Recommend the best Xbox headsets for your games in 2022

Have more fun in your games with these best Xbox headsets. You will hear even the slightest rustle of leaves in the game.

The best Xbox headset gives you that extra immersion that you never quite achieve with speakers. You control exactly where the enemy is in shooters. With a good gaming headset you will also optimally enjoy the soundtracks of your games!

In this article, you’ll find the 5 best Xbox gaming headsets on the market right now, and I’ll do my best to help you pick one – but let’s start with the top 3!

The best Xbox gaming headsets in 2022

1. Strex Gaming Headset with Microphone Red – PC + PS4 + PS5 + Xbox One + Xbox Series

2. SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Black

3. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Gaming Headset Black

Best Xbox headset buying guide: how to make the best buy?

When choosing an Xbox headset, you need to consider things like wearing comfort, battery life, audio and microphone quality, and your budget. There are headsets that excel in every category, but they come with a high price. Some top brands are: Steelseries, Razer, Logitech, Creative, Turtle Beach, and Corsair.

Be sure to read through this buying guide before making your choice. I’ll help you find the best Xbox headset for you below! 

Why should you buy an Xbox headset?

You can play on your Xbox without a headset and only use the speakers built into your gaming TV or gaming PC, but is that ideal?

Short answer: no. You may be used to it, but most people notice a drastic difference when they switch from speakers to a headset – and that’s always a positive change. With a headset you really take advantage of the best parts of the game.

You will hear every footstep, every whisper and even the softest rustle of leaves. You also enjoy soundtracks to the fullest without having to miss the sound quality. You will never get that quality with speakers – at least not without investing extra in external speakers.

You can also take your gaming to a higher level with an Xbox headset. Since most headsets have a microphone, you can talk to your teammates and improve your entire experience.

Wireless or wired?

A reliable headset is essential to win matches and have the most immersive gaming experience possible.

Some players stick to the tried and true wired headsets for their convenience and sound quality. Others prefer the mobility and freedom of wireless headsets. Both types of headsets have their pros and cons.

We live in a world where cables are gradually becoming obsolete. All kinds of products get rid of ports and wires for a more convenient wireless approach. Gaming peripherals, including headsets, are no exception.

Sound quality

Of course the sound quality is the first thing you think about when making your choice for wired or wireless.

First of all, you should know that the sound quality of a headset depends on more factors than just the type of connection: mainly on the quality of the drivers.

The best way to measure sound quality is to look at bit rates. A wired connection supports much higher bit rates than wireless connections do. However, the question is: are such high bit rates necessary? Not in most cases. Digital audio rarely reaches bit rates that a high-quality wireless connection does not support.

Bit rates

Wired headsets support bit rates up to 2300 kbps, while modern wired headsets support a maximum bit rate of 768 kbps. While this means wired headphones deliver higher quality music, most digital media files are only 256 kbps.

So a wired connection is only essential if you’re listening to high-quality lossless digital audio or analog records, such as vinyl. When it comes to MP3 files and in-game audio, you will hardly notice a difference.

The bottom line is that wireless signal compression is minimal today, and the technology is only getting better. Most importantly, current wireless technology is capable of handling most digital audio. 

Freedom of movement vs. battery life

Wired headsets are sometimes difficult to handle, just think of tangled cables, limited freedom of movement, and so on. But at least you don’t have to worry about the battery.

Unlike wired headsets, a wireless headset allows you to move freely, but it still partially relies on those pesky cables to charge. Of course, the battery life of a wireless headset differs from model to model and depends on how often you use the headset.

Most wireless headsets need to be charged daily or every few days. It’s up to you to decide if the freedom of movement they offer is worth it, given regular battery charging.

It is useful if you can charge during use : then you will not suddenly be without a headset if the battery runs out while gaming.

Build quality

Most budget gaming headsets are made of plastic – often cheap plastic. It’s important to find a headset that feels sturdy. With something made of cheap or flimsy plastic, even a little tension or pressure on the headset can cause damage.

Ideally, go for a metal frame, if your budget allows. These headsets can take a beating and are therefore more durable. If you do go for plastic, look for a model with enough range of motion for the shape of your head.

Ideally, you should always read user reviews to find out how comfortable the headset is!

Comfort is therefore one of the most important things to take into account.

If you’re gaming for a long time, a bad fit can be physically painful, preventing you from fully focusing on the gaming.

A headset may seem comfortable at first, but the trapped heat, sweat and pressure can build up over time. A little extra weight in the wrong place can even cause neck pain. A thorough research into comfort is therefore necessary. 🧐

Insulation

The quality of the seal of a headset also has a major influence on the quality of the sound. Poor insulation greatly alters sound quality, which is especially important in games that use very light, directional audio signals.

The size and material of a headset cushion has a lot to do with the quality of the seal. If the foam of the pillow does not provide a good seal immediately, it may take some time to adjust to the shape of your head.

If you wear glasses, consider a headset with a glasses channel in the ear cushions. Without these pads you will almost certainly miss a lot of bass.

Surround sound

Surround sound is a relatively common feature in a good gaming headset, and depending on the games you play, it’s pretty important.

Surround sound headsets provide a soundscape of up to 360 degrees, with multiple speakers for each ear. If something comes from the right behind you, you’ll hear it from that direction too.

In most forms of entertainment this is a luxury feature, but in certain games it can provide a real competitive advantage. If you’re one of the millions of Fortnite players, it’s a must .

Surround sound has different standards. There is Dolby Atmos for headsets, DTS:X 2, Windows Sonic and a number of other standards that headphone manufacturers make themselves.

Today, almost every game platform has its own form of spatial audio built-in: Windows and Xbox consoles both use Windows Sonic, and the PlayStation 5 has its Tempest 3D audio engine.

These built-in stands work with any headset, whether you connect it via USB or 3.5mm, meaning it’s a lot less important for your brand new headset to have its own solution.

Every gaming headset also supports stereo sound, and if you don’t feel compelled to take the step to surround sound, that’s fine.

Stereo sound

Stereo sound lets you hear both the left and right channels of the sound, providing a more realistic listening experience, as opposed to listening to sound through just one ear. 

Normal stereo headsets use the volume to determine where a sound is coming from, but virtual surround sound goes even further and allows headsets to simulate 7.1 surround sound.

The microphone

Don’t look for a recording-quality microphone. Headset microphones often struggle in the bass range of the frequency spectrum, which can make people with particularly deep voices sound a bit like they’re in a tin can. 🥫

These mics also often don’t get enough power through their jack, whether that’s 3.5mm or USB, meaning you might sound a little quiet. If you speak through a console voice chat, this is fairly easy to solve in the settings. Most gaming headsets use cardioid microphones.

Cardioid microphone

These microphones don’t just hear, they listen. In technical terms, a cardioid microphone is the most sensitive to sound coming from the front. He picks up noise from the sides a bit more quietly, and he strongly rejects noise from behind.

If you also want to use your gaming headset as regular headphones on the go, it’s worth looking into a headset with a detachable microphone.

If you’re a homebound gamer, that’s less important, but it’s still important that the microphone has enough maneuverability – even an inch or two of adjustment makes a huge difference in call quality.

They are rare, but some gaming headsets also come equipped with a noise canceling microphone , also known as noise canceling. This filters out background noise and makes your audio output clearer.

This is very important because the clearer your voice is, the less information you have to repeat and the more accurate your conversation will be.

Budget vs. high end

You may be wondering, “How much should I invest in a new Xbox headset?” In general, you get better sound quality with high-end Xbox headsets.

If you’re looking for budget options, Turtle Beach has Xbox headsets that are fantastic value for money. On the other hand, high-end models from Razer or Steelseries have an audio quality that is hard to match, like the Razer Nari.

The benefits of a high-end Xbox headset

• Clearer audio . High-end models usually produce clearer, more immersive audio. While budget headsets can still sound great and are usually an improvement over headsets a few years old, there is a huge difference in sound quality between high-end and budget. The sound of high-end headsets has deep bass and a great emphasis on every single sound.
• Battery life . High-end wireless headsets often have a longer battery life. While the usual 15-17 hours is more than enough for most gamers, it can be nice during long gaming sessions or even just to not have to charge them every day.
• Build quality . High-end models are made of sturdier material that lasts longer. Budget models from the lower segment break more easily and you have to replace them more often.
• Comfort . Some headsets place a lot of emphasis on comfort – especially important for those of us who wear glasses. However, this point ties into the above: better build quality means less discomfort during long sessions.

Some more tips for buying the best gaming headsets

The brand

While many gaming headsets have a similar design, each brand puts its own spin on the products. This means if you already have some gaming gear, it’s better to stick with one brand for consistency.

Versatility

You can also use most headsets as headphones to listen to music. If you’re less into gaming and want to use the headset for many different things, research the brand first. Bose, for example, is a brand known for its focus on audiophiles.

The 5 best Xbox headsets to buy in 2022

1. Strex Gaming Headset with Microphone Red – PC + PS4 + PS5 + Xbox One + Xbox Series

Wireless: No
Microphone noise canceling: Yes
Collapsible microphone: Yes
Removable microphone: No
Bendable microphone: Yes
Ear pads material: ABS
Connection type: Wired
Wearing style: Over-ear
Hi-res audio: Yes
Headset frame material: Polycarbonate
Maximum battery life: 10 years
Input/output type: 3.5mm jack , USB

2. SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Black

Wireless: No
Microphone noise canceling: Yes
Collapsible microphone: Yes
Removable microphone: No
Bendable microphone: Yes
Ear pads material: Plastic
Connection type: Wired
Wearing style: Over-ear
Hi-res audio: No
Headset frame material: Plastic
Maximum battery life: 28 h
Input/output type: 3.5mm jack

3. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Gaming Headset Black

Wireless: No
Microphone noise reduction: No
Collapsible microphone: Yes
Removable microphone: Yes
Bendable microphone: Yes
Ear pads material: Plastic
Connection type: Wired
Wearing style: Over-ear
Hi-res audio: Yes
Headset frame material: Steel
Maximum battery life: 24 h
Input/output type: 3.5mm jack

4. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset

Wireless: Yes
Microphone noise canceling: Yes
Collapsible microphone: No
Removable microphone: No
Bendable microphone: Yes
Ear cushion material: Polyurethane
Connection type: Wireless
Wearing style: Over-ear
Hi-res audio: Yes
Headset frame material: Steel
Maximum battery life: 20 h
Input/output type: Bluetooth

5. J-ANKKA F2 RGB Over-Ear Headphones – Gaming Headset with Mic for PS4/PS5 Laptops Xbox One – Black

Wireless: No
Microphone noise canceling: Yes
Collapsible microphone: Yes
Removable microphone: No
Bendable microphone: Yes
Ear cushion material: Polyurethane
Connection type: Wired
Wearing style: Over-ear
Hi-res audio: No
Headset frame material: ABS
Maximum battery life: 0 h
Input/output type: 3.5mm jack , USB

Frequently asked questions about Xbox headsets

🎧 Are wired or wireless headsets better for gaming?

This is really a matter of preference, but if you opt for wireless, you should mainly look for a good battery life (20 hours or more). The last thing you want is a headset that you constantly have to plug in because the battery life is bad. With wired headsets, the cable should be long enough to reach your Xbox to give you plenty of room to move.

👌 Why do people use headsets for gaming?

Headsets immerse you much more deeply in the sounds of the game and make directional sound signals, such as footsteps, much clearer – which is very important in multiplayer games. They also prevent game sound from passing through your microphone when you’re doing voice chat.

👉 Will any gaming headset work with Xbox One?

You can use any headset on the Xbox One if you have a recent version of the Xbox One controller with a 3.5mm jack. You will find this connection on the bottom of the controller, where you simply connect your headset.

Which Xbox headset should I buy?

That’s entirely up to you and your budget; everyone is unique. What I do have for you is a handy table with what I believe are the most important specifications of the best Xbox headsets. That way you can make the best choice.

		Wireless	Noise canceling microphone	Removable microphone	Ear cushion material	Headset frame material	Maximum battery life
1	Strex Gaming Headset with Microphone Red – PC + PS4 + PS5 + Xbox One + Xbox Series	No	Yes	No	ABS	Polycarbonate	10 years
2	SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Black	No	Yes	No	Plastic	Plastic	28 h
3	SteelSeries Arctis 1 Gaming Headset Black	No	No	Yes	Plastic	Steel	24 hours
4	Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset	Yes	Yes	No	Polyurethane	Steel	20 h
5	J-ANKKA F2 RGB Over-Ear Headphones – Gaming Headset with Microphone for PS4/PS5 Laptops Xbox One – Black	No	Yes	No	Polyurethane	ABS	0 h

Conclusion

A good headset will greatly enhance your Xbox experience. The market is flooded with all kinds of different options, but as a rule it is always good to go for a reputable brand that you can trust.

Let me know if you have any questions, and I hope I helped you choose the best Xbox headset!