Enjoy high-quality audio with these picks

Microsoft’s own Xbox Wireless Headset is a fantastic option for those after a great value gaming headset to use with their Xbox.

This comes especially thanks to the superb audio we found while testing, especially when fiddling with the equalise to dial back the intensity of the bass – without it, the speakers can sound a little muddy. The addition of Dolby Atmos widened the soundstage and increased immersion to no end, offering a much better sense of spacing. We also found the microphone to be good for in-game comms.

Connectivity to the Xbox Series X proved to be seamless and easy to set up, and we also had no trouble with the multi-device pairing that the Xbox Wireless Headset features. This allowed us to play Grounded on Xbox Series X with the in-game audio while chatting with friends on Discord, courtesy of an Android smartphone, and the ability to mix the balance between chat and game audio also proved to be especially handy.

We also thought this headset looked great with a clean and simple Xbox-inspired aesthetic that offers some welcome minimalism in a world where gaming headsets are increasingly tacky with sharp edges and oodles of RGB lighting. In addition, while its 312g weight doesn’t make this the lightest headset we’ve ever tested, it was still accommodating and wonderfully comfortable for lengthy gaming sessions.

Reviewer: Esat Dedezade
Full review: Xbox Wireless Headset review

The Astro A30 Wireless is one of the few headsets that offer wireless support for basically every device you could ask for. Thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth pairing, an audio jack and a USB-A adaptor, this headset is compatible with every console on the market, including the Xbox Series X. The only stipulation here is that you do need to pick which adaptor you prefer at checkout – be that Sony or Microsoft – but you can always buy the second adapter separately if you’re lucky enough to own both consoles.

Other than the ability to jump between platforms without any hiccups, one of the best things about the A30 Wireless is its premium design. It comes in two colourways, including navy and white, with the option to customise with swappable speaker tags that have different designs etched into them.  

Our reviewer noted that the A30 Wireless offered some of the best passive noise isolation they’ve ever experienced. This is aided by the tight seal made by the earcups and a rubberised headband that kept the headset in place while gaming. 

The audio performance was also very impressive. It provided a well-rounded experience with a good amount of energy across the frequency range. Voices and mid-range notes performed exceptionally well with fantastic clarity. Titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive had a wonderful booming quality, with gunfire sounding heavy and impactful. 

Logitech claims that this headset can last up to 27 hours, which we felt was accurate. While headsets like the Sony Inzone H9 can last upwards of 30 hours, the A30 Wireless is consistent enough that you won’t need to worry about the battery suddenly dying halfway through your game. 

Overall, the Astro A30 Wireless is the perfect headset for anyone wanting to move away from the standard gamer aesthetic and try out something with a more egalitarian and modern lifestyle-type look. Its versatility in terms of platforms is a massive bonus, making it a headset that will work in pretty much every eventuality. 

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Astro A30 Wireless review

If you’re looking for a no-frills Xbox headset at an affordable price, then the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 could be the headset for you. The £44.99/$49.99 price won’t break the bank – and is a lot more digestible than the above £150/$150 Razer Kaira Pro Halo Infinite Edition headset – and it comes with all the key features you need to have a great gaming session. 

These cans come with memory foam along the adjustable headband and earcups, which are enveloped in a leatherette material. Our reviewer noted that this headset melts into your head and allows for an almost instantaneous mental shift into work or play. There is no mistaking them for anything but a gaming peripheral; the design is minimal but very in line with the HyperX branding, with a permanently attached microphone on the earcup. 

The 3.5mm audio jack is a little outdated but does allow it to be paired up with the latest Xbox Series X/S, as well as the PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC, making it a very versatile device. There is a wireless version of the Cloud Stinger 2, if you’re looking for a wire-free experience, but it will cost you an extra £40.

On the audio front, the Cloud Stinger 2 was vital during our reviewer’s playthrough of Arkane; smaller and proximate sound cues came through clearly and allowed for a sneaky and stealthy run. Spatial audio allowed for the tracking of rival players in Fortnite and the microphone was clear and crisp, although it did need to be positioned relatively close to our reviewer’s mouth for the best results. 

There is no doubt that the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers fantastic performance for the price and could be the perfect pick for anyone investing in their first gaming headset. For a swankier experience, the Corsair HS75 XB may be the better option, but the Cloud Stinger 2 is a reliable option for Xbox gamers who care more about affordability than features. 

Reviewer: Imogen Donovan
Full Review: HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

Halo has been one of Microsoft’s longest standing exclusives for the Xbox run of consoles, and the Razer Kaira Pro Halo Infinite Edition gaming headset pays homage to it.

Of course the key difference between this version and the standard Kaira is its Halo Infinite inspired design which comes in Master Chief Green and emblazoned with battle damage and USNC logos. It is divisive styling, but we quite liked it, adding more personality compared to the standard design.

During testing, the audio here proved to be natural with an impressively wide soundstage and convincing clarity across a range of games and music. The mic is also solid, with Razer’s HyperCardioid technology, although doesn’t represent as much of an upgrade as the ‘Pro’ moniker would suggest from the standard Kaira. 

The Kaira Pro brings with it the powers of haptic feedback, or in other words, vibrations that attempt to match the headset’s low end audio to provide more immersion. It’s a fun feature, although not one we found ourselves using too often.

Reviewer: Tom Regan
Full review: Razer Kaira Pro Halo Infinite Edition review

One of the issues levied against dedicated gaming headsets is that they tend not to be great choices when it comes to playback on devices other than your console. As if to answer this very problem, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay Portal are an easy recommendation.

Known first and foremost for its stylish aesthetic and high-quality audio, Bang and Olufsen is one of the leading brands when it comes to the best headphones on the market, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the company has tried to bring over as much of its identity as possible to the Xbox-compatible Beoplay Portal.

At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Beoplay Portal didn’t have any gaming chops to speak of – they look, in almost every way, like a sleek pair of headphones. There’s no unsightly mic protruding from the headset either as the Portal uses a ‘virtual boom-arm microphone’ to pick up your voice during online chat. Admittedly, you’ll find better quality mic audio elsewhere, but it more than gets the job done.

After the initial pairing process, the Beoplay Portal can immediately connect to your Xbox with a simple button push, getting you straight into the action. They’re also Dolby Atmos compatible, so you’ll be getting the fullest version of a game’s soundtrack. As great as the Beoplay are for gaming though, they really come into their own when used for music and podcasts.

In typical B&O style, the Beoplay Portal have outstanding audio quality with the ability to give every instrument and layer its due. To sweeten the deal even further, you can customise the audio levels in the accompanying B&O app, so if you’d rather have heavy bass for hip hop or an emphasis on vocals for your favourite podcasts then you can do just that.

This is all before mentioning the fact that the Beoplay Portal can run music playback for up to 24-hours, although that’s cut down to a 12-hour ceiling for when you’re connected to your Xbox, which is worth bearing in mind if you tend to go in for fairly lengthy gaming sessions.

Reviewer: Esat Dedezade
Full review: Bang and Olufsen Beoplay Portal review