As a dude who was taking down the Covenant in Halo: Combat Evolved on Microsoft’s first console all the way back in 2001, I’ve got a ton of experience when it comes to using the best Xbox headsets throughout the years.
When we review Xbox headsets here at Tom's Guide, the first thing myself and my fellow tech experts do is to test out how easy a set of gaming cans are to set up. We then wear them for several hours to judge how comfortable they are, before focusing on their design, build quality, battery life (if it’s a wireless headset), and also whether it delivers good bang for your buck.
My current favorite Xbox headset is the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. An awesome if pricey peripheral, its incredible audio quality is impossible to deny... even if its $300 price tag is going to dent your bank balance. Not only does the Maxwell sound amazing, its AI noise filter blew our socks off during testing and is great at reducing distracting ambient sounds. In terms of the best value Xbox headset? The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 has to get my vote thanks to its powerful 50mm drivers and the fact you can often pick it up for just $40.
Every headset below has been thoroughly tested across a variety of genres; be it a first-person shooters like Halo Infinite or stunning open-world racer Forza Horizon 5 to ensure these models can make the sounds of bullets whizzing or tires revving really pop. Read on for my choices of the best Xbox headsets you can currently buy.
The quick list
It costs all the pretty pennies at around $300, yet the sounds the Audeze Maxwell Wireless can produce are simply incredible outstanding. The AI noise filter and exceptional microphone also shine.
The best Xbox headset that costs less than $100 boasts excellent wireless connectivity, and sound quality is way better than you’d expect at this price point.
The finest Xbox headset will immerse you in your favorite games like never before, due to its excellent audio and solid wireless connection. The Nova 7 is also comfortable to wear.
At such a reasonable price, it’s hard to beat this ace HyperX headset. It’s not only comfortable to wear, its slider-based controls also make it simple to operate.
It’s no surprise Microsoft’s official headset is an excellent match for Xbox consoles. Sound quality impresses and it’s always comfortable to wear. We also appreciate the fold-away mic.
This sleek Xbox headset from Astro is probably the most comfortable we’ve tested. Its earcups prove super comfy during long gaming sessions and overall sound quality is also good.
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One of the best wired Xbox headsets, the HyperX Cloud Alpha boasts impressive-sounding dual chamber 50mm drivers, sports a premium design and overall audio quality is excellent.
Another classy and comfortable headset that also happens to have an excellent microphone. The Razer BlackShark V2's mic is super flexible which further ups the comfort factor.
The best Xbox headset from Razer provides top quality audio, impressive 20 hour battery life and proves extremely comfortable to wear during marathon Xbox sessions.
About the author
My name's Dave and I look after our gaming headset buying guides, which span best gaming headsets, best wireless headsets, best PS5 headsets and best cheap gaming headsets. I've been an audiophile for a whole lot of years and have lost count of the amount of gaming cans I've bought down the years. As much as I love playing my favorite Xbox games on my home-built rig through PC Game Pass, I don't want to bother my neighbors with my loud desktop speakers. That's why I strongly suggest buying one of the best Xbox headsets. Not only do they sound great, you can rest easy knowing the apartment next door can't hear every Spartan headshot in Halo Infinite.
The best Xbox headsets you can buy
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The best overall Xbox headset
The Audeze Maxwell headset is the best wireless gaming headset for people who take their audio equipment seriously. This high-end set of cans feature 90mm planar magnetic drivers that deliver pristine sound. In my opinion, there's no better way to listen and play the best Xbox Series games than through this premium, utterly outstanding headset. The Audeze Maxwell is great for listening to your favorites tunes on, too.
The Maxwell also features an AI noise filtration system for its microphone to clean up your voice in chat. Despite its size, it’s also a super comfy headset thanks to its lightweight construction materials, plenty of padding and a suspension strap for a weightless feel on your head.
During testing, the Audeze HQ iOS app was a tad little glitchy, yet that's a minor blemish on what's otherwise very close to being a 5/5 product. Look, I realize forking out $350 for the Xbox version of the Maxwell is a big ask, but if you want the absolute best audio experience possible while playing your favorite Series X/S games, the Audeze Maxwell will never disappoint you. That price tag puts it into the same premium category as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, but if you've got the money to afford it, I say treat your ears.
Again, paying a stash of cash for a headset that costs substantially more than the Xbox Series S is a decision you may have to ponder long and hard on. Yet for me, that MSRP is largely justified by the excellent audio quality, which is much higher than you’ll experience with the aforementioned SteelSeries.
Read our full Audeze Maxwell review.
The best budget Xbox headset
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox takes a lot of what makes the SteelSeries Arctis 7X great and bundles it into a more affordable package. In a nutshell, you're getting a headset that's been designed for the proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol, something the standard model lacks.
As a result, these Xbox cans come with the same game-ready audio performance as its sibling, as well as excellent onboard controls, while also offering a comfortable fit. And unlike some Xbox headsets, there's no gaudy “gamer” aesthetics, or Xbox green swaddling the headset… not that I’ve got much of a problem with the iconic color of Microsoft’s gaming brand. The paired-down design is mature and understated, which is something I’m sure Xbox gamers of a certain age will like.
Another quality I appreciate regarding the Arctis 1 Wireless is the fact you can easily detach the mic and wear the headset as you would a regular set of headphones. That’s another positive mark on the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless’ scorecard, especially as a gamer who rarely plays online games — any time I play a few deathmatches of Halo: Infinite, I automatically mute every other player… mainly because I don’t want to hear a stream of swears flooding my ears.
On a final note, much like the SteelSeries Arctis 1X, you can switch between the Xbox Wireless mode and a USB connection, provided via a dongle at the flick of a switch. If you’re working with a tight budget, I seriously recommend you check out this quality and affordable headset.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless review.
The best wireless Xbox headset
If you want one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy today, then I don’t think you really need to look much further than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 ($199). The sound quality this headset serves up in games is excellent. Though it doesn't break new ground here; rather solid audio separation and clarity between voices, background music and other sound effects have impressed me.
Do I wish the SteelSeries Engine software offered more EQ presets to switch between? Sure. But that’s a pretty tiny bee I have in my bonnet regarding the Nova 7. Especially when you factor in just how crystal clear its mic is and that it also sports pretty epic battery life, which can last up to 38 hours.
Intuitive controls and a comfortable elastic headband are all further points in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7's favor. But the real bonus is its expansive compatibility and connectivity features. I know this is an Xbox buying guide, but if you’re a hardcore gamer like me, there’s a good chance you own multiple consoles. In that context, the Nova 7’s USB-C wireless dongle ensures the headset can be connected to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android devices. After all, why buy separate headsets for your consoles when this fantastic all-rounder will work with pretty much every modern system of the moment? There's also Bluetooth connectivity thrown in for good measure.
All in all, this is an excellent wireless gaming headset well worth your consideration that I have a lot of time for.
Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 review.
The best value Xbox headset
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is your best bet if you’re not concerned about using a wired connection, and just want good-quality sound in a comfortable package that includes DTS support.
This headset is easy to wear and will feel comfy on your ears thanks to its lightweight design and generous padding. Seeing as I do almost all of my Xbox gaming while lying prone on the couch, said padding really is welcome when you're putting pressure on one side of your head while trying to tame the open, sun-bathed roads of Forza Horizon 5.
Let me make this perfectly clear: this is clearly not a premium product.You can see where HyperX has cut corners in order to sell its budget peripheral at such an aggressive price point. The microphone merely pivots upwards, as opposed to detaching or retracting when not in use. This makes the Cloud Stinger 2’s mic quite adjust to move into a position that naturally cups your mouth. Build quality also feels flimsy and the cheap-feeling plastics it deploys are nowhere near in the league of the Audeze Maxwell (then again, that’s a headset that costs almost 10 times the price of Hyper X’s effort).
Ultimately though, considering what the company is asking for the Cloud Stinger 2 these days, you’re getting a good deal. At time of writing, you can currently buy this respectable headset for just $40. And there’s little doubt in my mind that this is one of the better Xbox headsets at that price point.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review.
The best official Xbox headset
It’s probably not too surprising that Microsoft’s own Xbox headset is one of the better audio devices you can pair with your Series X/S, or even one of the Xbox One family of consoles if you’ve next to make the leap to current-gen. That’s not just down to simple branding, either. The official Xbox Wireless Headset impressed us in our testing, particularly in regards to sound quality, which I have to say is pretty stellar for an audio accessory that costs less than 100 bucks.
Whether you love real-time strategy games, beat ‘em ups or open-world titles, Microsoft’s headset sounds balanced and detail-rich. Though its customization options are a little lacking, I’ve found that Microsoft’s headset does a solid job of picking out dialogue well, which makes it well-matched to squeeze the best audio experiences from story-driven games, like the engrossing, utterly surreal Alan Wake 2.
Like the Razer Kaira Pro, you also have the option of connecting to a Bluetooth device while you’re gaming. Post-release updates have improved previously lacking aspects, like the mic monitoring level and what used to be some overly loud notification sounds. Don’t get me wrong, it’s obviously not a perfect gaming headset. There are definitely superior sounding Xbox headsets out there, and ones that also feel more comfortable when wrapped around your cranium — though it’s still comfy enough once you’ve made the right adjustments.
Yet considering it only costs around $75, and generally delivers the audio goods in the vast majority of Xbox games, I don’t want to overly dunk on what’s generally an extremely solid headset.
Read our full Xbox Wireless Headset review.
The most comfortable Xbox headset
The Astro A20 Wireless Gen 2 ($120) is one of the best, more reasonably priced Xbox headsets you can currently find. Albeit only if you buy the Xbox version, specifically. There’s also a PlayStation model that won’t work with Microsoft consoles, unless you pick up a special adapter. However, provided you do purchase the Xbox edition — identifiable by its green color accents — I can assure you this is a fine headset.
There are several major, commendable qualities with this second generation Astro A20. Playing your go-to Xbox games on this headset sounds great for the most part, the earcups feely lovely while slapped around your ears and don’t sleep on how clear its microphone is.
I consider that $120 price point (which often drops to around $90 if you keep a regular eye on Amazon sales) as a bit of a steal for a headset that looks both a little retro and damn cool at the same time. Its clunky, slightly angular design makes me picture The Terminator sitting down to play a marathon session of Psychonauts 2 on Astro’s cans. After all, if anyone can make Arnie “know why he cries”, it would be Raz’s hysterical, subversive and deeply personal sequel.
Audio quality is high across a range of game genres, and if you want to adjust the soundscape, there’s an equalization mode switch on the right earcup that allows you to flip switches between three different sound modes. It’s also worth reiterating just how comfortable the A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 is: the short answer is “pretty damn comfy”. Even with those perhaps divisive square ear cushions, these cans prove to be easy to wear for prolonged Xbox Series X/S gaming sessions.
Read our full Astro A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 review.
The best wired Xbox headset
The HyperX Cloud Alpha ($100) is a strong wired headset I can easily recommend to Xbox gamers who don’t mind keeping (rather than cutting) the cord. As long as you don’t mind having a cable running into your Xbox controller’s headphone port, then there are much worse options out there.
The Cloud Alpha is extremely comfortable, as I’ve come to expect from HyperX headsets. Boasting a sturdy and premium aluminum design, its ultra cozy set of memory-foam ear cups are oh so easy on the ears. Before you briefly ponder “why the heck would I need an Xbox headset the next time I jump on a train?!”, remember that these cans will work with a variety of smartphones; many of which now support Microsoft’s Game Pass streaming app.
Its Dual Chamber Driver tech also helps reproduce the full frequency range with a clarity to rival some of the best headphones. And I mean all-purpose cans, not just gaming-focused ones. I also like that you can remove the Alpha's mic when you're chilling out to tunes or playing single-player games. The bundled in 3.5ft cable also helps with the aforementioned travel-friendly aspect — particularly if you’re using the Game Pass app on an Android phone. And to stay on that note, I appreciate that the Alpha comes with a soft protective pouch, which helps keep it free from wear and tear when you’re on the move.
The microphone sounds pretty good too, and is detachable for easier storage. Overall, the Cloud Alpha’s cable is pretty much the only thing that gives it away as a sub-$100 headset, rather than a truly premium one.
Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha review.
The best Xbox headset for PC players
Yet another quality Xbox-ready headset from Razer, the BlackShark V2 benefits from a flexible microphone, brilliant sound quality across multiple game genres and all for the very reasonable sum of just $60 (though as with several other of the peripherals I’ve recommended in this guide, you can often regularly find it at discounted prices).
One of the main strengths of the Razer BlackShark V2 is just how comfortable it feels to wear the instant it gently clamps around your lobes. Alright, so I can’t deny adjusting the earcups to find that Goldilocks-esque “juuuust the right fit” can be tricky, but once they’re in place you can easily wear the BlackShark V2 for hours. That’s a real winning quality, as the last thing you want to be doing is constantly fiddling around with a headset when you’re going up against one of Elden Ring’s famously ferocious bosses mid-fight.
It might be a particularly wise choice if you play on PC as well as an Xbox console, as the BlackShark V2 can connect through either a 3.5mm or USB connection. As such, you won't need separate headsets for each. Considering the best Xbox Series X games have increasingly found a second home on rigs and gaming laptops courtesy of PC Game Pass (the subscription service is good value for money and can be accessed through the Xbox app), it means the BlackShark V2 is an ideal choice for Xbox fans who play across console and PC.
The BlackShark V2 also benefits from some bonus features on PC, like custom-configured sound profiles for individual games, though they’re not necessary to make your favorite Xbox games sound great.
Read our full Razer BlackShark V2 review.
The best Razer Xbox headset
As you can clearly see from the copious amount of green it deploys across both its strap and earcups, the Razer Kaira Pro is another decidedly decent mid-range headset solidly targeted at Xbox players. It’s one of my favorite models from the company thanks to its sleek design and the fact it proves super-comfortable to wear for hours at a time. As someone who recently played Starfield for 14 hours straight, headset comfort is of the utmost importance to me.
The addition of Bluetooth connectivity also means it's not just limited to being linked to an Xbox console, ensuring there's a degree of flexibility to the headset that I obviously welcome as someone who owns multiple video game consoles. What's even more impressive is the Kaira Pro can use Bluetooth at the same time as the Xbox Wireless protocol, which means you can play your favorite Xbox Game Pass titles as well as listen to music or a podcast on your phone.
The slight wrinkle here is that as soon as you turn on the Kaira Pro it'll fire up your Xbox as well. That’s hardly ideal when you just want to listen to some music over Bluetooth, and it’s definitely an annoying quirk in an age of skyrocketing energy prices. And yes, I do constantly forget to turn off my Xbox Series X at night… which obviously isn’t the Kaira Pro’s fault.
Nevertheless, strong sound and a comfortable design with breathable earcups are all pros for the, well, Kaira Pro. This Razer headset is well worth considering if you’re looking for a new audio peripheral to pair with your Xbox Series X or S.
Read our full Razer Kaira Pro review.
How to choose the best Xbox headset
By choosing from this list you eliminate one of the biggest headaches of searching for an Xbox headset: making sure the headset is even compatible with Xbox consoles. Three-point-five millimeter connectivity on Xbox controllers helps widen the net of devices that can work. But thanks to the Xbox Wireless protocol, you need to be more careful with wireless models. Again, all the wireless headsets on this list are compatible with Xbox consoles.
You may actually prefer a wired headset, as these provide more rock-solid connections and often lower prices. With wired models, you don’t need to worry about battery life, either. That said, most wireless headsets can go for several days’ worth of regular play before running out of charge, so don’t worry too much about battery life if you want to keep your gaming space wire-free.
You should also consider picking up a headset with Bluetooth if you want something that can double as your headphones for everyday music listening. Just make sure that you can remove or retract the microphone, though, or else you’ll be walking around with a boom mic sticking out.
How we test the best Xbox headsets
Our first step in testing any gaming headset, including the best Xbox headsets, is to see how easy it is to get set up and connected. That includes adjusting the headset to find a good fit. We’ll wear each one for at least a couple of hours to see how comfort levels stand up over time. When possible, we’ll also hand each headset off to someone else, and get their second opinion on comfort. After all, this is a subjective point, however vital.
Sound performance is just as important. We’ll play a variety of Xbox games across different genres, which helps us comprehensively judge each headset’s audio quality. A good headset should be able to add excitement to explosion-heavy gunfights. It should also present dialogue cleanly and clearly, or help your hear quiet sound cues like footsteps.
Today's best Xbox headset deals
