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This is a buyer's guide compiled from manufacturer specifications and published reviews. GameRath did not test this product.
The Razer BlackShark V2 is a wired esports headset with 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, a detachable microphone and an included USB sound card. Reviews from 2020 and 2021 are the basis for this guide, and they agree on comfort but flag the sound card as a weak point.
Key specs
- Weight: 262g (Razer)
- Drivers: customized 50mm dynamic with TriForce Titanium technology (Razer); frequency response 12Hz to 28kHz, impedance 32 ohms, sensitivity 100 dB SPL/mW (Razer)
- Microphone: detachable and unidirectional, with a stated range of 100Hz to 10kHz and click-to-mute (Razer)
- Cable: 1.8 meters, 3.5mm connection, with a USB sound card included (Razer)
- Ear cushions: leatherette over memory foam, per Razer; controls for volume and mute on the ear cup
- Surround: THX Spatial Audio through the USB sound card (T3, IPS News)
What published reviews found
Comfort. This was the strongest point. TweakTown said the headset almost disappears on your head, citing soft earcups, a fabric-covered headband and light construction. T3 called it lightweight and comfortable after several hours, but noted it can run warm in hot rooms.
Sound. TweakTown described a very balanced sound, favorably compared to the Sennheiser GSP 300 and Logitech Pro X, with slightly light bass that suits competitive play. T3 praised rich, detailed sound and strong passive noise isolation without active noise cancelling. It said music and movies fall behind gaming performance and that maximum volume could be louder.
Microphone and the USB sound card. TweakTown found the microphone competent on its own, but said the USB sound card acted as a bottleneck, adding compression at higher frequencies and weakening low-end capture. T3 saw something similar: microphone volume was much lower through the sound card than with a direct connection. T3 also said the card is unnecessary for console use. In practice, that means plugging in over 3.5mm may serve you better than using the bundled card, though you give up the card's software features.
Build. Both outlets raised durability. TweakTown pointed to hollow earcups on thin metal rails and an exposed cable, and T3 said the frame felt less robust than rivals. TweakTown framed this as the trade-off for the light weight.
Price and availability
TweakTown listed $99 in November 2020, and T3 listed $99.99 in 2021. Those are launch-era figures, so current street prices vary and should be checked at the retailer. IPS News listed a cheaper BlackShark V2 X at about $60 in 2020, without the USB sound card. Retailer listings also show a separate BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed wireless model, so the wired V2 covered here is not the only version. See our gaming headset deals page for current pricing.
Who it's for
The BlackShark V2 suits competitive players who want a light wired headset for long sessions, balanced sound for game audio, and a detachable mic. It also works for console players, who can skip the USB card.
Skip it if you want wireless freedom, listen to a lot of music, or worry about long-term durability of a light frame. For wireless, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 adds 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections. If you want a sturdier-feeling wired headset, the HyperX Cloud II uses an aluminum frame.
Bottom line
Published reviews paint the BlackShark V2 as a comfortable, balanced-sounding wired headset for gaming, held back by a USB sound card that hurts the microphone and a frame that feels light. It makes the most sense for gamers who care about comfort and balanced game audio more than music playback, and who are happy to connect over 3.5mm if the sound card gets in the way.
Still choosing a headset? Our Best Gaming Hardware in 2026 hub places the Razer BlackShark V2 next to the other four headset guides and explains how to weigh comfort, wireless type and price. Our gaming headset buying guide covers microphone, comfort and wireless trade-offs.
Sources: Razer Support - At a Glance: Razer BlackShark V2, TweakTown - Razer BlackShark V2 + USB Sound Card Review, T3 - Razer BlackShark V2 review: A light gaming headset with great sound, IPS News - Razer BlackShark V2 Review: Simply great
Pros
- Light and comfortable, with TweakTown saying it almost disappears on the head
- Balanced sound that TweakTown compared favorably to the Sennheiser GSP 300 and Logitech Pro X
- Strong passive noise isolation without active noise cancelling, per T3
- Detachable microphone that TweakTown found competent without the USB card
Cons
- TweakTown and T3 both found the USB sound card hurt microphone quality or volume
- Hollow earcups and thin metal rails raised durability concerns for TweakTown and T3
- T3 said it can run warm and falls behind in music and movies
- Bass is slightly light, according to TweakTown
