Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox review: The same predictable awesomeness, but for console

After I finished reviewing the updated Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) wireless gaming headset, I never set it aside. No matter how many gaming headsets I've used, tested, and reviewed since then, I always return to the BlackShark V2 Pro immediately after. It's genuinely my favorite gaming headset of all time, but my biggest complaint levied against it has — since the beginning — been the unfortunate lack of Xbox console support.

When I traveled to San Francisco for GDC 2024, I met with Razer and heard in person how the gaming company answered my prayers. I had the opportunity to be among the first outside of Razer to go hands-on with the brand-new Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox, and weeks later, I got a headset of my own to review at home. Now I'm ready to share my full thoughts, and they shouldn't surprise you — the Xbox version of the BlackShark V2 Pro is incredible, even if gaining console support does mean losing a little bit of Windows PC compatibility.

BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

• The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox (and PlayStation) retails for $199.99 at Razer, the same price as the Windows PC version of the headset.
• You can get the BlackShark V2 Pro in both black and white, with the Xbox version having green accents and the PlayStation version having blue accents.
• Regardless of which version or color you get, the console version of the BlackShark V2 Pro still supports Windows PC and Bluetooth-connected devices.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox or PlayStation is priced identically to its Windows PC counterpart, meaning it retails for $199.99 at Razer. The nearly indistinguishable design, audio quality, and capabilities more than justify the same price tag, but there is a trade-off for gaining console support.

The Xbox or PlayStation versions of the BlackShark V2 Pro don't support Razer Synapse on PC for added customization, nor do they have the Valorant or Counter-Strike 2 esports audio profiles. The Xbox version of the BlackShark V2 Pro is fully supported by the free Razer Audio Setup Xbox app, though, and both console versions support the mobile Razer accessory app.

You can buy the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro in the classic black, and the elegant white Razer sent me to test, with the Xbox version boasting Razer's classic green accents and the PlayStation version trading the green for blue (which I personally prefer, but I game on Xbox so I don't have much choice here).

In the box, you get the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox (or PlayStation), the Razer HyperSpeed Wireless USB Type-C dongle, the detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband microphone, and color-matched USB Type-C to USB Type-C and USB Type-A to USB Type-C adapter cables, the former for charging and the latter for connecting the Type-C dongle to a device without a Type-C port (like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, for example).

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox — $199.99 at Razer | Best Buy

My favorite wireless gaming headset of all time finally has an Xbox version, and it's exactly as amazing as I hoped it would be. I'm sad that gaining console support means losing a little bit of Windows PC support, but this is still an excellent headset for hardcore, competitive, or highly social gamers.

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): The good

The pros highlights

• Everything that made the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) one of the best gaming headsets is also true of its console versions.
• That means you're enjoying top-notch build quality, comfort, audio quality, mic quality, battery life, and wireless performance.
• Like the PC version, the BlackShark V2 Pro is well-suited for competitive games and boasts three esports audio profiles.

I don't have to go into too much detail about all the advantages of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox because I already did an in-depth breakdown of the PC-specific version. By that, I mean that the console version of this headset is, in most areas, totally identical to the PC version, and that's a good thing.

Starting with the design, the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox retains the pilot-inspired aesthetic with the prominent volume dial and thin metal headband sliders. The headband and earcup cushions are made of soft memory foam surrounded by high-quality, durable, and breathable fabric. It's a comfy headset with finely tuned clamping force, even if it's not the lightest at 320g. The few headset controls are well-placed and easy to identify by touch alone, and the build quality overall is befitting of the headset's premium price tag.

Turning to audio quality, Razer's 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers are a known quantity by now, and they sound excellent. Yes, there are better-sounding gaming headsets out there, but in this category the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox stands with the best. That's especially true if you're a competitive gamer, as this headset is definitely tuned toward detail, responsiveness, and a wide, dynamic soundstage more than it is warmth and deep bass.

The SmartSwitch button on the right earcup still switches the headset between several onboard audio profiles, with standard profiles with spatial audio for music, gaming, media, and a customizable profile on one side, and esports-tuned profiles for Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends on the other. You can change between these profiles on the fly and nearly instantaneously, ensuring you always have the best EQ for whatever you're doing.

Audio quality doesn't mean much if the wireless connectivity isn't stable enough, and here, the BlackShark V2 Pro delivers again. I expect nothing less at this point from Razer with its HyperSpeed technology, with this headset having one of the most stable, reliable, and responsive 2.4GHz connections of any wireless Xbox headset I've used. Bluetooth support is also here, and there are no complaints about the Bluetooth quality, either.

Whether you're using 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, or both, you won't have to worry much about battery life, too. I wrote about how the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) shocked me with its endurance, and matters are the same with the console version. Razer quotes up to 70 hours of continued usage, and that feels like a very accurate (if even a little conservative) estimate. When you do need to charge your headset, Type-C fast charging means you'll be up and running again in no time.

Finally, I can't talk about the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox without mentioning its microphone. This unidirectional, detachable mic looks like a standard headset mic at first glance, but Razer poured a lot of resources into making it the very best microphone on any mainstream gaming headset. Over a year later, and that's still true with the console version.

Razer's HyperClear Super Wideband microphone captures detailed, full, and beautifully isolated audio, and the fantastic 32KHz sampling rate means very little of that quality is lost along the wireless journey to your device. The only headset I've used that comes close is the Logitech Astro A50 X, but even with a higher 48KHz sampling rate, the Astro A50 X's mic still isn't as consistently excellent as the BlackShark V2 Pro.

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): The bad

The cons highlights

• The BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is a nearly flawless headset, but it shares the same flaws as its PC counterpart.
• It also trades one con for another, gaining console support but losing some Windows PC compatibility.
• Furthermore, there's still no multi-source audio mixing here, which is important to some gamers.

Just like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox shares all its advantages with its PC sibling, the reverse is also true. Fortunately, that means this will be a very short section. After all, I had very little negative to say about the original BlackShark V2 Pro, and that hasn't changed a year later. That being said, the console version does lose something in exchange for the Xbox and PlayStation support it gains.

For one, the BlackShark V2 Pro for consoles does not support Razer Synapse on Windows PC, meaning you'll lose a lot of customization if you're primarily a PC gamer. Secondly, it drops the Valorant and Counter-Strike esports audio profiles without gaining any new console-specific replacements, which is especially unfortunate considering that Valorant is now coming to Xbox and PlayStation.

Sadly, that means you have to compromise if Xbox support is important to you. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is still the better PC gaming headset if you don't need console support, even if the console version does still work with Windows PC without any issues. On top of that, there's still no multi-source audio mixing; that means the headset can connect to two devices at once via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, but it can't stream audio from both. It can switch between the two, but if you want to have a phone call or voice chat on one device and game on another, you won't be able to.

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want a great all-around wireless headset that works with Xbox and PC

One of the best PC gaming headsets getting an Xbox version makes it an easy recommendation right away. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox may lose a little bit of PC prowess, but it's still an excellent headset regardless of which platform you game on.

✅You play a lot of competitive online games

The BlackShark V2 Pro's greatest strength is competitive, online multiplayer games like Call of Duty. Excellent wireless performance and dynamic, responsive spatial audio makes this headset a fantastic choice for any hardcore gamer wanting to gain an edge over their opponents.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You primarily play on Windows PC

If you do most of your gaming on Windows PC, then the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) may still be the better choice for you. It costs the same, offers greater levels of customization through Razer Synapse, and gains Valorant and Counter-Strike audio profiles. Of course, that does mean you lose Xbox support.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is exactly what I'd hoped it would be when I first laid hands on it, and exactly what Razer says it is: the best PC gaming headset I've ever reviewed, but with full Xbox support. It's not an upgrade or even an update, but rather trading a little bit of PC support for some highly requested console support. The result is immediately one of the best Xbox headsets you can buy right now.

Everything about this $200 headset is high quality: the design, the construction, the audio, the mic, the wireless performance, the battery life. There are better headsets if you're willing to splash a lot more cash, but in this price range there's honestly nothing I would recommend more. That's especially true if you're a competitive or hardcore gamer that values responsive and dynamic audio quality that lets you perform at your very best.

I've reviewed a lot of amazing gaming headsets during my time at Windows Central, but there's a reason I still use the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) every single day with my gaming PC. Now, I'll be able to use the same headset with my Xbox Series X, too. It's going to be difficult for any company to firmly take that position away from Razer now. In my opinion, this isn't just the greatest headset Razer has made — it's simply the greatest you can get for less than $300. More specifically, you can pick up the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox for $199.99 at Razer.

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