Credit:
Reviewed / Lee Neikirk
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Credit:
Reviewed / Lee Neikirk
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Audeze’s Penrose headsets deliver outstanding audio and handy features like a detachable microphone. We only wish the battery lasted a little longer. Read More
Xbox's wireless headset integrates seamlessly with its consoles. It's comfortable to wear for long periods. Read More
HyperX's headset is comfortable, has good sound quality, and has an excellent microphone, but it lacks flexibility. Read More
Turtle Beach's Recon 500 ditches top-notch audio and design for affordability and convenience. Read More
The Razer Barracuda X is a refreshingly simple, plug-and-play gaming headset solution that works handily across a wide variety of devices. At its price, it's an excellent value. Read More
Whether you play on a newer Xbox Series X or Series S console, or are still rocking with your trusty Xbox One, buying an Xbox headset isn't always easy. Microsoft's consoles require a proprietary connection and don't work natively with Bluetooth, meaning your choices are often limited compared to PC and PlayStation players. Fortunately, we're here to do the legwork.
If you just want the best-performing Xbox headset we've tested, Chief, check out the Audeze Penrose X (available at Amazon) . This planar magnetic equipped headset delivers knockout audio performance, easily doubling as a svelte gaming headset and awesome headphones. Of course, they also aren't for everyone, which is why you should browse our full list of great Xbox headsets below.
Thanks to its incredible audio quality, the Penrose X is our current pick for Best Overall.
The Xbox Wireless Headset is our current pick for Best Value.
Hi, I'm Lee Neikirk. I've been playing video games since 1990, and have been an avid Xbox gamer for the last 15 years. When I'm not testing a headset's spatial capabilities in Gears 5, I also review traditional headphones, meaning that I pay particular attention to frequency response and overall audio preservation even when I'm gaming. I'm especially fond of gaming headsets that are good enough to replace your headphones.
Hi, I’m Jordan McMahon. I’m a tech reviewer focused primarily on laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and apps. I’ve been writing about technology since 2017, and mashing buttons since the mid-90's. Most of my gaming hours are spent in mobile puzzle games and roguelikes, but I dedicate enough hours to Red Dead Redemption 2 and Overwatch to care about the level of detail my headset produces.
To test Xbox headsets, we use them almost exactly like the average gamer would—only with a bit more rigor. We test each headset across a variety of games with music and sound effects that we're familiar with, and across as many Xbox console variants—Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series X—as possible.
Often, we have previously tested or reference headsets on hand to compare new headsets against, and on top of recording microphones to ensure their viability, we make sure to actually game and chat with real people, both in-game and via Xbox party chat.
While gaming headphones are still headphones, gamers typically have a different set of priorities than audiophiles listening to music on the go. Even within the gamer population, different gaming headsets will be more or less useful, depending on their preferred gaming genre. Once you've decided that regular headphones are no longer adequate for an hours-long session of Red Dead Redemption 2, here are a few features that can help you make your decision.
Sound Quality—Are you playing games that are mainly soundtrack music? Or can your headphones' transmission of audio cues make or break your ability to level up? If you're playing online with friends, can you hear their instructions and comments? If you're constantly listening for gunshots or footsteps, you may want to invest in a pair of headphones that emphasize bass tones; otherwise, if you need to hear more than audio cues, it's best to get headphones that have a more expansive sound profile.
Microphone—Having a high-quality mic is key, especially if you're playing with teammates. The best microphones should cut out any electric humming or ambient noise, and have voice clarity that is comparable to talking to someone on a cell phone when you both have great reception. Ideally, the microphone is also adjustable so that you can get it at just the right distance from your mouth so that it doesn't transmit your breathing more than your voice.
Comfort—Listen, we've all gone on gaming binges before, but you can't really enjoy a gaming marathon if your headset starts squishing your head and ears after only a couple of hours. The headphones themselves should be adjustable so that you're not stuck with ill-fitting headphones. Thick ear pads, a padded headband, and a relatively light weight are necessities for a pair of gaming headphones if you're going to be spending quality time in front of your TV or computer.
Isolation—Gaming can be a form of escapism; to ensure that you're really escaping, your headphones should really block out ambient noise, both so you can better hear what's going on in the game, and so that the outside world doesn't distract you from your task. Granted, in an emergency, it's best to be able to hear some of the outside world, but gaming headphones should ideally be able to block out humming from air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances.
Cable/Wireless—If your gaming headphones have a cable, it should be a long cable (ideally, longer than 10 feet). While it's easier when you're gaming on your computer, when you're gaming on TV screen, you're typically not sitting right up in front of it, like you would with a computer. Having a long cable allows you to sit at a comfortable distance from your gaming system. If, on the other hand, you prefer to be cable-free, then you may prefer wireless gaming headphones. Wireless gaming headphones usually have either a USB connector that you plug in, or are connected over Bluetooth. Keep in mind that wireless gaming headphones have a battery life, and that you may want to keep an eye on said battery life, lest they cut out at a key point in your gaming experience.
Platform—Before you lay down cash for a pair of gaming headphones, make sure they're compatible with your Xbox. Some brands have different products for different platforms, and others just have a regular headphone jack that can be plugged into any system. Additionally, some features may not work equally well across all platforms.
Solid sound
Great microphone
Comfortable
No supporting customization software
Occasionally too much treble
Super comfortable
Cross-platform
Clear, vibrant audio
Microphone isn’t adjustable enough
No dual-channel volume control
Hard to tell mute button is activated
Extremely flexible to use
All day comfort
Good sound
Microphone could be better
Bare-bones features
Very comfortable
Fully retractable, unidirectional mic
Impressive sound quality
No extra accessories
Soft and comfortable
On-ear audio controls
Retractable mic
Not wireless
Issues with PS4
Lee was Reviewed's point person for most television and home theater products from 2012 until early 2022. Lee received Level II certification in TV calibration from the Imaging Science Foundation in 2013. As Editor of the Home Theater vertical, Lee oversaw reviews of TVs, monitors, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers. He also reviewed headphones, and has a background in music performance.
Jordan McMahon
Staff Writer, Electronics
Jordan has been writing about and reviewing technology since 2017, with products ranging from tablets and apps to fanny packs and home office gear.
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