Razer Barracuda V2 Pro review: Gaming headset for the office
The Razer Barracuda V2 Pro headset has a place in the office as well as your gaming battle station.
This versatile headset has a place in the office as well as your gaming battle station.
shiny comfortable Wide range of compatibility. Active Noise Cancellation Internal Dongle Storage Optional External Boom Microphone
Without the carrying case, it feels a little stiff after hours of use. The lack of RGB lighting may be a disadvantage for some users.
I switch between different pieces of audio equipment every day. I listen to music with my headphones, but they always fall out when I'm talking, so I attend meetings without being present. If I'm in a noisy environment and need to speak in a virtual meeting, I'll reach for my trusty old headset for a higher-quality microphone, but I often sacrifice call quality in non-gaming environments. And when I'm gaming, I love my style headset, but I wouldn't necessarily want to wear it to a coffee shop or in a professional setting. That's why the new Razer Barracuda V2 Pro is made for people like me. It's a beautiful, versatile headset that gets the job done no matter what.
The Barracuda V2 Pro feels more like a good pair of over-ear headphones than a traditional gaming headset. During the trial 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 quite acceptable, and the hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) is fantastic. Press the Multifunction button to toggle 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 the Razer Audio smartphone app. (Customizations include cycling ANC modes, adjusting the volume via Bluetooth, or using Voice Assistant, so you can choose what each button does.) You can change 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 through connection modes, including Bluetooth, HyperSpeed Wireless and Simultaneous Listening. You can also wire with the included cable.
I love that the HyperSpeed wireless dongle is cleverly stored behind a magnetic panel on the left earcup. A wide range of connectivity options means the headset is compatible with PCs, Macs, PlayStations, Steam Decks and mobile devices. You can also use it with your Xbox in Bluetooth mode. Simultaneous audio lets you answer a phone call while you're still in the game or play a video in the background while you're in a matchmaking queue. THX Spatial Audio makes gaming even more immersive on my PC.
Onboard controls include two buttons to adjust the volume. I wish it was a wheel, but that comes down to personal preference. There's also a dedicated mute key, and you can tap the power button to pause, double-tap to skip to the next track, or triple-tap to go back. You can also use this button to accept or reject incoming calls.
The Barracuda V2 Pro features internal beam-forming microphones and a detachable external boom microphone (HyperClear Full Band Mic). According to colleagues and gamers who helped me evaluate them, both deliver clear and concise audio. The leather-covered memory foam earcups are soft, supple and comfortable, although the base felt a bit stiff on my jaw and earlobe after hours of wear. I have a smaller than average head and I can imagine this would be more annoying for people with prominent noggin. This headset is lightweight and weighs 285 grams.
I still haven't drained the impressive 70 hours of battery (50 with ANC on), even while listening to music and playing games every day. Fifteen minutes of USB-C charging gives you about six hours of battery life.
There are a couple of quibbles, I wish it would fold up more compactly, and I need to find a carrying case that has room for the external mic when it's not attached. The headset also lacks Razer's signature RGB lights, which might appeal to users who take it to the office or on the train. But if you see the brand name and expect a Chroma-compatible candy, this set is not for you. Ultimately, though, it's very good and versatile, and an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a headset that can work day and night.