The best Xbox One wireless headsets of 2021
Buying Xbox One wireless gaming headsets can be tricky. Unlike wired gaming headsets, there aren't many options and even fewer are actually worth buying.
Finding the right helmet isn't terribly difficult, but there are still a few things to consider when you're on the hunt. Here are the best options we could find, based on our reviews, as well as the looking for products we haven't gotten our hands on yet.
Editor's note: This list was updated on April 9, 2021 to include the Razer Kaira Wireless and Corsair HS75 XB Wireless in the Notable Mentions section.
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.
Wireless audio on the Xbox One requires a USB dongle, with a few notable exceptions (some of which are on this list). However, only headsets made specifically for the Xbox One will work over a USB connection, whether wired or wireless. Microsoft has implemented a sort of closed ecosystem for its peripherals, so Xbox One wireless gaming headsets will not work on other consoles like the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Microsoft's XBox has gone through many iterations, but it's always been a great buy for gamers.
Additionally, some wireless headsets use Xbox Wireless to connect to the console. This wireless connection is usually reserved for Xbox One controllers and offers a dongle-free solution, where the headsets pair directly with the Xbox One. These headsets are often a bit more expensive, but they are quickly becoming a mainstream option.
That said, here are some of the best Xbox One wireless gaming headsets.
The best Xbox One wireless gaming 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 first truly wireless Xbox One wireless gaming headsets.
SteelSeries Arctis 9x
SteelSeries Arctis 9x
7.2
This headset uses Xbox Wireless connectivity, previously reserved for controllers exclusively to connect to the Xbox One. Simply pair the Arctis 9x to the console and you're done: no dongle or base station 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.
The Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One brings the features
Most of the time, gaming headsets stick to a few
features
.At most prices, you won't very often find an option with everything.
Razer Nari Ultimate
is one of those options. When we reviewed it back in 2018, the headset offered a feature set that bordered on overkill. With Razer's new Xbox One-focused release, we're now firmly in overkill territory.
Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One
Full Review
Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One
7.6
The Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One is a
wireless gaming headset
with large, comfortable earpads and a suspension-style band.The headphones sit on hinges that pivot to accommodate all head shapes and feature 50mm dynamic drivers.The headphones' earpads have sound channels hidden glasses, so gamers with glasses can play comfortably for hours. A built-in retractable microphone is in the left ear cup, and it is flexible, so you can adjust it to the position you need. This is designed to be comfortable for everyone, and it has a pretty exhaustive array of features to boot.
For starters, the Xbox One headset features the same Xbox Wireless compatibility as the Arctis 9x, so you can connect the headset to your console without the need for a dongle of any kind - just pair and go. .When connected wirelessly to your Xbox One, the Nari Ultimate also supports Microsoft Sonic surround sound, so you won't miss directional cues in games like
Fortnite.
What's more, these headphones even offer haptic feedback, creating a rumbling vibration on your ears in moments of heavy bass.
Basically, the Razer Nari Ultimate brings gaming headset mainstays like a built-in mic, booming surround sound, and big bass, and combines it with added conveniences like Xbox Wireless and game-chat audio balancing controls. , with borderline free features like haptic feedback and nearly 20 hours of battery life sprinkled on top. Among Xbox One wireless gaming headsets, this one certainly offers a free feature set.
The HyperX CloudX Flight offers the longest battery life
Built on the same chassis as the recent
HyperX Cloud Flight S
, the HyperX CloudX Flight is an Xbox-specific version of the Cloud Flight. Swapping playback highlights for Xbox Green, this wireless gaming headset delivers the battery life that Cloud Flight headsets are rated for. known, as well as a solid feature set.
HyperX CloudX Flight
HyperX CloudX Flight
8.4
Unlike some of the other Xbox One wireless gaming headsets on this list, while the CloudX Flight is designed for Microsoft's console, it does not support Xbox Wireless. This means it uses a USB wireless RF dongle 2.4 GHz to connect. While not such an elegant solution, it does have some advantages. RF signals are notoriously sweet to battery life, and you don't have to go through the process headset pairing - just plug and play.
The HyperX CloudX Flight delivers up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge, better than almost any gaming headset on the market. It features soft memory foam ear cushions, which should make long gaming sessions comfortable. The headset's microphone is also detachable, so you don't need to have it glued to your face if voice chat isn't your bag. To top it off, the CloudX Flight comes with HyperX's assurance that it will be compatible with the upcoming Xbox Series X, Microsoft's next-generation console.
Turtle Beach XB1 Stealth 600 brings wireless audio on a budget
If there's one thing all the other headsets on this list suffer from, it's that they're all pretty expensive. Don't worry, not all Xbox One wireless gaming headsets will break the bank. You can get the Turtle Beach XB1 Stealth 600 for under $100, and it even supports Xbox Wireless.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600
Full Review
Turtle Beach Stealth 600
8.8
The XB1 Stealth 600 brings surround sound using Windows Sonic on both
Xbox One
and Windows 10, but you'll need an adapter to connect to a PC if it doesn't support Xbox Wireless. The headset also features a dual-foam ear cushion to reduce head pressure. wearing glasses while gaming. The headset has a built-in mic that you can toggle to mute, as well as separate channels for chat and game audio, so you can adjust their volume separately. also equipped with built-in EQ presets and bass boost mode so you can do just that.
The headset features dynamic 50mm drivers and can last up to 15 hours on a single charge. According to Turtle Beach, the XB1 Stealth 600 will also support Xbox Series X, so you'll be reasonably future-proof .
Be heard with the Razer Kaira Pro
The
Razer Kaira Pro
is the company's latest wireless gaming headset, designed specifically for Microsoft's latest game consoles. It supports Xbox Wireless, enabling a smooth gaming experience without using cables or dongles. Additionally, the Kaira Pro doubles as a pair of Bluetooth headphones, which is great for listening to music or watching movies on a mobile device.
Razer Kaira Pro
Full Review
Razer Kaira Pro
7.7
The Kaira Pro draws inspiration from the low-profile design of the new Razer headsets, opting for a sleek matte black exterior with neon green accents. The Razer logo on both earcups is LED-illuminated, for gamers who prefer a flashier aesthetic to their headset. Its memory foam ear cups are covered with mesh fabric, providing a comfortable gaming experience while creating a decent seal. The headset also has enough battery to last you just over 21 hours of playtime, this which is more than enough for a sleepless night.
Sound-wise, the Kaira Pro aren't the sharpest headphones around. Fans of electronic music and other bass-heavy content will appreciate the headphones' emphasis on low frequencies, while listeners who gravitate toward more acoustic tracks will notice a noticeable treble de-emphasis for sounds like guitars, cymbals, and hi-hats.
Luckily, the Kaira Pro makes up for its lackluster sound with its detachable boom microphone. Its neutral-trend frequency response ensures you'll be heard clearly, whether in-game or on a conference call. significant bass roll-off allows people with very deep voices to express themselves without distortion. Don't believe us? Hear for yourself:
https://www.soundguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Kaira-Pro-Mic-sample.mp3
The best Xbox One wireless headsets of 2020: Notable mentions
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
:
The microphone quality is very good and the wireless performance is solid but not compatible with Xbox One. For this you will need to plug it in via a 3.5mm cable.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless
:
It's an all-time favorite among gamers looking for a budget wireless headset. The Arctis 1 features a USB-C RF dongle, supports 3.5mm connections (including you'll need for the Xbox One), has 25 hours of battery life and a nice sound profile that will suit most, if not all gamers.
Corsair HS75 XB Wireless
: This Xbox Wireless Headset is comfortable, with great battery life and good sound. It's a bit pricey for something so light, but what it does, it does well.
Razer Kaira Wireless
:
A stripped-down version of the Razer Kaira Pro, this Xbox Wireless cuts Bluetooth support and cuts $50 off the price, otherwise it delivers an identical gaming experience.
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.
Sam puts hundreds of hours into the game, reviewing headphones every month.
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.