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The best Xbox headsets
Microsoft’s Xbox Headset is one of the few options that can wirelessly connect to Xbox consoles directly without needing a dongle. This refreshed model offers longer battery life and an improved microphone compared to the older option.
What we like
- Direct Xbox wireless connection without dongle
- Supports Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz connections
- Includes Dolby Atmos capabilities without extra fee
What we don’t like
- No extra features like ANC
- Lacks cross-platform wireless support for PlayStation
Microsoft's official headset is a great all-around option for Xbox owners. It's one of the few headsets that can wirelessly connect to Xbox systems directly without using a USB dongle. It also supports a simultaneous Bluetooth connection and costs just over $100, giving it tremendous value.
The latest official Xbox headset was released in 2024 and serves as a slightly refreshed version of the now-discontinued model from 2021. The new headset is very similar but offers a longer 20-hour battery, an improved microphone with auto-mute and voice isolation, Bluetooth 5.3 support, and a complementary Dolby Atmos license. It also has an all-black design without the green accents featured on the older model's earcups.
Rather than having a retractable or swivel microphone, the Xbox Wireless Headset uses a flexible mic arm that can be wrapped around the left ear cup when not in use. This hides it from view in a way that's comparable to a retractable microphone and more satisfying than a swivel.
Instead of standard onboard controls, the ear cups of the Xbox Wireless Headset work as dials to control volume and balance game sound with chat audio. The headset's build quality isn't particularly impressive with its faux leather ear cups, but it's durable enough to last through regular play sessions without fear of it breaking.
Ultimately, price and convenience really help this model earn the top spot here. Pairing the headset wirelessly with an Xbox console without having to worry about a dongle is a fantastic feature, and it's a perk that all of our other picks lack. The addition of Bluetooth is also a great bonus for users who want to connect to a phone.
There are more expensive headsets with additional features and design perks, but the official Xbox Wireless Headset is our top pick for the money.
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a high-end gaming headset with multi-platform support, a wireless control hub, active noise cancellation, and leatherette ear cushions.
What we like
- Active noise cancellation
- Wireless support for all major consoles
- Control hub with OLED screen
- Retractable mic
What we don’t like
- Battery packs must be swapped
- Expensive
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is our favorite premium Xbox headset thanks to features like active noise cancellation (ANC), simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, cross-platform support, swappable batteries, and a handy wireless transmitter hub with an OLED screen.
The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless requires a USB cable to connect its 2.4GHz transmitter to an Xbox console, so it's not an entirely wireless solution like some other Xbox headsets, but the transmitter is well worth the extra wire. It serves as a base station for the headset with a range of controls, allowing you to adjust volume, EQ profiles, noise cancellation, and more.
The headset lasts about 15 to 20 hours on a single charge but comes with two batteries that can be swapped in seconds. The backup battery is stored inside the wireless transmitter for regular charging, so as long as the transmitter stays connected, you should have a charged battery ready to go.
In terms of fit, the Arctis Nova Pro is generally comfortable and appropriately sturdy for an expensive headset. We also prefer its retractable microphone over other headsets that use removable boom mics. Audio performance is also great with support for Microsoft's 3D audio tech called Windows Sonic. Nova Pro's ANC does a good job eliminating background noise, and the headset has an overall balanced sound profile.
SteelSeries sells different versions of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless branded specifically for Xbox or PlayStation consoles. However, the Xbox edition also works wirelessly with PlayStation and Switch systems, so we recommend grabbing that model to get full multi-platform capabilities.
Read our SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset review.
Visit our guides to all the best gaming headsets and best noise-canceling headphones.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X shares many features with the more expensive Nova Pro, like a noise-canceling microphone and wireless cross-platform support, while maintaining a midrange price.
What we like
- Retractable microphone
- Simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections
- Multi-platform wireless support with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC
- Still allows for wired connection via 3.5mm if needed
What we don’t like
- No active noise cancelation
- Doesn't include the Nova Pro's wireless base station
- USB-C dongle also blocks the USB-A port on the front of the PS5
- Design is a bit boring compared to flashier headsets
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is a great wireless gaming headset with separate models designed for Xbox and PlayStation. However, the Xbox version, which we're recommending here, also works wirelessly with PlayStation and Switch.
The Arctis Nova 7X has a nearly identical build to the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, including a retractable microphone and the same customizable ear plates. However, the ear cushions use mesh fabric instead of leatherette. The more affordable Nova 7X remains durable enough for long use and offers a straightforward design with standard onboard controls.
The headset comes with a USB-C dongle, but Xbox consoles don't have USB-C ports, so you'll need to use the included USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect the dongle. The headset also supports Bluetooth and simultaneous playback with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio.
The battery life lasts 35 to 40 hours on a single charge, which is above average for wireless headsets, though some models can last more than 70 hours.
In terms of playback, the Nova 7X does a great job isolating sound and handling spatial audio formats, but it lacks the active noise-canceling feature provided by the Nova Pro Wireless. The other main Nova Pro feature missing from this model is the wireless base station. We find the Pro model's OLED base station to be very handy for monitoring and adjusting settings, but the Nova 7X offers a cheaper alternative for buyers who don't care about this feature.
With a wide range of colors to choose from and a simple wired design, the budget-friendly Turtle Beach Recon 70 is great for casual gamers and kids.
What we like
- On-ear volume control
- Flip-to mute mic
- Budget friendly price
What we don’t like
- Plastic headband feels delicate
- Wired connection only
You can connect any 3.5mm wired headphones to an Xbox via the console's controller, but we recommend buying a dedicated wired gaming headset, like the Turtle Beach Recon 70, for a broader soundscape and handy onboard controls.
The Recon 70 is Turtle Beach's most basic headset. It features a standard 3.5mm wire and no USB connection option. There's a simple dial to control the volume, and the microphone automatically mutes itself when swiveled away from your face.
Sound quality is decent overall; the full over-ear fit is better than regular earbuds for trapping sound, but the bass levels definitely fall behind some of our more expensive picks. That said, you can still adjust the Xbox's internal EQ to customize the sound while you play.
The Recon 70 is designed with style in mind, offering eight different color choices that drastically change the headset's plastic exterior and headband. While the plastic feels durable against drops and everyday accidents, it does feel like the Recon 70 is much more prone to snap than other headsets with metal headbands.
Still, with a price tag under $40, the Recon 70 is a great choice for kids or other gamers who are just getting started using a headset.
To find the best Xbox headsets, we review all of our contenders in key performance areas, including audio performance, build quality, features and connectivity, and value. Here's how each category is tested.
Audio performance: This is one of the most important performance categories to evaluate when choosing the best Xbox headset. We test both playback and microphone quality with a separate series of tests. We use a wide selection of Xbox games to test sound quality, including Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, Madden 24, and Hi-Fi Rush. Spatial surround sound features are tested using these games as well. A set playlist of music and movies is also used to judge sound quality outside gaming. Microphones are tested using in-game voice chat and third-party recordings from apps like Discord and Zoom. Recordings of voice chat are used to determine how well the microphone filters out background noise and how accurate the overall sound is.
Build quality: In our guides, build quality focuses on the materials used in the design and whether the headset feels sturdy enough to last years of gaming. Other factors are also considered, like whether the headset is easy to store and offers alternate colors or design options.
Features and connectivity: Connectivity is key for Xbox headsets because Microsoft uses a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless signal for its consoles. While all of our best Xbox headset picks are designed for use with Xbox consoles, we measure variables like the overall range, potential audio delay, how long it takes a headset to connect, and whether it requires a USB dongle. We also explore any extra features and software required to use the headset. Cross-platform features like simultaneous Bluetooth connection will also boost a headset's score in this category.
Value: Some of the best Xbox headsets can cost more than $300, but we know not every gamer has that large of a budget. We judge the value of each headset by comparing its overall performance and available features versus the price; headsets with competitive pricing will ultimately provide more value. For example, one of the reasons we chose the official Xbox Wireless Headset as our top pick is because it offers simultaneous Bluetooth support for around $100, while other headsets in the same price range offer less impactful features.
Do wireless gaming headsets have disadvantages compared to wired headsets?
Wireless headsets are more convenient than wired headsets, but competitive gamers may prefer a wired headset to avoid connection problems or audio delay. However, for most players, the potential audio delay caused by a 2.4GHz wireless headset connection won't impact gameplay.
What's the difference between Bluetooth and Xbox's 2.4GHz wireless?
Xbox uses a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless signal for headsets and controllers rather than Bluetooth. Using 2.4GHz wireless provides better sound quality, less audio delay, and a wider wireless range compared to Bluetooth.
Bluetooth is still compatible with more devices, though, so many of the best Xbox headsets have incorporated multi-source wireless that lets you use 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously. So even though Xbox Series consoles don't support Bluetooth audio connections, some newer headsets still offer Bluetooth to connect to your phone or other devices.
Why can't I use my wireless Xbox headset on other consoles?
Microsoft uses a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless signal that must be licensed for use; it makes most wireless Xbox-specific headsets, like Microsoft's official model, Xbox exclusive. On the other end of the spectrum, PlayStation-specific wireless headsets will also work with Nintendo Switch and PC but not with Xbox consoles.
However, some wireless headsets include full multi-platform support, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro and Nova Pro 7x that we recommend in this guide. But even headsets with cross-platform support must be manually swapped between Xbox and PlayStation modes to work since they use different wireless signals. In contrast, PlayStation headsets can work with Switch consoles without any additional effort.
How do Xbox headsets handle surround sound?
Xbox consoles can use multiple spatial surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Microsoft's Windows Sonic. With each, the Xbox handles surround sound at a software level regardless of what headset or headphones you choose to use.
Spatial audio separates sound into different audio objects, giving in-game noises a specific sense of direction. Sounds like footsteps and gunshots will resonate based on their distance and location, and the player can hear noises from above and below as well.
Xbox surround sound is available with both wired and wireless connections. In the past, gaming headsets used hardware solutions to separate sound channels, but that's no longer necessary.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.