Razer Barracuda X review

Our Verdict

The Razer Barracuda 10 is an inexpensive and versatile wireless gaming headset, which plays nicely with PC, PlayStation and Switch, only has few bells and whistles.

For

Works with PC, PlayStation and Switch
Simple, intuitive controls
Articulate mic

Against

No customization options
Plainly design
Workmanlike sound quality

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Razer Barracuda X is an inexpensive and versatile wireless gaming headset, which plays nicely with PC, PlayStation and Switch, but has few bells and whistles.

Pros

+
Works with PC, PlayStation and Switch
+
Simple, intuitive controls
+
Clear mic

Cons

-
No customization options
-
Manifestly pattern
-
Workmanlike sound quality

Razer Barracuda 10: Specs

Compatibility: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, mobile
Drivers: 40 mm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless: Yes

The Razer Barracuda X is an admirably straightforward wireless gaming headset. It connects via a USB-C dongle, which ways that information technology works with Android phones, laptops, PS5s, and Nintendo Switches in handheld mode right out of the box. You tin can also connect it to desktop PCs, PS4s and Nintendo Switches in docked mode via a USB-A adapter. It has no software to manipulate, and no superfluous buttons. You lot turn it on, yous hear your game, and you turn it off when yous're washed. It costs $100, which is a proficient cost for such a versatile wireless peripheral.

There are admittedly a few reasons why the Barracuda X isn't as practiced every bit some other recent Razer outings, such equally the Razer Kaira Pro, or the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro. The Barracuda X'southward audio quality is decent, rather than fantabulous. Furthermore, the headset doesn't exactly break new footing in terms of design or fit, while the lack of software options proves to be a double-edged sword.

Still, Razer'south goal in creating the Barracuda X was to produce a uncomplicated, straightforward headset that works wirelessly on a variety of platforms. By those metrics, it's arguably created ane of the best gaming headsets y'all can buy – at least if playing on a Switch is a big business concern. Read on for our full Razer Barracuda X review.

Razer Barracuda X review: Design

The Razer Barracuda X's appearance won't turn any heads. That's good, since you can habiliment information technology out and about without getting any undue attention from strangers. That's also bad, though, since it means the headset looks unremarkable overall.

It has a blackness plastic chassis with barely noticeable Razer logos on each side, a padded headband and a few buttons on the left earcup. The Barracuda X doesn't wait cheap, exactly, merely information technology does wait surprisingly generic for a company that normally makes bold gaming gear.

Everything yous need to control the Barracuda Ten is on the left earcup. There's a mic mute button, a volume dial, a power button, a three.5 mm audio jack, a USB-C charging port and a removable, flexible mic. Each button, dial and port feels distinct, so you can tell them autonomously by affect easily. Just be aware that the mic's windscreen is incredibly poofy, even past gaming headset standards, which might look a footling silly if you demand to take a call in public.

Razer Barracuda X review: Comfort

With an adjustable steel headband and lots of padding, the Barracuda 10 feels comfortable overall. Since the headband doesn't have any notches or numbers, finding your perfect fit tin can be tough, particularly if you program to share the headset with family members or roommates. It also ways that your fit is likely to be "pretty adept" rather than "perfect." The earcups are a little on the snug side, only I never institute them painful, since they're pretty soft and have a lot of give.

It's worth noting that the Barracuda Ten's earcups fold flat, making the headset piece of cake to transport in a backpack or suitcase. The device seems durable as well, although merely time volition tell whether the chassis gets brittle, or the steel bends.

Razer Barracuda 10 review: Performance

At the take chances of damning the Razer Barracuda Ten with faint praise, it sounds fine. Equally mentioned above, Razer's other contempo headsets sound much richer and more nuanced – but those headsets are besides considerably more expensive. In the $100 price range, it'southward probably not reasonable to expect a wireless, multiplatform gaming headset with perfect sound quality.

Yet, the Barracuda X gets the task done, particularly while gaming. I spent the bulk of my time with the Barracuda X on the Switch, since the headset'south wireless USB-C dongle is a major selling point. Connecting the Barracuda X to the Switch is effortless: only plug information technology in, wait almost a second, and you're done.

I spent hours with the Barracuda X replaying The Fable of Zelda: Jiff of the Wild. The headset provided a respectable soundscape, balancing music, sound effects and voicework. Paragliding through the kingdom of Hyrule, I could hear the flap of my glider, the cries of distant monsters and the atmospheric piano soundtrack with perfect clarity. Similar other gaming headsets in this price range, information technology's a little treble-heavy and doesn't convey much musical richness. Just if you're looking for articulate, intelligible sound on the go, the Barracuda X gets the job washed.

Cheers to its USB-C connectivity, the Barracuda X also works seamlessly with PS5s and newer gaming PCs. I also tested the Barracuda X with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on the PS5, Historic period of Empires III: Definitie Edition on PC, and Octopath Traveler and Yakuza 4 via Xbox Cloud Gaming, and found the audio to be merely as balanced and clear as on the Switch. I had the same experience with Tales of Crestoria on Android.

The just real caveat here is that music, Goggle box and movies sound a niggling flat, thank you to the gaming-optimized soundscape. Listening to music, the bass always seemed a little muted, and the instrumentation seemed a little muddy. Television receiver shows too had a straightforward, dialogue-heavy quality to them, although that'southward non necessarily a large deal for everyday viewing.

Razer Barracuda X review: Features

The Razer Barracuda X seems geared toward console players more than then than PC gamers. One like shooting fish in a barrel way to tell is because the headset has no Razer Synapse connectivity. Razer's software suite usually lets players adjust equalization options, assign profiles for individual games and apps, toggle environment sound and more than. Instead, while the Barracuda 10 works fine with PCs, there are no customization options at all.

This setup has both pros and cons. On the i paw, I appreciate how straightforward the Barracuda X is. There'south no extra piece of work to do, no thing which platform you choose. On the other mitt, being able to set up equalization profiles would take fabricated a large difference, particularly when switching between games and other forms of media. Having a style to monitor the Barracuda X's battery level also would have been squeamish.

Speaking of battery, Razer claims that the headset gets about 20 hours, which matches up with my own observations. That'south a decent bombardment life, somewhere in the middle of the 15-thirty hours that most gaming headsets tin can claim. The headset takes a few hours to recharge, and you can keep using it while it does.

The Barracuda X's mic sounds clear, and cleans upwardly a lot of background noise. Since it's removable, it'southward too easy to stash out of sight if you're focusing on single-player titles.

One thing to notation is that you can connect the Barracuda X to Xbox consoles and older gear via its 3.five mm sound jack. This setup tin exist a bit cumbersome, just information technology's nice to accept the option.

Razer Barracuda X review: Verdict

The Razer Barracuda 10 is a solid wireless gaming headset from a trusted manufacturer. It sounds decent, and information technology connects very easily to a wide variety of gear. It's non the be-all, terminate-all of console gaming headphones, only information technology's a worthy contender in that infinite.

If yous can spare $150, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X has better audio quality, and is also compatible wirelessly with Xbox consoles. If you can't, the SteelSeries Arctis ane Wireless also costs $100, and lets y'all dispense a diverseness of software options. The Arctis 1 Wireless is probably a better headset all around, but the Barracuda X is simpler to use. You'll have to decide for yourself whether that simplicity is worth sacrificing a few bells and whistles.

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site'southward coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and engineering. Afterward hours, you tin find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on archetype sci-fi.