Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for Xbox
From the Stealth 500 to the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2: four headsets ranked on battery life and driver size, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A wireless Xbox headset needs the console's own wireless protocol or a USB dongle that Xbox supports. Every pick lists Xbox support and a wireless connection, ordered by battery life.
We sorted these picks by battery life, driver size and connection, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips driver size, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Longest Battery Life
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2
The longest battery life here (50 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox)
The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset
Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Best for: Buyers who want Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Our take Check price for Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless
A 165g frame.
Best for: Buyers who want 165g frame.
Our take Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The longest battery life here (50 hours). | Long sessions away from a charging cable. | Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab) |
| Dolby Atmos spatial audio support. | Buyers who want Dolby Atmos spatial audio support. | Check price for Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| A 165g frame. | Buyers who want 165g frame. | Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Longest Battery Life1 of 4
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 is the Xbox version of SteelSeries' Nova 7, with simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio and the longest battery in this group.
Best for
- Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It is the best fit if one headset has to serve an Xbox, a PC and a phone. On battery life it leads this guide at 50 hours, ahead of the Stealth 500 (40 hours). It is the only pick here with a noise-rejecting microphone; the Stealth 500 has an included microphone instead.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Xbox Wireless Headset the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Stealth 500 instead: it comes in at 40mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 50 hours
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously
- Microphone: Noise-rejecting
Pros
- Up to 50 hours of battery life
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio
- The Xbox version of the Nova 7 Gen 2
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Stealth 500 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stealth 500 offers 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.2 with a QuickSwitch button between them, plus a 40-hour battery.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: battery life of 40 hours, behind the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours).
Why we like it
Turtle Beach's app adds EQ presets and its Superhuman Hearing mode. On battery life it sits mid-pack at 40 hours: the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 runs for 50 hours, and the G435 comes in at 18 hours. It shares an included microphone with the Xbox Wireless Headset; the G435 goes with a dual beamforming (built-in) microphone.
It also offers variable mic monitoring. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the G435 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- QuickSwitch button between wireless and Bluetooth
- Variable mic monitoring
- Battery life of 40 hours, ahead of the Xbox Wireless Headset
Cons
- Battery life of 40 hours, behind the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours)
Also Consider3 of 4
Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Headset connects straight to the console and adds Bluetooth LE for a phone, with Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Best for
- Buyers who want Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Skip if
- Pass on it if shorter 20-hour batter rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its 20-hour battery is the shortest here, so it suits shorter sessions or a nearby charger. Its 20 hours battery life ranks third of 4 here, behind the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours) and ahead of the G435 (18 hours). Like the Stealth 500, it has an included microphone, while the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 uses a noise-rejecting microphone.
It also offers dual wireless connectivity. It connects to Xbox consoles over Xbox Wireless; on a PC, check the product page for the connection it supports, since Xbox Wireless on Windows usually needs Microsoft's adapter or a built-in radio. When we checked, only the G435 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Stealth 500 instead: it comes in at 40mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Connection: Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth LE
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- Dolby Atmos spatial audio support
- Dual wireless connectivity
- Battery life of 20 hours, ahead of the G435
Cons
- Shorter 20-hour battery
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Stealth 500 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 4
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's G435 weighs 165g and hides beamforming mics in the earcups instead of using a boom.
Best for
- Buyers who want 165g frame.
Skip if
- Pass on it if shorter 18-hour batter rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The maker notes it does not support Xbox. Its 18 hours battery life is the shortest in this group; the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 leads at 50 hours. It is the only pick here with a dual beamforming (built-in) microphone; the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 has a noise-rejecting microphone instead.
On a PC, use the Lightspeed dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Another plus is light 165g build. It makes the most sense for buyers who want 165g frame, since it offers a 165g frame. When we checked, only the Stealth 500 cost less, and the Xbox Wireless Headset cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 18 hours
- Driver size: 40mm
- Weight: 165g
- Connection: Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
- Microphone: Dual beamforming (built-in)
Pros
- Light 165g build
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- 165g frame
- Built-in beamforming mics instead of a boom
Cons
- Shorter 18-hour battery
- Battery life trails the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours)
- Costs more than the Stealth 500 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wireless Gaming Headsets for Xbox
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared four headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 to the G435, state battery life, connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 and the Xbox Wireless Headset give no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Stealth 500 ($50 to $100) to the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much battery life you need
Here battery life runs from 18 hours on the G435 to 50 hours on the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. For less, the Stealth 500 is the runner-up at 40 hours.
Features beyond the spec table
The Stealth 500: variable mic monitoring. The Xbox Wireless Headset: dual wireless connectivity. The G435: built-in beamforming mics instead of a boom.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the Stealth 500 and the G435; $100 to $150 buys the Xbox Wireless Headset; $150 to $250 buys the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Long sessions away from a charging cable: the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the Stealth 500.
Battery life claims vary with lighting
Makers quote battery life under their own conditions, often with RGB lighting off. A 50-hour claim can drop noticeably with lighting on.
Compare figures at similar settings, and look for fast charging if you forget to plug in.
How to Choose a Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 | The longest battery life here (50 hours) |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Stealth 500 | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want Dolby Atmos spatial audio support | Xbox Wireless Headset | Dolby Atmos spatial audio support |
| Buyers who want 165g frame | G435 | A 165g frame |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 leads on battery life at 50 hours, ahead of the Stealth 500 at 40 hours. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 | 50 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Noise-rejecting |
| Stealth 500 | 40 hours | 40mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.2 | Included |
| Xbox Wireless Headset | 20 hours | Not listed | Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth LE | Included |
| G435 | 18 hours | 40mm | Lightspeed 2.4GHz, Bluetooth | Dual beamforming (built-in) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Stealth 500 was the lowest-priced pick and the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Stealth 500, G435 |
| About $100 to $150 | Xbox Wireless Headset |
| About $150 to $250 | Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 ahead of the Stealth 500 on battery life?
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 leads at 50 hours, with the Stealth 500 at 40 hours. The G435 is at the other end of this group with 18 hours.
Is the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 worth paying more than the Stealth 500?
On paper it adds battery life (50 hours against 40 hours). The Stealth 500 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 the Longest Battery Life?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (50 hours). It suits long sessions away from a charging cable.
Do the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 and the Stealth 500 differ on microphone?
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 uses noise-rejecting; the Stealth 500 and the Xbox Wireless Headset use Included; the G435 uses dual beamforming (built-in).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 and the Stealth 500 apart?
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2: simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio. The Stealth 500: a QuickSwitch button between wireless and Bluetooth. The Xbox Wireless Headset: Dolby Atmos spatial audio support.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. Look at the Stealth 500 for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing, the Xbox Wireless Headset for Dolby Atmos spatial audio support and the G435 for a 165g frame if those matter more to you.
Check whether the headset needs a separate dongle for PC.