[17] Cochemiea barbata grows either solitary or with multiple heads, forming dense cushions.

The plant bodies are depressed, spherical to briefly cylindrical, and about 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) in diameter.

The soft, spherical to cylindrical warts lack milky juice.

The 1 to 4 central spines are stiff, brown to reddish-brown or orange-brown, and up to 2 cm (0.79 in) long, with 1 or 2 being heavily hooked.

The 16 to 60 marginal spines are in several rows, mostly hairy, whitish to yellowish with darker tips, and 0.6 to 0.8 cm (0.24 to 0.31 in) long.