Buying Guide
The Best Xbox Wired Headset
Three headsets compared, from the Recon 70 to the CloudX, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A wired Xbox headset plugs into the controller's 3.5mm jack, so there is nothing to pair or charge. Every pick mentions Xbox and connects by cable.
We sorted these picks by driver size, connection and microphone, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips driver size, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Flip-to-mute Microphone
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming HeadsetA flip-to-mute microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Drivers
Razer BlackShark V2 X for XboxThe largest driver size here (50mm).
Best for: Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed)The top of this price range, adding official Xbox licensing.
Best for: Spending more than the BlackShark V2 X Xbox costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A flip-to-mute microphone. | Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone. | Check price for Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest driver size here (50mm). | Listeners who want the biggest drivers here. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding official Xbox licensing. | Spending more than the BlackShark V2 X Xbox costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Flip-to-mute Microphone1 of 3
Turtle Beach Recon 70 Wired Gaming Headset
The Recon 70 is a simple console-friendly headset with a flip-to-mute mic and 40mm drivers.
Best for
- Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone.
Skip if
- Pass on it if driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X Xbox (50mm) rules it out for your setup.
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. You get a flip-to-mute microphone here, which sets it apart from the CloudX and its an included microphone.
It also offers 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. The main gap: driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X Xbox (50mm). If that matters, the BlackShark V2 X Xbox comes in at 50mm.
Key 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
- Flip-to-mute microphone, the only one here
Cons
- Driver size of 40mm, behind the BlackShark V2 X Xbox (50mm)
Largest Drivers2 of 3
Razer BlackShark V2 X for Xbox
The Xbox version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X has the same 240g frame and cardioid mic.
Best for
- Listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
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.
You get a HyperClear cardioid microphone here, which sets it apart from the CloudX and its 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. Worth noting: light 240g build.
Worth noting: no charging or pairing needed. The nearest alternative on driver size is the Recon 70 at 40mm, against 50mm here.
Key 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
Premium Pick3 of 3
HyperX CloudX (Xbox Licensed)
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
- Spending more than the BlackShark V2 X Xbox costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its driver size before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The aluminum frame is built to last. It is the only pick here with an included microphone; the Recon 70 has a flip-to-mute microphone instead. 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.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the BlackShark V2 X Xbox the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed driver size, look to the BlackShark V2 X Xbox instead: it comes in at 50mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key 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
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 lined up three headsets on driver size, connection and microphone from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and driver size is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Recon 70 to the CloudX, state connection and microphone and share Wired 3.5mm connection.
- 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 CloudX ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Xbox Wired Headset
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size across these picks
Across these 2 picks driver size spans 40mm (the Recon 70) to 50mm (the BlackShark V2 X Xbox). If driver size is your first filter, the BlackShark V2 X Xbox sets the ceiling at 50mm. The CloudX gives no driver size figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Recon 70: support for PS5 and Xbox over 3.5mm. The BlackShark V2 X Xbox: a 240g frame. The CloudX: a durable aluminum frame.
A gaming headset beside a desk with backlit speakers Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Recon 70 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox; $50 to $100 buys the CloudX at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone: the Recon 70. Listeners who want the biggest drivers here: the BlackShark V2 X Xbox. Spending more than the BlackShark V2 X Xbox costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the CloudX.
Headphones on a red stand next to an amplifier and bookshelf speakers 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.
How to Choose a Xbox Wired Headset
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a flip-to-mute microphone | Recon 70 | A flip-to-mute microphone |
| Listeners who want the biggest drivers here | BlackShark V2 X Xbox | The largest driver size here (50mm) |
| Spending more than the BlackShark V2 X Xbox costs for the fullest feature set in this group | CloudX | The top of this price range, adding official Xbox licensing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BlackShark V2 X Xbox leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the Recon 70 at 40mm. "Not listed" marks driver size where the CloudX leaves the 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Recon 70, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the CloudX at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Recon 70, BlackShark V2 X Xbox |
| About $50 to $100 | CloudX |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest driver size: the BlackShark V2 X Xbox or the Recon 70?
The BlackShark V2 X Xbox tops driver size at 50mm; the Recon 70 follows at 40mm, 25% apart. The CloudX doesn't state a driver size figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
What makes the Recon 70 the Flip-to-mute Microphone?
It carries the badge for a flip-to-mute microphone. It is aimed at anyone who wants a flip-to-mute microphone.
Do the Recon 70 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox differ on microphone?
The Recon 70 uses flip-to-mute; the BlackShark V2 X Xbox uses HyperClear cardioid; the CloudX uses Included.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Recon 70 and the BlackShark V2 X Xbox apart?
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.
Who should choose the BlackShark V2 X Xbox?
The BlackShark V2 X Xbox carries our Largest Drivers label for the largest driver size here (50mm). It ranks second of 3 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits listeners who want the biggest drivers here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Recon 70, chosen for a flip-to-mute microphone. Look at the CloudX for the top of this price range, adding official Xbox licensing if those matter more to you.
Older Xbox One controllers without a 3.5mm jack need Microsoft's headset adapter.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Headsets Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Wireless Gaming Headsets Now
- Related guideThe Best Budget Gaming Headsets Under $50
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Gaming Headsets
- Similar guideThe Best Xbox Headset
- ExplainerHow to Choose a PC Headset
- ExplainerHeadset connection types for PC, PS5 and Xbox
- Also see: microphonesHow to Choose a USB Microphone for Your PC
- Similar guideThe Best Xbox Gaming Headsets
- Topic hubAll headsets and headphones guides
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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