Best Xbox headsets 2024

The best Xbox headsets give you an opportunity to better appreciate the iconic soundtracks and ambient soundscapes of all your favorite games. Meanwhile, if you enjoy playing online, you’ll find that it’s never been easier to communicate with your teammates as you adventure out onto the high seas of Sea of Thieves, or embark on a Halo co-op campaign with your mates. But with so many to choose from, what are the best Xbox headsets?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are some of the best gaming consoles on the market, and we’ve included headsets for both as you’re not using your console to its full potential if you don’t have the right headset. We’ve recommended the best Xbox headsets based on countless hours of gameplay, making it easy to help you find one in your price range. Get one of these and the best Xbox Series X games will be elevated to levels you didn’t think possible.

Here are the best Xbox headsets:

1. Xbox Wireless Headset

The best Xbox headset overall.

Xbox Wireless Headset specs:

Pros

• Great sound and build quality
• Supports Bluetooth while connected to Xbox or PC
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Might be tight on bigger heads
• Not compatible on other platforms
• Limited battery life

This is Microsoft’s own headset – officially made for Xbox consoles. What’s especially impressive is that it has a level of sound and build quality that is on par with the more expensive options on this list, yet it costs quite a bit less. For under $100, you get the spatial audio of Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos, which means that sound will surround your ears and bring the best games truly to life.

Unsurprisingly, the Official Xbox Wireless headset matches the Xbox aesthetic, and it’s compatible with Xbox One, Series X, Series S, and Windows 10 and 11 devices. Yes, that does unfortunately mean that it won’t work on PS5 – you’ll need the best PS5 headsets for that.

You can also use the headset with a wired or wireless connection, via Bluetooth, Xbox wireless, or a USB-C cable (which is included). We love that this headset supports simultaneous Bluetooth connections, which means you can take calls or listen to your favorite playlists while gaming at the same time.

The biggest failing of the Xbox Wireless Headset is that it’s got a rather lackluster battery life, lasting only 15 hours. If you regularly game for several hours a day, this means you’ll have to charge the headset every few days. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the Xbox Wireless Headset doesn’t come with a second battery that you can keep rotating in and out so you’ve always got a fully-stocked pack.

Other than that, it’s also smaller than most other headsets so it might be uncomfortable on larger heads, however, we found the design had a lot of flex to allow for different sizes.

2. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The best high-end Xbox headset.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless specs:

Pros

• A plethora of sound customization options and overall superb audio
• Convenient, adjustable, high-quality mic
• Included Base Station

Cons

• Expensive
• Not so good at noise-isolation

If you want a wireless Xbox headset and money is no object, we recommend the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The enormous selection of customization options that the Arctis Nova Pro has to offer thanks to it’s included Base Station means that you can tweak it to hit that sweet spot your ears have been calling for. More specifically, the Wireless Base Station acts as a 10-band equalizer, letting you amp up each part of the audio spectrum from bass to treble. This is absolutely excellent if you play a variety of different games, from the best FPS games to the best racing games, each of which are improved by tweaking the EQ. With a robust companion app and various adjustments that you can make on the fly, it does a lot to justify its higher price tag.

Noise isolation is the only area where we could feasibly criticize it. These aren’t noise-canceling headphones, and so if you like to be able to drown out the sound of your partner yelling “If you don’t stop playing video games, I’m leaving you” then you might want to look at other options. In every other way though – fantastic.

3. EPOS H3

Value king.

EPOS H3 specs:

Pros:

• Comfortable memory foam earcups
• Great microphone quality
• Solid audio quality

Cons:

• Clamping force can be a little tight
• So-so frequency range
• Mixed build quality

Despite parting ways with Sennheiser a few years back, EPOS owner Demant has continued to churn out solid gaming peripherals – its EPOS H3 headset is no exception to this. Once considered a pricey option, the H3 has now become very affordable and can frequently be found on sale. While it may not offer the widest soundstage, the sound quality is impressive, both in terms of what you hear and the audio captured by the attached boom mic.

The build quality of the H3 varies, with a sturdy metal headband contrasting with the cheaper-feeling controls. The headset’s clamping force can be tight, particularly for those with larger heads, but this is balanced by the comfort of the memory foam earcups. Although there are concerns about the long-term durability of the suedette material, EPOS offers replacement pads and cables, ensuring that any wear and tear issues can be easily addressed to restore the headset to its original condition.

4. Razer BlackShark V2 X

The best budget Xbox headset.

Razer BlackShark V2 X specs:

Pros

• Fantastic price
• Great microphone
• Decent sound

Cons

• No sound-adjusting software
• Wired-only

Choosing the budget option can be tricky, but the Razer BlackShark V2 X is a reliable headset from a trusted manufacturer that doesn’t cost a fortune. It’s comfortable enough for most people, and the microphone is conveniently placed (and adjustable), allowing for crisp, clear communication with other players.

The sound quality is pretty good too, though there’s room for improvement and we wish that it came with some sound-mixing software so that you could fine-tune it to your own needs like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro – though these are more budget-friendly. Nevertheless, you’ll get great audio that will enrich even the best RPG games with more immersive background audio, or give you the leg up on an enemy in your favorite shooter with strong audio imaging.

This is a wired option, which will be great if you’re somebody who’s ever lost a game at the last minute because your headset distracted you by running out of power. Though of course, if you prefer the freedom to play without wires, consider the official Xbox Wireless Headset above for a great value option. However, if you can afford to, there’s also the Razer Blackshark V2 that is an improvement over the X model for only slightly more.

5. Turtle Beach Recon 500

The Turtle Beach Recon 500 is the most comfortable budget headset.

Turtle Beach Recon 500 specs:

Pros

• Great value
• Good mic and sound quality
• Comfortable

Cons

• No sound customization
• Often intrusive boom mic
• Wired-only

When shopping for a budget headset, you run a higher risk of buying a model that is uncomfortable. Something that presses down hard on your head, and makes your ears really hot. Rest assured, the Turtle Beach Recon 500 is nothing like that. In fact, it’s the most comfortable budget headset we’ve ever worn.

Its best quality is its spacious ear cups. We like our ears to have a little bit of space. Too many headsets just squash them against your skull and it soon becomes uncomfortable. This headset, meanwhile, has a big deep cup, surrounded by soft, memory foam cushions. Pure bliss.

The sound quality is absolutely fantastic too (although it does lack any customization options). It also comes with a detachable boom mic, which is handy for times when you just want to listen to things, though it is bizarrely long, which can often get in the way. Still, that’s a very minor issue with an otherwise excellent discount headset.

6. Turtle Beach Recon 70

The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is the cheapest (good) Xbox headset.

Turtle Beach Recon 70 specs:

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Good mic and sound quality

Cons

• Wired only (needs an audiojack)
• Gets uncomfortable after a while

So even the BlackShark V2 was a bit beyond your price range, huh? Well, don’t worry. That’s okay. You can go even cheaper and still get a quality headset  – introducing the Turtle Beach Recon 70.

This set is available in a number of vibrant colors, so you can choose one that best matches your aesthetic. Meanwhile, it makes no sacrifices in terms of sound or microphone quality. Admittedly, there are almost no options for sound customization, so that might be frustrating if you have very specific needs, but we reckon most people will be fine with it (we were).

The biggest setback of the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is that it starts to feel uncomfortable after about 45 minutes or so. It’s absolutely fine on the ears, but on top of your head, you’ll feel a pressure that slowly starts to build up. It probably won’t happen with users who have smaller heads, but all the best Xbox headsets should be able to accommodate heads of every size – but for its very low price, it’s hard to stay mad at it.

Read our Turtle Beach Recon 70 review.

7. Logitech G Astro A30

The most versatile Xbox headset.

Logitech G Astro A30 specs:

Pros

• Wired and wireless connections
• Brilliant sound quality

Cons

• Pricey
• Can put pressure on your head

Just shy of $200, the Logitech G Astro A30 is a sturdy, reliable, excellently-reviewed headset. It manages to provide a fantastic level of sound quality and has a fairly decent microphone too. With the option to connect either via Bluetooth or via USB, you can use it wired or wirelessly.

Admittedly, the price tag is a little on the high side, but it makes sense considering everything that it has to offer. On top of crystal clear audio, the white design is sleek, attractive, and a far cry from the usual black headset. It would look great as part of a streaming setup, for example. This is one of those headsets that adds pressure on your head if you wear it for long enough, so do be cautious if you’re likely to play for hours.

Logitech G Astro A30 also has a pretty fantastic companion app, so even if you don’t like how it sounds out of the box, with a little bit of tweaking, you should be able to hit that sweet spot.

8. Astro A50 headset

The best wireless headset with a charging base.

Astro A50 headset specs:

Pros

• Brilliant charging base
• Looks stylish, feels comfortable

Cons

• Microphone a bit quiet
• An expensive option

The Astro A50 headset is one of the best Xbox headsets in terms of design, and it comes with a charging base to keep things neat on your desk. It gives you plenty of customization, with optional ear cushions and a synthetic leather headband.

It also comes with the Astro Command Centre for sound mixing, which gives you the option to save configurations for different uses, such as streaming, playing with friends, playing alone, and so on. Every input and output parameter can be tailored to your needs.

The larger price tag means that you’ll get the Dolby Audio sound system,  giving you crisp, clear surround sound that is not tinny or watered down. Meanwhile, with Dolby Atmos in the mix, you’ll find that it very much feels like an immersive, three-dimensional experience.

The battery life is around 15 hours, which is surpassed easily by the more premium options in this guide. While it does everything it should do (and very well too), the build quality could be better for something that costs as much as it does.

9. Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

The best noise-cancelling headset.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro specs:

Pros

• Great sound quality and customization
• Comfortable, premium design

Cons

• Expensive
• Could be more secure on your head

Turtle Beach is well-known and respected for its exceptional headsets, and few of them are as good as the Stealth Pro. It’s one of the more expensive options, but, boy, is it worth it.

This headset has a premium design that sits comfortably on your head. Meanwhile, its active noise-canceling design helps to keep the distractions of the outside world at bay, letting you escape into the stress-free world of video games. And did somebody say sound customization? Its companion software provides you with plenty of options, making it easy for you to adjust to your needs.

You might find that they don’t sit super securely on your head, so under certain circumstances, they might fall off, such as if you’re streaming Xbox Game Pass games on your phone on the bus and bouncing around as you go over the bumps. This isn’t really going to be an issue if you mostly play at home, but it’s worth noting.

How we chose the best Xbox headsets

What makes a headset worthy of inclusion on this list?

• Wired vs wireless: We’ve included both options on this list. If you play for extended periods of time and hate having to worry about keeping your headset charged, go for a wired option, but if you know that won’t be a problem, and prefer a bit of flexibility to move around while gaming, go for a wireless option.
• Pricing: It was also important to us to include options that accommodate readers on a range of different budgets. The price of headsets varies significantly, and the most expensive option isn’t necessarily going to be the right choice for everyone.
• Battery life: If you’re after a wireless option, its battery life is going to be an important consideration. We’ve used 15 hours as a sort of benchmark here –  that’s the average “good” battery life, and we wouldn’t recommend anything lower than that. Impressive premium models can keep going for closer to 30 hours though, which is great if you don’t want to have to charge it so often.
• Companion apps: Many headsets give their customers the chance to adjust sound settings within a companion app. If you have a very specific idea of how you like your headsets to sound, then you’ll want to go for something with a companion app so that you can make all of the appropriate adjustments.
• Build quality: We’ve focused on headsets that are both aesthetically pleasing and also durable and well-made. The quality levels definitely vary a lot here, but we wouldn’t include anything explicitly poor.

If you have more questions about how we decide what to include in these lists, check out our how we test page. You can also read our FAQs below:

What headsets are compatible with Xbox?

Obviously, there’s Microsoft’s own headset, but also most major headset manufacturers make them with Xboxes in mind. Logitech, Turtle Bay, SteelSeries, and Razer will nearly always be fine. We’d always recommend double-checking though – most product pages make it pretty clear.

Does Xbox use wireless headsets?

Yes, you can use both wired and wireless headsets with Xbox consoles.

Can you use AirPods on Xbox?

AirPods connect via Bluetooth, and Xbox cannot do that. There is a method involving the Xbox Companion app that makes it possible, but that isn’t ideal as it prohibits the use of the AirPods’ earphones.

Does Xbox have Bluetooth?

No, it doesn’t. Wireless headsets connect via a dongle.

That’s all the best Xbox headsets on the market right now, so you can enjoy all the new Xbox games in all their glory. For more on Xbox accessories, read our guides on the best Xbox expansion cards and the best Xbox controllers, which will both give you an idea of some of the good things you can get for your console.

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