Razer Black Shark V3 Pro tested: Great headset that eliminates the criticisms of its predecessor
29.8.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Kevin Hofer
Razer's Black Shark V3 Pro offers many features such as ANC, low latency and a 3.5 mm connection. It is also damn comfortable and goes one better than its predecessor in terms of microphone quality.
I praised the predecessor model of the Blackshark V3 Pro, the V2 Pro, for its first-class microphone. With the V3, Razer improves on this and delivers an excellent sounding headset microphone. There are also various new features, including ANC. However, this comes at a price: at launch, it costs 25 per cent more than the V2 Pro at the time.
Cool design meets annoying dongle
The headset is available in three versions: PC, Xbox and Playstation. The only difference is the colour. I was provided with the PC version for the test. Apart from a green colour spot on the microphone mute button, it is completely black.
The scope of delivery includes the headset, the plug-in microphone, a USB charging cable, a 3.5 mm jack cable and a dongle for the 2.4 GHz wireless connection. It's cool that Razer has also thought of all those who are loyal to the wire with the jack cable. The dongle cannot be connected directly to the end device, but must be connected via a USB-C cable. According to Razer, this is necessary to minimise latency. It's a shame that the dongle cannot be connected directly to the console. On a PC, I like the cable solution because of interference, but on a console I would prefer the direct connection for less cable clutter.
In terms of design, Razer remains true to the previous version. I like the industrial design, which gives the headset a timeless touch. I also think it's great that it's not too bulky. The magnetic side panels are new and can be swapped quickly and easily. If I want to personalise my headset, this is now possible: in future, side panels from third-party providers will be available to buy.
I could wear it for hours
The V2 Pro was already damn comfortable. The V3 Pro goes one better. Razer has reinforced the headband - which was vulnerable in the previous version. But that's not the only improvement: the ear cups can now be swivelled by 15 degrees in both directions. This ensures an even better fit, keeping the headset comfortable even after hours of wear. This is despite the fact that the V3 Pro is around 40 grammes heavier than its predecessor at 365 grammes without microphone - 380 grammes with mic.
The good fit is probably also due to the soft headband, which distributes the weight evenly. Most ears should fit into the equally well-padded shells with an inner size of 66x45 millimetres. At least mine fit comfortably and don't touch the drivers. Also great: Razer uses fabric instead of artificial leather for the casing. I find this much more comfortable, especially when it's hot. Another plus point: the ear cup pads can be replaced.
Simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth connection
There are several connection options: wireless with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth with low-latency mode and 3.5 mm jack cable. Especially great: I can be connected via radio and Bluetooth at the same time. According to Razer, the headset should offer a battery life of up to 70 hours on the PC and up to 48 hours on consoles. The actual runtime depends on the feature usage. Using a wireless connection on the PC and occasional use on the smartphone with ANC activated, I managed just under 30 hours.
The existing controls all make sense and are well positioned. As with its predecessor, the on/off button, the switch for muting the microphone and the volume control are located on the right. The latter is no longer smooth but textured, which provides a better grip when adjusting it. On the right is the head for activating or deactivating the ANC and a rotary control for the mix between game and chat volume. The switch for adjusting the equaliser presets is already familiar from the V2 Pro - nine of these can be stored in the on-board memory.
Bass-heavy headset that is especially fun when playing games
The new drivers of the V3 Pro deliver classic V-shape sound with the default preset: the bass and treble are emphasised at the expense of the mids. This is typical for gaming headsets and I think it's great when playing games. Explosions sound so powerful and I can easily locate my opponents. As a gaming headset, the Blackshark V3 Pro does an excellent job.
Listening to music with the device, on the other hand, gives me mixed feelings. With bass-heavy hip hop, it's great fun. With other genres such as folk or rock, however, I lack clarity and an open soundstage.
The headset's active noise cancelling is fine. It filters out annoying noises, especially at home on the PC. However, when I'm out and about, I notice the difference to dedicated audio headsets: cars speeding past or the train arriving are still audible.
Another step forward for the microphone
In the run-up to the test, I read and saw a lot of negative things about the microphone. I can't agree with that, perhaps because I have a retail version of the headset. Razer now uses a larger capsule than its predecessor, which should deliver a clearer signal with fewer artefacts. In the pre-production models, the reproduction of the sound was not satisfactory. Razer now seems to have fixed this and I find the sound almost as good as from a USB podcast microphone.
Complete software with quirks
On the PC, you can configure the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro with the Synapse software. The settings leave nothing to be desired: Equaliser for microphone and sound, ANC adjustments in four stages or firmware updates. The only downside: the software does not yet officially run under Linux.
As I use Linux, I mostly used the Razer Audio app for Android for the settings - when it works. It's like a lottery whether I can connect to the headset via the app or not. If it works, the app is at least clear and offers everything I need.
In a nutshell
Great headset even better in the third version
I can only repeat what I have already written about the Blackshark V2 Pro: It's a great headset in the upper mid-range segment. It is comfortable, offers all the amenities I expect from a headset and sounds good when gaming. Particularly noteworthy is the microphone, which is almost as good as a USB podcast microphone.
With the previous model, I criticised the lack of a simultaneous Bluetooth and wireless connection. Or that I occasionally have to readjust the size of the headset because it slips. And the audio cable connection was also missing there. These features are now all on board. There is also ANC, which doesn't come close to that of audio headsets such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, but performs well for gaming. For those who like to customise their peripherals, interchangeable side panels are now also available. The only points of criticism are the poor sound quality when listening to music and the fact that the dongle can only be connected to the end device via a cable.
I can recommend the Black Shark V3 Pro to anyone looking for a gaming headset with numerous features.
Pro
- damn comfortable
- Good battery life
- Excellent microphone quality
- good ANC
- Simultaneous Bluetooth and wireless connection
Contra
- too bass-emphasised for listening to music
- Dongle cannot be connected directly to the end device
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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