I have used a lot of headsets in my gaming career, from the weird single-ear ear bud that came with my PS3, to the Nacon RIG 900 Max HX, and now the Razer Barracuda X Chroma. Each of them, except for the single-ear earbud (what were you thinking Sony?) have shaped my gaming journey throughout the ups and downs, high and lows and few have stayed for the long haul. The Razer Barracuda X Chroma became available recently and looked very interesting to me, so I put it to work to see how it held up.
As always, the unboxing comes first and the Barracuda X Chroma keeps it simple and easy, which is always a plus for me. In the box you get the headset itself, the detachable mic, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a USB-A to USB-C adaptor, a fabric bag to carry the headset around in, and the USB-C dongle. I really like the inclusion of the carrying bag as it allows the headset to be stored in a way that limits the amount of dust or other allergens in the air from settling on the headset itself. Everything else in the box is standard fare for a headset these days, so not much else to write home about.
The detachable mic arm fits snugly into the designated port on the bottom of the left ear cap and features a pliable design so you can position it however you please. The mic arm itself is stiff enough that the mic won’t sag or move away from your mouth while in use, which is a far more common issue than I would have thought.
As for the actual microphone, the Barracuda X Chroma features the Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic which allows the user to heard clearer and more naturally. During one of the first times I used the headset, I was racing with some friends in Gran Turismo 7, and they were immediately telling me how much clearer the quality of the mic I was using was. It’s hard to complain about the mic quality when the people you’re actively talking to can hear you much clearer than they had been on my previous headset.
“For the average, everyday gamer, the Barracuda X Chroma is the headset to beat.”
Staying with audio for a moment, the Barracuda X Chroma features Razer’s TriForce 40mm three-part drivers to provide the user with incredible sound quality, allowing the user to experience deeper immersion, making the roar of the engine, or the footsteps of the enemy much clearer and easier to hear. The listening experience was never drowned out or muddied at all, which is something that I found was the case in other headsets.
One of the first things I test for when I get a new headset is the feel when wearing it (as I suppose most people do), and the Barracuda X Chroma is next-level comfortable. Weighing in at a paltry 285g, it feels weightless when wearing it, and that is largely due to the ear cushions. Wrapped in a breathable fabric, the memory foam cushions fit perfectly around the ears and don’t squeeze your head tightly like I have experienced before.
The same memory foam and breathable fabric line the top head cushion as well, creating a cocoon of comfort at all contact points on your head. After multiple multi-hour gaming sessions, there was no sweat, no discomfort and no hesitation to dive back into Black Ops 6 for another four hours.
“…the Barracuda X Chroma also benefits from a quick charging system that yields 6 hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge.”
Aesthetically speaking, I prefer my headsets to be as neutral as possible, with each of my last three being simple colours with minimal (if any) RGB to be found. That all changed for the Barracuda X Chroma, with the simple but elegant design on either ear cap. The Barracuda X Chroma is the first Barracuda headset from Razer to offer Razer Chroma RGB. The RGB lights are not intrusive to the user, as they cannot be seen while the headset is in use, but they sure do look cool on stream or on a video call.
RGB for the sake of it has never been my forte, but I have to say I am on board for the Barracuda X Chroma, with its six customizable RGB zones using the Razer Chroma app or the Razer Audio app. Users can also configure the RGB with integration from over 300 different games, so the action matches the colours.
This all sounds great but if the battery life doesn’t hold up, then what’s the point? Thankfully, Razer thought of that too, outfitting the Barracuda X Chroma with a battery that can go for up to 70 hours, which is a 40% increase in battery life over its younger brother. Additionally, the Barracuda X Chroma also benefits from a quick charging system that yields 6 hours of battery life from a 15-minute charge. If you have a busy home life and can only get in a few hours of gaming a day, or every other day, then this battery could last you for literal weeks. In my testing, I needed to charge it once in the multiple weeks I have been using it.
As with most of their headsets these days, Razer has outfitted the Barracuda X Chroma with their SmartSwitch Dual Wireless capability, meaning you can switch between Razer HyperSpeed and Bluetooth at the push of a button. Combine that with multi-platform compatibility, and you get a headset that can literally go anywhere and do anything you want it to, as long as it’s audio-related, of course.
Overall, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma is, hands down, the best headset I have used, and that is not something I am saying lightly. I haven’t come across any downsides, and that extends to the price as well. Coming in at $129.99 USD and available in both black and white, the Barracuda X Chroma is a bargain compared to some of the other headsets on the market today and is punching out of its weight class. For the average, everyday gamer, the Barracuda X Chroma is the headset to beat.
- RAZER SMARTSWITCH DUAL WIRELESS — Switch the connection from a PC or console to a phone with a simple toggle; enjoy seamless audio for any activity by pairing to a 2.4 GHz and a Bluetooth device simultaneously
- 285 G ERGONOMIC DESIGN — Built for gaming marathons and portable enough for daily commutes, its lightweight build is complemented by breathable memory foam ear cushions and swiveling earcups for a snug, comfortable fit
