Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: "the excellence of the X Chroma is as clear as the RGB light of day."

Razer has again chosen to shed new light on the Barracuda gaming headset range. The original Barracuda X was first launched back in 2021 as a budget-friendly entry into their headset ecosystem. At the time, the Barracuda X provided an accessible plug-and-play wired connection and lightweight comfort option despite the low price point. This was followed up by the Barracuda X (2022), which improved on the original with its added Bluetooth support and longer battery life.

Now, Razer has given the Barracuda X yet another makeover. This time the brand has added RGB lighting to the mix to create the Razer Barracuda X Chroma . The once subtle design of previous Barracuda headsets has been shaken up for something more flashy, consisting of a customizable RGB Razer logo and an outline of lighting on each cup.

However, this colorful addition to the Barracuda line-up comes at a price. While the 2022 model was only $99/£99, the X Chroma comes in at $129/£129, which instantly pits itself against some of the best gaming headsets I’ve ever used. Yet while this costly upgrade has made the competition more fierce, Razer has yet again managed to double down on what makes the Barracuda line-up so special. After two weeks of testing and multiple games played, I can confidently say that, even in its third iteration, the Barracuda X Chroma is the RGB cherry on top of the already impressive Barracuda X headset cake.

Key Specs

Design

• Discreet inclusion of RGB lighting
• High-quality and durable plastic matte finish
• Comfortable light-weight fit

The X Chroma design has mostly stayed true to its Razer Barracuda X (2022) counterpart. The headset features a closed-back form factor with a plastic matte finish throughout and two oblong-shaped ear cups. For the X Chroma, however, Razer included a swivel mechanism in each of the cups for a slightly better fit. This movement not only makes it easier to adjust on your ears, but it also makes it easier to fit in any compatible headphone case you happen to own.

Like before, each of these cups is cushioned with memory foam covered in a ‘breathable mesh fabric’. There’s also a piece sitting below the headband, to provide an extra layer of comfort. Personally, I prefer a leather-like coating to any headset padding, as the texture of a fabric mesh can be a sensory nightmare. That’s definitely a me issue, rather than anything to do with the quality of the fabric being used. And luckily in the X Chroma’s case, it’s incredibly soft to the touch.

The foam cushions may be the same as the rest of the Barracuda headset range, but the X Chroma is the heaviest headset out of the lot. The headset weighs 35g more than the 2022 model, coming in at 285g, likely due to all the extra parts required to power up RGB lighting. Luckily, that added bit of weight isn’t actually noticeable. Even with my extra-sensitive head, which is prone to aches, pains, and migraines, I felt fine after multiple Marvel Rival gaming sessions over the two weeks' worth of testing. What was pleasantly noticeable was the easy-to-reach controls. Along the left cup a small mute button for the HyperClear Cardioid Mic, a small volume dial, a power button, and a button for switching between a Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connection are located.

Again, these buttons aren’t new, but their layout has been altered with the Type-C port now taking the place of the existing 3.5mm audio jack. I’m glad Razer kept the on-board controls. Other brands are known to do away with them entirely to focus on aesthetics instead. But with the mic button still present it meant I could easily mute myself and have a quick snack without bombarding my friends across the PS5’s built-in Discord chat with my otherworldly eating noises.

The most noticeable inclusion of the X Chroma design is, of course, its added RGB lighting. Where existing models featured the iconic Razer logo engraved in the center of the outfacing cups, this has been given a significant flashy upgrade. Instead of the more subtle approach, the Razer logo is now backlit with colorful RGBs, which is paired with an outline of RGB lighting along the outer edge.

These RGBs were always going to be somewhere, as is the nature of Razer’s Chroma products. But they still feel pretty discreet as far as RGB gaming headsets go. Chroma peripherals, like the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma microphone, take full advantage of the branding, and half of the mic lights up my desk on a daily basis. In contrast, a minimal outline of lights and a light-up Razer logo on the headset still make it one of the more subtle headset lines in Razer’s Chroma repertoire.

While the addition of the RGBs may be new, the look of the included Razer Hyperclear Cardioid Mic is just the same as before. The small detachable mic connects to a 3.5mm port found alongside the rest on the onboard controls and can be bent into shape and pointed toward your mouth. To act like a pop shield and harsh sound dampener, there's a coating of foam around the mic. Within hours of use, this became a magnet to fluff and cat hair, but it is easily removable if you prefer to go without. You can also go without the mic entirely, as it can be easily removed from the 3.5mm port with just a small tug.

Right next to the microphone port lays the smart switch button. Pressing this is what allows you to quickly switch between the two different connections. Pressing this button will also change the audio preset from game mode, movie mode, and the custom audio setting you can customize within the Razer Synapse software. However, quickly pressing it twice is what allows you to change between the 2.4GHz and Bluetooth as you see fit.

Features

• Customizable 6-zone RGB lighting lit up ear cups
• Easy setup across multiple devices
• Razer Audio & Chroma app support
• Lighting pairing with other Chroma compatible Razer tech

It’s hard to continue harping on about previous headsets in the Barracuda line-up but just like the 2022 version, the X Chroma stands out for its multi-platform capabilities. With Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz options at your disposal, you can hook the headset up to just about everything from your PS5, PC, Steam Deck, and your smartphone. There’s a 2.4GHz dongle right in the box, alongside a type-C to type-A adaptor, for those who prefer a latency-free connection. Better yet, if your PC isn’t the most modern, like mine, that adaptor means you can still benefit from 2.4GHz even with no type-C port in sight.

Where the real meat of the X Chroma lies is, of course, with its RGB lighting. Adding the Chroma name to this new headset means it’s now part of Razer’s Chroma RGB ecosystem, able to sync up with other Chroma peripherals and turn your gaming setup into a dazzling light show. Customizing the RGB Razer logo and RGB trim on the cups can be done in two ways, through Razer’s Synapse 4 and Chroma software, or its free-to-download Razer Audio smartphone app.

You’re more limited with the app as there’s no way to customize the individual zones of the RGB lighting, but there’s still a lot to tweak at your fingertips. After connecting to my Samsung S24 smartphone via Bluetooth I was pleasantly surprised that I still had Razer’s Chroma wheel, static, spectrum, and breathing effects to take advantage of. You can also see the remaining battery life, and switch between the different pre-made audio presets, which comes in handy when using the headset with anything other than my PC.

All the proper personalization takes place with Synapse 4 on desktop. Within the ‘Studio’ tab , you can select the individual zones and pick any color you please - so of course I instantly went with a purple-to-pink gradient to match my cozy office aesthetic. You can also choose between the same lighting effects as the app, but with the in-depth added bonus of choosing extras like brightness, decay, and scale. While having this level of customization is appreciated, as with any Chroma Razer tech, the software can be awkward to navigate.

It took me a while to run through the lighting effects and create the cute pink gradient that I wanted. The effects in the end weren’t very noticeable. Where some Razer Chroma accessories have a large surface area, the subtle nature of the X Chroma’s zones makes the breathing effects pretty lackluster. This will be ideal for those who hate the sometimes garish nature of some RGB-riddled tech but still want some lighting synchronization between their devices. I do, however, wish there were brand-new effects added to the Chroma app specifically with this RGB design in mind. Otherwise, the LEDs are lovely and vivid, especially in dark-lit environments. Plus, the ability to sync up with my Razer Chroma microphone made my PC space feel more unified.

Whether it was testing through a long list of games, or listening to Babymetal’s Ratatata on repeat, the battery life also holds up strong. Razer boasts the X Chroma can last up to 70 hours, and it beat that on a full charge right out of the box. Even with the RGB lighting at full brightness at all times, I never felt the fear of reaching for the accompanying type-C cable to give it a charge. Should you be concerned with how much juice the headset has left, not only is it integrated with fast charging but the app also provides a real-time percentage of how long it has to go - perfect for that extra bit of reassurance.

Performance

• Crisp and highly detailed audio quality for gaming
• Clear dynamic detachable microphone
• Lacks the bass support for music playback
• Impressive long battery life

Even as a mid-range pair of cups, the sound the Barracuda X Chroma managed to muster is impressive. The 40mm Razer TriForce drivers pack a punch, and no matter the game I threw its way over during my two-week testing period, the X Chroma did it justice. These are the same drivers found on the 2022 model, so I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed. But the quality still blew me away from game to game. With the PS5 being my main console of choice, I went straight to taking out the brand-new Marvel Rivals for a spin.

I’m notoriously not the best at hero shooters, so ensuring I could hear every important footstep of the rival team, and every booming call out by Galactica was a must. When blasting through the skies as Starlord the audio sounded well-levelled, and this is without any messing with the EQ. The bass wasn’t too overbearing, and the mid and high ranges of the overall soundscape meant everything from the characters' voice lines to the bullets whizzing past me sounded crystal clear.

I also tried out the PC version of Marvel Rivals and the experience was the same. Just as on the PS5, the sounds of the Marvel worlds were brought to life through the vibrancy and leveled audio quality. I ended up preferring them on the PC as it meant I had Razer Synapse at my disposal and could turn up the bass at a moment's notice. There are limited EQ audio presets available through the software, but you are given the ability to customize it to your liking. So at the PC, I cranked up the bass as far as I could to give it the rally, heart-pounding sound I adore.

This impressive quality continued when switching to my favorite online horror, Dead by Daylight. In a game where, especially if you’re a survivor main, being wary of what and who’s around you is of the utmost importance, the X Chroma didn’t fail to bring the asymmetrical horror landscape to life. When spending more time trying out Lara Croft’s survivor skills, I was impressed with how crisp her voice lines sounded when permeating through the cups. Equally, it felt easier than ever to decipher the direction of the nearest generator being worked on, which even helped me escape more matches than usual.

Just like we do with all headsets we test, I also played CS:2 with the X Chroma in tow. There, the headset’s quality made getting immersed in a match an easy task, though it sadly didn’t make me any better at the first-person shooter. Playing CS:2 is where the headset's 7.1 surround sound came in handy. After setting it up through Synapse I was able to hear exactly where my teammates were at all times, and the incoming bullets felt accurately placed in the overall soundscape. Going forward, if I were to try and seriously up my FPS skills, I don't think I'd do so without this at my disposal. I also changed things up a bit by seeing how it dealt with the Nintendo Switch. The uplifting sweeping orchestral soundtrack of Super Mario Galaxy flourished through the high-quality cups. As did the high-pitched screams of Captain Toad in-game.

I then put the headset through its paces with hours of Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, to see how the X Chroma coped with the high-octane arcade-like sounds. While I felt it was lacking the loud, reverberating bass I prefer, it still produced clear, quality audio. Moving onto the Steam Deck, I tested Little Goody Two Shoe, a horror game with fantastical musical numbers. Whether I was blissfully talking to villagers or traversing through creepy crow-infested forests, the delightful soundscape permeated through the cups in the best kind of way.

Where the X Chroma experience falters slightly is through its detachable Razer Hyperclear Cardioid Mic. The mic attaches through a small port on the left cup and, similar to the mic on my favorite Razer headset, the Blackshark V2 Pro, its bendable nature means you can adjust it to your liking. As a cardioid mic, its directional pickup pattern means it only picks up your voice ideally from the front. However, no matter how I adjusted the foam-covered nub, it always produced a slightly muffled sound.

During Marvel Rivals matches, this wasn’t noticeable through friends on Discord. At no point did anyone have trouble understanding a word I said. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend streaming with the microphone if you want the utmost clarity - for that, the Blackshark V2 Pro’s Hyperclear Super Wideband mic would definitely suffice. As a mid-range headset, there’s also in audio monitoring present here, so take that in mind if you prefer to hear yourself when chatting away online.

While each one of the games I tested sounded exactly as I’d want them to, listening to music was a slightly different story. It wasn’t a bad experience by any means, and I could listen to my favorite artists like Bombay Bicycle Club with no issue. But any cacophony of guitars on the X Chroma sounded a bit on the tinny side, lacking the gut-punching sound it needed. It was almost like I was listening to sound spillage rather than directly having a headset over my ears. This isn’t entirely a deal breaker, as predominantly you want a gaming headset to lend itself to playing, well, games and it does that very well. I’m just likely going to reach for other mid-range headsets, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 that lend themselves to heavier shoegaze and metal genres when I purely want to listen to music in the future.

Should you buy the Razer Barracuda X Chroma?

Just like the Barracuda X headsets before it, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma is an impressive piece of gaming audio tech. The pair of cups is incredibly lightweight, compatible with a huge range of devices with an equally easy setup process for all, the sound quality is well-leveled, and the microphone does the job. Razer made sure to pass on the best qualities of the previous iterations, just this time there’s RGB lighting to add that little extra spice to your gaming setup, all for just £129/$129.

With the previous model being under the $100 mark, the added RGB lighting does come at a cost, a cost of £30/$30 to be exact. But it feels entirely justified. You aren’t just getting lighting effects slammed on top,. you can tailor the lighting to be static or cycle through a range of pretty pre-made effects. Each zone of lighting can be individually changed to a color (and brightness) of your choice, so instead of adding more garish rainbow lighting to your setup, you can tailor it to the exact aesthetic you already have going.

A lot of other mid-range gaming headsets, like the Steelseries Arctis Nova 5P, which also has an MSRP of $129/£129 don’t have RGB lighting at all. While the Nova 5P may have more of a focus on audio quality, their customization is purely relegated to audio pre-sets. Razer has managed to not only introduce a new mid-range marvel to the scene but a mid-range headset that’s able to include lighting customization without it feeling like an unnecessary gimmick.

If you aren’t a fan of having every one of your gaming accessories lit up like a rainbow, I would recommend you stay away from the X Chroma and pick up the Barracuda X (2022) model instead. The driver type, frequency range, microphone, battery life, and impressive compatibility options are all the same, there’s just no lighting to be found. The X Chroma feels like an option for those who would rather have a bit of lighting at their fingertips, or for those who already are part of the Razer Chroma ecosystem and want their gaming accessories to feel as unified as possible.

How I tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma

I used the Razer Barracuda X for over two weeks, testing it across a wide range of PS5 (Dead by Daylight, Marvel Rivals), Steam Deck (Little Goody Two Shoes, Disney Dreamlight Valley), Nintendo Switch (Super Mario Galaxy, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble) and PC (Marvel Rivals, CS:2) games. When not using it to play games, and chat with friends on Discord, I used it to listen to a wide variety of bands from various art styles. The headset was put through its audio paces as I listened to everything from the whispered dulcet tones of Elliott Smith and Bombay Bicycle Club to the bass-driven Carpenter Brut. I also streamed TV shows and films on Disney Plus and other streaming services. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our guide to the best Razer headsets if you want to see more of what the brand has to offer. We’ve also gathered all the best PS5 headsets in one place to decipher what goes best with Sony’s pixel-pushing machine. If you’re looking for options for the Xbox instead, our best Xbox Series X headset guide is your best bet.