Way back in the in distant times, there were no computer games, board games yes, but as there were no computers, computer games were hard to come by. All different now of course and the games have changed in the past 20 years to extreme levels. A few years ago we were visiting our relatives and one of our cousins mistakenly thinking we were quite cool asked did I want to play COD with him.
Now excuse our naivety, but isn’t that a fish? No, COD I am told is Call of Duty, possibly the biggest selling game of all time. It was rather a cultural shock. You see we have played war games on computers before but when the bloke you are controlling gets killed you go back and start again.
COD is something else, high definition graphics, storyline. Now when your man gets killed you want to go out and buy a wreath, it’s so real. One thing missing though. The sound. Computer speakers hardly convey the tension, the atmosphere. But now you can with headphones. Games become real, and you can have cinema-like sound.
So let’s take a look at the best Xbox One headsets currently available and find the perfect ones for you…
Contents
- Top 7 Best Xbox One Headsets You Must Buy 2023 Reviews
- 1 Razer Kraken Tournament Edition THX 7.1
- 2 Sennheiser GSP 600 Professional Gaming Headset
- 3 Plantronics Gaming Headset, RIG 800LX
- 4 Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Headset
- 5 ASTRO Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby Gaming Headset
- 6 Razer Wireless/Wired Gaming Headset
- 7 CORSAIR HS50 – Stereo Gaming Headset
- Best Xbox One Headsets Buyers Guide – Time To Get Into The Game And Get Real
- So What Do You Need To Get Great Gaming Experience?
- So What’s The Best Xbox One Headsets?
Top 7 Best Xbox One Headsets You Must Buy 2023 Reviews
1
Razer Kraken Tournament Edition THX 7.1
Razer is well-known in the gaming industry for producing quality headsets. The Kraken Tournament edition phones have a THX certificate which means it has been tested for its surround sound performance and meets the required level.
Anyone familiar with Razer products will recognize the typically chunky look of the phones. They are a well built over-ear design. The earcups are quite large and are built from tough plastic with metal rings that are connected to the headband, which is also metal-based. The headband is adjustable, and the earcups pivot to enable a good fit.
The design might look bulky, but the comfort level is high. The earpads are padded with foam and for long sessions have a layer of cooling gel, so the headset doesn’t get too hot. The ear cups are larger than the usual size and have an imitation leather covering. And there is a fabric on the surface where they touch your skin. All this adds up to a comfortable fit.
The headphones are wired and will connect to any device having the 3.5 mm socket. The microphone retracts easily into the left earcup on its extended arm when not in use. There are no controls on the earcups. These are located on the inline controller which is attached to the cabling and includes a mute switch.
The cable is non-detachable and about three foot in length and covered with fabric. This length is fine for use with Xbox One. And a five-foot USB cable with a controller is included with volume and other controls for use with a PC.
The microphone sound is acceptable and ok for casual talk. The sound performance is typical of gaming headphones. Very bass-heavy with its 50mm drivers and not much attention paid to the mids or even the top end.
For games use though it is powerful and reproduces battle sounds loudly and accurately. Every sound can be picked up, including voices, and the surround sound allows you to pick up the direction of incoming fire.
Good value, but not cheap and are certainly one of the best Xbox One headsets.
Pros
- Well-built with good materials.
- Good sound reproduction for gaming.
Cons
- Rather bulky
2
Sennheiser GSP 600 Professional Gaming Headset
So why do you want headphones for playing computer games in the first place? The main reason is that they provide a better experience than just using the laptop or TV speakers which are wholly inadequate for the job. The sound on most computer games today is quite sensational, and you are going to need something special to listen to it.
In the headphone world, Sennheiser is something special. The GSP 600 is marketed for professional gamers, but in reality, it will suit anyone who really wants to immerse themselves in what is going on in front of them.
The design is good as you would expect with this manufacturer. Though it must be said they are not the prettiest headphones you will find. They are quite chunky and have a robust, sturdy build.
The microphone is a little on the heavyweight design and looks like it could do serious damage to anyone caught in the eye with it. The mic has good points and bad. It will disengage a conversation by moving it upwards, good point, but it is not removable, so wearing this outside of the home is probably a non-starter.
The comfort level though is high, which is important. An adjustable headband and well-padded leatherette ear cups that are soft to the touch. They are an over-design, and therefore you will want comfort for lengthy use.
They are not wireless phones, so no Bluetooth, and they do not offer Dolby Surround Sound, but even so the quality of sound is good. However, no surround is disappointing, considering the price, as they are not cheap.
They are quality headphones with a great sound and are well-made. But without the extra features that are not included, like the Dolby Surround sound, maybe they cannot justify their rather high price.
Even with these issues and although they are meant for gaming, they are still one of the best Sennheiser headphones currently available.
Pros
- Well-made with good materials.
- Good comfort level and adjustable.
Cons
- Rather expensive and lack some important features.
3
Plantronics Gaming Headset, RIG 800LX
This is an interesting design. At a time when most headphone manufacturers tend to think that small is beautiful, Plantronics and a few other companies seem to be moving in the opposite direction. In appearance, these are quite aggressive-looking things. Maybe they are meant to be that way to get you in the mood if you’re playing war games.
They are quite well-made in most areas of their construction but not all.
They are made with the floating headband design. This type of headband is becoming popular with many manufacturers as it sits on the head quite neatly, yet it is quite a firm fitting without being tight. The frame is lightweight, and the ear cups on this over-ear design are soft and well padded. The build also makes them feel secure without your head feeling undue pressure.
There is a microphone with the usual mute capability.
Headbands often feature a sliding adjustment to allow for a good fit, whereas these have three slots. If you want to change the size, you take the earcups out completely from the frame and move them to one of the other three slot settings. This does not appear to be a very convenient arrangement, especially if someone is playing with you who needs a different sizing.
On top of this, when you remove them, the wire connection is very flimsy and wouldn’t take much to snap off.
Lightweight? Yes, they are, but to achieve this, the plastic construction is quite flimsy and does not feel very strong.
They have Dolby Atmos for a great gaming sound and a battery life of 24 hours. The sound is very bass-heavy but generally good and powerful — mid-range price point.
Pros
- Lightweight construction.
- Dolby Atmos onboard.
Cons
- Fitting adjustments a little awkward.
4
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Headset
This has been designed and manufactured with just one purpose. As a set of gaming headphones.
For the purpose of this particular review, we are going to change from discussing build quality and design first to talking about…
Turtle Beach has an impressive record when it comes to delivering quality audio through headphones for games. The Stealth 600 do that reputation no harm at all. The virtual surround sound is quite stunning with the depth of performance and the clarity of the top end.
If the gaming companies want you to think you are in the middle of a war with these games, which is probably the idea, then these take you there. You have the option of using them without surround sound, but why would you want to?
There is a sound option interestingly labeled ‘superhuman hearing.’ With it switched on, some of the peripheral sounds, people walking, gunfire are pushed more to the front of the sound platform. The controls are all located in the left ear cup and include an off/on and a button to engage surround sound and a few basic EQ options.
There are some decent elements to the build. The flip-down mic, for example, works quite well and delivers a decent sound heard at the other end and you do get an impressive 15 hours of battery life. But it’s a bit downhill from there.
As a unit, it is not subtle at all and is chunky and looks initially like it will survive the war you might be about to take it too. The reality isn’t quite that. The plastic is thick, but it also feels very cheap and weak. And when adjusting the headset, you are not convinced it is not going to snap in your hands.
Likewise, the comfort level is also not good. The cushions on the ear cups are well padded, but somehow just don’t fit the head correctly and you are forever trying to adjust them.
Sound good, build and design not so much, and connectivity is a little suspect. At the price, rather expensive, we feel.
Pros
- Some good sound options.
- Extra sound features make gaming a BIG experience.
Cons
- Build quality and comfort is not so good.
5
ASTRO Gaming A50 Wireless Dolby Gaming Headset
This is a fearsome machine built for one job. Taking gamers even further into whatever world they are inhabiting. The Astro A50 is a big tough set of surprisingly lightweight headphones.
They are a powerful set of headphones and built to last. And are quite large in size but are also extremely comfortable. They have a look of not being what you call user-friendly, but even wearing them for a long time, they maintain their comfort. Everywhere on the underside of the headband that comes into contact with your head is padding in a soft cloth. The over-ear design ear cups are also heavily padded.
At first, it must be said that they do feel a little heavy, but the comfort factor works well when they are in use. And you hardly know you are wearing them, they are not though a tight fit. This can be good to make them less stressful on your ears but does allow the sound to escape around you.
In their design, they are not understated at all and really say look at me with their bright green coloring. They are well-built and quite sturdy in the hand, which is important.
The mic is adjustable and again well built and carries the click up and mute function, which is always useful.
Sound-wise it doesn’t let you down with its Dolby Pro compatibility. The highs are sharp without hurting and the bass very resonant and powerful. However, if you want to connect to a laptop without an optical port, you will need an adapter.
The battery life is claimed at twelve hours, but we are not sure about that, and there is an update for the firmware you will need to download to fix a slight sound problem.
Whilst it has a strong build and a high level of comfort and decent sound. There do seem to be some issues, and therefore, the price tag seems very high.
Pros
- Rugged design but lightweight.
- High comfort level
Cons
- Seem to be some firmware issues.
6
Razer Wireless/Wired Gaming Headset
Razer offers another option in the gaming headphones world, this one the Nari. As with all Razer products, these are very well-built with the same basic design features of most of their products, including that irritating illuminated logo on the ear cups. An adjustable headband with plenty of soft padding and the over-ear ear cups also have ample padding.
They are largely made from a lightweight plastic, but they are still strong and sturdy to the touch even though they feel light when wearing them. Comfort level then is good, and the adjustable options ensure you will get a comfortable fit that is not too tight.
Razer might not have been particularly creative in the design process, preferring to stick to tried and trusted shapes and materials. But in the sound department, they have worked hard to create a set of headphones that will enhance the game experience with their sound quality.
The surround sound is exceptional, and Razer have recognized the importance this area plays in gaming, enhancing the mood, and giving you audible information.
The built-in THX spatial audio gives you total 360-degree awareness of what is going on around you. Using these headphones, you are transported into the ‘space’ of the game, into the middle of it. No longer do you feel like you are watching it from the outside, you are there. Razer has created that feeling utilizing a surround sound that is literally all around you.
Set at a good price point, they are an exceptional set of headphones. And definitely one of the best Xbox One Headsets currently available and could also well be the winner of today’s review. Read on to find out…
Pros
- Great build and comfort level.
- Stunning surround sound effects.
Cons
- We still don’t like the illuminated logo on the ear cups.
7
CORSAIR HS50 – Stereo Gaming Headset
Corsair has introduced us to a gaming headset that is both budget range in price, but also good quality in build and performance. Not something that happens every day. They haven’t tried to produce anything too clever or fancy, they are a straight forward entry-level set of headphones, but they carry some very good qualities.
The design is understated but still nice, and they have been built a little on the large side. The ear cups will cover your entire ear as they are supposed to. The cups are filled with foam and then covered with imitation leather, and the adjustable headband, which is also nicely padded allows a comfortable fit that isn’t too tight.
The basic metal construction is covered with a lightweight plastic which gives them a good sturdy feel. On first impressions of the design and the comfort level, we think you would place these in a much higher price bracket.
The left ear cup houses the controls. It has a volume control and a button for muting the microphone. The mic is actually removable so you can wear these out and about if you wish, without looking like a lost air traffic controller. As it is wired, there is a 3.5mm cable that is attached to the left ear cup. Using this standard jack makes it usable with just about anything.
Sound-wise it doesn’t disappoint either. 50mm neodymium drivers push the sound and create a very good coverage of the frequency range with nice deep bass and crisp highs. Such a nice range also makes it suitable for TV and movies as well as music. Gaming yes, but it has other options for use.
For the price, these are an exceptional buy and must be considered as one of the best X-box one headsets.
Pros
- Good strong build with the high comfort level.
- Nicely balanced sound.
Cons
- At the price, there isn’t anything to complain about.
Best Xbox One Headsets Buyers Guide – Time To Get Into The Game And Get Real
The enjoyment of playing computer games has come on by leaps and bounds over the years since they first arrived. The days of Pac-man, Space Invaders and Defender seem like they come from another age and in many respects they do.
But whilst the graphics, the visual experience, tends to get most of the attention the sound has also kept pace and is now a prime mover in the enjoyment level. Take away the sound from Pac-man it hardly mattered, take it away from the modern games and some of them you couldn’t play because you wouldn’t hear things you need to.
With the surround sound on some headphones and a 360-degree listening circle around you, the game becomes alive. And you are actually in it rather than just participating in it. It is the sound that gives you the full picture, including what’s going on behind you. The music helps to generate the atmosphere, and the quality of that has also got its influence.
So What Do You Need To Get Great Gaming Experience?
Great sounding surround sound preferably, comfort for a long session and a tough build might be useful. A good price might also be on your list. Some of the phones we looked at were quite expensive, but you haven’t got to spend a fortune to get a very good set.
Quite a few to choose from out of the list we looked at.
So What’s The Best Xbox One Headsets?
As you look at some of the headsets now available for gamers, you begin to appreciate the quality. The sounds play an important part in the gaming experience, and so whilst comfort is important, the sound is vital.
We have, therefore, chosen as the best Xbox One headset the…
Based on the sound it offers, it is a stunning headset at a competitive price and our choice as the very best of the best Xbox One headsets.