If you’ve read more than one or two of our gaming headset reviews in the last year, you may have recognize these two gaming headsets’ names—there’s a reason for that. The Logitech G Pro X and the Razer BlackShark V2 are two of the all-around best wired gaming headsets on the market—they’re also nearly constant additions to the Alternatives section at the bottom of our headset reviews.
Which one should you buy?
Editor’s note: This article was updated on April 15, 2021 to mention software updates to the Razer Synapse and the Razer USB sound card.
These gaming headsets are built very differently
The steel band rides the line between too tight and just right, at least at first.
While they check a lot of the same boxes, the
Logitech G Pro X
and
Razer BlackShark V2
feature very different builds. The G Pro X is a primarily metal gaming headset, with a thick, painted black steel frame. The ear pads and headband cushion are made of memory foam covered in soft leatherette, and there’s even additional velour-covered ear pads included in the box—
perfect for people with glasses
. The headphones themselves are made of hard plastic, with big metal side plates sporting the Logitech G logo. This is a sturdy headset, and everything about it feels very solidly put together.
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The Razer BlackShark V2 is no slouch in this category, but it’s clearly going for something a little different. Razer’s headset also sports a metal headband, with a memory foam cushion covered in a custom mesh fabric, but its hinges are a combination of flimsy wireframe and cheap-feeling plastic. A build like this cuts down on headband tension and overall weight, which is good, but the long-term durability of the headset is definitely a concern, especially given the issues we ran into with the nearly identical
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
.
Both of these gaming headsets are very comfortable, but we’ve got the give the edge to the Logitech G Pro X here. On top of its build quality, those extra velour ear pads just sweeten the deal even more—in fairness, the Razer BlackShark V2’s mesh fabric-covered ear pads are almost as good in this regard, and better at managing heat.
The Logitech G Pro X has some of the best features on the market
You won’t be
recording any podcasts
with the G Pro X, but if you’re one of the many people who play
Dungeons and Dragons
on the internet it could be the perfect thing.
For the most part, the Razer BlackShark V2 and Logitech G Pro X offer comparable features. They both have the typical spread of hardware options, like volume control (in-line for the G Pro X, and on-ear for the BlackShark V2) and mic muting, and their software complements are similar. Using their individual
companion apps
, both headsets feature virtual surround sound support and custom EQ options—the BlackShark V2 includes profiles for individual games tuned by THX and the G Pro X features profiles based on the preferences of various pro gamers—but the gap widens in the microphone settings.
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The Logitech G Pro X
isn’t the only gaming headset
to take advantage of Logitech subsidiary Blue’s microphone prowess, but it is the first. Using the Blue Vo!ce feature in Logitech G Hub, you gain access to a bevy of in-depth
microphone tuning options
. You can adjust your voice EQ, and implement features like a high-pass filter, expander, de-esser, and more—even just turning on Blue Vo!ce noticeably improves your microphone audio quality. In comparison, the BlackShark V2 mic supports some EQ tinkering, but not much else.
Logitech G Hub vs. Razer Synapse
G Hub’s microphone options present a real embarrassment of riches.
Both the Logitech G Pro X and Razer BlackShark V2 use software to offer a lot of their more unique features. Most gaming headset apps offer rather clumsy experiences, often adding only occasional value—this was especially true of previous generations of software from both Razer and Logitech. Synapse 2 and the Logitech Gaming Software were frankly terrible. However, the updated
Logitech G Hub app
is much neater in its layout and more reliable in its function. That’s also true of
Razer’s Synapse 3 app
. Neither app is perfect, but they work, they’re easy to navigate, and they genuinely add some value, especially G Hub with its support for Blue Vo!ce.
Both headsets connect the same way
Using 3.5mm as a basic connection platform makes these headsets really versatile.
The Logitech G Pro X and Razer BlackShark V2 feature the exact same
connection options
. Both headsets support 3.5mm connections to every console, and include a USB adapter for connecting to PC in order to unlock more features. The G Pro X’s cord is replaceable, and the headset comes with multiple options with different in-line control configurations (one has a multi-function button for mobile connections, for instance).
Both headsets are similarly great for gaming
The G Pro X works almost everywhere.
Given their comfortable builds and identical connection methods, it should come as no surprise that the Logitech G Pro X and Razer BlackShark V2 offer very good gaming experiences. The BlackShark V2 is a little bit lighter, and so lends itself to longer gaming sessions a little better, but the G Pro X is no slouch in this regard: its velour ear pads make it more comfortable for bespectacled gamers over longer periods of time.
Both headsets support gaming niceties like virtual surround sound on PC, and they work equally well on all major consoles. Just plug them into the 3.5mm jack on your
PlayStation
or
Xbox
controller, or an undocked
Nintendo Switch
, and you’re off to the races.
The Razer BlackShark V2 offers more accurate audio output
The dip in the highs is common, but still not ideal
Not much to complain about here.
These gaming headsets offer very similar audio outputs, with accurate mids and slightly boosted bass. However, the Logitech G Pro X can’t quite keep up with the Razer BlackShark V2’s high-frequency accuracy. The G Pro X’s treble de-emphasis (3-8kHz) often pops up among
all headset varieties
as an attempt to limit distortion of natural resonances within the human ear. While these quieter high notes are largely a non-issue, sometimes it can have a noticeable effect on what you’re listening to.
In music, a
frequency response
like you see with the Logitech G Pro X means the sounds of
strings and cymbals
may come through a little less clearly, depending on the song—something the Razer BlackShark V2 doesn’t have to worry about. However, you really shouldn’t notice too much difference between these two headsets’ audio while gaming.
The Razer BlackShark V2 has some of the best isolation on the market
This headset isolates sound better even than some noise cancelling headphones.
The earpads and headphone hinges make getting a good seal easier on this headset than many others.
Unlike most gaming headsets the Razer BlackShark V2 actually offers very good
isolation
—better than even Razer’s
Opus noise cancelling headphones
. The thickness of the ear pads, paired with just the right amount of headband tension come together to make something effectively blocks out the average sounds in the home. This ability to passively block out midrange sounds is pretty uncommon in gaming headsets, and it’s definitely a feather in the cap of the Razer BlackShark V2.
Conversely, the Logitech G Pro X offers pretty good, but closer-to-average isolation for a gaming headset. You shouldn’t have much issue with the
whirr
of a fridge or a TV in another room, but if someone’s making a little noise right next to you, you’re going to hear it. Also, this measurement reflects the headset’s isolation with its leatherette ear pads, so if you prefer the velour ear pads, expect worse isolation performance, even if you’ve achieved a
decent seal around the ear
.
Both microphones sound similar, but Logitech’s software offers a real edge
Often drops in bass response like this are due to microphones not getting enough power.
Expect people with deep voices to sound a little hollow with this mic.
From a hardware standpoint, not a lot differentiates the microphones of the Logitech G Pro X and Razer BlackShark V2. They both attenuate bass frequencies, which is typical of gaming headset microphones. When a microphone de-emphasizes bass notes it’s strategic and meant to avoid the
proximity effect
—when the bass elements of a speaker too close to the microphone causes audio to clip. However, it can also make people with very deep voices sound quieter, and a little distorted. Similarly, both microphones feature a common emphasis on high-range sound which makes sibilant sounds (F,S, and SH sounds) come through more clearly.
The Blue Vo!ce feature fixes the
bass issue
pretty comprehensively for the Logitech G Pro X. Even just turning it on makes a real difference. A software update to Razer Synapse in 2021 brought improved EQ options, and an update to the BlackShark V2’s USB soundcard brought slightly more accurate frequency response, but it still doesn’t quite measure up. Listen and judge for yourself!
Logitech G Pro X microphone sample:
https://www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Logitech-G-Pro-X-Mic-sample.mp3
Razer BlackShark V2 microphone sample:
https://www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Blackshark-V2-mic-sample.mp3
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Logitech G Pro X vs Razer BlackShark V2: Which should you buy?
It doesn’t matter if you’ve got $500 budget or a $50 one, the Razer BlackShark V2 is worth considering.
To be clear, the Logitech G Pro X and the Razer BlackShark V2 are two of the
best gaming headsets
on the market. They both sound good and feel good to use, and they come with all the features you’d want in a gaming headset. If you’re in the store and only see one, don’t worry, it’s going to work for you. However, if you’ve got to pick, the slight differences will probably make the decision a little more clear.
The Logitech G Pro X brings a far better microphone experience than the BlackShark V2. Blue Vo!ce doesn’t improve things enough to be broadcast or recording quality, but if you’re stuck on a
Zoom call for work
all day, or you’re one of the millions who have taken up playing
Dungeons and Dragons
on the internet, it’s probably just the ticket.
Logitech G Pro X review
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.
$ at Amazon
$123 at Best Buy
If you’re more of a console gamer, or you don’t care as much about software bells and whistles, and you just want something you can wear all day that sounds really good, the Razer BlackShark V2 is probably for you. Its microphone is perfectly fine, but the real strength of this headset is its comfortable build, great isolation, and excellent sound quality. It’s also typically between $20-$30 USD cheaper than the G Pro X, depending on sales.
Razer BlackShark V2
All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Unfortunately, we cannot list Amazon prices on the site, as they vary greatly by currency.
$ at Amazon
$89 at Best Buy
$99 at Target
There’s also the matter of aesthetics to consider. Mercifully, neither of these gaming headsets feature intense LED light arrays or exceptionally bulky designs, but they’re both pretty
unmistakably gaming headsets
. With its pilot-style wireframe hinges, the BlackShark V2 looks a little on the tacti-cool side, and while the G Pro X looks more like a regular pair of headphones, that big steel shining G logo on the sides is a bit much. However, regardless of the looks, you can rest assured that whichever one you pick will meet your needs with aplomb.
