Best Xbox Series X Headsets 2020

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's next big console, stealing the power crown from Sony's PlayStation 5. It comes complete with ray-tracing realistic reflections and lighting, SSD speeds for world streaming and loading, and a far more powerful CPU. 4K resolution with 60 frames per second should become the norm, as Microsoft looks to flood the system with tons of titles Xbox Game Studios is currently working on. Even still, a great console needs a great headset to go with it. The Xbox Series X doesn't have a SPDIF optical port. Still, beyond that, almost any headset that works on the Xbox One should also work on the Xbox Series X. To that end, we've collated the best Xbox headsets we've tested, and ones that we have confirmed to be compatible with the Xbox Series X.

Best Xbox Series X Headset Overall: LucidSound LS35X

The LucidSound LS35X is a stunning example of what is achievable at the upper echelons of accessory design. From the materials and construction to the comfort, audio, and features, the LS35X is a winner on every front.

The LS35X was the first headset to use Microsoft's Xbox wireless signal for connectivity, replacing all wires and dongles. It sports an impressive all-day battery life, rechargeable via USB, and comes with on-ear controls for muting, audio mixing, and volume. All of the controls and dials are subtly placed, and a detachable microphone with an LED mute light completes the package, with above-average audio quality for headsets in this category.

My favorite aspect of the LS35X is the coolant gel in the earcups, which is simply sublime on the ears, especially in warmer environments. The soundscape is no slouch either, with stunning, punchy sound balanced well between immersion and tactical accentuation. This is simply a tremendous all-around wireless Xbox headset, well-worth your attention.

Pros:

• Direct-to-Xbox wireless
• Supreme comfort
• Great soundscape
• Excellent mic

Cons:

• Requires PC to update firmware
• Wirelessness on PC requires a separate Xbox Wireless dongle

Best Overall

LucidSound LS35X

• From $159 from Amazon
• $189 at BestBuy

Get lucid

The LuciduSound LS35X is the headset I repeatedly come back to. The coolant gel earcups are dreamy on the ears and complimented with an epic soundscape, stellar microphone, and rock-solid wireless convenience.

Best Xbox Series X Headset for Versatility: Astro A50

The Astro A50 headset is the priciest option on this list, and for a good reason. This wireless headset comes with a unique magnetic charging dock, to ensure you're always topped off and ready to rock no matter how long you've been gaming. This is the headset I use personally, primarily for its versatility above all else.

The dock for the Astro A50 comes with compatibility for SPDIF optical audio, meaning you can plug it straight into the TV and use that as your sound source. This means you can use it with basically any console you want since the sound is coming out of the TV rather than the box. Although, you will also be able to connect it via USB to your Xbox Series X if you don't fancy using SPDIF optical. Additionally, you can connect the USB to a PC instead, mixing sound from your TV while using voice chat programs like Discord and the like on your computer. It's this versatility that comes in incredibly handy if you're a content creator, or play across multiple devices.

The A50 is no slouch in the sound department either. Although I'm not a big fan of their on-board Dolby solution, Astro's own sound profile is rich, with an emphasis on tactical audio cues. The microphone isn't particularly special, but a flip-to-mute function is a useful tool for quickly tapping out of the conversation. The headset is comfortable and attractive, too, although the leatherette accessories, which are far more comfortable, are sadly sold separately.

This is a headset for people who don't mind breaking the bank for premium convenience and a tidy, wireless playspace.

Pros:

• SPDIF optical-in for TVs
• Solid sound and comfort
• Great battery life
• Convenient dock charging
• Will work with USB on the Xbox Series X

Cons:

• Most expensive Xbox headset out there

Most Versatile

Astro A50

• From $300 at Amazon

Versatility comes at cost

The SPDIF-compatible wireless dock makes this an excellent headset for mixing sound from your game and another device like a laptop PC, ideal for streamers and content creators, or just regular Xbox gamers who want the convenience of a magnetic dock.

Best Xbox Series X Headset (Wired): Turtle Beach Atlas Pro

The Atlas Pro from Turtle Beach is an excellent all-round wireless headset, with quality construction reinforced with metal, an attractive design profile, with a comfortable floating headband and thick, well-cushioned airy earcups.

The Atlas Pro doesn't have a ton of features, although it does come with a high-quality in-line volume control module and mute button on its 3.5mm cable. If you want more features like mic monitoring, you'll have to add them via software like the Xbox dashboard sound settings, or an additional accessory, like the Elite Pro Tac audio controller. This is a headset that's all about nailing the basics, and in that, it does it exceptionally well.

The voluminous soundscape provides a really acute sense of positional awareness when combined with Dolby Atmos or Windows Sonic. However, you can elevate this further by using one of Turtle Beach's amps for more accurate 7.1-style positional awareness, which also bakes in some mic monitoring as well.

I personally used this headset for many months and genuinely adore it, ditching it only because I found wirelessness more convenient in my current desk setup, and Turtle Beach doesn't really have a competing option in that area. As a wired headset, though, this simply does not disappoint.

Pros:

• Great soundscape
• Feels great to wear
• Sturdy build with a metal frame

Cons:

• Basic headset that lacks on-board features

Best Wired

Turtle Beach Atlas Pro

• $100 from Amazon $100 at Walmart

Rock solid

The Atlas Pro lacks the bells and whistles of a wireless headset with on-board features, but it does the job as a 3.5mm wired solution, complete with a robust design that should see it last longer than most of its counterparts.

Best Xbox Series X Headset with Bluetooth: LucidSound LS50X

The LucidSound LS50X is very similar to its LS35X cousin, with the nifty addition of Bluetooth. If you want a headset for use on your Xbox console and with your phone when you're out and about, this might be a great option.

The LS50X uses a proprietary signal dongle to isolate the Xbox wireless frequency from Bluetooth. While I suffered a bit of interference trying to use my Xbox and my PC simultaneously, the Bluetooth connectivity was rock solid when used with my phone, which is probably a bit better at handling Bluetooth than my PC. The fact the LS50X has a subtle design and a detachable microphone makes it an excellent option for going mobile, listening to music while traveling, and so on, owing to its monstrously impressive 15 plus hour battery life.

The LS50X uses the same coolant gel as its LS35X sibling, which compliments its lightweight, robust, yet comfortable construction. The soundscape is punchy and impressive, too, with multiple EQ modes tuned for gaming, music, or media. If that wasn't enough, LucidSound also throws in a carrying case, as well as a 3.5mm cable just in case you want even more versatility.

Pros:

• Combines Bluetooth with Xbox wireless
• Industry-leading comfort and design
• Lots of on-board controls and features
• Great microphone

Cons:

• Bluetooth is naturally susceptible to interference

Best with Bluetooth

LucidSound LS50X

• $250 from Amazon

Go mobile

If you want a headset you can use both with your Xbox and your smartphone, this wireless Xbox headset with Bluetooth combo is a great option that won't disappoint.

Best Xbox Series X Headset for Value: SteelSeries Arctis 1 (Wireless)

SteelSeries is an industry leader, building quality products for a range of price points. For pure value, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 (Wireless) Xbox headset represents a real bargain.

At $100, this wireless headset does use a USB dongle, unlike some other wireless Xbox headsets on the market. Still, for design and sound quality, it's a bit of a trendsetter and comes with a Cyberpunk 2077 optional design as well.

The microphone is perhaps not as impressive as it could be, and clearly, some compromises were made in the materials and construction department to achieve this price bracket. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to a youngster, for example, as it may get broken. However, if you're an adult who takes care of their gear, few headsets can boast this price point while also nailing the fundamentals so well.

Pros:

• Insane 20-hour battery life
• Solid wireless signal
• Decent audio quality
• Great price point

Cons:

• Mic isn't the best
• Construction may not be child-proof

Best Value

SteelSeries Arctis 1 (Wireless)

• $90 from Amazon

Great things can come in cheap packages

The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Xbox headset is a great entry-level wireless option for those who want to ditch the cables.

Best Xbox Series X Headset on a Budget: Turtle Beach Recon 200

There are cheaper headsets out there, but I'm generally reluctant to recommend headsets less expensive than this, since they're prone to breaking, wear and tear, and worse. At this point, you end up having to pay more by buying additional headsets anyway for a no-nonsense headset with robust construction and decent audio that won't break the bank.

The Recon 200 is a solid wired headset that boasts a reinforced metal headband, ensuring a degree of toughness that should help it last far longer than headsets with cheaper construction. It also features Turtle Beach's flip-to-mute mic tech, leatherette cup profile, and decent audio quality that won't disappoint, especially when elevated with Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos.

The Recon 200's audioscape won't blow your mind at $60, and it could have used a bit more attention when it comes to comfort. However, it more than does the job, wrapped in a quality package that should last the test of time.

Pros:

• Solid audio
• Metal-reinforced construction
• Convenient on-ear controls

Cons:

• Not the most comfortable headset

Best Budget

Turtle Beach Recon 200

• $60 from Amazon $60 at Best Buy

Don't break the bank

If you want a decent quality headset without breaking the bank, consider the Turtle Beach Recon 200. The steel frame makes it sturdier than most in this price bracket, which could also make it an ideal purchase for youngsters.

Bottom line

My current personal headset I'm using is the Astro A50, owing primarily to its versatility. For my set up, being able to feed SPDIF optical audio and combine that with sound from my PC from chat apps like Discord is invaluable as a content creator, making videos on our YouTube channel or game streaming and so on. The fact that it allows me to have a headset permanently hooked up to both my Xbox and PC with a single device is something that I find to be ideal for my set up, although the price is incredibly prohibitive for those who won't end up using all of its features. If you can stomach the price, however, you'll find this headset to be nothing short of remarkable, with excellent sound, comfort, construction, and wireless convenience.

For the vast majority of people, though, I would recommend the LucidSound LS35X. I personally find the LucidSound audio profile to reach higher than both Turtle Beach and Astro and other competing brands, with a good balance between immersive audio and tactical sound cues. I also just can't get enough of the coolant gel LucidSound adds into the mix, which makes them absurdly comfortable. The microphone is also a cut above on the LS35X, beating out many of its competitors. The main downside is the fact that there is a mandatory firmware update for this headset, which requires a PC connection.

If you don't want to break the bank but still gun for decent quality, I always recommend the Turtle Beach Atlas Pro wired headset. It might lose some of that wireless convenience, and obtaining elevated positional awareness might need an additional accessory. Still, the soundscape is expansive, with a robust metal-reinforced design, generously cushioned earcups that are easy on the ears, and highly flexible cabling that will stand the test of time.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Jez Corden is a full-time writer for Windows Central, focusing on Xbox, Surface, and Windows PC. He spends the vast majority of his time gaming or writing about gaming, with a mission to provide gamers in the Microsoft ecosystem the best and most up-to-date info possible.