Razer Clio X: can this audio cushion really replace your gaming headset?

A cushion that diffuses sound right behind your head. Said like that, the Razer Clio X looks like the improbable accessory of a tech lounge. However, the idea holds up quite well: replacing the headset during long sessions and avoiding the need to install five speakers around the desk.

Razer unveiled it during PAX West 2026, held from September 4 to 7. Its French price is announced at 109.99 € , or about half the price of the original Clio at its launch. At this price, the product slightly moves away from the luxury gadget category. Only slightly, because one still has to agree to spend more than 100 € on an audio headrest.

The principle is simple. The Clio X attaches to the backrest of a gaming chair or a high-backed office chair. Two speakers placed in the cushion send sound to your ears. No headband, nothing on the temples and the ears remain exposed. To play alone in a quiet room, it can be quite pleasant.

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Inside, Razer has installed two 38 mm full-range speakers and two passive radiators of 55 mm. The first produce the sound, the second enhance the bass without requiring a large subwoofer placed under the desk. Everything is oriented towards the listening position, a few centimeters from the ears.

This near-field listening changes quite a bit. The Clio X does not need to fill the entire room like a pair of traditional speakers. The volume can remain reasonable while giving the impression that the effects come from behind and from the sides. The THX Spatial Audio then widens the soundstage and simulates a more immersive rendering from the stereo tracks.

Three profiles are directly accessible: game, movie, and music. The equalizer can also be adjusted in Razer Synapse. On paper, the game mode should enhance useful details, such as footsteps or gunshots, while the movie mode can further amplify the range and bass. A real test will be needed to know if the differences are clear. For now, we mainly have information from Razer and the first feedback on the previous Clio.

For a solo campaign, a management game or a movie night, yes, the Clio X can replace a headset. You keep your ears free, you don't get hot under the cushions and nothing tightens your head after three hours. Glasses wearers are well aware of this last problem.

In multiplayer, the response is less flattering. Razer does not announce any built-in microphone . You will therefore need to add a micro USB, a microphone on an arm or that of a webcam for Discord. And unlike a closed headset, the cushion does not block the sounds of the room. If someone is watching TV behind you, you will hear it. The person will also hear part of your game, even if the speakers mainly aim at your ears.

There remains the question of competitive positioning. The HyperSpeed 2.4 GHz is designed to limit latency, which is reassuring. But a wide soundstage does not guarantee that footsteps will be as easy to locate as with a good stereo headset properly tuned. In Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant, I would still keep the headset. In Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3 or a racing game, the comfort of the Clio X makes more sense.

Provisional verdict: credible replacement for solo gaming and movies, interesting complement for the rest, but not a universal substitute for gaming headsets.

The Clio X can operate alone, but Razer also plans a Surround mode . In this configuration, a soundbar or a 2.0/2.1 kit manages the front of the stage and the cushion becomes the rear speaker. It's clever: the accessory no longer tries to do everything and focuses on the area where its position is truly useful.

An explosion behind the character, a car that passes by, or a crowd atmosphere can then come directly from the file. No need to run cables to surround speakers placed behind the chair. For a small office or a bedroom, this setup is much simpler than a real 5.1 kit.

Be careful with the ecosystem. The adjustment goes through Synapse and the main connection uses the HyperSpeed dongle. Razer presents the Clio X as a product designed for PC. If you want to use it on PS5 or Xbox, it is better to wait for a compatibility confirmation rather than assuming that the dongle will work.

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The first Clio relied on two 43 mm aluminum cone speakers and cost $229.99 at launch. The Clio X drops to 38 mm, adds two 55 mm passive radiators, and adopts a more compact architecture. Razer promises the same basic idea, not exactly the same performance.

The big change concerns the power supply. The original Clio had its own battery. The Clio X requires a USB-C PD 2.0 external battery or a compatible power adapter. It's less elegant upon unpacking, but probably one of the reasons why the price drops to €109.99. At least, a worn-out battery can be replaced without throwing away the cushion.

Over time, this choice can even become an advantage. A standard power bank is recycled on a phone, a tablet, or a portable console. On the other hand, it is not provided. If you do not already have one, the actual cost of the Clio X therefore exceeds its displayed price.

The Clio X does not contain a battery. Its integrated USB-C cable is stored in a pocket at the back, along with the external battery. Razer recommends a model PD 2.0 of 15 W or more and cites a capacity of 10,000 mAh. With this type of battery, the brand announces up to 40 hours of use.

Plugging the cushion into a simple USB port may work, but Razer warns that the available power will limit the maximum volume if the source is not Power Delivery compatible. In other words, avoid the old promotional battery found at the bottom of a drawer. It may cause the Clio X to run at a discount.

The nylon strap adjusts from 30 to 65 cm. It should fit most high backs, including those not in the Razer catalog. The important word remains 'most'. On a chair with a very thin, very wide, or heavily curved back, the cushion may be placed too high or too far from the ears. As with the first Clio, the shape of the chair will directly impact the sound rendering.

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109.99 €. The price is low enough to make the concept tempting, but too high for a blind purchase. At this price, you can already find good wireless headphones on sale and serious 2.0 speaker kits. The Clio X mainly wins in one area: listening comfort without wearing anything on your head.

I would first recommend it to solo players, to those sensitive to the pressure of a headset, and to those who already own a soundbar. The rear speaker mode then gives a real reason to buy the product. For Discord every evening, competitive games, or an apartment with thin walls, a headset remains more logical.

The product is advertised on the French site of Razer and at some retailers. Before ordering, check three points: the width of the backrest, the presence of an external PD 2.0 battery, and the available space for the USB dongle on the PC. These are silly details, but they will determine whether the Clio X becomes your favorite accessory or a very expensive cushion.

Razer does not indicate any built-in microphone. To talk on Discord or in-game, a separate mic is required.

No. The Clio X must be connected to an external battery or a USB-C PD 2.0 power supply. Razer recommends at least 15 W and mentions a 10,000 mAh battery to achieve up to 40 hours.

Its strap of 30 to 65 cm is designed for most gaming chairs and high-back office chairs. Very narrow, wide, or curved backs may however alter the position of the speakers.

Yes. It can serve as the main speaker. The soundbar or the 2.0/2.1 kit is only useful for creating a system with the Clio X as the rear channel.

Not in all cases. It is more comfortable and keeps the ears free, but it does not isolate from noise, lets sound escape and does not integrate a microphone. For solo gaming and movies, it can be more enjoyable. For competition and voice chat, the headset retains the advantage.

Razer Newsroom: official presentation of the Clio X

French product page of the Razer Clio X

Razer Blog: operation and listening modes

Gamewave: French price and first hands-on experience