After 5+ Years with Razer, I Switched to an Alienware Headset Just as It Hits Its First Sale

A while back, I was all about Razer when it came to gaming headsets. I practically lived with the Razer Kraken Ultimate, and their Kraken V3 series, not to mention the Razer Kaira Pro, while gaming on my PC. But this October, Dell’s Alienware division launched a headset that’s so impressive, it made me store away my Razer favorites—the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset.

This headset is aimed squarely at those looking for excellent sound quality, top-notch mic performance, comfort, and reliable wireless capabilities. Initially priced at a steep $229.99, it’s now on its first sale thanks to Black Friday, bringing it down to a much friendlier $199.99 at Dell—a cool 13% drop that’s hard to ignore.

Now, let’s dive into why this headset made such a strong impression. The Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is part of Dell’s 2024 lineup, complementing their earlier releases like the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse and Keyboard. I can confidently say after reviewing it that it’s the best wireless headset I’ve come across in some time, even surpassing my trusty Razer Kraken V3 Pro HyperSense and Kaira Pro.

The biggest selling point for me is its microphone. Razer’s headsets often have microphones that are just okay, but the unidirectional mic on this Alienware model is outstanding. It consistently captures my voice clearly during long Discord gaming sessions with friends, which is something I hugely appreciate. While its AI noise cancellation can be a tad aggressive, turning it off still leaves you with great passive background noise blocking.

Sound quality is another area where the Alienware Pro shines, thanks to its 50mm graphene-coated drivers delivering a dynamic sound range from 20-40KHz. The audio is rich and balanced, with impressive volume capabilities. Compared to Razer’s latest offerings, these speakers feel more robust, even though they lack Razer’s sensory feedback tech like HyperSense.

The fit is a little more snug compared to the roomy feel of Razer’s headsets, but it is lighter, which is a reasonable trade-off. The headband is adjustable and flexible, comfortably accommodating various head sizes, while the soft memory foam leatherette earcups make prolonged gaming sessions a breeze. Personally, I favor Razer’s airy cushions for their extra space and coolness, but the comfort of the Alienware Pro comes extremely close.

Design-wise, Alienware chose a clean, minimalist look—steering clear of RGB lights and bright colors for a subtle, rounded design in either “Lunar Light” white or “Dark Side of the Moon” black. The build quality is solid with handy onboard features like a volume wheel, mic mute, active noise canceling (ANC) toggle, power button, and a switch to alternate between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. Both connectivity options have been seamless, and I’ve nearly reached the promised 70-75 hours of battery life with ANC off without needing a recharge. Plus, you can use it wired if necessary.

The downsides? It doesn’t support Xbox consoles, and its ANC isn’t the best out there. However, since I’m not often on my Xbox and usually steer clear of ANC, these aren’t big drawbacks for me. If they’re deal-breakers for you, there are other strong PC gaming headsets worth considering. But if you can overlook these, and appreciate the $30 savings while it’s priced at $199.99, I’m sure you’ll find it a fantastic option. Since receiving my review unit, I haven’t felt the need to go back to my Razer headsets.

Heading into the holiday shopping season, Black Friday is fast approaching. This year, it officially kicks off on November 29, 2024, a day after Thanksgiving. While waiting might yield lower prices, grabbing early deals could be wiser to avoid missing out on stock. Cyber Monday follows on December 2, and it’s worth keeping an eye out then, as new deals often pop up, expanding on Black Friday’s offers.