Buying Guide
The Best Wired Gaming Headsets for Xbox
We weighed four headsets on driver size and connection; the Stealth 700 has the largest driver size, and the Recon 70 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A wired headset works with the Xbox controller and needs no charging. Every pick lists Xbox support and a wired connection, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects driver size, connection and microphone from maker specifications; we did not test these headsets ourselves, and a missing driver size is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset
Support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm.
Best for: Buyers who want support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox
A HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox (opens in a new tab)
Included Microphone
HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed)
An included microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want an included microphone.
Our take Check price for HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed) (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
The largest driver size here (60mm).
Best for: Players who favour a fuller low end.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. | Buyers who want support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. | Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| A HyperClear cardioid mic. | Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox (opens in a new tab) |
| An included microphone. | Buyers who want an included microphone. | Check price for HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed) (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest driver size here (60mm). | Players who favour a fuller low end. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Recon 70 is a simple console-friendly headset with a flip-to-mute mic and 40mm drivers.
Best for
- Buyers who want support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the Stealth 700 offers 60mm.
Why we like it
Its flip-to-mute mic and on-ear volume dial keep controls close, and a PC splitter cable comes in the box. The 40mm drivers and light frame suit long sessions. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm.
It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and CloudX; the Stealth 700 goes with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection. Like the Stealth 700, it has a flip-to-mute microphone, while the BlackShark V2 X Xbox uses a HyperClear cardioid microphone. It also comes with support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm
- 40mm driver size
- Wired 3.5mm connection
Cons
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
Strong Alternative2 of 4
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Xbox version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X has the same 240g frame and cardioid mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: driver size of 50mm, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm).
Why we like it
Its 3.5mm plug connects to an Xbox controller. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers tune highs, mids and lows separately. The HyperClear cardioid mic picks up more voice than room noise, and the closed cups give a tighter passive seal.
On driver size it sits mid-pack at 50mm: the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm, and the Recon 70 comes in at 40mm. It shares a wired 3.5mm connection with the Recon 70 and CloudX; the Stealth 700 goes with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection. No other pick in this guide offers a HyperClear cardioid microphone; compare the CloudX, which has an included microphone. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Weight: 240g
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: HyperClear cardioid
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- HyperClear cardioid mic
Cons
- Driver size of 50mm, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm)
Included Microphone3 of 4
HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The HyperX CloudX is the wired choice: officially licensed for Xbox, it plugs into the controller's 3.5mm jack and never needs charging.
Best for
- Buyers who want an included microphone.
Skip if
- The maker gives no driver size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
The aluminum frame is built to last. Like the Recon 70 and BlackShark V2 X Xbox, it has a wired 3.5mm connection, while the Stealth 700 uses a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection. An included microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Recon 70 uses a flip-to-mute microphone.
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Its price falls between the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and the Stealth 700, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed driver size should compare it with the Stealth 700, which comes in at 60mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Included
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Official Xbox licensing
- Durable aluminum frame
- Included microphone, the only one here
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Recon 70 at the time of writing
Largest Drivers4 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Stealth 700 uses the largest drivers here, 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, and a CrossPlay dual transmitter for switching between systems.
Best for
- Players who favour a fuller low end.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Recon 70 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Memory foam cushions designed for glasses make it one of the more comfortable options for long sessions. It runs 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a phone call while gaming, and the battery is rated for up to 80 hours. The glasses-friendly memory foam cushions and 10-band EQ app help on long sessions.
Its 60mm driver size is the largest here; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox comes next at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox has a wired 3.5mm connection instead. It shares a flip-to-mute microphone with the Recon 70; the CloudX goes with an included microphone. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the CloudX and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 60mm
- Connection: CrossPlay dual transmitter
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- 60mm drivers
- 60mm Eclipse dual drivers
- Memory foam cushions designed for glasses
- CrossPlay dual transmitter connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Recon 70 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wired Gaming Headsets for Xbox
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up four headsets on driver size, connection and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Recon 70 to the Stealth 700, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The CloudX gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Recon 70 (under $50) to the Stealth 700 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Wired Gaming Headset for Xbox
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the Recon 70 to 60mm on the Stealth 700. The BlackShark V2 X Xbox comes second for less money. No figure for the CloudX.
Microphone
The Recon 70 and the Stealth 700 list flip-to-mute; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox lists HyperClear cardioid; the CloudX lists Included. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Extras that separate them
The BlackShark V2 X Xbox: a 240g frame. The CloudX: a durable aluminum frame. The Stealth 700: memory foam cushions designed for glasses.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Recon 70 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox; $50 to $100 buys the CloudX; $150 to $250 buys the Stealth 700 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want an included microphone: the CloudX. Players who favour a fuller low end: the Stealth 700.
How to Choose a Wired Gaming Headset for Xbox
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm | Recon 70 | Support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm |
| Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic | BlackShark V2 X Xbox | A HyperClear cardioid mic |
| Buyers who want an included microphone | CloudX | An included microphone |
| Players who favour a fuller low end | Stealth 700 | The largest driver size here (60mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Stealth 700 leads on driver size at 60mm, ahead of the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at 50mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recon 70 | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Flip-to-mute |
| BlackShark V2 X Xbox | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| CloudX | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Included |
| Stealth 700 | 60mm | CrossPlay dual transmitter | Flip-to-mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Recon 70 was the lowest-priced pick and the Stealth 700 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Recon 70, BlackShark V2 X Xbox |
| About $50 to $100 | CloudX |
| About $150 to $250 | Stealth 700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest driver size: the Stealth 700 or the BlackShark V2 X Xbox?
The Stealth 700 leads at 60mm, with the BlackShark V2 X Xbox at 50mm. The Recon 70 is at the other end of this group with 40mm. The CloudX doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the Stealth 700 add over the Recon 70?
On paper it adds driver size (60mm against 40mm). The Recon 70 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Stealth 700 our Largest Drivers pick?
It earns the label for the largest driver size here (60mm). It suits players who favour a fuller low end.
Do the Recon 70 and the Stealth 700 differ on connection?
The Recon 70, the BlackShark V2 X Xbox and the CloudX use Wired 3.5mm; the Stealth 700 uses CrossPlay dual transmitter.
What extras do the Recon 70 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox include?
The Recon 70: support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. The BlackShark V2 X Xbox: a HyperClear cardioid mic. The CloudX: official Xbox licensing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Recon 70, chosen for support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. Look at the BlackShark V2 X Xbox for a HyperClear cardioid mic and the CloudX for an included microphone if those matter more to you.
Plug into the controller's 3.5mm jack.