Michael Murtaugh/NYT WirecutterUpgrade pickThis comfortable headset has crisp, clear sound, as well as a generous range of adjustment to fit a variety of head sizes. It can also work wirelessly on every platform, not just Xbox.Wired/wireless:wirelessMicrophone:detachable, with sidetoneConnection:Bluetooth, USB-C dongle, or included USB-A adapterCompatibility:mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, XboxAvailable colors:black, whiteWarranty:two yearsIf you want to ditch the cable, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro offers excellent sound, a lightweight build, and a clear, sidetone-equipped microphone. After using this headset regularly for over a year, we’ve yet to experience any issues with build quality or performance. We’ve also recommended older versions of the BlackShark V2 Pro for delivering the same great sound, feel, and reliability. Razer offers both PlayStation and Xbox variations of this headset, but the Xbox version is the only one that works wirelessly with both platforms. However, like most wireless gaming headsets that have launched in the past year or so, it omits an optional wired connection.It sounds immersive and crisp. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro produces clear, enveloping sound, and by default it plays up low-end sounds such as gunshots and explosions. This makes action-packed games especially exciting and immersive, and you can easily identify directional cues from distant footsteps or dialogue. You can tinker with the EQ settings and create your own presets for different games in Razer’s Audio Setup app, and the earcup has a profile switch. But if you don’t have an Xbox, and audio quality is your absolute highest priority, you may want to consider the even-more detailed HyperX Cloud III Wireless while it’s still available.You can use the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless for Xbox on every modern system. This headset is compatible with any platform that uses Bluetooth or wireless USB connections, including smartphones and tablets, handheld systems, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles. It comes with a USB-C dongle and an adapter for USB-A ports, but like most wireless gaming headsets that launched in 2024, it omits an optional wired connection.It’s one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve tested. Every version of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro we’ve tested has been exceptionally comfortable. Like its predecessors, this headset has soft memory-foam earcups that didn’t squeeze our temples or ears, even when we were wearing glasses. This headset is stretchy and adjustable enough to fit comfortably over most heads, and it’s light enough that you can wear it for hours without noticing. Photo: Michael MurtaughIt has a long battery life, and it charges quickly. Razer claims that the battery of the 2024 BlackShark V2 Pro can last for up to 70 hours on PC and 48 to 70 hours on consoles. We didn’t perform an official battery test, but in both this headset and past versions of the BlackShark V2 Pro, we’ve noted impressive battery life that surpasses Razer’s estimates. We’ve regularly worn this headset for more than a year, and we’ve had to charge it only a handful of times. Additionally, just 15 minutes of charging can add roughly six hours of battery life, according to the company.The microphone is good enough for chatting with friends, and it includes sidetone. My voice came through this headset clearly enough for friends to understand me without issue, and the mic didn’t pick up any sound from the earcups when I listened to loud music or played games during chat sessions. But my voice did still sound slightly muffled and compressed, so you probably wouldn’t want to use this headset for streaming or recording voiceover — for that, we recommend getting an external microphone anyway. The BlackShark V2 Pro offers sidetone, which is nice if you often find yourself shouting over your own headset volume.Flaws but not dealbreakersThe software is basic, and customization is somewhat limited. You can customize most of Razer’s headsets by using its comprehensive Synapse software, but the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox works instead with the Razer Audio Setup app on PC and Xbox. This app lets you create EQ profiles and toggle the most important features, such as the microphone volume and the auto-shutoff timer, but it doesn’t allow you to fine-tune much beyond that. Although the software should be functional enough for most people, audiophiles might find themselves wanting more.
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