Buying Guide
The Best Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
Four headsets compared, from the G435 to the Stealth 700, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 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
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Drivers
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)The largest driver size here (60mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2The longest battery life here (50 hours).
Best for: Long sessions away from a charging cable.
Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer BlackShark V3 Wireless (Xbox)TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers.
Best for: Buyers who want TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Wireless (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Logitech G435 Lightspeed WirelessThe lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the BlackShark V3 Xbox the next step up.
Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest driver size here (60mm). | Listeners who want the biggest drivers here. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox) on Amazon (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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers. | Buyers who want TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V3 Wireless (Xbox) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the BlackShark V3 Xbox the next step up. | Check price for Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Drivers1 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Xbox)
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.
Nothing else here matches its 60mm driver size; the BlackShark V3 Xbox comes closest at 50mm. A CrossPlay dual transmitter connection is unique to it among these picks, while the BlackShark V3 Xbox uses a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection. 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.
Key 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
The catch
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.
Longest Battery Life2 of 4
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2
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.
Worth noting: up to 50 hours of battery life. When we checked, only the BlackShark V3 Xbox and cheaper picks 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 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
Also Consider3 of 4
Razer BlackShark V3 Wireless (Xbox)
The BlackShark V3 Xbox stands out for TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers, and it adds 7.1.4 surround on PC.
Best for
- Buyers who want TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers.
Skip if
- The maker gives no battery life, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 50mm driver size. Its 50mm driver size ranks second of 3 here, behind the Stealth 700 (60mm) and ahead of the G435 (40mm). No other pick in this guide offers a 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection; compare the Stealth 700, which has a CrossPlay dual transmitter connection.
On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. Its price falls between the G435 and the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed battery life should compare it with the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, which runs for 50 hours.
Key specs
- Driver size
- 50mm
- Connection
- 2.4GHz and Bluetooth
- Microphone
- Detachable HyperClear Super Wideband
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers
- 7.1.4 surround on PC
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the G435 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
Logitech G435 Lightspeed Wireless
Logitech's G435 weighs 165g and hides beamforming mics in the earcups instead of using a boom.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the BlackShark V3 Xbox the next step up.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when shorter 18-hour battery is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker notes it does not support Xbox. On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the Stealth 700 comes in at 60mm. 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. Worth noting: light 165g build. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BlackShark V3 Xbox was closest. Driver size is its weakest area, and the Stealth 700 covers it better at 60mm.
Key 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
- Driver size trails the Stealth 700 (60mm)
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We compared four headsets on battery life, driver size, connection and microphone as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life and driver size have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Stealth 700 to the G435, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Stealth 700 and the BlackShark V3 Xbox give no battery life; the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the G435 ($50 to $100) to the Stealth 700 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size
The Stealth 700 tops driver size at 60mm and the G435 sits lowest at 40mm. For less, the BlackShark V3 Xbox is the runner-up at 50mm ($100 to $150 tier). The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 gives no driver size figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
How much battery life you need
Across these 2 picks battery life spans 18 hours (the G435) to 50 hours (the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2). If battery life is your first filter, the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 sets the ceiling at 50 hours. The Stealth 700 and the BlackShark V3 Xbox give no battery life figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Open-back headphones on a stand beside a headphone amplifier Features beyond the spec table
The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2: the Xbox version of the Nova 7 Gen 2. The BlackShark V3 Xbox: 7.1.4 surround on PC. The G435: built-in beamforming mics instead of a boom.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the G435; $100 to $150 buys the BlackShark V3 Xbox; $150 to $250 buys the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 and the Stealth 700 at our last check.
A headset hanging on a PC case next to a monitor Match the pick to your priority
Listeners who want the biggest drivers here: the Stealth 700. Long sessions away from a charging cable: the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. Spending as little as possible, with the BlackShark V3 Xbox the next step up: the G435.
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) |
| Buyers who want TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers | BlackShark V3 Xbox | TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers |
| Spending as little as possible, with the BlackShark V3 Xbox the next step up | G435 | The lowest price among these headsets at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Stealth 700 leads on driver size at 60mm, ahead of the BlackShark V3 Xbox at 50mm. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Stealth 700 and the BlackShark V3 Xbox leave the figure out.
| 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 |
| BlackShark V3 Xbox | Not listed | 50mm | 2.4GHz and Bluetooth | Detachable HyperClear Super Wideband |
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the G435, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the Stealth 700 at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | G435 |
| About $100 to $150 | BlackShark V3 Xbox |
| About $150 to $250 | Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, Stealth 700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stealth 700 ahead of the BlackShark V3 Xbox on driver size?
The Stealth 700 tops driver size at 60mm; the BlackShark V3 Xbox follows at 50mm, 20% apart. The G435 closes the ranking at 40mm. The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 is left out of this ranking because its driver size isn't stated; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
Which has the longest battery life: the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 or the G435?
Between the top two, it is 50 hours on the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 against 18 hours on the G435, a 178% difference. The Stealth 700 and the BlackShark V3 Xbox don't state a battery life figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Is the Stealth 700 worth paying more than the G435?
The spec sheets show driver size (60mm against 40mm) in its favour. The G435 sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the Stealth 700 in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if driver size decides your purchase.
What makes the Stealth 700 the Largest Drivers?
It carries the badge for the largest driver size here (60mm). The BlackShark V3 Xbox is next on driver size at 50mm, so this pick's 60mm is 20% further out. The G435, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Stealth 700 and the Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2 apart?
The Stealth 700: 60mm Eclipse dual drivers. The Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2: simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio. The BlackShark V3 Xbox: TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stealth 700. Look at the BlackShark V3 Xbox for TriForce Titanium Gen-2 drivers and 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.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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