways to make your money go further and get more than what you thought. However, always having a budget you want to ideally stick to, and one you're willing to stretch to for the right chair is a good starting point. Then you can throw in some ruthlessness about trading off features for lower prices and also consider waiting for sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday where you can always save money.

Expert opinion

While all of us here at TechRadar, and our wider community of experienced writers, spend hours and hours - days and weeks every year - sitting on and testing the best gaming chairs, we've also got to know quite a few bona fide experts in the industry.

While our own experience means we can offer our own advice on how to choose a gaming chair like the above, and ensures our recommendations on this page are from genuine testing and experience, our friends in the industry can expand upon that and offer advice on ergonomics, how to sit in chairs properly, what to look out for in your next seat, and way more.

I'll be updating this section too as we get more and more input from a wider array of experts.

What do the experts say?

Building on all of our own experience, I put a few key questions to our experts above, and gathered up a bunch of illuminating and brilliant advice from them all.

If you could ensure everyone thinks about a few particular things when buying a gaming chair, what would they be?

Cutting right to it, Dr Jordan Tsai says that "The biggest considerations to look out for when choosing a chair are, 1) whether it gives you the room to shift around and can accommodate a variety of sitting positions, and 2) whether it’s versatile, giving you enough points of adjustment so you get optimal support across different postures".

Echoing this but being more specific, Dr. Ashley Williams says that if she could "narrow it down to three essentials, they’d be: pelvis support – the foundation of good posture and spinal alignment; having a comfortable, supportive cushion – to relieve pressure and keep you comfortable for hours; and adjustability – so the chair adapts to you, not the other way around." She adds that "Adjustability is everything. The best chair adapts to your unique shape and posture — not the other way around."

What are the most important ergonomic features of a gaming chair, and how do they help posture and health?

Modern gaming chairs have a whole host of features, so seeing the wood from the trees in terms of what's most important ergonomically can seem impenetrable at times. Our experts shine a light on the most important features in a gaming chair that you should be aware of when buying one.

"The fundamental design of the chair is important, and here are a few things you can look out for," says Dr Tsai. "The shape of the seat base and how it’s contoured matters. Many chairs have restrictive seat bases, with aggressive curves that lock you into a single position, [so a] wider, and more gently curved seat base, will give you a lot more freedom to move." Additionally, Dr. Tsai says to think carefully about the seat firmness itself: "A common misconception that many people have when shopping for chairs is that 'soft' translates to 'comfortable'. But prolonged sitting on overly soft surfaces can lead to significant problems. One major issue is that it places increased demand on the stabilizer muscles in your trunk area, which can lead to discomfort and subsequently fatigue." As a result, aim for something that's "reasonably firm" in Dr Tsai's words.

Lastly, he recommends avoiding chairs that "have hard ledges or a raised front edge as these create compression points along the sciatic nerve and nearby arteries in the posterior portion of your thighs."

Vincent Sin from Secretlab adds that the adjustability overall of chairs is absolutely key to a good choice, and that this sentiment and shines a light on how central it is to Secretlabs's chairs too: "That’s why we ensure that a Secretlab chair delivers versatile adjustments and responsive support, so our users can quickly and easily get the precise, tailored support that they want."

Dr. Williams puts a lot of stock in the meat of a gaming chair, but also advises folks to "balance support with movement and posture awareness". Picking out specific ergonomic elements of chairs she says that "Cushion comfort is huge — it reduces pressure off your sit bones and promotes healthy circulation." She adds that "An adjustable back support is essential for maintaining spinal alignment during long sessions and if you like to recline while watching streams, a headrest can add comfort, but too much recline can push your body into a flexed posture, which isn’t ideal long-term."

Addie Tan, head of Razer's Lifestyle Division, reaches for ergonomics and adjustability first: "Ergonomics is the foundation, but adjustability is the multiplier. Every human body is different, so the more you can tweak (seat depth, recline angle, lumbar firmness, armrest width,) the better your odds of perfect alignment. Comfort is engineered, not guessed."

How should folks pick a gaming chair that’s right for them? What should they look out for?  

As well as echoing some of our own sentiments and advice in terms of your budget on the matter, Dr. Williams suggests there really should be a few core considerations to focus on in your best gaming chair purchase journey.

"It comes down to how long you sit, and whether you have back or neck pain. If you’re gaming for under four hours a day and are generally pain-free, a good office chair with solid cushioning and lumbar support will do." However, go over these four hours and then things start to get a little more serious: "If you’re logging longer sessions of gaming or work, or already have discomfort, invest in an ergonomic chair that supports your pelvis first (not just your lower back) and adapts to you, and comes with adjustable seat depth, armrests, and tilt. Your chair should fit you, not the other way around."

Addie Tan echoes this sentiment wholeheartedly: "Start with your body, not the brand. A good chair should fit you, not the other way around. Focus first on fit for your body size (height, weight, seat depth, and width) and how long you’ll typically sit." Beyond this, however, it's also worth keeping in mind materials too, according to Tan: "Materials and build quality matter too: high-density foam, sturdy frame, breathable fabric or mesh for hot climates, and a solid warranty ensure long-term use."

How to setup you gaming chair and gaming setup, according to the experts

Lastly, the experts provided step by step guides on how best to setup your chair and setup to ensure you're maximising your ergonomic health, and to highlight how crucial the best gaming chair can be in promoting the best healthy setup going.

Dr, Williams lays it out like this:

• "1. Adjust your chair height so your elbows rest at a 90° angle with relaxed shoulders. Your feet should be flat on the floor or supported by a footrest.
• 2. Set your armrests wide enough to give your hips space, and adjust the height so they support your elbows comfortably at 90°.
• 3. Align your backrest to follow your natural spinal curve — no slouching or over-arching.
• 4. Position your setup: Keep your keyboard, mouse, or controller close to avoid reaching, and place your monitor at eye level, with the top third of the screen in your line of sight, about an arm’s length away."

And Dr. Tsai went for something slightly similar:

• "1. Start by setting your seat height so your feet are touching the ground or supported on a footrest. Your thighs should ideally be level with the ground.
• 2. Adjust your armrest height to match the desk height. Your shoulders should feel relaxed in a neutral position when supported by the armrests.
• 3. Your monitor should sit about an arm’s length away from your face, with the top edge level at eye level. Tilt the monitor upwards slightly, so the screen stays perpendicular to your line of sight.
• 4. Your keyboard should be comfortably in front of you — and close enough so you don’t have to reach forward to use it."

How we test gaming chairs

We take testing gaming chairs very seriously. After all, it's one of the fundamental components of any gamer's setup, and it's crucial that you find the right pick to aid in your gaming efforts and keep your back from hurting.

Testing how comfortable a chair is can take some time. A great gaming chair should feel just as good after sitting in it for four hours as it did when we first sat down. Ergonomics is also a critical aspect of comfort as this is what will allow you to adjust it to your liking. This consideration will include how easy it is to adjust armrests and lumbar pillows, as well as how far back the seat goes and any additional features.

While aesthetics are subjective, it is one of the first things we take a look at. Whether it leans into a gamer aesthetic or is subdued enough for the office is essential for many. This feature also leads to what materials are used and whether they are durable or comfortable.

The crucial elements of what we consider can be boiled down to the materials used, durability, general comfort, ergonomics, aesthetics, price, and any additional features.

The final aspect which we will consider is the price. It's crucial to take a holistic approach to assessing whether a gaming chair is worth its price tag, so we ensure that we're always considering who may use the product and how it will fair.

Best gaming chairs - FAQs

Does the size of a gaming chair matter?

Increasingly, the size of your gaming chair does indeed matter - and the choices from brands and manufacturers in the 2020s reflect that too. Almost all the major brands offer XL chairs that are aimed at the taller or bigger players, and some, like SeceretLab, also offer smaller seats.

It's important for comfort and posture of course as nobody wants to be jabbed by the edges of a chair that's too small or find themselves swimming in too much space as well, struggling to control a seat that's too big. Pay attention to the dimensions, weight capacities, and the targeting of the seat and you should be fine.

• Razer has revealed and released the Raiju V3 Pro controller
• It's compatible with PlayStation 5 and PC
• It's available to buy now for $219.99 / £199.99

Gaming hardware brand Razer has just revealed and released its latest PlayStation 5 controller; the Razer Raiju V3 Pro. This new controller looks to provide serious improvements over predecessor like the Razer Raiju Ultimate and Razer Wolverine V2 Pro - both of which were also PS5 adjacent.

Compatible with PS5 and PC, the Raiju V3 Pro is available right now for $219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339), and can be picked up either from Razer's website or stocking retailers. Razer has also told TechRadar Gaming that an Amazon listing should go live in the coming days.

So what makes the Raiju V3 Pro worth checking out, especially given its premium price tag that puts it in the same ballpark as the DualSense Edge and Victix Pro BFG Reloaded?

It's among the first PS5 controllers to offer TMR thumbsticks. Similar to Hall effect, these help to eliminate the risk of stick drift, but they retain a feel closer to that of traditional analog sticks. Razer also brings its mouse click tech to bear here; the pad's rear remappable buttons, trigger locks, and bumpers, all provide immediate and responsive presses not dissimilar to the click of a mouse.

Additionally, you can expect a circular d-pad design just like we saw with the Xbox-compatible Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. Definitely handy for when you need extra precision in the best fighting games and similar competitive environments. The controller also supports wireless play via 2.4GHz connection, with an estimated battery life of around 10 hours based on my own testing.

If my tone here sounds positive, it's because I've spent the last two weeks testing the Razer Raiju V3 Pro for review, and I really like it. The Wolverine V3 Pro is among my favorite Xbox pads, and the Raiju achieves much the same for the PS5 platform. Be sure to read our Razer Raiju V3 Pro review to learn more.

After purchasing one of the best handheld gaming PCs on the market, powered by some of the top processors, it's easy to realize that there is only so much that can be done to elevate gaming performance on a small portable.

One of those powerful handhelds, the Lenovo Legion Go S, has been a breath of fresh air for me. This device has met almost all of my portable gaming wishes with its immersive 8-inch display, and, of course, the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.

My experience with the Legion Go S came after using the Asus ROG Ally with the same AMD chip, and the push up to 32GB of RAM in the Lenovo model did more for performance than I anticipated. However, this still doesn't represent the best performance you can find on a handheld gaming PC. Not when we've seen the likes of the GPD Win 5 using the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 CPU, which replicates gaming laptop levels of performance, and is the current ceiling for these portable devices.

That is until I noticed that external GPU (eGPU) docks can take matters a step further - the case in point being the Razer Core X V2 (revealed back in July 2025), which is suitable for Nvidia's GeForce RTX and AMD's Radeon GPUs (including the newest RTX 5000 and Radeon RX 9000 models).

Given that my former main graphics card, an Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti, is currently shelved, I could spur it back into action with this eGPU dock - and some new benchmarking has indicated this is an impressive solution for supercharging a handheld.

Razer Core X V2 dock in action with MSI Claw A8

While I'm not using an MSI Claw A8, a YouTube video that just popped up from ETA Prime shows this Razer eGPU in action with that handheld - and it gives me a good idea of how the Core X V2 dock should perform with my Lenovo Legion Go S. Although admittedly I'd be looking at using a much lesser Nvidia GPU than the RTX 5090 which is shown off by the YouTuber.

As you can see in the video below, the Razer eGPU packing the RTX 5090 allows Cyberpunk 2077 to run on 'ultra' graphics settings at 1440p resolution with no DLSS, and maintain a frame rate above 70fps.

While that might not sound impressive exactly, since it's an RTX 5090, it's worth noting that performance is limited as the Claw A8 doesn't have Thunderbolt 5 ports, and is instead using USB 4 connectors, so bandwidth and speeds are slowed as a result.

This setup is also running at native 1440p, which isn't exactly a super-easy task in a game as demanding as Cyberpunk 2077 - and the processor's bottleneck also has an impact on performance, holding back the frame rate. So, given those three negative headwinds, and the lack of DLSS here, this performance level is still pretty impressive in my eyes.

Of course, my old RTX 3080 Ti is not going to perform like Nvidia's current flagship GPU - although pairing a handheld with an RTX 5090 is overkill, to say the least.

The results bode well, though, and if, like me, you have a spare GPU lying around, and all you need is an eGPU dock and a cable that plugs into the handheld (just the same as if using a charger) to use it - then this setup could be truly tempting.

It's a simple plug-and-play solution, and I'm almost always using my handheld devices while plugged into a power outlet anyway - so with this eGPU dock, I'd get the benefit of a huge performance boost.

There are also alternatives to this dock, of course, like the Aoostar AG02, which comes with a built-in 800W power supply - a notable drawback of the Razer eGPU is that it doesn't have an integrated PSU (you need one to power the graphics card). However, the Aoostar lacks an enclosure, and I'd rather not leave my GPU exposed to potential hazards - no doubt many of you will share that same sentiment.

The Razer Core X V2 doesn't come with a power supply, and it's quite costly

So, as noted, the Razer Core X V2 doesn't come with a power supply - though fortunately for me, I also have a spare Corsair 750W power supply lying around (so much spare hardware, I know). So all I'd need to buy is the eGPU dock itself, but that won't be the case for many other people.

Never mind the power supply, not everyone has a spare GPU available to use either, and buying one just for a dock setup like this doesn't make much sense.

Nvidia or AMD GPUs are expensive, and adding a power supply to the bill, and then including the cost of the dock itself, which is priced at $349 / £329 / AU$599 - well, it all mounts up very quickly (especially if you're buying the handheld, too).

The expense is going to be an instant deal-breaker for many people, and ultimately will leave this as a niche product. I'm just lucky enough to have the complementary hardware ready for the Razer Core X V2 dock, but regardless, the price still leaves something of a bitter taste considering the alternatives available.

I mentioned the Aoostar AG02 alternative and how I'm opposed to leaving my hardware exposed with no enclosure, but this solution is still worth considering if it means I can save my spare power supply for a new desktop PC build. All in all, I'm still willing to give Razer's enclosure a shot.

You might also like...

• This is the world's smallest eGPU dock with a built-in 650W PSU - but I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with my $1,999 Geforce RTX 5090 GPU exposed to the elements
• This is the weirdest 'eGPU' setup I've seen so far in 2025: it has a strange mini PC holder and up to 150W Thunderbolt 5 power delivery
• Another vendor launches an AMD Radeon RX7600M XT external GPU - and this one even comes with Thunderbolt 5

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Two-minute review

The new Razer Blade 14 (2025) really wants to be the ultimate portable gaming laptop, and after spending two weeks with it, I can say it mostly succeeds. In fact, it's our new pick for the best thin and lightweight gaming laptop in 2025.

Packed into a lightweight 14-inch aluminum chassis, the Blade 14 houses the latest specs you can get for a 14-inch form factor, including AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and up to an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU.

Those updated specs come at a price though, as the model I tested cost $2,699.99 / £2,299.99 / AU$4,144.95 (equipped with an RTX 5070, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD). Entry-level models start around $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, while top-end configs climb as high as $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.

What impressed me most wasn’t just raw gaming power—it was how well this machine stayed cool and quiet under load.

Running Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1800p, I averaged around 50 FPS with DLSS and frame generation enabled, though to be honest, you’ll likely want to tone down the RT if you’re gaming at max resolution for best results, regardless of title. For most of the titles tested, you can comfortably get over 60 FPS at 1800p resolution without ray tracing, or about 60 FPS with ray tracing if you use DLSS upscaling.

Equally impressive is the OLED 2.8K 120Hz display. Colors popped, response times were lightning fast, and the DCI-P3 coverage made both games and creative work shine. Add in six surprisingly loud, clear speakers, and I found myself reaching for headphones less often.

The battery life on the Blade 14 isn’t great, lasting about five to six hours in my day-to-day work mix—emails, writing, streaming, light Photoshop—before I needed a charger. While this is pretty decent for a gaming laptop, it’s still not great for day-to-day productivity.

Design-wise, there’s not much to knock here other than the somewhat shallow keyboard and a chassis that picks up fingerprints pretty much instantly. Performance-wise, you’re almost certainly going to get a better value out of Razer’s various rivals, who often offer more raw power for less money. But as a total package, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) easily contends as the best gaming laptop released this year, even if it isn’t spotless.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Price & availability

• How much does it cost? Starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95
• When is it available? It's available now
• Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Razer’s website and other retailers.

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) is available now, starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, coming in with an entry-level RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

My review unit, which comes with an RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, comes in at $2,699.99 / £2,399.99 / AU$4,299.95. The top-spec config bumps up the storage to 2TB and the memory up to 64GB for $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.

It’s available in the US, UK, and Australia directly from Razer’s website, as well as major regional retailers like Best Buy and Currys.

Understandably, the Blade 14 isn’t going to be making any best cheap gaming laptop lists anytime soon, given the laptop's premium pedigree, but it's still very expensive for what you're getting. A laptop like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which starts off about $200 cheaper at $2,099.99 in the US (though it is tougher to find in the UK at the moment, and what models are available in Australia end up being more expensive). The US starting configuration for the Zephyrus G14 does get you a better RTX 5070 GPU compared to the Blade 14's RTX 5060 starting GPU. You can also get up to an RTX 5080 on the Zephyrus G14, for some serious portable gaming power that simply isn't available on the Blade 14.

You’re ultimately paying the Razer tax here if you opt for the Blade 14, but if you want a Razer Blade laptop, this is pretty much par for the course, and there's no denying the laptop's other premium qualities that it brings to the table. Just be prepared to pay the higher bill at the end.

Also, in the US and UK, you have the option to select the Mercury colorway rather than the classic Razer Black, though it is only available on the RTX 5070/1TB SSD/32GB RAM configuration.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Specs

• Up to RTX 5070 GPU, 2TB SSD, and 64GB RAM
• AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor
• Not upgradeable and not a whole lot of configuration options

The starting configuration of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gives you the essentials for modern portable gaming: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. That’s more than enough for strong performance in esports and AAA titles at 1080p, high settings, and medium raytracing enabled when using upscaling, but storage will feel tight if you're planning on installing a lot of big games.

The top configuration quadruples the available memory and doubles the storage over the base spec while bumping the GPU up to an RTX 5070 GPU. That makes it a very solid mobile workstation for creatives in addition to being a fantastic 1440p gaming platform in an impressively thin 14-inch form factor.

The one knock I do have on the max spec is that other thin and light gaming laptops, like the Zephyrus G14, do manage to give you options for the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, so those who want even more power do have alternatives to the Blade 14.

My review unit fell somewhere in between, with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Of the available configuration options, it offers what I think is the best balance between cost and performance.

With this setup, I never worried about performance bottlenecks in games or creative workloads, and the 1TB drive gave me enough space for my go-to Steam titles, currently Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, and a heavily modded Baulder's Gate 3. But unless you're loading up on small indie titles, you can expect to have to do some storage juggling for this configuration.

It's also worth noting that this laptop is not easily upgradable, and the RAM here is soldered. There are also a limited number of configuration options to choose from, so it's not a very customizable laptop, opting for the MacBook route rather than a more DIY approach.

• Specs: 4 / 5

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Design

• Thinner and lighter than Blade 14 2024
• OLED Display
• Black finish is a fingerprint magnet

The Blade 14 (2025) doesn't take any real risks with the design of the iconic laptop model, being more of a modest refinement of Razer's aesthetic.

The biggest move here is the display, which is a gorgeous-looking OLED panel rather than the more standard IPS of the Razer Blade 14 (2024). It also comes in thinner and lighter than last year's model, managing to shave off nearly half a pound of weight (about 0.2kg) and shrink its height by just over half an inch (nearly 2mm).

The CNC-machined aluminum chassis feels solid in the hands, with zero flex in the lid or keyboard deck. It carries that understated “MacBook for gamers” vibe that a number of the best thin and light gaming laptops hope to hit but often fall short of reaching.

The matte black colorway on my review model looks sleek, but it attracts fingerprints almost instantly. I didn’t particularly care all that much, but if you do, expect to be wiping this laptop down almost constantly if you're sticking with the Razer Black finish.

Port selection is generous for such a compact laptop: two USB4 (with PD, DP2.1, and data), a pair of USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output ports, and a microSD card reader, something creatives will appreciate.

The keyboard offers per-key RGB customization through Razer Synapse, so you have lots of options for customizing the lighting design to your liking. While twinkly, the shallow 1mm key travel left typing feeling somewhat flat compared to a competing MacBook Pro or Lenovo Legion laptop, though the keyboard does feel more comfortable than that of the Dell 14 Premium.

The touchpad, by contrast, is excellent—large, smooth, and every bit as responsive as you’d find on the best MacBook.

The six-speaker setup also deserves mention. I've been on a The Sword kick lately, and their entire catalog sounded fantastic, filling the room with surprising depth. Meanwhile, the chaos of Helldiver 2's recent updates never sounded better, making it one of the few gaming laptops where I felt I didn't need to bother with an external speaker or headphones.

The 1080p IR webcam is great, but the lack of a physical privacy shutter isn't, though you do get the enhanced security of Windows Hello.

Like Razer Blade 14s of the past though, the design of this laptop doesn't lend itself to much upgradability, so if you're hoping to spec-up in the future, you'll need to plan for that at checkout before you buy and configure it for the long-haul.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Performance

• Phenomenal gaming performance
• Outstanding creative performance
• Not always an improvement over previous-gen models

Day to day, the Blade 14 felt like a solid desktop PC stuffed into a svelte, lightweight 14-inch frame, making it easy to carry around with me and get things done on the go.

Over the course of about three weeks (including one week of dedicated benchmark testing), I used it for writing, photo editing, and heavy multitasking and didn't experience any real hiccups. Even with my downright abusive Chrome-tab-habits, adding Spotify streaming to the mix and some Photoshop and Lightroom exporting sent to the background, the Blade 14 (2025) stayed fluid and never stuttered.

In my CPU benchmarks, the new Blade 14 generally outclassed its predecessors, and while it doesn't really compete with the performance of the Apple M4 chip for professional workloads, it does generally come in second against Apple's best mobile workstation.

Naturally, the upgraded Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU in the new Blade 14 beats the last two Blade 14 models, both of which we reviewed with an RTX 4070 GPU. There aren't a lot of tests where we can use for an apples-to-razers comparison of the GPU in the MacBook Pro 14 and Blade 14, unfortunately, but at least in the cross-platform 3DMark Steel Nomad, it's not even a contest, as the Blade 14's RTX 5070 GPU scores about 3.6x better in this synthetic GPU test.

In terms of creative performance, the Blade 14 2025 more than holds its own against its predecessors and its main rival amongst the best Windows laptops for creatives, the Dell 14 Premium, falling behind only the MacBook Pro 14 in my Crossmark Creativity testing, and even then, not by much.

When it came to gaming, though, the Blade 14 really impressed me. At its native 2880×1800 resolution, Games like F1 2024 and Helldivers 2 ran well into the high double and even triple digits on ultra settings with balanced DLSS (not counting Frame Generation), while games like Satisfactory (my personal go-to) stayed above 100 FPS constantly.

Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1080p pushed the GPU hard, averaging around 50 FPS, but enabling DLSS 4's Transformer model made it silky smooth at 1080p and very playable at 1440p, hovering between 50-80 FPS depending on the DLSS setting used.

Since the base frame rates are north of 50 FPS when using DLSS, you can turn on Frame Generation as well to push that FPS higher to max out the display's 120Hz refresh without having to worry about input latency, which wasn't noticeable in my time gaming on the laptop when I used the feature.

The key standout for me though wasn’t just raw average framerates—it was stability on the low-end. Minimum frame rates on just about every game I tested with balanced upscaling were well north of 50 FPS unless I did something like trying to run Cyberpunk 2077 on its max settings with Ray Tracing Overdrive at native resolution.

This means that for pretty much any title, you're going to get exceptionally smooth gameplay on the go, which is what a laptop like this is really all about.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Battery Life

• How long does it last on a single charge? It lasted about five hours on my standard 'performance' test settings
• Proprietary charger required to charge it quickly, but you can use USB4 for slower charging

The battery life on the Blade 14 2025 isn't fantastic, but it's pretty solid for a gaming laptop, especially with some power-saving tweaks.

In my normal test settings, with max resolution and frame rate with the laptop set to Windows 11 Performance mode, the Blade 14 2025 fell behind a lot of other competing 14-inch laptops on the market, as well as its two immediate predecessors, with an average battery life of just five hours and one minute in our Web Surfing test.

It manages to do a little bit better on the gaming battery test, though it still lags behind its immediate predecessors. One thing to consider though is that of all the 14-inch laptops I tested here, only the Dell 14 Premium has an OLED panel to match what the Blade 14 is sporting, while the earlier Blade 14s and the MacBook Pro aren't bogged down by the OLED display's higher power consumption.

It is worth noting though that slowing down the refresh rate to 60Hz rather than 120Hz and you turn off the RGB lighting on the keydeck, you can stretch this battery life out to over eight hours.

Also, the Blade 14 2025 comes with a proprietary charging brick and port for the fastest charging and best plugged-in performance while gaming, but the USB4 ports do allow for USB-C charging, just at a slower rate.

• Battery Life: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025)?

Buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025) if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested the Razer Blade 14 (2025)

• I spent about three weeks with the Razer Blade 14 (2025)
• I used it for everyday gaming, work, and creative tasks
• I ran it through our standard suite of benchmark tests

I had the chance to test out the Razer Blade 14 2025 for about three weeks, which is about 50% longer than I usually have to devote to a single laptop review, so I really got to know this laptop.

I used it for day-to-day writing tasks (including drafting this review), as well as general productivity and creative work, including Adobe Photoshop for editing the photos shown above.

For gaming, I used it extensively as my primary gaming device, focusing on more demanding titles like Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, as well as more requirement-friendly titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong.

I've reviewed dozens of gaming laptops for TechRadar over the course of half a decade, ranging from the very best desktop replacements to the best budget gaming laptops, so I know what the market has to offer. I leverage that insight and expertise to help readers by offering the best advice I can on what gaming laptops offer the best value, and which are worth the splurge.

• First reviewed September 2025

• Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC has been released, an evolution of the Wolverine V3 Pro controller
• The controller features Razer’s 8000 Hz HyperPolling tech, which is also offered in Razer's impressive Viper 8K gaming mouse, for the best input response
• A Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC is also available for purchase

Razer has announced the launch of its Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, a next-generation controller built specifically for PC gaming and featuring new improvements.

As the next evolution of the Wolverine V3 Pro controller, this latest model features Razer’s 8000 Hz HyperPolling technology for both wired and wireless gaming, which should offer an impressive "near-instantaneous" input response for first-person shooter (FPS) gaming.

This tech was also present in Razer's excellent Viper 8K gaming mouse, one of the fastest, most responsive gaming mice TechRadar has ever seen.

The Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC also offers TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) Thumbsticks with swappable caps and provides anti-drift performance and long-lasting durability, which is a must for pinpoint accuracy in FPS games.

It's also Razer's lightest wireless esports controller to date, featuring an ergonomic shape that reduces hand fatigue during long gaming sessions, four mouse click back buttons, and two claw grip bumpers that are fully remappable, Razer Pro HyperTriggers, and more.

The controller also comes packaged with a carrying case and a 2m braided cable for portability.

"PC gamers have long demanded a controller that doesn’t compromise on speed, precision, or customization," said Nick Bourne, head of mobile and console division at Razer. "With the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, we’ve delivered exactly that — a controller built specifically for the PC ecosystem.

"From the industry’s fastest polling rate to our lightest wireless form factor, this is the definitive device for competitive PC players who want every advantage."

Razer is also launching the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC, a wired variant offering the aforementioned features "designed for players who demand uncompromising performance and zero-latency input."

"Engineered with the same elite-level features as its wireless counterpart, the Tournament Edition delivers precision and responsiveness through a direct wired connection, making it the ideal choice for competitive gamers," Razer said.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is now available for purchase at $199.99 / £179.99 GBP, while the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC will cost $119.99 / £99.99 GBP.

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• Razer has revealed a new line of BlackShark V3 Pro headsets
• There are dedicated versions for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
• It's part of the brand's wider push into the console space

Gaming hardware brand Razer has unveiled the new Razer BlackShark V3 Pro line, with dedicated options for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox gamers.

A successor to the already excellent Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, a hugely popular headset that we awarded four and a half out of five stars in our review, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro introduces hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time in a BlackShark headset.

It features four microphones to detect and help filter out background noise, plus comfortable memory foam ear cups to provide an ideal fit.

It's also the first Razer headset to benefit from the brand's new Gen-2 HyperSpeed Wireless technology, reducing audio latency as low as a claimed 10 milliseconds. That, according to Razer, puts it well ahead of the competition and makes it an ideal choice for professional gamers.

In addition to a slightly revised overall design, there have been substantial changes under the hood. The headset now has Gen-2 Triforce 50mm drivers with bio-cellulose diaphragms, completely redesigned for more precise audio and spatial accuracy.

The microphone has also been upgraded, with a whopping 48kHz sample rate that puts it in competition with some of the best microphones for streaming right now.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro launches in three variants, each tailored to its distinct platforms. The PC version supports THX Spatial Audio, while the PlayStation variant is fully compatible with Tempest 3D Audio. The Xbox options, then, are designed with Windows Sonic spatial sound in mind.

All three cost $249.99 / £249.99 each, and come in either Black or White colorways. While the Xbox and PC versions are available now, the PlayStation variant will hit shelves at a later date.

They release alongside the more affordable Razer BlackShark V3 and entry-level Razer BlackShark V3 X HyperSpeed. Both of these models also come in distinct PC, PlayStation, and Xbox flavors.

Razer goes all-in on the console space

The launch of these new headsets represents something of a shift for the traditionally very PC-focused hardware brand, which is now aiming to become a major player in the console space.

"So I think in the past, we had really worked as very separate entities as far as PC and console were concerned," explains Razer senior product evangelist Paige Sander.

"We took a step back and realized that, as we have so much credibility and innovation in the PC space, why not take some of those iconic things, like BlackShark V2 Pro or like our mouse click switches, and bring them to our console products?"

In the end, "it's about bringing those innovations to console gamers so that they get the same level of performance and esports-focused features", though Sander admits that there are some special considerations when designing a console product.

"The most important thing is making sure that it's really optimized for the platform that it's built for. That's why we do driver tuning specifically on the platforms, to make sure that the audio is really dialed in," she says. "Also, things like the 3.5mm jack. We know that many console gamers like to plug headsets directly into their controllers, so we made sure that that feature was present."

Razer is also carefully considering feedback from pro players, a formula that has proven successful for its PC products.

"We also worked specifically with pros in the console space 'Snip3down' on Xbox, 'Shotzzy' on PlayStation," Sander reveals.

"These are their preferred platforms when they're gaming, and so we made sure to work directly with them on the development of their FPS profiles, on some of the design elements like the subtle Xbox and PlayStation stitching that you'll see on our headsets."

According to market research firm Circana, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is currently the most popular PC gaming headset in the US.

Will Razer find similar success in the console market? Only time will tell, but I'm certainly looking forward to taking these new models for a spin.

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Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: one-minute review

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is, as the keen-eyed will have surmised, an upgrade to the 2024 V2 wireless gaming headset, which adds active noise cancellation to the proposition. Razer’s BlackShark headsets fit into the manufacturer’s range right at the top, in terms of both features and pricing, so the changes it makes to this model are always a real statement of intent.

What is that intent? A combination of one big addition in ANC, plus a few smaller tweaks that demonstrate an open ear to community feedback. It’s odd to see noise cancellation added to a headset that features breathable fabric earcups, since ANC relies on the headset’s ability to isolate sound passively through its physical design in order to work effectively.

In other words, the earcups need to block out maximum ambient sound by creating a vacuum around your ear before the listening technology gets involved. It’s not unheard of, though, as AirPods Max users will attest, and despite the cloth fabric’s inferior isolation properties, these updated BlackSharks do indeed manage to tune out a good deal of unwanted external noise. Best of all, there’s a button on the headset that toggles between ANC on, ambient (using the listening mics to actively amplify external noise), or ANC off.

Those other small tweaks: a slightly redesigned hinge connecting the earcups to the adjustable headband, which is now finished with an aluminum panel and operates slightly more smoothly and – the holy grail of headset features – a physical chat mix scroll wheel, just like SteelSeries adds to their Arctis cans.

Truthfully, there wasn’t much wrong with the existing model, as you’ll see from our Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review. I’ve been using the V2s ever since they released, and I’m delighted that the V3 retains all the strong points like incredible comfort, finish quality, battery life, audio, adds a couple of welcome tweaks, and then slaps in a big value-add like ANC without upsetting the apple cart. The Xbox and PlayStation versions feature very similar offerings, distinguished only by some green headband trim on the Xbox model and a slightly different variant of the dongle.

The only significant downside to using the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC, regardless of platform, is the dongle situation. The supplied HyperSpeed wireless dongle actually requires a USB cable to connect to either a PC or console, while the smaller, neater BlackShark V2 USB-C dongle won’t pair with V3 models. So although the headset’s wireless, the dongle is… wired? That seems like a bit of an odd situation, despite the improved latency that HyperSpeed brings.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Price and availability

• List price: $249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510
• $50 more than the BlackShark V2
• Considerably cheaper than SteelSeries’ Nova Pro Wireless ANC option

This certainly isn’t a cheap headset. Then again, the BlackShark never has been, and ANC tends to add a considerable price premium on any headset model that offers it, gaming or otherwise.

The cost of blocking out external sound is about $50, versus the outgoing 2024 model of BlackShark V2 Pro, which means anyone considering hitting the buy button has an important question to ask themselves: is ANC essential, or would they be just as happy to use the V2 model instead and enjoy the lion’s share of the same features, for less? V2s sell for less than $180 now and are likely to be discounted further while stocks last.

The other big player in the ANC gaming headset space is SteelSeries, whose Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is among the most feature-rich and lavishly finished models we’ve ever seen. Priced at $349.99 MSRP, it’s a full hundred dollars more expensive than this Razer model, which almost makes the Pro V3 ANC seem like a bargain.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Specs

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Design & features

• Beautifully stealthy looks with immaculate stitching
• All-day comfort, despite the weight
• Great suite of physical controls

BlackSharks are built around an aviation-style headset design, similar to HyperX’s Cloud, which was itself based on the OG QPAD QH90s. That entails two oval-shaped earcups connected not at the top but via a hinge at the side of each to a padded headband.

I’ve been testing headsets for far too many years at this point, and I’ve found this earcup size and design generally offers the best comfort and passive noise cancellation. So when it’s manufactured to a high standard like this and finished with a generous wedge of memory foam, you’ve got a recipe for long-term comfort.

Some people don’t get on with the hinge design. While other headsets offer a notched sensation when you adjust the headband and even show you measurements that you can reference, these BlackShark V3 Pros, like their ancestors, don’t have any of that. Personally, I’ve always found that a bit pointless – surely it’s quicker and easier to adjust until you feel comfortable, rather than dialing in a prescribed number?

It’s true that the thin telescopic aluminum poles that let you adjust for size have traditionally been a bit stiff to operate, and to me it feels like they’re smoother on this model. That could just be the new headset effect, though.

The finish is typically immaculate, as per Razer’s standards. The stitching on the upper leather portion of the headband looks like an Italian sports car’s interior, the imprinted Razer logo running along the top is pin-sharp, and so are the gloss finish Razer logos on the matte earcups. There’s a new aluminium plate on the hinges for these V3s, finished in an engraved spiral design, which breaks up what was previously a plasticky-looking component with a bit of added shine. They probably don’t bring the weight down, but despite its 0.81lbs/367g being towards the heavier end of the market, discomfort isn’t an issue as the headband and earcup cushioning, together with the headset’s clamping force, work together to prevent anything digging in.

I’m such a big fan of the right-hand earcup’s physical controls. Firstly, there’s a button that cycles through three ANC modes: on, off, or ambient, and not even my Bose QC45s offer that much control over ANC, so well done for that, Razer.

Second, I always find a chat mix wheel useful, so its addition to the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC is an extremely welcome one for me. Streamers might like to hear a small amount of their mix audio just to check they’re not muted, and personally, I find it helps to regulate my speaking volume for in-game chat.

There’s also an EQ cycle button, which I never, ever use. Some people might. At least it’s positioned so that I never hit it by accident.

The only significant negative is an enduring one: the supplied HyperSpeed dongle needs a USB cable to be connected to it. The USB-C dongle for the V2 gen won’t pair with these V3s, so HyperSpeed dongles are the only option. This won’t impact your enjoyment of the headset’s features, but it feels like a strange solution, a bit of a stopgap until Razer releases a HyperSpeed dongle that plugs directly into your device. Until then, grit your teeth and brace for some cable spaghetti emitting from your PC or console.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: Performance

• ANC works well, if not perfectly
• Booming but precise sound
• Absurd battery life

Let’s get into the headline addition to this V3 iteration of the BlackShark Pro: active noise cancellation. Seeing ANC on a gaming headset’s spec sheet is a recent phenomenon, probably because the areas where we play games tend to be quiet in the first place. But there are scenarios when it could come in handy: doubling up as work and gaming headphones, playing on a mobile device on public transport, or, for the very few players skilled enough to find themselves in such a situation, playing an esports match in front of a crowd.

Until the Worms Armageddon competitive scene blows up, the only use case I have for ANC is when using a headset with a mobile device out in the world, particularly on a plane. I must disclose that I haven’t used the BlackShark V3 Pro ANCs on a plane yet, but I have taken them on train journeys and on walks, using the Bluetooth connection with my phone.

The listening mics do their job well, negating a lot of ambient noise in both situations. However, the downside to using cloth fabric instead of pleather around the earcups is that if you really listen out for it, you can hear the ANC making tiny adjustments whenever your headset’s position changes slightly. Which it does, because that breathable fabric doesn’t ‘stick’ the headset in place like pleather does. You really have to listen out for it, but the sound of low frequencies adjusting is perceptible as your headset shifts.

I don’t find that a major issue. ANC is a big value-add for me, but not because I need to drown out sound while gaming. Instead, it adds to the BlackShark V3 Pro ANC’s versatility, as a smartphone headset, a night-time phone session buddy, or a study aid to help me focus.

Speaking of versatility, since the V2s were released, Razer updated their firmware to allow simultaneous 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can take calls from your phone while you play on your PC or console. Yet another value-add.

Like its predecessor, the model comes in PC, PS5, and Xbox variants, both also compatible with PC, with only minor cosmetic differences and one compatibility difference (the Xbox version works on all platforms, the other two not so) between them - some green trim and a different dongle on the Xbox version, basically. Setup is easy on both consoles, and new to this gen, you can use them wired while they’re charging on consoles, too.

Not that charging is an especially frequent task. The spec sheet gives these 70 hours of life on a full charge when using a 2.4GHz wireless connection, which is an extraordinary figure. Based on my year of heavy usage with the V2s, the 70-hour claim held up long-term, so I’ll be interested to see what effect the ANC has on the V3’s battery performance over the coming months. All I can say at present is that 70 hours is correct out of the box.

I don’t think the mic’s been updated this gen, at least not as far as I can tell. The same detachable design returns, with a big foam pop shield, decent noise suppression, and a well-rounded sound. In the last year, I’ve been using the V2s, people on Discord always asked if something was wrong with my mic when I used a different headset for testing. The consensus this time? It sounds… the same.

Let’s mention the driver sound quality, since it’s the bottom line of any gaming headset. It’s been a long time since Razer and its contemporaries used to artificially boost the low-end frequencies to make everything you listened to sound like a bone-rattling action film. Modern gaming headsets offer a much flatter EQ response, which gives you numerous benefits, from versatility to precise audio articulation. It also means that headsets from different manufacturers sound a lot more like each other than they used to, but nevertheless, the BlackShark family has ‘a sound’.

It’s precise and flat, but with an authoritative thud to the bass response when it’s truly needed. You can, of course, tinker with those properties via the EQ presets and Razer’s Synapse software, but I find software EQ tends to introduce a digital artifice to the sound that’s always counterproductive.

The bottom line is that they sound fantastic in every setting. Like their predecessor, the V3 Pro ANCs are a complete package that’s hard to find fault with.

Should I buy the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro: also consider...

Is something fishy about the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro to you? Consider these wireless alternatives.

How I tested the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

• Over a week of solid use on PC, PS5, and mobile
• Desktop station and noisy environments field-tested
• Comfort and battery life were evaluated via long-term usage and extended play sessions, audio via music, and in-game sound

There are two ways to test the effectiveness of active noise cancellation outside the lab: one is to observe the difference in a quiet space, and the other is to go somewhere noisy. I did plenty of both during testing, on commuter trains and walks through the park, as well as at my nice, tranquil desktop PC setup.

I put the BlackShark V3 Pro ANCs through their paces in direct comparison to the V2s, across multiple consoles, and in a selection of games, including Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on PS5, Far Cry 5 on Xbox, and my old favorite, MotoGP 25 on PC, as well as a range of music too.

My typical play sessions these days are a couple of hours each, but I also logged some longer sessions to test out the long-term comfort, and used the battery from full charge down to full depletion, using both wireless modes and the full suite of ANC options.

First reviewed July 2025

Read more about how we test

• Razer Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station merges port expansion and SSD storage in one compact unit
• With Thunderbolt Share, the dock enables fast file transfers between PCs without using a network
• Handles three 4K monitors at 120Hz through a single connection

Razer has launched a new accessory based on the latest Thunderbolt standard, designed to boost data transfer speed, graphics performance, and connectivity for users who want more from their current setup.

The Razer Thunderbolt 5 Docking Station supports data speeds up to 120Gb/s and drives up to three 4K displays at 120Hz, offering considerable bandwidth for external monitors and peripherals.

One notable feature of this device is its integrated SSD storage, up to 8TB, which allows the dock to function not only as a hub but also as a high-speed external drive. It also consolidates eleven ports into a single unit, reducing cable clutter while providing flexibility for demanding workflows

High-speed storage meets port expansion

The design includes Thunderbolt Share, which allows for fast file transfers and control between systems.

This could appeal to users who work across multiple PCs or want to offload projects quickly without involving a network.

The base version of the dock is priced at $299.99, but models with integrated storage scale up significantly, with the top-end 8TB configuration priced at $999.99.

Whether that cost is justified depends on how much users value the combination of a high-speed SSD and a next-gen connectivity hub in one unit.

Razer says the new dock addresses pain points around high-refresh displays, rapid file movement, and system expandability, all without needing a full desktop.

“The Razer Thunderbolt 5 Dock is designed to meet the growing need for faster data transfer and robust multi-display support,” said Travis Furst, Head of Notebooks and Accessories at Razer.

“With the Razer Core X V2, we’re extending that experience - delivering a high-performance external graphics boost that brings desktop graphics to laptops. Thanks to the support of the latest NVIDIA and AMD graphic cards, it’s a seamless upgrade that can transform ultra-thin Thunderbolt enabled laptops into creative or gaming workstations.”

Although the product is marketed to professionals and content creators, the high price tag and niche features may limit its appeal.

The real test will be whether users find the SSD expansion and port density compelling enough to replace multiple discrete accessories.

In addition, Razer also introduced the Core X V2, a Thunderbolt 5 external GPU enclosure that supports full-length PCIe graphics cards.

Designed for use with laptops and handhelds, the Core X V2 is priced at $499.99 and includes fan control and 140W laptop charging.

It serves a different but complementary audience, those who need desktop-class graphics in a modular shell.

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If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming mouse to a lighter model fit for the elite, then the Razer Viper V3 Pro is now $94.89 (was $159) at Amazon in the US right now. It’s a refurbished model, but listed as being in excellent condition. It’s available in both black and white colorways, too.

Coincidentally, the same mouse is also on sale over at Amazon UK for £121.20 (was £159.99) for a brand new model, although you can save even more if you opt for one of the used models, which is described as being like new. I found the Viper V3 Pro to be a very capable pointer, and Razer prominently features in our best gaming mouse guide, which should reassure you.

Today's best Razer Viper V3 Pro deals

In my Razer Viper V3 Pro review, I commended its lightweight construction, which tips the scales at a mere 54g. Combined with its PTFE skates, this makes it brilliantly maneuverable.

It also fit my hand quite well, although the prominent hump might deter those after a full handful. If you prefer a more secure feel, you can attach the optional grip tape that comes in the box.

Razer’s Synapse PC app contains numerous customization options for the Viper V3 Pro, with a copious amount of rebinds available. There are also a pleasing number of performance-related tweaks, including independent settings for lift-off and landing heights, which isn’t all that common in peripheral software.

As a result, the Viper V3 Pro is a mouse suitable for high-level gaming, especially when considering its 8K polling rate. The buttons were very snappy in my experience, while also being satisfying to use thanks to their dampening. Their indentations made them comfortable to use as well.

The side buttons and scroll wheel are equally capable, although these are the only additions the Viper V3 Pro gets; it’s a little bare compared to more feature-laden gaming mice.

It does feature wireless connectivity, though, which works very well, and the long battery life is impressive. The Viper V3 Pro might be an expensive gaming mouse, but there’s no denying it has the quality to satisfy hardcore gamers – and this sale makes it an even better proposition.

• Razer has resumed the sale of its Razer Blade gaming laptops after tariff scares
• The Razer Blade 16 is now available in the US with multiple configurations
• There's still tariff uncertainty as the 90-day pause may be altered

Recent US tariffs have left multiple PC hardware companies on edge, forcing many to halt sales and adjust prices, notably Razer and its pause on gaming laptops. However, that has seemingly come to an end.

As reported by Notebookcheck, Razer has resumed the sale of its laptops, starting with the Razer Blade 16 and its multiple Nvidia GeForce RTX 5000 series configurations, including the RTX 5090. It's now available to purchase from Razer's site starting at $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.

For now, the Blade 16 is the only option available in the US, and is set to be delivered to consumers at the end of April. It's also available for pre-order in the UK, while the Blade 14 and Blade 18 (2024 models) are available to buy in Australia. Notebookcheck also mentions that the new Blade 16 will also be available at Razer's physical stores.

So it seems that things could be returning to some sort of normality for people looking to buy a new Razer laptop in the US, which seems to be a result of the pause on tariffs. However, it's likely not the end of the road just yet in terms of tariff scares, as the 90-day pause could be undone by Trump, as reported by Business Insider.

It's best to buy now while you still can...

There's no telling when the tariff situation will come to an end, and based on the trend of inflation that’s been affecting all manner of PC hardware lately, including the uncertainty surrounding the 90-day tariff pause, it would be wise to make a move now if you’re thinking of buying a new Razer laptop.

The Razer Blade 16 isn't a cheap gaming laptop by any means, but gaming laptops as such are the closest some gamers can get to desktop gaming PCs: if you're looking to buy any of the RTX 5070, 5080, or 5090 desktop GPU equivalents, you're likely going to be spending a lot of cash – especially when including the price of other PC parts.

In the meantime, you can spend around the same price you would for a premium GPU on a gaming laptop instead that can work as a desktop replacement. Of course, the performance isn't going to be the same, but it will be close enough for many people.

I don't see the inflation and scalping issues on desktop GPUs ending anytime soon, and Razer's gaming laptops have a solid reputation when it comes to providing great gaming performance.

With tools like Multi Frame Generation at your disposal, thanks to Nvidia's Blackwell laptop GPUs (trust me, I've used one and it's great), you’ll have an advantage with higher frame rates over the older RTX 4000 series models that only use the original Frame Generation.

The only issue is that they’re very expensive, regardless of the current state of the desktop GPU market. So, for those with deep pockets, it’s an easy recommendation and I’d suggest purchasing right away, but that’s not exactly the case for most gamers…

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• Razer has launched its PC Remote Play game streaming service
• This lets you stream games from your PC to a mobile device
• It comes with optimization features and works with controllers

I love my gaming PC, but it’s not the most portable device in the world. At the same time, my iPhone 16 Pro isn’t capable of playing the best PC games due to all manner of compatibility issues. That’s why Razer’s latest announcement – of the launch of its PC Remote Play system – piqued my interest.

According to Razer’s website, PC Remote Play lets you stream games from your PC to a mobile device like an iPhone or an iPad, to handheld gaming devices, or to a Windows-based computer. It’s also compatible with a range of mobile games controllers, too, while it supports keyboards, mice and trackpads when paired with a tablet.

Razer says that PC Remote Play can automatically optimize your games based on the device and screen they are played on. It takes your device’s maximum resolution and refresh rate into account, without locking your games to a fixed aspect ratio.

When used on an Android device that’s paired with a Razer Kishi Ultra controller, PC Remote Play can also add haptic feedback into the mix. And it works with many of the biggest gaming platforms and libraries, including Steam, Epic Games, Microsoft’s PC Game Pass, and more.

Gaming over the air

I do my fair share of mobile gaming, but I’ve never been truly convinced to migrate away from my gaming PC. Most of my favorite titles, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3, don’t have native mobile versions. Handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck, meanwhile, have always cost more than I’ve wanted to spend.

With something like Razer’s PC Remote Play, though, I can use my existing iPhone and games controller to play away from my desk (as long as I’m within connection range of my PC, of course). Its optimization features are the cherry on the cake.

But will it convince me to spend most of my gaming time on my iPhone? Perhaps not, as nothing beats the large-screen PC experience for me. But if you’re looking for a new way to play on your mobile device without having to buy a pricey Steam Deck or similar product, it could be worth a look.

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• Best handheld games consoles in 2025: the top systems we've tried
• Handheld gaming PCs are here to stay: here's why I'd recommend the Asus ROG Ally over a gaming laptop any day of the week

• Framework Computer is stopping sales of its low-tier laptops due to tariffs
• It states that it would be selling at a loss as it implies it would prefer to avoid overpricing its products for consumers
• Razer has also seemingly suspended sales of Blade laptops in the US, likely due to tariffs

Affordability has been a big issue across the board when it comes to PC and gaming hardware lately; Nvidia and AMD's third-party GPUs have been impacted due to inflation, scalping, and tariffs, with prices soaring far above their MSRPs. However, one popular laptop manufacturer has decided to take another route entirely.

On its X (formerly Twitter) page, Framework Computer announced that it will be pausing the sale of its cheaper, lower-end laptops in response to the new Trump tariffs that came into effect on April 5. The reasoning for this is that it would be 'selling at a loss' - implying that it would rather avoid charging consumers more and instead halt proceedings until further notice.

Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs have effectively forced many companies to take drastic action, like Nintendo pumping the brakes on Switch 2 pre-orders for US customers; there’s a clear uncertainty about how big of an impact there could be on its $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95 MSRP.

Back in the laptop market, it's clear that Framework would prefer to maintain its consumer-friendly track record, keeping customers from overspending on less powerful hardware while also avoiding a potential major financial deficit.

It's unclear whether this could eventually apply to its more expensive configurations, using AMD or Intel's powerful SoCs - like the upcoming Framework Desktop, for example. But even now, powerhouse laptops aren’t safe from tariff-related complications: it appears that Razer has put a complete halt to sales of its Blade gaming laptops in America, with the official Razer US site showing no Blades for sale at the time of writing.

This is perhaps an even more shocking move. Razer is a household name among PC gamers, and to completely suspend sales of its most popular laptop line in the US - right after the launch of its excellent new Razer Blade 16, no less - is honestly a bit wild. Granted, you can still pick them up at third-party retailers, so it’s not a total blackout, and the present assumption is that Razer - like Framework - is simply biding its time until the dust has settled on the current tariff situation.

I have a strong feeling this could happen with GPUs soon...

I don't want to sound like a repetitive robot, but the GPU market is in a shambles right now. If you're looking to buy any of Nvidia or AMD's newest GPUs, one thing is almost certain: you won't find any at the recommended retail price.

It's worth noting that inflated prices on these GPUs were already a serious problem before the new tariffs - especially for Nvidia's RTX 5000 series lineup, which it launched in January. For the most powerful GPU on the market, the RTX 5090, you're looking at a price far above its $1,999 / £1,939 / AU$4,039 launch price.

I'll admit, not many PC users genuinely need that much processing power for gaming or rendering; however, the same question of halting sales like Framework has done comes into the equation now, specifically with Team Green's upcoming desktop RTX 5060 Ti. It’s not been officially announced, but leaks suggest the GPU is on the horizon and is expected to be cheaper than its RTX 4060 Ti predecessor.

It's hard to believe that Nvidia would sell at a loss (as it's literally one of the wealthiest companies worldwide), and I wonder if the tariffs may result in raising the prices of its lower-end GPUs so much that at least AIBs might have to halt sales.

There are still a variety of factors in play here, particularly whether the new GPU performs well for gamers: if it doesn't perform well and inflation from board partners on top of tariffs are present, it'll likely be a hard sell for Team Green. It's only ever a matter of time before something new and significant shakes up the GPU market, and these tariffs may just be the catalyst...

You may also like...

• Nvidia RTX 5060 series shipping leak reveals the same memory bus as last-gen - but it's not as bad as you may think
• Keen to buy an RTX 5060 Ti? Benchmarks and more rumored sightings suggest you don’t have long to wait for Nvidia’s next GPU
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 review: nearly RTX 4090 performance for a whole lot less

One-minute review

The Razer Iskur V2 X is a lower-cost alternative to the excellent Razer Iskur V2, offering a more limited selection of features at a massively reduced $299.99 / £299.99 price.

It’s easily one of the best gaming chairs and most comfortable gaming chairs under $300 / £300 that I've tested. This costs puts it a little bit above the cost of other budget-friendly seats like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed or AndaSeat Luna, but comfortably below more premium options including the Secretlab Titan Evo and Razer has smartly judged which premium features to lose and which ones to keep.

It’s constructed with robust materials, including a hard-wearing metal base that feels substantially more durable than the usual plastic ones found on cheaper models. It’s well-cushioned too, with a wide, soft seat that feels spacious and gives you plenty of room to shift around and adjust your position.

The backrest features an in-built lumbar support curve that, unlike the adaptive lumbar system of the Razer Iskur V2, is completely static and cannot be adjusted. That said, I wouldn’t actually want to adjust it anyway as I found it offered just the right amount of support out of the box - though your mileage here may vary. The armrests have a more limited 2D motion compared to that more premium seat (that’s vertical plus three rotated positions), which is fair for the price and is topped with a pleasantly squishy foam.

On top of all this, the assembly process is remarkably easy and quick with clear instructions that even a complete newcomer to the world of gaming chairs would be able to follow with ease.

The one area where the Razer Iskur V2 X falls behind is in the lack of upholstery or color options. This chair is only available with a fabric finish, which is going to disappoint those who prefer the look and feel of synthetic leather.

Despite some neon green details, both the black and grey colorways are also quite plain looking - especially compared to the variety of bright colors offered by budget brands like AndaSeat.

Price and availability

• Costs $299.99 / £299.99
• Available via Razer
• Spotty availability in the UK

The Razer Iksur V2 X is available via Razer and costs $299.99 / £299.99. That said, stock seems a little spotty in the UK and, at the time of writing, if you head over to the Razer site in the region you’re greeted with an error message on the Razer Iksur V2 X purchase page.

If you are able to get your hands on it, however, this is a very good price for what you get. It’s less than half the cost of the Razer Iskur V2, which comes in at $649.99 / £599.99. The biggest differences between the two models are the fact that the Iskur V2 X lacks the adjustable lumbar support (with a static curve instead), has 2D armrests rather than 4D ones, and comes in just one upholstery: fabric.

The Razer Iskur V2 also comes bundled with a memory foam headrest, which is sold separately in the case of the Razer Iskur V2 X.

While I do personally slightly prefer using the Razer Iskur V2 X thanks to its enhanced adjustability, these are very reasonable concessions for such a steep price cut. You’re going to struggle to find many chairs more feature-rich than the Razer Iskur V2 X for under $300 / £300.

Specs

Design and aesthetics

• Simple and effective design
• Robust materials
• But only one upholstery option

The Razer Iskur V2 X looks like a slimmed-down version of its more expensive sibling, the Razer Iskur V2. It has that same iconic racing seat silhouette, but a thinner backrest - presumably because it lacks any of the Iskur V2’s complex adjustment mechanisms. The middle portion of the backrest features a subtle hexagonal pattern, which gives it a pleasant tactile feel.

Towards the bottom of the backrest is the integrated lumbar curve, which is designed to follow the natural curvature of your lower back. The curve is very prominent and will likely take a few days to get used to if you haven’t tried an ergonomic chair before, but I found it to be immediately comfortable as someone who’s sat in similar chairs before.

As you look towards the seat’s base, the first thing you will notice is the fact that it's impressively spacious, coming in at 21in / 545mm at its widest point. It’s also a slightly sculpted shape, with a small dip towards the center which helps more effectively distribute your weight.

The base of the chair is constructed from a durable brushed aluminum, which is reassuringly heavy and a massive upgrade compared to the plastic base found on similarly priced budget options like the AndaSeat Phantom 3.

The Razer Iskur V2 X is available in two colorways, black and light grey. I tested the black model, which features bright green stitching and a rubberized Razer logo just below the point where your head sits. Despite these details, these color choices are very plain, and the one area where some of the competition truly has the Razer Iskur V2 X beat.

In addition to gray and black, the likes of the much cheaper AndaSeat Luna, for example, also come in a more exciting black and blue or black and red. Similarly, the Boulies Master Series, which is just a touch more expensive than the Razer Iskur V2 X, is available in a chill blue or a deep brown. Both of these alternatives could therefore be better choices if you’re looking to color-coordinate your setup.

Comfort and adjustability

• Fabric is layered and high quality
• Cushions are soft and effective
• Great lumbar support

There are no areas where I can fault the Razer Iskur V2 X in terms of comfort. This is an extremely comfortable seat, thanks in no small part to its integrated lumbar curve. While most chairs rely on a separate lumbar pillow, which can be fiddly and difficult to position properly, I really appreciate the simplicity of the Razer Iskur V2 X. This is a no-fuss chair that, for me, was great to sit on right out of the box.

The wide base of the seat is also fantastic, with soft foam cushions that are a joy to sink into. Although I usually prefer synthetic leather options, the fabric upholstery here is soft to the touch with multiple breathable layers that effectively stop heat building up even over periods of extended use in an office setting. The backrest reclining mechanism is smooth and reliable, offering up to 152 degrees of positioning for when you just want to kick back and relax.

There are also no problems with the height adjustment, which is controlled by a small lever under the right-hand side of the seat. This lever can also be pulled outwards to enable a seat tilt or pushed back in to lock it flat. The speed of the seat title is adjustable via a large dial on the bottom of the seat.

Finally, the armrests feature a 2D adjustment mechanism. It feels a bit plasticky, but nevertheless appears robust and is very smooth and easy to operate. I also appreciated the slightly soft and rubbery feel of the top of the armrests, which was perfectly comfortable for my elbows.

Assembly

I also can’t complain about its simple assembly process. Razer nailed it with the Razer Iskur V2 and has put up a comparably strong showing here.

A large instruction sheet is included in the box with clear diagrams walking you through the entire process, in addition to every tool that you need. This is on top of a pair of gloves (eliminating the chance of picking up small nicks or scratches) plus a large foam sheet to protect your flooring as you build.

The entire process took me about ten minutes and, while I am very experienced in building gaming furniture, I’m confident that even a newcomer would be able to complete it with ease.

Should I buy the Razer Iskur V2 X?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Not completely sold on the Razer Iskur V2 X? These two alternatives might take your fancy instead.

How I tested the Razer Iskur V2 X

• Tested for over a month
• Sat on for hours at a time
• All adjustments tested

I tested the Razer Iskur V2 X in our London HQ for over a month. During that time I spent hours sitting on the chair, carefully assessing its comfort and trying a range of different seating positions.

I made sure to test all of its adjustment features and often compared my experience with my hands-on testing of other gaming chairs from all across the price spectrum, particularly the Razer Iskur V2. I also compared it directly to various chairs around the office and asked colleagues to try it out for even more opinions on the level of support that it provides.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025.

The Amazon Spring Sale is nearly over, but there are still some great savings across the world of tech to be had. So if you're looking for some inspiration to take advantage of before the event comes to an end, then you're in luck, as we've rounded up the hottest reviews of the week.

• Read all of our previous Review Recaps

And there are some big ticket items here, including the new Razer Blade gaming laptop, which has some big boots to fill given the brand's stellar predecessors, while Huawei has hit it out the park with its first foray into the open-ear headphone market, as the FreeArc have the best sound around. Also, Shark's TurboBlade fan has been something of a revelation to us, thanks to an ingenious design – read on to find out more.

1. TCL QM6K TV review

2. Huawei FreeArc review

3. HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review

4. Shark TurboBlade review

5. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Two minute review

Weeks of stock shortages and scalping later, I can finally breathe: RTX 5000 laptops are here, offering a fresh path into Nvidia's glorious ray-traced future that doesn't involve selling your soul on Ebay - though you might need to sell a kidney to afford the new Razer Blade 16, especially if you're eyeing the top-of-the-line RTX 5090 configuration graciously provided to me for this review.

Yes, Razer is not beating the 'pricey hardware' allegations any time soon; the new Blade 16 starts at a wallet-battering $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95, and the higher-spec configurations rocket beyond the four-thousand mark in the US, UK, and Europe.

Don't get me wrong, though: the sky-high pricing is just about the only criticism I have here. Razer's iconic 16-inch laptop has undergone a subtle redesign - and I mean subtle, bordering on indistinguishable - that provides a range of small but worthy improvements, and at the heart of it all, Nvidia's Blackwell GPU lineup delivers boosted performance and a new wealth of features ready to do battle with the best gaming laptops.

I'll get into the real meat of these graphics upgrades later on, but here's the short version: this thing goes hard. Between DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation, Reflex 2, and the general generational improvements from RTX 4000, even the most demanding titles deliver crisp, speedy frame rates on the QHD+ OLED screen - and the 240Hz refresh rate means you won't find your game performance capped by the display.

The Razer Blade 16 isn't all steak and no sizzle, either. This is one classy-looking gaming laptop, as I've come to expect from Razer, with an anodized aluminum chassis, per-key RGB lighting, and the same overall top-notch build quality any previous Razer owner will be well accustomed to. Again, scroll on down to that Design section for all the juicy deets, but I will take a quick moment here to remark on the new-and-improved keyboard, which now features greater key travel and smoother actuation than previous models to provide a more pleasant typing experience as well as responsive inputs when gaming.

With how difficult it's proving to get your hands on a desktop RTX 5000 GPU, many will be looking towards the incoming slate of Blackwell-equipped laptops to scratch that hardware upgrade itch. If that's you - and you can stomach the price tag - then the Razer Blade 16 is the laptop to pick, and is easily one of the best thin and lightweight gaming laptops in 2025.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Price and availability

• How much is it? Starting at $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

There's no getting around it: this is one expensive laptop, even pricier than the previous RTX 4000 Razer Blade 16 we reviewed back in late 2023. Granted, you're getting a hell of a lot of gaming power for your money, but it's still pricey.

The Razer Blade 16 (2025) will cost you $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95 for the base configuration: that gets you an RTX 5070 Ti, 10-core AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 processor, 32GB of ultra-speedy LPDDR5X 8,000MHz memory, and a 1TB SSD. That's right - the long-standing industry baseline of 16GB of RAM is out, 32GB is the new standard for Razer.

There are a few different configurations, with more RAM or storage and an upgrade to either an RTX 5080 or 5090. The top-spec model costs a piggy-bank-busting $4,899.99 / £4,299.99 / AU$7,999.95, packing the RTX 5090 along with a 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, 64GB of RAM, and a huge 4TB of storage (in the form of two 2TB SSDs). Every version has the same 16-inch 240Hz QHD+ OLED display; sadly, there's no 4K model on offer, which does feel like a somewhat odd omission considering that the RTX 5090 is absolutely capable of 4K gaming.

I really can't stress enough that this is a comically enormous amount of money for the average PC gamer. As a fun little exercise, I went looking online for used cars that cost less than the Blade 16 review unit I'm typing this review on. 47,764 results. Oof.

Still, when scalpers are selling RTX 5090 cards on Ebay for upwards of four thousand bucks, it's not an entirely unattractive proposition. I mean, you're getting the whole system here, while the additional cost of a full desktop PC build capable of supporting Nvidia's latest flagship GPU without bottlenecking isn't exactly cheap. I have no doubt there will be laptops from other manufacturers that offer the same (or at least similar) specs at a lower price, but there will be sacrifices made - whether that's chassis materials, display quality, or memory speed.

• Value: 2.5 / 5

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Specs

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Design

• Same classic Blade finish with premium-feel anodized metal casing
• New keyboard design is a real improvement
• Chassis is lighter and more compact than previous models

Razer has long held a reputation as a company known for using premium materials for its hardware, and the new Blade 16 certainly doesn't buck this trend: every Blade begins life as a singular slab of tempered aluminum, which is then precision-milled into shape and electrochemically anodized to create a wear-resistant color finish designed to last.

Although the overall aesthetic of Razer's modern Blade lineup has changed very little over the years - compare this laptop side-by-side with the Razer Blade we reviewed back in 2018, and you'll see what I mean - there have been some small adjustments this time around, and all of them are good changes.

For starters, the laptop has been retooled to reduce the overall weight and size; there's a limit to this, especially with a 16-inch display, but Razer has managed to cut down the total package volume by almost 30%. It's almost half a centimetre thinner than the previous-gen Blade 16 (4.59mm, to be precise), and it adds that half-centimete to the length of the laptop instead - in practice, this doesn't make the Blade 16's footprint any appreciably larger, but does make it look and feel a lot thinner. It's also 310 grams lighter than the previous model.

Razer has also seen fit to improve the keyboard this time around, and it makes for a more satisfying typing experience than previous Blades. The key travel has been increased by 50%, and the actuation force sits at a finely-tuned 63G, providing a good amount of physical feedback that helped me avoid misinputs while both gaming and typing. The keys are quite widely spaced, which makes it comfortable to use even for long periods.

Naturally, this Blade now comes with a dedicated button for Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant for Windows, though I doubt most buyers will have much cause to use that. More interesting is the new row of five programmable macro keys, giving you instant access to the functions you use most often.

Additionally, this ain't your daddy's backlit RGB keyboard: not only does the full layout have per-key RGB lighting, but multiple keys actually feature two LEDs beneath the keycap, enabling a nifty feature where holding down Fn or Shift switches the illumination to instantly highlight the relevant keys. You can see what I mean in the GIF below - it's a small bonus, but I rather like it.

The touchpad is nothing to write home about (let's be honest, you'll be using a mouse anyway), but it is nice and large with a firm click to it. There's also a pretty straightforward 1080p webcam and microphone array, both of which work fine.

More impressive are the speakers: a six-speaker array with THX Spatial Audio support makes for one of the best audio experiences I've seen on a laptop. It's no secret that laptop makers often skimp on speaker quality because so many people will simply connect a headset anyway, but that's certainly not the case here. The bass is rich and punchy, and the midrange is crystal clear; high pitches are a little bit thin, but it's still a strong showing overall.

I'm not going to dedicate a huge amount of time here to the pre-loaded Razer Synapse software package, but I will say that there are some welcome improvements over the old (and rather wonky) version. Tweaking your system performance and lighting effects is nice and straightforward, as well as syncing and modifying any Razer peripherals you want to use.

I can't not talk about the screen, of course. Razer's hardware lineup has always offered high-end display configurations, often employing OLED panels, which remains the case here - though as I mentioned further up in this review, there's strangely no 4K configuration available this time around. Instead, every 2025 Blade 16 model comes with the exact same 16-inch 240Hz OLED display, with a resolution of 2560x1600. That's a 16:10 aspect ratio, which I'm personally a big fan of on laptops.

Still, it's an undeniably gorgeous screen: colors are bright and vibrant, contrast is sharp, and blacks are deep. It looks fantastic in motion while playing games like Cyberpunk 2077; the rainy, neon-splattered streets of Night City after dark are vividly colorful and realistic on this display.

One feature that I'm always happy to see is upgradability. Unfortunately, the RAM in the Razer Blade 16 is soldered, but the SSD is user-upgradable. In fact, anything less than the 4TB configuration (which uses two 2TB SSDs) comes with an empty NVMe slot for you to easily plug in a second drive if you want to expand the storage yourself.

Lastly, we've got a nice broad port selection here, with two USB-C ports, three USB-As, an HDMI port for connecting a second display, the omnipresent 3.5mm headphone jack, and finally a full-size SD card reader for creative users - a wise inclusion considering that this laptop can comfortably pull double duty as a work system (more on that later).

• Design: 5 / 5

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Performance

• Best-in-class performance
• RTX 5090 and Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 are a deadly combo
• New Nvidia features offer a huge performance boost

Enough about aesthetics: this is a gaming laptop, so how well does it run games? The answer is: extremely well, especially once you factor in Nvidia's DLSS and frame-gen tech.

Our standard testing process involves running games without using any form of upscaling or frame-gen tech, and you can see the results below. It's worth noting that the 2024 Razer Blade 16 with RTX 4090 I've used for comparative purposes has an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, which quite literally has double the core count of the Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 chip in this laptop, so without implementing Nvidia's latest goodies, the differences are relatively minor in many games.

Performance is still strong, make no mistake - but if you're aiming to play the latest games at maximum graphical settings on this laptop's native 1600p resolution, you're going to want to use DLSS.

Kick DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation (MFG) into gear, and it's a totally different story. I tested a few different supported titles at their respective maximum presets with ray tracing enabled, and both enjoyed a serious performance bump with Nvidia's fancy AI-powered software enabled.

There's been quite some debate about tools such as resolution upscaling and frame generation, not least due to the use of AI for both, and I admit I've been skeptical in the past. Here, it's a revelation. Earlier iterations of DLSS - and the frame-gen model seen in the previous RTX 4000 generation - were imperfect, prone to impact lag and visual glitching, especially on hardware that would struggle to hit 60fps without any AI-assisted add-ons. But DLSS 4 and MFG work phenomenally well on a laptop packing an RTX 5090; in Alan Wake 2, a thoroughly beautiful (and therefore demanding) game, I was lucky to reach above the 60fps mark without any upscaling or frame-gen enabled. With those settings turned on? 200fps, easy.

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal saw similarly massive framerate bumps. In Cyberpunk, the maxed-out ray-tracing preset struggled a bit at native resolution, scoring a meager average of 43 fps. With DLSS 4 and MFG, it averaged 217fps while still looking absolutely stunning. In Returnal, 113fps went to 240fps (which was the active cap) at 1440p - it doesn't have the option to run at the Blade 16's 1600p 16:10 resolution, but still, you get the idea.

It looks so good now, too; gone are the tearing and blurring I noted in my early experiments with DLSS, without any appreciable amount of input latency either. I imagine it's still there, perhaps noticeable to a pro esports gamer playing a twitchy shooter like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, but I certainly wasn't able to detect it.

Of course, DLSS 4 and MFG aren't available universally. Developers have to add support for the functionality, although there's also a new DLSS Override option for 'force-enabling' it in unsupported games, which I deployed for Returnal - as far as I could tell, it worked without issues, though of course that's just for one modern game.

Performance in synthetic tests was also strong, with good - though not world-beating - performance across both gaming and creative workloads. If you're hoping to use this laptop for professional creative work, it won't let you down. In fact, the performance it offers compared to the weight of the laptop is among the best I've ever seen, making it ideal for working on the go.

It's worth noting here that the 2024 Blade 16 actually outperforms the new model across several of our tests, but again, we can put that down to the significantly more powerful CPU found in the 2024 model. The power efficiency of the Ryzen chip is not to be understated, though - take a look at the battery life section, and you'll see what I mean.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Battery life

• Surprisingly good battery life
• Almost a full day's regular use, about two and a half hours of gaming
• Charges fast but uses a proprietary charger

Battery life is rarely a selling point of gaming laptops, but I was pleasantly surprised with the battery life on the Razer Blade 16. In the PCMark 10 Gaming battery test, it lasted for almost two and a half hours; in real-world tests, I found this figure highly accurate, assuming you're playing with the battery efficiency preset on in Windows and brightness at 50% or lower.

Outside of gaming and running similarly demanding software, the Blade 16 offers some impressive longevity for a gaming laptop. The 90Whr battery lasted for almost seven and a half hours in our Battery Informant Web Surfing test, and it also holds charge remarkably well when not in use. This is likely due to the improved Nvidia Optimus tech, which offloads graphical processing to the Ryzen CPU's integrated graphics when you're not playing games or running GPU-intensive apps. Razer claims that the new Blade 16 offers 'up to 11 hours' of use, which is probably true if you really try to squeeze the battery with minimum brightness and power-saving mode turned on.

Although it needs a fairly chunky power adapter with a proprietary Razer connector, the Blade 16 also charges very quickly, charging up to 50% in about 30 minutes and 100% in just over an hour.

• Battery Life: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Razer Blade 16 (2025)?

Buy the Razer Blade 16 (2025) if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If my Razer Blade 16 (2025) review has you considering other options, here is another laptop to consider:

How I tested the Razer Blade 16 (2025)

I spent just over a week with the Razer Blade 16 (2025), using it almost every day for both work and gaming. I don't always love working, but damn, if this didn't make it more pleasant.

Naturally, we ran plenty of performance tests on the Blade 16, taking additional time to test out the new DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Generation features on a handful of supported titles. What I played the most was Warframe, which isn't in our testing suite but look, I'm an addict.

In terms of work, I used the Blade 16 for everything from word processing to web browsing to image editing, and even took it out into my garden to work in the sun and put the battery life and display to the test in a real-world setting - both held up great.

• First reviewed March 2025

Razer Handheld Dock Chroma: One-minute review

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is the most stylish Steam Deck dock I’ve ever seen, offering a sleek all-black aesthetic that compliments the handheld PC perfectly in addition to some pleasingly bright RGB lighting.

While a similar price to the official Valve offering (and notably more expensive than the many standard laptop docks out there that also work with Steam Deck), it ranks among some of the best Steam Deck accessories thanks to a nifty integrated stand that provides a neat way to adjust the position of your Deck if you intend to play without an external display. This can also be folded down for easy transport and the use of durable metal components makes it easy to stash in a rucksack on the move without having to worry about potential damage.

There is also no shortage of ports, with the dock coming equipped with a USB-C input for charging, three 5 Gbps USB-A ports for your various controllers, a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port, and an HDMI 2.0 video output. The lack of a DisplayPort option is a shame, especially as there is one present on the official Steam Deck Dock, but realistically the up to 4K 60hz / 1440p 120Hz of HDMI 2.0 is going to be more than enough if you’re keen to hook your Steam Deck up to a TV.

While clearly designed with the Steam Deck in mind, the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is also fully compatible with other handheld PCs including the Asus ROG Ally and even some Android gaming tablets.

There might be cheaper alternatives out there, but the overall proposition of the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma makes it well worth considering if you’re after a premium option.

Razer Handheld Dock Chroma: Price and availability

• Costs $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95
• Available via Razer and Amazon
• More expensive than your average laptop dock

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is readily available in the US, UK, and Australia via Razer and online retailers like Amazon. It comes in at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95, which puts it around the price of the official Valve Steam Deck Docking Station (which is $89 / £69). It’s quite good value compared to Valve’s offering, as it benefits from the adjustable stand and addition of RGB.

If you’re on a budget, however, you’re better off going for one of the countless cheaper laptop docks available via Amazon. These are not specifically designed for the Steam Deck, but generally will still work. To give an example, the Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1) costs just $34.99 / £19.99 and offers a cheaper but still effective way to get your Steam Deck on an external display.

Razer Handheld Dock Chroma: Specs

Razer Handheld Dock Chroma: Design and features

• Robust and sturdy design
• Adjustable stand
• RGB lighting

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma has a very sleek design, coming in a slick matte black. It looks like a small rectangular box when taken out of the packaging, with the adjustable stand portion positioned flush on top of the box.

To set it all up, you simply have to pull the stand out and slot it into place, which creates a sturdy little shelf where your Steam Deck can rest while it’s plugged in via the attached USB-C cable. A ribbed rubberized strip helps support the Steam Deck when it’s docked, preventing it from sliding out easily and stopping it from picking up any scratches from the dock itself.

The stand is adjustable, with a few positions allowing you to angle your Steam Deck or a more vertical or horizontal orientation - which is great if you don’t intend to use an external display and want a clear view of the system’s screen from your seat. It also helps when you’re using the other supported devices, be that the Asus ROG Ally or a gaming tablet. I tested the recently released Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 in the dock and, after some small adjustments, it was in the perfect position for watching videos or playing some Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile with a wired controller.

The majority of the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is constructed with sturdy-feeling plastic, with a layer of soft foam on the underside to prevent slippage. The shelf where the Steam Deck sits is a robust metal, which is not only hard-wearing but also feels suitably premium given the price. At the bottom of the front of the dock is a thin RGB lighting strip that illuminates when the dock is in use. This is bright and attractive, with a plethora of in-built modes that you can cycle through via a small button on the right-hand side of the dock.

On the back of the dock are all your ports. There’s one HDMI 2.0, 3 x USB-A, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port, and a USB-C port used for 100W power delivery with passthrough charging. This is a decent selection, though not as many options as you would get with a more specialist bit of kit like the Anker Prime Charging Docking Station (14-in-1, Dual Display, 160W).

Razer Handheld Dock Chroma: Performance

• Perfect for Steam Deck
• Seamless set up
• Easy to store in a bag

The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is perfect for Steam Deck and there’s very little to fault it on in performance terms. You simply slot the Steam Deck in, plug in your display, and use the USB-C ports for any desired accessories, be that a keyboard and mouse or a quality gamepad like the Xbox Wireless Controller, and you’re ready to play on your monitor or TV. It’s about as seamless as you can get and I didn’t encounter any problems getting it all set up on a variety of screens throughout my testing.

The lack of HDMI 2.1 support here is a shame on paper, especially compared to alternatives like the BenQ beCreatus GR10, though practically doesn’t really make that much of a difference. In my testing, I was not able to find a single game that I would be able to run on my Steam Deck OLED at an 8K resolution, or in 4K at above 60 fps.

Compared to other Steam Deck docks, the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma is also impressively portable. Being able to fold everything flat makes it easy to stash in your bag alongside your Steam Deck. It’s heavier than most given the incorporation of metal, but it’s hard to complain about that when the result is a product that really feels like it could take a beating if you happened to drop it out on your travels.

Should I buy the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma?

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Want some alternatives to the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma? Check out these two strong options.

How I tested the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma

• Tested for over a week
• Tried with a Steam Deck OLED and gaming tablet
• Compared to other docks

I tested the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma for over a week, during which time I played plenty of games on my Steam Deck OLED including lots of Disco Elysium and Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake in addition to a few hours of play on the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 gaming tablet.

Throughout my time with the dock, I tried a variety of monitors and TVs in addition to accessories such as the Asus ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition mouse, Endgame Gear Kb65he keyboard, Xbox Wireless Controller, and more. I constantly compared my experience with my hands-on time with other laptop docks like the Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1).

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: two-minute review

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are wireless gaming earbuds made for playing on the go thanks to their slender form and useful mobile-related features.

They certainly make a good first impression, with the elegant appearance of both the case and the earbuds themselves standing out. The AirPod-like stalks help on that front too, with the added benefit of making them easy to handle.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are also very well-made, on par with the best gaming earbuds around. The hinge of the case is strong, as is the magnetic pull to keep the buds inside. This can make getting them out a little difficult, but it’s a compromise I’m okay with.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be configured and customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. This has some useful features, including plenty of touch control assignments, but I didn’t find it to be the most stable app in my experience, with connectivity issues and failed firmware updates proving a real thorn in its side.

As wireless gaming earbuds go, the audio quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is quite good. Sound is admirably rendered across the frequency spectrum, although the highs lack the pristine clarity found in high-end consumer-grade earphones. It’s also a shame that the ANC isn’t all that powerful either. However, the THX profile does help to create a greater sense of space with its surround sound effect, while the bass enhancement bolsters the low end without introducing too much distortion. The microphone quality is also good, if not the best in class.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t great, lasting a couple of days according to my tests. Charging the case takes just over two hours, which again isn’t anything to boast about. However, the case charges the earbuds themselves quite quickly, meaning you won’t have to wait long to top them up.

With its competent sound and highly engineered design, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are a solid pair of wireless gaming earbuds. But while the sound is good, it’s not enough to make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed stand with the very best gaming earbuds on this front. At this price, you would also expect greater comfort levels, better software, and fewer glitches. Better value earbuds are out there, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds and the Sony Inzone Buds.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: price and availability

• $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95
• Available now in black and white
• More expensive than the best gaming earbuds

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds cost $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95 and are available now in two colorways: black and white. They come with Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless USB dongle, as well as a charging cable and three different sizes of silicone tips.

At this price, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are some of the most expensive gaming earbuds around. They’re even the same price as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming headset. With its over-ear design, it’s hardly as portable as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but we found it to have great battery life, high levels of comfort, and superb sound.

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, the best gaming earbuds right now in our view, are less expensive than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, yet they have terrific build quality and sound. We also found the companion app to be flexible and full of useful features.

Then there are the Sony Inzone Buds, which are about the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but offer superb sound and noise cancellation. Naturally, they're compatible with the best gaming console around right now – the PS5 – but they also work great with PC and mobile devices.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: specs

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: design and features

• Great build quality
• Comfort slightly compromised
• Razer Audio app issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed ooze style. The matt black finish of the case is silky smooth and the engineering of the lid is impressive, opening with ease and closing with a satisfying click. The hinge is also weighted just right, with enough force to keep it securely shut.

In contrast to the case, the earbuds themselves are shiny. They feel equally as well-made, though, and ape the familiar design of Apple’s AirPods, with their long stalks protruding downwards from the drivers. In use, these stalks make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed easy to put in and take out, while the drivers curve inwards, which also helps to secure them in your ear.

However, it can be quite awkward to remove the earbuds from the case, as the lack of divots on either the earbuds themselves or within the case makes it difficult to get a hold of them. And thanks to the strong magnetic slots, turning the case upside down won’t cause the earbuds to drop out with ease. This is a small price to pay for the added security, though.

Three sets of silicone tips with varying sizes are included to ensure you’ll get the fit right for you. However, regardless of which tip size I tried, I did experience minor aching after extended sessions, as the plastic body of the drivers exerted too much pressure on the inside of my ear canal. For shorter sessions, though, they were perfectly acceptable.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. However, I had multiple issues with the headset failing to connect to the app on my Android device (a Google Pixel 7a). It also failed on numerous occasions to install a firmware update.

Once connected, though, you’ll find Razer Audio offers a range of useful tweaks, including various equalizer presets. The default is THX mode, which isn’t explained in the app, but this is Razer’s spatial audio engine. There’s also a custom profile that lets you boost or reduce multiple points across the entire frequency band as you see fit – a feature lacking in many other companion apps. However, it’s a shame that for PC users the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds don’t integrate with Synapse, Razer’s main peripheral software.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: Performance

• Decent sound
• Weak ANC
• Some connectivity issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds perform admirably for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds. The bass response is strong and there is enough clarity across all frequencies, although overall fidelity isn’t the best, with mild distortion occasionally rearing its ugly head.

The default THX EQ profile suffices for most scenarios, offering a balanced sound. THX is designed to impart a greater sense of positional accuracy, and I did find this to be the case, as audio pans subtly yet effectively to sonically map to your in-game environment.

The bass enhancement profile is also useful in elevating the low end without becoming muddy or overblown. However, I found that the enhanced clarity profile reduced the bass too much, and did little to actually improve fidelity as far as I could tell.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds also have ANC, although I didn’t find this blocked out external sounds all that well, even on the highest setting. There’s also an ambient mode to allow outside noises to come through, which is more effective, letting you hear yourself and other noises in the room clearly.

The microphone on the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is also good, offering sufficient vocal clarity, but it’s not equal to the mics equipped on the best wireless gaming headsets. However, for a set of earbuds, it provides reasonable quality.

Razer Audio can also be used to customize the touch controls, with a generous number of actions available to configure, including a two-second hold, double tap, double tap and hold, and triple tap and hold. These can be assigned to a myriad of playback and call controls, as well as other functions such as ANC toggling. What’s more, each bud can have different assignments for the same action, providing even more flexibility.

The various touch gestures are reasonably responsive and consistent, although the single press does require a firm hold rather than a mere tap, which makes it less convenient to use in a hurry. Also, the double tap and hold action took a while to perform its assigned functions during my tests.

The various wireless connectivity modes work well for the most part. Using the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle on PC and console is easy, as it’s simply a case of plug and play, requiring no further setup. When using the dongle, I found there was an improvement in sound quality, with enhanced clarity and better low-end response, as well as a decrease in lag compared to Bluetooth.

However, one downside of using the HyperSpeed Wireless method is that you can’t use Razer Audio when connected, as it only works via Bluetooth. This is a major inconvenience for those who like to tweak their settings frequently or on the fly.

Setting up Bluetooth was smooth for the most part, however, there were occasions when the earbuds failed to connect to my Android phone. I also experienced a bizarre issue where the volume reduced considerably when switching back to my mobile from a PC that was connected via the HyperSpeed dongle.

This issue was resolved easily by restarting the Bluetooth connection to my phone, and, hopefully, it’s a glitch that can easily be solved via a firmware update. I had no such problems when connecting to a Nintendo Switch, though, so it’s possible the fault lies with my mobile device.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t impressive, as they just about lasted a couple of days, during which time I switched between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes. Charging the case took over two hours, which is an average performance. The case itself, though, does charge the earbuds themselves quite quickly, and it managed to recharge the earbuds from half to full in about half an hour.

Should I buy the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

How I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed

• Tested for over a week
• Used on numerous devices
• Extensive gaming experience

I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed for over a week, during which time I used them when playing games, listening to music, and watching video content.

I tried them with an Android phone – more specifically a Google Pixel 7a – as well as a PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. I used both Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle to connect to these devices.

I have been gaming for about 25 years, and have experienced numerous headsets and earbuds during that time. I have also reviewed various gaming headsets and general headphones.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed December 2024.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma: two-minute review

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma is a wireless gaming headset that sits towards the budget end of the brand’s lineup, offering plenty of features in a more affordable package.

It adopts a rather conservative design, with its gaming stylings confined to the RGB lighting on the sides of each driver. The matte finish and elegant form help make this a smart-looking headset.

The fit and comfort levels are up there with the best wireless gaming headsets around. Even glasses wearers should find there’s enough clearance and cushioning to accommodate the arms of their frames comfortably.

The headband is wonderfully plush too, and the relative lightness of the overall headset means it remains comfortable over long sessions. The earpads aren’t the most cushioned, however, which did result in the insides of the drivers making contact with my ears, but not enough to cause an issue like other gaming headsets.

In addition to some useful on-board functionality courtesy of the buttons on the left driver, you can make further tweaks using Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software. These include altering EQ profiles via numerous draggable points across the frequency spectrum, as well as advanced customization options for the lighting via the Razer Chroma add-on. However, it’s inconvenient that this latter feature opens in a separate app window, rather than being contained within Synapse.

You’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 feature with your purchase of the Barracuda X Chroma, but this also requires a separate app, rather than being a Synapse module.

The Barracuda X Chroma offers a balanced and clear sound. The various preset sound profiles can be hit and miss, with music mode being the best in my opinion, as it rounds out the bass nicely. Oddly enough, while the Surround Sound 7.1 capability does impart a subtle sense of directionality, the overriding impression I got from it was an increased fullness and punchiness – but at the expense of adding an unwanted airiness to the higher frequencies.

The various connectivity modes on the Barracuda X Chroma work well, with Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed dongle functioning as intended. Using the SmartSwitch button to hot-swap between the two modes is quick and easy too, although there were some occasions when it wasn’t quite so sharp.

The battery life is also good, with the 70-hour claim appearing to hold water during my tests, as it didn’t even deplete halfway after several days of varied use. Charging it from about half to full took just under two and a half hours, which is a middling performance.

All things considered, however, the Barracuda X Chroma represents better value than some of Razer’s more expensive gaming headsets, such as the Kraken V4, offering much the same features and performance but for less. I also found it more comfortable than the Kraken.

If you’re after a headset with superior sound, though, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a better choice, and if you want to stick to the budget end of the market – and don’t mind missing out on wireless connectivity – you can’t do much better than the Epos H3.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: price and availability

• $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95
• Available now in black and white
• Well-priced and good value

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma costs $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 and is available now in two colorways: black and white. With a purchase of the headset, you’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 app, which is usually a paid-for addition.

At this price, it sits well within the gaming headset market. It’s cheaper than the Razer Kraken V4, and yet it performs just as well according to my tests, with similar sound quality – yet the Barracuda X Chroma has better comfort levels. It also has a claimed battery life of up to 70 hours, whereas the Kraken can only manage 50 hours. However, the Kraken does feature a retractable mic, whereas the mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is only removable.

If you’re after a headset with better sound quality, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the best PC gaming headset around in our view, may be a better option. It also has some useful features, such as ANC. However, it’s considerably more expensive than the Barracuda X Chroma. If you want something a lot cheaper but still worthy, the Epos H3 is the best gaming headset in this regard, although you’ll have to make do with a wired connection.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: specs

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: design and features

• Restrained looks
• Comfortable
• Volume wheel a little prone to misscrolls

The Barracuda X Chroma looks smart and rather understated for a gaming headset, with the RGB lighting on the sides of each driver being the only indicator in this regard. The smooth, matt finish adds a dash of elegance too. The whole headset is quite wide, but I wouldn’t describe it as bulky.

It’s also one of the most comfortable gaming headsets I’ve tried. The light weight means it’s hardly felt on the head, and the fit is snug but not too tight. The earcup padding isn’t the most plush, however, and I did feel the inside of the drivers making slight contact with my ears, but thankfully the pressure wasn’t great enough to cause aches, as I’ve experienced with other headsets. I also prefer their oval shape over circular designs, as they fit my ears completely without protruding behind me too much.

However, it has the same design flaw that I noted with the Kraken V4: namely that the volume wheel on the left driver has a tendency to spin unintentionally when leaning back in a chair or sofa, such is the ease with which it scrolls. It’s a small gripe, but one that may become irritating for those who like to lounge away when gaming.

The headband is more cushioned than the earcups, and I hardly felt it across my head. The headband adjustments are also easy to make while remaining secure. In fact, the entire headset is engineered to the high standards typical of Razer’s peripherals.

The mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is detachable, but since it employs a gooseneck design, it can be moved in and out of position with ease. It also feels durable, and the cloth tip is reasonably thick, so I don’t have many concerns about it deteriorating quickly.

There are various buttons adorning the left driver, including a power button that can also be used to perform various call and media-related functions, which is quite useful. There’s also a mic mute button and a SmartSwitch button, which quickly switches between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wireless modes, provided both are already connected to your devices.

The Barracuda X Chroma can be tweaked using Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software. Here you’ll find various settings for the sound, including an EQ graph where you can boost and cut numerous frequency bands, allowing for a lot more control than many other headsets offer. You can alter the existing sound profiles, or create a custom one. Synapse itself is well laid out and relatively stable, and I had hardly any issue with it, aside from the occasional slow-down.

As the Barracuda X Chroma name suggests, you can also customize the RGB lighting using the Razer Chroma add-on. This offers plenty of options to sink your teeth into, including audio-responsive effects and synchronization with other compatible peripherals. There’s also a Studio section where you can create layers of effects and segment the light bars with different colors, which is far more detailed than most.

It’s inconvenient, however, that Chroma isn’t integrated within Synapse; instead, it’s a separate app, which can be a hassle when hot-switching between windows.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: Performance

• Good audio quality for gaming
• Surround sound adds fullness
• Long battery life

The sound of the Barracuda X Chroma is well-balanced, although the low-end lacks the same level of depth as some of the best headphones out there. As I found with Razer’s other headsets, the best preset profile for most situations is Music, as it offers the best all-round frequency response, whereas the others tend to cut the lows and mids too much.

With your purchase of the Barracuda X Chroma you’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 feature, which is usually paywalled. Like Chroma, this opens in another app window, adding to the inconvenience. The Surround Sound 7.1 effect is reasonably subtle but does give a better sense of where sound is coming from in-game. It also provides a noticeably fuller sound, with greater presence and low-end, but at the cost of making the upper mids and highs more airy, with a faint drone in these registers. This can be a little off-putting but not egregious enough to ruin the experience entirely.

Both wireless modes work well, with the HyperSpeed dongle – true to its name – offering slightly better response times, although there isn’t much in it. The sound quality appears much the same too.

The SmartSwitch feature also works well enough, moving quickly between devices connected via Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wireless. It also connects easily to various devices besides PC: it’s as convenient as the best PS5 headsets to use with Sony’s console, while both Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes work seamlessly with the Nintendo Switch, with a slight improvement in sound quality and lag when using the latter method.

The HyperClear cardioid microphone on the Barracuda X Chroma provides sufficient clarity, but it’s not quite as pristine as that on the Kraken V4, as it introduces more sibilance and muffling. But for gaming, it’s still perfectly usable.

The claimed battery life of the Barracuda X Chroma of up to 70 hours seems to ring true according to my tests. After several days of varied use between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes, it only depleted to 54%. Charging the headset took just under two and a half hours from this point, which isn’t spectacular but not terrible.

Should I buy the Razer Barracuda X Chroma?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: Also consider

How I tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma

• Tested for several days
• Used on multiple platforms
• Extensive gaming and headset experience

I tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma for several days, during which time I used it while playing gamines, listening to music, watching video content, and attending virtual meetings. I made use of as many of its features and functions as possible, including the Surround Sound 7.1, Chroma, and Synapse apps.

I used the headset on a variety of devices, including PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, and played various titles ranging from Counter-Strike 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I connected to these platforms via Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle where I could.

I have been gaming for over 25 years, and during that time I have experienced a number of headsets and headphones, from over-ear to in-ear. I have also reviewed a myriad of gaming headsets, including other offerings from Razer: namely the Kraken V4 and the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

• First reviewed December 2024
• Read more about how we test

Razer Blue Screen: one-minute review

The Razer Blue Screen is a premium and convenient solution for those wanting a pro-grade green screen that's easy to set up and provides marvellous results. Think of it as a competitor to Elgato's similarly-specced solution, with the key (pun intended) difference being its colour.

The reason for this being a blue screen is because, according to Razer, it's easier to key out than the classic green - a statement that I found accurate in my testing. In addition, it's also more in line with what the professionals use in the name of giving your content more of a pro-grade appearance with the right care and attention.

The Blue Screen can extend up to 94-inches, or 2.38 metres, in height, making it suitable for head, or even full body, shots. In addition, it features quality fixtures and fittings with a sturdy metal frame and seam-free polyester material. While expensive, it remains one of the best green screens we've tested.

Razer Blue Screen: Price and availability

• $149.99 / £159.99
• Sold only via Razer directly
• Available in the UK & US

The Razer Blue Screen clocks in at £159.99 / $149.99 and has been around since October 2022 as a more premium option for those looking for a simple pull-up blue screen for keying out backgrounds in a professional manner.

Other peripheral brands have leaned into the green screen space in the past, with the likes of Elgato's Green Screen offering a similarly priced package with a pull-up screen designed for streamers.

The key difference between the pair of these screens is color. A blue screen is arguably closer to what's used in some professional environments and is generally better in low light conditions than a green screen.

Otherwise, the premium price tag attached to Razer's option will also buy you some entire kits from the likes of Neewer that include a green sheet held up with its included stands, as well as a pair of soft-box lights, bulbs, umbrellas, and more. You do have to have a fair amount of space for a full kit like that, whereas the Blue Screen pulls up and down and thus can be stowed away easily.

Razer Blue Screen: Specs