Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Review

Introduction

The Razer BlackShark is without a doubt one of the most impressive gaming audio devices of the last few years. The V2 Pro was the first headset to dethrone HyperX’s Cloud II as the most used headset in pro gaming, so naturally expectations for the successor were sky-high. Today, that successor is here. With a bunch of new features and improved drivers, are we looking at the product that will solidify Razer’s position in the headset space? Read our full Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review to find out.

At A Glance

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Black

Staff’s Choice

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro doesn’t mess with a winning formula. It refines it. With upgraded drivers, a fantastic mic, ANC support, and dual wireless connectivity, it’s clear Razer listened to what reviewers and users had to say. The result is a gaming headset that can proudly call itself one of the very best in the world right now.

Lars

5 of 5

Check price5/5 (Read review)

Pros

• Great audio quality
• Great gaming performance
• Good ANC performance
• Great mic

Cons

• Very expensive
• Heavier than the predecessor, which might not feel comfy for everyone

Specs

Type	Closed-Back
Connection	Wireless
Noise Cancelling	Yes
Microphone	Detachable

First Impressions

The BlackShark V3 Pro does not introduce a lot of external changes compared to its predecessor. The changes that they have made are logical.

The volume wheel, notably, looks a lot better. Additionally, there are ANC cutouts on the top, and the plates of the ear cups can now come off and be swapped. Other than that, nothing much has changed, and I believe that to be a good thing. The V2 Pro is an iconic product at this point in time, so it would be misguided to change its appearance too much if you ask me.

Changes Versus the V2 Pro

There are quite some differences between the V3 Pro and the V2 Pro. I’ll discuss these in-depth in the review (where applicable) but these are the most eye-catching changes:

• The V3 Pro introduces ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)
• The V3 Pro can connect to 2.4GHz and Bluetooth devices simultaneously; it can also connect via USB and 3.5mm jack
• The V3 pro has new and improved drivers (TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Drivers Gen-2)
• The V3 Pro has a better mic (HyperClear Full Band 12mm mic)
• The V3 Pro uses Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2, making it more responsive
• The V3 Pro has swappable ear cup covers

For me, this is a great list of (extra) features that move the BlackShark V3 Pro more towards a product that you can use throughout your entire day. They’re also heavily requested features, so it’s good to see that Razer has listened to the community.

Other Versions

The V3 Pro is the top-of-the-line product in the new BlackShark lineup. Razer also offers the BlackShark V3 and the V3 HyperSpeed.

The regular V3 has the same audio drivers, but does not offer ANC, and it comes with an inferior (on paper) mic. The HyperSpeed version, meanwhile, is a more budget-oriented device. I only got the V3 Pro in for testing, so I can’t comment on how the other versions perform. You can find more info on the available versions on Razer’s website.

Packaging

Inside the box of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, you will find:

• User documentation
• USB-C-to-3.5 jack cable
• USB-A-to-USB-C cable
• Wireless receiver dongle
• Stickers
• Detachable mic

Build and Comfort

Fabrics

The BlackShark V3 Pro uses Flowknit for the headband and ear cups. This is a material that layers fabric and leatherette on top of each other, which results in a better seal and improved moisture-wicking capabilities compared to just regular mesh.

From my experience, the ear cushions are more breathable than full leatherette cushions so that is a definite plus, but I wouldn’t say that this is a breezy headset. On hot summer days, I occasionally feel the need to take the headphones off, for example. That is something that comes with the territory, as you need a good seal in order for ANC to work properly (so having super breezy ear cups is not good) but it can be good to know if you live in a hot climate.

Comfort and Build Quality

In terms of comfort, I have no complaints at all. The clamping force is just right for me, though I should note that it’s not very high. If you prefer a tight fitting headset, this might cause problems. I get headaches from wearing tight headsets for too long though, so for me this is perfect.

The headband and ear cushions use a generous amount of memory foam that will give you a comfy fit even during marathon sessions. Despite the fact that this headset is about 50 grams heavier than its predecessor, I can’t say that I had any comfort or pressure issues, as the padding is generous and the weight seems to be distributed nicely.

The build quality is also very satisfying. The stitching is done perfectly, and the headset feels like a well-built product. I’ve used its predecessor (the BlackShark V2 Pro) as my main headset for over a year now and don’t have any complaints about its durability, and given how similar this design is I can’t imagine that I’ll have any issues with this one.

Swappable Ear Cup Covers

The ear cups have covers that can be swapped out. This magnetic system is easy to use, and the covers stay in place perfectly well once you’ve snapped them on. Razer is planning on offering a bunch of esports-branded plates, so you’ll be able to rep your favorite team if you want to do that. It’s a nifty little extra to give you some extra personalization options, and it would be cool to see Razer offering a truly custom option (similar to what they do with their Gigantus V2 mousepads) in the future.

Sound and Mic

Microphone

The mic on the V2 Pro was already extremely impressive, and Razer has managed to match that on the V3 Pro. The mic on this headset sounds clear and, most impressively, very natural.

Depending on your specific voice, you may want to do some tweaking in Synapse (Razer’s customization software) before you find a setting that really captures your voice’s natural timbre, but when all of that is done I would say that this is one of the most impressive microphones I’ve ever heard on a wireless headset, at least for my voice.

Granted, this will not come close to a dedicated external microphone, but I would not hesitate to take business calls or hang out with friends while using this microphone at all. Built-in filters also work great and do exactly what it says that they should do. So even if you’re playing in a noisier environment, you should be able to use this one without issues.

Overall, it’s a great mic with some impressive customization options to make it shine even more.

Note: in the first clip, I was fiddling around with the settings while talking. To get an impression of how the mic sounds without real-time settings changes, listen to the second clip.

Mic Test (While Fiddling With Settings)

Mic Test (Dialed-In)

Sound Quality

The new drivers that Razer is using in this headset pay dividends, as the sound quality is greatly improved over its predecessor.

Straight out of the box, the BlackShark V3 Pro sounds great. Adjusting the EQ to match whatever it is you’re doing (content consumption, FPS gaming, …) makes it sound even better. In general, it’s nothing short of impressive.

The output is balanced, with clean highs and satisfying lows. The blurriness that I sometimes experienced with more complicated tracks on the V2 is now gone, with notes in different registers now being more clearly separated.

The sharp highs and sometimes distorted sections have also disappeared. That’s a major boon to its capabilities as a ‘do it all’ headset. It simply sounds very good at all times, no matter if you’re watching Netflix or wallbanging enemies in CS2.

One remark: it’s not super bass-heavy. The bass is present and balanced, but if you’re someone who wants teeth-rattling lower sounds, this might not be your best option. Whether that’s an issue for you or not will depend on your personal preferences, of course.

In general, though, this is easily one of the best sounding gaming headsets on the market right now, and I love how it very clearly sounds better than the V2. This shows that Razer has listened to feedback and improved on their design rather than resting on their laurels.

ANC

One of the major highlights of the V3 Pro is that it comes with Active Noise Cancellation. That’s great news for people who play in noisy environments or who want to use this headset for things like commuting.

I’ll admit that I’m not an expert at ANC headsets, but as far as I can tell it works really well here. My workspace is located next to a busy street, so having a headset that can drown out those sounds is always an advantage. With music on and the ANC activated, I had no problems with street noises, even with the window open. And even with no music on, the headset lowers annoying engine and tire noises to a tolerable level.

I have multiple ANC products (I strongly dislike outside noises when I’m working) and this BlackShark V3 Pro can proudly stand next to dedicated ANC headphones. That is something I didn’t really expect, since this is a gaming headset and not an ANC-focused audio product, but it’s a nice surprise nonetheless.

Gaming Performance

In terms of in-game performances, this headset really shines. There are a number of premade sound profiles to match your use case, and within the esports profile you’ve got a wide variety of games to choose from. These game profiles have been created with the help of noteworthy esports athletes such as NiKo, MaKo, and Merstach, and from my experience they work really well in their specific games.

Despite the headset’s closed-back nature, the soundstage is quite wide, which helps with identifying the direction of sounds. And, perhaps more importantly, positional accuracy is very, very good. Getting a kill through smokes based on footsteps or other sounds becomes a lot easier with a headset like this one. The BlackShark V3 Pro isn’t the only headset on the market that can give you that ‘it almost seems like I have a wallhack’ experience due to its excellent audio performance, but it definitely is among the best out there at this point in time.

When it’s time to relax and play single player games, you can go for a more bass-forward sound profile and enjoy a more cinematic experience. If you want to, you can set the headset to swap profiles automatically based on the games that you are playing, but there’s also an EQ preset swap button on the headset itself.

Features and Everyday Usage

Controls and Software

On the left ear cup, there’s a volume wheel, a mic mute button, and a power button. The charging port is also located on the left cup. On the right cup, there’s a button to switch between audio presets, a chat/voice mix control dial, and a button to switch between ANC on/off and transparency mode.

All of the controls are laid out in a logical manner, and I like the fact that they didn’t make any changes compared to the previous model. The amount of controls here is just right, and the buttons and knobs are super easy to reach and distinguish while wearing the headset as well. I love this.

For any more in-depth customization, you need to download Razer’s Synapse software. There, you can configure which presets you want the button to swap between, tweak the mic settings, adjust the EQ, and much more. Everything is laid out clearly, and most features also have a ‘?’ button that you can hover over to get some more info on what that setting does.

Something that I really love is that the dongle can be set to display the current battery level. This means that I don’t need to check the software to see whether or not it’s time to charge the device. And that’s not the only QoL feature: the headset also clearly states whenever you’ve switched the ANC or sound profile, for example.

In a nutshell: this is a highly customizable headset, and it’s very easy to tweak this one to match your preferences.

Connectivity

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro can connect via a 2.4GHz wireless signal and via Bluetooth. Contrary to what we saw on the V2 Pro, the newest version can connect via both of these signals at the same time. This means that you can seamlessly take a call on your phone (if the headset is connected via Bluetooth) while you’re gaming without having to swap connections.

This dual connectivity isn’t something that I use extensively, but I do know that a lot of people love features like these. It also gives the headset way more of a ‘one product does it all’ type of feeling. When you’re done gaming and you’re going on a walk, for example, you can simply just get up and walk away from your PC. It’s seamless, and very convenient.

Quick note: for gaming, you will definitely want to connect via 2.4GHz. Bluetooth isn’t meant for gaming, as it’s too slow and unreliable for those kinds of applications.

Battery Life

The BlackShark V3 Pro—just like its predecessor—will give you around 70 hours of in-game time on a full charge. That was impressive back then, and it still is impressive today. It charges very quickly as well; needing just a half hour of charging to last pretty much the entire day.

I found myself charging the headset once a week on average, which is extremely respectable for a wireless device.

Wireless Range

The range that the BlackShark V3 Pro offers is great. I can easily walk from my PC to the other end of the apartment (and even into the garden) without it losing connection. This makes it so that you can go for a drink, a quick breath of fresh air, or a toilet break without having to take off your headset. Obviously this won’t be the case if you live in a very large house with thick walls, but range definitely isn’t something that you need to worry about with the BlackShark V3 Pro.

Conclusion

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro doesn’t mess with a winning formula. It takes what was already there and refines it in a logical way. With upgraded drivers, a fantastic mic, ANC support, and dual wireless connectivity, it’s clear Razer listened to what reviewers and users had to say. The result is a gaming headset that can proudly call itself one of the very best in the world right now.

You’re getting excellent sound quality that is noticeably cleaner and more accurate than before. On top of that, the spatial audio and overall gaming performance is fantastic. The ANC that got introduced on this model also isn’t just a gimmick: it’s a great feature to have, especially for those of us playing in noisy environments. It works really well, too.

Add to that the stellar battery life, seamless dual connectivity, and thoughtful quality-of-life features and you’ve got a headset that truly lives up to its ‘one headset to rule them all’ potential. You can take this thing on the road during your commute, make calls with it while cooking, enjoy blockbuster movies on your couch, and get sweaty in your favorite competitive game. The BlackShark V3 Pro handles it all without any issues.

It’s expensive, yes, but it’s also one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy in 2025, full stop. And now that the BlackShark line has cemented its spot as ‘standard pro gaming equipment,’ it’s hard to see what brand will challenge Razer in the near future.

5 of 5

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Lars

Reviews, Community, FPS

Former semi-pro gamer turned writer, product reviewer, and community manager.