Buying Guide
The Best Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
Three headsets compared, from the G435 to the Stealth 700, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Microsoft's Xbox Wireless protocol lets licensed headsets connect straight to the console. Every pick mentions Xbox and is wireless.
We sorted these picks by battery life, driver size and connection, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips battery life, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Drivers
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
The largest driver size here (60mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab)
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
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless
The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest driver size here (60mm). | Listeners who want the biggest drivers here. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) (opens in a new tab) |
| 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. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 3
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
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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.
It is the only pick here with a flip-to-mute microphone; the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 has a noise-rejecting microphone instead. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 instead: it runs for 50 hours, while this one gives no figure.
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
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the G435 at the time of writing
Longest Battery Life2 of 3
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. It is the only pick here with a noise-rejecting microphone; the Stealth 700 has a flip-to-mute microphone instead. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
It also brings up to 50 hours of battery life. When we checked, only the G435 cost less, and the Stealth 700 cost more. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the Stealth 700 instead: it comes in at 60mm, 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 G435 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when shorter 18-hour batter is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker notes it does not support Xbox. It is the only pick here with a dual beamforming (built-in) microphone; the Stealth 700 has a flip-to-mute microphone instead. On a PC, use the Lightspeed dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency.
It also brings light 165g build. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 was closest. What it gives up: battery life of 18 hours, behind the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours); by contrast, the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 runs for 50 hours.
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 of 18 hours, behind the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 (50 hours)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Battery and weight
- We compared rated battery life and weight where makers state them, noting where lighting affects the battery claim.
- Microphone
- We checked whether a microphone is included, detachable or noise-rejecting.
- Drivers and design
- We noted driver size and whether the design is open or closed, which shapes sound and isolation.
- Platform support
- We checked which consoles and PCs each maker names, and flagged Xbox-specific connections.
What to Look for in a Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Pick the connection first
A 2.4GHz dongle gives the lowest latency for games; Bluetooth is convenient for phones but lags for shooters. Wired headsets have no latency or battery concerns.
If you play on a console as well as a PC, check which connections each platform supports before buying.
Open-back or closed-back
Open-back headphones sound more spacious and feel cooler, but they leak sound and block little outside noise. Closed-back models isolate better in shared rooms.
Choose open-back only if you play in a quiet room on your own.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
Check the microphone type
Detachable microphones let the headset double as everyday headphones. Some audiophile headphones have no microphone at all, so you would need a separate one.
If you stream or join calls, a cardioid or noise-rejecting mic is worth prioritising.
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.
Console versions are not always interchangeable
Some wireless headsets come in PC, PlayStation and Xbox versions with different dongles. An Xbox-specific model may not connect wirelessly to a PlayStation.
Buy the version that matches every system you plan to use.
How to Choose a Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | Stealth 700 | The largest driver size here (60mm) |
| Long sessions away from a charging cable | Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 | The longest battery life here (50 hours) |
| Spending as little as possible | G435 | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Headset | Battery life | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth 700 | Not listed | 60mm | CrossPlay dual transmitter | Flip-to-mute |
| Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 | 50 hours | Not listed | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth simultaneously | Noise-rejecting |
| 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
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | G435 |
| About $150 to $250 | Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, Stealth 700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The G435 cost the least when we checked, and the Stealth 700 sat at the top of the range. Prices move often, so check the current listing before buying.
Should I turn on virtual surround?
Try it in each game. It can help with positioning in some titles and make others sound hollow.
Do wired headsets sound better than wireless ones?
Not necessarily. Driver quality and tuning matter more, but wired models avoid compression, latency and charging.
Can I use one headset on PC and console?
Many can, but check the connection for each system. Xbox-specific wireless headsets often need a matching adapter or Bluetooth on PC.
Are open-back headphones good for gaming?
They give a wide, natural soundstage but leak sound and block little noise. They suit quiet rooms, not shared spaces.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stealth 700. Look at the G435 for the lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
Headsets using Xbox Wireless connect to a PC through the Xbox Wireless Adapter or a supplied dongle.