With the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC, the manufacturer has just unveiled a new edition of perhaps the best gamepad with a reverb effect. With a wireless sampling rate of 8,000 Hz, six freely configurable buttons and ingenious additional functions, the manufacturer wants to appeal to esports professionals in particular with this controller. But is it worth buying? Find out in the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC test.
Technical data
| The product | Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC |
| Connectivity | wireless (Razer Hyperspeed Wireless), USB-C |
| Sampling rate | 8,000 Hz |
| Compatibility | Windows 11 |
| Special features | TMR analog stick; PBT Doubleshot buttons; 4 mouse click backpaddles; 2 claw grip bumpers; trigger stop |
| Battery life |
up to 20 hours |
| Scope of delivery | Controller, USB receiver, USB-C to USB-A cable (3 m), operating instructions |
| Dimensions | 156.7 mm x 105.7 mm x 65 mm |
| Weight | 220 g |
| Price | € 199.99 * |
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC review: design and build quality
- Excellent workmanship
- Convincing design; comparatively light
- Earpiece too short for small hands
The exterior of the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K is identical to its predecessor: compact housing, Xbox-style buttons and short grips. The short grips also have a pleasant rubber coating and grain, making the gamepad non-slip in the hand.
Admittedly: Personally, I like the longer grip horns of the original Microsoft controllers a little better, but the Wolverine V3 Pro is also ergonomically easy to use. However, people with smaller hands in particular will prefer the longer grips.
As Razer has reduced the vibration motors, the weight is noticeably lower at 220 grams. Here, the gamepad is almost on a par with wired controllers. The dimensions are 156.7 mm in length, 105.7 mm in width and 65 mm in height.
Inside, the workmanship is impressive: many elements, including the face buttons and D-pad, are made of PBT material (like high-quality keycaps). The mecha-tactile construction provides pleasant, clicky feedback – comparable to mouse buttons – and conveys a very precise feel overall.
The scope of delivery underlines the premium claim: the sturdy hard-shell case contains the controller, USB-C charging cable, dongle for wireless play and two additional thumbsticks for changing – a bonus not included with the wired version. Here you have the choice between a higher, inwardly curved analog stick or a flatter, outwardly curved model – whichever you prefer.
Connection and features
- 8,000 Hz wireless and via cable
- excellent TMR analog stick
- very good, clicky buttons; six additional buttons
The central innovation of the new model: 8,000 Hz HyperPolling – both in wired and wireless mode. This is a significant leap in performance – the polling rate of the predecessor was 250 Hz in wireless mode and 1,000 Hz in wired mode.
The 8-fold increase compared to its wired predecessor sets new standards in response speed and ensures that the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC processes inputs almost entirely without delay. And yes, the difference is clearly noticeable in practice.
The TMR thumbsticks (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance) are also new. These replace the previously used Hall effect sticks. These not only work more precisely, but are also noticeably more durable. In addition, the sticks have no stick drift problems, meaning that they continue to work without any problems even after thousands of hours of use.
Proven features have been retained: HyperTriggers, four mouse paddles on the back, two Claw-M bumpers and trigger-locks with a firm click feel. Especially in competitive shooters, the fixed triggers provide a mouse-click-like trigger point that is pleasing.
One drawback, however, is the compatibility. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is very expensive with an RRP of around 200 euros. In contrast to the normal V3 Pro, the new model is, as the name suggests, only compatible with the PC. Of course, this has a somewhat bitter aftertaste, especially in view of the price.
Battery life
- meager 20 hours of battery life
Razer claims an operating time of around 20 hours – comparable to the V3 Pro. We can actually confirm this value in practice at a polling rate of 1,000 Hz. At 8,000 Hz, the runtime is noticeably reduced, meaning that it takes a good 13-15 hours before the charging cable needs to be plugged in.
Software connection: Razer Synapse
The controller can be configured in depth via Razer Synapse. Users can customize the following options:
- Polling rate (incl. switching to 8,000 Hz)
- Sensitivity and response curves of the thumbsticks
- D-pad mode (4- or 8-way)
- Assignment of rear paddles and M-bumpers (e.g. mouse or PC-specific buttons)
- Creation of individual profiles for different gaming requirements
Synapse thus offers comprehensive control options – a powerful tool, especially for ambitious PC gamers. If you like, you can even adjust the dead zones of the analog sticks and change the responsiveness. Almost everything can be adjusted here. Top.
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC in practical test
- outstanding gaming performance
- incredibly high speed
- freely assignable keys
In practice and on the PC, however, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC shines in all respects. Especially in competitive shooters, the lightning-fast polling rate is really noticeable compared to other wireless gamepads. Although, of course, this requires a certain amount of familiarization if you play wirelessly more often: The fact that inputs are now recognized and implemented even faster is something you first have to internalize.
Once this has been mastered, however, the V3 Pro 8K PC delivers a powerful performance. The precision is second to none and the triggers and bumpers leave an excellent impression. The same applies to the action buttons, for which Razer relies on mechanical tactile PBT buttons, which also trigger incredibly quickly and precisely thanks to hybrid microswitches. The clicking noise and trigger travel are very reminiscent of high-quality gaming mice.
The six additional buttons are of course particularly practical, as they not only provide precise feedback, but are also excellently positioned. The paddles on the back can be triggered easily and clickily both at the top and bottom and can be freely assigned within Synpase – even with macros if desired. Very practical for executing commands without having to take your fingers off the analog sticks.
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Review: Conclusion
The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is an excellent controller for the PC, which is of course primarily aimed at professionals or ambitious gamers. The 8,000 Hz polling rate is of course particularly exciting for esports players, who benefit from the almost undetectable latency.
Does this make the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC the best gamepad? Not necessarily. Specifically, there are two objective and one subjective reason that could speak against the purchase.
On the one hand, the battery life is rather poor. A maximum of 20 hours is really not a house number. Then there is the very high price of around 200 euros, whereas comparably equipped gamepads are available for just over half that price. In addition, the device is only compatible with the PC and not with consoles, which tastes rather bitter for the price.
The subjective reason: For me, and most people with smaller hands, the grip horns are too short. Although the gamepad feels good in the hand, in my opinion the Microsoft controllers are clearly ahead in terms of ergonomics.
If this doesn’t bother you or if you have large hands, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is a really powerful and incredibly fast controller for the PC with great analog sticks, lots of additional buttons and convincing buttons.
VORTEILE
- 8K polling rate
- Great TMR analog stick
- Many additional buttons
- Mecha-tactile buttons
- Extensive software
NACHTEILE
- Very expensive
- Only compatible with PC
- Short grip horns not ideal
Fazit
A gamepad for professionals: incredibly fast, lots of additional buttons, excellent workmanship. However, the price is too high, while the battery life is a little poor.
