Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro – active noise cancelling gaming earbuds for $200
Image Credit: Razer
Gaming company Razer bring active noise cancelling, improved sound quality and an in-ear design to their new Pro model of true wireless earbuds.
Specialising in high-performance gaming hardware, this isn’t Razer’s first pair of true wireless earbuds. Razer released the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Earbuds over a year ago, but does the new ‘Pro’ model justify a doubling of the retail price?
The immediate difference in looks comes from an in-ear design, which provides a greater seal for improved sound quality and passive noise isolation, over the non-Pro’s open AirPods-like design. The inclusion of seven foam tips ensures everyone can find a comfortable and secure fit. Included in the box are one pair of Comply Black Foam Tips in medium, SecureSeal Translucent Silicon Tips (which provide a grippier finish for sports) and SmoothComfort Black Silicon Tips, both in large, medium or small. Razer have stuck with a nice matte-black finish on the buds and stem design, allowing the mic to clearly pick up your voice for calls. IPX4 will keep the buds safe from rain or sweat.
Noise isolation is further helped by advanced hybrid active noise cancellation, which counters noise from outside of the bud using anti-noise. While ANC is a nice new addition and a first in wireless earbuds from the company, it doesn’t quite stand up to the levels of competitors such as AirPods Pro, Bose’s QuietComfort or Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Pro. When you need to hear your surroundings, Quick Attention Mode passes ambient sound in. This is great for crossing the street or chatting with people.
Much like noise cancellation, the in-ear design also provides greater sound quality than its predecessor. The 10mm drivers produce a rich and well-balanced sound, with deep bass, making gaming, music and movies sound great. The buds have been tested and optimized by experts in cinematic audio immersion at THX Ltd., giving the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro THX Certified sound.
As with the non-Pros, Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro’s USP is their Gaming Mode. Activate Gaming Mode to reduce latency to 60ms, great for competitive gaming, with synced audio.
One of the biggest flaws of the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro come in battery life. While 16 extra hours of battery in the case is great, 4 hours on a single charge is lacking when compared to the competition. This number drops when Gaming Mode is activated. 15 minutes in the case will provide the buds with 3 extra hours with ANC turned off. The compact case is charged via an included braided USB-C cable, but unfortunately there’s no sign of wireless charging.
Connection is stable via Bluetooth 5.1, with SBC and AAC supported codecs, however there’s no sign of aptX support. Download the iOS or Android app for full control such as switching presets/customizing the EQ, viewing the battery percentages of each bud, testing the fit so you can be sure you’re wearing the correct tips, updating firmware and proper remapping of all the touch controls. The touch panels allows for playback, ANC/Quick Attention Mode/Gaming Mode, call and voice assistant controls on each bud from single, double and triple taps and holds. The only control that can’t be accessed here is volume. The buds automatically pause and resume when they are removed or placed back in.
Included with the purchase of the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro is a commendable two-year warranty. At $199.99, Razer are pricing themselves towards the top end of the wireless earbuds market. This places them below some competitors such as Bose and Sennheiser, but around the same price as AirPods Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, which both provide convenient smart features, as well as improved ANC and battery life. If you need the Gaming Mode, these are great. If not, check out our other true wireless earbuds recommendations at every price point here. For some really inexpensive true wireless earbuds, find our rundown under $100 here.