Best Xbox Gaming Headset In 2023
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X
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Best Xbox Gaming Headset: Runner-up
SteelSeries Arctis 7X
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Best Xbox Wireless Headset For The Value
Razer Kaira Pro Wireless
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Best Xbox Wireless Headset For The Value: Runner-up
HyperX CloudX Flight
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Best Wired Xbox Headset
Astro A40 TR
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Best Budget Wired Xbox Headset
Razer BlackShark V2 X
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Best Wired Xbox Headset Under $100
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3
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Best Xbox Headset Under $50
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
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Best Budget Xbox Headset With Surround Sound
Corsair HS65
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Best High-End Wireless Xbox Headset
SteelSeries Nova Pro
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Best High-End Wireless Xbox Headset: Runner-Up
Astro A50
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Best high-end Xbox wired headset
SteelSeries Nova Pro Wired
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Best If You Want A Microsoft Headset
Xbox Wireless Headset
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Best Premium Xbox Headset That Also Looks Really Cool
Logitech G Astro A30
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When talking about games for Xbox Series X|S, most of the attention goes toward visuals and performance. But games and hardware have also made strides in another key area: audio. Your 4K TV can go a long way toward showcasing these visual improvements, but it won't help the audio shine--unless you also have a high-end soundbar or speaker system on your entertainment stand. To really increase the immersion without spending an exorbitant amount of cash on a speaker system, you can use a dedicated Xbox headset. Many games even recommend wearing a headset for the ideal audio experience. In 2023, there are a bunch of great gaming headsets for Xbox that are worth considering. We've rounded up the best Xbox headsets.
One great thing about Microsoft's approach to the Xbox Series X|S is that accessories are backward- and forward-compatible. All of your Xbox One gear, including headsets and controllers, are fully compatible with Xbox Series X|S. You may already have a solid headset, but if you're here, chances are you're considering an upgrade. And as mentioned, major manufacturers have made welcome improvements to gaming headset design and feature sets in recent years.
The Xbox Series X|S has built-in support for multiple stellar audio tech advancements, including Windows Sonic spatial sound, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X. Unsurprisingly, many of the headsets on this list take advantage of these technologies.
Our roundup of the best Xbox headsets includes options from a variety of brands, including industry leaders like SteelSeries, Razer, Astro, and Corsair. Every headset on this list will work with your PC, and many of them are fully compatible with Nintendo Switch, too. You'll even find a few headsets that work wirelessly with all of your devices, including PlayStation consoles.
For more Xbox recommendations, make sure to check out our list of the best Xbox controllers. And if you're looking to upgrade your setup, we also have roundups of the best gaming chairs and desks. For even more on headsets, we have dedicated recommendation lists for PS5 and PC, too.
With a sleek design, a great price tag, and incredible audio, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X sits as the best Xbox gaming headset of 2023. Despite costing significantly less than much of the competition, you’ll be impressed by its high fidelity drivers and support for 360-degree spatial audio--which fully immerses you in your game.
The Arctis Nova 7X also allows you to mix two audio connections at once, is compatible with both Bluetooth and wireless 2.4GHz connections, and runs for up to 38 hours on a single charge. It manages to pack all those features into a gorgeous design, too, which uses a green and black color palette that mimics your Xbox Series X console.
SteelSeries rounds out the headset with a noise-canceling microphone, support for PC, PlayStation and Switch, and plush materials that make it easy to forget you’re even wearing a headset.
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Not only does the SteelSeries Arctis 7X share most of its name with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X listed above, but much of its spec sheet is shared with the high-end device. Its design doesn’t look quite as premium or sleek as its successor--nor is it quite as comfortable--but you’ll still benefit from a bi-directional microphone, a reliable 2.4GHz wireless connection, and 24 hours of runtime on a single charge. It also comes with 40mm drivers that’ll faithfully reproduce everything from ringing gunshots to the roar of an engine.
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Often on sale for less than $100, the Razer Kaira Pro Wireless is very affordable for a Razer product. And while its price is budget-friendly, its performance leaves little to be desired. Hiding inside the Kaira Pro Wireless you’ll find booming 50mm drivers that work with four different EQ settings that allow you to customize their performance. The headset also comes with breathable memory foam cushions, a detachable 9.9mm supercardioid microphone, and built-in controls. It looks good too, with a dark black color scheme featuring a few green accents--making it a perfect companion for your Series X.
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Plush earcups, impressive durability, and loud 50mm drivers make the HyperX CloudX Flight an easy headset to recommend. It’s a bit bulkier than other products on this list, but its bulk makes the earcups pretty darn cozy. Like all HyperX headsets, this one comes with a few extras--such as LED lighting effects, rotating earcups, and a detachable microphone. So if you don’t mind its larger footprint, be sure to give the CloudX Flight a closer look.
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If you like the reliability of a wired connection, the Astro A40 TR is hard to beat. Boasting a slick design, high-end materials (like synthetic leather and plush ear cups), and tuned with Astro Audio V2 for a great listening experience, it’s truly a well-rounded headset. And beyond all the usual features you get with premium headsets, the Astro A40 TR is built to support mods, allowing you to change out its earcups or alter its padded headband.
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The Razer BlackShark V2 X gives you access to some premium Razer features without the premium Razer price tag. This includes an eye-catching design, 50mm drivers, memory foam cushions, and great passive noise cancellation thanks to its closed earcups. It lacks some of the flair and more advanced features of more expensive Razer headsets, but no doubt this is a great option if you’re shopping on a budget.
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Featuring 360-degree Spatial Audio, SteelSeries’ stellar ComfortMax System that allows for tons of adjustments, and a powerful noise-canceling microphone, the Arctis Nova 3 is loaded for a $100 headset. It’s a good-looking device, too, with RGB lights and a matte black design that should appeal to most buyers. When you’re not playing on Xbox, the Arctis Nova 3 also works on PC, PlayStation, and Switch, making it a versatile companion that can go with you wherever you game.
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You won’t find many sleek headsets for less than $50--and that holds true for the Cloud Stinger Core, which is a pretty clunky looking device. But what sets it apart from others in this price bracket is its list of features, which include durable construction, a noise-canceling microphone, and rotating earcups built with memory foam. So if you can look past its uninspired design, there’s a lot going for the Cloud Stinger Core.
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The Corsair HS65 supports 7.1 surround sound--a big selling point if you’re looking for impressive audio. It also features a lightweight design, 50mm drivers, and the unique SonarWorks SoundID software that lets you customize the performance of your headset. It lacks some convenience features like a detachable microphone or wireless connectivity, but the HS65 is definitely worth a closer look if those omissions aren’t an issue.
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Clocking in at $350, the SteelSeries Nova Pro isn’t cheap. It does, however, give you some extremely impressive features that make it the best gaming headset around, for any platform--if you don't factor price into the equation, of course. Simply put, its superb acoustics, looks, ergonomics, and compatibility make it a near-perfect gaming headset with a feature list that will likely be future-proof for years.
This includes noise-canceling tech supported by a four-mic system with a retractable chat mic, 360-degree spatial audio, parametric EQ, and components that are highly adjustable for a comfortable fit. It's even more comfortable than the Nova 7, as its memory foam earcups are wrapped in premium leatherette. The build quality is also improved with lightweight steel and metal used for added durability.
In addition to on-ear dials and buttons to adjust regular audio settings, the Nova Pro comes with a base station with a small display for tinkering with settings such as QA and chat mix. The base station plugs into your Xbox to provide the wireless connection (no dongle needed). It comes with a second port that can be connected to a PlayStation console or PC. Once you turn your system on, the Nova Pro automatically recognizes which device you're using.
The Nova Pro has a unique battery feature that just about guarantees you won't ever run out of juice. It comes with two swappable, rechargeable batteries. While you game with one of them slotted underneath the earcup cover, the other battery is charging in the base station. Each battery will last roughly 36 hours on a full charge. This figure dips to around 20 if you utilize the simultaneous audio feature. Like the Nova 7, the Pro supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, and you can use the Bluetooth connection on your phone while gaming on the 2.4GHz frequency.
Most Xbox owners will view the Nova Pro as overkill in general and with a price that's hard to stomach. If you game across multiple platforms and are serious about audio, though, it's worth considering--especially if you game regularly on PC. On PC, you can take advantage of SteelSeries' Sonar app, which lets you fine-tune your audio experience to a staggering degree.
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Great audio, support for Dolby Atmos, and a powerful microphone--the Astro A50 gives you just about everything you’d want from a high-end headset. But what helps it stand out from the crowd (literally) is an included base station. This provides you with tons of additional connectivity (thanks to aux ports and a micro-USB port) and gives you a cool way to display your headset when not in use. It’s also a bit more affordable than the SteelSeries Nova Pro and makes a great alternative if you don’t want to spend $350 on a headset.
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This is essentially the same as the Nova Pro listed above, minus the wireless connection. But beyond that, not much as changed, as you’ll still find a premium construction and support for spatial audio and parametric EQ. The main difference is that the wired version's DAC (the little base station) produces better sound quality than the wireless version. Not everyone will notice the difference, but if you don't mind the wired connection and want the absolute best audio SteelSeries offers, the Nova Pro wired version is the winner (plus it saves you money).
Once again, the Nova Pro really thrives if you also game on PC due to Sonar app customization. But as a headset with a 3.5mm cable, you can use it on every platform.
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Microsoft’s first-party Xbox Wireless Headset checks all the right boxes. It costs $100, features a minimalist design, and supports Dolby Atmos for a great listening experience. It can also run for 15 hours on a single charge, which is solid for a headset in this price range. It’s not very flashy and it doesn’t come with many additional features, but it’s a reliable headset that’s built for full Xbox support.
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The Logitech G Astro A30 is nothing if not attractive. It features a bold, white design with colorful earcup insets that can be swapped for different designs with Logitech's mod kids. Those earcups also rotate for added comfort and everything else on the headset is built with premium materials for a durable and comfortable finish.
Beyond its good looks, you’ll find support for most platforms beyond Xbox--you'll need a separate dongle for PlayStation consoles--a detachable boom microphone along with built-in microphones, and a battery that’ll run for 27 hours before needing to be plugged in. The A30 connects wirelessly via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and also comes with a detachable 3.5mm cable for wired connections. Like the high-end SteelSeries headsets, the A30 supports a simultaneous connection and over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth.
The Logitech G Astro A30 is a bit pricey at $230, but its combination of style and performance is unparalleled.
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