Thanks to the marvel of backwards and forwards compatibility, the best Xbox One headsets are still enjoying plenty of popularity. Whether you're dusting off an older system and looking to give it a new lease of life or you're after a reliable set of cups to span the generations, there are plenty of options out there at the moment.
Microsoft's finnicky wireless connections continue to give Xbox players headaches when hunting for a headset, though, which means you'll need to make sure you're picking up a compatible device if you are going down the untethered route. Plus, it's well worth double checking any prices of older releases against new models - you'd be surprised how many refreshes launch at the same MSRP without dropping the price on the previous generation.
With all that in mind, we've compiled this list of the best Xbox One headsets based on extensive testing across multiple weeks. We've lived, worked, and played with all these cups, to make sure they live up to their promises well past the initial two week testing period. We've also covered the full price range here as well, so you can make sure you're getting the best for your cash whatever your budget. Yes, the best gaming headsets are going to cost you, but there's plenty of value further down the scale as well.
While that aforementioned compatibility will ensure you can take your Xbox One headset between the two console generations seamlessly, some sets are built with the newer machines in mind. As a result, it's still quite a wise move to keep a close eye on the best Xbox Series X headsets and the lineup of Xbox Series X wireless headsets.
The best Xbox One headsets for 2023
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The Steelseries Arctis 9X was very much the Xbox One headset of its moment, and is still the best option for anyone after a headset designed in the era of the previous generation (and therefore sits a little cheaper these days). Specially engineered to work wirelessly with the console, it provides a near-perfect connection, combined with a rich audio experience, and impressive battery life. It's a great package for anyone serious about sound and getting the most out of their Xbox games. While the headset comes with 40mm drivers, which are smaller than many similarly priced competitors, they're well-tuned and deliver audio that punches well above its weight while retaining a nice clarity and richness.
The trademark SteelSeries 'headband' design offers good comfort levels too, meaning you can play for hours without really noticing that you're wearing the headset, which clocks in at a respectable 13oz / 368g. The mic is clear, comes with decent noise-canceling, and is retractable for when you're not using it. While you never completely remove the mic, it's hidden enough for you to use this headset as an everyday pair of cans, connecting to phones and tablets via a Bluetooth connection. That's a real bonus. You can even plug in via the 3.5mm connection if you want to connect to other consoles or devices, although you lose a number of features like 3D Spatial Sound here.
It's a superb all-rounder, but one that plays so very nicely with the Xbox One. If you want to seriously invest in a headset that does everything you need for gaming and beyond, the Steelseries Arctis 9X is well worth a look. It's also compatible with Xbox Series X|S which is awesome.
Note: While SteelSeries has released new lines for this generation of console and gaming in the form of the Nova headsets, the 9X still holds up excellently. The new headsets may even drive the price of this one down too which will make it even better.
Read more: SteelSeries Arctis 9X review
Sometimes you want a cheaper headset. But just because you're saving money, you shouldn't have to put up with poor audio, terrible design, and lousy build quality. The Corsair HS35 is the headset for anyone looking to save money and still get a decent pair of cans for their Xbox One. This is a thoughtfully designed piece of kit, available in Xbox green, obviously, with a sturdy yet comfortable build and some impressive audio qualities.
Thanks to memory foam ear-cups and a comfy headband, the Corsair HS35 is still snug without being uncomfortable after several hours of play, and it's tough enough to withstand being pulled on and off your head without too much care. The audio won't win awards, but it's on a par with most mid-range headsets, and manages some snappy treble (even if the bass can't match the likes of the Razer Kraken TE). The mic is clear and detachable, and there's a color-coded cable that plugs into any 3.5mm connection making it compatible with XSX|S too. Simple, easy, and very affordable.
Read more: Corsair HS35 review
The official venture into Xbox One headsets from Microsoft comes in the form of the Xbox Wireless Headset. While really targeted at the Xbox Series X and to be a companion to that latest console, it works beautifully with Xbox One.
The first big wallop of excellence comes in the unavoidably good-value price tag: at just $99/£89, it is way cheaper than rival headsets that are of the same weight category, quality-wise. And it is quality in almost every way: it's extremely comfortable, it has excellent audio performance with a clear audio soundscape, it features incredibly powerful bass, and the surround sound is solid too. A true highlight is the mic quality: this is tremendous, and it's designed well as it can be tucked away neatly when not in use. The wireless Bluetooth connection is one of the best we've tested on the Xbox Series X too. If you like your accessories officials and maybe find yourself in a situation of getting your new-gen console-setup in order before you find that elusive Xbox Series X stock, then this is the headset to span the generational gap.
Read more: Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox is easily one of the best wired Xbox One headsets going, and one of the best wired sets overall that we’ve ever used.
The lightweight design keeps the size and weight down, making it comfortable to wear but still feeling like there’s some sturdiness to it so I don’t have to worry about the cat or one of the kids accidentally sitting on it.
The Digital-To-Analogue (DAC) unit offers highly customisable EQ adjustment, letting you get the sound just how you like it, and the audio quality in stereo and surround mode is just superb across the board, whether it’s in action-packed action/shooting games, engaging RPGs, thoughtful adventure titles, or enjoying streaming content from the internet.
The icing on the cake is compatibility with other systems including PC and PlayStation 5; you can literally have it plugged into an Xbox and something else at the same time and switch between the two systems without having to take off the headset.
The main drawbacks are the very high price ($279.99/£249.99) which easily makes it one of the most expensive mainstream wired gaming headsets going right now, and the ear cushion material; it’s a form of leatherette - and in our experience with other headsets, that tends to split or degrade after a while, especially in hot conditions or very heavy use. The fact the decent microphone isn’t retract-to-mute is also a missed opportunity, and the need to have a cable running to the DAC and then to the Xbox also means you’ve got something else to potentially get in the way (or trip over) during a gaming session.
Overall though, these aren’t enough to change the fact the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox provides an absolutely amazing audio experience on Xbox. So if you’ve got the budget and don’t mind the wired setup, this represents an outstanding and highly recommended option.
Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox review
The Razer Nari Ultimate blew us away with its responsive, immersive haptic feedback when we first got our hands on it in 2020, and it continues to impress today. Back on release, the Nari Ultimate was one of the first Xbox One headsets offering this level of rumble between the ears, with revolutionary L5 haptic drivers working independently to provide not just feedback, but directionally precise feedback. That means you'll feel the impact of far away explosions differently to the sound of your own weapon, with tracking across the left and right cup working to reproduce rumble horizontally as well.
This isn't just a piece of show-off tech, though. The Nari Ultimate comes in a stylish gunmetal chassis and offers up a clear, well-balanced soundscape across a range of genres. While we did notice the Ultimate struggling when it came to music, the additional bass in this profile does work to add a robust quality to the sound.
This is a very gamey headset, with chunky cups, a floating headband, and Razer logos emblazoned on each side. That headband is also auto-adjusting, which is neat for a 'fuss-free' setup, but we did notice that those with smaller heads aren't going to get such a reliable fit. The cups ended up dropping below the jawline in our testing, resting against the side of the head rather than looping around the ears. While there are some nice eye-wear channels to allow for those with glasses, they rested in an uncomfortable position for us, which meant play sessions could reach past an hour or so. It's well worth reconsidering if you've got a particularly small head.
Everything else is made with luxurious comfort in mind, from the cooling gel-infused memory foam ear cushions to the heat transfer fabric. Add in Razer Chroma support and you've got yourself a good looking headset.
Read more: Razer Nari Ultimate review
This is a great contender for best Xbox One headset that will also serve you incredibly well for a new-gen console if you've got one - or are yet to go one. And that's all down to a simple wired connection that the Recon 500 offers - oh, and also the supreme audio quality and excellent value it offers too.
You won’t find lavish gamer-y design flairs or the most premium construction materials on the Recon 500, then, since Turtle Beach’s latest in the long-running line costs less than $100/£100. What you do find, crucially, is sound so good it takes you aback, and offers an Xbox One headset experience that is not hard on the wallet, but offers great bang for buck performance and value.
Wood composite injection technology. 60mm drivers. Dedicated woofers and tweeters per earcup. It doesn’t sound like the recipe for crisp, precise sound, and yet it all comes together in a powerful surge of ultra-responsive bass, detailed high end, and a pleasingly flat EQ curve with just a bit of audible kick further down the spectrum.
So that’s yours. Take it to the bank. But what isn’t coming along for the ride is much in the way of added features - this is a simple wired model (which offers greater flexibility and compatibility, of course) with just a mic mute, detachable mic arm, and volume scroll wheel in the way of physical controls. Not one for perennial tweakers then, but those who enjoy value, simplicity, and fundamentally great audio should scout out this new Recon.
Read more: Turtle Beach Recon 500 review
Designed as a Series X headset first, the Razer Kaira Pro is still one of the best Xbox One headsets. It's built to serve every level of the Xbox experience, it puts ease-of-use at the forefront, along with multi-generational compatibility. Powered by wireless and Bluetooth 5.0 connections, it's flexible and easy to swap between your console or your phone.
The audio experience doesn't suffer for it, though, and it still has that Razer, premiere audio quality: Razer's own Triforce titanium 50mm drivers are the real deal, giving you a wider breadth of sound in the high, mid, and low ranges. Plus, the surround sound that accompanies is absolutely convincing - it sells a sense of place in a way no TV speaker could.
The addition of downloadable software and an onboard game sound/chat balancer rounds out what is already a tempting package. Indeed, the former allows players to tweak their audio experience to taste or get straight into the action with pre-set profiles.
The Corsair HS75 XB Wireless is a 'designed for Xbox' product and doesn't require a dongle to connect to your Xbox. However, unlike some other dongle-free Xbox One headsets, the connection is strong, stable, and reliable. The main actors in the HS7b XB's performance are its booming pair of 50mm drivers. These make the headset excel at the most enthusiastic of battles and chaotic encounters, while another standout feature - the mic - means this is a superb gaming headset for multiplayer. Not only is the mic super clear, but it offers some of the best isolation around, doing a great job at cutting down on background noise around you. Throw in a strong battery life of around 20 hours between charges, and the package soon becomes incredibly compelling.
Fans of premium audio will be pleased to hear that the HS75 XB comes with free access to the Dolby Atmos app on Xbox (usually $15/£15), complete with audio presets for gaming, movies, and music, and access to equalizer settings. These options are particularly handy, offering general flexibility, but also the chance to reign in the treble which can sometimes be a bit piercing. Not many games support full-on Dolby Atmos audio yet, but the app's settings are worth experimenting with for any game, especially as you can switch on some quality positional audio, offering a potential edge in online shooters.
The build and design quality also help to further justify the price of admission, with the brushed metal earcup yokes feeling like they'll protect the headset from any drops - on their sides at least - while looking good too. Leatherette coverings around the headband and cups, along with soft padding, make the HS75 XB a comfortable wear. They do feel quite large though, and even on the smaller band settings it was quite a loose fit, especially over the ears - but then again this helped our ears stay cool.
Read more: Corsair HS75 XB review
Are Xbox One headsets compatible with Xbox Series X?
In general, the vast majority of Xbox One headsets are compatible with Xbox Series X - there are only very few outliers. That means you'll likely find that Xbox One headsets are easily transferable to your new console if you're lucky enough to grab one. Just to make sure, though, we'd recommend checking with the manufacturer's product information to double check.
How much should you spend on a gaming headset?
Now more than ever this is a particularly pertinent and important question. Just because some headsets offer literally everything doesn't mean they are worth the $300 or something for you. These one might be more aspirational than ever but will always be great for those that can afford such premium sets.
In truth, however, the best Xbox One headsets come in a variety of price points and forms. For example, the best cheap Xbox One headset on our list, the Corsair HS35 is a brilliant value headset given it's price of entry. You could possibly even go a bit cheaper than this but we would recommend using this as a good point that balances quality and value.
You need to think of your own budget when shopping for a new headset and then you can see what ones lie within that, or just beyond. Think about the must-hjave features - multi-platform compatibility, EQ adjustments, detachable microphone, and so on - and you can easily start whittling your options down. Rest assured though, our best Xbox One headset guide should definitely have something for you, no matter your budget.
How do I choose a headset for Xbox One?
Given the saturation of the Xbox One headset market, this is a legitimately good question; it really can feel like a mammoth task to try and narrow your search down, or to try and 'guess' at the differences between sets - after all, basically no one ever has all the top sets right in front of them for direct comparisons.
However, our best Xbox One headset list will guide you to top quality headsets. They are all compatible, offer quality audio for their price point, offer both wired and wireless options, and have different feature sets and specs. Teamed with price, these are the exact things to think about when whittling down your options; be methodical, be ruthless at times, and you will find the perfect set for you.
More of a music fan? Check out our guide to the best headphones. Or, to save even more on your new setup, take a look at the latest Xbox Series S bundles. We're also rounding up plenty more of the best Xbox One accessories for further inspiration.
Also be sure to check out the best TVs for Xbox Series X and the best gaming TVs to give you the best options visually too.
