The Razer Barracuda Pro may be the only wireless gaming headset to dominate them all. Boasting dual wireless/Bluetooth connectivity, a solid and robust design, built-in low profile microphones, good battery life and that sweet, sweet Razer pedigree – on paper at least it seems to be the complete package.
Never shy to throw more items in the best gaming headset (opens in new tab) space is clearly pushing the Barracuda Pro as an all-in-one solution for our multiplatform times and it just might be the ticket for those looking for such a one-off hit to cover their base.
Design Features
Essential information
Design: Over the ear, closed back
Type: 2.4GHz wireless (USB-C dongle); Bluetooth
Microphone: Dual Integrated MEMS Beam Shaping Noise Reduction
Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Mobile
Impedance: 32 ohms
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Tested on PC, PS5 and mobile.
As with the original Barracuda X (which has since been given a facelift to go along with the full release of the full lineup this year) from 2020, the Barracuda Pro seems to have adopted the design first seen on the Opus headphones, and that’s now rolled out (or at least affected) in the designs of the Kaira PS5 headset and Xbox Series X headset families. This results in a pleasant design with rounded cups and no hard lines or overtly ‘gamer-y’ design flair. These really could be your all-black headphones for commuting.
The stainless steel headband feels incredibly strong and sturdy, while the cushioning is well placed and comfortable, and there’s a good amount of movement in the cups without them feeling loose – like my Kaira Pro for PlayStation unfortunately did. Those all-black cups are the usual handful of controls: a volume rocker, power button, microphone mute button, USB-C port, the two built-in microphones, and the Razer SmartSwitch button — it lets you switch between HyperSpeed wireless and wireless. Bluetooth connections, and also browse the ANC settings.
Inside, the drivers are almost the same as the BlackShark predecessor: the 50mm Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose is nearly identical, but in theory should offer something richer. I admit the difference, if any, was minor between the two when I did some back and forth testing between the headsets. They both offered a very rich, well-rounded sound; but the BlackShark V2 Pro offers that for significantly less money.
Performance
The headline is that the Razer Barracuda Pro does indeed offer the same excellent Razer audio quality that we’ve come to know and love. It does it on a very similar level to the BlackShark V2 and V2 Pro, and this goes for other media as well: I like to use the Barracuda Pro for music, podcasts and meetings at work, as the audio is still excellent. For example, I’m listening to the Arcane soundtrack with the Barracuda Pros as I write this review, and it’s a delight.
Particularly in gaming, the headset’s pedigree did indeed emerge. Hearing footsteps and enemy gunfire in Apex Legends was immediate and easy to discern; My units’ sounds, attacks and combat were all beautifully presented in Dawn of War III and Red Alert Remastered, and the Strange Brigade commentator’s story was clear and beyond the in-game sound as I puzzled over with friends was on the PS5. What also stood out were the ambient sounds in Red Dead Redemption 2, which were wonderfully subtle, but still permeating the soundscape. From those high-end melodies to thumping bass and crunchy mids, it’s all a delight and the same Razer audio excellence. You also get the opportunity to tinker with Synapse and further possibilities with THX Spatial Sound on PC that all Razer headsets offer you.
One shortcoming in performance is the microphone: built-in mics just don’t work compared to boom mics. And we all know it. While it doesn’t stop the headset from performing as one of the best wireless gaming headsets I’ve tested, it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re going to rely on it a lot. However, since this is pushing really hard to be an all-in-one multi-platform gaming headset and mobile and travel headset, the concept of going for the built-in microphones is one that makes sense and makes sense.
Elsewhere, the fit is comfortable for long periods of time, and the headset’s weight (340g / 0.75lbs) also means it feels stable and present, but not annoying to wear. However, I think I prefer the material cups and comfort of the BlackShark V2 and V2 Pro (my previous PC gaming headsets), but that’s a personal preference and these memory foam headsets are extremely comfortable. Add good battery life too – I’ve only had to charge the set once since I got it out of the box weeks ago – and the performance starts to get completely excellent.
One caveat is minor, but noteworthy. First, the ANC is just OK. I wouldn’t recommend relying on it while gaming either – after being put off by the feature early in my testing, I barely used it anymore; certainly not if you’re gaming indoors, and rarely if you’re listening to music outside, etc. Second, that mic performance is a bit weak. Fully functional; Yes. Absolute belt or as good as a boom? Very much no.
Should You Buy the Razer Barracuda Pro?
This is a great all-in-one headset that can be the unique solution for some people for gaming and media audio on all their devices. I wish it wasn’t so So expensive to offer that. At $250/£250, anyone looking for a wireless gaming headset for PC that can still offer PlayStation functionality should definitely look to the BlackShark V2 Pro for a comfortably smaller price tag ($180/£150).
Nevertheless, the Baracuda Pro headset has replaced my BlackShark V2 Pro – at least for now – and has established itself as my favorite headset on PC and mobile, as well as one that runs on every (almost) of my platforms.
If you’re looking for something to welcome to the next generation PlayStation console, and use it on PC and Switch, and Also using it as your mobile headset, the Barracuda Pro can really provide a high-quality, one-time headset solution for use across multiple platforms and set up to meet all of these needs.
How we tested the Razer Barracuda Pro
The Razer Barracuda Pro became my go-to headset for all my platforms, and for both work and games, for weeks on end with several hours of use per day. I used it for work meetings, zoom conversations, and online socializing, as well as many hours of PC gaming in games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Dawn of War 3, and Total War: Troy. Elsewhere, I spent many hours playing Watch Dogs Legion and Strange Brigade on PS5, as well as taking the headset on walks and travels, using it for music every day.
You can read more about how we test gaming headsets and how we make all of our recommendations in the full GameMe+ hardware policy.
To narrow down your wireless headset choice by console platform, browse our guides to the best PS5 Wireless Headsetsand the best Xbox Series X Wireless Headsets.
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