While Razer is well-known for its customary green logo, the Razer Barracuda X sports a clean and simple look without ostentatious RGB lighting. There's a design reason behind it; Razer has designed this headset to be super-compatible with a wide range of devices and as part of this, the company recognises the multi-platform gamer wants to have comfortable, well-designed, and natural-looking headphones that can be worn equally outside as indoors. Just as Razer doesn't want you to be tied to a single gaming device, it doesn't want you to be tied to a desk either.

Consequently, this headset provides a 3.5mm wired option along with a wireless mode that pairs with the included USB-C wireless transmitter. If your gaming device of choice has a USB-C socket this plugs in easily. However, the box also includes a 1.5m USB-A to USB-C extension cable so you can connect the USB-C wireless transmitter into one end, and the other into a traditional USB-A socket. Thus, you can take the headset and wireless receiver from PC to Sony PlayStation to Nintendo Switch to Android – or indeed, whatever other device you want to use, provided it supports USB-A, USB-C, or a 3.5mm jack. For instance, 3.5mm on an Xbox. When running wirelessly the battery gives 20 hours of life, and charges via USB-C.

For even greater flexibility, the microphone easily detaches allowing you to relax and listen to audio without fear of transmitting yourself singing along.

The microphone is a high quality, flexible, cardioid microphone that Razer dubs HyperClear. You can adjust the microphone with ease, flexing it to the best position for your mouth. As a cardioid microphone it is designed to pick up the sound coming primarily from one direction — that is, from you — rather than picking up all the sound around it, such as that coming from your game itself or those around you. The microphone is optimised to focus on voice pick-up while also being encased in foam to reduce wind noise when used outside.

The headset itself is comfortable, weighing only 250g, with soft memory foam earcups, and ratcheted extensions to adjust its length. Razer states its industrial designers explored numerous options to devise a sleek and comfortable low-profile ear-cup design that angles to house ears without causing pressure and to design a cushioned headband that sits on the head with minimal pressure and balanced weight. iTWire tried the Razer Barracuda X and can attest the result is a slim, comfortable headset with an aesthetic ergonomic design.

Operationally, the headset is pure simplicity with nothing more needed than to plug and play. You can download additional software, at no charge, to provide virtual 7.1 surround sound on PC, but otherwise, you plug the headset — or the wireless transmitter — into your gaming device and you're up and running. Earcup controls allow you to toggle the microphone mute, as well as adjust the volume.

Sound-wise, iTWire found the headset delivered clear and punchy audio. Razer's audio engineers built 40mm drivers that sit within the earcups, labelled the Razer TriForce drivers. This design divides audio into three distinct parts so highs, mids, and lows can be individually tuned – essentially acting as if there were three drivers, providing clearer audio wither richer treble and punchier, controlled bass.

What this means in practice is you receive rich, clear, and immersive audio that delivers clarity across the range – certainly important in capturing all auditory details for a realistic gaming experience.

The Razer Barracuda X is available for $149 and shines across its competition at this price range, supporting more platforms, supporting universal standards, and with higher-end audio performance. It is an impressive piece of kit and if you're a multi-platform gamer — or even a gamer — or even an audio aficionado or office worker, or simply someone who enjoys crisp, clear, two-way audio, this is well worth a look.

Spec-wise, the headphones come with a frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz, impedance of 32 ohms at 1kHz, and an inner ear cup diameter of 60x40mm. The microphone has a frequency response of 100Hz to 10kHz, a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 60dB, and a sensitivity of -42dB (+/- 3dB) at 1kHz.

And, fear not, the box also includes two Razer logo stickers to put on the headset if you choose, or to adorn your laptop, or use anywhere else you like.