Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently released our Test Bench 1.8 update for Headphones! Read the R&D Article to learn more about our new direction. As we ramp up and retest products, expect delays in testing new and updating preexisting reviews. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!

The 6 Best Xbox One Headsets - Black Friday 2024

Updated Nov 15, 2024 at 08:27 am
Best Xbox One Headsets

If the Xbox One is your primary console, you know how hard it can be to find a headset with native mic support for this console compared to the PS4. This challenge slightly limits the gaming headset selection for Xbox; however, some good options come in an Xbox variant or work well with both consoles.

We've tested over 820 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best gaming headsets for Xbox One you can buy. Check out our picks for the best gaming headsets, the best Xbox Series X/S headsets, and the best gaming headsets under $100.


  1. Best Xbox One Headset

    The best Xbox One headset we've tested is the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. These wireless headphones come in separate Xbox and PlayStation variants, so be sure to get the Xbox version. The Audeze Maxwell are well-built and use planar magnetic drivers, which can generate deeper bass and a wider passive soundstage than some dynamic driver headphones like the Astro A30 Wireless. By default, they have a neutral sound profile that accurately reproduces effects like explosions and gunfire while keeping dialogue and instruments clear, natural, and accurate. You can customize their sound to your liking using the companion software's EQ. They also support Dolby Atmos, a virtual surround sound feature that can create an even more enveloping listening experience.

    Their excellent detachable boom mic keeps your voice intelligible, even in a noisy room, and their low latency over non-Bluetooth wireless prevents lip-syncing issues while gaming. Their battery lasts for around 77 hours of continuous use, plus there are other niceties like an auto-off timer to conserve power and a companion app that lets you toggle the sidetone on and off and adjust the level.

    They support Bluetooth and multi-device pairing as long as you're connected via wired USB or analog. If you'd prefer to remain entirely wireless, try the Astro A50 X Wireless. They also use HDMI 2.1, enabling Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and giving you access to both 4k @ 120Hz passthrough and 24-bit audio. The Astro also weigh less than the Audeze and are a bit more comfortable, but their hardwired mic does a much worse job of isolating your dialogue from environmental noise.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Xbox One Headset

    The Astro A30 Wireless is the best Xbox headset we've tested at this price point. Although their detachable boom microphone might not sound as natural as the Audeze Maxwell Wireless', they weigh less and are a bit more stable on the head. That said, the A30's frequency response can be noticeably impacted by fit, so if you have thick hair or wear glasses, take care when putting this headset on, especially since their comfortable pads can be a bit stiff to adjust. With a good fit, the A30 Wireless's dynamic drivers produce a well-balanced frequency response, so, like the Audeze, dialogue and instruments will sound clear and natural, and effects will feel immersive.

    They come with both an equalizer to adjust the sound and Dolby Atmos compatibility. You can connect them to your Xbox One using the USB dongle or analog cable for low-latency audio. Although their 40-hour battery life isn't as high as the Audeze's 77 hours, it's still impressive. They also have Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect them to your PC or other Bluetooth devices.

    Most of the controls you'll need are accessible on the headphones via buttons and a joystick, but the joystick is easy to accidentally knock, and it's not always obvious if the mute button is on or off by touch alone. Though a little care is advised, these controls do address most of your needs, including game-specific functions like chat mix with good audible feedback.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Xbox One Headset

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless are solid mid-range headphones that don't compromise performance for price. They come with a USB dongle that provides a low-latency connection with Xbox consoles, and since they also support Bluetooth, you can mix game audio from your console and chat or music from your phone. Their battery life isn't quite as good as the Astro A30 Wireless', and their boom mic is permanently attached, unlike the Astro's. That said, the SteelSeries mic performs better overall, and they have a comfortable and well-built design. 

    Out of the box, they have a bass-rich sound profile that lends thump and boom to sound effects. Their relatively flat mid-range reproduces vocals and instruments accurately, but they have an inconsistent treble performance, which can render sounds like cymbals dull or piercing depending on their pitch. Fortunately, you can adjust it with a parametric EQ and presets in the companion software. The headphones have roughly 30 hours of continuous battery life for long gaming sessions. Their auto-off timer helps save power, and, in a pinch, you can always use them passively by plugging the analog cable into your Xbox controller. If you know you'll only game wirelessly, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless are worth considering because their battery life is roughly 20 hours longer than our pick's. But their default sound profile is more inconsistent than our pick's, and you'll lose the wired connection, which makes them less versatile. 

    See our review

  4. Best Lower Mid-Range Xbox One Headset

    The Razer Kaira Pro Wireless is the best wireless Xbox One headset in the lower mid-range we've tested. Their battery life is shorter than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless', and their default sound profile isn't as neutral, but they're worth checking out if you want to spend less. They offer low latency via Xbox Wireless, and you can pair them with one Bluetooth device and your console, allowing you to stream chat audio or music from your phone or computer while gaming.

    Their detachable boom mic makes your voice sound very natural and clear. Out of the box, their warm sound profile can muddy dialogue and instruments. They're also prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to ensure they fit your head well. Luckily, their companion software offers a five-band graphic EQ and presets so you can adjust them to your liking. They have a comfortable fit suitable for long gaming sessions, a good build quality, and around 19 hours of continuous battery life.

    However, if you're looking for more comfortable headphones, it's worth checking out the HyperX Cloud Alpha S instead. These headphones aren't explicitly designed for Xbox and have a wired design, which can be a big drawback for people who enjoy the freedom only a wireless design can provide. However, they come with two sets of ear cup padding to help you get the best fit, and you can game while wearing them for long periods without experiencing too much fatigue.

    See our review

  5. Best Βudget Xbox One Gaming Headset

    For a budget-friendly Xbox headset, try the Logitech G432. Like most headphones at this price point, they're wired and have a cheaper-feeling, more plasticky build than pricier options like the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless. Still, even though they don't feel very durable, they offer a comfortable fit for most people and a solid gaming performance. You can plug them into a controller for a latency-free connection with Xbox One.

    Unlike most headsets listed here, their sound lacks some bass, so your audio will have less rumble and punch. However, instruments and vocals are clear and detailed. They have a companion app with sound customization features, but since the manufacturer designed them for PC, you can't apply any customizations when playing on Xbox.

    Their boom mic makes your voice bright and clear, even with some noise in the background. If you plan to use the mic often, you might prefer the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1. Their mic makes your voice sound more natural, and they have a sturdier design. However, they have a boomier default sound profile with less detailed vocals and instruments. They're also more prone to inconsistent audio delivery.

    See our review

  6. Best Open-Back Xbox One Gaming Headset

    The Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X is the best Xbox headset we've tested with an open-back design. Unlike all the other headphones listed here, this design allows your game audio to escape the ear cups and interact with your environment. This creates a soundstage that feels more spacious and out of head than closed-back headphones, which can make gameplay feel more immersive. Unfortunately, it also means they don't isolate you from much background noise and leak a lot of audio, so they're best suited for people who play in a dedicated room or live alone.

    These headphones are comfortable for long gaming sessions and have a great mic, so you'll sound clear and present over team chat. Out of the box, they have a very warm sound profile. Their open-back design means they lack some thumpy low-bass, but they still deliver plenty of boom, which helps emphasize sound effects like footsteps in your games.

    If you love a wide soundstage but don't like dealing with cables while gaming, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless are open-back gaming headphones that support both wired TRRS and wireless USB-A dongle connections. Their default sound profile is a bit brighter than the Drop + Sennheiser, which keeps dialogue at the front of busy cutscenes but means S and T sounds can also get a bit piercing. That said, you can customize their sound using their Swarm II companion app. Still, they're not quite as comfortable as the Drop + Sennheiser, and our unit didn't demonstrate very good imaging performance, suggesting mediocre quality control. However, it's important to note that imaging varies between units.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox:

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are gaming headphones with an ANC feature. They also have a wireless dock that gives you access to controls like EQ presets while you game. However, their mic performance isn't as good as that of the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. They also have a shorter continuous battery life and a more inconsistent default sound profile.

    See our review
  • Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless for Xbox: The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless are premium gaming headphones with a dedicated Xbox variant. They have a swappable dual battery system. However, their microphone doesn't perform as well as that of the Audeze Maxwell Wireless, and their sound profile isn't as neutral. See our review
  • SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox doesn't have wireless connectivity like the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. However, if you don't mind a wired design, their GameDAC Gen 2 puts controls like EQ settings and channel mixing within easy reach. However, we've only tested the PlayStation-specific version, so we can't comment on the Xbox variant's performance. See our review
  • HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II: The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II is a well-built wired gaming headset with a comfortable fit and durable design. However, it doesn't offer as many features as picks like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, especially as you can't customize its sound. See our review
  • Xbox Wireless Headset: The Xbox Wireless Headset has a comfortable fit and over 19 hours of continuous battery life, and its mic has a great recording quality. However, its Xbox Wireless latency is higher than that of the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless and can cause lip-sync issues. See our review
  • Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless: The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless have an amazing 85-hour battery life and come in an Xbox variant that supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, meaning you can connect to both your console and phone simultaneously. However, you can't listen to audio from both sources at the same time like you can with the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Nov 15, 2024:

    We added the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless as an alternative to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for gamers who know they'll only game wirelessly.

  2. Sep 10, 2024: The Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless are mentioned in the 'Best Open-Back' category because you can use them wirelessly as well as wired. In our Notable Mentions, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless have been replaced by the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) Wireless because of their lower latency via USB dongle and longer battery life. We also removed the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless from our Notable Mentions because they have a higher dongle latency and shorter battery life than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless.

  3. Jun 17, 2024: Checked the picks, which have stayed the same, and updated the text for clarity.

  4. May 17, 2024: We've checked all our picks for accuracy and stock levels but have only made minor changes to the text.

  5. Apr 17, 2024: Due to reports concerning their latency with Xbox consoles, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro have been moved to the Notable Mentions and replaced with the Astro A30 Wireless.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Xbox One headsets for most people to buy in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headsets, sorted by Xbox One compatibility. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection, especially if you don't care about having a microphone or wireless features.