The Best Xbox Wireless Headsets
Gaming in the modern day is a multi-sensory experience that requires quick reactions to stay in the match longer. If you're straining to hear snapping twigs in a virtual forest or jamming out to a sensational soundtrack, wireless headsets will make the most of your experience. Similar to old-school studio devices, most gaming headsets feature over-ear protection that locks out ambient noise. Many options also have moveable microphones for clear, constant communication. Whether you're doing solo matchmaking or coordinating a team effort, our top Xbox headsets allow for lag-free communication and exquisite comfort for casual encounters and professional tournaments alike.
What to Look For
In our search for the best, we asked three questions to guide us: Does it maintain a clear wireless connection? Is the audio quality excellent enough to hear dynamics and directional sounds? Does it fit comfortably? Our favorite is the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Headset since it offers everything we need for immersive gaming at a great price. But if comfort is your priority, we recommend checking out the Razer Kaira Pro Headset, which has super soft ear cups that reduce discomfort. For more of our reviews, read on.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Headset
Irresistible immersion
Consoles rely just as heavily on accessories as their PC gamer counterparts. Turtle Beach’s Stealth 600 headset is the cornerstone to any console gamer’s loadout. Firstly, this device is optimized for Windows products, making your Xbox audio experience strong and clear. The ear cups tout a plush mesh lining for long sessions and then some. Every setting you would need to control is built into the cup’s exterior. Best of all, the Stealth 600 features something called the Superhuman Hearing audio preset. This ultra-precise configuration heightens subtle sounds like footsteps, ensuring no one gets the drop on you or your team again.
Pros:
- We were blown away by the fifteen-hour battery life. If you remember to charge it in between gaming sessions, it should pretty much never die during a match.
- This option is a big hit for those of us who wear glasses since the sides have cutouts that let the arms of glasses pass through without pressure.
- The nifty volume wheel lets you adjust both game and party sounds to ensure you get clear comms and full immersion.
Cons:
- You may have to connect to the Turtle Beach app to update the firmware every now and then.
Razer Kaira Pro Headset
Listen in luxury
When you’re leading your squad into battle, the Kaira Pro from Razer will ensure that your orders are executed to the letter. This super cardioid mic focuses audio pickup around your mouth and your mouth alone. While the headset doesn’t connect automatically, the combination equalizer and pairing button work efficiently for a near-instant setup. We also love the foam ear cushions, which work to disperse heat away from your ears. With game-specific audio settings, a formidable battery, and a sleek design, Razer’s headset is a winning choice from the game room to the office room.
Pros:
- Because it uses Bluetooth 5.0, it’s widely compatible with a huge range of devices. When you’re done gaming for the day, you can use it for music and phone calls, too.
- We love how the microphone can be removed, adding to the versatility. It’s also great for single-player games that don’t require comms.
- It can connect to multiple audio sources simultaneously.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have active noise cancellation, so it’s not ideal for noisy environments.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Headset
Free from feedback
If you’re in search of a headset that’s small in stature but still offers full coverage, look no further than the Stealth 700. To start, this headset sports a beautiful design that folds in on itself for worry-free transit. The sturdy articulating microphone slides seamlessly out of the frame, while the malleable metal headband keeps everything together without too much rigidity. Expecting calls from the office or gaming on multiple devices? Turtle Beach’s impressive wireless tech switches between phone and computer audio without incident. It can even pump in music without interfering with gameplay, too.
Pros:
- For those that enjoy long gaming sessions, the comfort and lightweight feel of this option is a huge plus. It also can break in a bit after a while, meaning it conforms to your head.
- Turtle Beach offers a compatible app with which you can adjust and mix the different audio levels.
- The headset acts as a remote control for the Xbox, so it will power up the console when you turn on the headset.
Cons:
- Strong wireless transmitters and receivers, such as a wireless modem, can cause some audio noise in the mic when in close proximity.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Headset
An earful of excellence
The SteelSeries Arctis redefines clear console communication with a plethora of features that gamers will love. This headset is a universal masterpiece, connecting to all three major consoles and PCs without a laborious setup. On top of a steel headband that can suit all heads and survives most falls, charging is lightning-fast thanks to its USB-C port. What we love more than anything, however, is the active noise cancellation. Usually, a feature only found in high-end audio equipment, this special software will block out background noise when you’re speaking and keep your ears alert to any potential enemies lying in wait.
Pros:
- The design is super attractive, and it’s available in black or white options.
- The audio is clear and immersive, especially with the active noise cancellation activated.
- The battery life is astounding. On a full charge, this headset can last more than 20 hours before needing a recharge.
Cons:
- The volume dial moves easily, so it can rub against a chair or clothing and accidentally adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did headsets become popular?
Headsets trace their origins back over a century to California at Stanford University. Nathaniel Baldwin, a student at the time, was looking to attract clients for his ingenious invention with little initial success. While he found no luck in the private sector, the US Navy was an early adopter. Recognizing their importance to hassle-free communication, this branch of the armed services purchased a batch of one hundred, all of which were handmade by Mr. Baldwin. Several decades later, an inventor named John Koss would debut the first commercial headset with stereo sound as an accessory to his groundbreaking portable phonograph.
Are headphones safe to use continuously?
While headphones overuse isn’t discussed as much as screen overuse in our tech-heavy present, it can cause damage over time. On the whole, doctors recommend keeping headphone volume below 60% to avoid long-term ear problems. If you must listen at maximum volume, try to limit use to five minutes. As a consolation, headphones are still much safer than widely popular earbuds because they sit further away from the ear canal and block out background noise more efficiently. Regardless, hearing loss is irreversible with modern medicine, and symptoms such as ringing or muffled hearing can only be slowed down once noticed.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.