If the Xbox One is your main console, you know how hard it can be to find a headset with built-in mic support for it compared to the PS4. This makes it hard to find the best Xbox gaming headset. It makes it a little harder to find good gaming headsets for Xbox, but some good options are made for Xbox or work well with both consoles.
1. Xbox SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox is the best Xbox headset we’ve tried. These high-end headphones have a lot of features that will make most gamers happy. You can change the EQ and mic gain with the controls on their wireless transmitter. Since they use two separate battery cartridges, one can be charging while the other is being used. One battery can keep going for about 25 hours straight, so you can play games for a long time without worrying about the battery. A low-latency gaming experience is also helped by the transmitter. In addition, they have Bluetooth, which lets you stay connected to both your console and your phone at the same time, and they cancel out noise (ANC). It doesn’t do the best job of blocking out noises like an open window’s engine noise, but it does a better job of blocking out background noise and the high-pitched hum of a standing fan.
If you like to play games with other people, their retractable boom mic works very well overall and makes sure that your teammates can hear you even when it’s a bit noisy. They also have a default sound profile that is mostly neutral, with a small bump in the high bass to help bring out sounds like footsteps. But, if you don’t put the headphones on right, the way their inner drivers are made may also push into your ears.
2. Xbox SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
If you want to save money, you might want to go with the wired version of our top choice. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox don’t have wireless connectivity or ANC, but they work well and are cheaper than other headsets for Xbox gamers. They come with a GameDAC Gen 2, which gives you a low-latency USB connection to Xbox and puts controls like EQ settings and channel mixing at your fingertips while you play. Most people can wear them for hours without getting tired of them, and the mic works well overall, so you’ll sound clear in online games even if there’s some background noise.
Their sound profile gives your audio some boom, which can help you hear sounds like footsteps more clearly. Voices are there and clear, but they can sound harsh or lack detail. If you want a different sound, you can use them with software that comes with a parametric EQ and presets to change the sound. The app also has a virtual surround sound feature with a slider that lets you change the size of the soundstage. This can help your audio seem more real. They aren’t as well made as the wireless version, though. The boom mic can be retracted, but it can’t be taken off. If you don’t plan to use it, the Astro A30 Wireless might be a better choice. They have a mic that can be taken off and a mic that is built in, which is nice if you sometimes want a more casual look. You can’t change settings like EQ presets or the mic volume when you’re connected to an Xbox, so they aren’t as customizable for Xbox One users.
3. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is the best Xbox One headset we’ve tried for a price in the middle. The mic on this headset isn’t as good, so when you play games with more than one person, your voice won’t sound as natural but will still be clear. They also leak more sound than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox, which could be a problem if you play in a shared space. Other than that, they are both comfortable and well-made. Their USB dongle lets you connect to Xbox consoles with low latency. Since there are different versions for different consoles, make sure you get the “7X” version for Xbox.
Unlike the previous pick, they have Bluetooth, so you can mix game audio from your console with chat or music from your phone. They have a bass-heavy sound profile right out of the box, which you might like when there’s a lot of action in a game, but voices in dialogue sound muffled and lack detail. The good news is that you can change it with the companion software’s parametric EQ and presets. For long gaming sessions, the headphones have a battery life of about 30 hours. The timer that turns them off automatically saves power, and if you need to, you can always use them passively with an analog connection.
4. Xbox Razer Kaira Pro Wireless
The Razer Kaira Pro Wireless for Xbox is the best wireless Xbox One headset we’ve tried that costs less than $100. They don’t have as long of a battery life as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless and have a less neutral sound profile, but if you want to spend less, you should check them out. They have low latency with Xbox Wireless, and you can pair them with one Bluetooth device and your console. This lets you stream music from your phone while gaming. Their boom microphone, which can be taken off, makes your voice sound natural and clear. But their warm sound can make it hard to hear voices and instruments. They also have trouble delivering sound consistently, so you need to take the time to make sure they fit your head well. The good news is that the software that goes with them has a 5-band graphic EQ and presets so you can change them to your liking.
These over-ear headphones have a good build quality and about 19 hours of continuous battery life. They fit well and are good for long gaming sessions. But if you want headphones that are even more comfortable, you should check out the HyperX Cloud Alpha S instead. They are wired, which can be a big problem for people who like the freedom that comes with wireless headphones. But they come with two sets of ear cup padding to help you find the best fit, and you can game for long periods of time while wearing them without getting too tired.
5. Logitech G432
The Logitech G432 is a good pair of headphones for Xbox that won’t break the bank. They are wired, like most headphones in this price range, and feel cheaper and more plasticky than more expensive options like the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless for Xbox. Still, most people find them comfortable and they work well for gaming, even though they don’t feel very durable. You can plug them into a controller to connect to Xbox One without any lag.\
The sound doesn’t have as much bass as most of the other headsets on this list, so it won’t have as much rumble and punch. The instruments and vocals, on the other hand, are clear and well-defined. They come with a companion app that lets you change the sounds, but since they were made for PC, you can’t make any changes when you play on Xbox. Even if there is noise in the background, their boom mic makes your voice loud and clear. If you plan to use the mic a lot, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 might be a better choice. Their microphone makes your voice sound more natural, and they are built to last longer. But their default sound is more boomy, with less detail in the vocals and instruments. They are also more likely to have sound that isn’t consistent.
All Review
Our suggestions above are what we think are the best Xbox One headsets in each price range for most people to buy right now. We take into account the price (cheaper headphones win over more expensive ones if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you want to choose for yourself, here is a list of all of our headset reviews, sorted by whether or not they work with Xbox One. Don’t let yourself get lost in the details. There is no ideal pair of headphones. If you don’t care about having a microphone or wireless features, your personal taste, what you like to listen to, and how you listen to music will be more important.
