Razer Barracuda X Review: Three Ways to Connect

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Razer Barracuda X Wireless Gaming & Mobile Headset

Consider the Barracuda X if you want one headset for a USB dongle gaming setup and Bluetooth listening on a phone. Its value is the choice of connection, plus a 3.5 mm fallback. That choice only helps when the exact ports, chat input and accessories work with your own devices, so start with your setup before comparing sound claims.

The linked Amazon offer is for the Black Barracuda X with 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth and a 50-hour battery claim. Razer has sold more than one Barracuda X generation and a separate Barracuda X Chroma, so check the complete model and included accessories at checkout. The feature discussion here follows Razer's Barracuda X product page and its 2022 launch description. We have not worn, recorded or latency-tested this pair.

Check Price on Amazon · $68.99 as of November 6, 2026 — check Amazon for the latest price.

Choose the Connection Before the Headset

Razer lists three audio routes. The supplied USB-C dongle handles its 2.4 GHz wireless connection. Bluetooth lets a compatible phone or other device connect without that dongle. The supplied 3.5 mm combo cable provides analog listening on a device with a matching jack. Those are different paths, with different port and microphone questions.

Razer lists a USB-A to USB-C extender in the package. It can make the dongle easier to place when a direct USB-C connection is blocked or unavailable. Check the accessories in the exact Amazon box; a missing dongle would remove a main reason to choose this model. The USB-C charging cable has a different job from the 2.4 GHz dongle and the analog listening cable.

For buyers deciding among more gaming-specific models, our wireless gaming headset guide compares other connection approaches. Do not assume that a generic USB wireless dongle works on every console merely because its plug fits.

SmartSwitch Switches Sources

Razer describes SmartSwitch as connecting a 2.4 GHz device and a Bluetooth device at the same time, then moving audio between them. A Bluetooth call can interrupt the gaming source; the Razer Audio app offers a Do Not Disturb setting if you want to block that interruption. This is source switching, not a promise that game and phone audio will be mixed together.

Try the routine you actually need during the return window: start game audio through the dongle, take or decline a phone call, then return to the game. Check where the microphone input goes after each switch. If you mainly use one device, SmartSwitch may add little value; choose on fit, microphone placement and the current offer instead.

The Mic Is Removable, but Its Quality Is Unmeasured Here

The Barracuda X has a detachable cardioid boom microphone. Removing it can make the headset less conspicuous away from a gaming desk. Razer says the boom is tuned to focus on speech and suppress background sound, but that is a feature claim, not a recording from your room.

Before relying on it for team chat, record a short sample through the connection you plan to use. Check that the boom is fully seated, the physical mute control is off and the game or chat app has selected the intended input. Repeat after switching between dongle, Bluetooth and cable if you plan to use all three. The available product documentation does not establish equal microphone performance on every platform.

There is no documented listening ANC here. Ear cushions can provide some passive isolation when they seal, but a detachable microphone designed for clearer outgoing speech does not cancel noise reaching your ears. If a quiet commute is the main goal, compare a headphone with documented listener-side ANC instead.

Battery, Fit and Platform Caveats

Razer quotes up to 50 hours of battery life with USB-C charging. That is a manufacturer maximum, not a HeadsetAtlas runtime test. The 3.5 mm cable is a useful alternative when the battery is low, provided your source has an appropriate jack. Confirm what functions remain available in wired mode rather than assuming every wireless feature carries over.

Razer lists an approximately 250 g headset with padded, swiveling earcups. That tells you its shape and nominal weight, not whether it remains comfortable with your glasses or after a long session. Try it with your normal posture and head movement, then check cup pressure and whether the boom stays in position.

The Razer support specification limits its 7.1 surround feature to a supported Windows setup. Treat any spatial-audio wording as a software and platform feature, not a property guaranteed on every phone or console. If surround processing is essential, confirm the exact operating system and app requirements before purchase.

Who Should Pass?

Pass if you need two sources mixed continuously, proven microphone quality without testing your own setup, or ANC for outside noise. Also pass if your main console cannot use the desired wireless route and you do not want a cable. The Barracuda X earns its place when you will actually use more than one of its connection options.

FAQ

Can the Barracuda X use 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth?

Yes. The linked version supports both, with SmartSwitch moving between sources. It is not a guarantee of simultaneous mixed game and phone audio.

Does it work when the battery is empty?

Razer includes a 3.5 mm analog cable. A suitable source jack is still required; check wired microphone behavior on your device.

Is the microphone built into the earcup?

The documented gaming microphone is a detachable boom. Check the exact calling behavior after removing it before relying on the headset for phone calls that way.

Does the 7.1 feature work on every console?

No universal console support is documented for that software feature. Verify the supported Windows and app requirements if it matters to you.

Verdict

Our score: 8.4/10. The Barracuda X makes sense for a buyer who will move between dongle gaming, Bluetooth mobile use and occasional analog listening. The practical risks are device compatibility, source switching that does not mix audio, and a mic whose real quality depends on your setup. Confirm the exact version and included dongle, then test all connections you expect to use while a return is possible.