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Is there really such a thing as a "one size fits all" gaming headset that's a great pick for any type of gamer? If there is, it might just be the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a gaming headset, from the style and fit to the sound quality and the battery life. Many gamers don't need anything fancy, though, just a reliable headset with a clear mic for voice chats and immersive game audio. But great battery life is a big plus for wireless headsets.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro checks all the boxes, despite a few minor shortcomings. After using it as my main headset for a couple of weeks with an average of 12 to 16 hours of use per day, the BlackShark V2 Pro left me more impressed than I expected, enough that it could earn a spot among the best gaming headsets.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Price and availability
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro costs $199 and comes in black and white, with versions for PC, Xbox, and PS5. Which model you get only matters if you're playing on console, since all three will work with PC.
Our review unit is the PlayStation version in black.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Design
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Close up of the buttons and volume knob on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
Close up of the Razer logo on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro gaming headset
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro sports a bit of an industrial edge, a retro headset aesthetic with its oversized ear cups and size adjustment sliders. I like this style, but it's not for everyone, especially since it’s on the bulkier side. The BlackShark is not particularly heavy, but the ear cups are pretty large.
The headband features nice faux leather along the top with a more breathable fabric along the side that sits on your head, which I appreciated. It's the same fabric on the ear cups, which remained cool and comfortable for hours on end.
Along the back edges of the ear cups, you'll find a few handy on-board controls, including a power button, a mic mute button, and a button for switching connectivity modes. The BlackShark includes a mic, which is detachable using the audio jack on the left ear cup. There's also a knob on the left ear cup for adjusting volume. It sticks out a bit more than I'd like, but it fits with the overall look of the BlackShark.
While I think the BlackShark's design is pretty cool, the build quality seems like it might be a concern over the long term. A few pieces that look like they should be metal are plastic, including the size adjustment sliders and the brackets that connect the metal arms holding the ear cups to the headband.
The BlackShark held up just fine during my testing, but that was only for a few weeks, so I can't speak for its long-term or heavy-use durability.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Comfort
The faux leather headband on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
I found the BlackShark V2 Pro surprisingly comfortable for an over-ear headset, which I usually avoid since I wear glasses. The ear cushions on the BlackShark have enough give to them that they didn't press too hard against my glasses, sparing me from headset headaches.
I typically wear headphones all day while working and for several hours in the evening while gaming or watching Netflix. I wore the BlackShark all day for 12 to 16 hours with little to no cramping, aching, or itchiness.
The memory foam cushioning plays a big role in that. It does a good job of balancing support, cushiness, and breathability, which makes this otherwise bulky headset more comfortable than it might appear.
I occasionally felt some pressure behind my ears from my glasses getting squeezed against my head, but it wasn't nearly as bad as on some other over-ear headsets I've tried.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Audio quality
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro with mic detached sitting on a wood table
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
I used the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro as my main headset for a couple of weeks for everything from gaming and music to streaming shows and movies. The sound quality is good, with bass that's solid without being overwhelming. Dialogue in shows, movies, and games was clear and well-emphasized over music and background ambiance.
Where the BlackShark really shines is game audio, which makes sense considering it's specifically designed for gaming.
I immediately noticed the difference when swapping between headsets during a round of REPO. The eerie ambiance and my friends' voices on the proximity voice chat all sounded significantly more detailed and atmospheric with the BlackShark on. I even noticed it was easier to tell where my teammates' voices were coming from because of how well the BlackShark balanced the other players' voices with the rest of REPO's audio.
I noticed similar performance in Pacific Drive, which also uses a lot of subtle audio effects, like nearby branches cracking or the distant sounds of eerie anomalies. The BlackShark is great at delivering immersive detail and depth in games like that.
In terms of music quality, the BlackShark is about average. It's good overall, although the bass could be a bit stronger. You can tweak that in Razer Synapse, though. The mids and highs are a bit better. For instance, "Moral Panic" by Nothing But Thieves had a rich electric guitar and crisp vocals throughout. The chorus sounded especially good with the BlackShark, although the bass could have been a little punchier.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Microphone
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro with mic sitting on a wood table
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
I was surprised by how good the built-in mic on the BlackShark V2 Pro sounded. In my microphone comparison recordings, the BlackShark sounded clearer than my usual mic, the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma. Since both are Razer mics, the sound quality is similar, but the BlackShark seemed to do a better job of isolating my voice and minimizing popping and distortion.
While the BlackShark's mic might not be podcast quality, it's noticeably better than most other gaming headsets in this department. If you rely on your headset's built-in mic (rather than an external mic), the BlackShark might have the best built-in mic you can buy. It even includes a pop filter, which is a nice bonus.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Battery life
According to Razer, the BlackShark V2 Pro features up to 70 hours of battery life per charge, which is phenomenal for a gaming headset. That was roughly on par with what I experienced during my testing. I had to charge the BlackShark only once weekly while using it for around 12 hours daily.
To put that battery life into context, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X costs $20 less but lasts 30 hours per charge, less than half as long as the BlackShark. However, the budget-friendly SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X ($129) comes close with a battery life of about 60 hours.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: App
You can customize how the BlackShark V2 Pro sounds through the Razer Synapse app. It offers plenty of customization features, but connecting the BlackShark to Synapse is a bit tedious.
The app requires you to set the headset as your default audio device before allowing you to make any adjustments. My Windows 11 laptop wasn't automatically picking up the BlackShark when connecting it with the 2.4GHz dongle, so I had to go into my advanced sound settings and manually enable the headset and set it as my default device.
I haven't had to do that with any other headset I've tested. It could be a fluke with my device, but I'd prefer it if Synapse didn't require you to set the BlackShark as your default audio device to access any of the settings.
Aside from that connectivity hiccup, Synapse offers abundant customization options. You can swap between sound profiles for gaming, movies, and music, or create your own. There are also pre-made sound profiles for a handful of popular esports games, including Apex Legends, CS:GO, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Valorant.
Additionally, you can boost certain features, like bass and voice clarity, and adjust your mic performance with the equalizer in Synapse.
Bottom line
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset on a stand on a wood table
(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is a stellar gaming headset that especially shines in mic quality, battery life, and game audio. The design may be a bit bulky for some, but it's more comfortable with glasses than I expected (although the plastic brackets leave me wondering about durability).
Aside from my initial frustration with connecting to Razer Synapse, I had a great overall experience with the BlackShark V2 Pro. The surprisingly good mic quality makes this headset a near-perfect fit for anyone who plans on using only their headset's mic rather than an external mic. The BlackShark's mic was noticeably better than other headsets in this price range, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X.
If you're looking for a comfy over-ear gaming headset with solid audio quality, good battery life, and a great mic, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro could be the perfect choice.