Razer Barracuda V2 Pro Review: A Gaming Headset for the Office

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Rating:

8/10

I transition between different pieces of audio equipment on any given day. I listen to music with my earbuds, but they always fall out when I talk, so for meetings I tend to go without. If I’m in a loud setting and need to speak in a virtual meeting, I reach for my old, reliable headset for its higher-quality mic, but I often sacrifice call quality in non-gaming environments. And when I’m gaming, I love my light-up kitty-ear headset, but I don’t necessarily want to wear that at a coffee shop or in a professional setting. Which is why the new Razer Barracuda V2 Pro is made for people like me. It’s an elegant, multipurpose headset that does the job, no matter what the job is.

Working 9 to 5

The Barracuda V2 Pro feels more like a good pair of over-ear headphones than a traditional gaming headset. During my testing period, I regularly listened to music with it. It sounds clear and balanced—there’s a bit of quality loss in the lows and highs, but it’s still perfectly acceptable, and the hybrid active noise canceling (ANC) is fantastic. Press the Multifunction button to cycle between ambient, ANC-on, and ANC-off modes. Hold it to activate your voice assistant or customize it in the Razer Synapse Windows/Mac software or Razer Audio smartphone app. (Customizations include cycling ANC modes, adjusting volume via Bluetooth, or using your voice assistant, so you can choose what each button press does.) You can tweak the EQ in Razer Audio and cycle between presets—Movie, Music, Game, and Default—with the press of a button. Press the same button twice to cycle between connectivity modes, including Bluetooth, HyperSpeed Wireless, and Simultaneous Listening. You can also go wired with the included cable.

I love that the HyperSpeed wireless dongle is cleverly stored behind a magnetic panel in the left earcup. The wide range of connectivity options means this headset is compatible with PC, Mac, PlayStation, Steam Deck, and mobile devices. You can also use it with your Xbox in Bluetooth mode. Simultaneous audio lets you answer a phone call while still in the game, or play a video in the background while you’re in a matchmaking queue. THX Spatial Audio makes gaming on my PC feel even more immersive.

Playing 5 to 9

Onboard controls include two buttons for volume adjustment. I wish this was a wheel, but that boils down to personal preference. There’s also a dedicated mute toggle, and you can tap the power button to pause, double-tap to skip the next song, or triple-tap to go back; you can also use this button to accept or reject incoming calls.

The Barracuda V2 Pro features internal beamforming mics and an optional, detachable external boom microphone (HyperClear Full Band Mic). Both offer clear, concise sound, according to the colleagues and gamers who helped me assess them. The leatherette-covered memory foam earcups are soft, squishy, and comfortable, though the base felt a little tight on my jaw and earlobes after hours of use. I have a smaller-than-average head and can imagine this would be more of a nuisance for people with impressive noggin circumferences. The headset is lightweight, coming in at 285 grams.

I have yet to deplete the impressive 70-hour battery (50 with ANC on), even while listening to music and playing games every day. A fifteen-minute USB-C charge gets you about six hours of battery life.

There are a couple of quirks. I wish it folded down more compactly, and I need to find a carrying case that has space for the external microphone when it isn’t attached. This headset also lacks Razer’s well-known RGB lights, which may be a draw for users taking it to the office or on the train. But if you see the brand name and expect a Chroma-compatible confection, this isn’t the right set for you. Ultimately, though, it’s very well-rounded and versatile, and it’s an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a headset that can work during the day and into the night.