The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is the latest flagship wireless gaming headset from Razer, and the white edition offers the same high-end features and performance in a sleek, minimalist design. Positioned as a premium option for competitive gamers, streamers, and enthusiasts, the headset introduces several key upgrades over its predecessor, including Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), new drivers, and enhanced connectivity.
DESIGN AND COMFORT
The BlackShark V3 Pro maintains the signature pilot-style aesthetic of the series. The white edition has a clean, stylish look with a flexible aluminium headband wrapped in a leatherette upper and a padded sports mesh cushion underneath. This makes a massive difference to me as someone who wears glasses, as pressure on the arm of my glasses for long periods can become very uncomfortable.
The earcups are oval-shaped and feature dense memory foam with a breathable sports mesh fabric, which is a significant highlight for long gaming sessions. At 367g, the headset is on the heavier side, but its ergonomic design and comfortable padding prevent it from feeling fatiguing.
Aimed at long-term comfort, the clamping force is somewhat loose. This can sometimes compromise the seal and ANC performance, but it — as mentioned — increases the comfort factor; so there are swings and roundabouts on that. A new feature is the 15-degree earcup swivel, which helps the headset rest more naturally around your neck at times when you’re not wearing it on your ears.
AUDIO QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
This is where the BlackShark V3 Pro starts to shine for users. Razer has equipped it with new TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen-2 drivers, which are a significant improvement over the previous generation. These drivers feature a new “driver plug” that reportedly cuts distortion in half, and a 75% larger magnet that enhances bass response and tonal separation, delivering cleaner sound to the wearer, even in the heat of battle.
In gaming, the headset is tuned explicitly for competitive play. Its audio profile is designed for precision, allowing you to pinpoint footsteps, gunshots, and other critical in-game cues. With support for THX Spatial Audio on PC, Tempest 3D Audio on PlayStation, and Windows Sonic on Xbox, the headset delivers excellent positional audio and an expanded soundstage.
That positional audio really stood out to me playing Escape from Tarkov with a couple of friends, where their footsteps were clear and distinct enough that I wasn’t spooked by them near me. Raiders and Scavs were easier to identify and locate compared to the party I was running with.
Even on less complex games like racing sims, Diablo IV or even TF2, the audio quality was excellent. Giving a bit of an edge to gameplay and helping me perform at my best in gameplay. While the clarity is exceptional, I’d recommend finding your own balance, as I found the treble a bit sharp at high volume when using the THX Spatial Audio.
Stepping back from gameplay to daily wear and use, the headset is well-balanced for music and can be tuned to your liking using the Razer Synapse software. With the multiple connection types, I have the headset paired to my phone via Bluetooth and gaming PC via the provided dongle. Via Bluetooth, if you’re watching a music video at times, you may notice some audio latency, but this is to do with the Bluetooth technology, not a fault of the headset.
What made the crossover between PC and phone so easy and viable is the tunable equalisers that are stored — cycle through with a single push of a button — on the headset. Synapse allows you to identify the EQ that you have as a default, the one you want to use for specific games, and tune each of those to your own liking. The clarity and tonal separation are impressive, making it a viable option for non-gaming use.
MICROPHONE: CRISP AND CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS
The BlackShark V3 Pro features a new detachable Razer HyperClear Full Band 12mm microphone. This is a significant upgrade, offering studio-grade voice capture with a professional-level sampling rate. The mic captures a wide frequency range, resulting in a clear, rich, and natural sound. While its noise rejection isn’t perfect and can sometimes pick up background sounds like keyboard clicks, it’s generally considered to be one of the best microphones on a gaming headset, especially when fine-tuned with the software’s EQ settings.
One of the highlights of forethought for me in more competitive play is the tuning of the microphone, where you can deliberately tune the voice delivery to your teammates to avoid conflicting with game sounds or audio wavelengths to maintain your teammates’ awareness of the game audio. I tried this out, and the audio difference was noted at the other end – but we’re past our prime, so it wasn’t something that was necessary at my age…
I spent some time testing with some gaming mates to see how much of a difference there is between my desktop mic — a HyperX Quadcast 2 — and the headset. Both of them clearly said that the headset had really crisp and clean audio, with absolutely nothing wrong with it. When I switched back to the desktop mic, there was a notable difference with a richer, broader sound base. What stood out to me, though, is that the headset mic is included, and the Quadcast 2 is a $200 standalone microphone. While it’s not as good as the Quadcast 2, this really is a glowing indictment of the quality of the mic on the BlackShark V3 Pro.
FEATURES AND CONNECTIVITY
The BlackShark V3 Pro offers a solid set of features that justify its premium price. For the first time, a BlackShark headset includes Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). While a welcome addition, its effectiveness can be inconsistent, particularly with higher-frequency sounds like voices, due to the headset’s somewhat loose fit. It is more effective at filtering out low-frequency background noise. The headset provides a dedicated button to switch between three ANC modes: on, off, and ambient.
In terms of connectivity, the headset is highly versatile. It features Razer’s ultra-low latency HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 (2.4GHz) technology for near-instantaneous audio, which is essential for competitive gaming. It also includes Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless wireless connection to mobile devices and other compatible hardware. A key feature is “Simultaneous Audio,” allowing the user to connect via both HyperSpeed Wireless and Bluetooth at the same time, enabling them to take a phone call without interrupting their game audio. For wired connections, the headset supports both USB and 3.5mm analogue connections. The headset’s battery life is another strong point, with Razer claiming up to 70 hours (I can attest to this with the battery lasting almost two weeks of gaming and daily use before I needed to charge it) on PC and 48 hours on consoles. It also features fast charging, providing 6 hours of playtime from a 15-minute charge. A swappable, removable battery located inside the right earcup further enhances its longevity.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is a very compelling choice, but it comes at a premium price. With the specs and features that it carries, it’s a strong contender against other high-end wireless headsets like the Audeze Maxwell and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset offers a compelling audio experience with its new TriForce drivers, delivering excellent sound quality. The microphone performance is also a standout feature, providing exceptional clarity. Its versatile connectivity, which includes simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth, makes it highly adaptable for various devices. For an immersive experience, the headset incorporates Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and its comfortable design ensures it can be worn for extended gaming sessions. Adding to its longevity and convenience is a swappable, removable battery.
While the BlackShark V3 Pro has many strengths, a few minor drawbacks are worth noting. The ANC, while present, may not be as robust as that found in dedicated noise-cancelling headphones, and its performance can be affected by the headset’s looser fit. The headset also comes at a high price point. Additionally, some users might find that the treble can be a bit sharp when listening at high volumes.
Ultimately, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro — our review unit pictured in white — is a top-tier wireless gaming headset that delivers exceptional audio, a fantastic microphone, and a host of premium features. Suppose you are a competitive gamer who prioritises low-latency and precise sound cues, or a weekend warrior like myself, willing to invest in high-end peripherals. In that case, this headset is an excellent choice.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is available through Razer online and the usual retail channels for $449.95
