The best Xbox Series X headsets need to do more than deliver exceptional sound quality. It's one thing to be able to enjoy the rich soundscapes of your favorite video games, but what if you plan to play online or want to leave the hooks of wired headphones behind? With that in mind, it's a good idea to make a list of non-negotiables that your potential new headphones should include. Do you prefer open or closed headphones? Is communication important or do you only care about sound quality? Are you ready to go wireless or will a pair of cables do the job? The best Xbox Series X headset often comes down to a combination of personal preference and features, but we've rounded up a selection that should check most of the boxes, and perhaps most importantly, fit any budget. If you're still using your TV's built-in speaker, now is the time to invest in a good quality headset, especially if you're someone who's a competitive online gamer. You won't stand a chance against users who wear hearing aids that can help you pinpoint your every move. It's important to remember that each headset in the list below will work on Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X. Microsoft's commitment to ensuring that Xbox accessories are backwards and forwards compatible means that the best Xbox headsets Series X will work. also. on the latest generation machines from Microsoft. Some of the headphones listed will also work on Windows 10 PCs or mobiles, which means you'll get even more for your money. Whether you're looking for something on a budget or something that surprises you (in a good way), don't worry, we're here to help you make the right choice. Check out our pick of the best Xbox Series X headsets for 2021 below.
Xbox Wireless Headset
The new standard to beat
Reasons to Buy + Phenomenal Sound + Incredible Value + Loads of Features Reasons to Avoid -Weak microphone monitoring Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset almost defies belief at times. The official headset offers exceptional sound quality, a direct wireless connection to the console, Bluetooth and high quality of life features at a truly competitive price. We were very impressed with the Xbox Wireless Headset, which offers a nice high-end look not often found in this price range. It can also be fully customized to your listening preferences using the Xbox Accessories app. Not only can you try different equalizers, but you can also adjust them to get the sound you want. The Xbox Wireless Headset also uses smart features often reserved for high-end headsets, like auto-mute, which isolates background noise when you're not speaking, and microphone monitoring. We especially liked the microphone mute light that lets you know if the microphone is active. The extra keys, like hearing the familiar Xbox sounds that help indicate when the headset is on or off, only serve to make the Xbox Wireless Headset feel like a true extension of the console. However, you can also use it on a Windows 10 PC via Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless Adapter and listen to another device at the same time. In all honesty, aside from the slightly weak microphone monitoring (which we hope can be improved via a future update), the Xbox Wireless Headset ticks so many boxes that it would be hard to justify a more expensive headset. Read the full Xbox Wireless Headset reviewFnatic React Plus
The competitive advantage you were looking for
Reasons To Buy + Accurate Sound Accuracy + Super Mic Reasons To Avoid -Some Build Quality Issues If you are a gamer who is serious about your death rate and mainly plays competitive online games, then Fnatic React Plus should be a part of your arsenal. Not only does the Fnatic React Plus deliver crystal-clear sound specially designed to help you pinpoint your enemies - the 53mm drivers are calibrated to prevent low frequencies from dominating the mids/highs - it also comes with a great microphone, making means that your team will never be. miss one of your crucial mid-game calls. We're not exaggerating when we say you'll perform better in your favorite competitive online multiplayer games with these headsets, but we did have some qualms when it came to comfort and build quality. Still, if we had to pick a pair of headphones exclusively for playing multiplayer games, the Fnatic React Plus would be it. Read the full Fnatic React Plus reviewTurtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
An affordable gaming headset designed for Xbox consoles
Reasons To Buy + Pairs Directly With Xbox Consoles + Mic Monitoring + Windows Sonic Spatial Audio Reasons To Avoid - Occasional Spotty Connection - A Little Too Tight While there are more high-end gaming headsets available for Xbox gamers these days One and Xbox Series X/S, Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 Gen 2 offers exceptional value, thanks to its excellent sound quality and robust features. Conveniently, Turtle Beach offers a Stealth 600 Gen 2 model designed specifically for Xbox consoles, meaning users can pair the gaming headset directly to their Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S without the need for a dongle.Optical connection or USB - It's as easy as pairing a controller. From an audio standpoint, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 delivers vibrant spatial sound (the headphones worked well with Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos for Headphones) with decent depth. That's because of their powerful 50mm drivers, which deliver exceptional bass and clarity, depending on your audio preferences. A mode button allows users to toggle between four equalizer settings: Signature Sound, Bass Boost, Bass + Treble Boost, and Vocal Boost. Additionally, a quick press of the power button will activate Superhuman Hearing mode, which amplifies subtle sounds like footsteps and weapon reloads to give players a tactical advantage. You also get a flip-up mic that mutes when flipped up, separate volume controls for chatting and gaming, and the much-loved inclusion of mic monitoring, which lets you hear your own voice while you chat. However, it hasn't always been easy: we experienced a spotty connection on several occasions during online matches in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, with a dotted sound resembling Morse code. That being said, this hasn't happened often enough to be a real cause for concern. It's also worth noting that the earcups have a somewhat cheap plastic feel to them and sit quite snug on the head and around the ears, resulting in some discomfort during long gaming sessions. With that said, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Gaming Kit headset is a great all-rounder for those who want to stay on top of their finances. Read the full Turtle Beach Stealth 600P Gen 2 reviewSteelseries Arctis 9x
Pristine Arctis Audio for Team Green
Reasons to Buy + Comfortable + Durable + Flat but Detailed EQ Response Reasons to Avoid -Limited Windows Support One of the "cool" little quirks of the Xbox Series X is its own wireless sound system, which requires headphones to make extra effort for the interface. This means that it was historically hard to get Steelseries' higher-end Arctis models to play ball here, but with the 9x anything goes. The first clue here is that green colorway: it's structurally very similar to the Arctis 7 and Arctis Pro models available for PC and PS4, but with the required compatibility with the Xbox Series X hard-coded. Being essentially the same shell, this means that the headband on the ski goggles is just as comfortable as on other models, and the layout of the controls remains almost seamless. Chat mix and volume knobs, mic mute all located on the back of the headset. Simplicity in itself. What you will always hear about Arctis cans is that they sound more ``flatter'' than the rest. This is a reference to its flat EQ response (imagine a straight line through an EQ) rather than any notion that the sound will flatten you. It's vivid and detailed, like affordable audiophile gear; it just doesn't drown out the bass like many PC gamers feel they should. The only point in the salve is that it is quite difficult to get them to work properly with Windows. You rely solely on Bluetooth connectivity in the Mr. Gates ecosystem, which means dropouts and connection issues are a bit more common. This is the case of the fans of the Xbox. Read the full Sennheiser Arctis 9X reviewAstro A50
The long-time king of high-end Xbox cans
Reasons to buy + Has the looks + Thinnest mount for this generation + Unmatched sound and comfort Reasons to avoid -This price, obviously -Charging could be faster -No-frills software COD and Astro headsets. Since the early days of Xbox, the two have gone hand-in-hand like teenage lovers, jumping into suction-buy territory together for those of us not comfortable with a drop. €250+ on a helmet. And as the gen 4 version of the A50 comes out, well, that's changing too. It's still incredibly comfortable, right out of the box and for long sessions. It still looks like a ribbon from a high-end surround speaker system in your head (don't beat it until you've tried it). And you'll always note everything in your checking account. But the A50 is doing enough to keep its crown. The Wireless Dock Stand has been reduced to a slimmer profile that takes up less space on your desk or TV stand, while retaining LED functionality to let you know volume and charge levels, if and when surround sound is on. Xbox or PC mode is selected. A PS4-compatible version is also available, if the space under your TV is platform-independent. While wireless charging seems to take a bit longer than traditional USB charging, we think the sound and comfort here make that little grunt almost questionable. It's a perfectly balanced, weighted, padded design that hugs the head and never gets heavy. As for the sound, clear, crisp, guttural in the bass, a paradise for games and equally suitable for music and movies. The Command Center app that comes with these cans isn't quite as fancy as the hardware, but you really won't have to play much to get the most out of it. Read the full review of the Astro A50 gaming headset Roundup of the best deals of the day