Best Xbox One headsets 2024

What are the best Xbox One headsets? Audio is often overlooked when it comes to gaming, with a much greater focus on graphical fidelity. However, good (or bad) sound is just as noticeable as the visuals, so do yourself a favor and pick up one of the best Xbox One headsets.

With this list of the best headsets you can get for the system at a range of different price-ranges, including both wireless and wired options, your games will sound far better than just using your TV speakers. Great audio will help enhance some of the best Xbox One games already on the console and the heaps of new Xbox games that are still releasing on the last-gen hardware.

With a reliable headset and one of the best gaming desks, you’ll have almost everything you need to make the best games even better.

The best Xbox One headsets are:

1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless – best overall headset
2. Epos H6Pro – premium headset
3. Xbox Wireless Headset – best value headset
4. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 – best budget headset
5. Corsair HS35 – cheapest headset

1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The best Xbox One headset.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless specs:

Pros

• Excellent sound and build quality
• Included Wireless Base Station
• Fully-retractable mic

Cons

• Compatibility issues – PS5/PS4 and Xbox version
• Expensive

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is hands down one of the best headsets on the market right now, boasting premium build quality and, most importantly, delectable sound quality. However, this does come at a steep price.

The 40mm neodymium drivers and 10-22kHz frequency band in wireless (upped to 44kHz when used wired), the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless handles the full soundscape with ease. From the roaring of an engine in the best racing games to dialogue-heavy experiences like the best RPG games, you’ll hear every detail. Right out of the box, the Arctis Nova Pro offers detailed and clean audio.

It doesn’t stop there though, as the included Wireless Base Station gives you the opportunity to tweak your audio on the fly. That’s right, not only does it offer a convenient way to recharge additional batteries, but it’s also home to all your audio controls. With a 10-band equalizer, you can configure bass, treble, and everything in between to your own personal preference. We’ve found this particularly useful as we play a wide variety of games, as it allows you to quickly change the soundscape to match the type of game you’re playing. For example, if you’re playing an action-packed shooter like Call of Duty Warzone, then you can turn up the bass for even more punchy explosions and gunshots that make the best FPS games feel even better. This kind of power more than justifies the high price tag and is, thankfully, rather straightforward to use.

As you’d expect from a headset, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless also comes with a built-in mic. It’s not our pick for the gaming headset with the best mic, but it’s certainly up there, taking second place behind the EPOS H6Pro. This means that you’re not just getting incredible audio quality, but a solid microphone as well. For added convenience, the mic can even be fully retracted to blend seamlessly into the headset.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has it all, though this does result in a rather stingy battery life of around 18-20 hours when using the full suite of capabilities in wireless mode. However, SteelSeries does include a second battery pack in the box. This allows you to charge a backup battery to effectively push the battery life to around 40 hours if you’re diligent with charging your batteries. If not, you can also use the headset wired.

Alternatively, there’s also the wired-only SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, which is equally as powerful and includes a GameDAC (very similar to the Wireless Base Station). If you’d prefer a wired headset, then this is the best Xbox One headset for you. Otherwise, we recommend the wireless version for the added ease of use. Just make sure you buy the Xbox version of the headset as the PlayStation and PC version won’t connect to Xbox consoles. However, the Xbox version can actually connect to all systems, including PlayStation, so you won’t be missing out despite the confusing branding.

2. EPOS H6Pro

The best premium Xbox One headset.

EPOS H6Pro specs:

Pros

• Excellent build and audio quality
• Open and close-back options
• Removable microphone

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

The EPOS H6Pro screams high-quality in every inch of its design. With a sleek style and elegant colorways, the H6Pro is certainly a premium gaming headset made mostly from sturdy plastic. Continuing the premium theme of the EPOS H6Pro, you can purchase either an open-back or closed-back option. Open-back headphones offer the best audio quality thanks to a wider soundstage, but they also let in more room noise. If you game in a busy environment, we recommend choosing the closed-back option instead to block out more background noise.

The slightly larger-than-average 42mm drivers output irresistible audio, with incredible detail and a wide soundstage that will elevate your experience. What does this mean for you? Well, it results in great audio imaging that makes directional audio easy to pinpoint. If you’re a fan of competitive shooters like the best battle royale games, then this will certainly come in handy. This wide soundscape is also well-balanced, with a hearty, clear bass that isn’t overpowering.

As we mentioned earlier, the EPOS H6Pro won top spot for the gaming headset with the best mic in our testing. This well-positioned boom arm (that can even be completely detached) offers great clarity compared to the competition which results in a much more natural tone as well. It won’t outmatch a separate microphone, but it’s easily the best-in-class when it comes to headset mics. Whether you’re gaming with friends and playing online, or even looking to do some light content creation, the EPOS H6Pro has you covered.

This package more than justifies its high price tag, offering unmatched audio and mic quality. The only downside compared to the similarly mouth-watering SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro series is that the EPOS H6Pro doesn’t come with a hub to tweak EQ settings on console, though the standard tuning is great for most games.

3. Xbox Wireless Headset

The best value Xbox One headset.

Xbox Wireless Headset specs:

Pros

• Great sound and build quality
• Supports Bluetooth while connected to Xbox or PC
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Not compatible with other devices
• No multifunction control for audio balancing
• Limited battery life

Microsoft’s own Xbox Wireless Headset is a great pickup for any fan of the green machine, as we note in our guide to the best Xbox headsets. While it’s middle-of-the-road price point is enough to get most Xbox gamers interested, the fact that this is an official product from Microsoft that’s been built specifically with Xbox consoles in mind is another massive bonus.

The Xbox Wireless Headset has also surprised us with its high-end performance. Thanks to the great spatial audio capabilities of Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos, which this headset takes full advantage of, the audio quality is great. It’s by no means the best, most precisely tuned audio profile that you can expect from the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro line or the EPOS H6Pro, but it outmatches much of the competition in its price bracket. The similarly superb surround sound functionality only adds to this high bar, especially for those looking for the most immersive experience.

It also comes with a built-in microphone that offers strong noise-canceling while chatting with friends. The mic isn’t the best around but it’s surprisingly clear and high-quality given the mid-range price, as mics are often sacrificed in favor of better audio quality. What this means for you is that the Xbox Wireless Headset is perfect for immersing yourself in a game while chatting away.

Even more exciting than that, however, is that the Xbox Wireless Headset supports simultaneous Bluetooth connection. Why’s that important? Well, it lets you have both the audio from your Xbox (or PC) coming through the headset as well as from a Bluetooth device like a phone or tablet. Need to take a call? Want to listen to music or a podcast while you game? The Xbox Wireless Headset will let you do all that without cutting out in-game audio or requiring you to swap to another device. We found it very convenient to use and many gamers will get great use out of this feature. Likewise, there are also audio controls on each earcup to balance audio between game and chat on the fly – although, these are quite easy to accidentally adjust.

The main downside of this headset is that it will only work on Xbox and PC, not on other devices, such as PS5. For players with multiple systems, you’ll want to look elsewhere or buy a second headset. Fret not though, as we’ve got a guide to the best PS5 headsets if you’re in need. There’s also the best wired gaming headsets that will generally work on all devices.

4. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

The best budget Xbox One headset.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 specs:

Pros

• Good sound quality
• Comfortable design
• Lightweight

Cons

• Cheaper feel
• Muffled microphone

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 offers surprisingly great quality at a low price, making it our recommendation for the best Xbox One headset on a budget.

Despite the full plastic construction of the Arctis Nova 1, it retains the high quality SteelSeries is known for, beating out the competition in the low-end price range by quite a significant margin and feeling much more sturdy than similarly priced headsets.

As for the audio quality, the Arctis Nova 1 once again outpaces the competition in the price range. Audio can feel a little compressed and lacking detail at times, particularly when it comes to treble, but it’s hard to fault the overall great soundscape you get with this budget headset compared to the competition. Footsteps, gunshots, and more will still have a solid impact, with good spatial differentiation as well, but don’t expect the incredible detail reserved for the top-of-the-range options. Overall, this audio will serve you well no matter what game you’re playing, though there are better, more expensive options on the market.

This trend continues with the microphone, which is rather muffled and can produce white-noise. Nevertheless, it’s still much better and more well-rounded than the majority of the competition at this low price point. Fret not, it’s more than suitable enough if you’re gaming with friends playing the best multiplayer games. However, if you were wanting to use this microphone for more than simply chatting with friends, such as content creation using your Xbox One, then we’d recommend you look at the more premium headsets like the EPOS H6Pro. Nevertheless, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is a surprisingly high-quality headset for a great price, rivaled only by the Corsair HS55 headset. If you’re on a tight budget, you really can’t go wrong with the Arctis Nova 1.

5. Corsair HS35

The best cheap Xbox One headset.

Corsair HS35 specs:

Pros

• Comfortable design
• Good sound quality
• Great value

Cons

• Build quality
• Mic quality

If you’re shopping for the best Xbox One headset on the tightest of budgets, the Corsair HS35 is by far the best option at a very low price. Landing at under $50, the Corsair HS35 is one of the cheapest gaming headsets and that’s reflected in the device, leaving useful features behind to reduce costs. However, it offers remarkably good audio quality.

The most noticeable loss with such a budget headset is the construction material. Despite Corsair being well-known for high-quality products (and the HS35 does feel better than the competition), it does feel like a cheaper headset overall due to its lightweight plastic construction.

However, this build quality was tuned down so that high-quality audio could be prioritized, which is arguably the most important feature. Though it can be bass-heavy at times, the Corsair HS35 outputs surprisingly powerful and detailed audio thanks to the large 50mm drivers. Sure, you won’t have all the bells and whistles, such as surround sound audio or EQ tweaking, but this stereo headset punches above its weight for gamers on a strict budget.

Unfortunately, the mic quality is rather lacking, though this is in line with the price range. While it’s great that the mic can be completely removed when not in use, which is unexpected given the budget, it’s often muffled. The poor wind shielding on the mic also results in plosives becoming a problem when talking, though this can be improved by manipulating the boom into the best position for you.

Despite these downsides, it’s hard to argue with the overall quality of the HS35 given just how cheap it is. Though we certainly recommend looking at the more expensive options if you can afford to, these are great for those on a strict budget, particularly the slightly more expensive SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1.

How do we test Xbox One headsets?

We test our Xbox One headsets on numerous factors to evaluate the overall value of the product, including:

• Price – headsets generally aren’t cheap accessories, so it’s important that headsets justify the asking price with great overall build and audio quality and other useful features like EQ mixing and more. This becomes even more important as you reach the premium offerings that can often be overpriced.
• Comfort – gaming while wearing a headset for a long period of time shouldn’t be uncomfortable. While everyone has different standards, there are key aspects to take note of, such as padding location and quality.
• Wired or wireless – wireless headsets are typically more expensive than their wired counterparts, though quality can take a hit despite this. We take great care in ensuring we’re recommending the best wireless (and wired) headsets that align with the asking price.
• Battery life – when it comes to wireless headsets, battery life is another major consideration. After all, you don’t want to run out of battery while in the middle of a game.

Check out our how we test page to learn more about our process. Any other questions? Check out the FAQs below:

What brand of Xbox One headset is best?

The best brands of Xbox One headsets are often SteelSeries, HyperX, Corsair, and Turtle Beach.

These brands offer consistently high-quality headsets at a variety of different price ranges, so you should be able to find something for you. We recommend these brands as they more often than not strike the right balance between build, audio, and mic quality, all reasonably priced accordingly with any additional features.

Do any headsets work with Xbox One?

Nearly all 3.5mm headsets will work with the Xbox One as these can be plugged directly into your controller. However, USB headsets and wireless headsets can run into compatibility issues. Often there are different versions of the same headset for Xbox and PlayStation, due to the Xbox One not being compatible with standard USB offerings. When purchasing a new gaming headset for your Xbox One, be sure to double check it’s compatible, particularly if its a USB or wireless one.

That’s our recommendations for the best Xbox One headsets on the market right now. If you pick one up, you’ll be one step closer to having the best gaming experience you can get. For more ways to improve your setup, take a look at the best Xbox accessories and the best Xbox controllers, as these are equally important.