Wednesday, October 28, 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 complatible 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, Series S Headsets 2020
- LucidSound LS35X — Best Overall: An epic soundscape meets great, comfortable design, airy, cooling earcups, and great wireless features.
- Astro A50 — Best Versatility: The Astro A50 isn't cheap, but the excellent recharge dock and huge array of features make them a top-shelf choice.
- Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 — Best Wired: Great comfort, build quality, and beefy sound make this a great pick.
- Turtle Beach Stealth 700 — Best Budget Bluetooth: If you wanna combo Bluetooth and Xbox wireless, this is an amazing choice.
- LucidSound LS50X — Best Premium: If you want a top-line headset that combines Bluetooth and Xbox wireless, this is the best you can buy.
- SteelSeries Arctis 1 — Best Value Wireless: You can grab an entry-level wireless headset for $100 thanks to the lovely SteelSeries Arctis 1.
- HyperX CloudX — Best Value: While there are cheaper headsets out there, the cheapest high-quality headset that will actually last is the HyperX CloudX, with strong materials and great audio.
Best Xbox Series X/S 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. The LS35X has a premium sibling in the LS50X, which combines Bluetooth, which you can see further down below.
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 (Wireless)
Get lucid
The LucidSound 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/S 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. You will also be able to connect it via USB to your Xbox Series X or Series S 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, emphasizing 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/S
Cons:
- Most expensive Xbox headset out there
Most Versatile
Astro A50 (Wireless)
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 Wired Xbox Series X/S Headset: 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 a 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 adored it, ditching it only because I found wirelessness more convenient in my current desk setup. Turtle Beach doesn't have a competing option in that area. As a wired headset, though, this 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 (Wired)
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/S Headset with Bluetooth: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 2)
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 grabbed its second-gen version in 2020, building on the refreshed design principles of the Stealth 700 gen-1 with improved robustness and overall quality.
The Stealth 700 sports incredible audio, complemented by Turtle Beach's "SuperHuman Hearing" preset, accentuates enemy movements, enhancing tactical play. The broad soundscape and impressive bass make them a great option for music and movies, while also elevating single-player games with immersive software surround sound.
The Stealth 700 combines the Xbox Wireless signal with Bluetooth, allowing you to mix audio from an Xbox console or a PC via the Xbox Wireless USB dongle with a connected Bluetooth PC or mobile phone. This is great for content creators who want to hear co-op partners through chat programs like Discord without sacrificing Xbox audio in the process. The on-ear volume dials make it easy to adjust the mix to your liking, and a paired mobile app gives you further control over your experience.
Pros:
- Lets you mix an Xbox signal and a Bluetooth signal
- Great sound with impressive bass
- 20~ hour battery life
- Great price
Cons:
- On/off states are bound to your paired console
Best Bluetooth on a budget
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Wireless)
Go mobile
If you want a headset you can use both with your Xbox and your smartphone or PC simultaneously, this wireless Xbox headset with Bluetooth combo is a great option that won't disappoint.
Best Premium Xbox Series X/S Headset: LucidSound LS50X
The LucidSound LS50X is not only one of the best headsets with Bluetooth, it's quite simply put, one of the best Xbox headsets out there period.
The LucidSound LS50X is a premium experience, with connectivity for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and mobile devices, owing to its separate Bluetooth receiver. The LucidSound LS50X screams premium quality along every axis, with robust construction and high-quality materials, a high-end soundscape with a balanced audio profile with great separation, and arguably the best headset mic out there. The headset also comes with a hardshell carrying case for good measure.
My favorite thing about the LucidSound LS50X is the on-ear experience. The audio reproduction is simply sublime, and a personal favorite. But it's the thick coolant gel in the earcups that really takes this headset to the next-level. Even in warm environments, this headset is airy and pleasant to wear across the longest gaming sessions, with convenient on-ear controls, and a sleek design profile that is suitable for both home and public use. For me, this is the best headset you can buy right now, but of course, not everybody needs Bluetooth, which does push the price higher than that of its LS35X cousin.
Pros:
- Excellent 15-18 hour battery life
- Rock-solid Xbox wireless signal
- Stunning audio quality
- Premium comfort and materials
- One of the best headset mics
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Best Premium with Bluetooth
LucidSound LS50X (Wireless)
One of the best you can buy
If you want a premium experience that can connect to practically every platform, this is your best and only choice.
Best Xbox Series X/S Headset for Wireless Value: SteelSeries Arctis 1
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 Wireless
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/S Headset for Value: HyperX CloudX
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. Thankfully, the HyperX CloudX remains the best of the best for entry-level audio for Xbox.
The HyperX CloudX is a legendary headset and among the best-selling, for its impressive audio quality, hardy construction, and lightweight design. Powerful speakers punch far above their price point, creating a soundscape that competes with headsets that are far more expensive. HyperX's "Cloud" line is appropriately named for their lightweight construction and airy earcups, which bring serious comfort without breaking the bank. This is a great headset and continues to be a mainstay on "best Xbox headset" lists across the world.
Pros:
- Impressive audio
- Metal-reinforced construction
- Airy comfort
Cons:
- Mic experience isn't great
- Barebones feature set
Best Value
HyperX CloudX (Wired)
Don't break the bank
If you want a pro-grade headset on a budget, check out the HyperX CloudX. The steel frame makes it sturdier than most in this price bracket, making it an ideal purchase for youngsters, with features that will impress more discerning gamers too.
Bottom line
One headset I've used a lot 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. It allows me to have a headset permanently hooked up to my Xbox and PC with a single device. The flexibility 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. I also use the LucidSound LS50X as a replacement for the A50 at my second address, since the Bluetooth brings some of that versatility I like with the Astro A50, albeit with far better audio and comfort for me.
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 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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