Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review: Gaming performance first
With ANC, superb wireless performance, and exceptional comfort, is this the ultimate gaming headset?
Note: This review was first published on 25 August 2025.
Over the past three years, Razer has been fine-tuning the BlackShark lineup with input from esports pros like NiKo and Zellsis. The goals? Better sound, improved internals, and improved usability while keeping the BlackShark’s signature no-nonsense design.
The BlackShark V2 Pro was already one of our favourite gaming headsets thanks to its excellent wireless audio and comfort. So when Razer announced the BlackShark V3 Pro, the obvious question was: What more could they improve? The answer is quite a lot.
Design amd Comfort
The headphones are comfortable, even for spectacle wearers.
In terms of design, the V3 Pro retains the BlackShark’s signature aviation-inspired look while refining comfort and fit. Slim aluminium yokes allow for quick and smooth adjustment to get a proper seal. The headband feels solid yet comfortable, with a mix of leatherette and breathable sports mesh that prevents it from pressing too hard on my head during long gaming sessions. At 376g (with the microphone attached), it does have a bit of heft, but the weight is well-balanced, so it never really feels heavy.
The oval earcups house dual-layer FlowKnit memory foam cushions that are breathable and provide enough padding to keep ears from brushing against the drivers. They also swivel about 15-degree inward, which not only makes the headset more comfortable to rest around the neck but also helps achieve a tighter seal for ANC.
A new addition with this iteration of the BlackShark is the use of magnetic faceplates, which provide easy access to the removable battery and can even be swapped out for esports team-themed designs for a bit of extra flair.
As for controls, Razer packed in quite a few. The right cup holds the ANC toggle, EQ cycle, and game/chat mix roller, while the left cup houses the power button, mic mute, USB-C port, detachable mic jack, and a tactile volume knob. The layout works fine, but I’ll admit it took me a while to get used to distinguishing some of the buttons by touch alone. Thankfully, there are voice prompts that let users know immediately if they have toggled ANC or switched EQ modes.
Even better wireless performance
The faceplates can be removed.
Under the hood, the V3 Pro’s biggest upgrade is Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen 2, which delivers a claimed latency of just 10ms. To put that number into perspective, that’s so fast that most people won’t even register the delay from the moment you do something in-game and receive the audio cue, since anything under 15ms already feels instant. Still, it’s a great improvement, especially if you’re playing games that require absolute precision like rhythm games.
As for connectivity, the headset also features Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, letting you game while handling calls or streaming music from another device. In total, it supports four connectivity modes: 2.4GHz HyperSpeed Wireless, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-A wired audio, and 3.5mm wired audio. On top of that, simultaneous audio mode lets you use wireless and Bluetooth at the same time without switching inputs. In my use case, I found it useful to pick up a call mid-match on my phone or scroll TikTok during respawn downtime.
Audio and Performance
The controls aren’t exactly user-friendly.
Shifting away from titanium-based drivers, the new BlackShark V3 Pro now uses 50mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose drivers with a 75% stronger magnet, which helps deliver clear, natural audio with minimal distortion. While I haven’t personally used the V2 Pro, I did find the overall audio on the V3 Pro a bit lacklustre straight out of the box. Thankfully, the 10-band EQ in Razer Synapse (PC) or the Razer Audio app (mobile) allows you to crank up the bass and dial down the highs, which makes the sound much more enjoyable.
If you’re unsure about what sound profile suits you best, there are nine onboard profile slots, allowing you to experiment with different presets until you find the right one. For those serious about gaming, 12 pro-tuned presets are included, designed to highlight key in-game sounds like footsteps and reloads.
There is quite a number of THX game profile presets available.
For spatial audio, THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 on PC delivers immersive 3D sound for supported games. While I’m not personally a huge fan of spatial audio in gaming, it does make the experience more immersive. The addition of four virtual overhead speakers enhances the sense of space, which is particularly noticeable in games like Elden Ring or Genshin Impact. However, the list of games supporting this iteration of THX Spatial Audio is limited, including titles like Diablo IV, Final Fantasy XVI, Grand Theft Auto V, Cyberpunk 2077, Hellblade II, Monster Hunter Rise, and Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
ANC finally comes to the BlackShark series: Our Thoughts
Besides improved wireless performance, another headline feature of the BlackShark V3 Pro is its Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and it really makes a noticeable difference. When gaming in a noisy environment, the ANC effectively blocks out background distractions, allowing you to focus on footsteps, reloads, or subtle environmental cues in-game.
As with other noise-cancelling headphones, the effectiveness of ANC depends on the fit and the seal you achieve. When worn properly, the headset creates a nice, immersive bubble that draws you into the game. At the highest ANC setting, there is a slight inner-ear pressure at first, but it is far less pronounced than on lifestyle headphones like the Sonos Ace or WH-1000XM6, and I quickly got used to it.
In addition to the fully noise-cancelling mode that most users will likely prefer, there is also an ambient mode. I did not find it particularly effective. While it allows more external sounds to pass through like your keyboard clicks, don’t expect to have full conversations with the headphones on.
Other notable improvements
Throughout my daily use with the BlackShark V3 Pro, battery life was good. Razer claims up to 70 hours of battery life on PC with HyperSpeed Wireless enabled. In my testing with ANC disabled, I managed about 60 hours of use. Charging is via the included USB-C, and a quick 15-minute charge provided roughly another 5 hours of playback.
Most of the controls found on Synapse can be found on Razer Audio as well.
Finally, compared to the V2 Pro, the BlackShark V3 Pro now comes with a detachable 12mm HyperClear Full-Band mic, which supports a 48kHz sampling rate. It uses a unidirectional pattern to focus on the user’s voice and performs well in practice. Communication comes through clear and natural, and while some background noise may be noticeable, it doesn’t overpower speech.
If you’re not happy with the microphone performance, Razer Synapse provides several microphone enhancement options, such as “Volume Normalisation”, “Vocal Clarity”, “Mic Noise Cancellation”, and more. There’s even a mic EQ slider if you want to customise the sound further.
Will these headphones improve your gameplay?
If you value perforamance over anything, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is hard to beat.
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is a flagship gaming headset that delivers where it matters most. With low-latency HyperSpeed Wireless Gen 2, 50mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose drivers, Hybrid ANC, and a detachable HyperClear mic, it provides precise positional audio and clear in-game cues. The headset is comfortable to wear, and ANC combined with long battery life keeps distractions and downtime to a minimum.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The headset can feel a bit heavy during long sessions, the button layout takes some getting used to, and the ambient ANC mode isn’t particularly useful.
At S$379, it’s a premium purchase, and casual gamers or those who focus more on movies and music might find better value elsewhere. But for gamers who prioritise performance and competitive advantage, the BlackShark V3 Pro remains one of the best headsets available right now.
Availability and Pricing
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is available for purchase for S$379 from the official Razer Store, its official storefronts on Shopee and Lazada, and Amazon.
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