The best Xbox One headsets for 2022
Upgrading to one of the best Xbox One headsets in 2022 is an ironclad way to further immerse yourself in your favorite worlds, stories, and in-game moments. And quite possibly, to gain an advantage.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the best Xbox One headsets are on their way out. But, no, Xbox One headsets are here to stay - and some remain as good as the very best gaming headsets. Their staying power comes from their high-quality offerings, forward compatibility with the new consoles, and the fact that the player base for the Xbox One is still enormous with folks enjoying a larger-than-ever game library.
We test a range of headsets and our picks of the best Xbox One headsets always have to conform to a few criteria. The audio quality has to be of a very good standard, even if the connection is just an ordinary 3.5mm audio jack. Then they have to be comfortable enough to leave you ache-free after those longer gaming sessions. We also make sure that the headset's microphone is clear and user-friendly. Beyond those functional categories, of course, the price has to be right. While some headsets may provide excellent sound, the price tags on these can spiral, so value for money is critical.
With the Xbox Series generation nearly a year old already, it's worth mentioning that some Xbox One headsets will be great for the new-gen console, and some won't be. Generally, it's all been pretty smooth sailing in terms of forward (and backward) headset compatibility, but, to be sure it's still quite a wise move to keep a close eye on the best Xbox Series X headsets and the lineup of Xbox Series X wireless headsets to see whether your next set can cover you for both generations.
The best Xbox One headsets for 2022
1. Steelseries Arctis 9X
The best Xbox One headset in 2022
Acoustic design: Closed Back | Cable length: 4.3ft / 1.3m | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 13 oz | Compatibility: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch, Mac, Mobile
Wireless for Xbox One
Superb sound with 3D spacial on Xbox
Excellent battery life
It's expensive
'Only' 40mm drivers
The Steelseries Arctis 9X is very much the Xbox One headset of the moment. Specially engineered to work wirelessly with the console, it provides a near-perfect connection, combined with a rich audio experience, and impressive battery life. It's a great package for anyone serious about sound and getting the most out of their Xbox games. While the headset comes with 40mm drivers, which are smaller than many similarly priced competitors, they're well-tuned and deliver audio that punches well above its weight while retaining a nice clarity and richness.
The trademark SteelSeries 'headband' design offers good comfort levels too, meaning you can play for hours without really noticing that you're wearing the headset, which clocks in at a respectable 13oz / 368g. The mic is clear, comes with decent noise-canceling, and is retractable for when you're not using it. While you never completely remove the mic, it's hidden enough for you to use this headset as an everyday pair of cans, connecting to phones and tablets via a Bluetooth connection. That's a real bonus. You can even plug in via the 3.5mm connection if you want to connect to other consoles or devices, although you lose a number of features like 3D Spatial Sound here.
It's a superb all-rounder, but one that plays so very nicely with the Xbox One. If you want to seriously invest in a headset that does everything you need for gaming and beyond, the Steelseries Arctis 9X is well worth a look. It's also compatible with Xbox Series X|S which is awesome.
Note: While SteelSeries has released new lines for this generation of console and gaming in the form of the Nova headsets, the 9X still holds up excellently. The new headsets may even drive the price of this one down too which will make it even better.
Read more: SteelSeries Arctis 9X review
2. Corsair HS35
The best Xbox One headset for under $50/£50
Acoustic design: Closed Back | Cable length: 6ft / 1.8m | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 8.8 oz | Compatibility: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, Mobile
Excellent value for money
Decent sound
Nice and clear mic
Lacks features and extras
Only stereo sound
Sometimes you want a cheaper headset. But just because you're saving money, you shouldn't have to put up with poor audio, terrible design, and lousy build quality. The Corsair HS35 is the headset for anyone looking to save money and still get a decent pair of cans for their Xbox One. This is a thoughtfully designed piece of kit, available in Xbox green, obviously, with a sturdy yet comfortable build and some impressive audio qualities.
Thanks to memory foam ear-cups and a comfy headband, the Corsair HS35 is still snug without being uncomfortable after several hours of play, and it's tough enough to withstand being pulled on and off your head without too much care. The audio won't win awards, but it's on a par with most mid-range headsets, and manages some snappy treble (even if the bass can't match the likes of the Razer Kraken TE). The mic is clear and detachable, and there's a color-coded cable that plugs into any 3.5mm connection making it compatible with XSX|S too. Simple, easy, and very affordable.
Read more: Corsair HS35 review
3. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
The best value wireless Xbox One headset
Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm Nanoclear | Weight: 382g | Compatibility: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Doubles battery life from the previous generation
Incredibly comfortable
Great microphone accuracy
Might be a tight fit for some
The second generation of Turtle Beach Stealth 700's comes with some serious upgrades from the previous generation, and for only $50 more than the Stealth 600 Gen 2, it's a serious contender for your next gaming headset.
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 has gotten a design upgrade from the original headset, with a slightly toned-down look (no more bright green on the Xbox version) and a flip-to-mute mic that folds neatly into the earcup. The control buttons have also been reorganized and moved to just one earcup. The buttons are nicely sized and well-spaced out, but if you're used to the Gen 1 Stealth 700s, you might need some time to get adjusted to them.
The Stealth 700 Gen 2 is leagues more comfortable than the Stealth 600 Gen 2, which is saying something as I found the latter fit my glasses-wearing head quite well, but had ear cups that began to pinch after a few hours of gaming. The supple memory foam cushions with Aerofit cooling gel on the Stealth 700 Gen 2 is incredibly comfortable and lets you wear this headset with ease for hours upon hours of gaming.
And these headphones sound great, with large drivers that give you some great all-around sound, and the ability to fine-tune the audio to your liking with the Audio Hub. Turn on Superhuman Hearing mode to get the upperhand in online shooters, or enable the bass boost for some serious rumble during a heart-pumping campaign mission. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a great headset for the price point - and will have you covered for new-gen gaming on the XBox Series X|S too.
Read more: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 review
4. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
The official headset for Series X is a fabulous choice for Xbox One
Acoustic design: Closed back | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 40mm | Weight: 312g | Comaptibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Great bass and surround sound
Great price
Clear mic for mutiplayer
Mic monitoring could be better
Might be too small for larger heads
The official venture into Xbox One headsets from Microsoft comes in the form of the Xbox Wireless Headset. While really targeted at the Xbox Series X and to be a companion to that latest console, it works beautifully with Xbox One.
The first big wallop of excellence comes in the unavoidably good-value price tag: at just $99/£89, it is way cheaper than rival headsets that are of the same weight category, quality-wise. And it is quality in almost every way: it's extremely comfortable, it has excellent audio performance with a clear audio soundscape, it features incredibly powerful bass, and the surround sound is solid too. A true highlight is the mic quality: this is tremendous, and it's designed well as it can be tucked away neatly when not in use. The wireless Bluetooth connection is one of the best we've tested on the Xbox Series X too. If you like your accessories officials and maybe find yourself in a situation of getting your new-gen console-setup in order before you find that elusive Xbox Series X stock, then this is the headset to span the generational gap.
Read more: Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
5. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
The best wired Xbox One headset
Acoustic Design: Closed back, over ear | Cable length: 2.7m/8.8ft | Drivers: 40mm Neodymium | Weight: 450g/1.01lb | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch
Outstanding audio quality
DAC allows for considerable EQ customisation
Comfortable
Also works with PC and PlayStation
Mic is not retract-to-mute
Questionable earphone cup material longevity
Expensive compared to other wired set
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox is easily one of the best wired Xbox One headsets going, and one of the best wired sets overall that we’ve ever used.
The lightweight design keeps the size and weight down, making it comfortable to wear but still feeling like there’s some sturdiness to it so I don’t have to worry about the cat or one of the kids accidentally sitting on it.
The Digital-To-Analogue (DAC) unit offers highly customisable EQ adjustment, letting you get the sound just how you like it, and the audio quality in stereo and surround mode is just superb across the board, whether it’s in action-packed action/shooting games, engaging RPGs, thoughtful adventure titles, or enjoying streaming content from the internet.
The icing on the cake is compatibility with other systems including PC and PlayStation 5; you can literally have it plugged into an Xbox and something else at the same time and switch between the two systems without having to take off the headset.
The main drawbacks are the very high price ($279.99/£249.99) which easily makes it one of the most expensive mainstream wired gaming headsets going right now, and the ear cushion material; it’s a form of leatherette - and in our experience with other headsets, that tends to split or degrade after a while, especially in hot conditions or very heavy use. The fact the decent microphone isn’t retract-to-mute is also a missed opportunity, and the need to have a cable running to the DAC and then to the Xbox also means you’ve got something else to potentially get in the way (or trip over) during a gaming session.
Overall though, these aren’t enough to change the fact the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox provides an absolutely amazing audio experience on Xbox. So if you’ve got the budget and don’t mind the wired setup, this represents an outstanding and highly recommended option.
Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox review
6. Turtle Beach Recon 500
A refresh for the model ends in great quality and value for XSX
Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear | Cable length: 1.3m/4ft | Drivers: 60mm Eclipse | Weight: c.600g | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Mobile
THAT excellent sound
No ‘gamer aesthetic’ flare or design quirks
Zero distortion
Nothing special about its construction materials
This is a great contender for best Xbox One headset that will also serve you incredibly well for a new-gen console if you've got one - or are yet to go one. And that's all down to a simple wired connection that the Recon 500 offers - oh, and also the supreme audio quality and excellent value it offers too.
You won’t find lavish gamer-y design flairs or the most premium construction materials on the Recon 500, then, since Turtle Beach’s latest in the long-running line costs less than $100/£100. What you do find, crucially, is sound so good it takes you aback, and offers an Xbox One headset experience that is not hard on the wallet, but offers great bang for buck performance and value.
Wood composite injection technology. 60mm drivers. Dedicated woofers and tweeters per earcup. It doesn’t sound like the recipe for crisp, precise sound, and yet it all comes together in a powerful surge of ultra-responsive bass, detailed high end, and a pleasingly flat EQ curve with just a bit of audible kick further down the spectrum.
So that’s yours. Take it to the bank. But what isn’t coming along for the ride is much in the way of added features - this is a simple wired model (which offers greater flexibility and compatibility, of course) with just a mic mute, detachable mic arm, and volume scroll wheel in the way of physical controls. Not one for perennial tweakers then, but those who enjoy value, simplicity, and fundamentally great audio should scout out this new Recon.
Read more: Turtle Beach Recon 500 review
7. Corsair HS75 XB Wireless
Perfect for multiplayer with great positional audio mic
Acoustic design: Closed Back | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 13.2oz (374g) | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
Excellent mic
Great audio with booming bass
Comes with premium Dolby Atmos app
Quite big
A bit dear
The Corsair HS75 XB Wireless is a 'designed for Xbox' product and doesn't require a dongle to connect to your Xbox. However, unlike some other dongle-free Xbox One headsets, the connection is strong, stable, and reliable. The main actors in the HS7b XB's performance are its booming pair of 50mm drivers. These make the headset excel at the most enthusiastic of battles and chaotic encounters, while another standout feature - the mic - means this is a superb gaming headset for multiplayer. Not only is the mic super clear, but it offers some of the best isolation around, doing a great job at cutting down on background noise around you. Throw in a strong battery life of around 20 hours between charges, and the package soon becomes incredibly compelling.
Fans of premium audio will be pleased to hear that the HS75 XB comes with free access to the Dolby Atmos app on Xbox (usually $15/£15), complete with audio presets for gaming, movies, and music, and access to equalizer settings. These options are particularly handy, offering general flexibility, but also the chance to reign in the treble which can sometimes be a bit piercing. Not many games support full-on Dolby Atmos audio yet, but the app's settings are worth experimenting with for any game, especially as you can switch on some quality positional audio, offering a potential edge in online shooters.
The build and design quality also help to further justify the price of admission, with the brushed metal earcup yokes feeling like they'll protect the headset from any drops - on their sides at least - while looking good too. Leatherette coverings around the headband and cups, along with soft padding, make the HS75 XB a comfortable wear. They do feel quite large though, and even on the smaller band settings it was quite a loose fit, especially over the ears - but then again this helped our ears stay cool.
Read more: Corsair HS75 XB review
8. LucidSound LS50X gaming headset
A quality - but pricey - option for Xbox One in 2022
Acoustic design: Closed-back, over-ear | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 408g / 14.4oz | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Mobile
Sleek, elegant design that's clearly well-made
Dual mics make it multifunctional
EQ make the superior audio even better
Pricey compared to most
Earcups hurt after lengthy game sesh
The LucidSound LS50X gaming headset looks expensive - and it is. The quilted black leatherette headband cushion and black memory foam ear cups stand out against the brushed silver metal of the headset's skeleton. It looks chic and like it costs money, and at $250 it's an incredibly pricy headset.
The audio is the kind of quality you'd expect from such an expensive piece of hardware: 50mm drivers make for an impressive bass and the variety of EQ modes lets you really tune it to your desire. Hearing the footsteps of enemy Spartans in Halo Infinite is easy with the LucidSound LS50X, and the spray of gunfire sounds crisp and sharp.
Connecting the LucidSound LS50X to your Xbox One (or Series X/S) is as easy as plugging in a dongle (although I initially had an issue, I think it was more user error than anything else). The headset controls are a little tough to get used to - most headsets have earcup buttons for audio modes and volume, but the LucidSound LS50X has baked all its controls into the headset design. The low profile controls require you to click in on the center circles in the earcup to change modes or mute, and turn the outer circle of the cups like a dial to adjust volume. At first, I was a bit lost and struggled to adjust the chat volume. Once you get it, however, it's pretty damn cool - especially when you consider that its Bluetooth connectivity means you can use it to pick up phone calls or change Spotify tracks.
Unfortunately, the LucidSound LS50X isn't as comfortable as you'd expect a $250 headset to be for long-term wear, especially if you need to wear glasses as I do. After a five-hour Halo Infinite sesh, the ear cups were pinching the sides of my face where they touched it, and my poor glasses were getting painfully pushed into my temples. The headset is perfectly comfy for an hour or so here and there but was cumbersome beyond that.
Overall the LucidSound LS50X is a solid entry for best Xbox One headset. It is a pretty high-quality, expensive headset that will certainly work for gamers who can stretch the budget.
Read more: LucidSound LS50X review
9. Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2
A great mid-range wireless Xbox One headset
Acoustic design: Closed Back, over ear | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 580g | Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Solid battery life
Comfortable for glasses wearers
Excellent audio and microphone accuracy
Next-gen compatible
Plastic across headband feels cheap
Ear cups started to hurt after long-term wear
The second generation of Turtle Beach Stealth 600's is a great mid-level wireless headset for Xbox One - and a great set to get in for new-gen Xbox consoles and for PC play too.
With nicely-tuned 50mm drivers, a solid-but-unspectacular 15-hour battery life, a comfortable fit - even with glasses - the bang for buck value is strong. Throw in an easy setup process, and a very accessible price tag, and you really are off to a winner. This is certainly a great choice for gaming on a budget, as the sound quality is top-tier and the microphone sensitivity is ideal for those who want to communicate without shouting. However, because of the reasonable price, the headset plastic does feel a bit cheap, especially across the headband and on the ear cups, and unfortunately, the ear cups do get a little uncomfortable in longer gaming sessions.
However, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2's are a good sequel to an affordable wireless headset. It looks pretty good, feels pretty good, and sounds great - a no-brainer if you're looking to get a pair of headphones ahead of the next-gen release that won't bankrupt you. This is definitely one of the best wireless gaming headsets, and certainly of the best Turtle Beach headsets.
Read more: Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 review
Razer Kraken Tournament Edition
Razer Kraken Tournament Edition
Razer Kraken Tournament Edition
10. Razer Kraken Tournament Edition
The best value Xbox One headset
Acoustic design: Semi-open Back | Cable length: 4.3ft / 1.3m | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 12.6oz | Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Mac, Mobile
Great all-rounder
Decent audio through standard connection
Very comfy
Mid-range sound could be clearer
Xbox misses out on some features
We love the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition. For the $80 / £75 price, you get a lot of headset for your money here. The 50mm drivers deliver a clear, loud 5.1 sound that easily matches the quality found in headsets that cost way more than the Tournament Edition. It's one of the best headsets for online play, helping you pick out enemy movements and distant gunfire at a decent range and with great accuracy.
Elsewhere, the Kraken TE is light, comfortable (thanks to cooling tech in the ear-cushions), and sturdy - three things you really need in a mid-priced Xbox One headset. The wired connection comes with an in-line control for volume and mic muting (although this only currently works on PC), and the retractable mic itself is clear without being exceptional. Our previous champion was the Razer Kraken Pro V2, but the TE now offers superior value and audio for roughly the same price (in some cases, you can even find it cheaper), so it replaces the older model. It's one of the most well-rounded and versatile headsets we've tested and represents great value for money. That bold Xbox green coloring is the icing on the cake - and the cherry on top is that it's compatible with the Xbox Series X and S.
Read more: Razer Kraken Tournament Edition review
Best Xbox One headsets 2022 - Best of the rest
11. Razer Kaira Pro
Razer's latest plays nice with Xbox One too
Acoustic design: Closed Back / over ear | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 0.73lbs (330g) | Compatibility: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, mobile
Fantastic surround sound
Adjustable profiles
Game/chat balancer
Mic doesn't impress as much as it should
Designed as a Series X headset first, the Razer Kaira Pro is still one of the best Xbox One headsets. It's built to serve every level of the Xbox experience, it puts ease-of-use at the forefront, along with multi-generational compatibility. Powered by wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connections, it's flexible and easy to swap between your console or your phone.
The audio experience doesn't suffer for it, though, and it still has that Razer, premiere audio quality: Razer's own Triforce titanium 50mm drivers are the real deal, giving you a wider breadth of sound in the high, mid, and low ranges. Plus, the surround sound that accompanies is absolutely convincing - it sells a sense of place in a way no TV speaker could.
The addition of downloadable software and an onboard game sound/chat balancer rounds out what is already a tempting package. Indeed, the former allows players to tweak their audio experience to taste or get straight into the action with pre-set profiles.
12. Razer Nari Ultimate for Xbox One
Feature packed and with excellent wireless audio
Acoustic design: Open Back | Cable length: N/A | Drivers: 50mm | Weight: 15 oz | Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Haptic feedback feels good
Superior audio quality
Very solid wireless
Mic isn't the best
The Razer Nari Ultimate is an incredible gaming headset, but one that comes at a premium price. In addition to bringing excellent surround sound, the headset also offers haptic feedback, which means this vibrates in time with the audio so you can literally feel the big noises (usually explosions). While this may seem like a gimmick, it actually makes a noticeable difference to how you experience a game, so if you're big on action titles, this headset is definitely for you.
Elsewhere it's worth noting that the Nari Ultimate is wireless, and that the battery life is surprisingly good considering this has haptic feedback as well as the usual audio features. It's comfy, subtly designed, feels good if you're wearing glasses, and has a retractable mic. In fact, the only real issue is the mic, which doesn't offer the same premium sound quality as the rest of the features of the headset. Not really poor, but not market-leading either. So, if you're a big talker, that could be an issue. If not... there's nothing quite like the Nari Ultimate and if you have the cash we'd recommend this for the feel of using it alone, as it's easily one of the best Xbox One headsets we've tested - and it'll work with Xbox Series X|S!
Note that you can buy this Xbox One specific Nari Ultimate headset which is very focussed for the console and gaming, but will then require the Microsoft Wireless Adapter to use it with your PC as it does not include a 3.5mm connection option.
13. EPOS | Sennheiser GSP 300
Great value Sennheiser audio excellence
Acoustic design: Closed-acoustic, over-ear | Cable length: 2m | Drivers: N/A | Weight: 10.2oz | Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, Switch, PC, Mobile, Mac
Sennheiser-quality audio
Excellently clear mic
Comfy
Affordable (for Sennheiser)
No chat/game audio balancer
Limited features
Design is OK
As I said in my review "Getting a Sennheiser-quality headset like this, at this price point, and with this device-versatility, is an excellent proposition and one that is easy to recommend." If you're desperate to get some Sennheiser-level audio quality without paying the premium price tags, then the GHSP 300 is just that headset. It's compatible with every device and provides detailed audio, excellent surround/directional accuracy, and great overall richness. Its microphone is great too though it being non-detachable does perhaps preclude it from being a good match for Xbox players who want something for mobile too.
In an ideal world, it'd be nice to have some features but the stripped-back approach helps to keep the costs down too. Its sheer bang for buck value cannot be denied though and this is one of the best gaming headsets going for less than the three-figure mark. A great option for those wanting to get something excellent without breaking the bank for XSX|S too.
Read more: EPOS | Sennheiser GSP 300 review
Are Xbox One headsets compatible with Xbox Series X?
In general, the vast majority of Xbox One headsets are compatible with Xbox Series X - there are only very few outliers. That means you'll likely find that Xbox One headsets are easily transferable to your new console if you're lucky enough to grab one. Just to make sure, though, we'd recommend checking with the manufacturer's product information to double check.
How do I choose a headset for Xbox One?
Given the saturation of the Xbox One headset market, this is a legitimately good question; it really can feel like a mammoth task to try and narrow your search down, or to try and 'guess' at the differences between sets - after all, basically no one ever has all the top sets right in front of them for direct comparisons.
However, our best Xbox One headset list will guide you to top quality headsets. They are all compatible, offer quality audio for their price point, offer both wired and wireless options, and have different feature sets and specs. Teamed with price, these are the exact things to think about when whittling down your options; be methodical, be ruthless at times, and you will find the perfect set for you.
How much should you spend on a gaming headset?
Now more than ever this is a particularly pertinent and important question. Just because some headsets offer literally everything doesn't mean they are worth the $300 or something for you. These one might be more aspirational than ever but will always be great for those that can afford such premium sets.
In truth, however, the best Xbox One headsets come in a variety of price points and forms. For example, the best cheap Xbox One headset on our list, the Corsair HS35 is a brilliant value headset given it's price of entry. You could possibly even go a bit cheaper than this but we would recommend using this as a good point that balances quality and value.
You need to think of your own budget when shopping for a new headset and then you can see what ones lie within that, or just beyond. Think about the must-hjave features - multi-platform compatibility, EQ adjustments, detachable microphone, and so on - and you can easily start whittling your options down. Rest assured though, our best Xbox One headset guide should definitely have something for you, no matter your budget.
More of a music fan? Check out our guide to the best headphones. Or, to save even more on your new setup, take a look at the latest Xbox Series S bundles. We're also rounding up plenty more of the best Xbox One accessories for further inspiration.
Also be sure to check out the best TVs for Xbox Series X and the best gaming TVs to give you the best options visually too.
