The Razer Blackshark V2 ($99.99) has been one of our favorite wired gaming headsets for a few years, but the wireless version, the Blackshark V2 Pro (2020 model, $179.99), didn't appeal as much in part because of its much higher price. The newest iteration of the Blackshark V2 Pro costs even more at $199.99, but it adds Bluetooth connectivity, triples the battery life, and benefits from a more refined and detailed sound signature. It's much better all-around than its predecessor and earns our Editors' Choice award for midrange wireless gaming headsets.
Light and Comfortable
This headset is physically identical to the previous version, but it's now available in black or white. It's quite light at 11.3 ounces and its earpads use a soft memory foam material with breathable cloth covers. The underside of the headband also features ample padding, while the top sports a faux leather cover. This is all to say you shouldn't experience any comfort issues over long gaming sessions.
It has large, oblong earcups with matte plastic shells that connect to the headband via Y-shaped wire struts and short, fabric-wrapped wires. The thin struts of the headsets in the Blackshark line distinguish them from those in the Kraken and Barracuda series. The Kraken models (such as the Kraken V3 Pro) use more circular earcups, while the Barracuda headsets (like the Editors' Choice-winning Barracuda X) opt for a more unassuming look.
The left earcup features most of the headset’s controls and connections, including a volume knob that works in conjunction with your connected device, a power button, a mic mute button, a USB-C port, and a port for the detachable boom mic. The right earcup has only a pairing button.
Wireless-Only Operation
The Blackshark V2 Pro works wirelessly with the included 2.4GHz USB transmitter and over Bluetooth 5.2 with support for the AAC and SBC codecs. It does not support a 3.5mm wired connection, so you can’t plug it into your PlayStation or Xbox controller.
According to Razer, the Blackshark V2 Pro can last up to 70 hours on battery, and charging it for 15 minutes should get you up to six hours of runtime. That's a significant improvement over the previous version's battery life of just 24 hours.
Razer includes the THX Spatial Audio simulated surround sound feature with the Blackshark V2 Pro, which you can access via the Razer Synapse app for Windows. The app also provides 10-band EQs for both the headphones and microphone; adjustable Bass Boost, Sound Normalization, and Voice Clarity settings; and a Do Not Disturb mode that blocks calls from your phone if the 2.4GHz connection is active.
Another Excellent Razer Mic
With the Blackshark V2 Pro, Razer continues its run of headsets with fantastic mics. Test recordings sounded extremely clear and captured my voice cleanly without any interference from a nearby laptop fan. The mic should work well for voice chats, recording, and streaming in most situations. That said, we recommend you get a dedicated USB mic if you’re serious about content creation because they tend to offer even better dynamic range and signal quality.
Crisp, Clear Spatial Audio
The THX Spatial Audio on the Blackshark V2 Pro works very well and produces accurate imaging for Fortnite. I could clearly pick out the location of distant gunfire, nearby footsteps in front of me, and flanking opponents. Previously, I wasn't very convinced by the promise of simulated surround sound for gaming headsets, but this implementation does provide a strong sense of directionality. Action sounds, such as gunshots, also came through loud and clear, though there's more of a focus on precision than low-end force.
Audio in Ultrakill also sounds full, though the balance definitely leans more towards the high frequencies. Gunshots are punchy, but don’t reach deep into the sub-bass levels. The frantic, harsh soundtrack is energetic and doesn’t lack low-mid presence, though again it doesn’t get a ton of thump. The game’s audio doesn't focus quite as much on directionality as Fortnite’s, however, so the stereo panning isn't as useful here.
The emphasis on clarity doesn’t mean the bass is completely absent, though. On our bass test track, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the synth notes and kick drum hits sound well-rounded overall and forceful at high volume levels. I didn't notice any distortion at maximum volume levels, either. No, you won’t feel as if there's a subwoofer strapped to your head, but you still can hear a decent amount of low-end power.
The opening acoustic guitar plucks in Yes’ “Roundabout” get an appreciable amount of low-mid resonance, while a clean treble response lets string texture come through. When the track properly kicks in, the bassline sounds punchy and the vocals take a prominent place in the mix. The guitar strums and high-hat sit slightly back, but they’re still present.
A Potent Midrange Pick
If you’re a PC gamer with a budget of around $200, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro headset is a top choice thanks to its excellent sound quality, clear mics, and comfortable design. It easily earns our Editors' Choice award. But other options are also worth considering. At the higher end, the Editors’ Choice-winning Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless ($349.99) offers dual swappable batteries for no downtime while charging, active noise cancellation, console support, and more powerful bass. And, on the cheaper end, the Razer Barracuda X ($99.99) remains a fantastic value at half the price, despite lacking accurate spatial audio.
