is an Xbox One headset
Trying to find the right Xbox One headset can be a tricky proposition. There are so many options out there, it can be hard to tell which is really good, and which is just – you know – right there.
Of course, finding something good is easier here than with a
nintendo switch
, but that doesn't mean there aren't a number of things to consider. Here are the best options we could find, based on our reviews, as well as researching products we haven't gotten our hands on yet.
Editor's note: This list was updated on June 24, 2021 to include the Turtle Beach Recon 500 in the notable mentions.
The best Xbox One headset is the SteelSeries Arctis 9x
If you're looking for a premium experience tailored from start to finish for the Xbox One, look no further than the SteelSeries Arctis 9x.Built on the same frame as great headsets like the
Arctis 7
and
Arctis Pro
, the 9x variety is one of the only headsets to offer a true wireless experience on a console.
SteelSeries Arctis 9x
SteelSeries Arctis 9x
7.2
That's right, this headset uses Xbox Wireless Connectivity, previously reserved for console controllers exclusively to connect to the Xbox One. Simply pair the Arctis 9x to the console and you're done: no dongles or base stations is not required.
This Xbox One headset sports a durable aluminum frame with a comfortable suspension band inspired by the elastic band of a pair of ski goggles. Its headphones come with earpads made from a SteelSeries material called Airweave, which breathes extremely well and strikes a nice balance between the plushness of a velor cushion and the stiffness of leatherette. It also provides up to 20 hours of use on a single charge.
The Arctis 9x's two-way microphone is flexible and can even retract into the left headset when not in use. Surround sound is also supported through Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, so you should be able to hear the direction of enemies trying to sneak up on you in
Fortnite
It's okay.
What you need to know about Xbox One headsets
Playing on an Xbox One introduces audio complications typical of any gaming console. Here the main constraint revolves around connection options. Xbox One has a number of USB ports and hardware to support Bluetooth connections , but it does not support Bluetooth headsets or most USB headsets.
Microsoft's Xbox has gone through many iterations, but it's always been a great buy for gamers.
The most common connection method is to use the 3.5mm jack on the bottom of the Xbox One controller. However, this is not as simple as it should be. Older Xbox One controllers do not have no built-in headphone jack, so you'll have to buy an extra adapter if that's the route you decide to go.
What is Xbox Wireless?
Xbox Wireless is Microsoft's proprietary device protocol that allows you to connect your gaming headset to the console, without using wires. That being said, even if your gaming headset includes a USB wireless dongle, it won't connect to Xbox unless the product is designed to support Xbox Wireless. Using this protocol is one of the reasons you are less likely to find wireless gaming headsets for Xbox, for compared to other platforms like
playstation
.
If sound quality is the only thing you care about, take a look at the Bose QuietComfort 35 II gaming headset.
The
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset
is the company's first foray into the world of gaming peripherals.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset
Full Review
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset
8.0
These headphones are based on Bose's former flagship ANC headphones, the
Bose QuietComfort 35 II
.That being said, the QuietComfort 35 II gaming headset features the same neutral sound signature as its non-gaming counterpart.While mid-frequency sounds like vocals and acoustic instruments are reproduced accurately, a bump in the bass adds a slight emphasis on kick drums and basslines.The sound signature of these headphones is sure to appeal to fans of hip-hop or electronic music.Icing on the cake, these headphones offer the same active noise cancellation as those of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, for a truly uninterrupted gaming experience.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II gaming headset can connect to a PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, via USB or a 3.5mm cable. When you're not gaming, this headset acts as a pair of headphones Normal Bluetooth, with support for SBC and AAC streaming codecs.
As a gaming headset, these boxes are pretty bare bones, omitting all the frills like RGB lighting, surround sound, or wireless connectivity for gaming. However, if you're looking for a basic gaming headset that performs just as well when you put the controller down, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II gaming headset is a compelling option.
For powerful bass, consider Beyerdynamic Custom Play
The
Beyerdynamic custom game
is a monster of a gaming headset, and it allows gamers to customize its bass in quite a unique way. Each ear cup has bass reflex vents, which are easily revealed or hidden with a simple sliding mechanism. Bass also adjusts the influx of ambient noise that can permeate the headset. In a quiet environment? Open those bass vents and enjoy more powerful sound. For tournaments with lots of chatter, simply close the ports to drown it all out.
Beyerdynamic custom game
Full Review
Best bass
Beyerdynamic custom game
8.3
The cardioid boom microphone is forgiving of placement and refines your voice while simultaneously filtering out interfering background noise. If customization is your thing, well, you're in luck. The Custom Game headset includes ear cups interchangeable to express your style non-verbally. If you're not a fan of the all-black aesthetic, Beyerdynamic also offers plenty of customization options, as well as velor pads for people who wear glasses on their raids .
Because it's a 3.5mm headset and its appeal is largely hardware-based, it's just as good an Xbox One headset as a PC headset.
The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core offers solid features on Xbox One for $40
The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is the entry-level Xbox One headset from the prolific gaming peripheral maker. line.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
Get moving for your dough
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
9.0
There's not much more to say about the Cloud Stinger Core: you plug it in through the Xbox One controller, and it works. The microphone is flexible and delivers fully usable audio quality.
Sure, it's not the HiFi audio solution for the discerning competitive console gamer, but again, it's $30. If you're looking for an Xbox One headset in this price range, you know what to expect, and this is on the high end.
The Razer Kaira Pro for Xbox One brings the features
While most Razer headsets are generally aimed at PC gamers, the
Razer Kaira Pro
is the company's first headset designed specifically for Xbox.
Razer Kaira Pro
Full Review
Razer Kaira Pro
7.7
The Kaira Pro comes with several Xbox-exclusive features. For starters, the headset supports Xbox Wireless, allowing you to connect the headset to your Xbox without using cables, dongles, or adapters. For people who want an immersive gaming experience, the Kaira Pro also supports Windows Sonic surround sound.
Outside of gaming, the Kaira Pro works like a regular pair of Bluetooth headphones. The headset uses Bluetooth 5.0, with support for SBC and AAC streaming codecs. Android users are out of luck as the headset does not support platform-compatible high-quality streaming codecs, such as aptX.
When it comes to sound quality, the Razer Kaira Pro isn't the most accurate headset out there. The extra emphasis on bass may appeal to electronic and hip-hop fans who like to feel the punch in their kick drums, but this sound profile tends to mask high-frequency noise, such as high-pitched vocals, strings, and high-octave synths. Again, this type of sound profile is not unheard of among gaming headsets .Don't expect audiophile level sound quality when listening through these cans.
If you are a hardcore Xbox fan who needs a gaming headset
and
a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and aren't demanding on sound quality, the Razer Kaira Pro may be worth considering. For people who don't need all the features of the Pro and want to save around $50, think of its twin brother: the
Razer Kaira Wireless
.
Best Xbox One gaming headsets in 2020: Notable mentions
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro offers a very comfortable design, a great sounding microphone and is compatible with virtually all gaming platforms, including Xbox One.
HyperX Cloud Orbit
S
: When it comes to excellent sound quality, this headphone is among the best. Featuring 100mm planar magnetic headphone drivers, these boxes provide a very enjoyable listening experience, coupled with additional features such as 3D audio and cross-platform compatibility.
Razer BlackShark V2
: This is one of the best headsets to come out of Razer in a long time. The BlackShark V2 sports a streamlined design, soft memory foam ear cups, a very precise sound signature and excellent isolation, all for less $100.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
: It sports the same design and feature sets as the BlackShark V2, with added support for wireless connections and a vastly improved microphone…if you're willing to pay double the price.
Razer Nari Ultimate
: This headset features Razer's Hypersense technology, providing haptic feedback from low-end sounds for a more immersive listening experience, whether you're gaming or jamming through your playlists. It also features a comfortable design , good mic quality and solid wireless performance.
Razer Kaira Wireless
:
A slimmed down version of the Razer Kaira Pro, this headset still offers the same functionality for Xbox users, minus Bluetooth. of $50 the price.
Turtle Beach Recon 500:
This simple 3.5mm gaming headset gives you a solid microphone and decent sound, and that's about it. However, plugged into your Xbox controller, that's about all you need. a helmet to do. It's also quite reasonably priced.
Why should you trust Sam
In the end, I don't just revise
gaming headsets
because I'm passionate about good sound. Pretty much everything I do here at
SoundGuys
focuses on gaming content, and that's because I've been a gamer all my life. You name it, I've probably played it. I know what kinds of audio features are important for different kinds of games. , and perhaps more importantly: which ones are not.
The gaming headset space, like many other parts of the audio industry, is full of over-the-top language and fancy features that often don't add much to your experience. It's easy to get carried away with the flashy lights and promises of immersive sound and bass so deep it'll break your eardrums (in a good way, sort of), but most of that flat stuff doesn't matter.C That's why we review helmets and why we have lists like this.