Razer Barracuda Pro Review
A high-end gaming headset with ANC
Verdict
The Razer Barracuda Pro is a great gaming headset, with the inclusion of ANC technology making it ideal for anyone who wants to completely immerse themselves in a game. Sporting a streetwear design and delivering great music playback, this is a versatile headset – especially since it can be paired either using Bluetooth or a USB-C dongle.
Pros
- Remarkably comfortable
- Great audio
- Easy to switch between devices
- Long battery life
Cons
- Expensive
- Bland design
- Buttons can be confusing
Availability
- UKRRP: £249.99
- USARRP: $249.99
- EuropeRRP: €289.99
- CanadaRRP: CA$349.99
- AustraliaRRP: AU$438.95
Key Features
- ANC technology:You can toggle between ANC (to block out external noise) and ambient modes.
- Carrying case:The carry case that accompanies the Barracuda Pro is super-durable
- Compatible with PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and mobileYou can use the Razer Barracuda Pro for gaming or as a street headset, since it can connect to phones via Bluetooth 5.2
Introduction
The Razer Barracuda Pro is a wireless headset that can be used for gaming or music playback, with the new Easy-Switch feature allowing you to switch between devices in an instant.
It’s the latest premium headset in the new Barracuda range, supplied with a Razer-branded carry case for protection. Including a USB-C adapter and Bluetooth 5.2, it’s a great choice for multi-platform gamers.
I’ve been using the Barracuda Pro for the past few weeks with my PS5, Nintendo Switch and iPhone 13 Pro. Here’s how I got on.
Design
- Minimalist design
- Sturdy carry case
- Integrated microphone
The Razer Barracuda Pro is one of the more mature Razer headsets available, swapping RGB lights and bold colours for a sleek black look.
The design is minimalist, likely because Razer is also pushing this headset as one you can wear for on-the-go music playback. The lack of an external microphone further confirms its streetwear design.
While I’m a fan of the aesthetic overall, I’d have liked to see it in more colour options – the preceding Razer Barracuda X is available in Mercury and Quartz, for example. Nevertheless, the Barracuda Pro is well built and feels very durable.
The accompanying carry case appears fairly robust, making it easy for me to throw the headset into my bag without concern of any damage. Inside the carry case you’ll find the bundled USB-C dongle as well as two USB-C cables that can be used to connect the headset to various devices.
Despite coming up slightly large for my head, I found the Barracuda Pro to be one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve used for some time, on par with the EPOS H3PRO Hybrid. It didn’t weigh heavy on my neck and I could wear it for hours without issue – even while I was wearing my glasses.
On the right earcup you’ll find the mode-switching button, while on the left sits the power button, mic-mute button and a volume roller. While I appreciate the streamlined design, I reckon Razer has dedicated too many controls to too few buttons, with the power button alone performing multiple functions depending on the number of times it’s clicked.
This lead to occasions where I turned off the headset while trying to change a track, or ignoring a call I actually wanted to accept. This has improved over time – I now feel more confident navigating the headset – but I’d warn that anyone who chooses to buy this headset will likely need to study the controls more intently than they may think.
Features
- Active noise cancellation
- Great battery life
- Easy-Switch feature
Considering the high price of the Razer Barracuda Pro, I was happy to find so many features on hand. While I’d have liked to have seen a 3.5mm audio jack, I was impressed by the wireless connection, finding that I was able to get pretty far away from my phone or laptop before the audio would cut out.
The Easy-Switch feature was also very helpful, allowing for the ability to switch between two devices at the press of a button. The only limitation here is that one device needs to be connected via Bluetooth and the other via USB-C dongle, which meant I wasn’t able to flip between my portable Nintendo Switch and phone without a manual connection.
However, I was able to seamlessly switch between my phone and PS5 or PC, which was ideal for those occasions I received a phone call. The process of switching was mostly easy, and would be ideal for anyone who is constantly jumping between devices.
The other main feature is active noise cancellation, which uses clever technology to block out background noise so it doesn’t interrupt your music playback. Since this is also being marketed as a streetwear headset, you’re also able to switch to an Ambient mode, which allows background noise to filter through so you can hear the roar of a car engine when crossing a road.
Battery life also proved impressive, with the headset rarely needing to be charged during the testing process. I used the Barracuda Pro daily for around a week and a half before it required topping up, making it ideal for long train journeys when an outlet isn’t always available. Razer claims the headset has a battery life of up to 40 hours, but expect that figure to drop with ANC acitvated.
Sound and Microphone Quality
- Great gaming audio
- Integrated microphone worked well
The audio quality impressed when playing Cuphead on the PS5 with the Razer Barracuda Pro. The jaunty music sounds balanced, and I could catch the small clinks every time I took damage. Connecting the headset to the PS5 via the USB-C dongle was easy, and I experienced no latency or cutouts during gameplay.
I also dabbled in God of War on the console, and here I could hear the waves crashing onto the shore as I rowed Kratos around the map. It was easy to track enemies thanks to the developed soundstage, creating an overall more immersive experience than if I had played the game using my regular TV audio.
Since this headset works well on the go, I used it most often with my Nintendo Switch, flipping between the portable console and my phone. Playing Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, the character’s dialogue sounded clear and sharp, displaying greater clarity than the Switch’s regular audio. I could hear my character’s sword swiping through my foes and the satisfying sound of combos being racked up.
For music playback, the headset produced a natural sound that worked well with most genres. Those tracks featuring heavy bass sounded better than higher-pitched music, appearing to display more depth and clarity than I’d have expected.
The Razer Barracuda Pro has a microphone embedded inside the ear cup. While I appreciate the sleek design of the headset, I don’t believe the microphone offered the same level of accuracy as the external mic on the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense. While I didn’t experience any cut-outs, people would remark on voice calls that the mic sounded slightly tinny – although comments didn’t come frequently enough to mark it out as a real issue.
Those using the microphone for phone calls or casual gaming conversations over Discord are likely to fair just fine, although competitive gamers who need to communicate quickly with teammates may want to consider a headset with an external mic, such as the EPOS H6PRO.
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Should you buy it?
You want a versatile gaming headset that can be used for music playback
The Razer Barracuda Pro headset comes with an Easy-Switch feature, making it ideal for those who want to game on multiple platforms. The design means it can be worn on the go, and the ANC is ideal for creating an immersive gaming experience.
You want a high-quality microphone
While the internal microphone on the Barracuda Pro is definitely serviceable for phone calls, it may be found wanting for competitive group gaming. Consider headsets with external mics instead.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Barracuda Pro headset boasts ANC technology, which helps create an immersive experience while gaming, and blocks out ambient noise during music playback. The Easy-Switch feature makes switching between devices a breeze and is ideal for those who like to game on various platforms, with only the Xbox unsupported.
The headset’s sturdy carry case and streetwear design mean that it can be used for on-the-go music playback, with great battery life meaning you won’t need to worry about it dying on the train.
While the internal microphone isn’t the best we’ve seen, it’s still perfectly serviceable and worked well for me during phone calls and work chats. The Barracuda Pro’s high price is the biggest bug bear, although for the vast features and great audio, it’s worth it.
How we test
We use every headset we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of games, as well as playing music in order to get the full experience.
We also check each headset’s software (if applicable) to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
We use as our primary gaming headset for at least a week.
Use on as many platforms as possible to test versatility.
Judge audio for both gaming and music playback.
Use with multiple games to test audio.
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FAQs
Yes, the headset is fitted with hybrid ANC and comes with THX AAA technology.
No, it has an integrated microphone that can’t be removed.
Full Specifcation
Jargon buster
ANC
ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) uses an array of microphones in a headphone to detect the frequency of the sound coming at the listener, with the ANC chip creating an inverse wave (i.e. opposing sound) to suppress any unwanted external noises.USB-C
The modern USB connector you’ll find on most Android phones, new laptops, cameras and games consoles. It’s reversible and used for charging along with data-transfer.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
