Take Your Gaming to the Next Level with the Best Xbox Headsets

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Whether you're strategizing with teammates in an online game or getting lost in a solo adventure, using a headset while gaming elevates the experience. This is especially true for auto racing games, where you have to rely heavily on audio to better get a feel for where the limits are, such as hearing the tires squeal when locking up the brakes, or timing an upshift at the perfect rpm.

In this roundup, we've gathered a collection of the best Xbox headsets available on the market to see how they compare in form, function, and overall features. Take a look below to see which headset best fits your gaming style.

More Gaming Gear: Best Sim Racing Games | Best Sim Racing Setups | Best Racing Games for Xbox

Things to Consider

Comfort: Remember, you'll likely wear this thing for hours on end while obliterating enemies on the track or saving the planet from adversaries. Don't sacrifice comfort.

Sound Quality: You'll want to hear every tire screeching as you go too deep into the braking zone and every footstep sneaking up behind you. In the same vein as overall sound quality, you might also want to consider other audio features such as surround-sound support, which can add another dimension of immersion.

Microphone Clarity: Your trash talk should be crystal clear. No one wants to hear you sound like you're shouting through a tin can, even if you're insulting their mother.

Durability: You might rage quit a few times (no judgment here), so make sure your headset can handle being thrown across the room . . . more than once. Or, at the very least, make sure it can stand up to more reasonable usage for the next three or four years of daily use. Metal hinges, high-quality plastic components, and braided cables can go a long way toward making your headset last for years to come.

Wireless vs. Wired: Cut the cord or stay tethered? It's like choosing between freedom and reliability. Decide what's more important to you and understand the tradeoffs of each to best suit your needs.

Compatibility: Make sure your new headset plays nice with your Xbox or you'll be stuck listening to the game through your TV speakers like it's 2005. Every headset on this list will work with the latest Xbox models (Series X and Series S), but if you go with any other headsets, double-check compatibility.

Price: Your bank account might not be as bottomless as the pit you just fell into in-game. Find that sweet spot between quality and affordability.

Best Xbox Headsets for Gaming

Stealth Pro for Xbox

Turtle Beach is no stranger to building quality gaming accessories, and its flagship wireless headset, the Stealth Pro, is no exception. Built around 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers, it features active noise cancellation up to 25 decibels, a detachable microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern, and a pair of quick-swap batteries that use the wireless transmitter to charge the extra battery, so you're never left with a dead headset.

The headset is adjustable with a good bit of range, and the ear pads are comfortable for extended periods. In our time with the headset, we appreciated the integrated dial for quickly adjusting volumes on the fly and the ability to activate noise canceling quickly with an on-ear button.

The headset pairs with the Turtle Beach Audio Hub App (Android, iOS) to enable all kinds of customizations, such as EQ settings, button remapping, and more. While its included transmitter enables lag-free 2.4GHz audio transmission for compatible systems (macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, Playstation, and Xbox), the headset also features Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity so you can use it with any mobile device or gaming console with Bluetooth connectivity.

It's by no means cheap, but it's a robust system that offers impressive sound, a crystal-clear microphone, and a range of connectivity options, ensuring you're not limited to one console despite being officially licensed for Xbox Series S/X consoles.

Arctis Nova Pro

SteelSeries knows how to design a premium gaming accessory, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro delivers just that. Its minimalistic design wonderfully juxtaposes the robust features and performance it offers underneath its aesthetic, and its unique use of an external DAC (digital-to-analog converter) allows for impressive sound quality with extensive customization (96KHz/24-bit with Hi-Res Audio Certification)

The DAC also doubles as a wireless transmitter, and even offers SteelSeries's Multi-System Connect feature, which let's you plug in two devices (such as an Xbox and PC) at the same time, so you can use a single headset with two devices without the need to unplug anything when switching devices.

The headset is powered by a pair of 40mm drivers that support an array of surround-sound protocols, including Microsoft Spatial Sound and Tempest 3D Audio, and features SteelSeries's active-noise-cancelling protocol. The built-in microphone is retractable from the left ear cup, which helps to keep the minimalistic aesthetics intact when not in use.

This is far from the cheapest headset on this list, but its combination of impressive sound performance, beautiful aesthetics, and overall feature set makes it the most premium Xbox headset available today.

BlackShark V2 Pro

Razer's BlackShark V2 Pro is a high-end wireless gaming headset that boasts a robust design and cutting-edge features. The unit is equipped with Razer's TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, delivering exceptional audio clarity and depth. The headset also features THX Spatial Audio, which further enhances immersion, providing precise positional audio.

Comfort is paramount, and the BlackShark V2 Pro's plush memory foam ear cushions are designed to keep you gaming for hours without pressure fatigue. The headset isn't the lightest of the bunch but is still admired for prolonged gaming sessions according to consumer reviews. The detachable HyperClear Supercardioid Microphone ensures crystal-clear communication, and the high-capacity battery ensures up to 70 hours of gaming on a single charge.

Wireless freedom is a highlight of the BlackShark V2 Pro, as its HyperSpeed Wireless technology (2.4GHz connection) offers lag-free gaming. The headset seamlessly connects to Xbox consoles and PCs, while Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility allows for easy pairing with mobile devices. Although priced at a premium, the BlackShark V2 Pro's performance and versatility justify the investment for discerning gamers.

CloudX Flight

The HyperX CloudX Flight stands out as a reliable wireless headset tailored for Xbox gaming enthusiasts on a budget. It features 50mm drivers and immersive 7.1 surround sound, which is impressive considering this unit regularly retails for under $120.

While the headset isn't as sleek as some of its contemporaries in this roundup, it still emphasizes comfort thanks to its plush memory foam ear cushions and an adjustable steel slider, allowing for a customized fit. The durable aluminum frame ensures longevity, while the detachable noise-canceling microphone provides clear communication with minimal background distractions.

The unit is rated for up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge and can be recharged using an integrated USB-C port. The headset's compatibility with Xbox Wireless technology ensures seamless connectivity with Xbox consoles. Additionally, the included USB adapter enables easy use with Windows PCs, offering versatility for multiplatform gamers.

Although it lacks Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with other consoles, the HyperX CloudX Flight delivers reliable performance and comfort for Xbox gamers seeking a wireless headset solution that won't break the bank.

HS35

If you're looking for a no-frills wired headset option that won't break the bank, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better choice than Corsair's HS35 headset. It lacks some of the more advanced features of other headsets on this list but manages to offer impressive performance for less than $50.

The unit uses a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for connectivity and should work with any console or device with a 3.5mm input (some hardware might require an adapter). The headset does support Windows Sonic surround sound, but it lacks the 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound many of the other headsets on this list offer. Its plastic frame doesn't necessarily inspire confidence in its longevity, but there appear to be few complaints about the headsets breaking with extended use.

As a whole, it might lack some of the features and customization options more expensive headsets offer, but Corsair focused on what mattered most and delivered a headset that punches above its price.

FAQs

Can these headsets be used with other devices?

Many of the headsets listed offer Bluetooth connectivity or come with a 3.5mm jack, making them compatible with other devices like PCs and mobile phones. However, not all headsets will work with other devices, wired or otherwise. Be sure to read through all the connectivity specifications to understand what devices the headset will and won't work with.

Are wireless headsets lag-free?

Modern wireless technology has significantly reduced latency to nearly imperceptible levels for gaming. However, wired connections still offer the most direct, lag-free experience. And that's to say nothing of the battery component of wireless headsets, which can interrupt gaming at the most inconvenient times if you don't stay on top of charging.

How important is surround sound?

Surround sound can provide a more immersive gaming experience, especially in competitive settings where hearing the direction of footsteps or gunfire is crucial. While not strictly necessary, it is a wonderful quality-of-life feature that can level up your gaming experience.

Why Trust Us?

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices. Read more about our testing process here.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with the trust our readers have in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something we haven't.

We've evaluated dozens of product categories, like electric scooters and radar detectors. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype.

You Might Also Like

• You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox

• Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners

• The Man Who Signs Every Car