Best Gaming Headsets for Xbox Series X

The new generation of video game consoles are all about immersive gaming and a big component of that is sound. Modern game designers use sound and audio to capture the gamers attention and hold it on the screen. Popular games like Fortnite have incorporated directional sound so effectively that listening is a critical component to staying alive.

Gaming headsets are one of the prerequisites if you want to compete effectively in competitive shooters. A headset might not be as necessary in some other gaming genres, but a quality gaming headset is still highly recommended for long gaming sessions because one of the surefire characteristics of a top gaming headset is comfort. Gamers want a headset that sits comfortably enough on their head that it disappears during gaming and doesn’t disturb them.

Another big consideration for gaming headsets is always going to be connectivity. If a headset is wired or wireless could also influence your immersion into the game depending on what your gaming setup is like. This also has a big impact on headsets price. Our list of the top gaming headsets for Xbox looks at the highest rated headsets for cranking up the sound and getting you deeper into the game. All of these headsets deliver quality sound and audio that puts you in the game.

Our Top Picks

Best: SteelSeries Arctis 9X

SteelSeries Arctis 9X rates the highest among these quality Xbox headsets. This headset combines a comfortable design with a long battery life for an audio experience that can last all night long. The SteelSeries Arctis 9X takes advantage of the technology inherent in the Xbox ecosystem but is also versatile enough to work on other platforms. Read the full SteelSeries Arctis 9X review →

Runner Up: HyperX CloudX Flight Gaming Headset

The HyperX Cloud series of headsets has long been synonymous with PC gaming. The CloudX Fight model is a good headset that is specially made for the Xbox platform. Ultimately its strong Xbox functionality was offset by the premium price and limited extended feature set. Read the full HyperX CloudX Flight Gaming Headset review →

Budget Pick: Razer Kraken

While the Razer Kraken is targeted towards gamers on a budget, it stands side-by-side with other more expensive gaming headsets featured in this guide. The Razer Kraken has great sound quality and surprisingly consistent performance. The sound quality may be a bit inferior when directly compared with the premium headsets, but that difference will only be noticeable if you are an audiophile. For many gamers, that sound quality difference won’t be worth the added price tag of other headsets. Read the full Razer Kraken review →

Buyer’s Guide for Xbox Gaming Headsets

Picking a gaming headset for the Xbox ecosystem is a different beast compared to just looking for a good set of cans. You have to make sure that the headset you are going to choose is compatible with Xbox, has high sound quality, and is comfortable on your head.

Audio Quality

Ideally gamers want to have headphones that deliver the sound in digital audio. Having quality drivers and audio options like 7.1 virtual surround sound makes for more dynamic headphones that deliver a fuller experience. The Xbox Series X has unique Dolby Atmos support. Dolby Atmos provides Object Audio to deliver a more accurate sound experience to gamers. It works by mixing in overhead audio channels.

Comfort Level

Some gaming headsets have gotten so large, clunky, and feature heavy that they leave comfort behind. That is a big mistake for gamers who want to play late into the night. A clunky pair of headphones can also take you out of the game by being distracting. Similarly, a big part of what makes a headphone comfortable is how it connects to the Xbox.

Xbox Compatibility

Gamers should be sure that the headphones they buy are compatible with xBox so that it will take advantage of all technology present on the Xbox platform. Otherwise, you are just throwing money away since most, if not all, gaming headsets are pricier than the non-gaming ones. Also, the Xbox consoles are arguably the most technologically advanced compared to the other gaming console manufacturers as to their connectivity and compatibility given that Microsoft also puts out their games on the PC and mobile platforms through streaming. With this in mind, a great headset for the Xbox will almost always be also great to use in other machines.

When looking for gaming headsets for the Xbox, buyers must take into account the manufacturer’s dedication to maintaining the software of the headset. As already mentioned, the Xbox is at the forefront of bleeding-edge technology. Hence, there is a need for the manufacturer to watch out for the upcoming feature set in the consoles and then catching up with the software update.

Battery Life

In gaming headsets, maintaining connectivity is a big deal and battery life is a must. Fortunately, wireless headsets have advanced in this regard and tend to exhibit surprisingly strong battery life. All of the headsets on this list give gamers lots of sound from just a single charge or a few batteries.

Conclusion

Outright compatibility is the best quality of a gaming headset. If a headset needs further tinkering and complex setups, gamers might as well buy an audiophile headset instead of a gaming headset. Ease of use is another primary consideration in choosing a gaming headset, especially for the Xbox. When a gaming headset has more features it tends to also be heavier thus compromising comfort. The key is to find the balance between the features that you need and what the headset offers since you will have to pay for those features. If you are not going to use them anyway, choose the simpler headset for maximum comfort.