The 6 Best Headsets For Xbox Series X/S - Fall 2024

The best headset for Xbox Series X|S 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. These cans are often out of stock, but they're worth waiting for if you want the best. Their planar magnetic drivers produce deeper bass and a wider passive soundstage than many dynamic drivers, like those used by the Astro A30 Wireless, making game audio feel immersive and rich. Their fairly neutral default sound profile accurately reproduces sound effects, instruments, and dialogue, but should you wish to change it, that's easily done using EQ in the companion app.

These well-built headphones come with a superb detachable boom mic that keeps your voice sounding natural and intelligible, even in a noisy room. They support Dolby Atmos, a virtual surround sound feature that can create an even more immersive listening experience. You can also use the app to toggle the sidetone on and off and adjust the level.

They offer low latency over non-Bluetooth wireless and also support multi-device pairing, so you can hear audio from your phone or computer and Xbox simultaneously, as long as you connect via wired USB or analog. If you'd prefer to switch from your Xbox to PC at the press of a button, try the Astro A50 X Wireless instead. The A50 X are lighter than the Audeze, and their headband has a greater adjustment range, so you may find them more comfortable. That said, their 17.5 hours of battery life is much worse than the Audeze's 77, and the Audeze leak noticeably less audio, which might be important for anyone gaming in shared spaces.

The best upper mid-range gaming headset for Xbox Series X|S we've tested is the Astro A30 Wireless. These headphones are lighter than the Audeze Maxwell Wireless and have a more adjustable headband, so some people find them more comfortable. However, the A30's frequency response, which defaults to a well-balanced sound profile, varies considerably depending on the fit and seal you get, so if you wear glasses or have thick hair, take care when putting these cans on. On the plus side, and like our top pick, you can tailor the A30's sound profile using the EQ, and they are compatible with Dolby Atmos.

The A30's mic doesn't sound quite as good as the Audeze's, nor is their 40-hour battery life as long as the Audeze's 77 hours, but both are more than acceptable. If your headset dies, you can charge the battery with a USB-C cable while in use or connect your controller with an analog cable to use them passively. The onboard controls allow you to adjust most of the headphone's features, though they can be a little finicky. Also, it's not always obvious if the mute button is on, and the joystick is easy to knock.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is the best wireless headset for Xbox Series X|S we've tested at this price point. These headphones lack the versatility of a removable mic and have a shorter battery life than the Astro A30 Wireless, but they represent a solid option that feels slightly more stable and comfortable. They sport many well-suited features for gaming, including a wireless dongle that you can use on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation with low latency. They also support Bluetooth, which is great if you want to receive audio from your smartphone while gaming. They last for over 33 hours continuously and have an auto-off timer if you forget to turn them off.

They have a bass-rich sound profile out of the box, which can help emphasize sound effects like footsteps or explosions. You can fine-tune them using their companion app's customization features. However, you'll need to disable Sonar and strictly use SteelSeries GG if you want your settings to transfer over to this console. Their boom mic does a very good job overall, so your teammates and enemies alike will hear you clearly, even if you're gaming in a noisy living room.

The Razer Kaira Pro Wireless is the best wireless headset for Xbox Series X|S we've tested in the lower mid-range price category. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, these headphones have an integrated Xbox Wireless design, ensuring low latency while eliminating the use of a dongle or transmitter. They also have a companion app within the Microsoft store, and you can fine-tune their sound to your liking through your console. Their default sound profile is uneven, though. They deliver a lot of extra boom, which can help emphasize action-packed scenes, but this added bass also muddies dialogue and instruments. Their mic delivers excellent recording quality, so your voice is clear to teammates and enemies alike. It can also separate your voice from background noise well.

These well-built over-ears are comfortable enough for long gaming marathons and last over 19 hours continuously. If you don't want to stress about battery life, it's worth checking out the HyperX Cloud Alpha S instead. These are wired headphones that are more comfortable. They also have a bass slider on each ear cup, so you can easily adjust the bass to suit your tastes. However, their mic has a worse recording quality.

If you're looking for something more budget-friendly for your Xbox, the best headset for Xbox Series S or X we've tested is the Logitech G432. Unlike the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless, these gaming headphones are designed with PCs in mind, meaning their customization features aren't available on Xbox. However, if you're okay with that, their wired design ensures a virtually latency-free gaming experience on Xbox.

They have a fairly balanced sound with punchy bass. Their flat mid-range also helps ensure dialogue and instruments reproduce clearly and accurately. However, they're somewhat prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to ensure a good fit when you use them. Their boom mic offers excellent overall performance, meaning teammates will have no problem understanding you well.

At this price point, headphones tend to have simple controls, and these comfortable over-ears only have a volume wheel and mic mute when you flip the mic upwards. Their build also feels plasticky and cheap compared to other options. If you want something sturdier, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 instead. They have a significantly more robust build, but their sound profile isn't as neutral, and they're even more prone to inconsistencies in bass and treble delivery.

If you prefer open-backs for gaming, you'll want to check out the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X, the best Xbox Series X headset with an open-back design we've tested. This enclosure allows audio to leave the ear cups and interact with your environment, creating a more spacious, open, and immersive soundstage than similarly priced closed-back headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X. At the same time, they may not be the best choice if you share your space with others since they leak a lot of audio by design and won't block out any background noise. Consider these if you have a quiet, dedicated space for gaming.

These headphones have a very comfortable fit and can last through long gaming marathons. Their boom mic also captures your voice, even in moderately noisy environments, so your teammates and enemies hear you clearly. Since they're open-back, they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low bass, but their sound has extra boom to help emphasize sound effects like footsteps in your gameplay. Unfortunately, they lack customization features to help you tweak them to suit your preferences.

If you're looking for a pair of gamer-centric open-backs but prefer to play wirelessly, try the Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless. The Turtle Beach have a similarly spacious soundstage to the Drop + Sennheiser along with a great microphone, but their default sound isn't as balanced, and they're not quite as comfortable.