Best Xbox Series X headsets in 2023

The best Xbox Series X headsets are designed to provide better audio while helping to immerse players into the best titles on the system. With the console approaching three years on the market, there are now more options than ever in terms of high-quality products.

With more brands expanding out to the platform, you've got a lot of choices when it comes to the best Xbox Series X headsets. Fortunately, we're here to cut through the confusion. We've tested all these models and know that they're of the highest quality for the console. If you're interested in getting more for the system, then we're also rounding up the best Xbox Series X accessories and the best Xbox controllers, too. 

If you want to play the best Xbox Series X games in their best quality, then you'll want to consider some of the best monitors for Xbox Series X next. We also consider Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be as close to an essential purchase as you get on Microsoft's platforms for the vast array of titles on the service. 

Best Xbox Series X headsets in 2023

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless is our number-one pick for the best Xbox Series headset on the market right now. That's because this particular model is not only aggressively priced, exceedingly comfortable to wear, and feature-rich, but it also looks the part, too. You can expect a battery life of around 20 hours (potentially longer) meaning you won't have to charge it up after every play session. 

With a sticker price of $150 / £120 / AU$249, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 doesn't break the bank too badly either. It's a sure-fire step up from your average wireless headset aimed at the Xbox platforms but doesn't quite take the leap into audiophile/enthusiast territory, making it far more accessible to the wider gaming market (though we do have those options further down the page). 

The gaming performance of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is truly remarkable. We found that the custom-tuned 50mm audio drivers produced a complex soundscape with everything from the low-end to higher ranges coming across faithfully. 

As with some other Turtle Beach models, mostly from the Recon line, you've got the various different onboard settings to tailor your experience with the most notable of which being the 'Superhuman Hearing' mode which amplifies some things such as gunshots and footsteps - ideal for competition. In terms of an encompassing headset experience that hits all the right notes, this model does everything you would expect at its price point and much more, too, making it our top choice this year. 

• Read more: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 review (opens in new tab)

Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset is easily up there as one of the best Xbox Series X headsets. That's because this officially licensed model features incredible sound quality, narrative pairing with the system itself through wireless and Bluetooth, as well as some great quality-of-life inclusions all at an aggressive price point. 

That's because the Xbox Wireless Headset is priced at $99 / £89 / AU$149 making it one of the better value-for-money propositions available on the platform. Of course, competitive pricing wouldn't mean much if it didn't sound the part, and fortunately, these headphones certainly do. We've been continuously impressed by the prominent bass and the balanced sound profile, delivering strong performance in the low-end and mids, too.  

You would be forgiven for thinking that this headset could be too bass-heavy for certain titles such as story-driven experiences and competitive shooters. Well, Microsoft thought of that as well. That's because there are six customized EQ settings ready to go straight out of the box tailored to a wide variety of games. It can all be tweaked in the Xbox Accessories app so if you've found the audio profiles a little one-sided, you can dial in what's right for you right from the console itself. 

Arguably the biggest strength of the Xbox Wireless Headset is how it handles Dolby Atmos. The immersive simulated surround sound technology has been widely adopted by over 50 titles at the time of writing. It's a growing list, too, as more developers continue to find innovative ways to implement spatial audio. All told, we can't find much fault from the build quality to the 15-hour battery life either. 

• Read more: Xbox Wireless Headset review

The SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless certainly lives up to the promise of delivering extensive battery life through 2.4 GHz wireless adapter, with a quoted lifespan of around 25 hours playback. In our testing, we found that the SteelSeries Arctis 7X largely met this figure when gaming and enjoying media, though this set is definitely more suited to the former activity than the latter. 

With a price tag of $149 / £174.99, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X isn't exactly the cheapest Xbox Series X headset on the market, but we believe its versatile nature, outstanding build quality, and stellar audio profile more than justify this rate. That's because you're getting full support with USB-C devices (as well as an adapter for USB-A) and a propriety cable along with the standard 3.5mm jack. This means that while it's excellent for Xbox, you can also make use of this set on your other devices as well. 

It's the faithful directional audio and crisp profiles that impressed us the most in our testing, though. We found that gunfire and explosions punched through the haze in competitive gaming sessions, but dialogue was picked up effortlessly, too. The same can be said of the built-in microphone which is one of the better ones we've put through the paces recently.  

• Read more: SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless review

In terms of well-priced and fully-featured options for competitive gaming, the Fnatic React Plus is an easy contender for those wanting the edge in-game. That's because this wired gaming headset features Dolby Atmos support for 7.1 simulated surround sound. You'll need to be plugged in via the Xbox Series X's USB port to take full advantage here, but it's an edge that will give you immersive feedback on your enemy's positioning and cut through the chaos of the background noise. 

With a price point of $74.99 / £84.99 / AU$140, the Fnatic React Plus is one of the more affordable gaming headsets available from a big-name brand. Most in the scene will know Fnatic as the long-running eSports organization, so we think they know a thing or two about how to develop audio solutions for competition. This is reflected in the audio performance, with tight bass and a smooth sound profile throughout our testing. 

What we also like about the Fnatic React Plus is the microphone. It can be challenging at the best of times to be heard amongst intense firefights when calling out to your teammates. That's not the case with the detachable mic found here, with the cardioid pickup and pop filter doing an excellent job of ensuring we were heard at all times without issue. Given all these offer, we think they are ideal for those more full-on multiplayer titles such as Halo Infinite and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. 

• Read more: Fnatic React Plus review

If you're in the market for a truly premium Xbox Series X headset then the Astro A50 continues to set a high bar. While we've seen multiple different revisions of this coveted model over the years, the most recent iteration excels in every way you would hope for out of a headset that carries an MSRP of $299 / £349 / AU$489. 

While the aesthetics aren't going to be for everyone, slick and subtle this is not, the Astro A50 hits a home run overall. That's because you're getting some of the most effective noise canceling we've ever seen in a gaming headset, not to mention the bright and full audio profile which absolutely sings in the loudest moments of blockbuster titles and the quiet ones alike.  

Design-wise, the Astro A50 headset is one of the most comfortable, too. While its angular finish isn't going to be for everyone's tastes, it's how it feels on your hand that matters most in our opinion. In terms of battery life, you're looking at around 15 hours depending on your usage. What separates this model from similarly priced competitors, though, is the charging station which can be used wirelessly as well to keep the unit close at hand where it is needed. You also get real-time updates on things like your EQ and Dolby activation, too. It's a pricey package for sure, but a complete one, too. 

• Read more: Astro A50 Gaming Headset review (opens in new tab)

Best Xbox Series X headsets - FAQs

We've utilized our knowledge and personal experience to answer some of the internets burning questions on exactly what makes the best Xbox Series X headsets worthwhile for the platform. 

How we chose the best Xbox Series X headsets in 2023

We make sure to test the best Xbox Series X headsets thoroughly before considering whether or not to place them in this list. There's plenty of headset brands available on the console, including Turtle Beach, Fnatic, SteelSeries and Xbox's own-brand cans. With so many options, it's important to highlight the ones that're really worth your time and money.

We test Xbox headsets in a variety of ways. Audio quality is typically the first port of call. But we also consider battery life, connectivity, build quality, ease of use and of course, the price. The best Xbox headsets will strike a strong balance in all areas, or provide a seriously high quality experience in one or two areas.

Our best headsets guide is updated regularly. As new products release all the time, we endeavor to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to recommending you the best headsets you can buy at any given time.

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