The right compatible headset will not only offer an extra-immersive experience for action or sports genres on Xbox One, but it can also provide an in-game advantage for competitive games like Call of Duty. From budget buys under £100 and £50 to gadgets that can almost play the game for you (OK, maybe not entirely), we bet you haven’t found yourself short of options.
Our guide answers pertinent questions such as choosing wired or wireless and stereo or surround sound, as well as mic features. We'll also reveal our Amazon and Argos picks, featuring top brands like Turtle Beach, SteelSeries and Razer. Moreover, we have partnered with video game blogger Benjamin Titmus for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Gaming Headsets for Xbox One
Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy.
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Benjamin is a writer of fiction and occasional video-game reviewer. He gained his MA in English Literature from Birmingham City University, where he was the editor for The Student Anthology. Though his main enjoyments are reading, writing, music and gaming, he has time for anything that tickles his fancy. Learn more about him and his blogs from here.
Whilst we are of course looking at Xbox One headsets today, we know that many gamers like to play on several platforms, be that a PC or a mobile device. If you too like a slice of variety, then opting for a headset that can work on multiple devices should save you from having to pick one up for each different console. And you'll probably save a couple of quid along the way!
To make things nice and simple, we’ll be listing which platforms, other than Xbox One, a headset is suitable for under each product on our list. If you like to split your time across different gaming platforms, keep an eye out for the headsets that will suit your every need!
If you enjoy other gaming platforms, check out our Best Gaming Mice!
If you’re looking for full in-game immersion, then surround sound is for you. These headsets will create a 360-degree soundscape by using multiple speakers in each ear, and will really add to the experience for players of FPS games and action-adventure titles like COD and Assassins Creed, as well as amping up the creep-factor in horror classics like Resident Evil.
As you can guess, the extra speakers and technology make these options a little pricier, though there are a couple of budget models out there, too. You may also want to check that the surround sound works on platforms other than Xbox, as sometimes when linking up to mobile devices or PCs it will revert to stereo or vice versa.
For an intense gaming experience, try our Best Horror Games for PS4!
Only just getting started and not looking to splash big bucks on an expensive headset? Picking up a stereo model could well be the best bet for you, at least in the meantime. Stereo uses two signal channels, a left and a right, and combines this sound to get the full picture.
Whilst they don't offer as much in the way of immersion, they are often perfectly sufficient if you usually play simpler Xbox games such as Fifa or Minecraft. However, stereo headsets are great for an online audio chat and co-op games.
Wired or wireless often comes down to personal taste, but wired headsets tend to be cheaper and they'll never run out of battery. However, they do have the usual drawbacks of wired electronics, like a limited range of movement, which may be fine if you're a PC gamer sitting at a desk, but less so if you're on the sofa playing Xbox.
If you’re liable to get animated when gaming, then picking up a wireless model may be a safer bet. Plus, you're able to play anywhere you can see the screen from, and they don’t cause half the clutter.
However, they do need charging. We'd recommend looking for a model with around 15 hours of wireless battery life, as this should ensure a good couple of sessions on typical Xbox games before recharging is required.
Last but not least, the headset microphone. This little gizmo will enable communication with your Black Ops teammates, but it's also worth spotting extra functions like noise cancellation. This helps drown out exterior sounds, and allows your voice to come through clearly (when you're trash-talking your rival football team, for example).
A mute function is also useful. This will be performed via a small button on one of the ear cups, or by placing the microphone in a vertical standing position, so pick whichever you'd prefer. They're great if you live in a busy household, or if you often find yourself chatting to people IRL when gaming.
And finally, noise cancellation and muting functions can be a huge asset to a headset if you intend to use it for streaming. Streamers are required to multitask and must frequently switch their attention from the game to their audience during a stream. Multitasking is far easier with these additional headset functions!
To improve your stream, try our Best Webcams!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HyperX Cloud Revolver S | ![]() | Top of the Line Surround Sound and Build Quality | |
2 | Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 | ![]() | Official Licensed Headset for Xbox One From Turtle Beach | |
3 | Corsair Virtuoso | ![]() | Well-Balanced Wireless Headset With 20 Hours Battery Life | |
4 | Corsair HS35 | ![]() | Budget-Friendly Xbox One Headset for Online Gaming | |
5 | Razer Nari Ultimate | ![]() | Haptic Feedback for Truly Immersive Audio | |
6 | Logitech Stereo Gaming Headset|G332 | ![]() | Larger Ear Cups for a More Comfortable Fit | |
7 | SteelSeries Arctis 9X | ![]() | Superb Sound and High Quality Mic With Noise Cancellation | |
8 | Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Pro | ![]() | Excellent Headset Designed for Gamers Who Wear Glasses | |
9 | PDP Gaming LVL50 Wireless Headset | ![]() | Amplifies Audio for Louder Sound | |
10 | Microsoft Official Xbox One Stereo Headset | ![]() | An Economical Option Made for Xbox One |
When it comes to a complete cinematic soundscape, the Cloud Revolver S from HyperX is where it's at. You'll be hearing sounds you never even knew were in the game, and they work perfectly alongside open world and FPS titles. They're also built to last with solid steel frames and memory foam ear cushions.
Plus, they have all the microphone functions that we deem important, such as mute control, noise cancellation and detachability. Put this with the fact that they can be used on practically any platform, and you're on to a right winner. For these reasons, this headset takes our number 1 spot!
Turtle Beach have come up with a great Xbox One or PC headset here. Like their earlier offering, this has the technology to accommodate glasses, but this time it also has much more, including an upgraded 20hrs battery life. Our favourite feature is the 'superhuman hearing' which gives users a slight competitive advantage that could be the difference between a win or loss.
This headset also offers noise cancellation which helps with the complete immersion into the online world. Also, with Turtle Beach existing as a company that works solely in providing gaming headsets, they know a thing or two about comfort so you can rest assured these cans can go as long as you can.
While gaming headsets can often look like they're straight off an alien military catwalk show, this model from Corsair doesn't have any of that, thankfully. With its detachable microphone too, you could easily wear these out and about in public and no-one would ever know you're wearing an Xbox accessory – we'd probably ask you where they're from!
Furthermore, this headset performs, too, as there's a well-balanced smooth sound with very little distortion. Additionally, they have an extremely satisfactory battery life of 20 hours, and are capable of being used alongside multiple gaming platforms.
A bass-heavy headset, the HS35 can make music or podcasts a little muddy, but in-game EQ is well-balanced and should provide you with enough to keep tabs on where your enemies are hiding. Better yet, for the price, this is an incredibly well-built piece of kit.
It has metal sliders for adjusting the headband which should last the years, as well as memory foam ear cups for ultimate comfort. Furthermore, the noise cancellation is impressive, helping to create a well-insulated sound from the microphone. If you're budget-conscious, this should be at the top of your list.
If you've ever thought you'd like to take your gaming that one step further, but never known how, this Razer Nari has just the feature. This headset includes haptic feedback, which means it'll give you vibrations from in-game cues. This doesn't feel at all ostentatious and fits naturally, especially in FPS games where it just adds to the tension.
This headset is well-built and flexible where it needs to be, whilst remaining strong and sturdy. Moreover, the ear cups have a gel infusion that should keep you cool on those marathon gaming sessions, which will also be supported by the mammoth 24-hour battery life that this wireless headset offers.
Looking for a headset that can provide optimal comfort in a larger size? This offering from Logitech has a massive ear cup space so should fit most people comfortably. The big 50mm audio drivers deliver clean bass sound and the lightweight leatherette ear cups keep you comfortable and snug as a bug in a rug.
While these offer a full, meaty sound, this is only done in stereo and not surround sound, so if you're looking for true immersion for certain horror or shooter Xbox games, you won't find it here. But, for the price, one can't really complain.
The first thing we'd like to point out here is the impressive battery life. Coming in with a very respectable 20 hours this headset should get you through a fair few gaming sessions before needing a recharge. Furthermore, the sound quality is superb and the microphone is clear and precise.
The microphone is also retractable enough that you could get away with using these as headphones if you so desired. The only downside is the price – if you'd like to make an investment, this is a fantastic pick, but for others it may be a bit out of the realm of affordability.
Turtle Beach are known for producing excellent headsets, and this Elite Atlas Pro is no different, with its solid, sturdy build and premium sound quality to match. Also, the ear cups on this model are created with those that wear glasses in mind, helping relieve pressure on the frames. And more comfort = more playing time.
Our only dispute is again with the microphone, which is known to be a little distorted and buzzy. Not so much a problem for you per se, but it could be quite annoying for your Xbox teammates who have to listen to you while playing!
If you're here looking for powerful sound, then this offering from PDP gaming is going to be right up your street – many reviewers claimed to have the headset on just 50% volume as it's so loud! It also comes with a nifty flip mute control so you can keep what you like private when playing.
Again, this is a headset built with comfort at the forefront, with nylon, mesh-covered ear cups and a lightweight headband that will see you're cosy throughout your session. The downside is the microphone isn't the greatest and can be a little quiet, so talkative gamers may be disappointed.
Getting the ball rolling is this official product from the makers of the Xbox One console themselves. It comes at a very reasonable price, and although it only uses stereo sound, it comes through rich and detailed. Though not removable, it has a unidirectional microphone that can be moved out of the way when it's not in use.
This headset has a low weight and nice cushiony ear cups, both which allow for long gaming sessions with no discomfort. The downside is that the low cost means it's not made out of the most robust materials, and can be prone to breaking if you're not careful.
No. 1: HyperX|Cloud Revolver S
No. 2: Turtle Beach|Stealth 700 Gen 2
No. 3: Corsair|Virtuoso
No. 4: Corsair|HS35
No. 5: Razer|Nari Ultimate
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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