Friday, September 11, 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. Microsoft is also launching a more affordable version, dubbed the Xbox Series S.
Additionally, your best Xbox One headset will work on the Xbox Series S and X consoles. Beyond that, almost any accessory will work on the Xbox Series S and X, actually. 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 and S, as approved by their manufacturers. These are the best Xbox Series X, Series S Headsets.
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. And backward compatibility makes it arguably the best Xbox Series X, Series S headset you can buy.
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
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. Astro is also updating it for the Xbox Series X and S with a firmware option to enable USB compatibility, making it easily one of the best Xbox Series X, Series S headsets you can buy.
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 onboard Dolby solution, Astro's own sound profile is rich, with an emphasis on tactical audio cues. The microphone isn't particularly impressive, 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
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 Elite Pro 2
The Elite Pro 2 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 Elite Pro 2 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 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 onboard features
Best Wired
Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2
Rock solid
The Elite Pro 2 lacks the bells and whistles of a wireless headset with onboard 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 onboard controls and features
- Great microphone
Cons:
- Bluetooth is naturally susceptible to interference
Best with Bluetooth
LucidSound LS50X
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)
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
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.
Don't forget, your all your best Xbox One headsets and best Xbox One wireless headset will work on the Xbox Series S and X, unless stated otherwise. So far, it looks like pretty much everything will work, though. Headsets with SPDIF docks like the Astro A50 will need to be connected to your TV instead of your Series S or X, though.
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.
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