Razer Barracuda X vs HyperX Cloud 2 (2022): Which Gaming Headset Is Better?

When it comes to PC peripherals, Razer and HyperX are household names that prove you don’t have to break the bank to get a decent gaming headset. Take the Razer Barracuda X (2021), for instance. It’s a wireless option that’s easy on the budget. Then there’s the similarly priced HyperX Cloud 2 that sets itself apart with superb comfort for long gaming sessions.

We compare the two on a couple of key fronts. That way, we can hopefully help you figure out which pair is the best for you.

Razer Barracuda X vs HyperX Cloud 2 Comparison Chart

Model	Razer Barracuda X	HyperX Cloud 2
Price	Check Price at Razer.com	Check Price at HyperXGaming.com
Frequency Response	20Hz to 20kHz	15Hz to 25kHz
Driver Size	40mm	53mm
Detachable Mic	Yes	Yes
Surround Sound	Yes, app sold separately	Yes
Connectivity	3.5mm jack, 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle	3.5mm jack
Battery Life	Up to 20 hours	n/a
Charging Port	USB-C	n/a
Weight	0.55 lbs	0.77 lbs
Colors	Black, Mercury, Quartz	Red, Gun Metal, Black

Comfort and Build

Arguably, the HyperX Cloud 2 is more comfortable to wear than the Razer Barracuda X.

Both headsets are made well in that they feel sturdy and capable of surviving drops, and yet they aren’t too rigid, coming with a flexible frame that won’t snap or crack easily. By the same token, they don’t create pressure points around the head and ears as much.

That said, the HyperX Cloud 2 is slightly more comfortable with its faux leather headband padding and ear cushions, which are made out of memory foam. The Razer Barracuda X also uses faux leather for its headband padding. Its ear pads are memory foam too, but they’re covered with cloth instead. However, it’s lighter at 0.55 lbs as opposed to 0.77 lbs, so you won’t have to worry too much about getting a sore neck after prolonged use.

One downside to the Cloud 2 is the fact that it’s wired means its cable runs the risk of wear and tear overtime. Obviously, that isn’t a problem for the Barracuda X since it can be used wirelessly.

Design-wise, the Barracuda X is more low-profile and sleeker. While it has branding on its face plates, it isn’t too flashy, and it has a cleaner and more minimalistic look overall. In comparison, the Cloud 2 is unmistakably a gaming headset, which is either a good or bad thing depending on your taste.

Audio Quality

Neither the Razer Barracuda X nor the HyperX Cloud 2 stands out in terms of sound.

The two have a similar sound profile, boosting the bass and giving it a punchy characteristic to it. Fortunately, they don’t drown out the highs and mids too much, so vocals and other instruments are still somewhat reproduced with a bit of clarity, though they’re leaning toward the dull side. All in all, they have a very consumer-friendly sound, though neither one is likely going to be appealing to audiophiles.

But seeing as the Razer Barracuda X and HyperX Cloud 2 are gaming headsets, that isn’t surprising. They can bring out the sounds in games well, emphasizing effects and other important cues in first-person shooters and other action-packed genres. However, they might not be the best for dialogues and whatnot in single-player RPGs.

Both have surround sound, but if you want to use it with the Barracuda X, you’ll have to fork over some cash for Razer’s THX Spatial Audio Surround Sound Application, which only works with Windows 10.

The takeaway here is, they can do a good job with certain music genres such as hip-hop and pop, but in line with their nature, they’re better suited for games.

Usage

The Razer Barracuda X is more versatile than the HyperX Cloud 2 since it can be used wirelessly and wired.

As gaming headsets, latency is an important factor to consider. It goes without saying that the HyperX Cloud 2 doesn’t have any issues with this since it’s wired. However, the same can’t be said about the Razer Barracuda X when using it wirelessly. 

While the Barracuda X has little to no delay when using a 2.4 GHz connection with a PC or PlayStation, it has a noticeable lag when using the USB-C dongle with Android. Still, there are a lot of things that can affect this, such as the app and device you’re using. Of course, there’s no problem whatsoever in this regard if you use it wired.

Both have a detachable microphone, and as for its quality, they won’t win any awards. At any rate, the person you’re talking to on the other end of the line will understand you, as both can deliver your voice clearly.

Now the Cloud 2 works with just about any device as long as it has a 3.5mm jack, and that includes Xbox and PlayStation. It’s the same story with the Barracuda X using its 3.5mm cable, but when connecting wirelessly, it’s compatible only with PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Android—or in other words, you can’t use it wirelessly with Xbox.

Battery Life

While your mileage may vary, the Razer Barracuda X can last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

With a full charge, the Razer Barracuda X’s battery life is good for up to 20 hours, which is par for the course for any gaming headset worth its salt nowadays. To save battery, it automatically turns off after being idle for a certain amount of time. It also uses a USB-C for charging, and it can be used while it’s plugged in.

Needless to say, this doesn’t apply to the HyperX Cloud 2 since it’s a wired-only affair, but it’s worth mentioning that there’s a wireless variant of the headset. It has a 30-hour battery life and uses a 2.4 GHz connection, similar to the Barracuda X.

Click here for our Razer Barracuda X vs Logitech G Pro X comparison.

Verdict

The Razer Barracuda X just works better than the HyperX Cloud 2.

Razer Barracuda X

HyperX Cloud 2

All things considered, our pick here is the Razer Barracuda X simply because it can be used wired and wirelessly, making it more versatile and flexible. Besides that, there isn’t really much of a difference between it and the HyperX Cloud 2, except that the latter is slightly more comfortable to wear and comes with surround sound free of charge. However, those perks don’t seem to be enough to tilt the scales to its favor.

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