Microsoft has a new Xbox Wireless Headset that sells for $99 at the Microsoft Store. The headset is not the best, but it is one of the best options (and perhaps the only option) for those who do online gaming on Xbox Live.
The new Xbox headset uses the Microsoft wireless connection to quickly connect with Xbox Series X, S, Xbox One, and Windows 10. And using a Bluetooth connection, you can even connect it to mobile devices.
The best part is that Microsoft wireless and Bluetooth connections can work at the same time, which means that you can, for example, listen to music from your computer while playing on your Xbox console.
Xbox Wireless Headset design and features
At this price point, the design of the headset is fantastic. The frame is made of plastic, but the style matches the black and green Xbox theme with the dark matte finish and green details around the ear cups.
Also, there is a dial around each ear cup for adjusting various aspects of the audio. The right dial is for volume controls, and the left dial allows you to adjust the audio environment. For example, if you are playing games, you can use the dial to hear more about the game audio or make the chat louder or vice versa.
The Xbox Wireless Headset features two microphones, one to speak to it and the other to pick up outside noises and filter them out.
You will also find two buttons in the left ear, one to mute the microphone and the other one to pair the headset with different devices and power the headset on or off. (You can also use software to mute the headset automatically.)
Although the sound experience will be different for each individual, Microsoft is touting great quality sound that matches the price.
The ear cups are also well designed with enough padding and good noise cancelation. The headband includes extra padding that should make the headset comfortable to use for many hours.
As for battery life, Microsoft claims up to 15 hours in a single charge, and it charges around four hours in about 30 minutes, or three hours to fully charge the headset.
The Xbox Wireless Headset comes with a USB-C cable for charging that adapts to USB-A, but you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable. Although you will need an Xbox dongle adapter to connect the headset wirelessly to a Windows 10 device, you can also use the USB cable or Bluetooth.
The pairing process is straightforward. Press and hold the pair button for four seconds in the headset and on the Xbox console or USB adapter. The only caveat is that you can only pair it to one device at a time if you use the Xbox Wireless adapter.
Whether you use the Microsoft wireless connection or Bluetooth, you can also use the updated Xbox Accessories app to pair the headset through software. The app even lets you adjust the equalizer and boost the bass and the mute light’s brightness.
Other features include the ability to customize the microphone to allow sound to pass through to hear your surroundings and three muting levels (low, medium, and high).
Should you buy it?
For $99, the Xbox Wireless Headset is worth it. It has a great design, sounds impressive in its category, and is packed with tons of features.
The headset is available now, and you can get one at the Microsoft Store.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.