For the longest time, Razer was my first choice when it came to gaming headsets. I was practically glued to their Razer Kraken Ultimate, the Kraken V3 series, and the Kaira Pro whenever I played on my PC. But come October, something happened that made me pack away my trusty Razer headsets. Dell’s Alienware division dropped a bombshell in the form of their Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset, and let’s just say I was smitten.
Marketed as a top-tier choice for those who want exceptional sound, voice clarity, comfort, and wireless performance, this headset hit the market with a pretty robust price tag of $229.99. But, in the spirit of shopping deals, Black Friday brings a pleasant surprise. It’s now going for $199.99 at Dell, knocking 13% off the asking price.
### 🔥 The best Black Friday steals 🔥
### 🍁 More superb Black Friday offers 🦃
Best Buy: Look out for hefty discounts on video games, gadgets, and more
Walmart: Early savings spread across almost everything
Target: Current deals span a vast array of items
Dell: Get fantastic offers on laptops, gaming PCs, and more accessories
HP: Major savings on laptops, desktops, and extras
Lenovo: Snatch doorbuster deals on Lenovo PCs, displays, and peripherals
Newegg: Discounts on PC gaming gear and components
Razer: Enjoy free shipping for a limited period
Samsung: Sweeping holiday savings on laptops, TVs, phones, etc.
Amazon: Plenty of rotating sales on a vast assortment
### Why the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset gets my vote
Dell’s latest “Pro” headset rounds out the suite alongside the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse and Keyboard released earlier this year, completing their 2024 lineup of accessories. When I reviewed the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset, my verdict was clear: it’s the finest wireless gaming headset I’ve gotten my hands on in years, shaking the throne that my favorite Razer models like the Kraken V3 Pro HyperSense and Kaira Pro used to occupy.
A big draw to this headset is its superb microphone. While I’ve loved Razer products, I’ve often found their mic quality to fall into the “just decent” category. Meanwhile, the unidirectional mic on the Alienware Pro is leaps and bounds better. It consistently captures my voice with clarity, which is crucial since I spend countless nights gaming with friends via Discord. Its AI noise cancellation might be a touch aggressive, but as long as it’s off, background noise hasn’t been an issue for me—it naturally filters it out quite effectively.
The audio experience here is stellar, propelled by 50mm graphene-coated drivers producing rich, balanced audio with an extensive 20-40KHz frequency range. The lows, mids, and highs are all outstanding, and if you love blasting the volume, this headset won’t disappoint. They seem, in many respects, to pack more punch than current Razer headsets, despite lacking haptics like HyperSense or Sensa HD Haptics motors.
The headset fits a tad snugger than the roomier options I’m used to from Razer, but it’s noticeably lighter on the head—a tradeoff I’m fine with. Adjustable headband length and a flexible structure make sure the Alienware Pro fits most head sizes comfortably, while soft memory foam earcups covered in leatherette offer a gentle touch for hours-long gaming sessions. While I do prefer the cooler, airier cushions of Razer headsets, the comfort level here is nearly comparable.
Design-wise, Alienware has gone for a minimalist look, ditching flashy RGB lights for a sleek, simple design available in either “Lunar Light” white or “Dark Side of the Moon” black. The build is robust, featuring handy controls such as a volume wheel, mic mute switch, active noise cancelling toggle, power button, and a switch to alternate between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. Both connectivity options have worked seamlessly in my experience, with battery life lasting close to the promised 70-75 hours with ANC off before a recharge is necessary. Plus, you have the option of using the headset wired if needed.
My main gripes with the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Headset are its lack of compatibility with Xbox consoles and its somewhat underwhelming ANC. However, these shortcomings don’t bother me much, as I rarely play on my Xbox and generally steer clear of ANC. If these are deal-breakers for you, there are plenty of other excellent PC gaming headsets to consider. But if these are non-issues, you’ll love this headset (and saving $30 while it’s just $199.99 at Dell). I haven’t once turned back to my Razer favorites since receiving this review unit, and I don’t see myself doing so anytime soon.
### When is Black Friday?
Black Friday always follows the Thursday of American Thanksgiving in November, which means this year it falls on November 29, 2024. But with retailers eager to draw buyers and outdo each other, many deals are already live, making early purchases like this smart. Waiting could yield even better prices, but it also carries the risk of missing out due to stock shortages.
### When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday lands on the Monday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend, extending the festive deals. As it kicks off, many retailers introduce fresh discounts, making it worthwhile to peek at online storefronts post-weekend for new bargains. This year’s Cyber Monday happens on December 2, 2024.
