Best Xbox headsets 2021: Superb headphones for Xbox Series X, Series S and Xbox One

 

(Pocket-lint) - If you've never used a headset to play with, you've got a revolution coming-it can be hard to come back once you move into the world of high-quality game audio.

You'll note a huge difference when switching to a headset, whether you want it for singleplayer story-driven experiences, or to give you the edge in online death matches, unless you have an incredibly good home theatre system.

However, with any games console, several headsets don't work, and it's important to look into what would work best for you. With our Xboxes, we have spent the last few weeks thoroughly checking a wide variety of headsets, putting them through their paces and deciding what you might expect for your own gaming setup. Fortunately, with the Xbox Series X and Series S, all the headsets we've featured here will also fit, so you'll be covered for next-gen gaming, too.

How can I connect a headset to my Xbox?

It's easy to forget, but his first controller did not have a 3.5mm headphone jack until Microsoft launched the Xbox One. This meant that you had to use an adapter from the controller to connect a wired headset, and if that's the version of the controller you use, you may still have to.

More recent versions of the controller, however, like the newest that comes with the Xbox Series X and Series S, have the all-important jack to make it easier for you to plug in. Finally, to connect without cables, you might notice that some wireless controllers use a dongle.

Another less popular way to connect, but arguably the ideal, is to connect to your console through Xbox Wireless, the same standard used for Xbox's own first-party controllers. This allows for the best link, the simplest reconnection, and has the added benefit of ensuring that when they're down, they work with the new consoles.

However, if a step-by-step guide is helpful, follow these steps to connect the headset:

1. If your headset is wired, plug it into either the headphone jack on your Xbox controller, or the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter to get game audio.
2. If it's wireless, plug in any dongles provided to your Xbox and turn on the headset to pair.
3. If it uses Xbox Wireless, press the pairing button on the front of your Xbox and wait for its logo to flash on and off. 
4. Put your headset into pairing mode by following the manufacturer's instructions, then wait for the two devices to pair. When they have paired, you should see a headset logo to the top left of the Xbox dashboard, along with a battery indicator. 

Let's dive in and look at some of our favourite headsets with that out of the way.

Steelseries Arctis 9X

Steelseries takes the top spot on our list because when it comes to a console headset, it nails the mix of convenience and consistency that we're looking for. It's a fantastic revision of the manufacturer's top headset, adding excellent compatibility to the Xbox Wireless standard.

This means it connects directly to your console as a controller does (and when it is released, it will be able to do the same for the Xbox Series X), which allows for rock-solid connections and no visible lag.

Plus, the headphones are very nicely designed and incredibly comfortable to use, and more than that, the most subtle design we find in our testing is simple to use (only the effort of Logitech comes close). The microphone also holds you away while you're playing solo.

Finally, especially if you allow Windows Sonic or, better yet, Dolby Atmos for headphones, the sound quality is superb. In reaction-based multiplayer games, you'll gain a real advantage, and be completely immersed in singleplayer adventures. To be frank, we can't really highly recommend this headset enough.

Steelseries Arctis 7X

Steelseries doesn't only have the Arctis 9X, but the much more affordable (though still premium) Arctis 7X is its new addition to the Xbox lineup, and it's a great option if your budget is a little lower

The comfort is nice, and the headset is actually fairly similar to the 9X, with the only real hint being a few slightly lighter and less solid design elements. In particular, the sound is pretty indistinguishable, and for fast adjustments you have the same collection of on-earcup controls.

Corsair HS75 XB

The new pair of headphones from Corsair are the first specifically designed for the Xbox, and as such, they have Xbox Wireless for the simplest form of communication.

This is combined with a massively impressive sound that manages to build a really well-rounded experience with really strong bass and consistent highs. For competitive gaming and more casual games alike, it's perfect.

They are also easy to wear and made of sturdy, high-quality materials, so they are a great choice for Xbox gamers though they are a little costly.

Lucid Sound LS50X

For a variety of purposes, the LucidSound LS50X is interesting. Firstly, with excellent battery life, it is wireless, but it also has Bluetooth communication and can be combined with two devices at once and also play audio from both at the same time.

Second, with a supportive memory foam cushioning/liquid cooling gel blend, it sports good drivers and faux-leather noise-blocking ear cups that make them a pleasure to wear.

Put in some clever on-ear buttons, two microphones (one is built-in, one is removable) and a solid frame, and you have a pretty nice headset.

Razer Nari Ultimate

The USP is a pretty wild one for Razer's humongous Nari ultimate, haptic feedback in the earcups (which, on their own, are extraordinarily comfortable and cleverly cooling).

Depending on your own tuning, which syncs with the sound of your game, it expresses itself as subtle or aggressive vibrations, not the vibrations of your controller. On sandy charts, which felt undeniably cool, our very footsteps in Call of Duty created crunching sensations. It is harder to tell if it's immersive enough to still be used in an RPG for 20 hours, but it's a pretty nifty function.

Handily, however, even ignoring the haptics absolutely, the Nari Ultimate amazed us. It's got a beautiful, booming voice, and a good microphone that, when not in use, falls most of the way into the body. Plus, it utilizes Xbox Wireless for super fast pairing and rock-solid compatibility, like the SteelSeries in the top position. It's a convincing bundle, with a premium price tag attached, while the absolutely enormous scale of the headphones as a whole does not yet win over us.

Interestingly, though, if you don't like haptic feedback, in the form of the Razer Thresher headset, which is worth keeping in mind, you can get a very similar kit for a lower price.

Astro A40 TR with MixAmp

There is no question that the Astro A40s are the best headphones we've reviewed for the Xbox One if we're going on sound quality alone, the only downside is that they're a little more involved in setting up and are wired.

They're combined with Astro's MixAmp Pro at their finest, which allows you to easily monitor the balance of master volume and voice chat when playing, and also amplifies your sound to make you use Dolby Atmos, and trust us when we say you're going to hear the difference.

It brings proper directional audio to the table, and we were genuinely startled by how real it sounded and looked the first time we shot a revolver in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare using the A40s all hooked up. That said, if you buy the MixAmp too, these headphones are pretty expensive, and the fact that everything has to be wired to your console is a bit of a hindrance, especially if you're not sitting that close to it.

They are all incredibly comfortable, built with clear attention to detail and quality materials, and the microphone is nice as well - that's a pretty comprehensive kit.

One important note, however, is that the lack of optical port on the Xbox Series X and S next-generation means you're going to need to purchase an adapter directly from Astro for them to work forward, which is an inevitable bummer.

Logitech Pro X

With its Pro X headset, Logitech managed a real miracle - it priced it at a cost that is distinctly mid-range, but speculated it out as a top-class headset, with the packaging and user interface to match.

For example, it's the only headset that we reviewed that comes with swappable earpads in the package, not just as an optional extra (leatherette or velour finish, both very comfortable if you're interested). Depending on what device you are connected to, you get several premium cables, a detachable microphone and a design that is frankly gorgeous, particularly in the realm of gaming headsets. I mean, it also comes with a lovely carrying bag, again unlike any others we checked.

Plus, the sound is excellent at its heart, with very great detail and balance that should have you hearing stuff you never heard before. The only minor drawback that we could find, basically, was that its inline controller allows you to change volume and mute yourself, but not alter the chat balance, which is hardly a big sin. This is a seriously impressive collection of cans for its price.

Astro A20 Wireless

Astro may have some seriously high-end headphones, but it also has more mid-range options, and without breaking the bank too badly, the A20 provides a great way to get high-quality wireless audio.

It uses a USB dongle to wirelessly connect to your Xbox, and is pretty simple to set up, and at this price point, the audio quality you get out of the box is very impressive compared to others. Although we found this a little fiddly, when swinging the microphone up and away from your mouth, the on-earcup controls let you change the game/voice balance.

This is a very powerful kit that is really easy to wear as well, although we are not absolutely sold on its looks.

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

The Arctis 1 is one of the most affordable headsets on the market, and every console works with its 3.5 mm wired link, but it's a bit more difficult if you want it wireless.

A new version of the Arctis 1 Wireless has been released by SteelSeries that works with Xbox consoles, Switch, mobiles and PCs, however, and it has become our new favourite budget headset (although the wired version is clearly the ultimate offering from a value perspective). It's a really lightweight headset, but in a way that makes long sessions really comfortable to wear.

To link to your console, it uses a USB-C dongle and works easily and quickly, and while the sound is stereo-only, it is very punchy and well balanced. Plus, the mic pick-up is very solid, and it is a boon to be able to play wirelessly. This is as good as wireless play gets, for sheer adaptability, actually.

Razer Kraken X

The bleeding-edge features and wireless play might be in Razer's Nari Ultimate, but don't underestimate the Kraken X, its wired headset. For one thing, via its 3.5mm port, it's compatible with the full range of consoles, making it more adaptable.

It's also super lightweight and comfortable, and with impressive sound output and a very good microphone, less huge than the Nari. The ear cushions have memory foam inserts that illustrate some of how simple it is to wear for long periods, although in the form of a volume dial and mute switch, the appropriate on-headset controls are available.

It may not be the most remarkable headset, but it's a very good option if you like its looks (especially the lovely white version we've been using).

JBL Quantum 600

JBL is very new to the gaming headset scene, but at a whole bunch of different price points, this has not stopped it from releasing the Quantum line.

Instead of the more pricey Quantum One, our favourite is the Quantum 600, mostly because we think it's got the best bang for your buck. You get very nice sound and good, comfortable build quality, although its wireless mode is unfortunately not currently working with Xbox. Still, using a 3.5mm link is a nice option.

Corsair HS70 Bluetooth

This Corsair headset takes a slightly different approach - it's wired for game audio, which means it plugs into your controller, but it has Bluetooth so that, if you like, it can connect to another chat or music computer.

If you use an external party chat app, then having all audio streams into your ears is great, and the sound balance and quality of construction is also exemplary.

Fnatic React

The headset from Fnatic is a great low-to-mid-range choice that doesn't do anything flashy, but nails the basics of very good sound and solid comfort - plus, we have to admit that we're pretty pleased with how nice it looks, all the more so when you remember it's from an eSports brand.

In order to give you good insulation, its earcups are wide and sound-blocking, and its stereo sound is as good as you might hope for at its price, which makes for a fully solid package.

HyperX CloudX Stinger Core

HyperX has another choice, in the form of the CloudX Stinger Core, for the cheaper end of the wired headset market, and while it didn't blow us away, it's another decent option in this bracket and manages a pretty impressive price.

The standard of its construction does not quite equal the headsets of SteelSeries or Roccat, but the sound quality is in the same ballpark, and the headset is light and comfortable (although it is still on the flimsier side of those we have tried).

The microphone, which can move out of the way when it is not needed, is simple and solid in use, while the audio cable's inline controls are a smart touch.