Razer Barracuda X (2022) review
- Multi-platform gamers will appreciate multiple connectivity options for different consoles.
- Gamers of any kind looking for a moderately affordable headset can get everything they need from this one.
- At-home workers will find the boom mic works well for video calls.
What is the Razer Barracuda X (2022) like?
The Razer Barracuda X (2022) is made of plastic and wears foam ear pads covered in woven mesh fabric. A leatherette-covered foam cushions the headband and keeps things comfortable for hours at a time. The headset weighs in at just 250 grams, but the clamping force is a bit weak. The Barracuda X often shifts forward and slides off my head when I lean over.
How do you control the Barracuda X (2022)?
The left ear cup has a volume slider, a mute button, and a power button. Under the power button is an LED indicator for whether it’s connected via Bluetooth (blue LED) or 2.4GHz (green LED). Below that is a 3.5mm jack, a USB-C port, and the microphone port.
How is the Razer Audio app?
How is gaming on the Razer Barracuda X (2022)?
Gaming is very enjoyable with the Razer Barracuda X (2022). This headset works on any platform with USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm, or Bluetooth support, so you’re all set for gaming on PC, PlayStation 4 and PS5, Xbox One and series S/X, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, mobile, or any other device you can connect it to.
Playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch is also a breeze in this headset. Sounds like Link’s footsteps and breaths are clearly audible, and I can hear all the nuanced sounds of any weapon or armor he’s wearing. The cinematic music sounds clear and keeps me engaged. Rumbles emanate from the Stone Talus as it emerges from the earth, sounding as loud and terrifying as it ought to.
Switching over to Mario Kart 8, the soundtrack of the game sounds nice alongside the sounds of engines, red shells, and banana peel mishaps. No sound is unnecessarily loud or distracting because of the headset.
One slightly annoying thing is that quiet sounds sometimes cut out after a short period. For example, when I’m in my inventory when playing Breath of the Wild and don’t select anything or move the joy-con, the very quiet ambient music will start to hiccup or skip, then cut out entirely until I move the joy-con or press a button. Additionally, the headset is noticeably quieter using the USB-C wireless dongle than when using it over Bluetooth or wired.
How does the Razer Barracuda X (2022) connect?
The headset comes with a USB-C 2.4GHz dongle and a USB-A to USB-C adapter for devices without USB-C. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone cable for wired listening. There’s no additional setup when using this headset, just connect it and start playing.
The Barracuda X (2022) also has Bluetooth 5.2, an upgrade from the previous Barracuda X. It only supports the SBC Bluetooth codec, which is a bit of a letdown for a gaming headset, since higher quality codecs like AAC and aptX can be found in some other Razer products.
Once it’s in pairing mode, you can open Bluetooth settings for the device you want to connect to. The list of devices you can connect to will list “Razer Barracuda X.” Once you choose that, you’re paired!
How long does the Razer Barracuda X (2022) battery last?
Razer claims that the Razer Barracuda X (2022) has a battery life of 50 hours, but we found it exceeded that by nearly 20%. During our objective testing, the Razer Barracuda X (2022) lasted 59 hours, 53 minutes, with a constant output of music peaking at 75dB(SPL). This is fantastic battery life compared to other headsets. The Razer Barracuda X from 2021 only lasted 25 hours, 22 minutes in our testing.
Anyone who wants a cheaper option than the Alpha Wireless with great battery life should look into the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX. This wireless-only headset lasts 78 hours, 23 minutes and can easily hop between consoles.
How well does the Razer Barracuda X (2022) block out noise?
The isolation we measured is typical for a closed-back headset, with higher frequencies being effectively dampened, whilst lower ones are barely impacted. Low-pitched sounds like a vacuum cleaner or the rumbling of passing traffic aren’t much quieter with the headset on, but a fan, or a sink running is less audible. I can hear speech around me pretty clearly with the headset on, so don’t expect it to block out noisy roommates.
How does the Razer Barracuda X (2022) sound?
The headset’s frequency response follows our consumer target curve somewhat closely in the mids, but there are variations in the lows and highs. Sub-bass is under-emphasized through this headset, while bass is boosted compared to our curve, and the highs peak and dip in a few areas. This frequency response is perfectly fine for gaming, where most gamers prefer more bass.
Lows, mids, highs
Music sounds good on this headset, especially since there’s no major over-emphasis on sub-bass or bass like we’ve seen on other gaming headsets. Kids by MGMT is a highlight, with the bass coming through pleasantly loud. The melody in the chorus ranges from 440-880Hz, and it doesn’t get overpowered by the lows or highs that are relatively emphasized. When I listen to Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the melody comes through clearly as the most prominent part of the song.
How is the microphone on the Barracuda X (2022)?
The Razer Barracuda X (2022) microphone performs very well, and voices come through very clearly. The detachable boom mic quiets noises around me when I speak, and my never voice cuts out. This microphone is more than adequate for Discord, and Zoom meetings. Listen for yourself:
Razer Barracuda X (2022) microphone demo (Ideal):
Razer Barracuda X (2022) microphone demo (Office):
How does the microphone sound to you?
3 votes
Should you get the Razer Barracuda X (2022)?
However, if you already own the previous year’s Barracuda X, I recommend saving your $99 USD and don’t bother upgrading to this model. The differences are small apart from Bluetooth connectivity, which is not really important for gaming, given the inherent latency in Bluetooth audio.
Since the Razer Barracuda X (2022) is an update on the original Razer Barracuda X, there are bound to be some differences, but first, the similarities. The headset is still lightweight at 250 grams and connects through USB-C and 3.5mm aux.
Now, on to the differences. The Barracuda X (2022) has a much longer battery life of 59 hours than the previous generation’s 29 hours. It also features Bluetooth, which the old one didn’t. The microphone is also a lot better on the new Barracuda X, sounding clearer. The USB-C dongle features a different design. On the 2022 model, the USB-C plug is slightly off center from the dongle, probably so it doesn’t partially cover ports on each side of it. And lastly, the frequency response for the Barracuda X (2022) is a bit bassier than the older Razer Barracuda X.
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.
What should you get instead of the Razer Barracuda X (2022)?
With many cheap gaming headsets on the market, you have a lot of options to choose from depending on your preferences.
The Razer BlackShark V2 is another $99 USD headset from Razer. It’s a wired headset that’s marketed specifically for PC gaming, with THX Spatial Audio available through the Razer Synapse software. This is a good option if you’re more of a PC gamer, since the Barracuda X (2022) is meant for mutli-platform gamers. At the competitive price of $99 USD or less, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is a capable headset with a USB-C RF dongle. You can hardwire the headset with its 3.5mm cable too, and no matter how you connect, you can enjoy clear sound quality with a minor bass bump.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is a reliable, no-frills wired gaming headset, with excellent sound quality and isolation. At most, this headset will only cost you $99 USD.
Frequently asked questions about the Razer Barracuda X (2022)
This headset doesn’t have Razer Synapse support.