Best Xbox Gaming Headset for 2022

Need a new headset for your Xbox One or Xbox Series X? Here are our top picks, from basic budget models to high-end, feature-packed powerhouses.

It’s true that you can use just about any regular pair of headphones for gaming, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. In high-stakes showdowns where fractions of a second might mean the difference between victory and defeat, fuzzy subpar audio can be a serious obstacle that can hinder you from achieving your best performance. A good set of gaming headphones can take your gaming experience to the next level with crisp, immersive audio that helps you feel every step and swing.

Whether you’ve got a trusty Xbox One, or a mighty new Xbox Series Xor Series S, a wired headset is an easy and affordable option. Both generations of controllers feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, so it’s a simple plug-and-play setup. Plus, it’s also worth noting that many, if not most of the best Xbox headset options in the wired gaming headset category also work just fine with the PlayStation 5, Windows PCs, Macs and the Nintendo Switch.

If you want to eliminate the cord that goes from the controller to your headphones, however, there are plenty of wireless headset options. The nice thing about them is that most don’t require a USB dongle to connect wirelessly (most PS4 wireless headsets do, for example). Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless technology allows you to quickly pair with your Xbox sans dongle. Wireless models that require dongles are specifically noted below.

In making these picks, we focused mainly on a few key variables, including design (build quality), comfort and sound quality, as well as extra features (think noise cancellation, noise isolation, detachable microphone and Bluetooth connectivity) along with price. Some even offer surround sound. We also took mic quality into consideration, because that’s especially important if your gaming session requires group coordination. If you can’t be heard, you can’t strategize.

Finally, so far as we know, all of the Xbox One wireless headsets listed here will also work with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

With those basics established, let’s talk about the best Xbox headset. These are the results of our own home-based testing, updated periodically, as well as some of the other most popular gaming headsets on the market at the moment. Any of these can greatly enhance your gaming experience, especially when settling in for a long gaming session.

Turtle Beach has upgraded its popular Stealth 700 headset, improving both its performance and comfort. The build quality is solid and I liked the “cooling gel-infused” memory foam ear cushions, which really fit my head nicely and play well with glasses. The headband is also sturdy and well-padded.

Turtle Beach says this Gen 2 model has improved 50mm Nanoclear drivers — the sound is more detailed and “precise” — there’s a redesigned metal-reinforced headband and a larger, high-sensitivity flip-to-mute mic. Its engineers tuned it to deliver even “more detailed and precise sound.” I thought it sounded quite good, and the headset pairs to your phone and is also good for music listening and taking calls while you’re gaming. There’s an “all-new” Turtle Beach Hub app for iOS and Android that allows you to tweak the audio and remap buttons.

This headset will work with older Xbox One consoles as well as the next-gen Series consoles. Battery life is now up to 20 hours — the headset charges via USB-C — and thanks to Xbox Wireless technology, you can connect wirelessly to the Xbox without using a dongle like you have to do with the PS4.

If you’re looking at this versus the step-down Stealth 600 Gen 2, which retails for $100, that model is also good but the Stealth 700 Gen definitely has a more premium feel to it. It’s really a good Xbox wireless headset for $150.