The new Xbox Wireless Headset promises easy-to-connect, untethered audio for Xbox, PC and mobile.
The hallmark of a great gaming headset is the ability to just put it on and play. No messing about with Bluetooth or dongle pairing, you just want to switch it on and get down to business, as you do with your gaming controller. Whilst there are plenty of third-party headsets that do exactly this, the Xbox Wireless Headset is designed for your Xbox and Windows PC.
Out of the box, the headset feels reasonably sturdy, with a flexible and extendable headband. It is a bit plasticky, but no more so than many other headsets. The black look of the headset, with a cheeky little bit of green for the on button, matches the styling of the Xbox Series X.
The lightweight construction compliments the soft spongy pleather of the headband and earcups to make the headset very comfortable. The earcups are a little on the smaller size if you have big lugs. The adjustable mic is very flexible and doesn’t feel like it will break off in your hand.
Adjusting the volume and chat mix is easy. The large dial on the right earcup adjusts the volume and the one on the left adjusts the mix. There’s a mic mute button on the left side of the ear cup on the bottom of the mic stalk. As previously mentioned, the green button on the left side turns the headset on. The simplicity of the design is exactly what you need. Nobody wants to be fiddling with tiny buttons to adjust the volume in the middle of the action.
There’s no manual in the box, something that is becoming the norm for consumer electronics. I’d applaud Microsoft for saving the environment if it wasn’t for the included fat (and useless) “Product and Regulatory Guide”. Instead, there’s a QR code that points to the set-up page on the Microsoft website.
To be fair, the setup is as easy as pairing an Xbox controller. To pair with an Xbox Series X|S You just press and hold the green button on the left side of the headset for four seconds and press and hold the Xbox button on the console until it flashes. It’s the same to connect to a PC or mobile device via Bluetooth. You just press and hold the green button for four seconds and look for “Xbox Wireless Headset” on your device’s Bluetooth options. 
Microsoft boasts 20 hours of use between charges, which seems about right. The headset is charged via a USB Type-C socket on the side of the right earcup. There’s no USB cable included in the box, which is a bit tight, to be honest, since it is essential to charge the device.
The headset is Dolby Atmos compatible. Using the Dolby Atmos Xbox app optimises the spatial sound on the console. The volume is very good. I like listening to music at very high volumes and this headset delivers and is also more than adequate for games, as well. Whatever the volume, the audio remains crisp and clear with a hearty bass.
The mic pickup is good. I tested it with in-game chat and using Adobe Audition. It’s obviously not studio quality, but it does the job.
Whilst there are better (and more expensive) headsets out there, the Xbox Wireless Headset is designed for the Xbox Series X|S and excels in this regard. Not only does it complement the look of the Xbox Series X, but it also painlessly pairs and works without fuss. That you can use it with a PC or mobile device via Bluetooth is a bonus. It’s an easy headset to recommend to Xbox owners wanting a comfortable headset with crisp gaming audio.