The Razer BlackShark V2 are wired gaming headphones with a similar look and feel to the Razer BlackShark V2 X, but come with lots more customization features. They have a detachable boom mic, come with a USB sound card, and can access Razer's Synapse 3 software, so you can customize their sound and adjust their microphone settings, though we don't test these features. That said, while they have decently neutral audio reproduction, they can perform differently depending on their positioning and placement on the head. Although they don't have a very versatile performance out-of-the-box, their robust customization features are ideal for PC and PlayStation gamers.
Our Verdict
The Razer BlackShark V2 are good for neutral sound. They can accurately reproduce thump and punch as well as vocals and lead instruments, thanks to their neutral bass and mid ranges. However, sibilants like cymbals may sound a bit lifeless or dull. They're also prone to inconsistencies in bass and treble delivery, and their performance depends on their position, seal, and whether or not you have thick hair or glasses, so your experience may vary.
- Decently neutral sound reproduction.
- Software has 10-band graphic EQ.
- Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are poor for commuting and traveling. While they have a comfortable fit, they're a bit bulky, which doesn't make them very portable. Their case is made of soft fabric, which doesn't protect against falls. Also, they have a very limited control scheme, which may be inconvenient when you're on the go. These headphones don't have an ANC feature and can't passively block out engines or voices, so your audio might get drowned out by background noise during your commute.
- Detachable boom microphone.
- Comfortable fit.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Disappointing controls.
- Not very portable.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are sub-par for sports and fitness. While they're comfortable and stable, their bulky over-ear design isn't very portable. You can't use these headphones wirelessly, so they can be yanked off your head if their cable gets caught on something. Also, their control scheme is limited, so you can't play and pause your music, skip tracks, or manage your calls during your workout.
- Comfortable fit.
- Good stability.
- Disappointing controls.
- Can't be used wirelessly.
- Not very portable.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are mediocre for office use. These comfortable over-ears can be worn throughout the workday, and you can even remove the boom microphone while you work. That said, while they have a decent leakage performance, you may bother your coworkers if you're listening to your music at high volumes. Unfortunately, they have a disappointing noise isolation performance, so they can't block out the sound of your coworkers chatting around you.
- Detachable boom microphone.
- Comfortable fit.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Only decent leakage performance.
The Razer BlackShark V2 headset is a wired-only headset that can't be used for wireless gaming.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are good for wired gaming. These comfortable headphones have a detachable boom mic that makes your voice sound clear. Their sound profile delivers a bit of extra boom, which helps bring out sound effects in action-packed games, and you can also customize it in the companion software. The headphones are fully compatible with PC, PS4, and PS5 and come with a USB sound card that gives you access to features like custom Game Modes and virtual surround sound options. They also work with Xbox One or Xbox Series X via analog connection, but you can't use the USB sound card with those consoles.
- Adjustable microphone settings.
- Detachable boom microphone.
- Disappointing controls.
- USB sound card not compatible with Xbox One or Xbox Series X.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are adequate for phone calls. Their detachable boom microphone can make your voice sound clear and understandable, even in noisier environments, though your voice may sound a bit thin. You can further adjust the microphone settings using the Synapse 3 software, but we don't test for this. Unfortunately, they struggle to passively isolate you from background noise, so you may hear voices or engines during your calls. You also can't manage your calls using their controls.
- Adjustable microphone settings.
- Detachable boom microphone.
- Poor noise isolation performance.
- Disappointing controls.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 12, 2023: The following test group's text has been updated following TB 1.6: Wired Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Dec 12, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Jan 25, 2023: We've tested the frequency response without using the soundcard. You can find more information on this test in our Sound Profile test.
- Updated Aug 24, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Razer BlackShark V2, which come in 'Classic Black'. The headphones come in a few other variants with different designs: the Razer BlackShark V2 Special Edition, which has lime green fabric on its headband, and the Razer BlackShark V2 CouRageJD Edition, which have a blue and yellow color scheme and are part of Razer's collaboration with YouTuber CouRageJD. Aside from the color, these variants appear to be identical, so we expect our results to be valid for them too.
You can see the label for the unit we tested here. If you come across another variant or your headphones are different, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Razer BlackShark V2 are affordable gaming-oriented headphones. They're similar to the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020, except that they have a wired design, and they have more customization features than the cheaper Razer BlackShark V2 X. They come with a wired USB sound card that gives you access to a variety of microphone settings, although it only works with PCs, PS4, and PS5, not Xbox.
If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets under $100, and the best PS4 headsets.
The Razer BlackShark V2 and the Razer Barracuda X Wireless 2021 are both budget-friendly gaming headphones with similar wired gaming performances, but only the Barracuda X support wireless connectivity with the included USB dongle. The Barracuda X are also better built, and their microphone has a better noise handling performance. That said, the BlackShark V2 come with companion software that offers more customization features. They're also more stable, with a more neutral sound out-of-the-box and better frequency response consistency.
The Razer BlackShark V2 are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 X. The V2 have a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and their boom mic is detachable. Also, the V2 come with a USB Soundcard and are compatible with companion software that allows you to customize the sound profile, access custom game modes, and adjust the microphone settings. That being said, the V2 X have a better microphone performance out of the box.
The Razer BlackShark V2 and the Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset are very similar headphones, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. Both are gaming-oriented headphones that are compatible with software that lets you adjust the sound, the microphone settings, and access virtual surround sound mode. However, the Logitech have a better build quality and a more comfortable over-ear fit. Their microphone also has a better performance out-of-the-box. On the other hand, the Razer are better for neutral sound, and they have a more stable on-ear fit.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha are better wired gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2. The HyperX have a more comfortable fit and feel better built, and their microphone offers better overall performance. However, the Razer have companion software that offers a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound to your liking.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
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