Among the many options contending for the title of best Xbox One headset, there are two different styles for players to choose from: wired and wireless. Both types of headset have a unique set of pros and cons, but for some, wired options can be the way to go for Xbox One. Here are main reasons why.
Better overall audio quality
One of the primary reasons to go wired instead of wireless is that wired headsets tend to have better, cleaner audio quality compared to wireless offerings. This is because wireless headphones often cut down audio bitrates, throttling the audio quality over wired alternatives, in order to transmit without the cable. Wireless can also experience occasional connection issues, or suffer from interference with other wireless devices, resulting in audible hiccups. Both of these issues won't occur with a wired headset.
While it may seem like these issues are small, rare, and largely insignificant, I can personally attest to how annoying it is when they happen at a particularly bad time. Not being able to clearly hear your teammate's callouts in something intense like a Destiny 2 raid can get everyone killed, and your decision-making ability in games will be impaired if you're occasionally not able to hear important audio cues. Overall, wired headsets are the way to go for consistent and reliable audio.
You don't have to worry about battery
Another big advantage of wired headsets is that, unlike wireless ones, you don't need to worry about battery life. While a wireless headset needs a battery so that you can connect to your Xbox One from a distance, wired headsets can plug right into your Xbox One controller and work right away. This does drain the battery of your controller a bit faster, but it's not going to ruin your experience.
The fact wireless headsets have a battery life to worry about may not sound like a big downside, but it requires that you always remember to put your headset on the charger when you're done gaming. If you forget to do so, your headset will likely be close to running on empty next time you want to play a game. With a wired headset, you can avoid the risk of this entirely.
They're less expensive
Finally, by going with a wired headset you'll save money overall. This is because at every price range, wireless headsets are more expensive than comparable wired options, due to the extra tech required.
This means that for people who are on a tight budget or simply don't want to shell out a ton of cash for a good headset, wired headsets are the best option. Also, due to the fact that wired headsets tend to have better audio quality than their wireless counterparts, this means that you'll usually end up getting better performance for less of a cost by going wired.
Which wired headset should you buy?
Out of all of the awesome wired Xbox One headsets on the market, the best in 2020 is the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas. Featuring excellent all-day comfort, stellar audio quality, an awesome microphone, and a very affordable price tag, it still remains the best wired option for Xbox One owners two years after its release. In our review, Windows Central Senior Editor Jez Corden said that the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas "is a headset that cuts above all other $100 wired options in this range," further noting that "It's simply sublime."
It doesn't get better than this
The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas is the best wired headset available for Xbox One, featuring superb comfort, stellar audio and mic quality, and a price tag that most gamers will love.
Your thoughts
What do you think? Do you agree with me that wired Xbox One headsets are the best choice for most gamers, or do you feel that wireless headsets are the better option? If so, why? Let us know in the comments. For more on headsets, don't miss our roundup of the best Xbox One headset options available.
