The best Xbox One headsets are here stay still. While they are still, easily, one of the best ways to elevate your gaming experience, immersion, and quality on Xbox One, they are proving themselves to be excellent companions to both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles too.
This is excellent news and means your search for one of the best Xbox One headsets to enhance your experience on one console could well set up for some new-gen excellence too. As a result, it's worth keeping an eye on the headsets that are confirmed for next-gen as a lot of them are making early claims to be the best Xbox Series X headsets.
With game audio being better than ever, and so key to our experiences, upgrading to one of the best Xbox One headsets is an ironclad way to further immerse yourself in your favorite worlds, stories, and in-game moments. And quite possibly, to gain an advantage. The good news is that incorporating one of the best Xbox One headsets into any setup is incredibly easy, too - plus there's one for every budget imaginable.
TV speakers, as good as they are now, just can't provide the booming depths and sweeping ranges of game audio, just because of their slimline nature. Plus the best-sounding TVs might almost be exclusive to those that are the very best TVs for Xbox Series X and the best gaming TVs overall, so you'll probably need to save very aggressively. However, there's no need for such extreme budgeting with one of the best Xbox One headsets: you can pick up one of the best sets for around, or under, $100. Go north of that mark, however, and you will find some incredibly good ones if you can stretch the budget.
Be assured though, that this isn't just a list of the most expensive cans out there: 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, at least, 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; and, lastly, the headset's microphone needs to be 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 as critical as anything else. That's also why we check all the major retailers to make sure you're getting the lowest price, every day.
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.
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.
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.
Note: Stock is wildly fluctuating at the moment, because it's a new piece of hardware released in the year 2021, of course. However, it does make repeated appearances so it's always worth checking here where our price-finding tech will display the latest prices as soon as it comes into stock at retailers.
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.
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.
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This is the official Xbox One headset produced by Microsoft, and despite its modest price it still delivers a full range of rich stereo audio. It also features a unidirectional microphone for clear communication, which can be flipped up out of the way when not in use. The headset also comes bundled with the Xbox One stereo headset adaptor, ensuring compatibility and providing handy controls over both game and chat audio volumes.
Clocking in at just 7.9 ounces (255g), this is the lightest headset to feature on our list. Its low weight, combined with the breathable fabric ear cups, meaning you can happily wear it for long gaming sessions without getting too fatigued. One downside as a result of this lightness is that the headset cable is particularly thin and therefore may not stand up to rough use, so take that into consideration if it could be an issue. It's a no-frills option but does the job. As it's official, it'll work with your new Xbox Series X or S too.
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.
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.
Turtle Beach makes some superb gaming headsets, and this is one of the best. It's specifically designed to enhance your play in competitive games, like Fortnite, thanks to its ability to enhance nearby noises and give you a chance to not only hear enemies that are sneaking up on you but also to tell you exactly where they're coming from. It's almost spooky when you first start using it.
Elsewhere the sound quality is great for gaming, as the Elite Pro 2 definitely puts you right in the heart of whatever you play, as you can hear everything around you. Sure, the bass levels aren't quite a good as other top-end headsets, but that makes the biggest difference when you try to use it for other media like movies and music. It's super comfortable too, with soft ear cushions and a padded headband. But that doesn't compromise build quality - the Elite Pro 2 mixes metal and sturdy, white plastic to great effect, offering an Xbox One headset that's both stylish and durable. It's expensive, but worth the money, especially if you're looking for a competitive advantage - and it'll work with Xbox Series X and S as well. Nice.
Note: This is a slightly older model of Xbox One headset now so you might see stock fluctuating, prices change, and maybe even a lack of availability. Still a worthy contender if you can find it though.
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