Tired of running your console through your soundbar, or worse, TV speakers? A proper gaming headset offers better directional audio, sound isolation, and a built-in microphone to coordinate with teammates or taunt enemies.
Xbox wants to claim that space on your ears with an updated version of its popular but plainly named Xbox Wireless Headset. Released in late 2024, the new version boasts improved battery life, Dolby Atmos support, and an improved microphone, all for just $110. Keep in mind that some of our favorite gaming headsets don’t have native Xbox Series X/S (7/10, WIRED Review) support, and the official offering starts to look even more appealing.
Connecting and Pairing
The basic-looking Xbox headset won’t win any beauty contests, but it functions perfectly. Pairing with an Xbox couldn’t be any simpler. Hold down the big green power button on the left ear, then press the pairing button on the console, and you’re ready to go. It’s the same process for Bluetooth devices, and I had no trouble connecting it to my phone, although I don’t think I’d wear these to listen to a podcast while walking the dog.
Photograph: Brad Bourque
If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, the Xbox Accessories app on your console has a bevy of additional audio settings, including an equalizer with presets for different modes. I typically set this to Speech, because I found it helped me hear dialog in busy games, but I think Music sounded the best for most situations. You can adjust mic and light settings in here too, with a surprising level of specificity for a console headset.
I’m a huge fan of the volume knobs on each earcup, both of which have a premium feel. They take up the entire outside panel, so they’re easy to grab and turn mid-game without having to hunt around. The left side adjusts the balance between game audio and communication audio and has an indent in the center for a 50–50 split, and the right side adjusts total volume all the way down to a complete mute, with magnetic stops at each end.
A minor quibble here: The headset doesn’t include a USB-C cable, which you’ll need for charging. We expect most people will have one around at this point, so it’s probably a good way to reduce waste, but it’s worth being aware of, especially for Apple folks who haven’t upgraded yet.
Audio for Gaming
Spatial audio really shines on this updated headset, with full support for Dolby Atmos, as long as you’re connected to an Xbox Series S/X and the game you’re playing supports it.
I spent some time in the recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (8/10, WIRED Review), which has an exceptional soundtrack and detailed game audio. The sound isolation on the headset helped make the whoosh of his fists and the crunching of rocks and leaves under my feet feel super real. Even the music felt particularly detailed and nuanced, cutting cleanly through the dialog and game sounds.
