I have reviewed a mountain of Xbox controllers in my time, and it's getting increasingly rare that something truly fresh comes across my desk. That's why I was pleasantly surprised with Flydigi's first Xbox licensed option, dubbed the Vader 5S.

I haven't used a Flydigi product before, so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. And I have to admit, I wasn't exactly impressed with the device at first glance.

The controller's gold accents aren't my cup of tea, but the spec sheet makes the design choices much easier to overlook. Is it among the best Xbox controllers you can get? Let's take a look.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Specs and features

The Flydigi Vader 5S has some really impressive specs on paper, and yes, while it is wired, those who don't mind that aspect of it have a lot to enjoy here.

Hall Effect sticks (or TMR) have become a must for me in 2026, so it's good they've ticked off that box. The Xbox Elite controller I purchased only last year has already started to drift, annoyingly (although there are new ways to fix Xbox controller stick drift emerging over time). I sorely hope every Xbox controller being made now and in the future carries Hall Effect or above.

Additionally, we have a mountain of buttons to configure here, which you can do via Flydigi's Space Station for Xbox app. There are two buttons on the reverse, an additional two on the front plate, and two extra bumpers across the top as well.

It has all the standard Xbox buttons on top, including the standard ABXY and the Xbox share button, view, menu, and nexus buttons. Rumors have it that Xbox is adding C and Z buttons as standard for developers to leverage, so Flydigi is well-positioned for the future as well.

We have vibration motors in both the controller and in the triggers, as well as two-stage trigger locks, a 3.5mm audio jack with mute shortcut buttons, and a lengthy braided cable in the box.

The app itself is capable, giving you custom profiles that you can switch out on the fly. You can tailor the RGB light bar across the bottom, configure the buttons to your liking, and set up response curves and things like that.

The best feature here, though, has to be the customizable tension rings. Around each thumbstick is a steel dial that can be turned to increase or decrease motion tension. So, say for example you're playing Call of Duty and want to have a large degree of control over your aiming, you could ramp up the tension on the stick while also increasing the sensitivity in-game, allowing you to make more precise adjustments to your crosshairs.

On the flip side, if you were playing a non-hitscan hero in Overwatch, you could lower the tension to give you a more rapid turning circle for heroes that don't need precision aiming, like Moira or Reinhardt.

It would take some practice, but it would offer some clear advantages for those willing to min-max their playstyle. It's a really cool feature.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Ergonomics and design

You'll be pleased to hear the controller is also fantastic in the hand. It's actually one of the best-feeling controllers I've used, and the shoulder button designs in particular surpass Microsoft's home-grown best.

The buttons and d-pad all have a pleasant and clicky actuation, which also feels great, and the paddles on the back also retain good positioning.

My gripes about the controller all pertain to cosmetics, which is minor ultimately in the grand scheme of things, but if you are someone who takes pride in their gaming setup, you might find this controller difficult to fit in.

The Xbox nexus button placement, for some reason, has these odd gold flecks which look more like dust/dirt. The gold in general is an odd choice, and feels incongruous with how Xbox accessories generally show up. The incongruent design choices even extend to the braided cable, which has inexplicable blue accents, despite the fact that there's no presence of blue anywhere else here.

The loud and gaudy gold accents also undermine the RGB light bar across the bottom ... which, by the way, doesn't even come close to color accuracy. It can't output red, for example, reaching as far as pink only. No colors, besides yellow, really match up with gold, making the RGB lighting pointless. They should've removed it and shaved a pit off the price point instead, probably.

Sure, it's all cosmetic, but it shows that Flydigi didn't really think the visuals or finer details through too much when building this controller.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Competition

The tension rings are a really nice touch here, and it's a far better implementation than I've seen in some other controllers that do similar things. The Xbox Elite controller, for example, requires a tool to adjust the stick tension, which isn't exactly convenient.

The kicker here is that you're paying a fair premium for what is ultimately, potentially, a pretty niche feature. As wired options go, the GameSir G7 HE is probably still a superior value overall, and the GameSir G7 SE is cheaper still, doesn't compromise on the fundamentals, and comes with customizable faceplates for those who are into their aesthetics. There's also the wired Razer Wolverine V3 option, which comes in at the same price point.

Also, in the short term, we are most likely going to see the debut of new Xbox controllers very shortly, in the form of the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, so you may want to hold off to see what Microsoft has cooked up for us there, too.

Ultimately, you're going to really need to want the tension adjustment feature to justify this one, I would say. And it would be a fair shout. The Flydigi Vader 5S has a fair price at $60 in my opinion, particularly when you factor in the included Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month card it comes with.

Flydigi Vader 5S: Conclusion

Like I said, ultimately this product revolves around its thumbstick tension feature, which is admittedly very good. The design isn't to my personal liking, but that might not be an issue for you. Otherwise, Flydigi nails all of the fundamentals here with superb ergonomics, features, specs, and a very fair price.

There's a ton of competing similar options out there, though. Tension adjustment rings alone might not be enough to see Flydigi across the finish line with this one. Also, I'm not sure what the market is like for wired controllers in 2026 ... wireless is simply too convenient to give up for me personally, but going wired does shave a fair bit off the final price point.

If you pick this up, I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. It's a great option and one I'm happy to recommend. Is it mind-blowing? Probably not. I think Flydigi could've paid more attention to the details, but it's still a fantastic option overall, and a great first entry into its Xbox accessory line-up. I'm pretty intrigued to see what they do next.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

After covering how the Limited Edition Forza Horizon 6 controller and headset leaked online, we now have our first official look at both — and wow, they look great.

The controller and headset are currently up for pre-order and are set to release alongside Forza Horizon 6 on May 19, 2026.

That’s now just under a month away. If you’ve missed it, we recently published a detailed preview of the game headed by my colleague Richard Devine, which is well worth checking out. But first, let's see the new gear.

Xbox describes the controller as:

"Inspired by the winding Touge roads of Japan, the Xbox controller blends high-performance style with festival flair. Lock into the open-world driving action with black and pink diamond-patterned grips. Get up to 40 hours of battery life."

Next up is the Forza Horizon 6 Wireless Xbox Headset. I actually prefer the design here over the controller. I was expecting cherry blossoms on the controller, but I digress.

Here’s how the headset is described by Xbox:

“Feel the pulse of the Horizon Festival and the energy of Japan through custom start-up sounds. Stay in the zone with up to 20 hours of battery life from the internal rechargeable battery.”

I’m desperately in need of a new controller. My Elite Series 1, which I’ll admit is pretty haggard after years of use, is on its last legs. The designs here are seriously tempting, but honestly, it would feel like a disservice to actually game with one.

These are the kind of accessories I’d rather have on display somewhere in my office, but that's just me.

With that said, let me know what you think of these new accessories. Are you picking one up, both, or skipping them entirely?

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Asus’s ROG Raikiri II is a high‑end Xbox‑compatible controller built for players who prioritize precision and feel. Its TMR joysticks and tactile micro switches deliver noticeably sharper input and crisper feedback than standard pads, while the fit and finish feel genuinely premium. That performance comes at a premium price and with features aimed more at competitive and serious players than casual buyers. If you value accuracy and durability in long sessions, the Raikiri II makes a strong case; if you’re budget‑minded, the tradeoffs matter.

Let's get into it.

I have an odd relationship with ASUS. I love the ROG Ally and subsequent Xbox Ally range. ASUS makes some fantastic products, but the quality bar can be a bit inconsistent at times. I've had ASUS headsets, for example, and haven't been a big fan. I've owned an ASUS laptop in the past, and it has given me a lot of driver headaches, too.

All my gripes with the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are more on Microsoft's side than ASUS's, whose update regime has been pretty great overall for the ROG Ally range. Given how good the inputs are on the Xbox Ally, I was eager to test out and review the ASUS Raikiri II controller when given the chance.

The Xbox Ally is a handheld, but it can be a bit finicky when docked due to Windows' idiosyncrasies with external monitors and TVs. I was hoping the ASUS Raikiri II would be a good option for swapping between my Xbox console and the Xbox Ally docked to the TV downstairs. And for the most part, it kind of is. But what I'm proposing here is a pretty niche scenario, I would imagine.

Does the ASUS Raikiri II make the grade as one of the best Xbox controllers of 2026? If you were looking for the ASUS Raikiri II Xbox / PC controller as a replacement for even a more basic, affordable experience ... well, it's a bit of a tough one.

ASUS Raikiri II: Specs & price

For $189.99, the ASUS Raikiri II does seem like a good deal on paper. It's a bit more pricy than the Xbox Elite Controller 2 Core, but it does include all the bells and whistles that you can typically only get with a full Xbox Elite Controller 2 bundle. The Elite controller is also a bit dated at this point, and doesn't include seamless switching between PC and Xbox like the Raikiri does.

In the box with the Raikiri II, you get the controller, a USB-C cable (braided), a USB wireless dongle, a USB charge dock, and the controller itself. The equivalent bundle on the Xbox Elite side typically runs up to $199.99.

On paper, the spec sheet looks grand. Beefy battery life, premium accessories, TMR sticks, Xbox-style design, Xbox Ally buttons. What's not to like?

Well ... let's get into that.

ASUS Raikiri II: Design & ergonomics

The ASUS Raikiri II will be extremely familiar to anyone who has ever used an Xbox controller. It sports the offset joysticks, ABXY buttons, two shoulder buttons, triggers, and a familiar shape to boot. Where it diverges is in the features, but we'll get more into that in a bit.

The Raikiri II is lightweight in the hand, lighter even than the Xbox Elite by a substantial margin, and comes with more modernized features. It has four baked-in back buttons, all of which are very pronounced and deliver a tactile feel. ASUS really learned from the shortcomings of the back buttons on the original ASUS ROG Ally I feel here. The micro-switches give the controller a reassuring actuation, and textured grips and thoughtful curvatures make the Raikiri II pleasant to hold across very long sessions.

The Raikiri II also matches the Xbox Ally with its Armoury Crate and Library buttons, as well as the standard Xbox "Nexus" button in the center and a clip sharing button at the bottom. On the back, we have a hard switch between Bluetooth, Wireless, and USB connectivity, as well as Xbox and PC modes. This makes it a lot easier for multi-device use than the Xbox Elite controller, which can be finicky and irritating when swapping between Bluetooth and Xbox modes.

The controller itself nails all the basics well. It feels great to use in games, and the TMR sticks should give it full resistance to drift over time. The compliments end here, though.

The Raikiri II's worst feature is the charge dock, by far. The dock itself feels like cheap and light plastic. Typically, you'd want a dock to have some heft to it, so that it will sit still on your desk. Furthermore, the two feet of the charge dock are held in place by literally ... nothing. Gravity alone and tiny pegs keep the feet in place here. An accidental knock will send the whole thing falling apart like a house of cards. I have no idea what ASUS was thinking here.

There are some RGB lights to help distract you from how poor the charge dock is, at least. Although you might find yourself tearing your hair out while configuring them.

ASUS Raikiri II review: Features & Software

There's a lot of good stuff in the package overall. The triggers can be locked in place, Elite-style, for more rapid firing. The back buttons are fully configurable, giving you access to key abilities without having to remove your thumbs from the movement sticks. It's neat having the Xbox Ally buttons available as well.

I'm grateful that there are hard switches for the different modes, too. I found that the radio frequencies work flawlessly across PC, Xbox, and Bluetooth, with no issues with connectivity and interference, unlike certain other major brand controllers I can name. The Raikiri II also delivers big in the battery department, easily sticking out a 30-40 hour battery life complete with RGB ablaze in wireless mode.

Where ASUS fully flops, though, is the configuration software, which is inexplicably web-based and requires an internet connection.

Upon installing the ASUS Armoury Crate software, which is "okay," I was prompted to download an update for the Raikiri II, which then simply provided me a URL. ASUS claims that the ASUS "Gear Link" web-based software is designed for your convenience ... but it isn't very convenient if you're in a situation without internet.

Indeed, the web-based software is a maddeningly confusing move here by ASUS. The always-online requirement to configure your controller is an insane idea. And indeed, if you're traveling, the Gear Link software will use the language of your locale rather than your PC. I was in travelling in Germany while reviewing this controller, and lo and behold, the Raikiri II Gear Link software was displaying in German. Furthermore, I couldn't use the configuration software when my internet was down, either.

It's an absurd decision on ASUS' part to put the configuration tools for this exclusively on the web, rather than in the offline Armoury Crate, like any other sane company might do.

When it works as advertised, it's not half bad ... you can configure the sensitivities across the board, actuation curves, adjust lighting, and other settings. I just wish it weren't web-based.

ASUS Raikiri II: Competition

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is the obvious competition here. Microsoft's Elite Controller runs around the same price for the bells and whistles, and remains my go-to preference primarily for the charge dock and battery life. The Elite Controller has various design flaws, including stick drift and bumper wear-and-tear, but the ease of use, convenience, and design of the dock generally win me over.

The Raikiri II feels like it'll last much longer than the Series 2, however. TMR sticks give it a huge advantage in the stick drift department, and the configuration software issues only matter in specific scenarios. For the most part, once you've configured it to your preferences, you'll probably not need them again.

The charge dock on the Raikiri II is awful, but it is at the very least functional. Competing "Elite" controllers like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and so on usually don't have a charge dock, despite being similarly priced. The Wolverine range also seems susceptible to inference at times, which can be irritating in competitive play.

You could also just opt for something cheaper. At $189.99, the Raikiri II dock should be far, far better than it is. I'd sooner recommend just grabbing an Xbox Elite Series 2 Core and a second-hand Elite charge dock over this.

ASUS Raikiri II: Should you buy it?

The ASUS Raikiri II is not a bad controller. The controller itself is very solid overall, but it's just in the detailing where ASUS falls over.

The charge dock feels so painfully cheap that it's insulting as part of a $189.99 bundle, and the web-based configuration software is a huge and odd mistake. If ASUS opted to sell this controller without the charge dock and brought the configuration tools into a native app at $129.99 or less, it would be a great deal worth recommending. At $189.99, it becomes a bit tough.

I think once you're set up and ready to go with it, you won't be disappointed overall with your experience, but given that basic Xbox controllers run at $39.99, ASUS is really asking a lot here for what is, in essence, not exactly reinventing the wheel.

Forza Horizon 6 is right around the corner. The latest entry into the series from Playground Games launches on May 19, 2026, bringing the long-requested Japanese cityscape and countryside, along with over 550 cars.

Following the recent map reveal on X, (more to come on that in our preview later today) we now have a look at some limited edition accessories. These include a new Xbox Wireless Controller and a new headset, revealed in a report from billbil-kun.

New Forza Horizon 6 controller and headset detailed

In the report from billbil-kun, it is brought up that Xbox has not released a new limited edition controller since DOOM: The Dark Ages in April 2025. This means it has been a while since the last release. For headsets, the most recent limited edition model was inspired by Starfield, which launched in June 2023.

While there has been no official look at the new accessories yet, they are expected to be themed around Forza Horizon 6. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

• Xbox Wireless Controller themed around Forza Horizon 6, priced at $89.99, €89.99, and £84.99
• Xbox Wireless Headset themed around Forza Horizon 6, priced at $134.99, €134.99, and £124.99

Would you be excited to see new limited edition accessories from Xbox? I am personally curious to see what the new accessories look like, and I'd definitely be excited to see if we get anything for Xbox’s 25th anniversary coming up.

I'd also love to see Xbox go all in and reveal new limited edition consoles, and an even wider variety of accessories

As a longtime Halo fan, I am also interested in what it might do alongside the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, too.

That said, Halo Studios likely has enough on its plate right now, given the latest claims of misconduct at the studio, without having to worry about accessories.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Would you pick up new accessories, or do you have little interest? Be sure to take part in our poll too!

At $149.99, the Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless sits firmly in the premium headset category. It supports Xbox Wireless alongside Bluetooth, includes Dolby Atmos, and promises close to 70 hours of battery life, making it a compelling option on paper.

Corsair is a brand I have consistently trusted in the past, which made my experience with this headset more frustrating than expected. While there is a lot to like here, particularly in terms of comfort and audio quality, several usability issues and a game-specific problem prevented it from being the straightforward recommendation I hoped for.

I tested the Xbox edition of the Void V2 Max Wireless across Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC. While performance was largely consistent, microphone reliability in ARC Raiders became a recurring problem, shaping my overall impression. Outside of that one title, the headset performs well, which makes the issues harder to ignore rather than easier to excuse.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Corsair. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless: Specs and pricing

To Corsair’s credit, the specs on offer here are genuinely impressive. For the price, you are at least getting a strong package on paper, which makes it worth taking a closer look at what is actually under the hood.

Despite my issues, there are genuine reasons someone might be tempted to buy this headset, particularly if it is discounted. In daily use, I was able to walk around my entire house from top to bottom, make a cup of tea, and still chat with friends on Discord via Xbox without any dropouts.

Dual audio playback is another standout feature. Being able to hear audio from Xbox and Bluetooth devices simultaneously is genuinely useful and something I found myself using more often than expected.

That said, all customisation and firmware updates are locked behind Corsair’s iCUE software on PC. There is no mobile app, which feels like a missed opportunity, especially for an Xbox-focused headset at this price.

That RGB lighting also serves a practical purpose, as it indicates which mode the headset is currently using. Double-pressing the power button switches it into Xbox mode, which is how I mainly used the headset outside of some sessions on PC.

I cannot speak to how the headset performs on PlayStation, as I have the Xbox edition, but Corsair’s quick start guide does outline the required steps clearly for those platforms.

Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless: Comfort and build quality

This is easily one of the most comfortable headsets I have used. Coming from the Razer Kraken, which is already fairly comfortable, the Void V2 Max Wireless felt noticeably better during long sessions.

As someone who wears glasses while working and gaming, comfort matters a lot. The ear cups and headband never pressed my glasses into the side of my face, even after extended use.

Build quality is fairly unassuming. Nothing feels what I'd consider premium, but it feels good enough for the price. The headset is lightweight, adjusts easily, and accommodates a wide range of head sizes without feeling awkward.

The main concern here is the controls. The buttons, and especially the volume mixer, feel finicky in use and do not inspire much confidence in long-term durability.

Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless: Mic and audio quality

The Void V2 Max Wireless for Xbox does offer a competent microphone, including the ability to mute it by lifting the mic from the on position to off. That said, I never found it more impressive than the microphone on my Razer Kraken, and none of my friends noticed a meaningful improvement either, and you can hear for yourself here:

Where I did notice a clear step up was in audio quality. The 50mm drivers performed well in ARC Raiders, making it easy to pick out enemies and environmental threats to the point where friends often relied on my callouts in tense situations.

Using the volume mixer, however, was often frustrating. Pressing the button regularly left me unsure what I was actually adjusting, and on several occasions, my audio stopped working entirely, forcing me to power the headset off and back on again.

Despite these frustrations, the raw audio quality itself is genuinely strong and one of the headset’s highlights. Better refinement around audio mixing would have gone a long way, and the fact that it disables Xbox’s own audio mixing options in party chat and Discord remains a significant drawback for me.

Not to drive the ARC Raiders point home too much, but on the one occasion the microphone did function in-game, all game audio became muted, leaving me unable to hear anything. While this may be an issue specific to the game itself, it is still worth mentioning given how prominent the game is right now.

Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless: Should you buy it?

✅ You should buy this if...

• Want a headset that sounds, feels, and looks great
• Plan to use it across multiple devices, not just for gaming
• Want great battery life
• Need dual audio playback

❌ You should not buy this if...

• Dislike RGB lighting, even when it is subtle
• Need active noise cancellation
• Want to play ARC Raiders on Xbox
• Do not have a PC to customise features

I do plan to continue using the Corsair Void V2 Max Wireless as my daily headset, if only because the alternative is my partner’s pink Razer Kraken. That said, I still cannot rely on it all the time, which remains a major sticking point for me.

One feature I have grown to really appreciate is dual audio playback. Being able to hear audio from both the Xbox and a Bluetooth device at the same time is genuinely useful, and it is something I have ended up using more often than expected, sometimes even by accident when both my PC and Xbox were on. It is a feature I would genuinely miss if I had to go without it.

If ARC Raiders is not a game you play or plan to play on Xbox, this is otherwise a fairly solid headset. Its unassuming design, strong comfort, and broad feature set are appealing, but at $149.99, the price still feels steep given the issues I ran into.

Even if some of those problems stem from the game itself rather than the headset, the volume mixer feels flimsy at times, and the controls are awkward to use. On top of that, updating and customising the headset is locked to Corsair’s iCUE software on PC, meaning Xbox-only users are locked out of firmware updates and certain features entirely.

Taken together, these frustrations make it difficult for me to fully recommend the headset at full price. Many users online appear to have run into similar issues, which is especially disappointing given just how comfortable the headset is. If you can find it discounted and do not plan to play ARC Raiders on Xbox, it may still be worth picking up compared to some of the best Xbox headsets out there.

I've used a lot of headphones and gaming headsets, and few have been able to truly challenge Audeze when it comes to sheer audio quality.

Now, at CES 2026, the high-end audio brand has returned with the Audeze Maxwell 2, an all-new, totally redesigned wireless gaming headset packing some serious upgrades. I'm actually at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but before I flew out, I had a brief opportunity to test the new headset.

I'll need to use this headset a lot more after I return home to really know if Audeze struck gold with its Maxwell follow-up, but I'm not harboring any doubts. The first-generation Maxwell wasn't perfect, but it has held on to its spot on our list of the best Xbox headsets for over two years — and its successor promises to be better across the board.

Better audio, greater comfort, slimmer design

Audeze is the de facto champion of planar magnetic technology in headphones, pushing forward with new innovations and evolutions. Planar magnetic drivers are larger, heavier, and more expensive than the dynamic drivers in most headphones, but they're also more precise and responsive.

Planar magnetic expertise has earned Audeze a reputation for phenomenal audio quality, and that's exactly why I praised the original Audeze Maxwell in my 4/5-star review. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Maxwell 2 refines what its predecessor started, with massive 90mm planar magnetic drivers loaded with Audeze's various proprietary technologies.

This time, that also includes SLAM, a newer tech that I first experienced with my 4.5/5-star Audeze LCD-S20 review. You can check that review out for more information, but the idea is that the Maxwell 2 should have fuller, deeper low-end than the original Maxwell. The Maxwell 2 boasts twice the microphone bandwidth (48KHz), too, on top of brand-new FILTER AI background noise cancellation.

The most immediately obvious improvement, though, is in the design. While not as luxurious as Audeze's highest-end headphones, the Maxwell 2 is clearly premium, with a slimmer and lighter design, a more breathable and comfortable suspension strap, and magnetically attached earcups for easy replacements.

I could tell the moment I put the Maxwell 2 on my head — this is a huge upgrade in comfort, which bodes well for longer gaming sessions. Audeze didn't compromise on endurance, either, with the same 80-hour battery rating. We still get 2.4GHz wireless for Windows PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, and Bluetooth for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.

Wherever you use the Audeze Maxwell 2, you'll be able to take advantage of the new Audeze app for on-the-fly controls and adjustability, showing Audeze is committed to making the Maxwell 2 a far better all-around headset. I'm honestly really excited to dive more into this headset, but you don't have to wait.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 is already available for $349, or $329 if you don't need Xbox Wireless support. I also know Audeze is already planning some special edition drops, but we'll have to wait longer to see those.

When choosing a gaming headset, just how important is audio quality to you? Will the Audeze Maxwell 2 become your next gaming headset? Let us know in the comments below!

Even on PC, most people play Call of Duty on a controller. There's been much debate about the strength of a controller over a mouse and keyboard, and even at the very highest level, players are on controllers.

In such a fast-paced shooter, having the right equipment not only keeps you competitive but can also give you the edge.

It's hard to recommend one single controller, since Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is on Xbox, PS5, and PC. There is no controller that's compatible with every platform. If you're on PC, I can't recommend anything as highly as the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, which is pricey at $199.99, but has an unbeatable 8,000 Hz polling rate.

Reviews

• Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC review
• Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review
• GameSir G7 Pro review
• Razer Raiju V3 Pro review
• GameSir G7 HE review
• Scuf Valor Pro review

A good controller can change the game

I would argue that more than any other shooter, your controller really makes a difference in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Even in the PvE modes, Endgame and Zombies, the pace is so fast, you need accuracy, reliability, and ideally, extra buttons, so your thumbs can keep focusing on aiming.

On a tech front, don't buy a controller in 2025 and beyond if it doesn't have at least Hall Effect sticks. TMR sticks are the latest evolution, and they're a little better, but both will avoid the dreaded stick drift and accurately record your movements.

Razer's latest pro controllers, the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC and Raiju V3 Pro, both have TMR sticks, but you don't have to spend $200. The GameSir G7 Pro is less than half the price, but still has the tech.

A topic gaining more traction of late is polling rate, but it only applies to folks playing on PC. On Xbox and PS5, the polling rate of any controller is capped at 250 Hz. On PC, there's theoretically no cap, with the leader right now the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, with a class-leading 8,000 Hz polling rate.

To have a good competitive experience, you want at least 1,000 Hz on PC, which you can get from every controller featured here. GameSir, Scuf, and the Xbox version of the Wolverine V3 Pro all have 1,000 Hz polling on PC. The Razer Raiju V3 Pro tops out at 2,000.

FAQ

As mobile gaming controllers go, Backbone is up there with the best. And for fans of Xbox Cloud Gaming, this new one is a perfect fit.

I recently wrote about how Xbox Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate got a big boost. 1440p resolution and a vastly improved video encoding algorithm delivers performance closer to NVIDIA GeForce Now, as Xbox Cloud Gaming sheds its beta tag finally after years of testing. The service also just launched in India for the first time, as Microsoft continues its global expansion to new regions.

You can play Xbox Cloud Gaming on practically any device, including via touch, but the best experience comes when you pair a controller. Many games on Xbox Cloud Gaming do not support touch as of writing, but devices like the Backbone make touch gameplay unnecessary.

Today, Backbone unveiled a brand new Xbox Edition of its Pro range, bringing some nostalgic green translucency to what is arguably one of, if not the best Xbox Cloud Gaming controller on the market. Here's what's new.

The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition is an "Xbox you can take anywhere"

Announced today, the Backbone Pro is the firm's "next gen" mobile controller designed for players who switch devices frequently. Connectivity includes Bluetooth as well as USB-C, with inserts and a telescopic clamp that support a huge range of phones and other types of devices.

Backbone says it ran over 30 user research studies and went through over 9000 (Vegeta?!) part iterations, specifically targeting boosted ergonomics and balance. It sports Hall Effect triggers, and is one of the "lightest" controllers of its type out there, coming at a mere 199 grams.

It sports USB-C connectivity, either docked inside the controller or via a wire, as well as wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

In wired or docked handheld mode, it eliminates that sliver of latency that Bluetooth injects for a console-like experience, pairing well with the recent Xbox Cloud Gaming latency enhancements currently rolling out across the service.

Bluetooth makes it a good option for playing on cloud-enabled devices like Samsung TVs, the Meta Quest VR headset, Amazon Fire sticks, tablets, and other screens that won't fit into the device itself. In wireless mode, you're also looking at up to 40 hours of battery life too.

What seals the deal is Backbone's capable app, which remembers previously-paired devices and makes it easy to switch between platforms without the hassle of constant re-pairing. As someone who has been driven to despair by how clunky pairing current-gen Xbox controllers can be across devices, this is great to see.

The app also sports shortcuts to popular services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Remote Play, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link, and even native mobile games like Minecraft and Fortnite.

The Backbone Pro comes with one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate so you can test it out before dropping the $30 per month, although Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available on the more affordable tiers too (with a rumored free tier coming in 2026 on top). Xbox Remote Play is of course free, but requires a pretty solid network environment at 5 GHz Wi-Fi to run well, as well as an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console.

The Backbone Pro Xbox Edition is available today

Similar to the Backbone Pro Xbox Edition on Amazon, the regular black Backbone Pro is available now to buy from Amazon at $169.99. The Backbone One Xbox Edition is cheaper, at $119.99, but doesn't come with Bluetooth support. You can also get a non-Xbox version without Bluetooth for $99.98.

I have the regular Backbone Pro and it's quite easily the best Xbox-style mobile controller I've used, with tight ergonomics, reassuring construction, and a svelte profile. It isn't cheap, of course, but it'll last longer and offer a better experience over long periods for those who plan to do a lot of multi-platform cloud gaming.

You can grab it via Amazon or via the link below, and let us know in the comments if you plan to grab it. For more details, be sure to read our full Backbone Pro review.

If you don't have the budget to afford one of the more expensive Xbox Elite controllers or 3rd-party controllers from the likes of Razer or Hyperkin, then don't fret.

The official Xbox wireless controller still stands as the best option available for ergonomic build, great performance, and comparatively modest MSRP of $64.99. A price that has been slashed by 23% to $49.99 at Amazon.

What makes the official Xbox wireless controller worth using?

The official, Microsoft-branded Xbox wireless controller has some stiff competition these days from the likes of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro or the GameSir Super Nova.

Yet despite the odds, it's still regarded by many (including us here at Windows Central) as overall one of the best Xbox controllers that's value-for-money while packing enough technology to help you beat the toughest Xbox games out there.

It features an ergonomic design with a lightweight, balanced build that's comfy to hold and will ensure you don't strain on your wrists or hands for many hours of gaming.

The buttons are responsive with a satisfying, clicky feedback; it has a dedicated "Share" to capture and share personal gameplay screenshots or clips, and it can be bought in various colors or unique designs through Xbox Design Labs.

Ff course, what wireless controller would be complete without wireless connectivity? The Xbox wireless controller can connect to Xbox consoles and Windows PC through reliable Bluetooth connections with a 20-foot max range (which can be enhanced with Xbox Wireless Dongles sold separately).

The only major downside is that this controller lacks an internal rechargeable battery, so you will need to find one sold separately.

The best part about this controller is its affordable MSRP of $64.99, which makes it an affordable option compared to other wireless controllers that have MSRPs of $199.99, like the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core and the aforementioned Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

Plus, when you take into account Amazon's 23% discount, taking the Xbox Wireless controller's price down $49.99, making $150 cheaper than either of those options, it's practically a steal by comparison.

FAQ

The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handheld gaming PCs are here, and they're rather lovely. The more powerful Xbox Ally X boasts prowess across AAA photorealistic titles, and the regular Xbox Ally is no slouch either, able to run well-optimized 3D games while crushing 2D games with ease.

Like any self-respecting PC gaming handheld, the Xbox Ally range is complemented with accessories. Whether we're talking specifically about compatible power banks, MicroSD cards, or carry cases, here are the best Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X accessories I personally use. And frankly, these are the best accessories for practically any PC gaming handheld on the market right now, and I've tested that each of them is fully compatible as well with the Lenovo Legion Go, Steam Deck, and the previous ASUS ROG Ally.

The Best Xbox Ally Accessories everyone should own

If I had to suggest one of these above all others, it would be the Tomtoc Arccos case. No, I'm not sponsored by Tomtoc, but I was so impressed when I randomly picked up the Arccos case originally for my previous-gen ASUS ROG Ally, I ended up buying both a backpack and a travel rucksack from them. The company just makes seriously great products, with high-quality materials at affordable prices. The sheer amount of storage you can get on that thing is immense, as it seems to expand to your needs like magic.

If you want more reassurance, though, consider the new JSAUX hard shell "Max" carrying case instead. The Tomtoc case does have good inserts for protection, but the hard shell configuration on the JSAUX option is hard to beat if you want maximum protection.

Naturally, having some extra storage can't hurt either. I have a SanDisk UHS-I MicroSD card, and I've found no real issues with it, although if you did want to store additional and perhaps more demanding games, you could consider the more expensive Lexar UHS-II. The Xbox Ally base model is perhaps going to be best aimed at 2D games and more heavily optimized 3D games anyway, likely not requiring a UHS-II SD card. If you did want to push your experience to the max, the Lexar UHS-II model on the Xbox Ally X might be best for you.

The IVANKY dock is also fantastic. The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X don't really have official accessories announced as of yet, with even strong players like JSAUX quiet on what, if any, accessories it plans to offer. The existing IVANKY dock isn't necessarily designed for the Xbox Ally range, but I've been testing it all week with this dock, and haven't had any issues whatsoever. It fits decently well in the dock, the connectivity has been flawless, and it's also quite subtle in its design, fitting nicely into any entertainment center setup. I may change this entry, though, as more "official" docks emerge in the coming months.

If you have any further questions about good Xbox Ally accessories and the like, be sure to hit the comments, and I will answer them for you, or recommend alternatives if necessary!

If you're playing for hours at a time with a wireless Xbox controller, you're going to need a way to recharge them quickly so you can get back into the game.

One of the best tools for this task is the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox Series X|S, with its critically acclaimed design, durable build, wide compatibility with Xbox controllers, and fast recharge times.

For just $23.99 at Amazon (discounted by 20% from its MSRP of $29.99), you can get your hands on the Aqua Shift variant of this charger and get your Xbox controller recharged for action in no time flat.

Why should you buy this Xbox controller charging stand?

Razer's Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox Series X|S is packed with many admirable features that make it one of the best Xbox accessories for competitive and casual Xbox players alike.

It has a smart, stylish design with a high-quality build that will last you for years.

Plus, it's compatible with a wide range of Xbox One controllers, Xbox Series X|S controllers, Xbox Design Lab controllers, and even Elite Series 1 controllers, provided you outfit them with Razer-specific batteries, which are included with the stand.

Once you equip a controller with Razer batteries, this stand will recharge them to their full 8 hours of battery life in just under three hours by placing the controller on the stand.

It's also very easy to use as you simply plug the controller into the stand's magnet contact system connectors, and hook the stand to a console, PC, or compatible wall-plug via a USB-C cable.

To top it off, it has an extremely affordable MSRP $29.99, making it a very cheap option to charge your wireless controllers.

Thanks to Amazon's limited-time 20% discount, this option is now even more inexpensive, as the Aqua Shift color variant of this charger is available for $23.99.

The stand also comes in a variety of other colors to match specific controllers, one of which is also on sale at Amazon, like the Silver variant for £23.99.

FAQ

Proper simulators are often judged as an eccentric oddity to casual onlookers and the broader collective of PC and console gamers. Even Microsoft Flight Simulator was lumped in with those kinds of outliers until it elbowed its way into the mainstream via Xbox and PC Game Pass when it reinvented itself as the "impressive" MSFS 2020, piquing my interest with Asobo Studio's Xbox version.

After a few years of content updates, its developers moved on to a follow-up that came with a bit of a rocky launch as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but subsequent patches and server improvements led to me ranking MSFS 2024 as a "must-play" title, and diving into the world of flight sim joysticks and yokes.

If you ever thought flight simulators were intimidating for newcomers, then you should have seen some of the earlier hardware that they could pair with. Often covered with a plentiful selection of dials, levers, switches, and buttons, many flight sticks were too advanced for a novice. Now, Honeycomb Aeronautical has hardware that appeals to the die-hard fanatics and new aviators alike.

Of course, if you've ever dabbled with yokes, you'll probably glance over my photographs and recognize hints of the previously reviewed Honeycomb 'Alpha and Bravo' (specifically the 'XPC' variants with Xbox compatibility), but keen-eyed sim fans will notice something different about these samples that I saw clamped to a series of desks after an invitation to meet the affable team in London, courtesy of its parent company, snakebyte | GROUP, and Overload PR.

Yes, it's because this is actually part of the upcoming 'Honeycomb Lite' range, specifically the 'Alpha Flight Controls Lite' and 'Bravo Throttle Quadrant Lite'. They're both part of a wider effort to simplify a yoke and throttle setup and, in turn, offer a more affordable price tag to help new players ease their way into an ultra-realistic simulation rig — you'll notice I never used the word "cheap" here, and that's for a good reason.

The Honeycomb Lite range is more affordable than its full-fat siblings, but by no means does any of it feel cheap. On the contrary, claims that the Alpha Lite exhibits the "same high-quality build as the original ALPHA" rang true as soon as I got my hands on the familiar soft-touch plastic mounted around a solid steel shaft that rotates the sturdy yoke around 180°. There are obvious simplifications and fewer switches, but the pairing still feels deeply immersive.

In fact, the Bravo Lite actually feels more intuitive, thanks to a larger set of throttle lever handles with customizable, indented inlays. You still get an authentic parking brake, landing gear lever, and trim wheel, undoubtedly appealing to serious roleplayers, but it's fascinating how an overall simplification makes me feel more inclined to use every aspect of this 'Lite' throttle quadrant, rather than ignoring some less commonly used parts.

The most striking departure for Honeycomb Aeronautical that I saw (at least, until what came after) when visiting the snakebyte | GROUP crew was the 'Foxtrot Aviation Stick', a traditional joystick not unlike the dozen or so that I've tested in the past, such as Turtle Beach's VelocityOne Flightstick. It's exactly what it sounds like: a cockpit recreation built for controlling virtual, stick-controlled aircraft and smaller, aerobatic planes.

More importantly, the team had an early sample of an add-on throttle unit connected to the Foxtrot and showed me how it can be easily attached to either side of the joystick for a proper HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-and-Stick) setup. I'm eager to get my hands on the Foxtrot for a more in-depth look, so I won't spoil you with all the details yet, but the virtual trip I took in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 felt smooth and particularly responsive to the tiniest movements.

Ultimately, the Foxtrot looks to offer a much faster setup process than the Alpha (and even the Alpha Lite), by eliminating the need for any sort of desk clamp. If it can be more of a get-set-up-and-go solution, then I can see it acting as a perfect in-between for an absolute novice before potentially graduating to a fully-fledged yoke. That, or it's a better option for those sim enthusiasts who just outright prefer a joystick. To each their own.

For a minute, I almost felt bad for the astute team members who were demonstrating the all-new Honeycomb Aeronautical hardware, particularly snakebyte | GROUP CTO Marc Küpper, who saw my face light up with childlike glee when he completed his genuinely fascinating stories of manufacturing in Hong Kong and I caught a glimpse of a work-in-progress prototype lying on the final desk: the 'Echo Aviation Controller'.

I think I said something like, "Oh my god, what is that?" but it's possible that my words were infused with more swearing and an overall rise in volume. Now, to be fair to Mark, he was almost exactly as enthused to show me the Echo — an Xbox-like joypad with miniature recreations of throttle levers, a trim wheel, and more — but was adamant I remember that this is not a finished product.

Not that I really care, because even in this sort of mock-up limbo state, I'm obsessed. It's legitimately revolutionary. The Echo prototype makes so much sense for casual flight simulator enthusiasts, and anyone who has completed the first few introductory segments of Microsoft Flight Simulator's tutorial could guess what each lever and switch is for. Besides, the rest is interpreted through reckless mid-flight experimentation anyway.

I've seen other brands attempt bizarre Frankenstein-esque controllers in the past, and I was immediately reminded of Thrustmaster's eSwap XR Pro with its miniature car wheel for a joystick, but the Echo Aviation Controller is in a league of its own — a completely different championship, even. Honeycomb Aeronautical is onto a winner here, and I'm crossing all my fingers that I see this unique joypad make it through to mass production.

The rear-mounted rudder pedal controls weren't even functional during my time with the Echo, a common issue with prototyping any electronics, but even those felt like an obvious addition. They're fixed together on an axis, moving vertically in opposite directions, just like the full-sized 'Charlie' pedals that Honeycomb itself manufactures, but again, on a tiny, shrunken scale. I love it.

It's almost comical because the star of the show could undoubtedly be the Honeycomb Lite range, a new flagship 'Sierra TPM Module', or the introduction of the Foxtrot, signalling an expansion to more than just yokes, throttles, and rudder pedals, but the Echo stole my attention, and I'm fine with it.

Prices for all of this new hardware will soon be confirmed, and I'm eager to get my hands on the Foxtrot to see if it earns a place on my list of the best joysticks for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Keep an eye on Windows Central for news on all of these yokes, joysticks, and joypads when they become available, as I'll be following them closely — especially the Echo.

When I reviewed the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), I named it one of the very best wireless gaming headsets you could buy. A year later, and we finally got a console-friendly version that was just as good — but it could obviously be better.

Now we finally have the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, and... I can't believe how big of a jump this is. When Razer briefed me on its new flagship esports-focused headset, I was rendered speechless by the ceaseless list of improvements and upgrades, all while preserving the same iconic design language.

It may be more expensive and a little heavier now, but the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is the closest to perfection I've ever seen a gaming headset reach. It's made even better that we don't have to wait for Xbox and PlayStation versions.

I don't often do this, but I'm putting my recommendation front and center. If your budget is $250 for a high-performance wireless gaming headset, then save yourself some time and go get the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro for $249.99 at BestBuy.com.

Yeah, let's just summarize those upgrades real quick

Some of you may accuse me of being dramatic if I don't lay it out loud and clear, so I'm starting by listing all the noticeable improvements Razer made with the new BlackShark V3 Pro.

• Upgraded audio. The BlackShark V3 Pro upgrades to Razer's new TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen-2 drivers, which are basically bigger and better versions of the drivers in the ultra-premium Razer Kraken V4 Pro I reviewed.
  • Not content with just that, Razer also added THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 support, which adds four virtual speakers above your head when you want that surround sound effect. The BlackShark V3 Pro supports the Xbox and PlayStation spatial audio equivalents, too.
• Bigger microphone. The BlackShark V2 Pro already had one of the best microphones on any headset, but Razer made it even better by increasing the physical size of the HyperClear Super Wideband microphone from 9mm to 12mm, and increased the sampling rate from 32KHz to 48KHz while it was at it.
• Improved performance. This headset is designed with competitive gaming in mind (especially first-person shooters), so improved performance was a guarantee.
  • The greatest performance upgrade comes from Razer's new HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2. Yes, Razer HyperSpeed actually got a next-gen upgrade with greater efficiency and stability, but Razer also reduced the wireless latency to a mere 10ms — easily the best in the industry.
  • Razer has continued working with esports athletes to develop professionally tuned audio profiles for six of the most popular FPS games, and you can now store a total of 9 unique audio profiles on the BlackShark V3 Pro.
• Refined ergonomics. Razer may have kept the same overall design language, but the BlackShark V3 Pro is still a lot more refined in a lot of ways.
  • The yoke design has returned, but it's further reinforced and now has a 15-degree swivel joint to provide a better fit to everyone's unique head shape.
  • The Memory Foam ear cushions are just as comfortable as ever, but Razer designed a new dual-layer fabric that uses leatherette for superior noise isolation underneath cloth for improved breathability.
  • The design has been refined in other ways, too, like more distinct textures for the onboard controls and adding swappable magnetic faceplates (which have nothing to do with comfort, but could be great for customization).
• Better support. Unlike the BlackShark V2 Pro, Razer's latest flagship gaming headset is coming out of the gate with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation versions — all available in black or white.
  • Not only do we already have console-specific versions, but they also fully support Razer Synapse on PC this time, so you don't have to choose one or the other.
  • The BlackShark V3 Pro can also do simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing, so you can have a voice call on one and your game on the other, or whatever combination you need in the moment.
  • If you'd rather plug in, the BlackShark V3 Pro supports USB wired audio and even comes with a 3.5mm adapter for more traditional headphone jacks.
  • You can customize your BlackShark V3 Pro using the Razer Audio App on Android and iOS, the Razer Headset Setup app on Xbox, and the Razer Synapse app on PC — and the increased onboard memory will remember all your changes.
• More features. The BlackShark V3 Pro also gains some brand-new features. I already mentioned the simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio, but there are a couple more, too.
  • Razer has brought hybrid active noise cancellation to the BlackShark, with 4 microphones (2 internal and 2 external) dedicated to filtering out unwanted background noise to keep you in the game.
  • In addition to the new ANC button for cycling through modes, Razer also added a customizable roller to the BlackShark V3 Pro, which handles chat balancing by default, but can also uniquely increase just the sounds of footsteps to give you a competitive advantage.

Whoo, that's a lot. Let's actually talk about my experience using the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro now.

It'll be difficult for Razer to impress with the BlackShark V4

I already spent a lot of words just explaining what Razer did with the BlackShark V3 Pro, but the important question is if those upgrades actually make a difference. Um, yes. Yes, they do.

At first glance, the BlackShark V3 Pro isn't a major departure from its predecessor, but this headset is noticeably more comfortable to wear, especially for long periods. A lot of that comes down to the new swivel joint, which is important for the fit but also improves isolation.

It's still a predominantly plastic headset, but the BlackShark V3 Pro does feel very well put together, and there are a lot of fine details and accents that remind you that this is a premium headset, including real stitching on the headband that's color-matched to the version you bought (black for PC, green for Xbox, blue for PlayStation).

Razer also made the faceplates easily swappable via magnets; right now, Razer isn't selling custom options to make your BlackShark V3 Pro your own, but I can't imagine Razer made this deliberate design decision without some intent to take advantage of it.

The only downside is that the BlackShark V3 Pro is about 47g heavier than before, which is a noticeable increase. It's still extremely comfortable to wear, but the added baggage is worth noting.

Performance has also evolved by a significant degree, and for two main reasons. First are the new Bio-Cellulose 50mm Drivers Gen-2, which results in a much warmer and deeper sound profile similar to the Kraken V4 Pro headset, but with some precision, soundscape, and responsiveness improvements.

The BlackShark V3 Pro does sound excellent for gaming, music, movies, and everything in between, with powerful bass and sub-bass response and clean mids. Lots of onboard memory and a solid equalizer mean you can tailor the BlackShark V3 Pro to every use case.

I did notice some distortion at higher frequencies, especially when the active noise cancellation (ANC) is enabled, and this headset sometimes struggles when switching between audio profiles, becoming hollow-sounding overall for a few (long) seconds. Overall, though, the BlackShark V3 Pro is a substantial improvement over the 2023 model.

The second major performance upgrade? Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2, which debuted with the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro gaming mouse I reviewed. The BlackShark V3 Pro sadly doesn't get the new wireless receiver design, but it does benefit from improved stability (even with a lot of interference from competing wireless signals) and lower latency.

Razer told me it probably could've made the latency even lower than 10ms, but there was no point — 10ms is how long it takes for a healthy brain to process audio, apparently. I can't really claim to tell the difference, but I can tell you the BlackShark V3 Pro sounds instant and is incredible with competitive gaming.

One area where the BlackShark V3 Pro is a bit shakier compared to its predecessor is with endurance. I wrote an editorial years ago about how it felt like it took forever to kill the BlackShark V2 Pro, and the new headset does boast similar longevity... but if you take advantage of its new features, like active noise cancellation and simultaneous audio mixing, you can absolutely kill it faster.

Speaking of ANC, the BlackShark V3 Pro utilizes 4 microphones (separate from its main mic, which you'll need for voice calls) to filter out unwanted noise, and it does work, albeit subtly. The BlackShark V3 Pro certainly isn't usurping Sony or Bose for the best ANC headphones any time soon, but the ANC does make a (positive) difference, and you do get a fair amount of control over it, including an ambient mode that is equally fine.

I also understand why it exists for marketing reasons, but the PC-only BlackShark V3 Pro does feel pointless this time around. The Xbox and PlayStation versions rightfully have full compatibility and feature parity with Windows PC (apart from the PlayStation version missing the Halo-focused audio profile), so there's no real reason to get the PC-only version.

BlackShark V3 Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a high-quality gaming headset that works across platforms.
• You want the best performance possible out of a wireless headset.
• You value features like ANC and a class-leading microphone.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You won't take advantage of this headset's competitive performance.
• You need a headset for exclusively one platform (and want to save money).

What even is left for Razer to do? Perhaps the BlackShark V4 Pro will be a bit lighter, and last a bit longer, and sound a bit better, and block out background noise a bit more, but fundamentally, it feels like Razer truly nailed it with this iteration.

Razer took every piece of legitimate criticism from every review (mine included), and actively worked to fix those weaknesses with this headset. It's the culmination of years of refinement and innovation, and the end result is easily one of the best Xbox and PC gaming headsets ever made.

The BlackShark V3 Pro may cost $50 higher starting out, but it's worth every penny you spend on it, even if you're not the most competitive gamer to walk the earth. If you'd like to save money, the standard Razer BlackShark V3 seems to basically be the BlackShark V2 Pro but with some upgrades (like simultaneous Bluetooth/2.4GHz audio) for just $150 — but bear in mind that I haven't personally used that headset.

With upgraded audio, active noise cancellation, and a bevy of other upgrades, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an incredibly easy recommendation for $249.99 at BestBuy.com or $249.99 at Amazon.com. Xbox or PC, it doesn't matter — this is the headset I'm using from now on, and it's all because Razer actually listened to us.

GameSir has become one of my top companies for getting high-quality and high-value gaming controllers, so much so that I made sure to take some time to visit GameSir's booth during CES 2025.

Since I discovered GameSir, my biggest wish was for the company to make a wireless Xbox controller, and it seemed my desire had been granted; during that CES visit, I went hands-on with an early version of the GameSir G7 Pro.

Teasers appeared to confirm what I had been led to believe — the G7 Pro was wireless across all platforms, including Xbox. Once the controller was actually on the verge of release, though, it was revealed that Xbox players have once again been snubbed (most likely because of Microsoft's weird rules with Xbox Wireless, not necessarily because of GameSir).

My disappointment was immeasurable, but I still wanted to test the G7 Pro. I found that this is easily one of the best controllers you can buy right now, especially if you want to spend less than $100... but you'll still need a wire on Xbox. Fortunately, GameSir told me that could change in the future.

So much value packed into a single controller

When I reviewed the GameSir G7 SE, I was impressed by the value the modest wired controller provided. The G7 Pro takes that foundation and packs in a whole lot more (plus wireless connectivity) without breaking the $100 barrier.

You get a sturdy plastic construction with proper rubberized grips, a removeable faceplate (with a transparent shell underneath) and swappable D-Pad, quad rumble motors, a total of four additional remappable buttons, optical micro-switch face buttons, a charging stand included in the box, and tri-mode connectivity between 2.4GHz wireless (Windows PC), Bluetooth (mobile devices), and wired (Xbox and PC).

The G7 Pro also uses GameSir's more advanced Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) thumbsticks for even greater durability and precision (and a better feel), and uses classic Hall Effect tech for the analog triggers — which themselves have built-in micro-switch trigger stops.

There's even a gyroscope that works with Windows PC, and GameSir's already-great app on Xbox and PC got a major upgrade with new features and options. That's a lot of controller for $80, and the G7 Pro really does feel awesome in the hand.

I won't go so far as to say this controller is perfect. The analog triggers are a little shallow for my tastes. I wish the rear remappable buttons were textured, the thumbsticks aren't swappable, and the D-Pad is mushy, no matter which version you use (there's a total of three D-Pad types included in the box).

I wish the charging stand used magnets to keep the G7 Pro in place while charging, and while there's a very convenient garage for storing the wireless receiver in the stand, I also wish the stand itself could act as the receiver for a more streamlined solution.

Those are minor complaints, though, and the GameSir G7 Pro is flat out better in some ways than our favorite Razer Wolverine V3 Pro (which I helped review). That controller costs more than twice as much, but doesn't include a charging stand, Bluetooth support, or more advanced TMR sticks.

Of course, the Wolverine V3 Pro's controls are higher quality overall, you get swappable thumbsticks and an included carrying case, and — most importantly — you get Xbox Wireless support.

Xbox still needs a wire, but a new version is coming

I've really been enjoying using the GameSir G7 Pro. Honestly, I prefer its ergonomics over the far more premium Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, and its performance is nearly as good across the board.

GameSir knows how to make a great controller, and the G7 Pro is certainly the best it has done so far. I simply can't get over the fact that we've gotten so close to an actual wireless Xbox controller from GameSir, only to fall short right at the finish line.

I'll be going back to the Wolverine V3 Pro after this review, because I have a child and a cat who like to forget there's a wire connected to my Xbox. The GameSir G7 Pro is very nearly the better controller in my eyes (and it costs less than half the price), but I'm holding out for a wireless Xbox version.

I actually asked GameSir why it didn't happen with the G7 Pro, and while I can't share everything I learned, I was told that GameSir is planning to release a new version of the GameSir G7 Pro in the near future that will support Xbox Wireless.

Don't accept this as an official announcement, as details may and often do change as plans develop, but GameSir told me it's targeting around $100 for a special co-branded Xbox edition of the G7 Pro. It's actually happening, but we sadly have to wait a little longer.

GameSir G7 Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a feature-packed, multi-platform wireless controller.
• You don't want to spend more than $100 on a pro-grade controller.
• You mostly game on PC and can also take advantage of Bluetooth.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You want a wireless Xbox controller (just wait a little longer).
• You're really particular about your D-Pads.

I'm eagerly waiting for the GameSir G7 Pro Xbox Edition (or whatever it'll be called), because there's a very good chance it'll be my favorite controller of all time, beating out the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, the Xbox Wireless Controller, and all the rest.

I hope GameSir also takes the opportunity to refine the wireless Xbox-specific G7 Pro in the same way it refined the standard G7 with later versions. If you need ideas, GameSir, I listed some above for you (wink wink).

While I'm adding to the wishlist, I love how the "Shadow Ember" colorway of the G7 Pro looks — GameSir, please make a purple version of that faceplate. Thanks in advance.

Right now, the GameSir G7 Pro really is a fantastic controller, and it's extremely diverse with three ways to connect to your devices. If you do game on Xbox, though, I personally suggest waiting a little longer for the next G7 Pro.

If PC is where you like to hang, the GameSir G7 Pro is an unbeatable deal for $80, and you can check it out for $79.99 at Amazon or $79.99 at Best Buy (pre-orders begin shipping on Jul. 22, so I assume the controller will become more widely available after that).

There's no shortage of awesome gaming headsets to add to your setup, but your options are more limited if you need a wireless headset that works with Xbox consoles, too.

That's just the nature of Xbox Wireless, but you still don't have to pay extra for a great headset. SteelSeries has added a new option to the mix with the Arctis Nova 3X Wireless, the Nova-fied redesign of its uber-popular Arctis 1 Wireless headset from yesteryear (which we reviewed).

I've been using it for a few weeks now, and I've been really impressed by this headset's design and featureset for the price point — and I absolutely adore that SteelSeries is actually offering more than just black and white colors. The Arctis Nova 3X isn't perfect, but it's still a really solid wireless Xbox option for those wanting to spend around $100.

A lightweight headset with some actual personality

First, the Arctis Nova 3X does adopt the same design language we've seen from other Nova products, with the two-tier circular earcup design and slim profile. The Arctis Nova 3X looks great, and its detachable microphone makes it more than sleek enough for use as a normal pair of wireless headphones.

This is an all-plastic headset, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the Arctis Nova 3X is insanely light at only 260g, so you barely feel it on your head. On the other, it does feel quite cheap in the hand, with a fair amount of creaking.

I've seen for myself how much abuse the Arctis Nova 3X can take, though, so in this case, "cheap" doesn't mean "fragile" — you shouldn't have to worry about this headset too much if you pass it to your children.

The Arctis Nova 3X also has some give and take when it comes to ergonomics. Breathable fabric earpads with a healthy amount of cushioning and a wide suspension headband work in tandem with that ultralight design to make this a very comfortable headset, but the Arctis Nova 3X is on the small side — even on the largest settings, it still barely fit me, so those with larger heads may struggle.

What I love more than anything, though, is that SteelSeries actually gave the Arctis Nova 3X some color. The standard black and white colors are here, of course, but you also get "Aqua" and "Lavendar" options... or blue and purple, if you're normal.

These colors are more "pastel" than "neon," so they may not be as punchy as you'd like, but I have both in hand, and the Arctis Nova 3X looks great. For the eagle-eyed, these are the same fun and cheerful colors offered by the SteelSeries Rival 3 (Gen 2) Wireless mouse I reviewed, so you can color-match your setup on a budget.

In so many ways, personal technology has become unbearably monochrome over the last few years, a symptom of the obsession with "minimalist" design. Just having some fun color options gives the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X a leg up in my book, but it does also help that it's a solid headset.

Features are there, but performance isn't always

The Arctis Nova 3X is equipped with some pretty impressive hardware for the price, including 40mm Neodymium Magnet drivers with spatial audio support, a high-resolution noise-canceling microphone, and both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.

On the audio front, this headset is good — if not amazing — for the price. There's a good amount of punch in the low end, with great detail and responsiveness in the mids and highs, but the overall soundstage is on the narrow side.

There's also a persistent, soft static in the background, something that you may hear with other headphones at higher volumes — but seems to be always present with the Arctis Nova 3X. Any music or audio immediately drowns it out, but it does affect clarity.

The microphone is a major improvement over SteelSeries' earlier budget wireless headsets, though, with respectable depth and detail, as well as actually functional background noise cancelation. I can't imagine many will complain about this microphone for only $110.

Where the Arctis Nova 3X slips is in performance. Having both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth lets this headset connect to basically any device (including Xbox, as long as you switch the dongle over), but stability wasn't the best.

The Arctis Nova 3X was prone to interference and skips, and often refused to properly connect to my Xbox without switching the dongle over to PC and back again. I also genuinely can't tell you how good the new SteelSeries mobile app is for customizing the Arctis Nova 3X, because it absolutely refused to connect properly (a common problem, it seems, if you go off Google Play Store reviews).

None of these problems made the Arctis Nova 3X bad to use, and the SteelSeries GG app on Windows PC was more than enough for customizing the EQ and other headset settings, but those planning to use the Arctis Nova 3X primarily with their phone and Xbox can't rely on the mobile app, and those who need the absolute best wireless performance for competitive gaming can't rely on the Arctis Nova 3X 100% of the time.

I've no such issues with battery life, though. SteelSeries quotes up to 40 hours of continued usage, and that feels perfectly accurate from my testing. It's also easy to charge via USB Type-C, netting you hours of use with just minutes of charging.

Arctis Nova 3X Wireless review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a cheap wireless headset for Xbox, PC, and mobile.
• You love fun colors and are tired of the same black/white designs.
• You need a lightweight headset that can take a beating.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You need the most reliable wireless performance (or a working mobile app).
• You need a larger headset for a comfortable fit.

Quick overview: the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is a really good wireless gaming headset for around $100, especially since it's compatible with Windows PC, Xbox consoles, mobile devices, and more.

The wireless performance isn't the best (and the mobile app flat out won't work for me), and I have some other complaints for this value-driven headset — but it's fun, durable, and packs a surprising number of features.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is available for $109.99 at Amazon or $109.99 at Best Buy, making it one of the best Xbox headsets for those on a budget... but if you can drop the extra cash, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) we reviewed is still the champion at $200.

Amazon Prime Day has now officially commenced, bringing a slew of massive discounts for your favorite games, electronic devices, and more from July 8, 2025, to July 11, 2025. One of these discounts that has got me all excited to share with you all is this massive 41% discount for the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controller.

This controller with a Sensitivity Clutch, Hair-Trigger Locks, and high polling rates is my favorite Xbox and PC controller of all time, and it is now for $88.18 on Amazon (out of stock) $88.99 at Walmart (after having its MSRP slashed from $149.99).

• Shop all of the deals at Amazon Prime Day

Why I will always recommend the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma over official controllers.

It's no secret on this website that I love the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controller. It's one of the best Xbox controllers and PC gaming accessories I've ever had the privilege of owning, and whenever it's on sale, I will shout to the high heavens that it's awesome and that people should go get one for themselves.

Even my colleague, Jez Corden, thinks that the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is amazing when he gave it a 4/5 star review, stating that it's good that "it felt like cheating".

So what makes this controller, produced by the famed third-party gaming manufacturer Razer, so good? Well, first and foremost, it's comfy to hold. Thanks to its textured rubberized grips, fulfilling weight, and well-rounded handles, you will be able to hold and use this controller for hours on end without straining your hands.

Next up is that the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is equipped with a plethora of face buttons, backpedals, and extra shoulder buttons, which can be reprogrammed to suit a player's playstyle and be saved in various profile settings for different games.

The buttons are also super responsive with little to no input delay thanks to the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma's polling rate of 250Hz and 4ms average input. This means that this controller has twice the polling rate of a regular Xbox Series X|S controller, and its average input rate is 2.8m faster.

With this, you will be able to form highly complicated attacks and evasive maneuvers without fear of input lag in action-heavy titles like Elden Ring, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Monster Hunter, or Street Fighter 6.

The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma's advanced features don't stop, as this controller includes a Sensitivity Clutch and Hair-Trigger Locks. Hair-Trigger Locks lock your triggers to a certain point, reducing the travel time it takes to read your inputs so you can rapid-fire shots.

The Sensitivity Clutch performs a similar function, as it reduces the travel time it takes for the analog sticks to register the player's inputs.

When you effectively use the Sensitivity Clutch and Hair-Trigger locks together, you will be sniping headshots more consistently and perform more precise evasive maneuvers to get the drop on opponents in first-person shooters like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Overwatch 2, Stalker 2, and Doom: The Dark Ages.

That being said, it isn't entirely without drawbacks. For one, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is a wired-only controller. So if you want a wireless controller with all of the Razer Wolverine 2 Chroma's advanced features without dealing with cable management, you're better off grabbing its more expensive successor, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.

Additionally, the Razer Wolverine 2 Chroma has a huge MSRP of $149.99, which can be a bitter pill for most people's wallets to swallow. However, that issue has temporarily been mitigated by a 41% discount thanks to Amazon Prime Day.

For a limited time, you can get your hands on this fantastic controller, which I consider to be superior to Microsoft's official Xbox controller, for a reduced price tag of $88.18 on Amazon (out of stock) $88.99 at Walmart, and save over $60.

With this, you will have plenty of money left to buy upcoming Xbox titles like Gears of Reloaded and Helldivers 2, and grab yourself an Amazon Prime Membership to gain access to more lucrative deals and same-day shipping, among many other benefits when shopping at Amazon.

Amazon Prime Day is in full swing, giving us consumers a chance to buy our most wishlisted products at more affordable prices at our favorite local retailers. One such sought-after item is the WD_Black 1TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox consoles.

This invaluable gadget gives Xbox players 1TB of extra space to fit in all their favorite games on Xbox consoles, and it is now on special offer for $124.77 $129.99 at Walmart (reduced from its MSRP of $149.99), which is an extra $5 discount over Amazon and Best Buy.

• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals

Why should you buy the WD_Black C50?

As Xbox games continue to grow in scale and graphical detail, there are going to be times when you will need to add extra storage space for your Xbox Series X|S.

This is because the Xbox Series X|S's default 1TB of storage space is simply not enough anymore to keep up with the storage space needs of modern AAA titles.

For example, games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or Final Fantasy XVI require over 100GB of storage space without DLC. And who knows just how space the hottest upcoming Xbox title in years, Grand Theft Auto 6, is going to take up?

So it's imperative that you get extra storage space for your console, and luckily, Western Digital has got your back with the WD_Black 1TB C50 Storage Expansion Card.

This handy-dandy gaming accessory comes with 1TB of extra storage space, a compact, durable design, and loading time and transfer time performance speeds on par with the Xbox Series X|S' internal storage unit.

The WD_Black is also easy to use, as you simply need to plug it into the back of your Xbox to make it function, and it's easy to carry around in your luggage while traveling, thanks to its small size.

When it first launched in 2023, the WD_Black only came with 512GB or 1TB storage space, but in recent years, there's now a 2TB version of this product to store more of your favourite Xbox titles.

This all sounds well and good, but that being said, there are some drawbacks to consider with the WD_Black C50.

This storage expansion card is a bit overkill if you plan on using it to play backward-compatible titles from the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox, as they have much lower storage space requirements.

Plus, if you plan on using this device to store Xbox Series X|S games rather than play them directly from the storage device, you're better off purchasing a traditional external SSD for that purpose, like the Seagate Game Drive for Xbox SSD or the WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD.

If those limitations don't bother you, then this Storage Expansion Card is a must-buy for Xbox players, especially for those looking for a storage device at an affordable price point.

I say this because what makes the WD_Black worth considering buying over its competitors, like the storage expansion cards from Seagate, is its price tag. Its MSRP is $149.99 at most retailers, which makes it $10 cheaper than its more expensive rival, the 1TB Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion.

With this anti-Amazon Prime Day discount deal from Walmart, the WD_Black's price tag has gotten even more affordable as it's now sitting at $124.77 $129.99 for a limited time.

That is over $5 cheaper than the Amazon Prime Day 13% discount offer from Amazon (which is selling it at $129.99) and $5 cheaper than the special deal Best Buy is holding for the Floral Edition of the WD_Black (also at $129.99).

So, if you want to get your hands on one of Xbox's best SSDs at a reasonable price tag, then this deal is for you.

Last year, Microsoft announced something of an unlikely partnership. Over a year later, we have the finished product.

Say hi to the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition, built in partnership between Microsoft and Meta, of Facebook fame. The headset itself "leaked" last week, although many outlets thought this was, in fact, new news — and it's hard to blame them. It has been over a year since Microsoft or Meta mentioned this headset, and I think all but a very few have forgotten that the project even existed.

It's not the strangest partnership to have ever existed, but it is a bit of a head-scratcher. There are no new features to speak of here. Don't expect to be connecting this thing up to your Xbox console to play VR games, for example. This is literally just a new limited (very limited) edition black and green colorway, complete with a pre-paired Xbox controller, and a pre-installed Xbox Cloud Gaming web app.

I think this product is aimed entirely at hardcore fans and collectors above all. You'll need to drop a $100 premium to get this Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S, which doesn't really do anything that an existing Meta Quest 3S can't. It does come with some extra goodies, though, and the new design is of a high quality. But is it worth $399?

Meta Quest 3S (Xbox Edition): What do you get, and how much?

Let's get it out of the way: the Meta Quest 3S (Xbox Edition) is $399.99 USD and £379.99 GBP, and will be available in "extremely limited" quantities at Meta.com, Best Buy in the U.S., and Argos or EE in the U.K.

It's unknown as of writing how many regions will get access to this device on Meta.com, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were just the U.S. and the U.K.

There's no information on any of the press releases, but considering the prices are listed only in U.S. bucks and UK pounds, I'm not confident it will be released in Europe or other regions. Meta and Microsoft both say, "once it's gone, it's gone." So, expect this to be a bit of a rarity.

In the box, you get the 128GB Meta Quest 3S headset (not the more powerful 3), two Meta Quest controllers, a pre-paired Xbox Bluetooth controller, a HoloLens-style Meta Quest Elite strap, 3 months of Meta Horizon+, and 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The standard Meta Quest 3S costs $299 at Amazon, but when you start adding things like the Elite Strap, Xbox Game Pass, the controller, and so on, this bundle actually works out to be a pretty good deal.

The headset and controller themselves come in an Xbox "carbon" black colorway, complete with Xbox-style "velocity" green accents — and it looks incredibly nice, I must say.

This isn't a simple sticker job, thankfully. The design of the Xbox Edition Meta Quest 3S looks a lot better than the original one (although I'm biased, literally every piece of tech I own is black, to be fair, thanks Razer), and it also has some additional touches.

The hinges on the strap connectors have Xbox logos embedded in them, which is a nice bit of flair without being gaudy. And the green "velocity" accent color matches other official Xbox accessories, like the Official Xbox Headset and other controllers.

It's nice to see that all the peripherals match the accents and carbon black chassis, too, and it wasn't simply a case of slapping some paint on a regular Quest 3S.

The Elite Strap included is a huge step up above the regular Velcro fabric straps typically included in these headsets, and comes with a HoloLens-style dial for incremental adjustments. This is a vastly more comfortable option than previous VR headsets I've used, so kudos for that.

There's also a glasses separator too, if, like me, you need a bit of depth perception clarity. The Meta Horizon+ and Xbox Game Pass included subscriptions are a nice bonus. When you add all the bonuses together, the $399 price point starts to seem a lot more fair.

Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Meta Quest 3S is absolutely awesome

As much as I've railed on VR in the past, I have to admit, the Meta Quest 3S experience is a huge, huge step up above other headsets I've used. Primarily due to the inside-out tracking.

The Meta Quest 2 was an absolutely frustrating experience. Having to create boundaries and set floor heights every time you wanted to use it was a chore. Wearing a huge blindfold on your face, while losing access to your hands for anything other than controlling VR, was simply an irritating experience that really required personal investment. Certainly not the most "relaxing" way to game, by any means. The Quest 3S is a huge step up, thankfully.

With the Quest 3S, you can now control "windows" with hand tracking, freeing up your hands to actually do things like navigate, and, in this case, hold an Xbox controller. It feels far more natural, and dare I say, more HoloLens-like, albeit without HoloLens' absurd price tag and total lack of support and apps.

It also doesn't have HoloLens' strange letterboxing limitation, either. You can get into Xbox Cloud Gaming without ever needing to reach for the Touch+ controllers or enter a full and (often nauseating) immersive 3D environment.

With Xbox Cloud Gaming preinstalled and the Xbox Meta controller pre-paired, you're pretty much ready to go out of the box. A quick sign-in, and you can immediately begin playing anything on the Xbox Cloud Gaming catalogue, and bring your Xbox console saves with you as well.

You can pin windows to follow you around the house, set them to be extremely large cinema-sized displays, multitask with other windows side-by-side with a YouTube video, or even shut off the cameras and immerse yourself in a virtual environment of your choosing.

With Xbox Cloud Gaming's latency improving all the time, playing Space Marine Remastered felt virtually 1:1 native on 5GHz Wi-Fi 6E, with 200MB down. Xbox Cloud Gaming feels like it's improving every time I use it, which is ideal for anyone who picks up the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition for this specific scenario.

I was a tad annoyed that there's no way to change Xbox Cloud Gaming's default language in the web app. Which is pretty absurd and very typical of the U.S.-centricity of Microsoft, but hopefully it's an easy fix for a future version.

I also felt like there was a missed opportunity here for some deeper integration. The Xbox share button on the included controller doesn't do anything with the Meta Quest. Would it have been so hard to add Meta's screenshotting controls to that button? Apparently so.

In any case, there are dozens of other great VR apps and games to experience on the Meta Store as well, including things like Zombie Army VR, Beat Saber, and many more. You can also hook it up to a PC via USB-C or Wi-Fi for Steam VR and play things like Half-Life: Alyx, as well.

VR as a gaming industry might still be incredibly niche, for a variety of reasons. This headset is also still quite pricey overall. And immersive full 3D VR games still make me, and many others, feel nauseated. I've been violently sea sick before, and Minecraft VR came close to fully emulating that experience. But with the inside-out tracking, you don't really feel that sense of nausea when you remain aware of your surroundings in full.

As such, I found myself wondering if taking a Meta Quest 3S on trips for writing articles and the like might actually be more viable than my much heavier laptop. Still, opinions on VR and its future remain pretty mixed — and a topic for another article.

Still, a very strange, and very limited partnership — but kinda cool?

The Meta Quest 3S (Xbox Edition) is an interesting addition to the "This is an Xbox" lineup of products. Microsoft is partnering with a huge menagerie of companies to bake Xbox services directly into their products, from Samsung TVs to Windows handhelds like the Xbox Ally, and now, Meta's famed Quest 3S headset.

This is perhaps not the most obvious partnership in the world, but it's pretty nifty for hardcore fans who want to "Xboxcessorize" all of their accessories. I think there are some pretty clear missed opportunities for deeper integrations, of course, like the Xbox share button being useless here, for example.

If it's your first foray into VR, though, you could do far worse than this bundle, given all the extras. It's a fun partnership, but even with all the extras, is it $399 fun, though? Considering virtually everything, and your Samsung Smart Fridge can run Xbox Cloud Gaming these days, your mileage may vary.

For a full review of the Meta Quest 3S headset's VR capabilities, head over to our sister site, Android Central.

Today, the popular gaming accessory manufacturer SteelSeries has announced a new gaming headset for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch called the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless.

This headset is a successor to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Wireless and plans to outshine its predecessor (and even improve upon the critically acclaimed SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro) with all kinds of new tech designed to enhance the auditory experience of gaming.

Here is everything you need to know about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 and where you can buy one.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is a wireless gaming headset designed to elevate the audio quality of your gaming sessions to new heights of enjoyment, thanks to advanced features.

These features include (as stated by SteelSeries' official press release):

• Custom Nova Speaker Drivers – Specially designed powerful Neodymium Magnetic speaker drivers were customized in-house to provide the ultimate gaming audio, with rich bass and a unique custom design for maximum detail. Immerse in the soundscape, taking what's already awesome to the next level with 360° Spatial Audio. (Fully compatible with Tempest 3D Audio for PS5 / Microsoft Spatial Sound and more)
• The Mobile Arctis App – A revolutionary mobile app that allows gamers to control their audio in real-time with over 200+ game-specific audio presets meticulously crafted and custom-tailored to each game by audio engineers, esports pros, and game developers. Gamers can change their audio presets on the fly in real time and without leaving the game, providing a distinct competitive advantage. Hear what others don't with precisely honed audio profiles for top games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, GTA, and more.
• Quick-Switch Wireless – Switch instantly between high-speed 2.4GHz gaming wireless for gaming and Bluetooth 5.3 for everything else with the onboard quick-switch button. Mobile connections remain on standby when gaming, so players will receive call notifications, plus separate EQ profiles let gamers save 2.4GHz gaming and BT on-the-go settings independently.
• Cross-Platform Gaming – Game on any platform, easily swapping the small USB-C dongle between all systems, supporting Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Meta Quest, handhelds, as well as phones and tablets that support USB-C.
• 15-Minute Fast Charge = 9-Hour Play Time – Game all day. Optimized USB-C fast charge gives you up to 9 hours of use after just 15 minutes, which is up to 3x more than typical headsets. A standard single charge offers up to 30+ hours in 2.4G / 40+ hours in Bluetooth.
• ClearCast 2.X Microphone – The new Arctis Nova 3 Wireless Series microphone with high bandwidth tech takes voice quality to the next level – 2X the bandwidth, 2X the comms with 32KHz/16bit audio.
• Lightweight | Durable | Comfortable Design – Tough, flexible design with dual-hinged arms for durability, plus removable ear cushions with breathable memory foam for total comfort. The 260g lightweight Nova 3 Wireless Series design features height-adjustable arms, plus a stretchy secondary fabric headband to distribute pressure evenly for all-day comfort. Available in black, white, aqua, and lavender.

With such powerful tech, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless will no doubt quickly become one of the best Xbox headsets on the market.

If you're interested in checking out this headset, it's available for purchase on SteelSeries' website and select retailers worldwide for MSRP of $109.99.

We'll also be releasing a full, detailed review of the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset by Zachary Boddy, so stay tuned for when their insights drop in the coming weeks.

Original article:

Eagle eyes have spotted that Seagate has recently released a new product for its line-up of Xbox Storage Expansion Cards, so far, exclusively on Best Buy, and it's the biggest and most expensive one yet.

This new product is the "Seagate - 4TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S," SSD. As the name suggests, this new Expansion Card has 4TB of storage space, which is twice as big as the previous 2TB model's storage space.

It's also the first full 4TB storage expansion card ever made for Xbox, as other expansion cards can only go up to 2TB, like the WD_BLACK Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card.

Additionally, the 4TB Expansion Card boasts all the other hardware specifications that made the Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card one of the best SSDs for Xbox on the market, although admittedly, it's also one of the only options. Microsoft's usage of the CFExpress standard makes its storage expansion cards easy to plug and play, but it also inflates the price a bit. CFExpress gives it easy plug-and-play operation, PCIe Gen 4 x2, fast read speeds, and a compact design for easy storage while travelling. Designed for high-end video cameras originally, these cards can be plugged in to any Xbox, letting you take your content on the go more easily.

However, as noted, such huge storage space comes at an obscenely high price, as the MSRP for the Seagate 4TB Expansion Card for Xbox reaches up to $499.99. That's almost as expensive as an Xbox Series X, which normally costs $549.99 at retail.

Best Buy is somewhat mitigating this price tag down in celebration of the 4TB Expansion Card's launch with a discount that has reduced it to $429.99, but even that's still an extraordinarily high price. As of writing, Seagate hasn't officially mentioned the product. Perhaps this was originally going to be announced around the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase on June 8th, and Best Buy jumped the gun? who knows.

In any case, in an age where AAA games require more and more data storage space to the point where even 2TB expansion cards are struggling to contain massive titles like Call of Duty and Forza Horizon, it may be a price we'll have to pay (unless we wait for bigger discounts). With 4TB of storage space, you may struggle to run out of storage space, even when installing the most beastly games available. But indeed, it comes at a hefty premium.

If you can afford to purchase such a premium SSD, the Seagate 4TB Expansion Card for Xbox is available for Best Buy, and will no doubt be available on other online retailers soon too.

Thanks to Jared for the tip!

With the rise of mobile gaming and Xbox Cloud Gaming, companies across the globe are scrambling to produce high-quality third-party controllers to help players transform their mobile devices into full-blown gaming handhelds.

One such product is the Razer Kishi V2, a Mobile Gaming Controller that's regarded as one of the best in the business for its exceptional ergonomics and controls.

The Razer Kishi V2 normally runs for a high MSRP of $99.99, but it's currently being blessed with a big 50% discount, taking its price tag down to a more generous $49.99 on Amazon.

Why buy the Razer Kishi V2?

Razer has produced several top-notch, Xbox-compatible gaming accessories over the years, and the Razer Kishi V2 is no exception. Our Executive Editor, Jez Corden, even gave the Razer Kishi V2 a 4.5/5 Star Review back in 2022, stating that it is "the best way to experience Android gaming on the go right now, whether it's native games, Xbox Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass, or another similar service."

While it may be outclassed these days by its modern successor, the Razer Kishi Ultra, the Razer Kishi V2 still has plenty of amazing features that help it stand out as one of the best Xbox Cloud Gaming controllers.

For example, the Razer Kishi V2 has an extendable bridge that splits the device over two panels and attaches to a mobile via USB-C connectors. This essentially converts your phone into a gaming handheld with a control scheme layout and controller handles that are almost identical to the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, or Nintendo Switch 2.

The controls of the Razer Kishi V2 feel good to use and can detect player inputs extremely accurately. It has USB-C pass-through power to allow users to charge up the phone without removing the controller. Plus, it has a lightweight and sleek design with ergonomically friendly grips, so it feels nice to hold without weighing down your hands.

The Razer Kishi V2 also has a couple of bonus features, like a "Nexus" button which launches a built-in app that lets you organize games and cloud apps on your phone, and dedicated screenshot and record buttons.

The only drawbacks of this mobile gaming controller you need to be aware of are that its lightweight design may be unwieldy for users with larger hands, and its relatively high MSRP of $99.99.

Thankfully, the latter problem has been solved by Amazon, which is currently selling the Razer Kishi V2 at a huge 50% discount for $49.99. So, if you're looking for a high-quality mobile gaming controller to play the best Xbox games via Xbox Cloud Gaming or popular mobile games like Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero, then this discounted Razer Kishi V2 is for you.

Controllers, controllers everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Or so the saying goes. Indeed, Xbox controllers are a dime a dozen these days, with solid third-party offerings all up and down the price spectrum.

For better or worse, the apex of Xbox controller goodness is often considered the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, despite its very well-documented quality issues.

Without fail, after six months, your right bumper will die on an Xbox Elite Controller, and while it can be repaired, it's a headache to deal with for a $200 product.

What if there were an alternative that might not break?

Nacon has entered the arena with its own take on the "Xbox Elite" range, with a licensed offering complete with the official Xbox sticker.

This controller boasts many of the Xbox Elite features we know and love, complete with charging dock, interchangeable sticks, back buttons, and trigger locks. It also follows the $199 MSRP.

Is it worth the ask? This past weekend, I spent a good 40 hours trying to figure that out.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Nacon. The company had no input or saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Revolution X Unlimited: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A wireless controller for Xbox and PC gaming.
• Who is it for? Those looking for an alternative to the Xbox Elite Series.
• How much does it cost? $199.99 at MSRP.
• What did I like? Hall-effect sensors and LCD display.
• What did I not like? Shorter battery life than advertised.

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Revolution X Unlimited: Pricing & specifications

As noted, the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited is $199.99 at MSRP, although you can find it a little cheaper at some retailers. Nacon sells it through their own website, as well as across global retailers like Amazon US and Amazon UK.

The feature set is quite impressive, and beats the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 in various ways, but not others.

On paper, it's a solid feature set for the price point, with a lot of add-ons and bells and whistles. I usually snobbishly turn my nose up at things like integrated LCD panels and the like, but found it quite useful and intuitive here for a variety of reasons.

First up, here's what I ultimately liked about the Revolution X Unlimited.

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Revolution X Unlimited: What I like

First, let's talk about the bare-bones basics. I spent around 40 hours over the past week testing this controller with a variety of games, coming in from my very battered Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 with a dying right bumper.

It was a night-and-day difference to finally play on something that actually functions, but beyond that, I was honestly impressed with how comfortable this controller felt.

Increasingly, third-party Xbox controllers are absolutely nailing their inputs. The joysticks, buttons, triggers, and the extra buttons on the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited are all stellar, and leverage Hall Effect activators to reduce wear and tear and drift.

It should theoretically last longer than traditional mechanical actuators found on the standard Xbox offerings, although I won't know for sure on that point without a time machine.

What I do know is that they're extremely comfortable, are well-positioned, have an ergonomic feel, and their positions are easy to commit to muscle memory thanks to their highly tactile design. It also incorporates Xbox's clip and screenshot button, which many third-party controllers omit.

I also found myself pleasantly surprised by the LCD display. Sometimes I think manufacturers are often guilty of overthinking their accessories in order to stand out in a busy crowd, but Nacon's display here is very intuitive and allows for quick and easy customizations on the fly.

A dedicated menu button coupled with the d-pad and ABXY inputs makes navigating the screen incredibly easy, and you can view pairing status, change keybinds, control mic volume, and more without leaving your game.

I'm also quite a fan of the charge dock Nacon put together for this one. I'm a sucker for a good charge dock, as I'm not a fan of cables draping all over the place.

The gold standard Xbox charge dock is the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2's, but Nacon's is no slouch, with solid rubber feet to prevent sliding and a decent weight. Top marks on this one.

Once I was in a game, it was quite easy to forget I was supposed to be reviewing a controller here. It's incredibly comfortable and feels at least on par with, if not better than, Microsoft's own heavily tested options.

Nacon thoroughly and completely nailed the basics with the Revolution X Unlimited, but it's when you get into the weeds that things start to get a bit grating.

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Revolution X Unlimited: What I dislike

Whether it's a combination of the LCD display, the inexplicable single RGB light ring around the right joystick, or a simple oversight — the worst thing about the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited is undoubtedly the battery life.

Listed as 10 hours, I managed to deplete the battery quite easily in 6-7 hours with some hardcore Torment 4 Diablo 4 dungeoneering. Now, I'm sure I could pump that up a bit if I disabled the LCD screen or the RGB light ring, but if I'm going to have to do that to achieve the listed battery life, why did Nacon include them in the first place?

You can opt instead to do your configurations on Nacon's Revolution X Unlimited PC app on the Microsoft Store, but man, I think it might be the slowest accessory update experience of my entire life.

And considering the fact that this product is quite new and likely going to need a lot of updates, it was quite painful to have to wait almost an hour for my controller to fully update via this app.

I'm not sure if Nacon's servers are super slow or if there's just something wrong with the app itself, but prepare yourself for a very slow updating experience if you grab this one.

I'm also not a huge fan of aspects of its visual design. The shell itself is attractive, but Nacon really, really wants you to know it's a Nacon product.

There's not one, not two, but three Nacon logos on the main controller, including the LCD panel, and then another huge "Revolution X Unlimited" haphazardly printed across the charging dock.

It's subjective, but I think it looks gaudy when companies emblazon their branding so hard across their products as if they were manufacturing a t-shirt or something. There's nobody to advertise to in my bedroom, Nacon! Make it look sleek instead!

Speaking of my bedroom, for all the configurability Nacon throws at this product, they joined Razer in the cardinal sin of having a bright and unconfigurable flashing charging light while it's docked.

So, if you're like me and you game in your bedroom and prefer it to be actually dark when you're sleeping, be aware that the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited comes complete with free nighttime disco lighting when you're not using it.

I'm also not a fan of the fact that you need to use two USB ports to get the most out of this on Xbox. The low-latency mode on PC is welcome, but it's a tad annoying that it doesn't support direct Xbox wireless connectivity. If you've already got other accessories connected to your Xbox, be aware of this one.

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Revolution X Unlimited: Also consider

The Nacon Revolution X Unlimited has the Xbox Elite Series Controller 2 firmly beat on inputs, I would say. Hall Effect sticks are grand, and the LCD display and charge dock are also well-designed and easy to use.

The big downside is the battery life, which depletes in 6-7 hours with average use. If you're someone who games across short sessions, this isn't necessarily a big deal, but as someone who often hits 12 hours per play session, it eliminates the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited from my options, potentially.

The similarly priced Razer Wolverine V3 Pro also suffers from a shorter battery life than the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, which can run a whopping 30 hours on a single charge, but at least it gets a full day on a single charge.

It doesn't have a charge dock, sadly, but you can at least charge it back up without triggering a localized rave in your bedroom. I think the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited is almost there, but some of the details let it down.

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Revolution X Unlimited: Should you buy it?

✅ You should buy this if ...

• You like the design and functionality of the LED screen.
• You want an Elite-style Xbox controller experience with Hall Effect quality.
• You want a controller that you can use on multiple devices easily.

❌ You should not this if ...

• Battery life is a sticking point for you, because the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited is sub-par here.
• You want to set it up in a bedroom, since the LED charging light is a bit like having a personal disco you can't turn off.

Let down by some of the finer details, the Nacon Revolution X Unlimited is a decent controller that might be ideal for living room casual play. It's easy to set up and configure, and is great for 6-7 hour sessions with a comfortable ergonomic feel and a high amount of customizability.

The RGB light ring doesn't add anything to the product, particularly since it's oddly attached to only one joystick. You can't turn it off while charging either, making it unsuitable for those who prefer to actually sleep in the dark. It also takes up two USB ports on your Xbox, while many competing products only take up one.

I think Nacon came very close to joining the ranks of the best Xbox controllers here, but some of the downsides and oversights are something that perhaps can only be repaired in a future iteration. It's overall a very solid Xbox controller, I'm just not sure it's $199 solid.

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Another manufacturer of fine PC related hardware has seemingly fallen into the U.S. tariffs black hole.

8BitDo, makers of the incredible Retro Mechanical Keyboard and its current officially licensed Xbox sibling, has ceased shipping some of its products to American customers.

As reported by Polygon, buyers heading to the 8BitDo store in the U.S. are now being greeted with messages on some items declaring they are unable to be shipped to locations in the U.S.

It doesn't apply to everything, mind, though at this point there's no telling how long that may last. Anything currently in the U.S. in the company's warehouse is fine, but anything that needs to come from China, is not.

Polygon goes on to confirm that some of the affected hardware includes the Retro Mechanical Keyboard, it's mini Xbox controller, as well as some Bluetooth controllers and N64 related hardware for now.

But without knowing how much stock is already in the U.S. there's no telling just how long it'll last. The Xbox-themed keyboard and mouse at least does seem to be unaffected for now.

8BitDo isn't the first company to hit the tariff barrier. Razer has already suspended shipments of a large part of its hardware range, including its laptops, while a solution is resolved.

Amazon does still have stock of some of the affected items, including the Retro Mechanical Keyboard, so there is still hope for prospected buyers in the short term. But, again, once stock runs out, it has to come from China, so currently, the endgame is unclear.

I've reached out to 8BitDo for additional information, and will update this post accordingly if and when it arrives.

In better news, the 8BitDo Xbox keyboard is currently reduced to just $89.99 on Woot, so you definitely want to grab one while you can.

It's Amazon Gaming Week, apparently. No, I haven't heard of either, but any excuse to save money on the best Xbox headsets and best PC gaming headsets sounds pretty good to me.

It's with that in mind, that I'd like to introduce you to one of my favorite, preferred gaming headsets, now almost $100 cheaper than usual thanks to Amazon's deals event.

This is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless, armed with a digital audio controller, multi-device capabilities, a retractable mic, active noise cancelling, and many more great features.

Why the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a winning Xbox / PC headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a premium headset designed for users who literally want everything in a tight, single package. This headset has multiple USB ports to connect up two devices simultaneously, with a third coming through from Bluetooth. The retractable mic and active noise cancelling make them a great option for using as a lifestyle headset too, for commuting, travel, and so on. The Bluetooth also makes it useful for mixing from a second sound source, feeding sound from PC chat via USB and wirelessness and capturing audio from your Xbox via your smart TV's Bluetooth.

The digital audio controller is where all the magic happens. Ideally this sits on a desk or near your set up, and has a big dial for audio control, device swapping, and a capacitive back button for controlling menus. It's powered by the devices it's connected to, and has line-in and line-out 3.5mm audio as well for good measure.

The pièce de résistance is the digital audio controller's hot-swappable battery dock. The side plates are attached with magnets, and can be removed to easily swap out the battery to ensure you're constantly juiced.

The first version of this headset had an issue with the internal mics protruding too far into user's ears, but SteelSeries has fixed this problem on the more recent models. As a result, they're among the most comfortable and durable headsets I've used. They also sound absolutely fantastic, with high configurability and customization.

But sure, they're not "cheap," but with this 25% off deal from Amazon Gaming Week, they're far more palatable.

The unique 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard (Xbox Edition) just hit its lowest-ever price, thanks to this special 25% discount that has reduced its price tag from $119.99 to $89.99 at Woot! (and fulfilled by Amazon).

The Retro 87 is a charmingly retro-styled keyboard modelled after the original Xbox, and it's the perfect gift for old-school Xbox fans looking to relive classic titles on PC. It can be yours thanks to this special discount that technically isn't part of Amazon Gaming Week, but is fulfilled by the same company!

Why should you buy the 8BitDo Retro 87

Amazon Gaming Week has begun, providing the Xbox and PC gaming community with tons of huge discounts and deals on many gaming-related products. Unfortunately, one product isn't getting this treatment in a strictly official capacity, and that's the 8BitDo Retro 87 mechanical keyboard (Xbox Edition).

First announced in November 2024, the Retro 87 mechanical keyboard is a charming retro-themed gaming keyboard inspired by the 2004 Special Edition of the original Xbox, complete with an iconic transparent shell.

The keyboard mixes retro aesthetics with modern-day engineering as it features RGB lighting (with 8 modes), "Kailh Jellyfish X" mechanical switches, a hot-swappable PCB, and colored arrow keys inspired by the Xbox controller's ABXY face buttons.

It also features double-layered ABS keycaps with matte UV coating, a mix of Bluetooth/2.4G/USB-C connectivity, and an integrated Xbox home button that activates the Xbox Game Bar.

That last one is particularly handy if you regularly play Xbox games on PC via PC Game Pass, giving you access to a wealth of quick-access tools while playing.

This loving homage to the original Xbox normally runs for a $119.99 MSRP at most retailers. However, it's on sale with a 25% discount for a limited time at this Amazon-owned clearance business, Woot!, for $89.99. If you've been waiting for a price drop on this awesome keyboard, now's the time to grab it at the lowest price it's ever had.

Microsoft is going big for DOOM: The Dark Ages, and it seems we're getting the custom controller treatment.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is the latest instalment of the legendary franchise, set to launch on May 15, 2025. The game will drop into Xbox Game Pass, and launch at retail across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, taking the Doom Slayer's story into the medieval past.

I went hands-on with DOOM: The Dark Ages a short while ago, and found it to be absolutely fantastic. The only thing that could make it better would be a sexy DOOM-styled Xbox controller and Xbox Series X console wrap to go with it. Oh, and what's that? That's exactly what we're getting.

Reliable gaming tipster @billbil_kun revealed that DOOM: The Dark Ages is getting a limited edition Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, as well as an Xbox Series X console wrap this morning. Microsoft tends to drop custom controllers and wraps for its bigger game releases, with Starfield getting the limited edition accessory treatment previously. Now, Microsoft has confirmed it on their blog.

The Xbox Wireless Controller – DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition is available now for $79.99 at the Microsoft Store "for a limited time only."

There's also a full Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 – DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition controller, up for pre-order ahead of a April 25 launch, for $199.99.

Finally, the Xbox Series X Wrap – DOOM: The Dark Ages Limited Edition is available now for $54.99 USD ERP.

All of the products come with a very sexy looking in-game cosmetic skin for the Doom Slayer, although you won't be able to see it very often given that the game is 95% played in first person ... but hey! You'll look extra rad in cutscenes.

Funnily enough, another DOOM-style controller likely already "leaked" via Xbox itself, atop Xbox lead Phil Spencer's infamous office shelf. XboxEra pointed out previously that, during a recent NBC report from Xbox HQ, a mysteriously DOOM-looking controller made its debut in the background of some of the shots during interviews with Phil Spencer.

We speculated previously that the new accessories might be revealed at a rumored upcoming Xbox mini event. Indeed, Microsoft is rumored to be holding some sort of mini-event this month, in part to "shadow drop" Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake, which leaked heavily over the past couple of years. At least now we know the DOOM: The Dark Ages Xbox accessories likely won't be part of that unconfirmed event!

It's April Fools' Day, and while several companies are doling out droll japes and shouting "JK" over dumb joke products, dBrand is out here inviting everyone to Touch Grass with its new line of tech skins.

No, this isn't just a joke.

It's a real line of very limited edition "electrostatically flocked polyethylene" tech skins that have been "designed to simulate the grass in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo."

There are fake grass skins for over 100 popular products, including Xbox Series X, Steam Deck, laptops, phones, and more.

You can check out the Touch Grass line at dBrand's website to learn more about which product skins are available.

This kind of humor is pretty typical of dBrand, a company that relishes in satire, and has previously released things like Doomsday Kits.

On the Touch Grass webpage, dBrand talks about this skin line with its trademark wit.

"You tell yourself you'll go outside. Tomorrow. Next weekend. Eventually. The machine knows you won't. The solution? Turn the machine into grass. Experience a simpler, happier time. Touch grass —without touching grass."

The company even included a tongue-in-cheek FAQ in which it included, "This isn't what people mean when they say 'touch grass,'" and answered that with the hilarious response, "Sounds like you need to touch grass."

Amazing.

Touch Grass was supposed to release last year, but challenges caused a delay

When I reached out to ask about this new product, robot at dBrand explained to me that the Touch Grass line was actually supposed to come out last April, but the company ran into some challenges that delayed things.

"We found that our traditional die-cutting method produced clean lines but led to grass strands gradually shedding from the edges (think: receding hairline). To solve this, we switched to laser cutting. The laser's heat effectively melts (cauterizes) and seals the polyethylene strands at the perimeter, bonding them together to prevent shedding over time. Additionally, embedding each strand securely into an adhesive base layer (covering about 25% of its height) was critical in ensuring long-term stability. Balancing the novelty factor with real-world usability was an interesting challenge, but we're pleased with how well it turned out."

What do you think about dBrand Touch Grass skins? Are you interested in getting any for your devices? Tell us about it in the comments.

It's been seven years since Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Adaptive Controller, but that doesn't mean that the company's commitment to accessibility has come to an end. Microsoft officially revealed its Xbox Adaptive Joystick in August 2024, but the newest controller for accessibility only just launched exclusively to the Microsoft Store today for $29.99 following the Microsoft Ability Summit's 15th annual celebration.

According to Microsoft, there are more than 429 million players worldwide who are affected by disabilities each with their own unique needs and preferences. To meet these needs, Xbox has partnered with various members of the Gaming and Disability community to focus development on controllers, gaming accessories, and even packaging that is practical and accessible to more players.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is designed with players who face limited mobility as the point of focus, but the singular, wired joystick is versatile enough to be incorporated into a variety of gaming setups. You do not need an Adaptive Controller to use the new Adaptive Joystick, as it can work right alongside a regular Xbox controller.

However, if you do have an Xbox Adaptive Controller, the new joystick can be paired along with it, as well as additional Xbox Adaptive accessories including the mouse, pen, and adaptive kit.

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick is compatible with adaptive setups on both PC and Xbox. The joystick's four face buttons, bumper, and trigger can all be customized using button remapping inside the Xbox Accessories app. The face buttons are white and marked x1, x2, x3, and x4 in black text. The controller's singular thumbstick is clickable and is black with a black frame and the Xbox logo

Microsoft has also previouslyreleased the files necessary to create 3D prints of thumbstick toppers to further improve accessibility. The 3D-printed toppers are compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, as well as other Xbox controllers.

Accessibility meets AI

Along with announcing the availability of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, Microsoft also took advantage of the annual Microsoft Ability Summit to inject some AI into it's accessibility efforts.

Microsoft teams and partners announced plans to integrate Microsoft's Azure AI features into various programs. Tobii Dynavox, for example, is integrating Microsoft Neural Voice to provide personalized options for individuals using assistive communication devices using eye gaze.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams' Sign Language View feature will use AI to improve detection of speakers who are using sign language during video calls. The application then features the Sign Language speaker to ensure they are visible.

Copilot, too, is also turning up more as an accessibility tool. Microsoft highlighted a study that claimed Copilot had helped upwards of 76% of employees with a range of neurodiversities to perform better at work. Microsoft further highlighted how Copilot tools could enhance communication, memory recall, and focus among employees. Even the Special Olympics has utilized Copilot as a training companion for coaches and athletes.

AI has, and continues to be, a hot-button topic among those in gaming, with high-profile voice actors speaking out against the use of AI and the lack of protections from the industry for human talent. However, some ethical uses of AI in gaming seems to be more widely accepted, including Call of Duty's partnership with Modulate to reduce disruptive chat behavior.

Microsoft's Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie committed to furthering accessibility efforts from Microsoft, writing, "Accessibility makes our tools and technologies easier for everyone and accelerates innovation for the world."

I swore by the default Xbox Wireless Controller for many years thanks to its reliable wireless performance, ergonomic and attractive design, and accessible price tag. Well, I haven't touched any of my default controllers for months now.

That's because I've been using the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro I helped review, and it's the first true wireless Xbox controller from Razer designed around unlocking your best gaming performance.

It's packed with features and supposedly immune to stick drift (the dreaded death sentence for many a controller), and I've loved using it. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is one of the best Xbox controllers we've tested, and now it's available in a brand-new color.

Right, that's not too exciting on its own, but being able to see some real pictures (instead of idealized renders) and hear the thoughts of someone who has actually been using this controller may help you decide if it's the next peripheral for you.

First impressions of the Razer Wolverine V3 White Edition

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro doesn't quite follow the iconic shape of the Xbox Wireless Controller, but still manages to be extremely comfortable and ergonomic on its own. Initial build quality also feels excellent, and the new White Edition possesses all the same qualities.

Unboxing the new Wolverine V3 Pro was a familiar experience. There's the premium, black travel case with dedicated slots for the two thumbstick replacements (still one of each type), the color-matched USB Type-A dongle for Razer HyperSpeed Wireless across Xbox and Windows PC, and the long 10ft, braided USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable (which is not color matched, sadly).

The controller itself feels the same in the hand, but it's now a two-tone design. The entire body and grips are dominated by white, as well as the Menu, View, Share, and Function buttons, but all other buttons, thumbsticks, and triggers are black.

It looks incredibly clean. It may just be because my PC setup (which has been almost entirely black for years) has started to shift to white in recent months, but I really like it.

How does it compare to the regular Wolverine V3 Pro?

I don't take full advantage of the Wolverine V3 Pro's many features, like using all six of the remappable buttons, but this is still my favorite and best performing game controller ever.

The new White Edition is everything I love about the one I've been using for months, but in a sweet new color. It's comfortable, it's responsive, and it's reliable. The White Edition also costs the same as the original, which isn't always a guarantee (especially not with Razer).

The Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition I reviewed also got the white treatment, so it's up to you if you want to pay the big bucks for the more refined, wireless version or if you're okay relying on a wire for half the price.

Whichever way you go, you're getting the same quality — with one lingering concern from the original, and a new one for the White Edition.

How has the original Razer Wolverine V3 Pro held up over time?

When I contributed to Windows Central's Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review with my own findings, I countered my colleague Richard Devine's conclusion with some criticisms of my own.

To be clear, this is still my top Xbox controller and I happily use it every day despite a myriad of available alternatives, but not everything has been flawless considering the $200 price tag.

For one, one of the rear buttons became loose-feeling within a few weeks of use, and now exhibits a frustrating, always-noticeable "double click." A second rear button has begun to do the same to a lesser degree.

Despite the promise of zero stick drift, my right thumbstick has on a few occasions failed to fully reset to neutral when released, leading to drifting. The slightest touch has fixed it each time, but it's there.

The Wolverine V3 Pro still randomly disconnects while remaining on every now and then, requiring me to manually reset it. It usually fails to turn my Xbox Series X on. I've experienced intermittent connections mid-game before.

All of these problems either occur infrequently or are ultimately negligible, but it's worth mentioning because there's no guarantee the White Edition will fare any better.

And indeed, I've had the "Share" and "Xbox" buttons stop working when connected to a Windows PC multiple times, at least until I reset the controller.

Should I be concerned about the white color, especially the grips?

White products are definitely an aesthetic all on their own, but there's a reason black and grey colors are the default (beyond the popularity of darker tech), and that's longevity.

Whether it's the yellowing effects of the sun's rays, the inevitable wear and tear of the human touch, or even just the accumulation of dust and grime over time, white products seemed doomed to age faster.

Controllers are especially susceptible to this process, since they're constantly in your hands (and often for hours at a time). Simply making the grips black can dramatically improve a controller's resistance to staining, and I expected Razer to take the same approach with the Wolverine V3 Pro as it did with previous controllers.

Alas, Razer did not (likely because the way the Wolverine V3 Pro is constructed would make that difficult to accomplish).

I've already used the Wolverine V3 Pro White Edition for over a dozen hours and there hasn't been any sign of staining, but I'm also naturally very clean (I wash my hands many, many times a day) and tend to baby my tech. There's no guarantee it won't become an issue in the future.

Especially if you have children who use your controllers, I may think twice about committing to the White Edition if you're concerned about how it may age.

Still an amazing wireless controller, and it looks great in white

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is an awesome wireless Xbox and PC controller, and the White Edition is the same. My slight concerns regarding the Wolverine V3's quality control remain, and making the controller all-white (including the grips) doesn't help, but this an attractive, premium controller that looks extra fetching in white.

If you've been on the fence about which controller should be your next, I hope these images and impressions have helped. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro still earns my wholehearted recommendation for those who want a premium, wireless Xbox controller without rolling the dice on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller (Series 2), and the White Edition earns the same.

You can now buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro White Edition for $199.99 at Amazon. Those who'd rather save their cash and stay connected via a wire can get the Razer Wolverine V3 White Tournament Edition for $99.99 at Amazon.

Thanks to the ever-observant Wario on X, earlier we were tipped about a brand-new controller about to launch and available for pre-order on Amazon. The controller has since been revealed to be a new Cipher color, specifically Red. Say hello to the new Pulse Cipher Xbox controller available February 4, but which can be pre-ordered now at Microsoft.

Before you get too excited

No this is not the mythical Sebile controller we have all been waiting for to appear, and honestly it doesn't have the price point to fit those metaphorical haptic trousers. What it has turned out to be is the Pulse Cipher Controller, a striking red variant of Xbox’s recent Cipher line, with a transparent design that’s sure to appeal to retro-loving gamers. Priced at $74.99, it joins the Cipher family that already includes the Blue and Ghost editions.

Microsoft tends to reveal these types of Special Editions around this time of year. Last year, we saw the announcement of the stunning Dream Vapor controller, which debuted with a similar pre-order timeline. The year before that, the Stellar Shift controller dropped in January, both launches kicking off a wave of fresh designs. Naturally, I bought both of them—so, R.I.P. to my bank account yet again. This will no doubt follow with a new addition to the Design Lab too.

Earlier today, before the confirmation of its identity as the Pulse Cipher Controller, there was much speculation about what it could be. Many—myself included—thought it might signal another Cipher variant. A red colorway had already been rumored, and clearly, this guess proved correct. I did let myself dream for a moment about a green variant reminiscent of the OG Xbox like this 8Bitdo Xbox keyboard and mouse, but alas, Xbox seems to be holding out on us, perhaps saving such a design for the 25th anniversary).

Other wild theories I entertained included the possibility of an entirely new range of controllers with a fresh aesthetic or even an Avowed-themed controller to coincide with the game’s February 13, 2025, launch date. However, given Xbox’s recent aversion to game-themed controllers outside of Starfield, this was always a long shot.

Now that the mystery is solved, the Pulse Cipher Controller looks to be another winner for Xbox, even if it is easier to buy a controller right now than an actual Xbox Series X.

The holiday season brought people new Xbox consoles, new games, and maybe even some new Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. If you got all that, but didn't get some extra storage, you may want to use some of your holiday gift cards on these deals for WD_Black C50 expansion cards, now just $190 for the 2 TB edition on Amazon.

The Xbox Series X|S consoles are horribly light on internal storage, and plagued by the need for proprietary SSDs. Any chance to pick up extra storage at a discount deserves a second look, and Amazon is certainly delivering with some sweet discounts on both WD_Black C50 expansion cards and the original Seagate storage expansion cards alike. The C50 certainly pulls ahead in overall price, with all three cards currently at a discount. Seagate's 2 TB expansion card is also discount, but even with offering 44% off, it is still not quite as cheap as a 2 TB WD_Black C50 at just $190.

While the Seagate expansion cards were the original option thanks to a marketing agreement with Xbox, WD_Black didn't hold back when the C50 expansions hit the market.

"Specs-wise, the WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card is every bit a match for the Seagate Expansion Card. Both cards fully support the Xbox Velocity Architecture to achieve maximum performance in all Xbox Series X|S Optimized titles. You also get full Quick Resume support, so you can quickly jump back into any games you've played recently. In these respects, both expansion cards are functionally identical to the Xbox Series X|S internal SSD. The only difference is how portable these cards can be, easily installed and uninstalled via the Xbox Expansion Slot, so you can take your games with you if need be," Windows Central's own Zachary Boddy said in a review of the WD_Black C50 Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S.

A recent outage has taken out Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play services, and titles like Call of Duty are gobbling up more and more of our storage drives with every update. The only way to really combat that storage creep is with a drive large enough to keep your favorite games at the ready. You could, of course, use an external hard drive of any sort with your Xbox Series X|S. But doing so will limit what you can install and the console features that you can benefit from.

WD_Black and Seagate expansion cards licensed for the Xbox Series X|S are the only way to ensure you're getting the most of your console and can take advantage of features like the Quick Resume. Xbox Series X|S titles also can only be played from these proprietary drives. So while an external hard drive can be handy to keep your backward compatible titles on, you're going to need the big guns if you want to play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle or some of Xbox's upcoming games for 2025 like Avowed.

When it comes to peripherals, you want the best. At times, it can mean the difference between virtual life and death, gaming-wise, anyway. There's no better feeling than the touch of a premium product gracing your hands while you're destroying the competition. Whether you're a console gamer, PC player, or both, a controller is something that will get plenty of use.

The standard Xbox controller just isn't enough

On PCs, the Xbox controller is the dominant controller, but did you know that it actually has some flaws? No, I'm not here to debate the difference between offset or inline analog sticks but rather the response and accuracy of the unit. Did you know the standard Xbox controller has rather poor accuracy and even worse input latency? If you don't believe me, then check out this YouTube video.

See how the polling rate, or the rate at which the console checks for controller input, is regulated to 250 times per second, or 250Hz. That is only the rate at which a PC will check for input updates; the controller itself will only report at a rate of 124hz. That means every 64th check will result without a report, which in turn creates an average input latency of 6.8 milliseconds.

If that's all confusing, just know that this is extremely slow in terms of performance compared to other controllers or even mice. Your standard polling rate for a mouse is 500Hz to 1000Hz, four or eight times greater than a standard Xbox controller. To compound this issue, the analog sticks' accuracy is measurably worse when compared to third-party controllers.

That's why I'm consistently telling friends and family looking to buy a controller or use one to make it their priority upgrade. Especially when it comes to PC because the Xbox controller itself can't even be improved with overclocking, which is an article in itself. Regardless, that leaves players questioning how to spend their money.

The answer: Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma

You could spend hundreds to combat this issue, but I have a controller that costs a little less than your standard Xbox controller, at over $100 off. The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma not only costs under $60, but it doubles the report rate of the standard Xbox controller at 250Hz. It also clocks in at an average input latency of under 4ms. That's over 40% faster!

What makes it even better are all the other features this thing has. The controller features six additional, fully remappable buttons for players to configure as they see fit, not to mention the hair-trigger stops or tactile action buttons that reduce the travel distance of button presses. You know that mushy feeling you get when you press down on a button? Tactile buttons wholly eliminate it; think mechanical keyboard, but for a controller!

The only negative of this controller is the fact that it requires a wired connection. If you're looking for a wireless version, you'll need to spring quite a bit more for the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, which we also recently reviewed here at Windows Central. It even reaches an average latency when overclocked by one millisecond!

All in all, I can't recommend the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma enough. At its current cost, it's the perfect price point for gamers looking to upgrade their sticks to the next level without having to break the bank on something like the V3 Chroma or the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro X. While you could spend significantly more on a controller that would yield better results, you would reach costs that exceed well over $150 to do it, and in my opinion, that's money better spent on upgrading other areas of your gaming setup. Diminishing returns is a real thing.

Corsair is back with a premium headset offering for Xbox and PC users in its Virtuoso Max.

Appropriately named, the Virtuoso Max is designed for the connoisseur of the Xbox and PC gaming audio world, complete with a maximum emphasis on features.

Active noise cancelling joins Bluetooth 5.3 simultaneous audio. 50mm graphene drivers meet RGB ear cups. Wrapped in generous memory foam leather and a surprisingly broad amount of adjustability, the Virtuoso Max is a similarly surprising $329.99 to buy new.

That's a lot of 'bones per headset', or 'BPH' as I'm going to call it from now on. The last headset I reviewed from Corsair was the very capable HS75 XB, which seemed to have a relatively short run despite being a fantastic option.

Xbox is quite a competitive space when it comes to headsets right now, and Corsair finds itself with a variety of rather strong competitors as we head into 2025.

Does the ratio of price-to-premium add up for the Corsair Virtuoso Max? Will it land on my best Xbox headsets list? Let's review together.

This review was conducted with a Virtuoso Max headset unit provided by Corsair. The company did not view the contents of this article before publication.

Corsair Virtuoso Max: Specifications and price

The Virtuoso Max is an impressive product on paper, sporting many of the central features many of us have come to expect of the high-end. On the spec sheet, you'll see a simultaneous 2.4 GHz wireless USB radio with Bluetooth 5.3. There are also 50mm graphene drivers that run up to 40 kHz, which is not something you often see in a gaming headset, and Corsair also includes active noise canceling (ANC) for good measure.

My sample is the 'Xbox version' of this headset, which costs the same as its non-Xbox counterpart, save for the fact it also supports Xbox. The other version is identical but doesn't support Xbox, likely owing to some licensing requirements from Microsoft.

In any case, this is an ultra-multiplatform beast, supporting Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Bluetooth devices in a single package — and ultimately, that's who it's for. The Corsair Virtuoso Max is for the gamer who wants a device for literally every scenario where you might need a headset.

The Corsair Virtuoso Max is available practically everywhere, and anywhere you might want to buy a headset, although the Xbox version seems a little harder to come by. The standard version is all you need if you don't need to add Xbox into the mix, but they both cost the same either way. That cost is $329.99 at Amazon, putting it up there with the likes of other premium options like the Astro A50 and the Audeze Maxwell.

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Corsair Virtuoso Max: Features, design, and comfort

The last time I reviewed a Corsair headset, it was the impressive HS75 XB designed for the Xbox One. Although that was a no-frills affair, it was a huge insight into Corsair's potential as a headset manufacturer as someone who hadn't experienced their products before. Fast forward a few years, and Corsair has been building an impressive range of headsets up and down the price spectrum, culminating in this: the all-singing, all-dancing Corsair Virtuoso Max.

This headset is ultimately designed to be used in every imaginable scenario where you'd need a headset, and that design intent can be seen throughout the product at every angle.

First and foremost, it looks fantastic and might be among the best-looking headsets I've seen recently. Clearly targeting the fashion-conscious user, it has a very premium finish with metal accents and a razor-thin RGB light ring running around each earcup. Indeed, coupled with active noise canceling and Bluetooth playback capabilities, it's clear Corsair wanted to make sure this headset would look right at home when playing Xbox from the sofa or ambient-muting irritating plane noise while gaming on a flight. The mic is detachable to that end, too, if you're going mobile.

The headset has fabric ear cups, which I'm not always a huge fan of. Although I have sensitive skin, I generally prefer either leatherette style or finer satin-style fabric on my ears. I also find the coarser fabric to be a bit of a heat trap, although it's ultimately subjective to your preferences. The cushioning is thick and generous in any case and should ensure lengthy and very comfortable gaming sessions when paired with its ~60-hour battery life. I just wish they'd used the leather from the carrying case on the earcups instead.

Another impressively generous aspect is its adjustability. I have a pretty large head (figuratively and literally), so generally, I find myself maxing out the sliders when reviewing headsets. However, on this, I only needed to go halfway before it was slipping off my head. I think even Andre the Giant would feel reassured by this product, which is a strong plus for anyone seeking a headset specifically for that reason.

The Corsair Virtuoso Max is recharged using a USB-C braided cable included in the box, which also comes with a hard shell carry case for good measure. It connects to mobile devices via Bluetooth 5.3 and to Xbox and PC with a USB dongle that automatically detects the device it's plugged into. It has Dolby Atmos support on board, too, which is a nice bonus.

The on-ear controls on the Corsair Virtuoso Max are more than adequate. They sport large dials for controlling volume across devices via the USB dongle or Bluetooth and have specific inputs on the right side for controlling Spotify and similar apps. The action on the buttons is solid and reassuring, continuing the "premium" theme running throughout.

The right cup also has a custom button for cycling between EQ pre-sets you can set up via Corsair's iCUE app software, in addition to a long-press for cycling between active noise canceling modes. It has an integrated voice that chimes up when you're muting and unmuting the headset, but it's oddly quiet when you're cycling through ANC modes, or EQ pre-sets, relying on tones instead.

On paper, we have a ton of great features here. We have a stunning visual design, we have a comfortable profile, and massive battery life. How does it sound, though?

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Corsair Virtuoso Max: Audio and mic experience

I spent several hours listening to all types of audio with this headset, maxed out quality where applicable, across both PC, mobile, and Xbox Series X. There are aspects of the sound profile that are absolutely immaculate, but there are a few frustrations that prevent it from getting top marks in this area.

The Corsair Virtuoso Max has 50mm graphene drivers that offer a compelling soundscape. The out-of-the-box "balanced" sound profile, I didn't find to be particularly awe-inspiring, but the bass boost pre-set felt more representative of what this headset is capable of. Heady bass that other headsets might struggle with comes through warm and smooth here, shining in both cinematic action games and music alike.

The soundscape also lends itself incredibly well to tactical play, with strong separation buoyed further by Dolby Atmos. Valorant and Call of Duty will flood your ears and give away enemy positions at will, although sadly, it won't help you with skill gaps directly.

If there's one criticism of the headset's limitations that I felt immediately, it's that its max volume isn't very generous. Maybe I'm just getting harder of hearing as I get older, but it was fairly noticeable even when compared to my aging and battered Samsung Galaxy Buds. Still, I think that, for most people, they'll probably be more than fine. However, there are some aspects of the soundscape I think most people probably won't be fine with.

This is a headset that works across all devices all the time, everywhere, all at once, you know, like the movie. To that end, it comes with active noise-canceling capabilities, which have become popular in recent years for commuters and travelers. I love the ANC on my Samsung Galaxy Buds for long flights and train rides, and I can't imagine going without it now.

Microphones on the headset record, analyze and then introduce a soundwave that cancels out the external noise. When it works well, it's great. However, I think Corsair needed to make some tweaks here. I found that when ANC was turned on, even in a relatively quiet place, it introduced distortion at times into the audio.

Admittedly, you have to really listen for it, but I found it was quite easy to reproduce simply by turning my desk fan on and off, which isn't ideal. I found that certain frequencies can also trigger distortion and interference sounds, especially in the high-mids.

I hope it's something that could be fixed with firmware because the alternative is some kind of electrical design flaw that allows for interference. At this point, it's hard to tell. I will say that it's quite subtle and something you'd have to listen out for. I'm someone who listens to a lot of music and would seek to use a product like this beyond its Xbox configuration.

Generally, the headset is performant all up and down the spectrum, but you might be listening to a certain piece of music at a certain moment and get hit with noticeable distortion because the rest of the soundscape presents so cleanly otherwise. It's almost like the quality bar set by the full range is set so high that it ends up disproportionately let down by a couple of small inconsistencies on the low highs and upper mids.

Corsair describes its Virtuoso Max as having a broadcast-grade mic, but I'm not sure I'd necessarily agree. It's not terrible, as you can hear in the recording above, but the mid-range blows out the reproduction a little bit too much. Another downside is the sidetone here, too. It's far too quiet, and this was an issue on the HS75 XB as well in years past. You practically have to have the microphone on your lips for the sidetone to produce any sound, even set to maximum volume in iCUE, which is a shame if you like sidetone. I know not everybody wants it, though.

It's a shame that the Virtuoso Max misses out on top marks for audio. Given the price ask, I had fairly high hopes for an immaculate sound experience, and it comes very close. When listening to audio that sidesteps the problem frequencies with ANC turned off, it's absolutely stunning and sounds like someone shrank an IMAX cinema system and put it on your head.

But then, the distortion slams you in the side of the head like an inconsiderate teenager throwing popcorn from the back of the room in that very same theatre. Hopefully, it's something that can be solved with firmware updates, and I've noticed the Virtuoso Max has already had a couple come through since I received my sample unit.

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Corsair Virtuoso Max: Competition

This part is tough because while admittedly the audio issues I hit are quite niche and subtle and, perhaps, I'm uniquely susceptible for some biological reason — I'm here to compare and contrast to other products I've reviewed. At this price point, there are a lot of very strong alternatives, but problematically, there are strong alternatives at a far lower price point, too.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) might not have ANC or a detachable mic, and it also isn't the most "fashion-conscious" headset on the market for mobile use. However, it is over $100 cheaper while having arguably comparable sound — and perhaps even better sound if the distortion issues are universal.

The Astro A50, also from this year, perhaps doesn't sound quite as impressive as the Virtuoso Max, but it does come with a recharge battery dock, although it lacks the versatility of an "outside" headset.

In this price range, it's worth mentioning the multi-functional SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro as well, which does sport ANC, multi-platform capabilities, and has a desktop digital audio controller as well, although it perhaps doesn't have as impressive sound overall.

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Corsair Virtuoso Max: Should you buy?

It's a bit frustrating because the Corsair Virtuoso Max should be an easy win on the high end for someone who wants a truly "everything" headset, but the bits of fuzz that cut through in certain situations, albeit infrequent, definitely detract from the package. When you're offering a product that costs even more than an Xbox Series S, I don't think it's unfair to expect as close to perfection as possible.

The fact the ANC introduces interference makes it difficult to recommend that headline feature, which has undoubtedly contributed to boosting the price. Also, the RGB lights, while attractive for those who are interested in them, don't really serve a purpose for the vast majority of users, since they're more for people looking at you.

I'm sure that's of value to some people out there, but I can't say I've ever seen someone wearing a headset with RGB lights in public, and it's quite rare on streams, too, honestly. The kicker is ultimately the sound because it's so close to incredible and top-tier, but the areas where it struggles can be overlooked most of the time, and I feel like I shouldn't have to make that kind of caveat with a $329.99 headset.

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want a headset that sounds and looks great.

✅ You want to use it in every aspect of day-to-day life, beyond gaming.

✅ You have a particularly large head, as it has some of the most generous headset adjustability I've seen in a long time.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You don't need active noise canceling or RGB lights.

❌ You want to save money; there are more affordable options.

❌ You are sensitive to electrical buzzing since this headset seems susceptible in certain sound scenarios.

Most reviews I've seen for this headset are glowing in general, and it's true that the Corsair Virtuoso Max is a fantastic product overall. I think it's possible that my ears are particularly sensitive to the random bouts of fuzz I discovered during my time with it. It may also be possible that my review unit has some type of flaw or fault. I'm cognizant of the fact that I have the luxury of direct comparisons to other headsets — I'm currently surrounded by some of the best Xbox headsets I've been reviewing as we head through 2025. So it's easy to compare and contrast sound reproduction on the fly here.

For the most part, the Corsair Virtuoso Max does absolutely everything right. It's let down by a couple of what might otherwise be relatively minor issues, perhaps exaggerated by that pretty hefty sticker price. I think if you are someone this headset is for — someone who wants a single device they can use for literally every consumer sound scenario imaginable — I think most people won't be disappointed. If you're struggling to justify spending $329.99 on a headset, though, you may want to look elsewhere.

Otherwise, it's an absolutely grand headset that's perhaps a little more premium than it needs to be. The engineering on this headset to incorporate features like RGB likely undermined the headset's price competitiveness against similar, much more affordable options. Still, if you want something that looks fantastic with great sound, that supports EVERY scenario you might need a headset, this is a strong option for you.

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I wasn't a big fan of the original Xbox Wireless Headset. In our previous-gen Xbox Wireless Headset review, audio quality issues was a bit point of frustration, even if most of the other features were quite capable overall.

It was a bit of an innovator of its era, though, living among the first headsets that sought to combine Bluetooth audio signal mixing with your Xbox console. However, as we head into 2025, pretty much every headset has copped the Xbox Wireless Headset's unique selling point.

Now, the new 2024 Xbox Wireless Headset offers no-frills, pure value above all. It's a good reference for manufacturers, as in what the "baseline" wireless Xbox headset experience should be: decent audio, capable mic, comfort-promoting materials, and cross-platform capabilities.

But is it among the best Xbox headsets to actually buy when there are so many other options out there now? Honestly, the answer is an emphatic yes.

With much-improved audio tuning, maturing software, and seamless connectivity, this is as "no-nonsense" as you can get with a gaming headset. But, like any headset, it's by no means flawless. Let's review the new 2024 Xbox Wireless Headset.

This review was conducted with an Xbox Wireless Headset unit provided by Microsoft. Microsoft didn't view the contents of this article before publication.

Xbox Wireless Headset (2024): Specs & Price

For what's on offer, the Xbox Wireless Headset ultimately offers a good price point, although it is $10 more expensive than its predecessor.

Part of that extra cost might be the "free" Dolby Atmos certification, which allows you to inject software-side surround sound via compatible Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or Windows 10+ PCs. It's much cheaper than paying Dolby's absurd monthly subscription, though.

For $110, you get Bluetooth 5.3 sound source mixing with onboard direct-to-Xbox wireless 2.4 GHz. There's an included USB-C charge cable giving you up to 20 hours of juice, which is a boost for the 2024 model over the 2020 model.

There's also onboard mic monitoring now, in addition to leatherette cups, which have a premium feel with 40mm standard drivers.

You can connect this to a PC with the USB-C cable or via Bluetooth, but if you want the proper 2.4 GHz signal, right now, it's not looking possible, even with the Xbox Wireless USB dongle. I'm trying to get my hands on one to double check, since mine seems to be broken (RIP.) You can however just grab a USB Bluetooth dongle if your PC doesn't support it, though. They're pretty cheap these days, and might provide a more stable connection than many on-board laptop chips.

As of writing, stock levels are good heading into the holiday season and through 2025. It's the Xbox Wireless Headset for 2024, which is up for around $110 on Amazon.

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Xbox Wireless Headset (2024): Features, Design, and Comfort

As mentioned, when the Xbox Wireless Headset first rolled around, it was part of the first wave of serious headsets that incorporated Bluetooth directly into the headset. As of 2024 and into 2025, however, that feature set isn't as unique as it once was.

These days, every headset comes with Bluetooth 5.x and above, while mic monitoring and the like have become standardized. Ironically, it's the lack of gimmicks that really makes the Xbox Wireless Headset stand out a bit now. It incorporates (almost) everything you might want in a basic wireless headset option and becomes the tried-and-tested true "entry-level" model it was more than likely designed to be.

The design for the 2024 model is effectively unchanged. Microsoft has dropped the green accents (thank you) for something a little more subtle and modern. Neutral colors have become preferential for headsets over time, as users increasingly seek products that can work in their gaming setups but also potentially when outside with Bluetooth and a connected mobile device. The design of the Xbox Wireless Headset serves that use case well, with its logo taking on a similarly subtle embossed gloss motif rather than something larger and more gaudy. Top marks for design here.

The controls on the ear cups are also well-designed, with large dials on each side for controlling chat mix on the left and volume on the right. One criticism I would leverage at the headset is that its Xbox volume controls are in increments of 10. As such, when mixing in Bluetooth sound, you can essentially go from muted to actually quite loud, drowning out the second sound source. I think this is actually an Xbox limitation rather than the headset itself, potentially, but it's something Microsoft should look at improving. I would rather have adjustable volume increments up to 100 rather than up to 10, especially when you have Bluetooth sound mix capabilities. This would help match it to mobile and PC devices, which do let you control audio on a percentile basis.

One of the headset's other unique features is its auto-mute function. The auto-mute tries to detect when there's significant background noise and just mutes the mic to accommodate it. Depending on your environment, it could be quite a boon for your setup. I had it set to low and found that it worked decently well for preventing unwanted sounds from bugging my friends over comms. You can always disable it if it doesn't work for you, though. It also has mic monitoring on board, with adjustable volumes via the Xbox Accessories app on an Xbox console or on PC via the USB-C cable.

What isn't sold separately is the Dolby Atmos license, which I speculated could be why it's $10 more expensive than yesteryear. The headset will automatically detect that it's Dolby Atmos-certified and allow you to enable software surround via Windows or via the Xbox sound settings menu. I'll discuss how effective it is in the sound quality section next up, though.

Speaking of quality in general, the Xbox Wireless Headset does have a premium feel on your skin despite being a "budget" option. The leatherette material (which, honestly, every headset should be using in 2024) feels good. The cushioning across the top is good, too, for long sessions. However, I felt like the headset was a bit tight, even on its maximum adjustment. It's likely that it would probably stretch over time to accommodate my markedly prolific bonce, but it's worth being aware of if you're someone who is concerned about smaller, tighter headsets.

Overall, the Xbox Wireless Headset features a good set of functions with adequate comfort for most people, more than likely. What let the headset down previously was the audio quality, which I felt to be a bit middling previously. I had heard they improved the sound quality with updates and tweaks to the EQ, as well as firmware improvements to decrease distortion and things like that. How does it all stack up in practice, though? Pretty well, honestly.

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Xbox Wireless Headset (2024): Audio and Mic Experience

As mentioned, the sound experience on the Xbox Wireless Headset (Gen 1) version wasn't particularly exciting. But what about the Gen 2? I'm happy to report that Microsoft seems to have improved its sound delivery in a positive way here. Sound experiences can often be subjective based on a variety of factors, but there are some definitive improvements I can infer here — although you shouldn't expect to have your mind blown.

Although there is a capable EQ configuration platform you can access with the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox Series X|S or Windows 10 and above, even out of the box, I felt like the Xbox Wireless Headset offered a good soundscape. The bass is warm and adds a cinematic quality, and it can be boosted further using the app if you prefer that vibe. The headset shines in cinematic experiences, such as single-player RPGs or even when listening to music, offering a balanced sound profile out of the box with strong bass. I felt as though the treble was perhaps a bit too pronounced, but it can be easily tweaked if you fancy it. They're ultimately minor complaints that are hardly worth mentioning, potentially, but nothing stands out as particularly impressive either.

I'm a big fan of wide soundscapes and find them to be more immersive. More and more headsets seem to be gunning for 50 or even 60mm drivers, which makes the narrow 40mm here feel a bit anemic on the soundstage side of things. Yet still, they offer good positional awareness with the built-in Dolby Atmos license, which can help you cut through in tactical play in games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the like.

The mic is also decent, if again, perhaps unremarkable. It's highly unlikely you're going to be creating content with this headset, but it might pass for entry-level live streaming or live podcasting. The auto-mute is a nice touch, as noted above, and the mic monitoring on-board is well-tuned. On the higher volumes, though, it does inject noise into the soundstage, which is a bit annoying. Some AI-powered active noise suppression features would've been nice to see here over the auto-mute. It's particularly true, given how much Microsoft bills itself as an "AI" company these days.

It has an LED right there on the mic itself, which indicates when it's actively muted. There's also a mic mute button on the reverse of the mic boom, which is easy to reach. However, I find the position of the LED to be a tad annoying. It's supposed to be easy to see in your peripheral vision, and I suppose it is, but it's distracting a bit because it's on the very periphery of your vision, out of focus. The mic boom could be a little longer to that end. It's also a bit of a miss that the mic isn't detachable or retractable, which makes it look a bit odd as a "lifestyle" headset when used out and about.

You can listen to the above here for an example of the sound delivery, although you might need to disable your adblocker to see the sound embed. Overall, it's a good mic and does the job well, which is ultimately the story of the entire product.

However, there is a key criticism I have to mention here, although it's something that could likely be improved with firmware updates. The headset's Bluetooth signal seems a little sensitive and unshielded from the main 2.4 GHz radio signal. When the headset is engaged on Xbox with its main radio and connected with a second device with Bluetooth, I noticed the Bluetooth signal is susceptible to interference. Other recent Bluetooth-capable headsets I've used like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, new 2024 Astro A50, or the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) doesn't have the same issues in the same set up. I have seen these types of issues get repaired with firmware updates, though, so perhaps that's what'll happen here, too. I will say that the interference was infrequent, though, occurring for a few seconds every 30 minutes or something like that. So again, it's not exactly a big deal.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is a tale of no frills, and sometimes that's okay. The price point is right, the audio delivery is good, albeit basic, and the feature set is functional if baseline. It's a good product, offering value as its headline act.

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Xbox Wireless Headset (2024): Competition

What the Xbox Wireless Headset is offering is a pretty good deal. However, there is also a large variety of great products in the same price range that might be a better, or at least comparable, experience.

The primary competition here is the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3), which was also refreshed in 2024. The Stealth 600 sports a similar feature set but is arguably better value. It's slightly cheaper for one thing and can be paired with multiple devices with either Bluetooth or a USB dongle. However, it doesn't support simultaneous Bluetooth audio, unlike the Xbox Wireless Headset. To get that functionality, you'll have to spend a bit more to get the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3). The Stealth 600 (Gen 3) bodies the Xbox Wireless Headset's battery life, though, hitting 80 hours instead of the middling 20 on offer here.

For those who want to get the most out of the Xbox ecosystem across PC, mobile, cloud, Xbox Series X|S consoles, with simultaneous Bluetooth audio, the Xbox Wireless Headset from Microsoft is certainly among the best options right now. If you don't need simultaneous Bluetooth audio mixing, however, the Stealth 600 (Gen 3) might be a more cost-effective option, particularly if you want something with better battery life.

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Xbox Wireless Headset (2024): Should you buy?

The new Xbox Wireless Headset for 2024 is an unremarkable upgrade over its predecessor for the most part. The inclusion of a Dolby Atmos license is welcomed, and tweaks and refinements like the dropping of the green circular accent are also nice touches too. The soundstage is a bit narrow, but it's well-balanced and offers a good entry-level experience with warm cinematic bass and decent positional awareness in tactical gameplay — you could genuinely do far worse here.

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want a solid headset without breaking the bank.
✅ You need something with Bluetooth capability for going mobile or mixing second sound sources.
✅ You don't need gimmicks or bells and whistles.

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You're looking for top-level sound experience.
❌ You want wireless functionality on PC without Bluetooth.

The app experience is good with the Xbox Accessories program across platforms, with EQ controls and bass control, as well as mic monitoring volume and its auto-mute feature. Real noise suppression would probably have been preferred, though, and it's unfortunate that the mic can't be detached for mobile use, but it's not a deal breaker. It can be tucked away to some degree, after all.

What cannot be tucked away is the Bluetooth sensitivity. It does seem like the signal isn't particularly well-shielded from the main 2.4 GHz Xbox wireless signal, which does seem to lead to some disruption occasionally, but that's potentially something that might be repairable with a firmware update.

Good action on the controls, decent comfort and materials, solid construction, accessible packaging and design, and a solid sound experience across the board make the Xbox Wireless Headset 2024 an unremarkable but meaningful upgrade. This is the king of the entry-level among the best Xbox headsets, as long as you accept its limitations given its "entry-level" price point. I would be interested to see what Microsoft engineers could produce on the high-end someday, too.

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What you need to know

• As technology has become more complicated the ability for the layperson to repair their devices has become more complicated.
• Some companies have purposefully made it difficult or impossible to repair their devices which has led to the Right to Repair movement.
• Xbox has already offered repair parts on the Microsoft Store, but now iFixit is offering official Xbox replacement parts as well.
• You can check out all the Xbox parts on iFixit's Microsoft Repair Hub.

We first reported on the Microsoft partnership with iFixit back in December of 2021 when the two companies teamed up to bring official repairability tools to independent repairers.

Over the years Microsoft has continued to support Right to Repair by adding more and more Surface tools, parts, and guides to the iFixit website. If you want to look around at what parts are available head on over to iFixit's Microsoft Repair Hub.

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• 🎮Xbox Series X Digital Edition (1TB) | $398 at Walmart (Save $51.99!)
• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $29.29 at CDKeys (Save $11!)
• 🎮Lenovo Legion Go (Z1 Extreme) | $539.99 at Amazon (Save $160!)
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iFixit has more than just Xbox replacement parts

While there are plenty of the most common parts that might need to be replaced in an Xbox on iFixit's store, one of the best things they have is the Xbox Toolkit.

I know from personal experience that it's never worth trying to repair something without the proper tools. I have several laptops and electronics that have broken tabs or cracked plastic because I didn't use the right tool for the job. If you plan to repair your Xbox make sure to pick up the Xbox Toolkit and have peace of mind you have the right tool.

Don't skip out on iFixit's world class repair guides

One of the best offerings iFixit has that sets its company apart from the rest is the repair guides. While we here at Windows Central pride ourselves in our guides, the iFixit guides are a great resource as well.

iFixit has repair guides all the way from the original Xbox to the newly released Xbox Series X Digital. These are in-depth step-by-step easy to follow guides that are some of the best in class.

As the Xbox Series X might be the last physical Xbox, being able to repair mine is a huge benefit

As the video game market continues to push more and more all digital, as evidenced by the new versions of the Xbox lineup, being able to keep my launch Xbox Series X up and running for years is important to me. I have hundreds of Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series physical games and while I don't know exactly what the future of Xbox looks like, I want to be able to play my physical games as long as possible.

Microsoft and Xbox supporting Right to Repair is a consumer-friendly decision that other large corporations have still decided to ignore. I think we should applaud their push to help prolong the Surface line and Xbox line of products through consumer repair options.

What do you think about Xbox replacement parts being available on iFixit? Have you ever had to replace an Xbox before? Let us know.

What you need to know

• Xbox, SCUF, and Activision are partnering with Netflix to promote Squid Game Season 2 through controllers, tournaments, and a Call of Duty Black Ops 6 in-game event.
• For the first time in recent memory, an Xbox collaboration controller is for sale to anybody who wants one rather than being locked behind a sweepstakes.
• You can purchase the Squid Game Pink Guard SCUF - Instinct Pro Wireless Performance Controller from BestBuy (U.S. Only) and SCUF.
• A limited edition “Game Over Controller” is also being given away through a tournament and sweepstakes .

If you missed the Netflix sensation Squid Game back when it was first released in 2021, there is still time to partake in the Squid Game hype before season 2 launches on December 26th, 2024. Xbox, SCUF, and Activision are teaming up with Netflix to promote the upcoming season of one of the more shocking and morbid television shows in recent memory.

As part of the ongoing marketing campaign, Xbox has announced an Instinct Pro Wireless Performance Controller - Squid Game Pink Guard, which, amazingly, can be added to your cart right now at BestBuy.com (U.S. Only) and SCUFgaming.com. There's also a limited edition "Game Over Controller," but it can only be won in a special tournament and sweepstakes.

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• 🎮Xbox Series X Digital Edition (1TB) | $398 at Walmart (Save $51.99!)
• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $29.29 at CDKeys (Save $11!)
• 🎮Lenovo Legion Go (Z1 Extreme) | $539.99 at Amazon (Save $160!)
• 💻Surface Pro 11 w/ keyboard (X Plus) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $350!)
• 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)

Do you have what it takes to win the limited edition Game Over Controller?

The rare limited edition controller was “inspired by the players’ tracksuits from the show and individually numbered from 1 to 456.” If you want a chance to win it, you'll have to join the Xbox “Game Over” Activation Event in NYC as part of the Squid Game: The Experience, where fans will compete in a Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Nuketown tournament.

The winners get to take home one of the limited Game Over controllers. You can get more information at the official Microsoft Game Over Controller Sweepstakes page.

While these types of controller and console collaborations are cool novelties, they lack any lasting value. I enjoy looking up at my shelf every day and seeing my Starfield controller. Offering a physical momento to remember one of my favorite franchises is something Xbox should be tapping into.

Call of Duty brings Squid Game to the party

Call of Duty is having a cross-over event with Squid Game starting in January with more information coming soon. The news was announced earlier this week on the official CallofDuty X account.

Based on the limited information we have so far, it looks like we can expect “Limited Time Modes in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone in-season.” If anybody has seen the success that the Squid Game game modes had in games like Roblox or Fortnite, it’s obvious to see the appeal here. Squid Game successfully raised the stakes on simple versions of games like red light, green light, and tug of war, which are easily translatable to a game engine.

If season 2 of Squid Games can up the ante with even more exciting games, it's possible that Activision can bring them into Call of Duty, while Squid Games still holds a place in the cultural Zeitgeist. It could be a recipe for success.

There are few ways I can think of that better show my support and excitement for both the Call of Duty Crossover on Xbox and PC as well as Season 2 of Squid Game than picking up the new Squid Game Pink Guard Controller. The best part is that since it’s made by SCUF, it’s hard to doubt that it will be a quality controller that significantly improves your gameplay.

It's time for Xbox to follow SCUF's lead and put future collaborations on retail shelves.

I hope that SCUF continues to offer regular fans of both Xbox and these massive entertainment properties a chance to purchase these crossover controllers in the future. Xbox not offering the special edition controllers for sale has been one of the most constant complaints I’ve seen from the Xbox fanbase in the last several years. From the amazing Deadpool and Wolverine controllers to the Sonic 2 controllers, both of which were only available through sweepstakes, it’s time for somebody to fill that gap in the market, and it looks like SCUF might be up for the task.

While Xbox does a decent job at creating controllers for its properties like Forza and Halo, several bespoke controllers and even consoles have only been given away in sweepstakes. Even if Xbox treated them as made-to-order items, it would be a unique offering that Xbox could give to diehard fans.

What do you think about the Squid Game Pink Guard Controller from SCUF, are you going to pick one up? Are you excited for Squid Game season 2? What crossover controller should SCUF make next?

We've all had times when we wanted to play our Xbox, but friends or family were hogging the TV (Thanksgiving especially.) Upgrading your Xbox Series S with UPspec's Gaming xScreen turns your compact console into a fully portable gaming machine with its FHD (1080p) display running at 60Hz.

This "clever and convenient add-on for the smallest Xbox" launched at $250 upon release, which made it a hard sell at the time. However, Amazon is hosting a generous Black Friday discount that brings a recently lowered listing price down even further by an extra 20% to a more affordable $159.99, so there's no need to wait for Cyber Monday if you're planning some Xbox gaming over the weekend.

🔥The hottest Black Friday deals🔥

• 💽Zotac RTX 4080 SUPER AMP GPU | $989.99 at Newegg
• 💻Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC | $849.99 at Best Buy
• 💽MSI Ventus 2X E1 OC RTX 4070 GPU | $469.99 at Newegg
• 🎮Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller | $199 at Amazon
• 💽 AMD Ryzen 5 7600X CPU | $194.99 at Newegg (with free 1TB SSD)
• 🕹️Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck | $299.99 at Amazon
• 💻Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Copilot+ PC | $866 at Amazon

Why should you buy the UPspec Gaming xScreen?

Originally starting life as a Kickstarter project in 2021, the UPSpec Gaming xScreen has gone on to become one of the best Xbox accessories for the Xbox Series S for its unique capability to convert the home console into an effective portable console. Even one of our Senior Editors, Ben Wilson, gave the UPSpec Gaming xScreen a glowing review, stating that it is "perfect for portable gaming."

How the UPSpec Gaming xScreen works is very simple and easy. By connecting the UPSpec Gaming xScreen's built-in USB-A and HDMI connectors to the Xbox Series S ports, you'll be able to play Xbox games while they're displayed on the device's monitor. This will allow you to continue playing games if there's no TV available or if you want an extra screen so you can play online co-op titles with your friends or family in the same room together.

Additionally, since the HDMI and USB-A connectors are built-in, there's no need for extra cables other than the Xbox AC adaptor to provide power, reducing tedious cable management.

As for the specs of UPSpec Gaming xScreen itself – it features an 11.6-inch IPS panel monitor capable of displaying crisp color contrasts and a detailed 1080p resolution while running at 60Hz. With this, you will be able to play the best Xbox games like Monster Hunter World or Elden Ring at 1080p and 30fps on the xScreen without a single ounce of input delay.

The UPSpec Gaming xScreen also has a compact and smart design. It snugly fits into the back of the Xbox Series S without taking up much space while blending in with the design aesthetic of the console.

It also has built-in speakers, so you can listen to your game audio without needing external alternatives or a headset. Granted, the speaker's sound quality isn't the best out there but they're still adequate and get the job done well enough. Still, you can still plug in the best Xbox headsets if you want better sound or chat with your friends online while gaming.

However, the UPSpec Gaming xScreen does have some shortcomings you will need to be aware of before considering purchasing it. For starters, the xScreen blocks the Xbox Series S' extra USB and Ethernet ports while connected so make sure that the console has a stable wireless online connection if you're planning to play online games while this accessory is in place.

Also, this monitor can't display games at 4K resolutions or framerates higher than 60 FPS so you won't be seeing games running at their full graphical potential while playing with the UPSpec Gaming xScreen. In addition, the monitor gets easily obscured by natural light, so you will need to find a relatively shady area to avoid your games constantly blocked by glare, especially when playing games set primarily in the dark, like STALKER 2.

Despite these flaws, the UPSpec Gaming xScreen is a still high-quality Xbox accessory and one we recommend to anyone looking to play Xbox games on the go while traveling abroad, set-up up LAN parties, or continue playing games while someone is hogging the TV.

The UPSpec Gaming xScreen is currently on sale with a special Black Friday 20% discount for $159.99 at Amazon. There's also a black variant of the xScreen available for $245.99 at Amazon and a display stand available for $24.99 at Amazon, so you can safely stand the Xbox Series S upright while the xScreen is attached.

On top of that, there's a special UPSpec Gaming xScreen case on sale for $29.99 at Amazon, so you can more easily store and carry around the xScreen during your travels.

🍁More great Black Friday deals🦃

• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• Walmart: Savings on practically everything
• Target: Live deals on a huge range of products
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• HP: Save big on laptops, desktops, accessories, and more
• Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all Lenovo PCs, monitors, accessories, and more
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Take advantage of free shipping for a limited time
• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live
• Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on everything you can imagine

Last year, Razer released a new rendition of its vaunted Razer Kishi V2 controller, the Razer Kishi V2 Pro. This upgraded version retains all the great controls and ergonomics of its predecessor while adding haptic feedback and other features that make Xbox Cloud Gaming even more fun.

Most retailers sell the Razer Kishi V2 Pro with an MSRP of $149.99. However, in celebration of Black Friday, Amazon has reduced the price by a gigantic 50%, so it's now $74.00.

🔥The hottest Black Friday deals🔥

• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 💻Surface Pro 11 (X Plus) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $300!)
• 📺HP Curved Ultrawide (34-inches) | $299.99 at Best Buy (Save $180!)
• 💽WD_Black Xbox Series X|S Card (1TB) | $99.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• 🖱️Razer Basilisk V3 Wired | $39.99 at Best Buy (Save $30!)
• 💽WD_BLACK M.2 2230 SSD (2TB) | $179.99 at Best Buy (Save $60!)

🍁More great Black Friday deals🦃

• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• Walmart: Early savings on practically everything
• Target: Live deals on a huge range of products
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• HP: Save big on laptops, desktops, accessories, and more
• Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all Lenovo PCs, monitors, accessories, and more
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Take advantage of free shipping for a limited time
• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live
• Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on everything you can imagine

Why should you buy the Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller?

Our Senior Editor, Jez Corden, reviewed the Razer Kishi V2 controller back in 2022 and gave it a 4.5-star rating while stating:

"The Razer Kishi V2 is an exemplary product that is leaps and bounds ahead of the original. The new clamp mechanism ensures a broader degree of compatibility, and shines with improved buttons, triggers, alongside new features."

The Razer Kishi V2 Pro, meanwhile, essentially keeps everything that made the regular Kishi 2 great while adding extra features that help it excel as one of the best Xbox Cloud Gaming controllers Razer has produced to date.

For starters, it has an extendable bridge that splits the controller over two panels and attaches to your mobile device via USB-C, effectively turning it into a gaming handheld with a layout similar to the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.

The Razer Kishi V2 Pro also features microswitch face buttons and triggers, which provide satisfying clicky feedback and super responsiveness to player inputs with no input lag. It also has an ergonomic design with comfy trips, a lightweight yet sturdy build, and conveniently placed buttons to ensure that your hands will not get uncomfortable during long hours of gaming.

Other standout features of the Razer Kishi V2 Pro include passthrough charging, so you don't have to hook it up to another device while gaming, and an integrated Razer Nexus App that allows you to remap the controller's button, trigger, and analog stick functions to your personal preferences.

The Razer Kishi V2 Pro has unique features over the regular Razer Kishi V2. It has a 3.5mm Audio Jack, so you can plug in the best Xbox headsets, and HyperSense Haptic feedback, which uses sound to add vibrations to games for extra immersion.

Aside from its somewhat lightweight design, which may be unsuitable for players with larger hands, the Razer Kishi V2 Pro is near-perfect. It is an exceptional Xbox accessory and a must-have purchase for anyone looking to play the best Xbox games via Xbox Cloud Gaming or regular mobile games.

Right now, the Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller can be yours for half its original MSRP of $149.99 at Amazon. It is currently hosting a big 50% Black Friday discount that has reduced it to $74.00.

Black Friday isn't officially landing until November 29, 2024, but retailers like Best Buy have reserved the entire month of November for major discounts, including some of our favorite tech.

Logitech's Astro A50 (Gen 4) with Xbox and PC compatibility, for example, is down to $149.99 at Best Buy, which is a full $100 discount. Pricing history shows this wireless headset dropping as low as $175 during past deals events, and an extra $25 discount is not minor. That makes Best Buy the right place to shop if you need a high-end wireless headset with a charging cradle included.

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)
• 📱iPad 9th Generation (64GB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $130!)
• 🎮Xbox Series X (1TB) | $449.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• 🖥️ABS Cyclone Desktop (RTX 4060) | $1,099.99 at Newegg (Save $400!)
• 📺HP Curved Ultrawide (34-inches) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $130!)
• 💽WD_Black Xbox Series X|S Card (1TB) | $99.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• ⌨️Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed | $101.99 at Best Buy (Save $98!)
• 🖱️Razer Basilisk V3 Wired | $39.99 at Best Buy (Save $30!)
• 💽WD_BLACK Handheld SSD (2TB) | $179.99 at Best Buy (Save $60!)
• 🎧Astro A50 Wireless (Xbox & PC) | $149.99 at Best Buy (Save $100!)

Why the Astro A50 is so good: Review highlights

The Logitech Astro A50 (Gen 4) wireless headset was reviewed by Windows Central Executive Editor Jez Corden in 2021. He gave it a near-perfect 4.5-star score, which makes sense considering Best Buy itself has it at 4.2 stars with more than 5,200 reviews. It makes the cut as one of Windows Central's favorite Xbox headsets, though it also has PC compatibility. In his review, Jez stated:

"Despite all the competing options I have available to me, time and time again, I find the convenience of the Astro A50 unbeatable, despite the $300 price tag. If you're someone who does a lot of gaming across multiple platforms at your desk in a single space, this headset is kind of unbeatable."

The headset dropped in price as it aged, now regularly sitting at $250 in 2024. Still, it seems a bit expensive. That's solved with the Black Friday deal that drops the price to $150 at Best Buy. As I mentioned, that bests the previous $175 low that I spotted in all of the headset's pricing history since its launch.

So what makes the headset so good? Here's what Jez has to say regarding audio quality:

"The A50 has gotten better and better in the audio department too with subsequent firmware updates. The headset's 40mm drivers deliver virtual surround sound incredibly well, even if the soundstage isn't as broad as some of its competitors. The soundscape is balanced, though, offering crisp detailing without sacrificing powerful bass notes and warmer tones."

That makes the Astro A50 qualified for competitive gaming where you need to hear every footstep and cue, but it also easily handles music and media. Jez mentions that "the microphone isn't content creation-grade, but it is very good, and detailed and clear enough for problem-free comms." That's the norm for most gaming headsets these days.

The wireless headset comes with a compact base station that handles charging and audio inputs. If you're on an esports team, the base station can be daisy-chained with others to remove latency. What's really cool is how there's a switch on the base that lets you swap between PC and Xbox drivers, with indicators on the front for Dolby Atmos, battery life, EQ modes, and platform designation.

The base charges the headset when not in use, and you can expect up to 15 hours of battery life with a 30-foot range. Not bad at all. The headset itself is comfortable to wear, and it includes controls for SPDIF/USB audio switching as well as a volume dial.

Jez noted in his review that the Astro A50's fit could be easier to adjust, and he also mentioned that the woolly fabric on the earcups can be a bit warm. The good news? You can switch to a leatherette ear cushion setup for about $27 if you feel the same way as Jez.

Overall, landing this headset for $150 seems like a great deal for Xbox and PC gamers who want options for SPDIF and USB audio. Battery life is excellent, the headset is comfortable, and the sound quality is tops. A bunch of Logitech's other early Black Friday deals at Best Buy have already gone cold, so I wouldn't wait too long to grab it for $150.

Welcome to our Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) headset review. Turtle Beach is back with another premier gaming headset that, at least on paper, could prove to be among the company's best.

Turtle Beach has produced some of my favorite headsets ever. The Stealth Pro is among the best Xbox headsets out there, and one we consistently recommend. It is pretty pricey though ... what if there was something similar, but over $100 cheaper? That's what the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is potentially promising here.

With vast multi-platform capabilities, Bluetooth 5.2 dual-source sound mixing, premium materials, and a monstrous 80~ hour battery life — the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) has all the makings of an industry leader. Does it make the grade in reality, though? In short, absolutely yes, and then some.

Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review below to find out more.

This headset was reviewed with a Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) unit provided by Turtle Beach. Turtle Beach did not see the contents of this review prior to posting.

Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Specs & Price

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) meets its previous "700" models, hitting $199. Previous 700 models have ranged from $130 to $150, depending on the generation, but it seems with Generation 3 Turtle Beach is repositioning this headset as more of a premium option, while also aligning with evolving gamer user habits.

The headset is widely available at all major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Turtle Beach's own website. Since it's a very new headset, it's unlikely to see deals for Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day any time soon, but we'll keep an eye out and let you know. At the very least, it might see a few dollars shaved off the asking price.

The spec sheet is fairly standard on the face of it. Leatherette cups return with memory foam, as is usual for Turtle Beach's more premium-end headsets. We also have standard 20Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, although that doesn't tell the full story on audio reproduction really (more on that shortly). The headline act here is probably the dual USB wireless sound switching. Instead of having a single transmitter with two cables attached, Turtle Beach opted for separate USB dongles for PC and Xbox, allowing you to swap on the fly. There's also Bluetooth 5.2 with dual-audio mixing, and a range of on-ear controls to help adjust audio levels for all the different features.

So how good is it in practice? Read on for our full Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) review.

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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Features, Design, and Comfort

When I first unboxed the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3), I was expecting a decent mid-range type of product that perhaps wouldn't blow me away, but would ultimately do the job. Now I feel a little guilty for having such little faith.

What Turtle Beach has put together for the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is nothing short of special. I say special because the quality materials, dense construction, and sleek design are more befitting of headsets in the $300 range, such as the firm's own Turtle Beach Stealth Pro from earlier in the year. At $199, I feel like I'm getting an absolute steal here, and you likely will too.

I've been reviewing Turtle Beach headsets for a decade at this point, and have seen the firm go from its ugly green neon-splattered plastic-y toys to more mature, professional, premium designs with more suitably subtle flairs and metallic accents. The Stealth 700 (Gen 3) absolutely fits that niche, perfecting on its Gen 2 predecessor with extra attention paid to comfort and durability.

The headband is coated in a thick memory foam, joining the cups with leatherette and fine fabric that feels pleasant and cool on the ears. They're also large, although not what I'd describe as bulky, although you may feel differently. They're designed to house massive 60mm drivers this time around, though, with a closed back format for spectacular isolation and immersive bass. Although, we'll talk more about sound shortly. This headset is just fantastic to wear, and is easily among the most comfortable headsets I've used in recent memory. I have a large head, too, and feel that the vast majority of people will find the adjustment levels more than adequate.

The on-ear controls are intuitively designed, with a variety of differentiating tactile patterns to help build your muscle memory when feeling for them with your hand. There are three volume dials in total, one for PC audio, one for Xbox's Chat / Game mix balance, and one for Bluetooth audio levels. You can mix sound sources between one USB wireless 2.4 GHz source and one Bluetooth 5.2 source, which includes phones, TVs, tablets, practically anything with Bluetooth really.

In my testing, I found that the wireless signals are well isolated from each other, preventing corruption when mixing sound sources together. I was able to play games on my Xbox while feeding music or Discord in from my PC with Bluetooth with ease. The pairing multi-function button also works well for skipping tracks and pausing and the like if you plan to use the headset out and about. And you can, since the microphone is easily hidden with a tidy "flip to mute" configuration.

Perhaps the biggest criticism I can throw at the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) in terms of features stems from its firmware update cycle. Updating the firmware on the headset requires you to connect not one, but both USB dongles to a power source simultaneously, while also running the update from the mobile version of the app. If you don't have access to a laptop or a PC, you might struggle to keep the headset up to date. Generally speaking, it seems the out-of-the-box firmware was already polished and bug free, but it's worth being aware of the issues you might have updating otherwise. It also took a seriously long time to get the update through. I feel as though there must be a better way here, but it's also not a huge deal.

Speaking of the mobile app, Turtle Beach's software is good overall. The mobile and PC app are both called "Swarm II" and can be easily downloaded from Turtle Beach's support website. They both share all the same features from what I could tell, giving you EQ pre-sets, mic monitoring volume adjustments, and the ability to configure some of the buttons.

Some of Turtle Beach's competitors have gone hard on working with game publishers to build customized EQ pre-sets specifically tailored to games. Turtle Beach's out of the box pre-sets are pretty standard by comparison, with bass boost, bass and treble boost, vocal boost, and Turtle Beach Signature Sound as the only profiles. You can add and maintain more than that if you fancy it, but it would've been nice to see some more pre-defined options here. Although, it might simply not be needed.

Turtle Beach's Signature Sound profile already sounds fantastic by itself, and I'll go into more detail on that in the next section, but there are other features that enhance your games too on offer here. Turtle Beach's "Superhuman Hearing" feature returns, although it's not activated by default, strangely. You also can't toggle it on or off using the "mode" button either, which again, is odd, and probably something they should explore for a future update. In any case, when it is turned on, you can very aggressively enhance the frequency ranges where things like footsteps, movements, and gunshots typically sit. Activating this does punish the cinematic feel of the games you're playing, however, but it will definitively give you a tactical edge in the process. Turtle Beach's "Legacy" Superhuman Hearing setting mode seems to balance cinematic quality with enhanced tactical sound to some degree, however.

Well, since we're already talking about sound features, let's go further in depth into what this headset actually sounds like.

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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Audio and Mic Experience

At this point, I've done so many of these reviews that I'm rarely truly impressed anymore. There are some fantastic headsets out there, of all price points, shapes, sizes, and feature sets, but it's rare that a headset comes along and makes me think "yes, this is a recommendation for basically everyone." It's also been a long time since I felt like I could say this about a Turtle Beach headset too, which often seem to come with at least some caveat, price ask, or competitor that makes them a little harder to recommend for everyone. I'm pleased to say that the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) not only makes the grade, the more I've used it the more I think this might be the best pound-for-pound Xbox and PC gaming headset money can buy right now.

For cinematic video game sound, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is simply immaculate. Cavernous 60mm drivers deliver some of the best soundscaping I've experienced in a product that nails so many of the other fundamentals, while also being so impressively feature rich. The bass is sweeping, warm, and rich, with punchy activations that reminisce of IMAX cinema experiences. Truly sublime.

The combination of impressive closed back isolation, coupled with 60mm drivers make for a truly immersive experience, with some of the best detailing and separation I've experienced in a "gaming" headset. It's not something I would have expected from a headset at the $199 price point, particularly given how many additional features Turtle Beach managed to squeeze into this product.

For tactical audio, Turtle Beach continues to leverage its Superhuman Hearing algorithm, as I noted earlier. I prefer the "Legacy" setting, which still enhances positional awareness, while also enhancing frequencies where player movements and actions typically sit. It doesn't completely eliminate cinematic qualities when playing like this, and as someone who doesn't fancy themselves an esports diamond ranked kinda guy, it's more than adequate.

However, if you do want a maximized advantage, the Superhuman "Footsteps" pre-set will fully isolate that frequency, giving you a large tactical advantage while sacrificing cinematic qualities. I'm not a huge fan of this mode personally, as it gives the overall soundscape a tinny, muffled veneer that takes you out of the action. But that's what it's supposed to do ultimately. It enhances footsteps to a degree that it feels almost immoral to use, giving away enemy movements with deadly precision.

I would have liked to have seen more partnerships with publishers given that much of Turtle Beach's competition is doing similar here, but it's not exactly a dealbreaker. You can create your own profiles and EQ settings using the app of course, but I found the "Signature Sound" profile to be crystalline enough without further tweaks — that's not something I can say often.

There are a couple of criticisms worth mentioning here, though.

After reviewing the new Astro A50 this month, I was wowed by the headset's microphone, and wondered if it predicted a wider trend among headset manufacturers. I can report that pretty much isn't the case.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is notably poor on the microphone front, as you can hear in the audio clip above. It's not as if it's unusably poor, but it's easily the weakest aspect of what is otherwise a near-perfect product. Turtle Beach also sought to add an "A.I. enhanced" tag on the microphone too, and it's hard to hear exactly how it enhances the experience. I was also a bit disappointed by the noise gate. Even when it's turned all the way to zero, it seems that it still occasionally attempts to noise gate to some degree, and can be slow to respond when you start talking, cutting off the first part of your sentence. You can hear it in the mic clip there for an example. The good news is that this is likely an early teething problem with the software noise gating, and probably easily fixed with a future firmware update. The mic monitoring is also not as crisp and responsive as other solutions out there, but it at least gets the job done.

When everything else is so good, the downsides stick out a bit more potentially. The microphone quality is middling and nowhere near good enough for content creation or livestreaming, but it is more than serviceable for party chat or Discord comms with friends. The flip to mute aspect is always nice and intuitive to see, although the action on the mic arm is a bit less reassuring than I would perhaps like.

Over all though, there's very little bad to say here. This is perhaps the best "all round" and not criminally expensive Xbox and PC gaming headset I've used in a long time.

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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Competition

I'm not sure what exactly how Turtle Beach managed to make the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) stand out so far ahead of its competitors. Simply put, the coalescence of features makes it hard to recommend anything else in this price range right now. Even far more expensive headsets like the Astro A50 (Gen 5) and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, I would argue fall short in audio delivery, instead opting for additional features.

Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, I think the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) might be the best-sounding Xbox headset out there right now, at the very least on par with products like the Audeze Maxwell, BeoPlay Portal, and Razer Blackshark V2 Pro. However, it also has those headsets beat on features probably, sometimes as well as price.

When you look at the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) and zoom out, it's difficult for me to still want to use other headsets I have at my disposal. It does everything its competitors do, only noticeably better in some cases. For every possible use case, incorporating Bluetooth 5.2 sound mixing, instant switching between two wireless USB sources across Xbox and PC, an incorporated retractable mic, and superb comfort and quality makes this a leader in the space in my view.

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Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3): Should you buy?

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is something I'm prepared to recommend as my go-to for those who want full multi-platform capabilities in a single package without compromising on sound quality. What Turtle Beach has managed to pull off here is nothing short of remarkable, hitting a very competitive price without skimping on features.

You should buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) if:

✅ You play on multiple platforms, including Xbox and PC, and want to switch instantly between them.
✅ You are particular about comfort and high-quality materials on your skin.
✅ You want a leading sound experience both for cinematic and tactical gameplay.

You should not buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) if:

❌ You want a headset that can also offer content creation grade mic quality.

When I reviewed the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, I felt like some of its additional features didn't justify the price point it was reaching for. The swappable batteries were nice, and having a single signal source for multiple devices was a nice touch too. However, I feel like the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is essentially delivering that experience offered by the Stealth Pro albeit at a far more competitive price point. Monstrous 80 hours battery life precludes the need to have swappable batteries, and the retractable mic beats the detachable mic too for going mobile. And the sound experience is just on another level, reminding me why again Turtle Beach remains my favorite headset maker.

They always seem one step ahead of the competition when it comes to soundscaping at competitive prices, and the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) exemplifies that. This is one headset that absolutely will not disappoint anyone who buys it.

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The nice thing about having a gaming handheld like Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go is that they can work as a replacement for a more expensive gaming laptop.

However, doing any sort of screen capture isn't quite as convenient on these little devices. That's why AVerMedia released the X'TRA GO GC515 Charging Dock, an accessory that can capture handheld game footage on its own without needing to be connected to a computer.

I've spent the last couple of weeks using the AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515 with my various gaming handhelds (ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, Legion Go, Steam Deck, and Nintendo Switch) to see how well it works. Here's what I've discovered.

AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W: Price and availability

As you likely already know, there are dozens and dozens of gaming handheld docks on the market today, whether you're looking for an accessory for Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, or one of the many other handhelds.

Many of these docks can be purchased for between $25 and $50, so the AVerMedia X'TRA GO's $199.99 MSRP will seem rather high at first. However, the reason for this higher pricing is that it is one of the only docks (if not the only dock) that can capture handheld game footage without needing to be connected to a computer.

Instead of simply being a pass-through dock, X'TRA GO features a capture card inside. If you insert a microSD card into it, the accessory can capture your game footage with just the press of a button while propping your handheld up.

If desired, you can also connect it to your laptop or desktop and then have better control over screen capture options using a program like OBS Studio. The X'TRA GO also comes in either black or white, which helps it match or stand apart from your gaming handheld of choice.

You can purchase the X'TRA GO at Amazon or the AVerMedia website. If you're lucky, you might be able to find it on sale during specific discount events throughout the year, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day. So far, the best sale I've seen has made the X'TRA GO dock drop down to $179.99 at Amazon. It's definitely pricier than many of the best external capture cards, but these other options don't display your handheld, and they often don't offer extra ports like the X'TRA GO does.

AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W — What's in the box?

The AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515 docking station and recorder comes with an HDMI 2.0 cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-C PD cable, and a quick start guide.

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AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W: What I like

I experienced a bit of confusion when first setting up the AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515, but after some troubleshooting, I was able to get it set up. Due to this, I've included setup instructions in the section after this to help you.

The AVerMedia X'TRA GO is a fantastic gaming handheld accessory that easily allows me to capture game footage without having to rely on a computer. The rubber stand area is large enough to fit my Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch OLED, ROG Ally, and Legion Go. Similarly, the included USB-C cable is long enough to plug into each of these devices, although I have found the Legion Go is easier to connect to if I plug the USB-C cable into the bottom port rather than the handheld's top port.

One of the things I love most about the X'TRA GO GC515 is how compact it is. External capture cards aren't that big, to begin with, but even encased in a plastic dock, this accessory still only takes up roughly 5.5 inches by 4 inches of space on my desk.

Plenty of charging ports, three monitors, and two host devices

The ports make it easy to connect the dock to my handheld, a couple of accessories, and, optionally, my computer. I took some time to tuck my cables carefully behind the accessory, and I got a relatively clean setup overall.

The ports are all clearly labeled, so it's easy to know where to plug things in. A handheld icon over one USB-C port lets me know I need to use this connection for my gaming handheld, while a separate USB-C port with a laptop icon above it makes it clear that this connection is optionally there for my PC. Meanwhile, the slider on the right switches the device between Capture Mode and Card Reader Mode.

The X'TRA GO does not come with a power cable/adapter, and it needs a 65W power flow to work properly. Because of this, I ended up using my ROG Ally charging brick, which supplies enough to charge up my ROG Ally or Legion Go, even when I'm playing at their max TDP.

Playing directly on my handhelds while in this dock felt a bit awkward, so I preferred to either use my favorite Xbox controller via Bluetooth or connect a mouse and keyboard USB-A dongle to the dock and control my games that way.

USER TIP: If you want to use the GC515 with a Nintendo Switch, make sure to use the Nintendo Switch's power brick and HDMI cable.

Easy capture and beautiful footage

It took me a bit of troubleshooting, but now that everything is set up, recording with the X'TRA GO is a breeze. To begin with, I plugged in all of the necessary cables (without connecting to a computer), and then I inserted a Samsung Evo Select 1TB microSD card into the dock. If you don't have a good memory card already, I suggest looking at our list of the best gaming handheld microSD cards.

From there, I was able to quickly capture footage simply by pressing the large AVerMedia button on the front of the accessory. An LED light indicator below this button flashes red, letting me know when a recording is in progress. It then turns blue if I end the recording by pressing the button again.

I did a few different recording sessions while connected to each of my handheld devices. This is how I discovered that the dock saves recordings as MP4 files and can record at either 120FPS at 1080p or up to 60FPS at 4K. When I checked these recordings, they were all clean, crisp, and had very smooth capture quality. The audio was also pretty good.

After this, I connected the docking station to my ROG NUC 970 mini gaming PC and downloaded AVerMedia Streaming Center from AVerMedia.com so I could fine-tune my GC515's settings. Once done, I used OBS Studio to gain more control over my recordings or streaming sessions while playing a few different games, including Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Cyberpunk 2077, and Baldur's Gate 3.

RELATED: Best settings for playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard on gaming handhelds.

There is a bit of a delay when displaying the image on your computer monitor, but that's pretty common. Pass-through resolution looks really nice since it supports up to 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 120Hz as long as you have a compatible monitor.

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How to set up X'TRA GO GC515 with OBS for streaming

There are a number of different streaming apps out there, but our preferred is the free and open-source OBS Studio. Here is how to get the GC515 and your gaming handheld set up with this program.

1. Download the AVerMedia Streaming Center from AVerMedia.com and install it on your computer. If it doesn't detect the GC515, unplug and then replug the power cable to the dock and then press the Refresh button. You might also want to try restarting your computer.
2. Connect the X'TRA GO to your gaming handheld (and optionally your computer) as instructed in the Quick Start Guide.
3. Turn on your docked gaming handheld.
4. Adjust resolution and refresh rates on your handheld device (something that is possible with Windows handhelds but not Nintendo Switch).
5. Use the switch on the back to put the X'TRA GO in the correct mode. Left is Capture Mode, and the right is MicroSD Card Reader Mode.
6. Connect a keyboard and mouse or a controller to the gaming handheld either through the USB-A ports on the GC515 or via the handheld's Bluetooth.
7. Download OBS (if you don't already have it) and install it on your computer.
8. Open OBS on your computer. If this is your first time, you'll need to determine some settings. I selected:
   1. Usage Information: Optimize for streaming, recording secondary
   2. Video Settings: 1920x1080, Either 60 or 30, but prefer 60 when possible
   3. Stream Information: Twitch with a connected account.
9. In the Sources box near the bottom of the screen, click on the + button.
10. Select Video Capture Device. By default, it should have GC515 X'TRA GO selected.
11. Adjusted settings if desired or press OK to close the window.
12. If you're ready to stream or record, simply make sure the gaming handheld is on and running whatever game you want it to. Then click on Start Streaming or Start Recording in the Controls box (found in the bottom right corner of OBS).
13. When you're done, select Stop Streaming or Stop Recording.

USER TIP: You might need to adjust your handheld's display settings in order to display the signal properly on a connected PC/monitor.

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AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W: What I do not like

As I previously alluded to, the biggest problem with the X'TRA GO is that the stand area cannot be adjusted. Because of that, handhelds are held up at different angles depending on how thick the casing is.

Nintendo Switch has a lot of wiggle room and tends to tilt back, while Legion Go barely fits and thus sits straight up. However, the X'TRA GO is not wide enough to hold the thicker ROG Ally X in place. I was still able to use the GC515 to record or stream from this improved ASUS gaming device, but not with the Ally X installed on the stand.

While not absolutely necessary, I was also surprised to see that this charging dock doesn't have an RJ45 port. True, the focus is that you can use the accessory without having to connect to a computer, but Ethernet ports are very common with other docking stations on the market, and I would definitely prefer a faster-wired internet connection for my online games.

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AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W: Competition

There are a lot of options to choose from when looking for the best laptop docking stations or the best Thunderbolt 4 hubs, but each device offers different connection possibilities. As such, you'll want to consider what it is you specifically want from a docking station and then find one that matches your needs.

If you already have a handheld docking station as well as a computer and simply want a capture card, you might want to look at our Elgato HD60 X review. This device is easy to set up, has HDR processing abilities, and offers VRR passthrough. It has an MSRP of $179.99 but can be found selling for as low as $129.99 on Amazon during deal periods.

If you simply need a docking station and don't care about capturing footage, then I recommend going with a JSAUX accessory. You can look at my JSAUX 6-in-1 Multifunctional Docking Station review ($38.99 at Amazon), ideal for ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, and Legion Go, or my colleague's JSAUX Steam Deck dock review ($39.99 at Amazon) for two awesome suggestions.

Now, if you want more of an all-out hub to connect to your computer, I suggest looking at our CalDigit TS4 review. This dock has a healthy amount of ports in a compact casing. As part of its port selection, it has both an SD Card reader and a microSD card reader. The CalDigit TS4 has an MSRP of $449.95 but can often be found on sale at Amazon for $399.95.

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AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515W: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

✅ You want a device that records gameplay: Not only is the X'TRA GO a docking station, it also doubles as a recording device. Because of this, you don't need to have a laptop or computer connected to your handheld in order to stream gameplay.

✅ You'd like a docking station that works with all current major gaming handhelds: The X'TRA GO is compatible with Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw, or other USB-C gaming device.

✅ You're looking for a device that is compact and looks nice: Despite offering a good range of ports and doubling as both a docking station and recording device, the X'TRA GO doesn't take up a lot of room. It also has a pleasant design that looks good in any gaming den, office, or living room.

You should not buy this if...

❌ You want a wired internet connection: Since the X'TRA GO GC515 doesn't have an Ethernet port, it cannot supply a stable wired connection to your gaming handhelds on its own.

❌ You don't need a docking station that records: If you don't think you'll want to record or stream your gaming sessions, then you'll be better served with a simpler gaming handheld docking station. They're a lot cheaper than this unique device too.

The AVerMedia X'TRA GO GC515 is the most convenient way to record or stream crisp game footage from a gaming handheld. You can easily use this device to capture footage without a computer and then upload your captures online or share them with friends as desired. If you want to have more control over your streaming, then I recommend setting it up with a PC and using OBS Studio.

While the port selection is healthy, it would have been better if the X'TRA GO had an RJ45 port to provide a wired internet connection for my online games. Additionally, having an adjustable stand area would make it so different gaming devices could be held up at better viewing angles and might even make it so that the ROG Ally X could fit. These problems are very minor, though, so I definitely recommend the X'TRA GO to gaming handheld owners who want to stream or record gameplay.

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It's been some time since Microsoft launched the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, its duo of next-gen gaming devices, promising the latest leap in power for the living room. There are also more games than ever before, but with file sizes on the rise, each eats further into your available storage.

Xbox consoles come with 512GB or 1TB of space out of the box, meaning storage space has quickly become a precious commodity. It's an inescapable reality of the latest generation, with Microsoft pitching accessories like the Xbox Expansion Card as the solution. Developed alongside Seagate, this tiny solid-state drive (SSD) is a seamless way to expand Xbox storage, using the same cutting-edge internals as the console.

The Seagate-made Xbox Expansion Card is a hard sell. It's an almost-perfect storage setup, delivering fast speeds in an easy, plug-and-play format. But it also costs a lot of money even after tons of price cuts, making this prohibitively expensive to many would-be buyers. But if you can put down the cash, it's an upgrade that works great, doubling as an investment with long-term benefits. It is likely to get strong Black Friday treatment too as we head into the deals season.

The Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card starts at $159 on Amazon, and here's our review to help you figure out whether it's worth the price tag.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: Price and availability

Seagate's 1TB Xbox Storage Expansion Card first launched in late 2020. The firm has since launched 512GB and 2TB cards, providing identical performance across multiple capacitates and price points.

The 1TB Xbox Storage Expansion costs $159.99, down from its original retail price of $219.99 in the U.S., with its 2TB counterpart priced at $359.99, respectively. Popular U.S. retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop stock 1TB and 2TB cards. There are 512GB card options available at some retailers, but they seem to be incredibly rare to find in 2024.

We've previously seen large discounts on 1TB and 2TB expansion cards, offering some great savings, particularly during deal events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.

Microsoft has expanded the options available beyond the Seagate brand to also include WD_Black's gaming brand. However, the proprietary nature of the cards means that few vendors seem particularly interested in offering alternatives. The WD_Black options may net you a slight saving at times, but the differences are almost non-existent.

We'll continue to round up the best prices on Xbox Expansion Cards, where available.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: What's good

Beyond faster processors and new technologies, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S also added new solid-state storage, which is quicker and more capable than the hard drives of the past. Microsoft's chosen solution, utilizing PCIe 4.0 tech, sits among the best storage options available, even in the enthusiast PC space. While speeding up load times, it also establishes a baseline across the generation, allowing for more storage-intensive games.

Microsoft has found itself in an all-new predicament. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S don't have multiple storage options, so expandable storage is the only option. In the past, it was as easy as plugging in your external hard drive over USB. But when so many games rely on these new SSDs, what can you do if the best Xbox external drives just don't cut it?

While Microsoft still supports external USB drives, games can't be played directly from storage due to slower read and write speeds. While backward-compatible games work as usual, you'll need to shuttle Xbox Series X|S Optimized titles onto the internal drive when in use. While it's a viable workaround, copying files back and forth can be painful, especially with some games surging far beyond 100GB.

For now, the Xbox Storage Expansion Card is the proposed (and only) remedy, compacting the same speedy solid-state storage into standalone add-ons. It couldn't be more seamless on paper, adding an identical, secondary NVMe drive to the available storage. While Microsoft and Seagate first teamed up on a single 1TB Storage Expansion Card, the partnership has since introduced 512GB and 2TB capacities.

While I personally held off investing in an Xbox Expansion Card for months, I finally caved after almost a year with the console. Even the 1TB available with Xbox Series X can prove tight, downloading and deleting games regularly just to fit a couple of new releases. Storage management was quickly becoming a frequent headache, which Microsoft's official Expansion Cards should solve.

Looking past the upfront cost, the Storage Expansion Card easily hooks up and expands Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S consoles. Microsoft's DIY approach means every new Xbox console has a dedicated port for its proprietary cards, with the same inoperability expected across future Xbox revisions. Using PCIe 4.0 provides a direct line to the CPU, translating to ultra-fast speeds on the spec sheet.

The card measures a fun-sized 53mm by 32mm, based on CFexpress standard, almost on par with the average USB thumb drive. Unlike most external drives, it's cable-free and only slightly protrudes from the console's rear, preventing unwanted clutter around your desk or entertainment center. Each drive also comes with a protective sleeve, making these cards easy to move and store.

Much like existing USB drive support for Xbox consoles, Microsoft designed Storage Expansion Cards to be simple plug-and-play accessories. Pressing in the card sounds an audible click, with an on-screen notification once the card is detected by the console. The extra storage is instantly available to use, with the option of installing future content onto the internal drive or the expansion.

I also have zero doubts about Seagate's underlying drive tech, with overall game performance or loading times on par with the internal SSD. Most importantly, these cards play all games designed for Xbox Series X|S, including those incompatible with USB external drives. It removes all the hassle surrounding USB drives, making this a completely seamless extension of the stock drive. Backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games also work, with reduced load times in some instances.

If you're happy frequently copying files between traditional USB drives, the Storage Expansion Card isn't for you. Seagate's SSD instead looks to match what's included with your console out of the box, faster, and more elegant to save time throughout the generation. But should you look to transfer between SSDs, the following figures help directly illustrate those benefits.

All tests performed using an Xbox Series X console with a 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card. File sizes for each title accurate as of publication.

While the speeds are incredible, we found experiences can and will differ, even on the same console. While transfers to and from the Expansion Card were significantly faster than anything using USB, transfer rates and the resulting transfer times weren't consistent between tests. While it appears the Expansion Card is generally faster at reading versus writing data, your mileage my vary.

But even with fast speeds, that's not the main reason to buy a Storage Expansion Card. Put simply, it's a way to add more storage without worrying about which games will work or how you'll next move them around.

When Microsoft and Seagate first launched its Xbox Storage Expansion Card in late 2020, our initial review criticized the initial 1TB offering for lacking options. We suggested the duo should release a cheaper 512GB capacity, providing a more affordable alternative to its high entry price. We also hoped a 2TB unit would come to market. Reports later followed, with the Seagate Expansion Card since releasing the two additional capacities.

The expanded range is welcomed, presenting various price points for differing budgets. The 512GB option (if you can find it) caters well to Xbox Series S owners or Xbox Series X owners looking to save. The 1TB remains a solid middle ground — recommended if you can afford it. We probably don't need to tell you if you need the 2TB drive, which best serves enthusiasts with large game collections.

Now that we're into 2024, I'm happy to report that the Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for Xbox Series X|S prove themselves to be incredibly robust. I've heavily abused mine over the years, and found no degradation in performance. I've not heard of a single instance of any of these drives failing, which should prove out their reliability overall. However, there are some other considerations worth being aware of.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: What's not good

It's hard to find specific flaws in the Seagate Storage Expansion Card as a product, but the price remains a crucial hurdle detracting from its appeal. Microsoft raised the bar from storage this generation, meaning these drives are prohibitively costly, even for the smallest available configuration.

Xbox Series S only includes a 512GB drive out of the box, while Xbox Series X comes with 1TB for now. With the equivalent Expansion Cards available from $159 and $359, doubling the storage almost costs 50% of the console in some cases. It's a hard sell, no matter how you look at it.

Utilizing PCIe 4.0 was always an expensive bet, with today's pricing falling in line with our previous predictions ahead of release. While proprietary in design, pricing isn't far from equivalent PC drives leveraging the same interface. The technology has become more affordable over time, but it's still a bit of a luxury, especially on consoles.

Seagate has driven down the upfront cost through new extra configurations, though USB alternatives remain unmatched in overall value. Competition from WD_Black's own Xbox storage cards has also added competition to the product, particularly around Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, which has also served to drive down the cost. But costs haven't come down as rapidly as they have for traditional M.2 NVME storage devices, which Microsoft's PS5 competitor uses.

The proprietary design of the Seagate Storage Expansion Cards has its benefits, but the lack of competition makes the price sticky, which sucks for consumers. The cards use standard NVMe drives with commonplace CFexpress enclosures, yet Microsoft bars third-party drives of similar spec at a software level. The Sony PlayStation 5 just uses off-the-shelf M.2 SSDs, reaping the benefits of an open and competitive market. While it makes things simpler for Xbox owners, it's still a shame we have only two options.

Another potential downside here is the fact that, as of 2025, we are getting ever closer to next-gen Xbox consoles. There's no guarantee that Microsoft will maintain compatibility for these cards on the next-gen devices, which are expected to include an Xbox Series X successor and an Xbox "handheld" of some form. If there is indeed a handheld, you'd expect that a card like this would be far too large to properly integrate it. However, there's every chance that the next Xbox traditional box console will keep the drive. We'll just have to wait and see.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You want the best storage expansion for Xbox Series X|S
✅ You don't want to move games back and forth from a USB drive
✅ You want a portable drive to move Xbox games around
✅ You have the cash to burn, or found a great deal during Black Friday or Prime Day

You shouldn't buy this if ...

❌ You need more than 2TB of external storage
❌ You want an affordable Xbox storage expansion, and don't mind using USB externals instead

With the latest Xbox consoles adopting high-performance SSDs, Microsoft could've approached expandable storage in a few ways. Landing on these compact cards has provided a seamless solution that's guaranteed to work with all games on the system, even if limiting your options.

I can't say the Xbox Storage Expansion Card is a great deal, even after the price cuts, yet I still wholeheartedly recommend it to those on the fence. Yes, in terms of value, you can add much more space to your console for less with a cheaper USB external drive. But no alternative integrates so well with Xbox consoles, making the complete experience hassle-free. It's a premium product with a high asking price, making it impossible to compare this to anything on the market.

When looking for a seamless storage expansion for your Xbox, eliminating the need to manage storage, the Seagate Storage Expansion Card is unbeaten. There's nothing else that compares, with little to fault, beyond the high asking price. They are frequently on sale, though, so keep an eye out during Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day to grab it a bit cheaper.

I'm an avowed Astro A50 fan, having used every iteration of the headset since its inception. I was excited to finally try out the Astro A50 (Gen 5) for this review. The headset was launched in September 2024. As I built this review, I had one big personal question I needed the Astro A50 (Gen 5) to answer.

I use the Astro A50 (Gen 4) model from 2019 as my primary headset. I built my setup around the headset, too, owing to its SPDIF optical-in, which has become a rarity among the best Xbox headsets and best PC gaming headsets alike. But despite my headset's age and despite having dozens upon dozens of other options from the mountain of reviews I've done over the years, I've yet to upgrade. But why?

I've stuck with the Astro A50 Gen 4 for so long because of the dual audio mixing SPDIF offers. You can merge sound from your TV directly (and, by proxy, your Xbox) while setting the headset into PC USB mode for Discord and live streaming on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. But perhaps with the Astro A50 (Gen 5) available now for $299 at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, can I finally, finally let my aging 5-year-old headset find its rest?

Not to be confused with the Astro A50 X, which has HDMI audio pass-through, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) is a more standard version of that headset, which ditches the pricy triple-HDMI setup for something more traditional. Instead, you get 3 USB-C ports: one for PC, one for Nintendo Switch and PS5, and one for Xbox One and Series X|S consoles. With a handy button on the headset, you can seamlessly switch between them on the fly. You also have dual sound source mixing powered by Bluetooth as well for good measure.

This is by no means the first headset that has included these types of features, but how does it stack up in practice? The answer is very, very well, actually. Here's our full review of the Astro A50 (Gen 5), tested by me — someone who has very, VERY heavily used every previous version.

This headset was reviewed with an Astro A50 (Gen 5) unit provided by Logitech G. Logitech did not see the contents of this review prior to posting.

Astro A50 (Gen 5, 2024): Specs & Price

At first glance, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) looks remarkably similar to its predecessor, both visually and from the spec sheet. However, there are some nuances worth pointing out. We're still at 20 Hz to 20 kHz (which tends to be the standard audio range for most headsets, with 40mm drivers (albeit graphene this time). However, this time around, we lose the SPDIF optical audio sockets, typically used to connect the base station to a TV or sound system and grab three USB-C ports instead.

The three ports connect up PC, PlayStation / Nintendo Switch, or an Xbox One / Series X|S system simultaneously (although the necessary cables for all three platforms are not included, sadly). We also now have Bluetooth support with dual-source mixing for true multi-modal freedom.

The footprint of the headset is largely the same, using the same plastic shells the company has been using for a while now (and if you have a previous generation's leatherette mod kit, it'll work on the Gen 5, too). However, the base station now has a Logitech logo to reflect the fact it acquired Astro a short while ago.

The headset is still $299 in the United States and is now available to buy at most retailers, notably Amazon and Logitech G itself.

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Astro A50 (Gen 5, 2024): Build Quality and Comfort

Astro has always been relatively exemplary when it comes to building quality, hard-wearing products, and this headset is absolutely no exception. Sporting the same overall design as its predecessor, I know from how badly I've battered the Astro A50 (Gen 4) over the past five years that this is a hard-wearing, hard-working headset that will stand up to the test of time. After five years, some of the paint has worn down on certain parts, but I don't think I've ever abused a headset more than the A50 (Gen 4), which fills me with confidence that the Astro A50 (Gen 5) will offer users the same longevity.

The headset sports runners on either side for easy adjustments, connected with unique clasps on top of an aluminum tube. It's not exactly what I'd call fashionable, but given that it has no detachable microphone, it's unlikely you'll want to use this headset on your daily commute anyway, even if it does have Bluetooth. Design-wise, it looks nice enough, and now it sports red accents instead of the bronze-ish color of its predecessor, which I think looks a bit nicer, at least personally. Design critique is subjective, though.

What I would say is less subjective is how comfortable it is. I'm grateful to report that the Astro A50 (Gen 5) delivers there too. It sports exactly the same design as its predecessor for the most part, which I find to be among the more comfortable headsets I've used as someone with a disproportionately large head and thick hair to boot (I don't think I've ever found a hat that actually fits comfortably). The wide degree of customization should ensure that it fits you pretty well, too, regardless of your cranial requirements.

One aspect of the Astro A50 that I've generally not been a fan of is the fabric earcups. They're not exactly uncomfortable, but I feel like they get warm on the skin over time, and the headband, in particular, is perhaps not as cushioned as it could be. Astro apparently agrees, given that it sells a $50 leatherette A50 mod kit on its website. I picked this up twice because it genuinely makes a big difference to the feel of the headset. In a perfect world, I feel like the leather cushions should come as standard, but it was undoubtedly done to keep costs down on Astro's end. And to be fair, there is a ton on offer here.

The Astro A50 (Gen 5) itself lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge, and the base station is better than ever. On the previous generation's base station, I often found it a bit hard to seat the headset in and sometimes awkward to get the connectors to attach for charging. Astro has improved the base station's ergonomics here, making it much easier to drop and go. It sports a collection of LED lights to let you know the charge status and remind you what mode the headset is in. I usually hate LEDs on devices like this since my "office" is also my bedroom, and having a Christmas disco of LEDs blinking around my bedroom is often annoying. It's made all the more annoying since the base station now requires a dedicated power supply (included in the box), meaning the lights will be on 24/7 if you don't disconnect the power. Thankfully, you can turn the lights off using the Logitech G software app, which, by the way, is pretty good.

Overall, it's a bit of a downer that the headset requires a dedicated power supply now, which might be difficult depending on your setup, but it does have a ton of additional features compared to its predecessor. There aren't really any other headsets on the market that can boast the Astro A50's raw versatility, and that crown looks set to remain with the Gen 5.

Using the Logitech G Hub app, you can easily customize the side tone and noise gate on the mic while setting up EQ profiles for different scenarios. There's also a Bluetooth mobile app that offers similar (albeit more limited) functionality if you don't have access to a PC, but I've found both ultimately cover the basics. It would be nice for both of these apps to get more configuration features, but it still seems relatively fresh for Logitech, at least compared to the old Astro Command Center app, so we'll likely see improvements there over time.

Speaking of Bluetooth, the headset's new headline feature is the ability to be compatible with practically everything. I'll talk a little more about signal strength in the audio section, but what this ultimately represents is Astro doubling down on what makes this headset so unique. The versatility and convenience of the Astro A50 is a big draw, and the ability to switch between PlayStation, PC, and Xbox USB connections with a single headset button is an absolute joy. If you have spare cables, that is. Indeed, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) only comes with enough USB-C cables to support one connected device. I'm sure many of you reading this probably (like me) have a drawer full of black wires "you might need" someday. Well, hey, this might just be that drawer's time to shine.

You can also feed in a second sound source with Bluetooth into the audio mix, which is a really great feature for streamers who want to collect audio from a console while also using a PC for audio configuration or comms.

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Astro A50 (Gen 5, 2024): Audio and Features

The Astro A50 line has never exactly been "mind-blowing" when it comes to sound reproduction, and I think that's part of the compromises Astro has to hit in order to make them so effortlessly versatile. After all, there are many headsets in this price bracket that don't even come close to the Astro A50's feature set while also maintaining the same price point, so it's perhaps to be expected that there are some (very mild) sacrifices to be made somewhere.

That's not to say the Astro A50 (Gen 5) has poor audio, though. Far from it, actually, but if you're particularly passionate about immersive, cinematic sound above all else, there are probably better options worth considering. The Astro A50 (Gen 5) does absolutely deliver, though, overall. It just doesn't get top marks.

The Astro A50 (Gen 5) comes with a potent software solution known as the Logitech G Hub that lets you tune the EQ profile to your preference, but I struggled to get the soundscape to a place where I found it to be truly impressive. It is very serviceable, though, with great, powerful bass when you need it and decent highs and bass highs for situational awareness. Playing Valorant (where hearing footsteps is absolutely crucial) was more than serviceable on this headset, and I never felt like I was disadvantaged by the gear.

The Logitech G offers a balanced wave profile, as well as profiles designed for media and gaming. The media preset is also perhaps best used in single-player cinematic experiences if you don't fancy customizing your setup further.

For tactical play, the headset does the job, but I did find it a bit lacking when it came to raw cinematic immersion, particularly when it came to music and overall soundstage separation. The bass is impressive in these situations, as I mentioned, and an improvement, I'd say, from previous Astro headsets, but the treble and mids treatment can sometimes impede detail in certain corners. Guitars in rock music, for example, don't sound as impressive as they perhaps could, and the narrow sound stage can take the edge off cinematics that would perhaps be better served with a different sound setup. But I can't emphasize how much I'm nitpicking here, honestly. Unless you're very particular about your sound experience, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) more than delivers, as its predecessors do. And sound critique is often quite subjective I find, you might find them to be perfect, particularly if you're a fan of beefy, detailed bass.

One area of the sound experience that is exceptionally impressive is the signal isolation between Bluetooth and the standard 2.4 GHz RF frequencies used by the base station. One pitfall I often struggle with in headsets that try to do dual-source mixing between Bluetooth and their onboard wireless is corruption between the two. I find myself using dual sound sources often as a streamer, feeding comms through my PC while grabbing audio from my Xbox either via SPDIF or Bluetooth, which is one reason I've stuck with the Astro A50 (Gen 4) for so long. Most headsets that incorporate Bluetooth over SPDIF to achieve dual source mixing seem to do a poor job of shielding the signal from interference. Not here, though. I played on Xbox for several hours with the Astro A50 (Gen 5), which was connected directly to my TV with Bluetooth while connected via USB to my PC for Discord. Therein, I didn't experience a single pixel of performance degradation. Top marks there.

Another surprisingly great aspect of this headset is the microphone experience. The Logitech G hub settings let you fine-tune the side-tone mic monitoring and noise gate experience to your liking (although I'm not sure why the feature was under settings rather than microphone there), and it comes with the flip-to-mute feature as standard.

It does all the standard stuff well, but as you can hear in the sample above (you may need to turn off ad blockers if you can't see it), it sounds rather amazing for a "gaming headset." I find that the microphone experience is often left at the gate as an easy area of compromise for a lot of manufacturers, but the Astro A50 (Gen 5) is undoubtedly among the best I've used. I think it might be good enough to be viable for content creation, too, which is not something I'd often suggest. More top marks there for the Astro A50 (Gen 5).

Overall, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) delivers a solid sound experience that perhaps won't win awards by itself but ultimately gets the job well and truly done. Your tactical play in games like Valorant or Call of Duty won't be compromised, and while I think there might be better options for cinematic games or music, it's still a great experience you'll ultimately find satisfying.

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Astro A50 (Gen 5, 2024): Competition

The Astro A50 (Gen 5) is arguably in a league of its own, given its battery charge dock. There are no other real competitors in this space offering something similar, at least not without heavy compromises on other aspects of the overall product.

At least in this price range, the only other option worth considering for multi-platform gaming is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless, which I also personally heavily use. The SteelSeries has no charge dock stand per se, but it does have a dedicated battery charge dock baked into its nifty LED digital audio controller, which ensures you're pretty much never without battery life. I would say it offers a similar sound experience overall, perhaps with a slight edge over the Astro A50 (Gen 5). It also comes complete with Bluetooth dual-source mixing, but it only supports connections for two USB devices at a time, down from the three offered by the A50. However, the Arctis Nova Pro also comes with active noise canceling (ANC), which might sweeten the deal for those looking for added immersion. The downside is that the headset has a notorious ergonomic defect, where one of the internal microphones for its ANC feature protrudes from the left ear cup and can become quite sore for people with certain ear shapes. It's also $50 more expensive, to boot. However, some have told me that more recent batches of the Arctis Nova Pro have seen improved ergonomics for the internal ANC mic, but there'd be no guarantee you were getting the new model as batches of the first model still likely exist at retailers.

I honestly think that overall, I would probably recommend the Astro A50 (Gen 5) over the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, which is a couple of years old now and probably due for a refresh to fix some of its (literal) pain points. However, another option worth considering is the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, which I would argue offers better sound than both of the above, albeit at the cost of multi-USB device compatibility. It also has the worst mic of the three, however.

The Astro A50 (Gen 5) is all about versatility and convenience, and in that arena, it has no equal.

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Astro A50 (Gen 5, 2024): Should you buy?

Simply put, there are no other headsets that really "do it all" without compromises. It could be said that the Astro A50 (Gen 5) is well and truly a "jack of all trades" type of headset (almost), whose every iteration enhances its performance in that category. I think to well and truly be a jack of all trades, Astro may have to explore redesigning the look of the headset while also adding a detachable mic for that "lifestyle" option for those who want something they can use in every aspect of daily life. But that's for another time.

For now, in gaming, specifically multi-platform gaming, the Astro A50 (Gen 5) absolutely has no equal.

You should buy the Astro A50 (Gen 5) if:

✅ You are a multi-platform gamer who values versatility and convenience.
✅ You want a high-quality microphone experience for comms and even content creation.
✅ You want a solid sound experience for tactical multiplayer games.

You should not buy the Astro A50 (Gen 5) if:

❌ You want the absolute best sound stage possible for cinematic gaming.
❌ You don't really need connections now or in the future for multiple gaming platforms.

While the soundscape could be better, and I'm not a huge fan of the "woolly" earcup fabric Astro uses by default, there's so much to love about this headset that it's just a sliver away from scoring 5/5 top marks. I remember when I reviewed earlier versions of the Astro A50 and was really unsure about the $300 price point, but that headset has lasted me five years through constant abuse, with very little battery degradation to speak of. I'm more than confident to say that the price is right now, even if there are a couple of compromises here and there — but I am a creature of comfort and a curator of convenience. If you are as well, then I'm confident you'll adore the Astro A50 (Gen 5).

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If you're looking for the most affordable way to get into the latest generation of gaming (or make someone else in your life very happy), you should look no further than the Xbox Series S. It's the epitome of "big things come in small packages."

For the latest bout of Amazon Prime Day deals, the Xbox Series S itself hasn't been blessed with the most aggressive sales and discounts, I admit. However, I've still been scouring the internet for all the best deals on the greatest accessories that make the Series S even better than it already is, and I've already found some excellent sales. I love the Xbox Series S myself and have had years to explore what really makes this console shine, including what works and doesn't work for this compact, shockingly capable console.

Leave the searching to me and don't wait to take advantage, as time is running out on a lot of these deals. I'll be keeping this page updated with the best deals I can find on the Xbox Series S console and the best accessories for it like controllers, headsets, storage expansions, and more, so keep checking in!

🔥Top Xbox Series S & Series S accessory deals🔥

• 🎮Xbox Series S (512 GB) | $284.99 at Amazon (Save $15!)
• 📺xScreen for Xbox Series S (11.6-inches) | $159.99 at Amazon (Save $90!)
• 🔊2.1ch Soundbar for TVs & Monitors | $36.99 at Walmart (Save $63!)
• 💾Seagate Expansion Card (1TB) | $129.99 at Best Buy (Save $70!)
• 🎧HyperX Cloud III Wired Headset | $69.95 at Amazon (Save $30!)
• 🎮Xbox Wireless Controller | $43.93 at Walmart (Save $16!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)

Best Xbox Series S Prime Day deals

Missing a list of deals following this disclaimer? Consider disabling your adblocker for this page and then refreshing.

• Shop all of Amazon's October Prime Day deals

Best Xbox Series S accessory Prime Day deals

Best Xbox Series S TV and monitor Prime Day deals

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💾Seagate Xbox Expansion Card (1TB) | $129.99 at Best Buy (Save $70!)
• 📺LG Curved OLED Monitor (32-inches) | $849.99 at Amazon (Save $675!)
• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) | $499.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 🔊2.1ch Soundbar for TVs & Monitors | $36.99 at Walmart (Save $63!)
• 💻Dell G16 Gaming Laptop (RTX 4070) | $1,299.99 at Dell (Save $450!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $799.99 at Best Buy (Save $550!)
• 💻Dell XPS 13 (X Elite) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 🎧Sennheiser Momentum 4 ANC | $219.95 at Amazon (Save $280!)
• 💻HP Envy 2-in-1 14 (Ryzen 7) | $649.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

• Xbox controller deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Xbox SSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming headset deals: Walmart | Dell | Target | Best Buy | Amazon 
• MicroSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming handheld deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Copilot+ AI laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Monitor deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Mini PC deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming keyboard deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg 
• Gaming mice deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg

Xbox Series S Prime Day deals: Frequently asked questions

Between a squeaky right trigger, several loose buttons, and some awful drift in the left thumbstick, the spare controller I've taken with me on travel since the Xbox One days is finally ready for retirement. It's high time I replaced it with one of Microsoft's newer Xbox Series-era models, anyway, and given how much I love using them at home, I'd have no issues paying full price for one. Today, though, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Woot! is actually selling Xbox Core Wireless Controllers for just $39.99 Lenovo is selling the Xbox Wireless Controller for $39. That's just over $20 markdown — 34% off — and one of the best Xbox controller deals I've ever seen. Woot's deal on the Xbox Wireless Controller ended, but Lenovo one-upped Woot with a bigger discount on the gamepad.

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $29.39 at CDKeys (Save $21!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $450!)
• 💻Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 5) | $749.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)
• 🕹️Starfield Premium Upgrade (Xbox & PC) | $28.19 at CDKeys (Save $7!)
• 💻ASUS Vivobook S 15 (X Elite) | $876.77 at Amazon (Save $422!)
• 🕹️Final Fantasy XVI (PC, Steam) | $44.39 at CDKeys (Save $6!)
• 💻Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon | $1,481.48 at Lenovo (Save $1,368!)
• 🎮 Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $249.99 at Best Buy (Save $110!)
• 🕹️Hi-Fi RUSH (PC, Steam) | $8.69 at CDKeys (Save $21!)
• 💻HP Victus 15.6 (RTX 4050) | $599 at Walmart (Save $380!)
• 🖱️Razer Basilisk V3 Wired Mouse | $44.99 at Best Buy (Save $25!)
• 🕹️Days Gone (PC, Steam) | $11.29 at CDKeys (Save $38!)
• 🖥️Lenovo ThinkStation P3 (Core i5 vPro) | $879.00 at Lenovo (Save $880!)

The best Xbox controller yet, hands down

With the exception of the cumbersome "The Duke" from the original Xbox's heyday, I've always been a huge fan of Microsoft's Xbox controllers. Offset thumbsticks feel significantly more comfortable to me than the symmetrical design Sony uses for its PlayStation gamepads, and with the Xbox 360's iteration, I thought Microsoft achieved a great balance of size, shape, and heft. Xbox One-era controllers improved that balance further, and with the Series X|S' "Xbox Core" offerings, the publisher has gotten its blueprint to near-perfection.

Though the newer Xbox controller design is extremely similar to the one from the Xbox One generation, there are some small, yet significant refinements that I'd argue make it a definitive upgrade. Compared to Xbox One gamepads, Xbox Core ones have rounder edges and a slightly more compact chassis, making it more ergonomic and friendlier to small hands while still feeling sufficiently large enough for players with larger ones. All the buttons and triggers actuate and snap back into place speedily with satisfying feedback, too, while the grips are textured and easy to keep a hold on as you play the best Xbox games.

As far as features go, you can look forward to the same Bluetooth and wired USB-C functionality that later Xbox One controller models shipped with, along with compatibility with Xbox One systems and accessories like the Xbox Wireless Adapter for PC since they use the same wireless technology that's in Xbox Series X|S consoles. There's also a new Share button that lets you quickly snap screenshots or record gameplay clips without having to open the guide or Xbox Game Bar, which is a much-appreciated addition.

• DEAL: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month pre-paid cards are just $29.49 at CDKeys, giving you three months for the price of two even after the recent price increase to $19.99/month

The only downside to the controller I can see (or hear, rather) is that its buttons are slightly louder than those of the Xbox One's gamepad as a result of their snappier performance, but realistically, you're probably not going to notice that. Put simply, the Xbox Wireless Controller offers improvements across the board, and at just $40 at Lenovo right now, it's more affordable than ever.

I've been using Razer's Xbox controllers for many years now, with my absolute favorite of all time being the Wolverine TE. I liked that controller so much that I used, abused, and ultimately wore out three of them, buying replacements because I still preferred it over the second-generation Wolverine.

This year's update is a huge deal, though. At long last, Razer has a wireless Xbox controller, and finally there's a new gamepad that can fill the void left by my much loved, but now defunct Wolverine TE.

The Wolverine V3 Pro is quite expensive but extremely impressive. If you've been holding out on getting a new controller because you're in the market for the best of the best, you're probably going to find it here.

This review was made possible thanks to a pre-release review sample provided by Razer. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: What's in the box?

When you're buying a top of the line controller such as this one, you'd expect an impressive package. And that's what you're getting here.

When you crack open your new Wolverine V3 Pro, you'll find this little lot in the box.

• Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller
• Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle
• Razer branded protective carry case
• 10ft long USB braided USB-C cable
• Two additional, thumbsticks, one concave, one convex

Razer also gets an extra thumbs up for its continued excellence in recyclable packaging. Aside from the protective foam, which easily pulls away from the box, there's nothing else in here that can't be recycled. Not a scrap of plastic packaging in sight.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Pricing and availability

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is available to order starting August 28, 2024, with a recommended retail price of $199.99 / £199.99.

As always, it will be available through Razer's own store, both online and physical, as well as through partner retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Design, build quality and ergonomics

Build, design, and ergonomics highlights

• A tremendous, sturdy build quality.
• Redesigned rear paddles are so much better than previous top-tier Wolverine controllers.
• Great ergonomics, a controller that truly just sinks into your hands.

First impressions are everything, so what was mine upon pulling this latest Wolverine from its transportation vestibule?

Damn.

Admittedly, I went in with high hopes, perhaps higher than many, given my own long-term affection for the Wolverine controller. But it's a big old tick in the box for Razer.

The initial release of the Wolverine V2 disappointed me a little because the ergonomics had been changed from its predecessor, but in such a way that it made it more uncomfortable for my hands for more than short play times. All that has changed, though.

The Wolverine V3 Pro feels chunky and solid, sturdy, like a quality product. The ergonomics are also completely on point, at least for my not-so-massive hands. Those with longer digits may be less enamored, particularly when it comes to the location of the rear paddles, but on balance, I think Razer got it spot on.

The controller just sinks into your grip, and the redesigned rear paddles versus the Wolverine V2 Chroma are sublime. Gone are the center-located, vertically oriented paddles, and in are the correct, horizontal paddles nestled to the sides, where your hand will naturally grip. For me, at least, the rear paddles sit perfectly where my middle two fingers rest, so using them requires minimal hand movement.

Razer has also brought back its additional bumper buttons again, which makes me very happy. My hands are completely programmed to use these as mantle and reload in The Division 2, and using any other controller without them results in constant frustration as I inevitably keep tapping where there is nothing but empty space!

So, it's built well, expertly designed, and feels like it'll last the course. It isn't trimmed in a soft touch finish, very much plastic, but that doesn't bother me. It's one less thing to get hammered over time. Perhaps more surprising is the lack of RGB. In true Razer fashion, Chroma hasn't been completely eliminated from the Wolverine V3 Pro, but it's reduced to just the company logo on the face of the controller. Absolutely nothing else lights up.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Hardware and performance

Hardware and performance highlights

• Razer's first wireless Xbox controller, utilizing the company's HyperSpeed technology, though it does mean using a dongle.
• Razer mouse switches in the rear paddles, triggers, and additional bumper buttons is a stroke of genius.
• Hall Effect sticks ✅
• Battery life isn't bad, but still falls short of other wireless controllers.

Being Razer's first wireless Xbox controller, you'd be forgiven for thinking the new hotness might end there. But you'd be very wrong. It is arguably the standout new feature, though, and thankfully, it's as good as I'd hoped.

The Wolverine V3 Pro utilizes Razer's HyperSpeed wireless rather than Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless, and as such, you will still surrender a USB port on your console to connect the dongle. This aside, it's just like using a Microsoft wireless Xbox controller. In my testing so far, the wireless connection has been solid as a rock, and all appears fast and responsive.

The only downside, especially compared to a Microsoft controller, is the battery life. HyperSpeed wireless will simply drain the battery faster, that's just how it is. I wouldn't call it horrible, but you will be charging it up more often. Of course, you also have the option to hook up the included 10-foot-long USB-C cable to charge while you play or just to play wired all the time and forget about battery life.

Wired play really comes into its own on the PC, though. When you hook it up to your Windows 11 PC, you unlock the ability to have 1000 Hz polling, something that makes the Wolverine V3 Pro stand out to the competitive crowd. You will need to enable it first in the companion app, but the option is there, so why not use it?

As someone who's made a habit of using wired controllers in recent years, I'm not personally going to be affected by battery life gremlins. Nor was the wireless capability of the Wolverine V3 Pro my own personal highlight. I appreciate that it exists, and I'm overjoyed because it's another enthusiast/professional-grade wireless controller for those who want such a thing.

What I'm more excited about, though, is all the other stuff Razer has jammed into the Wolverine V3 Pro. For the first time, the company has integrated its mouse switch technology into one of its console controllers. The rear paddles, additional bumper buttons, and the triggers all have Razer mouse switches at their heart. You can hear it, too. Press one of the rear paddles, and it sounds exactly like clicking a recent Razer gaming mouse.

Why bother? Performance, of course. Razer's mouse switches are designed for lightning-fast response and actuation, and that's exactly what you get here. It's hard to actually measure, but the fact it's here at all means you're getting the best of the best in this controller. Razer's gaming mice are legendary, and that same technology has now jumped the gap to console.

The other big new addition to be excited about is Hall Effect sticks. You want these because they're just better. They're more accurate and responsive and, most importantly, boast a much longer lifespan than traditional analog sticks. If you want to know more about why this is a big deal, we have a full explainer of what Hall Effect is and why you need it.

Rounding off the hardware on the Wolverine V3 Pro are the mecha-tactile action buttons and the floating D-pad. Admittedly, I rarely use a D-pad for anything, but I'll always take one designed this way.

The ABXY buttons all have a super satisfying clicky feel (and sound); there's no mushy nonsense here. The buttons are also nice and tall, protruding sufficiently from the controller, reducing the likelihood of sliding over them accidentally. The actuation has a nice firm feeling to it, so you're unlikely to mash the wrong one by mistake just by moving your hand.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Software

Software highlights

• Dedicated Razer Controller app available on console and PC, no need to use Synapse on the desktop.
• Decent, if uninspiring design.
• Easy to use and customize the daylights out of your Wolverine V3 Pro.

Whether on the console or PC, Razer has a dedicated app to set up its controllers. There's no necessity to use Razer Synapse on the PC, and while this app won't win many awards, it's decent, and it does what it needs to do.

What it needs to do is allow you to customize just about every aspect of the Wolverine V3 Pro. Create your own profiles with different layouts, customize the performance of the thumbsticks, and for those FPS fans, assign the sensitivity clutch so you can maximize your headshots on the fly.

It's a fairly simple app, and very clear, which is good, since it needs to work the same across console and PC. Whether on a laptop or a massive TV, there's no chance of getting confused here.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: A second opinion

My Wolverine V3 Pro highlights

• This controller is clearly designed with hardcore gamers in mind with a sturdy build and lots of glorious buttons.
• Its performance is impeccable across all game genres, and Razer's use of Hall Effect sensors, mouse switches, and mecha-tactile buttons is controller perfection.
• However, battery life is much shorter than I'd like, and wireless stability isn't flawless.

My colleague Richard Devine isn't the only member of the Windows Central team to receive a Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, and I've been using mine for even longer than he has. Our own Jez Corden also got one of his own a short while ago and compared the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller (Series 2), but we're not here to talk about that right now.

I've now used the pinnacle of Razer's controllers for well over a hundred hours to play competitive games like The First Descendant and the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Early Access, single-player games like Star Wars Outlaws and Trepang2, and several more beside that. After all that play time, I can agree with much of what my colleague has already stated about this controller — it's absolutely one of the best Xbox controllers you can buy right now, and it being wireless is simply the cherry on top.

However, I am a little more critical of this controller. For one, battery life ended up being more of a concern than I expected, leading me to develop the habit of plugging the Wolverine V3 Pro in at the end of each day. I'm also a little sad that Razer didn't make the Wolverine V3 Pro support its Universal Quick Charging Stand (or develop a new dock specifically for this new line of controllers) for cable-free charging, but that's more of a personal wish of mind.

What's more difficult to forgive, though, is how inconsistent Razer HyperSpeed Wireless has been for me. Don't get me wrong, whenever the Wolverine V3 Pro is connected performance is impeccable; I haven't experienced any disconnects, interference, or noticeable latency. It's getting connected that's the problem, with the controller randomly taking ages to connect or simply failing to connect at all, requiring me to power down the controller and try again. The Wolverine V3 Pro also fails to turn on my Xbox Series X about half of the time, which is one of the best conveniences of the standard Xbox Wireless Controller.

These are little frustrations that build up over time, and that's in addition to other minor complaints. The trigger housings that the grips curve into are too large, for example, leaving lots of empty space under the triggers that makes the controller less comfortable for those with larger hands. One of the rear paddles has already lost the instant tactility it had out of the box, with the button now being a little loose and softly clicking once before properly actuating with the full click.

My combined experiences and extensive testing would've, had I written this full review, resulted in a more modest 4/5 score rather than my colleague's 4.5/5. Despite all of that, though, I'm not setting the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro aside any time soon. Its build quality is still far more reassuring than the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller (Series 2), its performance is astounding, and Razer's extra features and incorporated technology make this Xbox and PC controller one of the most advanced in the world. It's an incredible foundation for a new era of Razer Xbox controllers. — Zachary Boddy

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Competition

Controllers of this level are still few and far between, so the competition is fairly slim. The obvious comparison will be drawn to Microsoft's own Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which is now almost five years old. It's less expensive than the Wolverine V3 Pro and is just as customizable. It does, though, have fewer additional controls, but it does have more choice in swappable sticks and D-Pad.

There is also the Scuf Instinct, essentially a modified version of an official Xbox controller, boasting the type of customization and additional features, such as rear paddles, that the competitive gamer demands. It's comparable, but perhaps not quite as good as the Elite Series 2, but like Microsoft's effort, it's been around for a number of years now.

If you're primarily a PC player, Razer also has another option, but one you'd only really be advised to look at now if you also own a PS5. The Wolverine V2 Pro is a PS5/PC compatible controller with all the Sony bits you'd expect to find and a similar overall design and layout to the Wolverine V3 Pro. It's wireless, too, with the additional benefit of supporting Bluetooth, but next to the Wolverine V3 Pro, it feels like it's from a different era.

Those who don't mind a wire and want to save some cash, though, don't have to compromise as much. The Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition is the best alternative to the V3 Pro, as it utilizes many of the same features with an identical design, just without the wireless connectivity and at half the price. The V3 TE retails for $99.99 at Best Buy and is compatible with both Xbox and Windows PC.

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Razer Wolverine V3 Pro: Final thoughts

You should buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro if...

You should not buy the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro if...

I feel comfortable in saying the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is the best Xbox controller you can buy right now. Ultimately, it comes at a high asking price, but if you're prepared to drop the green, you're getting something that's hard to top.

Part of its rise to the top of the pile is that it's new. OK, not just that it's new, but that compared to the likes of the Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 and Scuf Instinct, it's far more modern. Razer has used its expertise in PC gaming to make something different, something better, something brilliant. Adding mouse switches to a controller is a touch of genius I never knew I needed to experience. But here we are.

Personally, I can take or leave it being wireless, but that's just me. I know how important that single feature is to scores of Xbox gamers, and I'm ecstatic that Razer has now delivered. There is no Xbox controller on the market that boasts the tech inside the Wolverine V3 Pro, and it simply stands in a class of its own.

I now, at last, have a new favorite controller to replace my love of the Wolverine TE. Bravo, Razer.

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Do you own an Xbox Series X|S? Do you hate the fact that you're maxing out your storage space? Do you wish you had MORE storage? Well, friends, look no further. This is the WD_Black official Xbox Series X|S 1TB storage expansion card on Amazon, and for Prime Day, this is your official cheapest option for upgrading your Xbox space. 

WD_Black Xbox Series X|S storage: Easy and convenient

Microsoft has a partnership with Seagate for another official storage solution. The official Seagate Xbox Series X|S 1TB storage card on Amazon is also on sale for Prime Day, but it's a few dollars more expensive than this one, and practically identical in every way. There is also the Seagate 512GB option which is also on sale on Amazon, but it has half the storage, which is less cost effective per gigabyte in reality. 

Why are they identical? Well, both cards use the CFExpress storage standard, which you might not have heard of before. CFExpress is typically used in high-end cameras, and is an SSD solution that can be easily hot-swapped without concern for data corruption, at least in theory. You can pull this card out of your Xbox and swap it into another Xbox without having to power down first, or worrying about if data corruption might occur. You're supposed to "eject" a USB thumb drive or an SD card typically, when they're connected up to your laptop, but CFExpress typically doesn't suffer the same issues. Although, I still wouldn't recommend removing it while it's in use. 

RELATED: Why does Xbox Series X|S use CFExpress storage cards?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S needs this type of card because of its fast internal NVME SSD. It's much faster than what USB storage devices can deliver in terms of data transfer. You can still use a USB storage device for backward compatible games on Xbox, but modern games do require the faster card from either Seagate or WD_Black above. This is simply because older storage devices aren't fast enough. With guarantees that every Xbox (and PlayStation too) has NVME SSD speeds, developers can take advantage of those speeds to make their games look more advanced. 

I have one of these WD_Black storage cards in one of my consoles, and it has never given me any trouble whatsoever. I can't recommend it enough. And today, you can get it much cheaper than usual, and it remains one of the best Xbox accessories on the market. 

Though I cover a wide range of different topics here at Windows Central, the vast majority of my writing is about games. Whether I'm reviewing a new release, putting together detailed guides for players Googling for help, or covering breaking news about new announcements or patches, it's safe to say that I pretty much live and breathe video games for a living. Therefore, during big sales events like Amazon Prime Day, I tend to buy things that make playing and accessing games more convenient or enjoyable, and also try to take advantage of hot deals on games I'm interested in trying but haven't had the budget to purchase at full price.

This year's Amazon Prime Day is just hours away from ending later tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT, so before it does, I'm pulling the trigger on five of the best deals I've seen on Amazon, Newegg, Green Man Gaming, and CDKeys for various different peripherals, services, and games I've been eyeing recently. Here's what I'm buying:

🔥THE HOTTEST PRIME DAY 2024 DEALS🔥

• Seagate Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card (2TB) | was $359.99 now $229.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Series X (1TB) + free $50 Best Buy gift card | was $499.99 now $449.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo Legion Go (512GB) | was $699.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• LG Class C3 Series OLED Evo TV (65-inches) | was $1,699.99 now $1,399.99 at Best Buy
• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $78.90 at Amazon
• UPsec xScreen for Xbox Series S | was $249.99 now $159.99 at Amazon
• Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse | was $149.99 now $75.99 at Amazon

Why I'm buying these deals (and why you should too)

There are hundreds of gaming-related deals available for Amazon Prime Day 2024 — why are these five the ones getting my money? It's a good question, and ultimately, the answer is that they all either help me do my job more efficiently, will enhance my gaming experiences outside of work, or give me a chance to play something I've been hoping to try without having to pay full price for it.

My biggest purchase is the Logitech G502 Lightspeed, down to just $75.99 (was $149.99). I love my trusty Corsair Harpoon wireless gaming mouse, but it's a tad small for my hand and lacks some features I want like lots of customizable buttons for macros, tuning weights, and a comfy thumbrest. The Logitech G502 Lightspeed is larger and has all those things, along with improved battery life to boot. Therefore, I've wanted it for quite some time (we called it one of "the best gaming mice out there" in our review) and thanks to this markdown I can get it with a gift card I received as a gift recently.

CDKeys' huge $31.99 sale price on three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate codes (was $49.99), meanwhile, allows me to stock up on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate time ahead of the major upcoming Game Pass changes and price hikes. Soon, Game Pass Ultimate will cost $19.99/month instead of $16.99, so this opportunity to get three months for the price of two at the service's current prices is fantastic. I often use Game Pass on both Xbox and PC to play games I'm covering for work, so buying a few of these discounted codes is a no-brainer.

• Prime Day 2024 deals on laptops, mini PCs, gaming accessories, and more
• Best Steam Deck and ROG Ally deals during Prime Day
• Best accessory deals to upgrade your ROG Ally or Steam Deck this Prime Day
• Best Xbox controller deals from all retailers this Amazon Prime Day

Then there's Team Group's T-FORCE VULCAN SATA SSD for $49.99 (from $64.99) and PowerA's Play & Charge Kit for Xbox controllers at $16.14 (was $18.99), both of which will bring some nice convenience to my day-to-day gaming. With the former, I'll be able to install plenty of extra games on my PC without having to worry about making room by uninstalling others; with the latter, I won't have to buy packs of disposable batteries to keep the controllers I use on Xbox and my desktop rig juiced up, which will save me plenty of money in the long run. Frankly, neither of these deals are showstoppers — especially not the PowerA one — but saving a few bucks on things I can genuinely put to good use is great.

Finally, I felt like finally treating myself to Assassin's Creed Valhalla (we gave it a 4/5 score in our review) once I saw that it's dropped to a ridiculously low $12 at Green Man Gaming (down from $59.99). Huge price drops on AAA games as big as Assassin's Creed are incredibly rare, and even though I'm not a fan of how recent titles in the series have sidelined stealth mechanics in favor of flashy action combat, I am a big fan of Norse mythology and Viking-themed stuff in general. Because of that, I've wanted to check it out for a long time, and now I can without having to fork over $60 (nearly all the Assassin's Creed games are just $12 or less right now, by the way).

Turtle Beach has returned once again with a refresh of one of its most staple headsets. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 has entered its third generation for 2024, maintaining the $99 price point (on Amazon) while simultaneously expanding the feature set. It's rare in today's economy that we see features being added on top rather than taken away (shrinkflation says hi) but Turtle Beach is here to buck the trend. As someone who fears opening their banking app day to day, it's more than welcome to see. 

Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 (Gen-3) goes incredibly hard when it comes to the most important features gamers want in 2024. Multi-platform interoperability, solid audio and mic performance, and absolutely gargantuan battery life at 80 hours. Is it all too good to be true? 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) isn't perfect by any means — a feat that's hard to pull off while also remaining affordable and profitable simultaneously. Still, the imperfections are few, and hardly break the proposition here. The Stealth 600 (Gen-3) is an excellent headset, and is arguably the best Xbox headset for affordable wireless multiplatform use right now. 

This review was made possible with a review sample provided by Turtle Beach. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3): Pricing and Specs

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) rocks a familiar price point for anyone keeping track. At $99, it enters the entry-level range for wireless headsets, and although there are cheaper options on the market (including from Turtle Beach itself with their Stealth 500), the compromises are numerous once you start hitting the below $99 range. I was surprised to find that the Stealth 600 brings across features that were typically reserved for pricier options, like their former Stealth 700 line of yesteryear, incorporating Bluetooth support, as well as robust configuration options and features like variable mic monitoring. 

Of course, a headset is only as good as it sounds, though. Luckily, I would argue that Turtle Beach has done a solid job here too, although we'll get into more detail in the next sections. The headset also sports monster 80-hour battery life as mentioned, coming with a USB-C "fast charging" cable in the box, alongside a small USB dongle for pairing with Xbox or PC. The "PC" mode on the dongle can also pair PlayStation and Nintendo Switch consoles, owing to their more open hardware security standards. Microsoft still requires headset makers to include a special security chip for accessories made for Xbox, though. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) is generally available at all major retailers, typically for $99.99 across Amazon, Best Buy, and Turtle Beach's own website. The headset launched initially in May 2024, and has already picked up a couple of mandatory firmware updates via Turtle Beach's Swarm II app.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3): Design and Comfort

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) doesn't buck design trends that have been prevalent over the last few years, maintaining a subtle, functional style that finds itself applicable to a variety of scenarios. You wouldn't look out of place using this headset for music out and about on your daily commute, as long as you flip the microphone into its muted, hidden position that is. It's also heavily adjustable, stretching to accommodate even the largest noggins like my own. 

It sports more generous cushioning too than its slightly cheaper Stealth 500 cousin, with thick memory foam across the headband and "athletic" fabric memory foam across the ear cups. The foam is also channelled to accommodate thick glasses arms if you wear them, which is a nice touch.

On the left earcup is an array of controls and buttons. They sport different shapes and sizes, which might seem tacky at first glance, but the point is that it makes them easier to feel out while you're wearing the headset. They're all raised too, making them easy to action, and they have a tactile feel and audio tones when activated.

On the headset itself, you get chat/game audio mix dial, master volume dial, a mode switching button, a Bluetooth multi-function button, as well as a multi-functional power buttons. You can assign the different buttons and dials to different functions using the Turtle Beach Swarm II app on PC or mobile devices, which is a nice touch. We'll get more into how the app works for audio in the next section. 

The big elephant in the room for me is the Bluetooth implementation. Previous Turtle Beach headsets like the Stealth 700 included Bluetooth, but they also allowed you to combine the audio from a Bluetooth source with the audio from a USB source. So you could be in a Discord call on your PC via Bluetooth while feeding gaming audio in from your Xbox via USB. Here, you can only do one or the other. Although admittedly, mixing signals has given Turtle Beach and other manufacturers headaches in the past, generating interference and the like. My current headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, does include the functionality to mix Bluetooth and USB audio completely interference free, but they're also over 3x more expensive than this headset. I would've liked to have seen dual signal integration here, but the ability to switch between a Bluetooth device and a USB device on the fly with a single button press is at least a nice compromise. Although, even that can be a bit finnicky at times. 

On construction, the plastics used in the headband are impressively flexible, I was able to twist the headband fairly far before being concerned the tension might make it snap. I feel as though it would probably withstand a fair amount of punishment, even if given to youngsters. The earcups themselves do feel a bit hollow, and lack that dense feeling that more expensive products often sport, but it's not much of a concern when they're on your head. They are light weight, and comfortable, ticking all of the right boxes. 

How does the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) perform, though? Let's continue the review. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3): Audio Quality and Features

I generally like the Turtle Beach sound, especially given how much you pay for them. The Stealth 600 (Gen-3) doesn't break the streak here, and that could be considered good or bad depending on your perspective. The audio quality is very good, but it's not exactly mind-blowing, but I do feel like what's being presented does offer good value for money overall. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 uses 50mm Turtle Beach "NanoClear" drivers with a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response, complete with 10-channel EQ configuration options via the Swarm II app on PC. You can assign pre-set or custom-made EQ configs via the app, too. 

In review, I felt like the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) offers great bass without being overwhelming in the standard mode, even without tweaks. But I felt like overly treble-y for my tastes personally. The highs were prominent and crispy, and maybe even a bit too crunchy even in standard mode. I think a lot of people will want to dive in and tweak the EQs on this to get a better overall feel, but I did feel like the mids and highs were a bit treble-y and lacked definition in some ways, even though the bass comes through quite warm and inviting, in contrast. I would say the soundstage overall is solid though, even without tweaks, and you get a decent cinematic experience in games like Elden Ring right out of the box. I will say it also excels at positional sound. I noticed insects buzzing in my ear and shuffling enemy positions that I didn't notice previously with my TV audio while using the Stealth 600 (Gen-3). 

Overall, I would say the audio quality is solid, although it won't win any awards on that alone. It punches above its weight in the configuration department, though. 

While I'm slightly irked Swarm II isn't available on Xbox, it works well on PC and comes with a ton of options. As soon as I plugged the dongle in and flipped the switch to PC mode, it immediately detected the headset and updated the firmware without issue. It offers a broad array of EQ customizability, as well as mic monitoring sidetone volume which I felt was too quiet out of the box. The quality of the side tone is not the best, however, but it gets the job done. More on the mic shortly. 

I know Superhuman Hearing from Turtle Beach is something of a controversial topic, but I have to say that I'm a fan. Superhuman Hearing mode is Turtle Beach's oft-criticized audio profile that emphasizes sound effects like footsteps and enemy reloads, and things like that, that often sit in the high range. You can turn it on and off at will, and I would generally turn it off for music or a cinematic game, since it does sound "unnatural" and overly processed. However, it has helped me pick out enemy movements more accurately than I might've been able to otherwise in games like Battlefield and Call of Duty. It sucks some of the bass and "cinematic" feel out of the soundscape, but the tactical advantage can feel almost dirty. It's nice to see it return, because sometimes Turtle Beach has reserved it for more expensive cans. 

Speaking of cost, I find that headsets often look to mic quality as a way to find cost savings when making affordable headsets, but I'm happy to report this isn't the case with the Stealth 600 (Gen-3). And sure, you're not going to be doing content creation on this thing most likely, but for Xbox Live chatter or comms on Discord and the like, it's very, very capable, and comes with a range of tweaks you can set up using the Swarm II PC app. You can control the noise gate which is good for choking sniffles or coughs for the sake of your friends, but sometimes it can be a little too aggressive and cut off the start of your sentences while talking. It has some form of "A.I.-based" noise cancellation tech, apparently, although I'm not sure exactly what that means in practice. What I do know is, I had a very powerful fan on and the window open while I recorded the below mic sample, and they don't come through at all in the sound profile.

For the price, I'm more than satisfied with what the Stealth 600 (Gen-3) puts on offer from a sound perspective here. You might need to adjust the EQ a bit to balance it out a bit for your preferences, but at least you can do that. If you have a PC that is.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3): Competition

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) has a lot of competitors at $99, and arguably even below that price point. The similarly wireless Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (2024 edition) for example is $79 on Amazon, netting you a decent $20 saving. The only real differences include the construction, which takes a step down over the Stealth 600, but also the battery life, which is cut down from 80 hours to around 40 hours. 40 hours is no slouch, and you could put that $20 saving towards some Vbucks or something.  

The similarly priced official Xbox Wireless Headset is also $99 on Amazon, and gives you a comparable experience. I would argue that the 80+ hour battery life on the Stealth 600 (Gen-3), better sound, and the configuration app gives it a decent edge over Microsoft's solution. Although, the Xbox Wireless Headset will let you combine a Bluetooth and USB audio signal simultaneously, if you want that functionality. 

I personally think that the Stealth 600 (Gen-3) beats the comparable A20 from Astro without a doubt, and probably most other $99 priced wireless headsets in this range.   However, if you can find a good deal on a Corsair HS75 XB, that, in my view, does probably beat out the Stealth 600 for raw audio quality alone. The downside there is that it's absolutely zero frills: no configuration, no Bluetooth, and very little stock from what I can tell. Although, I did find a Corsair HS75 XB on Amazon Renewed for $80. I'm not sure whether they're still being stocked. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Stealth 600 (Gen-3) if you do opt for it over all these, though. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3): Should you buy it?

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) was a fun headset to review. I don't think it'll win any Oscars, but it's a very capable headset and a good evolution of the line up that I've become very familiar with over the years. The battery life is incredibly convenient for those who don't fancy doing regular charge cycles, and the multi-platform capabilities are sensible for today's multi-platform gaming lifestyle. 

They feel comfortable and hard-wearing, with a solid app experience, a good microphone for the price point, and the type of versatility and configurability that you're often more likely to see at the higher end. 

You should buy this if ...

You should not buy this if ...

While I was disappointed that they essentially require a PC to perform configurations, and the out-of-the-box EQ felt a bit unbalanced to me overall, the value is generally undeniable here. With the right set up, the Stealth 600 (Gen-3) is basically an all-day, every day type of headset, able to accompany you on a daily commute for music, and then instantly flip over to your Xbox or PlayStation with the push of a button. The vast degree of control the Swarm II app gives you over your experience is welcomed and generous, and I was surprised how much the microphone quality punches above its weight, too. 

If you're looking for a $99 headset and don't mind the areas of compromise, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen-3) will not disappoint. 

Razer's iconic colors are black and green. Xbox's iconic colors are black and green. What more can I say? Razer is one of the few companies that has never let me down with its accessories, and many of those peripherals are designed from the ground up to work best with the Xbox ecosystem. The Razer Edge, for example, is an awesome and affordable Android gaming handheld for mobile gaming, cloud gaming, and emulation, and it's at an all-time low of just $254.99 at Amazon.

The Razer Wolverine V2 for Xbox is one of the greatest wired Xbox controllers ever made, and it's half off, or just $62.80 at Amazon. The Razer Kaira Pro, a well-rounded Xbox wireless gaming headset that also works with your phone, is only $79.99 at Razer — very nearly half off, too. If you're just looking to augment your Xbox Wireless Controller, you can do so with a rechargeable battery and color-matched charging dock from $29.99 at Razer.

Razer makes a little bit of everything for Xbox, and I use some of those accessories every day. Right now, you can experience that partnership, too (and save money in the process).