Razer just expanded its Wolverine V3 Pro lineup with a PC-only model aimed at competitive players who want the speed and precision of a wired connection in a wireless controller. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Controller has a blistering 8,000Hz polling rate in wireless and wired modes–32 times faster than the V3 Pro for Xbox in wireless mode and eight times faster in wired mode. The V3 Pro 8K also utilizes new thumbstick technology, has upgraded grips, and greatly improves the battery life. You can purchase the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Controller for $200 at Amazon; it’s ready to ship now and is eligible for Prime.
Outside of those upgrades, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K has the same core features as the Xbox edition, including four remappable back triggers, two claw bumpers, microswitch buttons, custom profile support, and excellent ergonomics. For this reason, we’d recommend reading the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro for Xbox review we published last summer, as the vast majority of our commentary applies to the new 8K edition. The V3 Pro for Xbox was and still is a fantastic high-end controller for Xbox and PC. But if you have no need for Xbox console support, the V3 Pro 8K is the better pick for PC gaming thanks to the tech upgrades.
Both V3 Pro wireless models retail for $200, and just like the Xbox model, the PC-only 8K edition is also available in a wired-only Tournament Edition. The Tournament Edition price for the 8K is $120, whereas the original is $100.
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Controller Lineup:
To simplify this, here’s a list of all models in the Wolverine V3 Pro lineup. Amazon is offering nice discounts on the V3 Pro for Xbox. It’s worth noting that while the white Tournament Edition for Xbox is $10 more than the original black version, the white is eligible for a Razer promotion at Amazon that nets you $30 in Amazon credit to use on a future purchase.
- V3 Pro 8K for PC
- V3 Pro for Xbox/PC
$200 | Available Now
Here’s a quick rundown of the key features found on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K Controller.
Features:
- 8,000Hz Polling Rate – Wireless or Wired
- TMR electromagnetic thumbsticks
- 2 extra swappable stick caps
- 4 remappable microswitch back triggers
- 2 remappable claw bumpers
- Mecha-Tactile PBT ABXY buttons
- 8-way floating D-pad
- 2 trigger modes:
- Unlocked: Hall Effect
- Locked: Microswitch
- 4 custom profiles
- 6.5ft braided USB-C cable
- Up to 36 hours battery life
- Hardshell carrying case
- Upgraded textured grip
- 220 grams
- Razer Synapse 4 PC app:
- Create profiles
- Remap inputs
- Adjust stick and trigger sensitivity
- Set up deadzones
You can read more about the differences between the V3 Pro 8K and V3 Pro below.
The main difference between the two models is in the name of the new controller. The new PC-only model’s 8,000Hz polling rate in wireless and wired modes is absurdly high. The original V3 Pro has a 250Hz polling rate when connected wirelessly and 1,000Hz on PC when using the wired Tournament Mode (or the Tournament Edition controller). Generally, 1,000Hz is considered a high polling rate for a wireless controller, making 8,000Hz an absurdly high rate. Would you notice a difference between 1,000Hz and 8,000Hz? Honestly, most players probably wouldn’t, but serious competitive players who routinely spend many hours with the same games almost certainly will see and feel the increased speed and precision.
Outside of the new Hyperpolling tech, the biggest change–and the one you are more likely to notice–is the new thumbstick sensors. Razer upgraded the 8K model from Hall Effect to TMR electromagnetic sensors. The recently released Kishi V3 mobile controller series also have TMR joysticks. You can consider TMR as the next step beyond Hall Effect. The technology offers higher polling rates and resolution while consuming less power. The tech undoubtedly helped Razer in its quest for an 8,000Hz polling rate. It also contributed to the improved battery life, as the V3 Pro 8K is rated for up to 36 hours compared to the 20-hour battery life of the original.
Other updates include a redesigned textured grip that offers a better feel than the original, PBT microswitch buttons with a matte finish–the Xbox version has glossy buttons–and a lighter design. The V3 Pro 8K weighs 220 grams, making it noticeably lighter than the 304 gram original. The reason for this largely stems from the removal of rumble motors. If you love haptic feedback, you’ll want to go with the original V3 Pro, because the new 8K model doesn’t have rumble. This isn’t too surprising considering the new model caters to competitive players even more than the original. The 8K also drops the 3.5mm audio jack found on the Xbox edition. This isn’t surprising either, as PC players who use wired headsets often connect them to DACs/amps or directly into their PC.
For more new Razer gear, check out our roundup detailing the BlackShark V3 Gaming Headset series. Razer’s flagship BlackShark V3 Pro for consoles and PC uses the manufacturer’s new Gen 2 Hyperspeed Wireless tech to limit playback latency to 10ms.
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