If you can’t feel your gaming experience, you’re missing out
Best Headphones for Xbox
Epic gamers deserve epic headphones. If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, proper sonic immersion is a must.
You might think any pair will do, but you’re wrong, especially with Xbox. First of all, you will need native microphone support for the console. Secondly, you will need a well-balanced audio output that will cover ambiance sounds, music, and in-game chat.
Top performance for your Xbox experience without an enormous price tag. Popular with gamers the 20 hour battery life gives you maximum gaming time.
Microphone audio is excellent and good all round comfort. All that with good looks to finish the package off.
Also, I like a gaming headset to look like a proper piece of gaming gear; not obligatory, just personal preference.
In my experience gaming, it doesn’t hurt to get a wireless model with a strong battery. If you like to enjoy longer gaming sessions, you’ll be more comfortable without a cable to tie you down to just a single spot. And, of course, we want a comfortable headset so you’re not distracted.
With that said, I did the heavy lifting and I’d like to showcase the best products that match the criteria we just touched on. Let’s dive in!
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal Gaming Headset
Premium Option
Bang & Olufsen is a premium brand. You basically can’t go wrong with just about any product in their catalog. But this thing right here, Beoplay Portal, is the king of gaming headphones.
We are looking at the staple B&O sound. The word of the day is accurate. The basses boom across the spectrum without affecting the punch of the middle section and the clarity of the trebles. On the sonic front, the device also features Adaptive Active Noise Canceling and an adjustable EQ.
Make no mistake that this is a highly versatile set that covers a wide array of applications. But what makes this headset so gaming-oriented is how fine-tuned it is for all the sonic aspects of video games. You’ll get the feeling you’re right there in the game with the stellar ambient sounds these cans can deliver. I can say that Beoplay Portal excels in first-person shooters.
The set sports a set of four microphones to make the conversation loud and clear.
Possibly the key feature for gamers here is the onboard lossless connection for Xbox. Maintaining a connection with the console can be a problem for many models out there – too many, I would say. With this set of cans, the Bluetooth connection is stable and instant.
And then there’s the comfort. Once again, this model offers a stellar performance, with exceptionally comfortable memory-foam earcups and a top-notch headband. You can easily wear them for the entire 24 hours the onboard lithium-ion battery delivers on a single charge.
What’s in the Box?
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal headphones
- Charging cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Premium sound
- Exceptional clarity during calls
- High comfort
- High versatility
What we like less (Cons)
- Premium performance comes at premium price
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Gaming Headset
Top Pick
I love this one! SteelSeries Arctis 9X checks all the key boxes an Xbox gamer needs, delivers premium performance for the console, and keeps the price tag in check.
First and foremost, we’re looking at a wireless headset with integrated Xbox connectivity. If you just take any set and try to hook it up with Xbox, you might be in for a surprise. With this model, the Bluetooth connection is smooth and almost instant. And it’s just as smooth if you want to connect to a PC.
Another feature I like is the built-in Clearcast mic with bidirectional sound. Not sure what type of games you’re into, but I love team communication. And I don’t like sounding distorted when chatting with folks online. It makes me sound funny.
But if you’re a more serious gamer, poor mic sound quality can cause miscommunication within the team in critical moments, and that can cost you dearly.
Speaking of sound quality, 10/10 once again. I mentioned that games are in a league of their own when it comes to audio requirements, and I can bet the manufacturer was fully aware of it.
This noise-canceling headset does an amazing job of emphasizing the audio nuances of video games. The sounds of leaves rustling when playing Assassins Creed, or hearing your enemies trying to sneak up on you in CS: GO – this set will open your eyes to how quality audio can change your gaming experience.
As you can see from the product image, the looks are killer. The headset is highly comfortable, the earpads won’t cause you to sweat, and the headband is flexible yet durable.
What’s in the Box?
- SteelSeries Arctis 9X headphones
- Charging cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Fully gaming-optimized
- Top-notch mic
- Amazing sound
- Modern, epic looks
What we like less (Cons)
- Slight connectivity issues reported by some users
Razer Kraken X Headset for Xbox
Budget Pick
If you want to spend the lowest possible amount of money that will still get you a decent set of cans, I say check this one out – the Razer Kraken X.
When it comes to budget picks, the manufacturer always has to make a few cuts; it’s a simple matter of where and how the cuts are made that brings out the quality budget options from the poor ones.
In this case, the cuts were made in the mic and sound departments. And I’m happy to say that they didn’t affect the device enough to render it useless or subpar.
Let’s discuss the good stuff first: this set of cans is as comfortable as significantly more expensive options. Both the earpads and the headband are soft, solid yet flexible, and don’t cause excessive sweating. I consider comfort one of the key aspects of a good quality gaming headset.
Everything else about this headset is decent or even solid. The sound is alright covers the needs of most users despite the slightly too strong middles, the connectivity is good, and the microphone is solid. When you throw that price tag into the mix, I can’t do anything but recommend these cans. Good stuff!
What’s in the Box?
- Razer Kraken X headphones
- Adapter cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Great value for money
- Exceptional comfort for the listed price
- Decent mic
- Cool looks
What we like less (Cons)
- Middle freqencies are too powerful at times
Bengoo G9000 Xbox Gaming Headset
Best Beginner
If you’re a beginner gamer, I always say: go with versatility. Why I say this is that newbies is because you simply can’t be certain about what you’re looking for as a beginner in any domain, including gaming.
So, with Bengoo G9000, you get easy connectivity with multiple platforms. And by multiple, I mean this set can easily connect with every popular gaming platform out there, including Xbox, PC, the PS5, and many more.
In the sonic department, the G9000 sonic attack is driven by strong basses, including an onboard stereo subwoofer. The design is comfortable, the materials are soft, and the headband is flexible. On the downside, the leather material can cause sweating after longer sessions.
We’re looking at a wired set of cans and I like the six-foot cable the manufacturer included in the package.
I have to point out that most beginners love the looks and the vibe of these puppies. They’re clearly very gaming-oriented; available in a bunch of colors too!
The onboard stereo mic does the job just fine and the manufacturer also threw in a mic connector in the package.
What’s in the Box?
- Bengoo G9000 headphones
- USB cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- High versatility and connectivity options
- Good bang for the buck
- Sweet looks
- Decent comfort
What we like less (Cons)
- The earpads can cause excessive sweating
Razer Kraken Gaming Headset
Best Value
If you liked the budget pick I had in store for today but you want to pick it up a notch, this is the one. I’m immensely pleased with what Razer has to offer on the market right now, and I wasn’t hesitant at all to include another item from the brand’s catalog.
Once again, we are looking at an affordable product, slightly more expensive than the X model, but rightfully so.
The comfort still stands out and I’m still surprised by how comfortable this set is. In addition to the top-notch materials and build, I love the earmuff cooling technology. It’s not just some gimmick with a fancy name, it genuinely works and keeps your ears cooler and more comfortable.
Where this model improves significantly compared to the Kraken X is the audio output. The sound is well-balanced and gaming-oriented. The basses are fairly booming and the trebles are clear, while the mid-range is more well-balanced and not as striking as the X version.
We are looking at a wired set, and the mic is solid. I like the inclusion of an extension cable featuring a dedicated microphone and audio jack.
What’s in the Box?
- Razer Kraken gaming headset
- Adapter cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Stellar comfort
- Best bang for the buck
- A well-balanced sound
- Solid mic
What we like less (Cons)
- Included cable not the most durable
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Xbox Headset
Worthy Consideration
View More Stealth 600 Reviews at Amazon
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is another popular model and a gaming headset I can recommend. The key standout feature here is the sound quality. I like the Superhuman Hearing feature. It makes all the sonic nooks and crannies of the gaming world stand out, just a whole new gaming experience.
The volume levels can get pretty high if needed, and while I don’t recommend turning it up to 11, I’m pleased to report the sound is not prone to any distortion at all reasonable levels.
The build quality is solid and the cans won’t wear you out even after extensive use. We are looking at a wireless headset with a 15-hour battery life, more than enough for most users.
Another interesting tidbit about this item is that they are glasses friendly. For some, not much of an add-on, but for others, an essential feature.
The microphone is solid and I like the addition of the Mic Monitoring feature. It allows you to hear what you are saying while chatting with teammates. Why I like this is because I don’t yell when I’m aware of how loud my voice is.
What’s in the Box?
- Turtle Beach Stealth 600 headphones
- Charging cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Great sound, 100% gaming-optimized
- Glasses friendly
- Decent mic with Mic Monitoring
- 15-hour battery life
What we like less (Cons)
- Could use better headband durability
HyperX CloudX Stinger Core
For Epic Gamers
Finally, I say check out the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core. Available in wired or wireless editions, these cans are officially licensed by Xbox. If Xbox is your No. 1 choice, you should definitely consider this pair.
The looks are fully gamer-oriented. The 40mm onboard drivers deliver an immersive experience, and the comfort level is high. The price is fair, hence this set checks all the key boxes a top-notch Xbox gaming headset should have.
The memory-foam ear cans are pretty comfortable and I also like the addition of a chat mixer. The steel sliders are highly durable, and I like how breathable and soft all the materials are.
The noise-canceling does a fine job when gaming in noisier environments, and I also like the swivel-to-mute mic feature. Good stuff!
What’s in the Box?
- HyperX CloudX Stinger Core headphones
- Charging cable
- Audio cable
- User manual
What we like (Pros)
- Officially licensed by Xbox
- Quality sound
- Available in wired and wireless versions
- 15-hour battery life
What we like less (Cons)
- Bass becomes too strong at higher volume levels
Game Over
I’ve tried to include a range of headphones for Xbox gaming that offer both expensive and cheap options in addition to giving you great performance.
The range of Xbox headphones and headsets is huge but this is where I’d start.
Any questions – let us know in the comments below.
A musician with over 2 decades of experience in studio recording. Audiophile, always in pursuit of the perfect set of headphones. King Crimson fan.
This post was last updated on 2025-03-20 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.