Razer are giants within the gaming industry, creating some of the most reliable and stylish technology on the market. From high-powered gaming laptops to sturdy keyboards, Razer has created a gaming peripheral for every situation. So, the Barracuda X (2022) gaming headset is no exception.
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With its sleek and comfortable design and unparalleled connectivity options, the Barracuda X (2022), is a multipurpose headset that outdoes the 2021 model in a variety of ways. However, even with a new Bluetooth connectivity feature and 7.1-channel simulated surround sound does the Barracuda X deliver on its $99.99/ £99.99 price tag?
How Does the Barracuda X Compare to other gaming Headsets?
The big draw for this latest model of the Barracuda X is the now inbuilt Bluetooth connectivity. With the option to now connect to smartphones, Nintendo Switches and other devices that have Bluetooth connectivity, Razer has taken one more step towards making the Barracuda X the only headset you’ll ever need.
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The comfortable ear cups and padded headband also mean that you can wear the headset for hours on end while remaining comfortable and without irritation. The use of Flowknit memory foam on the ear cushions also provides an ultra-breathable experience. For people with sweaty ears, (much like me), this means you won’t have to peel yourself away from the headset after a few hours of playing. Although it fits really well on my big head, I feel like the Barracuda X is a little bit on the bigger side, with other people who tested it finding it slides off their head a bit too easily.
As mentioned, the Bluetooth connectivity option is a game-changer for the Barracuda X, however, the only reason it is so effective is due to Razer’s SmartSwitch Dual Wireless technology. This exceptional feature allows you to connect via 2.4GHz, (using the USB-C dongle), and Bluetooth allowing for seamless use between the two modes without having to manually pair and unpair devices.
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The easily accessible button is located underneath the Razer Barracuda X’s earcups. Simply triple-tap the power button to toggle between wireless options, that are marked with 2.4 and BT labels. The same button can also be used to play/pause media or accept an incoming call with a singular press and can skip tracks with a double press. The Barracuda X also has a volume wheel and mute button on the same earcup that allows you to adjust the headset without having to mess around with any menus.
On top of this, you can also connect the Barracuda X through the Stereo 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C port that can be used for charging and audio connection. The only issue I had while using the USB-C option is that it was quieter than the other forms of audio connection.
One weird thing about the Barracuda X is that it doesn’t integrate with Razer’s Synapse software, so it lacks an equalizer or any other sound settings when connected to your computer. However, by installing the “Razer 7.1 Surround Sound” app for Windows you can “simulate” audio, but again this is a bit lacklustre as the app doesn’t offer any controls besides a toggle for the surround sound mode.
Throughout most of my time with the headset I mainly used the wireless USB-C dongle as I found it gave me the best wireless connection for my PC. I was pleasantly surprised that the range on the wireless dongle was substantial as even while being in another room my audio connection was crystal clear.
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While playing games with the headset I found the sound quality to be crystal clear helping me to easily listen for enemy footsteps and key into important story moments while playing. With Razer’s Triforce 40mm 3-part driver design the Barracuda X’s audio provides a dynamic listening experience for music and video media as well.
The Barracuda X also boasts a fantastic battery life. With 50 hours of battery from one full charge, I found that the headset had enough juice to allow me to play far into the wee hours of the night. Another feature that helped preserve battery life was the auto power-off function that automatically powered down the Barracuda if there was no audio being streamed to the headset.
Honestly, the most disappointing aspect of the Barracuda X is the headset’s inbuilt microphone. While it has a travel-friendly detachable design, I was unimpressed with the overall quality of the microphone. While it is solid for an inbuilt headset microphone, I found myself having to fiddle about with it to make sure it was connected properly every time I used it. Overall, it’s a bit disappointing that the wireless connectivity works great for sound but for audio output fails to deliver.
I will also note that the version of the Barracuda X that is used in this review is the $129.99 /£149.99 PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Edition, that besides a black and yellow paint job is identical to the other versions of the Barracuda X available for $99.99/ £99.99.
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Overall, I feel that the Barracuda X (2022), when compared to other mid-range gaming headsets is a strong first choice. If you are looking for a multipurpose headset with low-latency connectivity and clear solid sound quality this headset is top of the range. However, with a disappointing microphone, you might have to shell out for a separate dedicated mic if you want crystal-clear audio output.
8/10
Razer Barracuda X – PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS Edition was provided for Review By Razer.
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