Best Headphones for Xbox One

Video game audio is a key to an elevated gaming experience. No matter how advanced or modified the software in the console is, you cannot benefit enough from the Xbox One if you do not get that life-like feeling through high-resolution surround sound. You can achieve this only through a proper pair of headphones. Whether you are into war simulation games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice that uses directional audio cues, or Call of Duty, or any of the shooter games, having a decent pair of Xbox headsets can give you a truly spectacular experience.

Best Headphones for Xbox One

A headphone can bring a huge difference to your gaming moments by generating a clear audio. This can in return improve your gaming skills and help you gain an edge over your opponents. Well, of course, an experienced gamer owning an Xbox One or, any other console for that matter knows the perks of having a good Xbox headset. But, for those who are planning to enter or have just stepped into the gaming world, here’s a bit for you.

With an Xbox headset delivering a high-quality sound profile, you will be able to hear every little sound in an action-packed scene- from the weapons clanging, footsteps approaching a distant bombing, and much more. This way, you can be ready to strike back at your opponent at the right time, even before he realizes. Yes! It gives you more power and confidence. 

Needless to mention, going with one of the best headphones for Xbox One gives you that booming audio along with the ability to interact clearly or instruct your team’s players with the help of the mic, that can’t be achieved even with a high-end gaming television set or a good speaker. 

Why Do You Need the Best Headphones for Xbox One?

Xbox One, is a Microsoft developed video game console. It is the third generation line of the Xbox series that has improved controller design, voice navigation, and other features than its predecessor. After the Xbox One console, there have been other succeeding releases like the Xbox One S, One X during 2017, and Xbox series X and Series S being the latest ones released in 2020. 

Now, gaming audio is constantly improving; and upgrading to good audio gear is becoming a need, to be more competitive and to optimally use the console. For those who already own an Xbox One and are looking for good modern-day headphones to step up your gaming experience, this article is for you. 

With so many options to select from, it can be quite a task to figure out which one will work best with your Xbox One. The truth is, there are a few specific things that qualify a headphone to be the best Xbox One headset in the modern-day gaming world. A good sound quality, comfortable fit for long hours of wearing, the form factor of the headset along voice chat capability is what the gamers look for in the best headphones for Xbox One today. 

The best headphones for Xbox One list below covers headphones based on these elements across various price ranges, so you can pick one that can give you the ultimate gaming experience. 

List of Best Headphones for Xbox One

Here’s a list of some top-rated dedicated Xbox headsets that are reliable and have received several recommendations from users and gaming experts across the world: 

Steelseries Arctis 9x: (Overall Best Headphones for Xbox One)

Steelseries Arctis 9X is one of the best gaming headsets Xbox One has ever got. This headset is extremely versatile and is currently one of the most loved Xbox headsets available out there. This audio gear is packed with 40 mm drivers that deliver the company’s signature soundscape. While the driver size is relatively smaller than what a usual gaming headphone has in the market, it is extremely well-engineered for a detailed audio profile delivering deep, explosive sound along with superior clarity.

The Bluetooth connectivity of the headset is seamless as claimed by the company and allows super-fast pairing but if needed offers wired connectivity as well. When it comes to the microphone, it has got an impressive noise-canceling ability that filters out the ambient noise allowing you to completely focus on your game without distraction. 

With a frequency range of 20 Hz to 22 kHz and an EQ preset with 4 different options to choose from, you will get exactly how you need the headphone to sound. As for the battery life, this Xbox headset lasts for up to 20 hours on a single charge which means you do not have to take a break in between your gaming sessions. 

It is the best headphones for Xbox One with a price tag of $219.00. With Windows immersive three-dimensional sound capabilities, microphone functionality for voice chatting, this is a great option if you have the budget. 

Pros

• Incredible sound.
• Versatile headphones with wired and wireless capability.
• Great microphone performance.
• Comfortable and durable build.

Cons

• Driver size is smaller compared with other gaming headsets in competition.
• Expensive option.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2: (Best Xbox One Headset With Amazing Audio)

Speaking of the best headphones for Xbox One, here’s yet another strong contender, if you are looking for all the premium features within an affordable range. Stealth 700 Gen 2 is an improved version of its predecessor that packs some powerful features making your gaming experience like never before. 

This Xbox headset features 50 mm, NanoClear drivers, for a clear and crisp sound signature that delivers a rich bassline with an overall immersive gaming experience. It also has a high-performing mic for a clear communication. You can quickly flip the mic to mute in the middle of the game. 

The headphones have a comfortable and durable build with user-friendly control buttons for easy navigation. The cooling gel-infused, over-ear-designed padding offers superior comfort for long hours of wear and the overall design is perfect for people wearing glasses as well. However, these are not made to withstand sweat or any sort of exposure to liquids. If you are into water sports, these underwater headphones can be your go-to option.

With Bluetooth connectivity, you can perform additional activities like music playing or taking calls while you are playing your game. The 20 long hours of battery life will allow you to have an undisturbed gaming experience for the whole day. This headset will cost you around $149.00.

Pros: 

• Amazing battery life.
• Best headphones for gaming and music.
• Comfortable fit and suitable for bespectacled players.
• Crystal clear audio with a microphone that can pick up even the smallest sound accurately. 

Cons:

• Even though designed for comfort, some users have found the headphone a bit tight. However, this may be an individual experience and depend on the head size. 

HyperX Cloud Stinger – Xbox Headset: (Best Gaming Headset Xbox One at an Affordable Cost)

If you are on a tight budget but do not want to compromise on your gameplay, then you can take a look at this headset This Xbox headset from HyperX is super budget-friendly, perfect for gamers who cannot spend a lot on a headset. 

The headphones have a minimalistic design approach that is lightweight and comfortable to wear, ideal for you to keep them on until you hit your target score. With 50 mm large speaker drivers deliver powerful and detailed soundscape. You can also experience a heavy deeper bass response from these headsets that bass lovers will love. This can also make the audio of an action-packed game quite interesting. 

The noise-isolating boom mic can enhance your voice and make you sound loud and clear when you instruct your teammates to plan strategies against your opponent.

The wired design gives almost little to no latency in audio and video streaming. The only glitch about this audio gear is that the sound quality may get affected a bit if the earcups aren’t sealed properly or when worn over the glasses. However, at such a low price of $60.08, this trade-off is not that much of a deal, right?

Pros: 

• Great sounding audio with 50 mm aperture.
• Comfortable to wear.
• The traditional wired approach gives no latency at all. 
• Microphone with great noise isolation capability.

Cons: 

• Best value for money.
• The audio quality may go down a bit if not on the best fit. 

Microsoft Xbox Headset Wireless:(Best Headphones for Xbox One From Microsoft Official)

Microsoft’s Xbox headset, officially for the Xbox Series X is a perfect option for the Xbox One. This Xbox headset has extremely competitive pricing irrespective of the fact that it comes from the maker of the Xbox which gives it an edge over several other brands’ gaming headphones. Needless to say, the headset has great quality in terms of both make and performance. 

The headphone features a 40 mm large speaker driver that has a superior audioscape with well emphasized, powerful bass. This product delivers spatial cinematic sound that includes technologies like Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, etc. The microphone is of excellent quality that picks up even the lowest sounding voice and delivers it with utmost clarity. It is detachable, so you can just remove it when not in use.

The Bluetooth connectivity is smooth, allowing instant pairing with the Xbox. You can pair the Xbox with the mobile phone simultaneously to answer calls even when the gaming is on. You can navigate the volume controls by just rotating the dials placed over the earcups. 

With a price tag of $119.00, combined with all the features, this is one of the obvious best gaming headsets Xbox One can have.

Pros: 

• Fantastic bass response and 3D sound.
• Good battery life of 15 hours on a single charge.
• High-quality microphone.
• Competitive pricing.

Cons:

• Could be a little tight fitting for a larger head size.

Razer Kraken Pro V2: (Best Budget Xbox Headset)

Well, here’s another option for you that will get you a cool gaming experience by fulfilling all possible gaming needs without having to break your bank. Razor is one of the best-known brands in the gaming world offering some amazing headphone lines and is quite popular too. 

Kraken Pro is one of the best-selling headsets of the company that features 50 mm neodymium magnetic drivers that can give you an amazingly immersive listening experience. The audio is extremely balanced and clean at all the frequency levels, so you can hear every detail of the audio in the game scene. When it comes to voice chat, this Xbox headset is equipped with a retractable and highly sensitive mic with an inline controller that can efficiently pick up your voice from any direction.

The over-ear design adds to ultimate comfort along with providing a perfect noise isolation functionality. It has a price tag of $99.95. So, if you are looking for a cheaper option, this is one of the best Xbox One headsets you can consider. 

Pros: 

• Saves you from paying hefty amounts on a gaming headset.
• Great functionality.
• Extremely lightweight yet durable with swiveling earcups.
• Great sound.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t come with any additional accessories. 

ASTRO A50 Wireless Xbox Headset: (Premium Best Headphones for Xbox One)

Astro A50 is in the market for quite some time now with a solid customer base and is one of the ruling products in the high-end category of gaming headsets. So if your gaming passion drives you to get a headset that not only gives you a super deluxe feeling but is also an actual reliable high-end product that you want to make a long-term investment into, then this is something you must take into consideration. 

With ultimate comfort, these headphones offer you a solid style. It is wireless and comes with a base station that provides minimum latency and solid connectivity. That said the headphone also is equipped with wired connectivity so your game doesn’t stop even if the battery goes dead.

The sound profile of this Xbox headset is rather neutral, with an energetic bass response that will give you a satisfying listening experience making action-packed games more enjoyable. You can also set the sound as per your listening preference by going to the Astro dedicated app (Astro Command Center software). The noise isolation ability of this headset is quite efficient, unlike other gaming headphones that claim to do so but do not deliver the best. 

This sure makes it one of the best headphones for Xbox One, if you do not mind the price tag. The headphone retails for $169.00 in Walmart. 

Pros:

• It has got the style.
• Great noise isolation gives a quieter environment to focus on your game. 
• Comfortable wear.
• Brand credibility.

Cons: 

• Pricey option.
• You need a space to keep the base station. 
• Charging takes longer than the usual traditional headphones.

Corsair HS50 – Xbox Headset: (Value for Money Xbox Headset)

You do not have to always go for an expensive headset to get the realistic gaming experience and this model from Corsair again proves it right. This Xbox headset has a sophisticated look thanks to the premium quality materials that it is made of. 

With industry-standard 50 mm neodynamic drivers that are specifically designed for sound precision and wide frequency response, the headset is a hit among several video game lovers. It brings superior quality stereo sound along with a noise-isolating unidirectional microphone for clear vocal communication. 

The headphones have an open back that reproduces a spatial airy sound signature with detailed audio so you don’t miss out on any moment in the game. This audio gear is also well padded with a fairly decent headband padding for ultra comfort. The only thing is you may need an Xbox One stereo headset adapter to connect this headset to the console.

The premium features of the headphone combined with the retail price of $89.99 makes this one of the best gaming headsets Xbox One you can get within that low a budget.  

Pros:

• Very comfortable and durable.
• Good quality mic.
• Budget-friendly.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have a surround sound effect. 

Microsoft Xbox One Stereo Headset: (Minimalist Xbox Headset From Microsoft)

Yet another official headset made by Microsoft, this one is everything that a gamer wants within probably the cheapest budget among all that we have listed here. This Xbox Headset brings well-defined immersive audio with deep bass and an undistorted yet powerful soundscape. It comes with a stereo headset adapter which helps keep the controls nearby. 

The unidirectional microphone picks up the voice from any angle clear and loud making sure that your co-players do not have to struggle to hear you. The overall build of the headphone is fair if not excellent but the headset is extremely lightweight with thick and comfortable ear padding which prevents any kind of ear fatigue even when you wear it for long hours. 

The only glitch is the questionable durability because the build material doesn’t seem very tough and may not resist if you are a super active gamer. One of the best Xbox One headsets, this one is retailed at just $75.00. 

Pros: 

• Extremely lightweight.
• Competitive pricing.
• Comes bundled with an Xbox stereo adapter so you do not have to get one separately. 

Cons: 

• Not very durable.
• The cable seems weak. 

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition Xbox Headset: (Best Headphones for Xbox One for Budget Buyers)

From a gaming-oriented aesthetic appearance, superior sound engineering, features, its incredible sound signature to price, this Xbox headset has every reason to fall in love with.

The headphones are packed with 50 mm drivers that offer clear, high-quality sound. Engineered with THX Spatial Audio Technology, the headphone delivers explosive 360-degree audio that outperforms several other premium gaming headphones in the market. This makes the sound so realistic and precise that you can hear every small detail in a gaming scene, the movements of your enemies, the breeze, weapon sounds, etc. keeping you ahead of your opponent. 

The headphone may look a bit bulky but, in reality, it is impressively comfortable and lightweight. The cooling gel ear padding protects your outer ears from getting fatigued. The over-ear form factor creates a good seal around for effective ambient sound isolation. You will hardly experience any latency with this headset, thanks to its wired connectivity. The inline control and accurately spaced tactile buttons are easy to operate. And all this at just $60.00!

Pros: 

• Affordable pricing.
• Stelar 360 degree sound.
• Super comfortable for long hours of wear.
• Durable build and trendy look.

Cons: 

• Some users feel that the headset could have improved on its mid-range. 

Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game Interactive Gaming Headset: (Best Headphones for Xbox One)

This Custom Game Headset from Beyerdynamic has the looks and the build that sure delivers the message that it is meant for some serious gaming sessions. The massive ear cups are made for ultimate comfort suitable for long-hour use. The good thing is the headphone comes with replaceable parts. You can remove the thick ear paddings and replace them whenever you want. You can also replace the ear cup plates and the headphone is bundled with a few customized plates that you can use to boost up your gaming mood. 

The headphone has an extended frequency response of 5 Hz to 35 Hz with a deep bassy sound but with a good balance at all the frequency levels. There are sound adjustment sliders on the ear cup that conceal the bass reflex vents. Each vent gives a different level of bass, so as you ascend, the bass gets heavier. 

When it comes to the sound quality, the headphones are heavier on the bass but the mid-range and the treble are also pretty clean and undistorted. The microphone is of high quality making sure that it picks up the voice clearly and makes you clear and audible when voice chatting. 

This is a high-end Xbox headphone with a price tag of $399.00. If you are looking for a good quality headphone with a stellar sound signature, and do not mind a high budget, then this is one of the best Xbox One headsets to consider. 

Pros: 

• Great sounding headphones.
• Sound sliders for customizing the sound preference.
• High-performing mic. 

Cons: 

• Expensive option.
• Feels a bit bulky.

Best Headphones for Xbox Series X

Other than the Official headset from Microsoft and the ones listed above, here are a few options for the best Headphones for Xbox Series X: 

Turtle Beach Recon 500: 

Quite a reasonable buy, this headphone features a whopping 60 mm massive Eclipse dual driver. The assigned woofer and tweeter on each cup offers stellar sound with punchy bass, and well-adjusted mids and highs. The audio is clear, precise and of high quality ensuring you get the best listening experience during your gaming session. 

As for the mic, the headphone is equipped with a reliable microphone that isolates the surrounding noise efficiently, ensuring crystal clear communication. Designed for long hours of gaming, this headphone is built with soft and thick ear cups that are injected with wood composite. This ensures enhanced sound with life-like imaging. The headphone has a price tag of $79.95 which is an affordable option to consider. 

Corsair HS70 Bluetooth – Wired Gaming Headset: 

Here’s another nice pair of Xbox Headsets perfect for gaming in Xbox Series X. It is both wireless and wired. The best thing is you can perform other activities from the wireless device or your mobile while the game keeps playing on the console. The open-back design gives an airy spatial sound while the ear cups seal the ear perfectly to keep the outside noise out. 

The microphone can pick up the voice from around, loud and clear. The mic is detachable so you can remove it when not in use. You also get the option to adjust the EQ settings through the Corsair native app. 

Now that you have a good number of headphones to choose from the above-given list, let’s move on to see some of the important parameters you need to consider to buy one.

Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Headphones for Xbox One

Various factors you need to take into account before purchasing any headphones for your gaming console:

Audio Quality

Gaming is all about audio and visuals. Different games have different audio and sound effects that make them unique and interesting. Audio has the power to make you win or even lose a game. You will need to constantly keep a track of the opponent’s footsteps, or the bomb droppings in a war scene so even the subtle sounds in lesser or non-action games.  

Therefore, if you are looking for gaming headphones, then you need to check the sound quality of the headphone. The budget gaming headphones do sound great, but the ones on the higher end of the pricing scale offer more immersive and 3D surround sound for a more realistic experience. 

Comfort:

If you are planning on a gaming marathon all weekend, you will need a pair that has thickly padded soft ear cups and a plush headband with the most comfortable fit. The level of comfort pretty much depends on individual preference, so it is always best to go for one that suits you the most. These are not ideal for traveling for their size and structure. However, if you are into iPhone and are looking for something simple, portable, and easy to use, you might want to check out our wireless earbuds for iPhone article from here.

Microphone:

If you are more into multiplayer games where you have to communicate with your teammates or chalk out attacking strategies against your opponent, you require a high quality mic. A noise-canceling mic will help keep the outside noise away ensuring that you are heard loud and clear. A detachable mic always helps because when not in use or when you are playing single-player games you can remove the mic completely.

Compatibility With Your Console:

You need to do some research on which headphones are compatible with your console before you buy one. Some brands keep the headphones different for different consoles. Some high-end features of the headphones may not work with some consoles. Therefore, go for a headphone that you can optimally use with your gaming console. 

Wired or Wireless:

Well, depending on where you are playing you need to choose whether you should go for wired or wireless. If you plan to play on the TV screen, there will be a good distance between the screen and where you sit. In that case, you will need a headset with a long cable so you can sit comfortably and play. So the longer the headset cable the better and comfortable it will be. 

Wireless headsets connected via Bluetooth are powered by a battery so the battery life is important in that case. You need to go for longer battery life for uninterrupted gaming. 

Be it wired or wireless, either way, there are top Xbox One headsets available in both categories that you can buy.

Some Helpful Information…

Microsoft sure knows how to keep its customers happy. After the launch of Xbox One, the company kept working on improving its functionality in some way or the other. Originally launched Xbox One was a 2013 model and to match with the modern-day technology, pace, and customer preference, it sure needed some upgrading.

Understanding the latest audio needs of the gamers and bridging the time gap between then and now, Microsoft added some significant audio features to the Xbox One. They added the support of sound technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X which is the object-based in-game sound. 

Another interesting feature that the company added later was giving the users the option to customize the DTS:X sound like turning on and off the surround sound and several other personalization options. Another feature that later became a part of Xbox One is the ALLM Mode ( Auto low Latency Mode) that offers uninterrupted video streaming irrespective of the content.

Common Issues

These are some commonly occurring issues that people often face while using the Xbox One. Most of these are pretty easy to resolve, and you can do it at home unless the headset stops functioning for good. Here’s what you can do.

The Xbox Headset Stops Working:

• Well, this is a very common issue and every gamer may have faced it. But don’t reject your headset before running a check. 
• If it is a wired headset, ensure that all the connections are secured. You may want to disconnect and plug them again. 
• In the case of wireless headsets, turn off the Bluetooth and pair them again. 
• Check the volume button on the headphone and turn it up.
• Set up the privacy and the audio settings in your profile.
• Turn off and on the Xbox to ensure there was no problem there. 
• If nothing works then update the firmware of your Xbox headset controller.

The Microphone Isn’t Working:

• Many Xbox headsets come with detachable mic that can be removed when not needed. So in the process of removing and plugging in, there might have been a loose connection. You can just take the mic and connect it properly to the headphones and see if it works. 
• You can also disconnect the headset completely from the controller and then replug it in tightly. 
• See if the mic is in mute mode. Unmute the mic and see if it works. 
• Increase the volume of the audio. 

Here’s a website that provides detailed instruction on how you can resolve the “Xbox Headset Nor working” issue. Click on the link to know more. 

Conclusion

The headphones market is thronged with gaming headsets of different sorts. Where some are overrated, some of them are genuinely amazing, packed with features, and give good performance. But if you want an Xbox headset for long-term use, it is always recommended to go with a credible brand. Do not forget to check the user feedback and reviews on the product usually mentioned on the e-commerce website to know if it is worth buying. The best headphones for Xbox One comprise headphones from the top brands, well known for providing high quality and exceptionally performing products. Hope you find this helpful in your search to buy yourself the best wireless Xbox One headsets soon. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)