Best Gaming Headsets for Xbox Series X

Best: SteelSeries Arctis 9X

SteelSeries Arctis 9X rates the highest among these quality Xbox headsets. This headset combines a comfortable design with a long battery life for an audio experience that can last all night long. The SteelSeries Arctis 9X takes advantage of the technology inherent in the Xbox ecosystem but is also versatile enough to work on other platforms.

Runner Up: HyperX CloudX Flight

The HyperX Cloud series of headsets has long been synonymous with PC gaming. The CloudX Fight model is a good headset that is specially made for the Xbox platform. Ultimately its strong Xbox functionality was offset by the premium price and limited extended feature set.

Budget Pick: Razer Kraken

While the Razer Kraken is targeted towards gamers on a budget, it stands side-by-side with other more expensive gaming headsets featured in this guide. The Razer Kraken has great sound quality and surprisingly consistent performance. The sound quality may be a bit inferior when directly compared with the premium headsets, but that difference will only be noticeable if you are an audiophile. For many gamers, that sound quality difference won’t be worth the added price tag of other headsets.

Buyer’s Guide for Xbox Gaming Headsets

Picking a gaming headset for the Xbox ecosystem is a different beast compared to just looking for a good set of cans. You have to make sure that the headset you are going to choose is compatible with Xbox, has high sound quality, and is comfortable on your head.

Audio Quality

Ideally gamers want to have headphones that deliver the sound in digital audio. Having quality drivers and audio options like 7.1 virtual surround sound makes for more dynamic headphones that deliver a fuller experience. The Xbox Series X has unique Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Atmos provides Object Audio to deliver a more accurate sound experience to gamers. It works by mixing in overhead audio channels.

Comfort Level

Some gaming headsets have gotten so large, clunky, and feature heavy that they leave comfort behind. That is a big mistake for gamers who want to play late into the night. A clunky pair of headphones can also take you out of the game by being distracting. Similarly, a big part of what makes a headphone comfortable is how it connects to the Xbox.

Xbox Compatibility

Gamers should be sure that the headphones they buy are compatible with xBox so that it will take advantage of all technology present on the Xbox platform. Otherwise, you are just throwing money away since most, if not all, gaming headsets are pricier than the non-gaming ones. Also, the Xbox consoles are arguably the most technologically advanced compared to the other gaming console manufacturers as to their connectivity and compatibility given that Microsoft also puts out their games on the PC and mobile platforms through streaming. With this in mind, a great headset for the Xbox will almost always be also great to use in other machines.

When looking for gaming headsets for the Xbox, buyers must take into account the manufacturer’s dedication to maintaining the software of the headset. As already mentioned, the Xbox is at the forefront of bleeding-edge technology. Hence, there is a need for the manufacturer to watch out for the upcoming feature set in the consoles and then catching up with the software update.

Battery Life

In gaming headsets, maintaining connectivity is a big deal and battery life is a must. Fortunately, wireless headsets have advanced in this regard and tend to exhibit surprisingly strong battery life. All of the headsets on this list give gamers lots of sound from just a single charge or a few batteries.

Best Xbox Series X Headsets Ratings and Reviews

Now let’s take a look at some of the top headsets for chat and game audio on the Xbox Series X.

1. Xbox One Chat Headset – Crisp Chat

Key Features at a Glance

• Inexpensive
• No batteries required
• Reliable compatibility across Xbox family of consoles
• Lightweight

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight:  8.1 ounces
• Dimensions (in inches): 7.13 x 6.89 x 2.8 inches
• Battery: N/A, Wired
• Colors: Black

The Details

The official Xbox One Chat Headset is basic and focused exclusively on chat. Unlike the PS5 headset there is nothing groundbreaking about it in any way, but you can be sure that it will work with any of the Xbox consoles. It is also very light and portable to carry around if you travel. The construction and materials used in this headset reflect its cheap price though. Since this headset plugs directly into the Xbox controller there are no batteries required to operate it. The mic has a mute button and a volume control button to help gamers control the action.

This headset is a good option for gamers that want to push the sound through their stereo system and only use the headset for chat. Since it is low profile and only covers one ear, gamers can use this chat headset alongside booming stereo speakers when gaming. The headset does deliver the chat in clear, digital-audio.

The Bottom Line

The official Xbox One Chat headset is light both in features and weight. For students who are tight on budget, this is an option since it will work with Xbox without hiccups while providing passable audio quality.

2. SteelSeries Arctis 9X – Best Balance

Key Features at a Glance

• Simultaneous connectivity via Bluetooth
• 20 hr battery life
• Durable
• Comfortable

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight: 1.2 Pounds
• Dimensions (in inches): 8.07 x 8.26 x 3.62 inches
• Battery: 2 AAA batteries required
• Color: Black

The Details

Admittedly, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X doesn’t quite match the Astro A50 below in terms of pure sound quality, but it does have one game-changing feature: Bluetooth support. This headset allows you to simultaneously combine a signal from your Xbox One and a Bluetooth gadget be it your phone or PC, allowing you to take calls while gaming on your Xbox.

This is a nice choice for those who want to be able to use their headset on several platforms. It is worth repeating that for lots of gamers the connectivity features are more important than the pure sound quality. This headset may not be the best in terms of sound quality but it is more than adequate, especially in this price range.

The Steelseries Arctis 9X combines all the necessary features you need for a gaming headset: quality, comfort, and support from its manufacturer. It does support the native 3D spatial audio included on the Xbox Series X.

The Bottom Line

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X has solid build quality even surpassing headsets that are much expensive. While other headsets chase the best audio while sacrificing something else, the Arctic 9X has everything else without sacrificing much sound quality.

3. HyperX CloudX Flight Gaming Headset – Comfortable Ear Cups 

Key Features at a Glance

• Comfortable and durable
• Detachable microphone
• Gamer aesthetics
• Long battery life

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight: 0.65 Pounds
• Dimensions (in inches): 7.48 x 3.46 x 7.38 inches
• Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included)
• Color: Black

The Details

The HyperX CloudX Flight has all the good things gamers want: sound quality, comfort, wireless connectivity, and great materials. It is also an official Xbox licensed product so it has interconnectivity goodies that the platform offers in terms of headset features. The wireless capabilities are administered through a USB adapter that is included with the headset.

HyperX products are a solid staple in the gaming community. The CloudX Flight retains all of the good things that gamers love about the brand like a wireless 2.4gh connection and then adds some Xbox dedicated features. Comfort comes from memory foam ear cups with 90 degree rotation. Those who had experience with HyperX’s products before and looking for a quality headset for their Xbox should expect the same experience.

The Bottom Line

The CloudX Flight delivers a quality audio experience in a small profile that is surprisingly light. It has integrated xbox capabilities and comfortable ear cups. Ultimately the only place it doesn’t deliver is cost where the premium price holds it back. Smart gamers can watch to find it on sale.

4. Razer Kraken – Colorful Choices

Key Features at a Glance

• Unbelievably comfortable
• Value for the money
• Comes in a multitude of attractive colors

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight: 0.7125 Pounds
• Dimensions (in inches): 3.46 x 19.37 x 8.27 inches
• Battery: N/A, Wired
• Colors: Black, Pink, Green, White

The Details

The Razer Kraken is a wired headphone that is versatile in a specific area: it serves every gamer with different tastes with its myriad of color options. Those who want cutesy headsets can choose the Quartz Pink option. Gamers who prefer their peripherals in white have the option to choose the Mercury White color scheme. The Razer Kraken also has the Stormtrooper version for Star Wars fans. There is something for everyone in terms of design.

Great selection of colors aside, the Razer Kraken is a strong headset at a great price. The only feature you are going to lose compared to the other options is wireless connectivity. In fact, this might be the better option for some gamers due to the latency of wireless options. The sound quality is superb, as is its construction and materials. The headset has a noise isolating microphone that can retract for convenience.

The Bottom Line

The Razer Kraken is cheap only in price. It is extremely comfortable to use with great sound quality. Razer did not skimp in making this headset and gamers can use it comfortably all night long.

5. ASTRO Gaming A50 Wireless + Base Station – Premium Performance

Key Features at a Glance

• Comes with a charging station
• Great Sound
• Best feature set

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight: 1.49 Pounds
• Dimensions (in inches): 7.28 x 3.48 x 7.17 inches
• Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required (included)
• Color: Black

The Details

The Astro A50 is a favorite headset of gamers because of its svelte look, quality materials, and strong sound experience. This headset is also a great option for gamers that want a magnetic charging dock. The magnetic dock will ensure that the headset remains charged when not in use, removing entirely the frustration in looking for batteries when the juice is empty. The Astro A50 also lets you blend audio from a SPDIF sound source, such as a TV or an Xbox One, with USB audio from a PC. This is a fantastic choice for streamers and content creators.

Sound on this headset is next generation with support for the Xbox Series X unique Dolby Atmos sound and Object audio. The headset also does a great job balancing the sound and letting gamers control the game chat and the audio settings.

The Bottom Line

The Astro A50 has all the features going including the best soundscape of all the recommended headset. However, not many gamers are currently taking advantage of this next generation audio so the sound quality by itself is not worth the extra price. For those who have money to burn, this is the best headset on this list to splurge on. Everyone else looking for the best bang for the buck gaming headset, should take a strong look at other options like the Arctis 9X.

6. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Premium Wireless Gaming Headset – Solid Sound

Key Features at a Glance

• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Great sound quality
• Great construction
• Audio presets

Dimensions and Specs

• Weight: 1.73 Pounds
• Dimensions (in inches): 8.54 x 4.45 x 9.57 inches
• Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required (included)
• Colors: White, Black

The Details

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 sounds a lot better than the original headset, and it has a lot of the features you like in a premium console headset. It’s stylish and easy to pair and play with the Xbox or PC. Gamers find that the audio quality is good enough, it has low latency in its wireless connectivity, and it has a great companion app for adjustment with sound and microphone.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 should be the perfect headset except that it is a bit unwieldy and not comfortable for long gaming sessions. The bulky housing and heavy weight hold it back. It does have great sound and a reported 20 hour battery life so it does at least deliver.

The Bottom Line

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is heavy both in features and weight. The former is a good thing, but the latter is not ideal in a gaming environment. If you have a big head or are rocking a gaming chair with a strong headrest this might not bother you.

Conclusion

Outright compatibility is the best quality of a gaming headset. If a headset needs further tinkering and complex setups, gamers might as well buy an audiophile headset instead of a gaming headset. Ease of use is another primary consideration in choosing a gaming headset, especially for the Xbox. When a gaming headset has more features it tends to also be heavier thus compromising comfort. The key is to find the balance between the features that you need and what the headset offers since you will have to pay for those features. If you are not going to use them anyway, choose the simpler headset for maximum comfort.