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!

It's time for another Xbox and PC headset review, but will this one make our list of best Xbox headsets or best PC gaming headsets? You'd better read on to find out.

This is the Astro A20 X, a new 2025 version of Astro's popular mid-range A20 line. The A20 typically sits below headsets like the A40 and A50, which are more on the premium end. We live in a different economy, though. Global tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and a big purchasing power squeeze has battered supply chains and increased material costs. The landscape on gaming accessories is changing rapidly, but there's also been great evolving needs too, as more of us than ever go multiplatform.

The Astro A20 X feels like a reaction to that evolving landscape, with great visual flair for those who want to play on camera, and absurd 90-hour battery life to reduce fuss. On top, you also get a mid-range price point with maximum versatility, compatible with virtually every platform out there.

Is this the headset for you, though, given how many options there are on the market? Let's examine, together.

This headset was reviewed with an Astro A20 X unit provided by Logitech. Logitech did not see the contents of this review prior to posting.

Astro A20 X review: Features, specs, and price

The Astro A20 X is relatively standard on paper for a 2025 Xbox / PC headset, albeit with a few extra bells and whistles to differentiate itself.

It comes with a wireless transmitter in the box, which lets you connect up two USB-C cables simultaneously. Each port has a switch on them, letting you mix between console and PC signals simultaneously. You could have one plugged into your PC and one into your Xbox, for example, or one plugged into your Nintendo Switch 2 dock and one into your PS5.

There's also a Bluetooth 5.3 signal baked in, with a button on the headset for connecting even more devices, but we'll talk more on that in the audio section.

The Astro A20 X joins other headsets in this range by prioritizing battery life, offering an impressive 90~ hours on a single charge. It differentiates itself a bit with its on-ear RGB lighting, which, even when turned on, still provides you with roughly 40~ hours of battery life. This can be turned off, of course.

You can switch it off with the A20 X's impressive PC software, which affords a high degree of configurability. You can let Windows Dynamic Lighting handle your RGB synchronicity, or decouple it and set it up separately. You can tune EQ settings, and also access Blue microphone tweaks from here as well.

On the headset itself, you have a button to switch between your two USB-C signals, as well as on-ear chat and sound mix buttons, and master volume sliders.

The Astro A20 X will set you back around $179.99 in the United States. Is it worth the ask? Let's go deeper.

Astro A20 X review: Construction and comfort

The Astro A20 X is a mid-range priced sort of headset, at least in modern tariff terms, and it does seem a bit like Astro compromised a little on materials to prioritize usability and features.

The headset itself doesn't feel very densely constructed, with hollow-feeling cavities atop a plastic headband. It also has pretty basic cushioning, with fabric that, at least on mine, doesn't fit plush with the cushion itself. That's not to say it's uncomfortable though, far from it, actually.

This is an incredibly lightweight headset, and while I have some reservations about its ability to take a bump ... when it's on your head and in use, it's very comfortable. I'm not usually a fan of fabric ear cups, but they do the job here, but it's clear some superficial quality was sacrificed for features.

The headband feels decent enough, and the adjustability comes from slides on the earcups themselves. I've got a big head, and the maximum adjustments were generous enough, I felt. The floating headband adds a bit of comfort too, although the red accent was a bit of an odd decision in my view.

Why? Well, the Astro A20 X sports large RGB lights on each ear cup, presumably aimed at streamers or influencers who want to game and get on camera at the same time. I would've picked neutral tones for my accents, knowing that streamers might want to use branded colors for their RGB lighting. The red band and buttons might clash, etc. But it's a minor gripe, I suspect most of the people reading this aren't planning to use this headset on camera, and will most likely turn the lighting off since it serves no real purpose. It's fun for kids though, maybe, but it seems like a lot of added cost for little real benefit.

Overall, it's a well-put together headset that sports some unnecessary lights, but some of you reading this might be in the market for that, and that's A-OK. But pretty lights can't help a headset with bad audio ... how does the Astro A20 X fare here?

Astro A20 X review: Audio and mic quality

The Astro A20 X isn't quite on the level of its more expensive A40 or A50 cousins, but it's certainly no slouch either, offering decent sound reproduction at an affordable price.

40mm drivers with a standard frequency response between 20Hz and 20kHz power the Astro A20 X's audio scape, and generally it does a decent job. It has powerful and creamy bass, and playing Call of Duty Black Ops 7 beta, it was great at reproducing directional sound cues. I was able to pinpoint the general position of incoming footsteps and other enemy tells, giving me additional tactical awareness.

Where it struggled a bit was in more cinematic sound, I found, at least without tweaks. You can vastly tune the EQ in this headset, and the Logitech G Hub also comes with many presets for various games, but I still found it to be lacking a bit when it comes to more detailed soundscaping.

For example, in Silent Hill F, dynamic combat music feeds into the sound mix when more and more enemies appear. The closer they get to you, distortion and radio interference sounds enter the sound scape, and the A20 X struggled a fair bit with this. The high pops and crackling noise came through incredibly unpleasant, and I think it's a result of the headset being tuned to separate highs more aggressively for FPS tactical play. It could be that I'd just need more time to tweak the EQ settings, but at the very least, know that it might take some time to get the sound profile where you want it.

It's not bad overall by any means, particularly in this price range, but there are some edge cases like the above that seem to push it beyond its limit.

The microphone is quite good too. It's not content-creation grade, but the Logitech G Hub app does come with Blue software support, and comes with a variety of profiles for different audio feels. It's more than adequate for basic game streaming and voice comms, providing crisp and clear reproduction, which you can hear for yourself in the sample above.

Astro A20 X review: Competition

The elephant in the room with the Astro A20 X is potentially the price tag. It's $179, which is cheaper than the RRP of many of its similar competitors, but with sales events and the like, it puts it within range of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3). The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) retails for a fair bit more at $199, but it has many of the same features, and goes a bit beyond with the addition of Bluetooth sound mixing.

However, the Stealth 700 is far bulkier than the Astro A20 X, owing to more metal parts and a flip-to-mute mic, rather than a detachable one.

In my mind, it really does come down to these two headsets in this price bracket. If you prefer something sleeker with RGB lights, the Astro A20 X might be for you. But I would argue that the Stealth 700 (Gen 3) sound is a bit punchier overall, but you do pay a premium for that on top.

Astro A20 X review: Conclusion

While I have some reservations about its build quality, they are fairly unfounded. I'm curious how long it will last with its all-plastic construction, but unless you're particularly careless, I doubt there's any real risk here.

It's lightweight and comfortable, and easily suitable for those long 90~ hour sessions its battery life affords, but you might be tweaking the EQ for a fair while to improve upon its default configuration.

✅ You should buy this if:

• You enjoy headsets with RGB.
• You want something with multi-platform capabilities, moving beyond the bare basics without breaking the bank.
• You need something with Bluetooth on top.

❌ You should avoid this if:

• You don't feel like you need RGB lights.
• You play primarily cinematic games, instead of competitive shooters.

I think there are better headsets on offer if you play primarily cinematic games or want to listen to music, although it's certainly no slouch in those departments either, and perhaps subsequent firmware updates will improve some of the popping I heard playing games like Silent Hill F.

If you are playing competitive FPS, however, it's a far better experience, and the microphone is very capable for coordinating your strats. This is a versatile headset offering great value, and worth your time and consideration.

Can earbuds replace your gaming headset? SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds say "yes."

A little while ago, SteelSeries sent over this review unit of their new(ish) Arctis Gamebuds, ANC earbuds with Bluetooth, USB-C 2.4 wireless connectivity, and mobile and PC apps to boot.

I've used a couple of "gaming" earbud options in the past, and found most of them to be fairly underwhelming. I like the idea of having a single headset that can do "everything," from gaming, to chat, to travel, to music, and so on, but so far the options out there have either been incredibly expensive, or a bit iffy.

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are the first Xbox and PC "gaming" earbuds that I feel truly check all the right boxes, across performance, features, and price. Without a doubt, in their category, they're among the best Xbox headsets you can get right now in my view.

If you're someone who has been waiting for a product like this, do read on, because there are some downsides worth mentioning.

This review was conducted with a Arctis Gamebuds unit provided by SteelSeries, running the latest firmware update downloaded via the Arctis app.

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

Arctis Gamebuds: Price and specifications

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds aren't the cheapest earbuds on the market, but there aren't many out there that can boast such an impressive feature set.

In the bundle, you get ear tips, two USB-C cables, a USB-C dongle for use on PC or Xbox with a toggle switch, the earbuds themselves with on-ear controls, and a 30-hour wired and wireless recharging carry case to house it all.

The whole package will set you back around $160 MSRP in the United States, although tariffs and the like could impact the price in the near term.

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Arctis Gamebuds: Build quality and features

The earbuds I typically use for travel and the like are Samsung's Galaxy Buds, and I kind of hate them. They're obviously the most compatible earbuds with my Galaxy S24, but they have such an odd shape — I'm not sure Samsung actually made them for human beings.

Thankfully, the Arctis Gamebuds are far, far more comfortable. In fact, I think they might be the most comfortable in-ear headphones I've ever used.

The Arctis Gamebuds come with a variety of tips to tailor the experience to your particular ear shape, but the curvature and soft plastic used on the outer body create a smooth sensation on the skin, complete with an impressive ergonomic fit.

RELATED: How to use Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth earbuds on Xbox

Another aspect I like here is the clicky buttons, rather than capacitive. My Galaxy Buds are prone to accidental taps and clicks when I'm doing something as simple as scratching an itch.

You have to actually activate these controls, which I feel like every headset on Earth should opt for.

Triple taps let you instantly switch between Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz signals for moving between mobile devices and your primary gaming platform. Other motions can be configured in the apps available for both PC and mobile — both of which are high-quality, with good usability and polish.

It's a bit annoying that you have to make an account to use the apps and even do basic things like update firmware, but I guess that's just where we are in 2025. Once you're in, the experience is good, with a high degree of configurability.

SteelSeries partnered with publishers to build per-game audio profiles for a variety of the world's most popular games, while also including some EQ pre-sets like Bass Boost and the like. I think more general-use pre-sets would be nice to see, but SteelSeries is often adding more via updates. And you can always create your own, too.

To make the deal a bit sweeter, the headset comes with active noise cancellation, which is something I find to be absolutely necessary for travel earbuds these days.

Since these earbuds are trying to be your "everything" device, it's good to see this included. They also have an on-click transparency mode if you need to hear another person, without having to take them out of your ears.

They're easy to set up on an Xbox and PC, too. Simply plug the USB-C dongle in directly or with the USB-A cable, and you're pretty much good to go. A switch on the dongle lets you point at Xbox or PC, which will beat out Bluetooth for signal quality generally.

Sadly, you can't mix signals like you can on some devices like this, but these days, you can listen to Spotify and take Discord calls on your Xbox directly without having to use an additional device.

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Arctis Gamebuds: Sound and microphone quality

SteelSeries nails the feature set with the Arctis Gamebuds, but how does it perform sound-wise?

Naturally, the sound stage on earbuds is going to feel more intimate than headphones with bigger drivers, which does impact positional and spatial awareness to some degree, I find.

I played Overwatch for a few hours with these yesterday, and still found them to be more than viable for pinpointing the position of Cassidys and Sombras trying to flank me.

I find the sound quality is also up there for earbuds. They're perhaps not as punchy or impressive as more expensive over-ear gaming headphones out there, like SteelSeries' own Arctis Nova or something like the new Turtle Beach Stealth 700, but they do deliver a more than adequate response.

The Arctis Gamebuds have impressive separation for earbuds. Listening to bass boosted music gives each instrument a distinct platform and clear performance, even in loud genres like death metal and the like. I would argue that the maximum volume is perhaps not as loud as I would like, but that's most likely a "me problem." Yes, I am old.

While the sound delivery into your ears is really impressive for this type of device, the sound quality your friends will be hearing may take a hit.

On-ear microphones have improved over the years in quality, but there's always going to be a trade-off when you're not using a dedicated boom mic. The trade-off here is significant, as you can hear in the above audio clip, recorded directly from the SteelSeries Arctis to my PC.

The sound quality on the mics is just about passable for basic party chat. I was using it to play competitive games like WoW and Overwatch for several evenings, and nobody complained or had an issue hearing me. But, it's still worth being aware of.

Overall, I'm more than impressed with the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds audio reproduction. They're great for music, easily replacing my Galaxy Buds. They're decent for gaming, and more convenient in a lot of cases given their size and rechargeability. And the features make the price point feel fair, too.

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Arctis Gamebuds: The competition

The main competition to speak of here is the Razer Hammerhead range, which I really, really wanted to like.

I generally prefer Razer for most of my gaming accessories, but the signal interference on the Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed for Xbox was significant to the point of being unusable.

I also found the listed battery life wasn't quite up to par with reality. Even though I think they look a bit nicer than the SteelSeries, and have a more ergonomic carry case, I don't think it's worth the saving.

Indeed, they are a bit cheaper at $130 on Amazon as of writing. I would argue that the Arctis Gamebuds are significantly better overall, though, and something I would far sooner recommend for the extra $30.

The elephant in the room, potentially, is that the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) are better overall, while also being a similar RRP of $160 on Amazon. They aren't earbuds, though, and do not have active noise cancelling.

The Gamebuds are designed specifically around that form factor, and squishing the tech down into something small enough to fit into your ear is obviously a bit of extra engineering.

The SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are, without a doubt, the best earbuds you can get for Xbox, PC, and mobile gaming right now. But you need to want earbuds specifically to get the most value out of them.

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Arctis Gamebuds: Should you buy them?

I can't help but be thoroughly impressed with what SteelSeries has put together here. A large feature set, with Qi wireless charging, active noise cancelling, solid apps, good audio, and premium-tier comfort makes the $160 RRP absolutely worth it in my view.

There aren't many gaming earbuds on the market that are fully wirelessly compatible with Xbox, but of the few out there, the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are the best.

✅ You should buy this if ...

• You want a truly "everything" headset for Xbox and PC gaming, music, travel, and beyond.
• You don't mind spending a bit more for things like ANC.
• You're specifically looking for earbuds for Xbox and PC gaming.

❌ You should not buy this if ...

• You're not planning to use them everywhere. There are better dedicated headsets for gaming for a similar price.

Yes, there are better dedicated headphones for a similar price for Xbox, and better dedicated earbuds for music on mobile, but if you want a device that can do it all — the SteelSeries Arctis Earbuds are your best option right now.

If you have any questions about them, hit the comments!

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After I finished reviewing the updated Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) wireless gaming headset, I never set it aside. No matter how many gaming headsets I've used, tested, and reviewed since then, I always return to the BlackShark V2 Pro immediately after. It's genuinely my favorite gaming headset of all time, but my biggest complaint levied against it has — since the beginning — been the unfortunate lack of Xbox console support.

When I traveled to San Francisco for GDC 2024, I met with Razer and heard in person how the gaming company answered my prayers. I had the opportunity to be among the first outside of Razer to go hands-on with the brand-new Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox, and weeks later, I got a headset of my own to review at home. Now I'm ready to share my full thoughts, and they shouldn't surprise you — the Xbox version of the BlackShark V2 Pro is incredible, even if gaining console support does mean losing a little bit of Windows PC compatibility.

This review was made possible with a review sample provided by Razer. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

• The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox (and PlayStation) retails for $199.99 at Razer, the same price as the Windows PC version of the headset.
• You can get the BlackShark V2 Pro in both black and white, with the Xbox version having green accents and the PlayStation version having blue accents.
• Regardless of which version or color you get, the console version of the BlackShark V2 Pro still supports Windows PC and Bluetooth-connected devices.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox or PlayStation is priced identically to its Windows PC counterpart, meaning it retails for $199.99 at Razer. The nearly indistinguishable design, audio quality, and capabilities more than justify the same price tag, but there is a trade-off for gaining console support.

The Xbox or PlayStation versions of the BlackShark V2 Pro don't support Razer Synapse on PC for added customization, nor do they have the Valorant or Counter-Strike 2 esports audio profiles. The Xbox version of the BlackShark V2 Pro is fully supported by the free Razer Audio Setup Xbox app, though, and both console versions support the mobile Razer accessory app.

You can buy the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro in the classic black, and the elegant white Razer sent me to test, with the Xbox version boasting Razer's classic green accents and the PlayStation version trading the green for blue (which I personally prefer, but I game on Xbox so I don't have much choice here).

In the box, you get the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox (or PlayStation), the Razer HyperSpeed Wireless USB Type-C dongle, the detachable Razer HyperClear Super Wideband microphone, and color-matched USB Type-C to USB Type-C and USB Type-A to USB Type-C adapter cables, the former for charging and the latter for connecting the Type-C dongle to a device without a Type-C port (like the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, for example).

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): The good

The pros highlights

• Everything that made the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) one of the best gaming headsets is also true of its console versions.
• That means you're enjoying top-notch build quality, comfort, audio quality, mic quality, battery life, and wireless performance.
• Like the PC version, the BlackShark V2 Pro is well-suited for competitive games and boasts three esports audio profiles.

I don't have to go into too much detail about all the advantages of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox because I already did an in-depth breakdown of the PC-specific version. By that, I mean that the console version of this headset is, in most areas, totally identical to the PC version, and that's a good thing.

Starting with the design, the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox retains the pilot-inspired aesthetic with the prominent volume dial and thin metal headband sliders. The headband and earcup cushions are made of soft memory foam surrounded by high-quality, durable, and breathable fabric. It's a comfy headset with finely tuned clamping force, even if it's not the lightest at 320g. The few headset controls are well-placed and easy to identify by touch alone, and the build quality overall is befitting of the headset's premium price tag.

Turning to audio quality, Razer's 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers are a known quantity by now, and they sound excellent. Yes, there are better-sounding gaming headsets out there, but in this category the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox stands with the best. That's especially true if you're a competitive gamer, as this headset is definitely tuned toward detail, responsiveness, and a wide, dynamic soundstage more than it is warmth and deep bass.

The SmartSwitch button on the right earcup still switches the headset between several onboard audio profiles, with standard profiles with spatial audio for music, gaming, media, and a customizable profile on one side, and esports-tuned profiles for Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex Legends on the other. You can change between these profiles on the fly and nearly instantaneously, ensuring you always have the best EQ for whatever you're doing.

Audio quality doesn't mean much if the wireless connectivity isn't stable enough, and here, the BlackShark V2 Pro delivers again. I expect nothing less at this point from Razer with its HyperSpeed technology, with this headset having one of the most stable, reliable, and responsive 2.4GHz connections of any wireless Xbox headset I've used. Bluetooth support is also here, and there are no complaints about the Bluetooth quality, either.

Whether you're using 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, or both, you won't have to worry much about battery life, too. I wrote about how the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) shocked me with its endurance, and matters are the same with the console version. Razer quotes up to 70 hours of continued usage, and that feels like a very accurate (if even a little conservative) estimate. When you do need to charge your headset, Type-C fast charging means you'll be up and running again in no time.

Finally, I can't talk about the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox without mentioning its microphone. This unidirectional, detachable mic looks like a standard headset mic at first glance, but Razer poured a lot of resources into making it the very best microphone on any mainstream gaming headset. Over a year later, and that's still true with the console version.

Razer's HyperClear Super Wideband microphone captures detailed, full, and beautifully isolated audio, and the fantastic 32KHz sampling rate means very little of that quality is lost along the wireless journey to your device. The only headset I've used that comes close is the Logitech Astro A50 X, but even with a higher 48KHz sampling rate, the Astro A50 X's mic still isn't as consistently excellent as the BlackShark V2 Pro.

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): The bad

The cons highlights

• The BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is a nearly flawless headset, but it shares the same flaws as its PC counterpart.
• It also trades one con for another, gaining console support but losing some Windows PC compatibility.
• Furthermore, there's still no multi-source audio mixing here, which is important to some gamers.

Just like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox shares all its advantages with its PC sibling, the reverse is also true. Fortunately, that means this will be a very short section. After all, I had very little negative to say about the original BlackShark V2 Pro, and that hasn't changed a year later. That being said, the console version does lose something in exchange for the Xbox and PlayStation support it gains.

For one, the BlackShark V2 Pro for consoles does not support Razer Synapse on Windows PC, meaning you'll lose a lot of customization if you're primarily a PC gamer. Secondly, it drops the Valorant and Counter-Strike esports audio profiles without gaining any new console-specific replacements, which is especially unfortunate considering that Valorant is now coming to Xbox and PlayStation.

Sadly, that means you have to compromise if Xbox support is important to you. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) is still the better PC gaming headset if you don't need console support, even if the console version does still work with Windows PC without any issues. On top of that, there's still no multi-source audio mixing; that means the headset can connect to two devices at once via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, but it can't stream audio from both. It can switch between the two, but if you want to have a phone call or voice chat on one device and game on another, you won't be able to.

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BlackShark V2 Pro (Xbox): Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want a great all-around wireless headset that works with Xbox and PC

One of the best PC gaming headsets getting an Xbox version makes it an easy recommendation right away. The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox may lose a little bit of PC prowess, but it's still an excellent headset regardless of which platform you game on.

✅You play a lot of competitive online games

The BlackShark V2 Pro's greatest strength is competitive, online multiplayer games like Call of Duty. Excellent wireless performance and dynamic, responsive spatial audio makes this headset a fantastic choice for any hardcore gamer wanting to gain an edge over their opponents.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You primarily play on Windows PC

If you do most of your gaming on Windows PC, then the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) may still be the better choice for you. It costs the same, offers greater levels of customization through Razer Synapse, and gains Valorant and Counter-Strike audio profiles. Of course, that does mean you lose Xbox support.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is exactly what I'd hoped it would be when I first laid hands on it, and exactly what Razer says it is: the best PC gaming headset I've ever reviewed, but with full Xbox support. It's not an upgrade or even an update, but rather trading a little bit of PC support for some highly requested console support. The result is immediately one of the best Xbox headsets you can buy right now.

Everything about this $200 headset is high quality: the design, the construction, the audio, the mic, the wireless performance, the battery life. There are better headsets if you're willing to splash a lot more cash, but in this price range there's honestly nothing I would recommend more. That's especially true if you're a competitive or hardcore gamer that values responsive and dynamic audio quality that lets you perform at your very best.

I've reviewed a lot of amazing gaming headsets during my time at Windows Central, but there's a reason I still use the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) every single day with my gaming PC. Now, I'll be able to use the same headset with my Xbox Series X, too. It's going to be difficult for any company to firmly take that position away from Razer now. In my opinion, this isn't just the greatest headset Razer has made — it's simply the greatest you can get for less than $300. More specifically, you can pick up the BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox for $199.99 at Razer.

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During my time at Windows Central, I've reviewed dozens of products and games, and only a handful have earned a perfect 5/5. It makes sense that to earn a "perfect" score, a device or product needs to be incredible in every category and stand out from its competition in some way. One such product is the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), a wireless PC gaming headset so good that I still use it every single day — even after reviewing many other headsets.

At GDC 2024 in San Francisco, I got an opportunity to meet with Razer and go hands-on with a new wireless gaming headset, and it was one of the most exciting parts of my GDC trip. The BlackShark V2 Pro is finally getting a dedicated console version, and it takes everything amazing from the PC version I already know and love. I have the Xbox version in for review, of course, but those who need no other convincing need not wait — the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is already available for $199.99 at Razer.

Travel to and from and accommodation at GDC 2024 in San Francisco, California was paid for by Windows Central. Razer did not see the contents of this article before publishing.

Razer at GDC: The headset we already love

In my Razer Blade 18 (2024) hands-on from GDC, I regularly talked about familiarity. In that case, it was because Razer's latest high-end gaming laptop outwardly changed little from its predecessor. In this case, that sense of familiarity is because the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is in practically all ways utterly identical to the its PC-specific counterpart. In fact, you can go ahead and read my glowing Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) review for all the in-depth information you could need on this headset.

The overall design and even internal hardware are indistinguishable. You still get the iconic pilot-inspired rounded matte plastic design with the thin steel headband sliders, textured cushions, protruding volume dial, and subtle headband stitching. On the inside, Razer's 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, Razer HyperSpeed Wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, and that glorious Razer HyperClear Super Wideband detachable microphone ensure a premium and performant experience.

Even the weight and expected battery life (a comfy 320g and up to 70 hours, respectively) are identical between the BlackShark V2 Pro PC and console versions. As such, I can say with great confidence that users can expect a similarly incredible gaming experience with this headset, an assurance that's further bolstered by the hands-on time I've gotten with Razer at GDC and with my review sample at home. Everything I love from the BlackShark V2 Pro I reviewed last year is here, except the best wireless PC gaming headset now works with Xbox.

And that comes with some extra perks... And a few downsides.

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Razer at GDC: New features for Xbox

One of my only criticisms of the original Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) was that it lacked any Xbox support and only worked with PlayStation via Bluetooth. It's absolutely a PC-centric headset, and that includes the esports-tuned audio profiles for games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. Razer has now delivered what I asked for, and very little has changed about the headset. That doesn't mean nothing has, though.

For one, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro now uses a USB Type-C Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle rather than a blocky USB Type-A adapter, with a Type-C to Type-A cable in the box for device compatibility. The PlayStation version is just a simple dongle, while the Xbox version is a little thicker and features a switch to change between Xbox and PC wireless inputs. Like before, Bluetooth is still here as an alternative option (especially for other platforms like mobile devices and Nintendo Switch), but there's still no simultaneous multi-device audio mixing.

When you're connected, the experience is also largely the same. The volume dial is fully functional, as is the Smart Switch button that lets you toggle between HyperSpeed and Bluetooth connections with a double press, switch between standard and esports audio profiles with a long press, and rotate between each individual audio profile with single presses. On Xbox, you can also use the volume dial as a game and chat mixer by double pressing the power button first, a function that's not available on PlayStation.

All of this works great, just as I expected. On the console version, however, there are only three esports audio profiles: Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. There's one custom audio profile you can tweak yourself, but there's still no way to customize the game profiles. At least everything is onboard, so there's no added software needed to use any of these features. If you want to customize your headset, you can use the Razer Audio App on mobile devices — Xbox also has the Razer Audio Setup app, which works well in my limited testing (PlayStation platform limitations mean Razer can't bring their audio app to the console).

Unfortunately, though, this headset's major weakness is that it loses a lot of its PC-centric support. It still works with PC but lacks Razer Synapse support, so you won't be able to tweak the headset's settings through your gaming PC. There's also no THX Spatial Audio support, with the headset relying on Windows Sonic on Xbox and PC (yes, that also means no Dolby Atmos support). You'll have to wait for my full Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox review for all the details on the full headset experience.

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Razer at GDC: A cheaper, wired version too

Something Razer did not tell me about or show me in GDC but did in the accompanying press materials is the existence of another Xbox-bound Razer headset. The Razer BlackShark V2 X is the considerably more affordable, wired alternative to the BlackShark V2 Pro, saving you a hefty sum of cash on an esports-centric gaming experience.

I haven't had hands-on time with this headset, but it does look to be practically identical to its PC counterpart, meaning you can expect solid surround sound quality and performance in exchange for an always-present wired and largely reduced build quality. It works with almost everything and has a 3.5mm audio jack, too, so you really don't have to stress about which device you want to game on.

Just a quick recap: the Razer BlackShark V2 X for console boasts Razer's 50mm TriForce drivers, a Razer HyperClear cardioid mic, memory foam cushions with simply leatherette fabric, a volume dial and mic mute switch, and a feather-light 240g of weight. Of course, there's no internal battery to worry about here. You can pick up the Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox for $49.99 at Razer starting today.

Razer did not announce a Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed (a more affordable mid-range alternative to the V2 Pro) for consoles today, sadly, but there's always the chance we'll see that in the future to round out the lineup and give players options in every price bracket.

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Razer at GDC: Available to purchase now

Maybe I should've been more excited about the Razer Blade 18 when meeting with Razer at GDC, but playing a match of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III on an Xbox Series X while wearing the headset that has helped me win so many games of Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant made me incredibly happy. Razer didn't take this opportunity to really improve anything about the BlackShark V2 Pro, but that's okay — I had very little to complain about in my initial review.

I'll be doing a lot of testing to ensure that the quality and performance I expect match the PC version of this headset, so stay tuned to Windows Central for my full review of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox. Right now, though, my impressions are very positive. I can tell this isn't quite the perfect solution I wanted it to be, though; ideally, I wouldn't have to sacrifice some PC-specific features to gain console support, I still have very limited control over the onboard audio profiles and voice prompts, and multi-source audio mixing isn't here, either.

When gaming sounds this good, though, I find any criticisms falling by the wayside. Even after a few hours, I found myself having a blast gaming with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox, and I can't wait to use them even more. There's a very good chance this headset will firmly land on our list of the best Xbox headsets in the future. You don't have to wait for my review, though — the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro for Xbox is available now for $199.99 at Razer, and it'll help you get an edge over your opponents.

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Black Friday is closer than you think, and officially starts November 24, but there's no need to hold out for fantastic deals. Right now, we have an exceptional one that's already live and sizzling. The LucidSound LS35X Headset for Xbox and PC, now selling for an incredible price of $48, boasts a whopping discount from its original price of $179.99. It's very rarely sold at MSRP anymore given the time since launch, but this is still an incredibly good value deal for a great headset.

The LucidSound LS35X Headset remains our top pick for budget-conscious gamers on our list of the Best Xbox Headsets. At this price, it's now the ultimate choice for Xbox gamers looking for a top-notch headset under the $100 mark.

For those in search of a wireless headset that combines exceptional sound quality, wireless convenience, and long-lasting comfort for those marathon gaming sessions, the LucidSound LS35X is a must-consider option. In our in-depth LS35X review, it garnered a flawless 5 out of 5-star rating from our editor, Jez Corden. He lauded its direct-to-Xbox connectivity, which eliminates the need for any cumbersome dongles or adapters, and its detachable microphone featuring an LED indicator and a mute button.

The microphone outshines many competing headsets in terms of both clarity and noise cancellation. With the mic-monitoring feature, you can effortlessly hear yourself while speaking, and should you prefer not to engage in voice chat with other players, the mic can be easily removed.

I have my own love for LucidSound's distinctive design, which incorporates earcups doubling as game volume and chat dials. This ingenious feature allows you to effortlessly fine-tune sound levels to your liking, eliminating the need to fumble around for the right buttons. I consider LucidSound headsets to be my all-time favorites, largely thanks to this indispensable feature.

Also despite being wireless, the headset also includes a 3.5mm headphone cable for added versatility. This means you can easily use it with various other devices or conserve battery power when needed.

While it's true that the LucidSound LS35X often goes on sale due to its age, I've rarely come across a deal as remarkable as the current $48 price point, and when I do I always share it as it's a total steal. This price makes it a clear and effortless recommendation, even in a market saturated with numerous other headsets, given that it has been a few years since its initial launch. It stands out prominently among headsets in this price range and seamlessly integrates with Xbox consoles without needing any additional devices.

As someone with extensive experience testing various headsets, I value simplicity wherever possible, and the LucidSound LS35X excels in delivering precisely that. At $48, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

The best early deals for Black Friday: Quick links

• Amazon: Up to 54% off Blink cams, Fire TV Sticks, and more
• Best Buy: Save up to $900 on select big-screen TVs
• Dell: Laptops from $299 and desktops from $449
• HP: Up to 69% off laptops, headsets, and monitors
• Lenovo: Tablets, ThinkPads, and desktops from $279
• Microsoft: Up to $400 off Surface, Xbox bundles, and more
• Samsung: Up to $800 off Galaxy S23 Ultra

What you need to know

• NACON has announced a new RIG PRO series headset, the RIG 600 PRO HX for Xbox and HS for Playstation.
• The two wireless headsets will be released on September 18, compatible with Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and mobile devices.
• The headsets are priced at $99.99 in the US, with an Urban Camo edition exclusive to Walmart.

Nacon has announced a new addition to its popular RIG PRO range in the RIG 600 PRO HX Headset for Xbox. We love RIG headsets at Windows Central due to the lightweight and comfortable design and this newcomer shouldn't be an exception. Perhaps this model will make it onto our list of absolute Best Xbox headsets?

The RIG 600 PRO HX is made to be wirelessly compatible with Xbox consoles (with an HS model for Playstation) and uses a low-latency 2.4Hz USB-C adapter, and can also connect to your phone or tablet with Bluetooth 5.1 simultaneously and switch seamlessly between game audio and phone calls. My favorite use for dual-mode audio headsets like this is to play a game while listening to a podcast, and it's a feature I'm used to only seeing at a higher price point so I'm glad Nacon is bringing the tech at around $100. The RIG 600 PRO HX should also work perfectly with Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch if you have multiple gaming devices, and will be a handy accessory if you want to cloud game on your mobile with one of the best cloud controllers for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The RIG 600 PRO HX isn't just about multi-connectivity, Nacon also boasts its sound prowess with bass-boosted 40mm high-sensitivity drivers for balance and powerful game audio. The headset also has a chat-optimized microphone that folds away discreetly into the earcup when not in use, and flips to mute when you need some privacy. 

The main attraction with the RIG range of headsets for me is how incredibly lightweight they are, and thus comfortable over long periods. The RIG PRO HX should be of a similar calibre in this field as it weighs only 240 grams and has snap-to-fit earcups in a breathable fabric. It also has the cushioned and flexible headband as featured on NACONs other headsets, that's virtually unbreakable. 

Being wireless you'll need a decent battery life and easy charging solution, so thankfully the RIG 600 HX PRO advertises a 24 battery life when used with Bluetooth, and 18 hours with the wireless USB dongle. Charging comes from an included USB-C wire that you can plug into your Xbox.

The NACON RIG 600 HX PRO is available to buy directly from Nacon and other third-party retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy from today. 

What you need to know

• SteelSeries designs and manufactures some of the best gaming headsets you can buy.
• On Tuesday, the accessory company announced a new color for its popular Arctis Nova Pro headset, which now comes in White.
• The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X in White is available to buy now and retails at $179.99 US and £174.99 UK

SteelSeries is a renowned and widely recognized brand, celebrated for its wide range of PC and gaming accessories, with a particular focus on gaming headsets. In the past year, the company introduced the Arctis Nova 7X, a mid-range headset tailored for Xbox gamers, and it scored favorably in our review. Now though, the Arctis has gone arctic —the Arctis Nova is available in an elegant White version. If you're an Xbox Series S player who likes to match your peripherals this is fantastic news, or even if you are rocking the Series X, the black inner headband gives a great monochromatic effect against black accessories too. 

The Nova 7 seamlessly integrates both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connections, guaranteeing compatibility with a wide array of devices, including PCs, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile devices. With a remarkable 38 hours of battery life, rapid charging functionality, immersive spatial audio, and a suite of Nova AI-driven audio enhancements, along with a retractable bidirectional microphone, this headset is the ideal companion for gamers on every platform. The Nova 7X is officially licensed for use with Xbox, but you can enjoy its capability with other devices too.

The best thing about the new addition to the SteelSeries roster is that this White colorway is really complimented by the Nova Booster Packs you can purchase to craft your own personalized headset. So if you really want to create something personal to you, you can clip in new headbands and speaker plates in Red, Lilac, Rose Quartz and Mint. While it's not featured in the images here, just envision how the Pride booster pack would pop against the clean white canvas of the SteelSeries Nova 7 X Pro.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X in White is also compatible with the user-friendly Sonar Audio Software Suite. This software is like your personal audio toolbox, perfect for gamers, musicians, and podcasters alike. It simplifies audio editing and production tasks, offering a straightforward interface and precise control over individual frequencies. Whether you're into gaming or creating music and podcasts, it's a handy tool to enhance your audio experience or just provide more control for in-game audio.

In an increasingly competitive mid-range headset market, SteelSeries consistently shines through with its sleek design and commitment to delivering quality products. While the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro has earned its place on our list of the Best Xbox Headsets, the Arctis 7X emerges as a strong contender that's also friendly on the wallet. Now, with these headsets available in two colors, it's excellent news for gamers seeking both style and performance.

One of the best wireless gaming headsets you can buy for under $100 is the official Xbox Wireless Headset from Microsoft, thanks to its multiplatform support and unique features. If it's good at $100, though, how amazing is it at less than HALF of that? Right now, you can pick up this fantastic Xbox and Windows PC wireless gaming headset for just $49 at Walmart.

Windows Central has reviewed a lot of gaming headsets for Xbox and Windows PC. Our list of the best Xbox gaming headsets is filled with our favorites in every category. Not one of those headsets can compete with the sheer value on offer with this discount. The Xbox Wireless Headset is basically a steal at $49, which is less than 50% of its full price.

In our Xbox Wireless Headset review, we praised Microsoft's debut entry in the space, as "The features are without peer in this price range, and the headset construction and ergonomics are top-notch." Incredible competition in the $100 price range means the Xbox Wireless Headset isn't a total knockout across the board, as its mic and sound quality aren't best-in-class. At $49, though, there's absolutely nothing that comes close.

The Xbox Wireless Headset boasts a premium, high-quality design with excellent comfort and incredibly intuitive controls similar to the Surface Headphones 2, with lovely dials baked into the earcups letting you quickly control audio mixing and volume. It also includes Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth support, letting you connect directly to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and basically any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Yeah, it's a fantastic, comfortable gaming headset that works with multiple platforms, and it's less than $50 right now. What are you waiting for? Buy it before it goes out of stock.

In the market for more deals? Stay tuned to Windows Central, as Amazon Prime Day is coming, and we're already finding all the best deals across Windows PCs, Xbox, accessories, and much more.

Amazon Prime Day has been confirmed for July 11-12, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to jump on some great deals already live on the site. One of them is this LucidSound LS35X Headset for Xbox and PC, which is now selling for an incredible price of $55, a whopping discount from its original price of $179.99.

The LucidSound LS35X Headset is still our top choice among the Best Xbox Headsets. In fact, at this price, it's now the best Xbox Headset for under $100.

If you are looking for a wireless headset that delivers excellent sound quality, wireless convenience and comfort for long gaming sessions, you should definitely consider the LucidSound LS35X. It earned no less than a perfect 5 out of 5 stars rating from our Editor Jez Corden in his review. He praised its direct-to-Xbox connectivity, which eliminates the need for any dongles or adapters and its detachable mic, which has a LED indicator and a mute button. The microphone beats many other headsets in terms of clarity and noise cancellation. You can hear yourself talk through the mic-monitoring feature, and you can also remove the mic if you don’t want to chat with other players.

I have my own personal love for LucidSound's unique design, which features earcups that double as game volume and chat dials, allowing you to easily adjust the sound levels to your preference without fumbling around for the right buttons. Also while wireless, the headset also comes with a 3.5mm headphone cable, in case you want to use it with other devices or save some battery power.

While it's true that the LucidSound LS35X is often on sale given the age of the model now, I've never seen it for as cheap as $55 which makes it an easy recommendation even with the plethora of other headsets on the market and this being a few years out from it's launch. It stands out among other headsets in this price range, and it works flawlessly with Xbox consoles without any extra devices.

As someone who's tested a lot of headsets, I appreciate simplicity wherever possible, and this headset delivers that in spades. At $55 I highly recommend you check it out. 

What you need to know

• Turtle Beach has launched the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX in Pink and Teal.
• The two new headsets are Turtle Beach's first certified CarbonNeutral products.
• The MAX headsets have increased battery life and the new colors will retail at $129.99.

Turtle Beach, in a show of commitment to its ongoing sustainability efforts, has today added two new colorways to the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX range. The Pink and Teal versions of its popular budget headset for Xbox and Windows PC gaming are available now for $129.99 and are Turtle Beach's first-ever certified CarbonNeutral products. 

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX not only claims to have a tremendous 48+ hour battery life but is at the forefront of the brand's new eco-conscious messaging. The Pink and Teal headsets are being touted as wholly CarbonNeutral, which Turtle Beach say they have achieved by reducing emissions and implementing offsets in line with The CarbonNeutral Protocol.

Turtle Beach has achieved this goal by drastically reducing the plastics used in its packaging, using sustainably sourced paper trays and boxing materials, and substantially reducing the size of its packaging for accessories. These adjustments are said to lower carbon output when transporting their goods, and they have committed to being a member of the Million Mangroves program. An ecological restoration project to restore mangroves in areas of wildlife around the world. Microsoft is already leading the way in big tech's commitment to positive climate goals, and it's great to see companies like Turtle Beach joining in the movement.  

We've not put this particular model to the test yet, but its predecessor, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2, scored an impressive 4.5 out of 5 in our full review. We've recently updated our Best Xbox Headsets for 2023 and still rate the original Gen 2 as a fantastic budget wireless headset. 

While the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is compatible with both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, it is specifically marketed as 'Designed for Xbox' with the familiar seal of approval on the headset packaging. The battery life marks a huge upgrade from the previous headset, and the included 2.4GHz wireless USB transmitter means you can switch between console and PC with the flick of a switch.

The microphone is a familiar flip-to-mute system, and the soft ear cushions look just as comfy as we found the Gen 2 is particularly suited to glasses-wearing gamers.

We can't wait to get our hands on this new and so-called improved version of the reliable Stealth 600 Gen 2, and it's commendable that more gaming companies are making a public commitment to climate change. A win in-game can also be a win for the planet. 

We're only six days into November but the Black Friday deals are coming in thick and fast, including this incredible deal on the LucidSound LS35X Wireless Headset, which is currently on sale for $93 at Amazon. The LucidSound has regularly topped our Best Headsets for Xbox list, and is still the reigning champion — but we've never seen at this tasty price point. In fact last time we found it on sale it was at $125.99.

The LucidSound LS35X wireless headset is a killer combo of great sound, wireless features and comfort for wear over long periods. In our full review of the LS35X headset, our Editor Jez Corden gave it a bonafide 5 out of 5 stars, stating it's still his go-to recommendation for the vast majority of Xbox gamers. The headset boasts direct-to-Xbox connectivity, a detachable mic and a battery life of 15 hours. It can be also be used with a 3.5mm headphone cable if preferred.

For other headsets in the same price bracket, the microphone is where the LS35X truly shines, in fact during testing we found it often beat more expensive competitors with its performance. During games your friends will hear you clearly and the mic-monitoring ensures you can hear yourself.

Do check out our extensive guide to the best headsets for Xbox if you are interested in a different model. We're already eagerly seeking more deals out for our readers so make sure to follow our coverage for the best deals news as it happens.

What you need to know

• NACON has launched its RIG PRO series in Europe today, they are already available for sale in the US.
• There are eight headsets over three ranges: The RIG 300 PRO range, RIG 500 PRO GEN 2 range and the RIG 800 PRO. 
• The headsets are priced across the ranges at €29.99, €79.99 and €199.99 respectively.

Nacon has refreshed its popular RIG PRO range by releasing eight new editions of its headsets to Europe and the UK. There are three ranges available each to suit a different budget, and for use with Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch and PC. Read on for details on each unit.

RIG 300 PRO

The RIG 300 PRO comes in at the lower end of the price scale at a pleasing £29.99/€29.99. You can check our our review of it's predecessor, the RIG 300 here. Nacon claim to still be able to deliver top-quality performance and comfortable wear at this price. This brand states this headset has an ultra-light frame for comfort, and the oversized earcups feature 40mm drivers for gamers to experience the deepest of bass. The microphone slides to the upright position for easy storage and gaming on the go. All the models in the range should be compatible with any device that has a 3.5mm jack however the recommended models for each platform are:

- 300 PRO HX for Xbox in black or white
- 300 PRO HS for Playstation in black or white
- 300 PRO HN for Nintendo Switch in black only

RIG 500 PRO GEN 2

The RIG 500 PRO GEN 2 is an updated version of the first generation, adding some simple upgrades to the original design and coming in at a mid-range price point of £79.99/€79.99. The headband is supposedly durable and made of flexible steel, and the ear cushions are crafted from dual-material to block out external noises disturbing your gaming sessions. The 50mm drivers are optimized for games with 3D sound, so you should hear from exactly which direction you got gunned down in Overwatch 2. Generously, the RIG 500 PRO GEN 2 comes bundled with a 2-year code for Dolby Atmos. Like the other headsets in the range, this should be compatible with any device with a 3.5mm jack, however it comes with a Y-splitter cable ideal for soundcards and tailored toward the PC gaming market. The recommended models for your platform of choice are:

-500 PRO HC GEN 2 for consoles in black or white
-500 PRO HA GEN 2 for PC in black only

RIG 800 PRO 

The RIG 800 PRO is the top of the range, and comes with a multi-functional base to both charge and store the headset. The base also provides a wireless connection, storing a removable USB adapter to be plugged into your PC or console. We reviewed it's previous version under Plantronics here.

The RIG 800 PRO is advertised as capable of 24-hour battery life from one single charging session. While visibly more luxurious than the other headsets in the range, it claims to be just as lightweight in the frame and also made with dual-material cushion ear cups. 40mm drivers deliver enhanced bass and 3D sound for audiophiles. The RIG 800 PRO is priced at £199.99/€199.99 and comes bundled with a lifetime Dolby Atmos license. The models available are as follows, and come in black only:

-800 PRO HX for Xbox
-800 PRO HS for Playstation
-800 PRO HD for PC

We'll have to put these headsets to the test to see how they stand up in what is an increasingly competitive market. Stay tuned for our review coming soon.

In the meantime, if you want to see our tried, tested, and Windows Central-approved headsets — check out our Best Xbox Headsets feature.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is pretty great, boasting a packed feature kit into a svelte price point. Given its value, it's quite easily among the best Xbox One headsets and best Xbox Series X, Series S headsets, and has a very ergonomic design making it easy to use. For the most part, at least.

Like many wireless headsets, the Xbox Wireless Headset comes with on-board firmware that handles some of the headset's features. In rare scenarios, this firmware can crash or even get corrupted, which may cause your headset to lock up. It's possible to perform a hard reset on the hardware, which may solve many issues that pertains to the firmware. If your headset has locked up and won't turn on, it might be worth giving this a try.

How to hard reset the Xbox Wireless Headset

1. Plug the bundled USB-C charging cable into your headset.
2. Position yourself near a power source, such as a Windows 10 PC, or Xbox console. Do not plug the headset into a power source just yet.
3. Hold down the headset's power button and mute button simultaneously on the left ear cup, and then quickly plug the USB-C cable into a Windows 10 PC, power outlet, or Xbox console.
4. The headset should power off if the hard reset is successful.
5. Turn the headset back on afterwards. You may need to re-pair your headset to your console or Bluetooth device afterwards.

Note: After performing the steps, you may hear a tone and see the headset's power light flicker white and orange. If you see this, you have wiped the headset's radio pairing information and incorrectly performed the hard reset. In this scenario, attempt to follow the steps again.

These steps should clear your Xbox headset and hopefully kick it back into working order. You may have to go through the Xbox Wireless Headset pairing process again after completing a hard reset.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is testing a firmware update for the Xbox Wireless Headset.
• The update increases mic monitoring levels.
• Mic monitoring's effectiveness is limited by the arm length of the headset.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is about to address one of its most noticeable flaws. The latest Xbox Alpha Skip-Ahead build includes a firmware update that increases the mic monitoring levels of the headset. As it's in an Alpha build at the moment, it might be some time until we see it roll out generally, but when it does, it should improve the budget-friendly headset.

The Xbox Wireless Headset delivers excellent value for its price tag. It has an impressive feature set that combines Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless audio for dual-source mixing. It quickly earned a spot as one of the best Xbox Series X and Series S headsets. That being said, it isn't perfect.

In his Xbox Wireless Headset review, our senior editor Jez Corden explains how the headset's microphone arm limits the effectiveness of mic monitoring:

Hopefully, the increased mic monitoring levels that Microsoft is testing will help this issue. It won't fix how short the microphone arm is, of course, but it could minimize the limits caused by its length.

The same Insider build also removes the free-to-play paywall from Xbox consoles.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, AMD's Ryzen 5000 series mobile processors are here as Intel goes after Apple with an ad featuring Justin Long. Daniel and Zack Also have news in Windows 10 build 21337, Surface Duo March 2021 update, a review of the Xbox Wireless Headset, and more.

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on March 19th 2021.

Links:

• Windows 10 build 21337 rolls out to Insiders with improvements to Virtual Desktops and File Explorer | Windows Central
• How to pick the right AMD Ryzen 5000 Mobile processor | Windows Central
• Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 2): Battle of the Bluetooth | Windows Central
• 'I'm a Mac' guy swaps to PCs in Intel's latest set of attack ads | Windows Central
• Surface Duo receives its March 2021 Android security and firmware update | Windows Central
• Microsoft Teams gets trashed by Wirecutter, highlights lingering issues with consumer push | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
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Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Corsair HS75 XB: What you need to know

This showdown is ultimately between what you personally need. Both headsets are Dolby Atmos licensed, meaning they are detected by Dolby Atmos' software on the Xbox platform, enabling what is arguably the best virtual surround algorithm for headsets on the market right now. The Xbox Wireless Headset was designed for Microsoft's futuristic vision of Xbox, the one where we take our games from our consoles, to our tablets and phones, using one headset across multiple devices. However, falters on the audio side of things in general, but the soundscape is totally passable and competitive among its $99 peers. It also punches above its weight in features, owing to a nifty auto-mute function, and Bluetooth sound mixing.

The Corsair HS75 XB, by comparison, is a very pure headset, lacking in extraneous features in favor of big, bold audio that is as pleasant as it is balanced. Dollar for dollar, the Corsair HS75 XB might be the best Xbox headset on the market for raw audio quality, but you're sacrificing Bluetooth mixing and other features typical of some of the other best wireless Xbox headsets that the HS75 XB competes with.

Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Corsair HS75 XB: Soundscape

Source: Windows CentralXbox Wireless Headset (Left) vs. Corsair HS75 XB (right)

It's perhaps a bit unfair to compare the audio quality in a $99 headset against a $164~ headset, but hey, that's what we're here for. As you might expect, the Corsair HS75 XB beats the Xbox Wireless Headset in the sound department, with both a better quality microphone and a more balanced, spacious soundscape.

Both headsets are Dolby Atmos licensed, meaning that the Xbox app detects and automatically gives you access to Dolby Atmos surround sound while using them. Overall, the HS75 XB outperforms in terms of tactical surround, with superior separation and detailing for pinpointing enemy movements, along with a more balanced frequency profile. The HS75 XB is no slouch in the bass department either, but it isn't quite as overpowering as the bass on the Xbox Wireless Headset, which I find unnaturally aggressive even with its bass boost turned completely off.

Still, preferences in this area tend to be a bit subjective, and the Xbox Wireless Headset has a powerful app that lets you fine-tune EQ across the board. The Corsair HS75 XB headset doesn't have any EQ tuning that I could find, unfortunately, save for a few presets via the Dolby Atmos app. The Atmos app lets you prioritize tactical sound processing, or balance the soundscape for more naturalistic tones or a warmer sound. The Xbox Accessories app lets you go a fair bit deeper in terms of tuning, which is definitely a point to Microsoft.

Given that you're paying an additional $65 dollars for the Corsair headset, you'd have to hope that it delivers the goods in the sound department. Thankfully, it does, but things get a little more interesting when you dive a bit deeper into both products' feature sets.

Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Corsair HS75 XB: Design and Features

Xbox Wireless Headset (Left) vs. Corsair HS75 XB (right)

Microsoft is all about shifting gameplay between devices these days. With free cloud saves, cloud gaming, cross-progression, and platform-agnostic Xbox games, gamers in the Xbox ecosystem can platform shift quite easily. I can jump from State of Decay 2 on PC, to Xbox, and then to my smartphone seamlessly and to that end, Microsoft wanted a headset that could do the same.

Bluetooth isn't the best radio signal on the planet but it's currently the best cross-platform solution we have. To that end, Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset bakes in Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless, so that you can take your sound experience from your TV, to your laptop, and then your mobile device, no matter where you are. You can even mix two sound sources together, taking a call off your phone while mixing in sound from your Xbox Wireless signal to your console, or a PC with an Xbox Wireless USB adapter. On the flip side, the Corsair HS75 XB has no Bluetooth connectivity, or even 3.5mm connectivity. It's a pure Xbox-only experience. Ultimately, if you wanted Bluetooth capabilities, you'd probably want to go with the Xbox Wireless Headset.

Beyond Bluetooth, the Xbox Wireless Headset has a better app experience, which gives you a large amount of control over the headset's features. You can adjust the volume of the sidetone mic monitoring, add in an auto-mute feature that blocks background sound from entering your mic, and adjust EQ presets as noted. Corsair's HS75 XB has no such app or software, leaving you with very quiet sidetone mic monitoring that cannot be adjusted, and EQ presets that depend on Dolby Atmos' app access.

Design-wise, both headsets sport a modern subtle profile that feels great to wear across long sessions. Both have leather-style cushions, which feel great against the skin, with metal reinforcements across the headband. The HS75 XB has proven itself to survive a fair amount of abuse while being in my office. I haven't had the Xbox Wireless Headset long enough yet to make assumptions about its longevity, but I have suspicions, especially given the notorious fragility of the Surface Headphones. Finally, the Corsair HS75 XB edges the Xbox Wireless Headset on battery life, but both will last you an entire day of use.

Xbox Wireless Headset vs. Corsair HS75 XB: Which should you buy?

Source: Windows Central

Ultimately, your choice will hinge on three things: Bluetooth, sound quality, and price. If you want Bluetooth capabilities, the Xbox Wireless Headset is arguably the best-value Xbox headset with Bluetooth on the entire market. While I am fairly critical of the audio profile, it's by no means terrible, and more than gets the job done, competing easily with similar headsets in its category.

The Corsair HS75 XB has a very pleasant soundscape and isn't shy about its lack of frills. This is a no-nonsense headset that focuses entirely on Xbox audio, ditching extraneous features. Despite 3.5mm waning in popularity, it would've added some much-needed versatility, especially considering the HS75 XB is competing with other headsets around that price that do include cross-platform capabilities, like the SteelSeries 9X. If you don't need Bluetooth, though, the Corsair HS75 XB represents some of the best value for pure audio on the market, if you're willing to stomach the added price tag.

Bluetooth Battle! With more and more of us shifting our gaming from console, to PC, and to mobile, and everything in between, having cross-platform capable headsets is becoming all the rage. Many of the headsets listed on our best Xbox One headset and best Xbox Series X and Series S headsets lists are, in fact, multi-platform capable to that end. Microsoft saw this trend and launched its Xbox Wireless Headset recently, joining a growing number of headsets that offer Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless simultaneous sound mixing.

What's more, they brought this in at just $99, making it one of the best-value headsets on the market right now. For Bluetooth mixing, its closest competitor is probably the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 2) headset, which has similar features, albeit at a $50 premium.

Can the Xbox Wireless Headset reliably take on a headset that is $50 more expensive? We put both headsets head to head to find out.

Sound experience

Source: Windows CentralXbox Wireless Headset (Left) vs. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Right)

On paper, these headsets are extremely close. They boast the same frequency range, although the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 has a slightly larger speaker size at 50mm, to the Xbox Wireless Headset's 40mm. Despite the price disparity, the headsets are very close in terms of raw audio quality in general, with a few caveats.

I would argue that the Stealth 700 provides a broader sound stage, with superior separation versus the slimmer profile on the Xbox Wireless Headset. As a result, gameplay surround in titles like Overwatch that do support Dolby Atmos seem to provide a superior sense of direction versus the Xbox Wireless Headset, albeit ever-so-slightly. Additionally, the Stealth 700 goes all-in on tactical sound, with its "Superhuman Hearing" mode elevating highs like footsteps to the top of the sound profile at the tap of a button. While this can sound "crunchy," it's undeniably great for games like Call of Duty, drawing your attention to enemy movements with greater immediacy.

I wrote in my review of the Xbox Wireless Headset that I found the bass overpowering, even with it dialed back. Some people like tons of bass, but I found it cut through other frequencies a bit more aggressively than I would have liked. Also, bass frequencies don't generally offer any tactical advantage, given that enemy reloads and footsteps more often sit in the high ranges.

I found the out-of-the-box audio profile on the Stealth 700 to be superior as well in this regard, with bass that remains powerful, but not overbearing. Either way, both headsets have highly configurable EQ, which we'll dive into in the next section.

While the Stealth 700 appears to have an edge in audio, even if both of them aren't exactly the greatest sound experience on the market, there's a big problem with the Stealth 700 that holds it back. I haven't used my Stealth 700 since I did the review a few months back. After pairing it back up to my Xbox, I found that over time, signal degradation introduces distortion into the sound mix. This can produce digital artifacting, too, which is just unpleasant the more you notice it. I tried updating the firmware, repairing the headset, and making sure the battery was full, but for whatever reason, the signal on my Turtle Beach Stealth 700 unit seems to have degraded over time.

To be completely fair, I have no idea if my unit has received some sort of damage to cause this (I really don't think it has). And my Xbox Wireless Headset unit is brand new as of writing. Because of that signal distortion, the Xbox Wireless Headset ends up sounding better overall than the Stealth 700.

Software and features

Source: Windows Central

The Xbox Wireless Headset and Turtle Beach Stealth 700 both pack in some additional features that add value over their competitors, but some are more useful than others.

The Xbox Wireless Headset's main additional feature is a nifty auto-mute functionality, that detects when you're not actually speaking, and mutes the mic. This cuts out background noise and breathing, focusing entirely on ensuring that speech is prioritized for comms. Neither headset has a particularly great mic, but both are passable and will do the job for Xbox Live or Discord voice chat. The Turtle Beach mic also has a flip to mute feature, which is a nice touch. By comparison, the Xbox Wireless Headset has an LED light that turns red when you're muted.

I've already touched on the "Superhuman Hearing" that comes with the Turtle Beach headset, giving you sound effect accentuation at the touch of a button. It's great for games like PUBG and Call of Duty, giving you a greater sense of awareness. You can create a similar experience with the Xbox Wireless Headset by playing around with the EQ modes to give priority to highs if you want, but the convenience on the Stealth 700 gives it an edge in that regard.

Where the Xbox Wireless Headset dominates the Stealth 700 is in software quality. To adjust the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset you have to connect it via Bluetooth to a mobile phone. Getting the app to recognize the headset via Bluetooth is an absolute chore, and took multiple repeat attempts to get it to pair. The Xbox Wireless Headset is much smoother, using the Xbox Accessories app on PC or your Xbox console. It's seamless, easy, and comes with great features and a polished interface. Turtle Beach needs to step up its software development quite a bit.

Design and comfort

Source: Windows Central and Windows Central

When it comes to design and comfort, it's quite close across the board. The Xbox Wireless Headset has large intuitive dials on both sides of the headset, with rapid volume grading and very smooth action. The chat mix volume control also has a magnetic notch at the midway point to inform you when the sound mix is centered. The Stealth 700 has small dials on one side, and it's easy to forget which dial does which without looking, and there's no notch to center the volume mix dial either, which is less intuitive.

Design is always in the eye of the beholder, and some will prefer the design on the Stealth 700 or the Xbox Wireless Headset. I prefer the metallic accents on the Stealth 700, and the ability to tuck the microphone away into the headset makes it preferable for situations where you don't want to look like you're wearing a gamer headset, like using it on public transport or something. Let's not forget that these are Bluetooth headsets, and Microsoft is essentially asking you to walk around with a giant microphone sticking out if you opt to use theirs outside, considering there's no way to hide or detach the microphone.

Where the Stealth 700 also inspires a bit more confidence is in its construction. While it's unfair to judge the Xbox Wireless Headset based on the Surface Headphones, their Microsoft-y cousins have a crippling flaw in the headband, which leads to them snapping. The Xbox Wireless Headset feels like it has a metal strut across the bottom of the headband, which could solve this flaw, but it's simply hard to tell how susceptible they'll be to wear and tear over time without ripping them apart. On the flip side, you can visibly see the steel headband that runs across the entirety of the Stealth 700. This headset has seen a ton of use over the past several months that I've had it too, and I've seen no signs of wear and tear as of yet, besides the degradation of the signal quality.

Both headsets are airy and lightweight for use across long gaming sessions too. The Stealth 700 has coolant-infused cushioning which perhaps gives them a slight edge, but the leatherette finish on the Xbox Wireless Headset is also cool to the touch in its own right. Ultimately, I think neither headset will give the majority of people problems when it comes to fit and comfort.

I'll be sure to update this segment for the Xbox Wireless Headset a few months in. You'd have to hope that Xbox has a bit more experience when it comes to longevity vs. Surface, as gaming accessories tend to take more of a beating than "lifestyle" products.

Conclusion

Source: Windows Central

While I do think the Stealth 700 has an edge in the audio department, my unit has become faulty over time, degrading the signal strength to the point where the audio profile is impacted. During the heat of battle it's less noticeable, but all those details which would have shined above the Xbox Wireless Headset previously no longer do. Additionally, the Xbox Wireless Headset has superior handling when it comes to Bluetooth sound mixing. I really feel like the antennas on the Stealth 700 interfere with each other, causing degradation when Bluetooth is in use. Bluetooth is awful in general, but the Xbox Wireless Headset feels like it performs better in this area.

Neither headset supports a 3.5mm jack, but the fact they both sport Bluetooth makes them a capable option for "on the go" music and gaming. The flip to mute mic on the Stealth 700 tucks away neatly into the headphones. Coupled with a more subtle design profile, the Stealth 700 is a little less awkward to wear in public as a result. Both headsets perform well when it comes to comfort and battery life, providing all-day gaming chargeable via USB-C.

As an ultimate bottom line? I think the Xbox Wireless Headset edges out the competition when it comes to pure value. Although I have a feeling my Stealth 700 has become faulty somehow, the signal degradation is something I experienced back when the product was new as well, and it seems like it has only gotten worse. By comparison, the Xbox Wireless Headset features rock-solid connectivity and is also Dolby Atmos licensed, meaning you don't have to pay extra to get Atmos virtual surround sound. I think the Stealth 700 is a better-sounding product, but the signal woes offset the gains for me. Chances are you might not experience the same problems if you buy the Stealth 700 new as of writing, but even still, you pay $50 extra for what is only marginally better-sounding in my view.

All things considered, the Xbox Wireless Headset represents superior value I feel, but the Stealth 700's are perhaps more versatile as an all-in-one headset product, given that you can hide the microphone away if you're out and about in public or simply not using voice comms. Pros and cons for different scenarios, and as long as you can get a Stealth 700 with a stable antenna (unlike me), chances are you won't be disappointed with either purchase.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is officially in the wild and I've had the pleasure of going ears on with them and a huge list of incredible games. After spending a substantial amount of time testing the latest accessory from Microsoft, I'll be sharing my overall impressions, the best EQ settings for general use and Dolby Atmos, and why this headset might be the ultimate gateway into 3D audio in gaming.

Xbox Wireless Headset impressions: The little things make a big difference

When it comes to bang for your buck, this is a legit contender for one of the best gaming headsets for $100. It packs an incredible suite of next-gen audio features like Dolby Atmos and Windows Sonic into a comfortable, lightweight frame, and delivers consistently solid audio quality. The frequency response and fidelity isn't necessarily going to blow your mind, but I've heard much, much worse for $100.

When it comes to the user experience, Xbox largely seems to understand that the little things make a huge difference. Being able to boot up my Xbox Series X by simply turning on the headset is a minor detail at the end of the day, but something I immediately fell in love with. Plus, you get a super satisfying bootup sound when powering it on. I also can't stress how important the on-board EQ controls are for fine-tuning your audio to deliver an ideal experience. This isn't a feature we generally get on console, so I was pretty happy to see Xbox incorporate this into the Xbox Accessories app.

Xbox's latest headset is also quite comfortable. The faux-leather ear cushions and headband padding keep it feeling cozy even during extended gaming sessions. I also have to applaud Xbox for engineering a product that manages to fit around my big head with ease. The simple volume and chat balance controls tied to large dials on either side of the headset made it so I never struggled to adjust settings while playing games. These intuitive controls became second nature in a matter of minutes, which is often an area where wireless headsets have struggled in the past. I'm also a huge fan of the minimalistic design of the headset as well, which adds a small bit of flair without diving too far into "elite gamer" territory.

Ultimately, the biggest flaw comes down to microphone quality. While it does have some great features system-side to reduce background noise and automatically mute the microphone, the overall quality isn't very impressive.It gets the job the done and there were no major complaints from my Xbox party members, but compared to my HyperX Cloud Alpha's there was a noticeable dip in clarity.For most users, I don't think this will matter very much, but for me, it was the one feature of this headset I was legitimately disappointed by. That being said, for $100, that's definitely not a deal-breaker.

To get the full rundown on the Xbox Wireless headset, be sure to check out our official review from Jez Corden.

Best EQ settings for Xbox and Dolby Atmos

For those of you who've picked up the new Xbox Wireless Headset and are working to fine tune your audio, here are some EQ settings I've tested for general use and Dolby Atmos that drastically improved the overall sound in the games I've played so far. To find the EQ controls for your headset, head over to the Settings app on your Xbox and open the Xbox Accessories app. From here, cruise over to your Xbox Wireless Headset and select Configure. The equalizer option in this menu will open up a graphic five-band equalizer and controls for Bass Boost.

By default, all EQ settings on this screen will be flat, meaning no changes in gain to any of the five bands. In my experience with this headset, the mid-range frequency response seems to be on the muddier side, which can distract from low-end and high-end clarity. I dropped the 250Hz and 1kHz bands by one level to reduce some of the mid-range unpleasantness I was noticing and boosted the 4kHz band by one level and the 8kHz band by two levels to increase high-end clarity. In regards to low-end, I found a ton of flexibility with the integrated options for Bass Boost which range from +1 to +10. This was a feature I changed frequently depending on the game I was playing, but +5 seems to be a great middle ground that adds weight to explosions and gunfire without distorting the other frequencies.

For those interested in experimenting with the impressive capabilities of Dolby Atmos, which is something I would highly recommend with the Xbox Wireless Headset, I also spent a good chunk of time testing several games that support this advanced positional audio, including Gears 5, Borderlands 3, Overwatch, and The Division 2. While there is typically a licensing fee of about $15 to use Dolby Atmos, Xbox players get a free six-month trial automictically by downloading the Dolby Access app from the Xbox store.

Much like the Xbox Accessories app, Dolby Access has its own options for various EQ settings. The default game option here is what they call Performance Mode, which is designed to deliver the most neutral representation of the game's positional audio. If you're playing something like Call of Duty professionally, this might be the best option for you, but I found the Detailed setting in the Intelligent Equalizer delivered far more clarity in games like Gears 5 and The Division 2. It helps further reduce the unwanted mid-range frequencies while giving a nice boost to the low and high-ends.

The power of 3D audio

For many, next-gen is mostly about improved graphics and increased framerates, but advancements like 3D audio are going to fundamentally change the way we experience our games. Revisiting the intro of Gears 5 with Dolby Atmos was a transformative experience. I could pinpoint small details like ambient reflections and birds chirping in the distance in a way that stereo and even 7.1 surround sound simply can't replicate. If you're at all interested in trying a next-gen audio experience on Xbox, the Xbox Wireless Headset might be the ultimate price-conscious entry point. 

What you need to know

• The Xbox Wireless Headset is available starting today.
• The headset delivers excellent value for its price of $100.
• The Xbox Wireless Headset is sold out at several retailers.

The Xbox Wireless Headset is available for purchase starting today. The headset combines Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity into a budget-friendly headset. At just $100, it stands out in the crowded space of the best wireless Xbox headsets and best Xbox Series X and Series S headsets.

The Xbox Wireless Headset earned several rave reviews. Our senior editor Jez Corden lays out the value of the device in his Xbox Wireless Headset review:

While the Xbox Wireless Headset is an excellent value, it isn't just a budget piece of hardware. Corden explains:

Make sure to read Corden's full review for sound samples and more insight into the headset.

The biggest knock on the Xbox Wireless Headset at the moment is its availability. At the time of publication, the headset is out of stock at Microsoft and several other retailers.

What you need to know

• The new Xbox Wireless Headset is available for preorder through Best Buy.
• Some retailers have already sold out of the headset, but Best Buy is accepting orders.
• The headset works with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as well as mobile phones and PCs.

The new Xbox Wireless Headset is available for preorder through Best Buy. The recently announced headset quickly sold out at multiple retailers, but at the time of publication, Best Buy is still accepting preorders.

The Xbox Wireless Headset works with the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, as well as mobile phones and PCs. It looks to be a more affordable way to get a high-quality headset that can work across a range of devices, including Xbox consoles.

Here are some key features of the headset:

• "Best in class" audio tuned for gaming.
• Support for Xbox surround solutions like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Surround, and Windows Sonic.
• Twin on-ear dials to control volume and voice/game mixing.
• High-quality design with a durable metal interior, polyurethane leather, and rubberized accents.
• Up to 15 hours battery life, fully charges in 3 hours.
• Works with Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, mobile devices.

The Xbox Wireless Headset appears to be in high demand. The headset quickly sold out on Microsoft's website but has since appeared at other retailers, including Best Buy.

We love headsets on Windows Central, reviewing dozens upon dozens for our best Xbox One headset, best Xbox Series X/S headsets and best Xbox One wireless headsets roundups.

One interesting omission from these lists in recent years has been Microsoft itself, who do invest a fair bit in headphone tech. Microsoft launched a wired Xbox One headset back in the day, and have a few related products available as part of the Surface line, including the Surface Earbuds and the Surface Headphones. Alas, Microsoft hasn't released a wireless headset designed for the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. That is, until now.

Say hi to the official Xbox Wireless Headset, which boasts some impressive features. Let's dive in.

An official headset with "best in class" audio

Microsoft claims the new Xbox Wireless headset sports "best in class" audio and chat performance, with a goal of "bringing more value" to headsets in this price range. It will be interesting to see if this headset competes with comparable wireless Xbox headsets in the $100 price bracket, given that so many of them tend to compromise on quality to hit that price.

Although Microsoft hasn't yet provided any hard specs, it has given us a rundown of some of its features. Microsoft claims that due to their expertise with the Xbox Wireless protocol, they were able to fine-tune the sound delivery from the console to a degree that competing solutions aren't able to offer. Microsoft also seems to hint that it will be tuned for tactical play, emphasizing audio like footsteps to give you heightened awareness in competitive scenarios.

The Xbox Wireless Headset also puts a large degree of emphasis on voice chat, which is an area where many headsets even at higher price brackets simply fail at. Microsoft claims that its headset will provide "clear and intelligent" chat audio quality, with dual beamforming microphones that amplify speech and drown out background noise, using voice isolation technology.

The headset has an "auto-mute" feature that blocks sound when you're not speaking. It will be interesting to see how well this actually works in practice. Either way, Microsoft has included the ability to turn this off if it isn't up to par. There's also a physical mute button on the headset, and a LucidSound-like LED indicator on the mic to let you know if it's muted or live.

The headset will also sport around 15-hours of battery life, with 3 hours of charge time when not in use. I do wonder how much juice this headset will get in practice, and we'll be sure to test that when we get our hands on it.

Microsoft levels of design and comfort

Microsoft says it has invested a lot in the design and feel of the headset, with "ultra-soft" polyurethane leather, with an adjustable headband that aims for even weight and pressure distribution. Microsoft also says that the design is "intentionally understated," with subtle design cues and a green accent that align with the Xbox branding.

Microsoft emphasizes durability too in the product design, noting the metal interior of the headband, rubberized dials for ease of use, and rotating earcup dials, perhaps borrowed from the Surface Headphones design language. The microphone can also be tucked away when not in use.

The best Xbox headset ever?

If Microsoft's claims about audio and chat quality turn out to be true, this could prove to be the best Xbox headset ever. Perhaps most shocking of all, this headset also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, which is simply unheard of at $100. This headset could prove to be the most versatile of all products on the market, giving you connectivity to mobile devices, Xbox consoles, PCs, and practically any modern device you may want to connect it to.

Microsoft also notes that you can pair this headset to a Bluetooth device and an Xbox console simultaneously, mixing sound from two different sources. Many headsets that try this are in the $150 dollar range or higher, usually. The headset will pair with the Xbox Accessories app for configuration, with wireless updates from your console or PC.

The headset will roll out globally in all Xbox markets on March 16, 2021, with preorders opening up on February 16, 2021 at select retailers, including the Microsoft Store. I suspect this headset will sell out extremely well. So, if you're interested, be sure to preorder it right now.