One of the best parts of playing games on Xbox Live is the voice chat functionality. Voice chat allows friends to play together no matter where they are located. For teams playing action games together, communication by voice is absolutely necessary in order to compete at a high level. A gaming headset for your Xbox One can also give you a competitive edge by making sure you can hear even the most subtle noises while you play. To help you find the best choice for your budget, we compiled a list of the 10 best cheap Xbox One headsets on the market.

Do You Need an Adapter to Use Your Headset on Xbox One?

Every headset on our list requires a 3.5mm headphone jack on the controller in order to work. Unfortunately, the first generation of controllers released for Xbox One does not have this jack and requires the use of an adapter in order to function.

The cost of this adapter is often close to or more than the cost of simply buying a new controller in many cases, so we’d recommend doing that for most people. The Turtle Beach – Ear Force XO One comes with one of these adapters included. If you have purchased your controller later than 2016 or if it came with an updated model such as the Xbox One X or Xbox One S, your headset will work without an adapter.

Features to Consider in Cheap Xbox One Headsets

Not every gaming headset is the same, and there are several factors that set one headset apart from another. Here is a rundown of the factors we evaluated when deciding which Xbox One headsets to recommend.

Sound Quality: The sound quality of a pair of headphones is mostly determined by the size and quality of the headphone drivers, the small speaker located in each earpiece. If you constantly listen for footsteps or gunshots, you should prioritize bass quality when purchasing a headset.

Microphone: If you play with teammates, you will need a high-quality mic. Quality microphones eliminate any ambient noise or electric humming and have voice clarity similar to a quality mobile phone with great reception. The microphone should be adjustable to ensure it is at the right distance from your mouth and does not pick up the sound of your breathing.

Comfort: It’s tough to enjoy a gaming binge if your headset squishes your ears and head after just a few hours. Since everyone is different, adjustable headsets are a great way avoid settling on a bad fit. For comfort, a padded headband, thick ear pads, and a light weight are absolute necessities if your intention is to spend a lot of quality gaming time in front of your computer or TV.

Immersion: Gaming is a form of escapism. In order to really escape, your headsets must truly block ambient noise to ensure the outside world never distracts you while giving you a better perception of what is happening in the game. A quality gaming headset should block annoying background noises while still allowing you to hear the outside world in case of an emergency.

5 Best Cheap Xbox One Headsets 2021 (Under $50)

1. RUNMUS Gaming Headset

Design: The RUNMUS Gaming Headset has several unique design elements that make for a pleasant gaming experience while wearing. First is the memory leatherette headband pad that makes this headset feel very light while wearing. We were also impressed by the 50 mm dual neodymium drivers that provide very clear and balanced sound while playing. The microphone captures sound from all directions well and the noise canceling ensures that you won’t annoy your teammates with background noise.

Convenience: The included boom microphone is flexible, though it sits a little too low on the headset for gamers who want the microphone directly in front of their mouths. The inline controls are easy to use and allow gamers to adjust their volume or mute their microphone quickly, even in the middle of a game. The ergonomic design sits further back on the head than many other headsets we looked at, making this headset feel exceptionally light and comfortable. RUNMUS also has excellent customer support should you have an issue with your headset.

Overall: The RUNMUS Gaming Headset is an excellent choice for players looking for a pro-quality headset at a low price. The sound is loud and clear, and the microphone does a great job of capturing voice while eliminating excess noise. The ergonomic design is especially helpful for gamers who plan on putting in longer sessions.

2. ONIKUMA Pro Stereo Gaming Headset

Design: This headset has an excellent ergonomic design characterized by the soft memory foam earmuffs, immersive 7.1 surround sound, and a noise-canceling mic. The Onikuma gaming headset is a solid choice if you enjoy playing the latest games. It comes with a 4D virtual speaker technology that provides an immersive 7.1 surround sound. The noise-canceling mic has a 360-degree pickup that guarantees clear communication.

It features high-grade 50 mm neodymium drivers that deliver clean bass, enough to provide an immersive gaming experience. It is equipped with a 1.2 m long 3.5mm connector cable compatible with most gaming devices, including the Xbox One. There is a USB port, but it only powers the LED lights—not the headset itself.

Convenience: Above all, the design of this headset allows gamers to be very comfortable, which makes it a great choice for individuals who occasionally enjoy a gaming marathon. It provides a best-in-class microphone and fingertip controls. The headset comes with strong, long-lasting joints and cords with volume and mute control, and the lightweight and comfortable design ensures the headset is crafted for prolonged gaming sessions. The padded, over-ear ergonomic cups are thicker and bigger to ensure the isolation of ambient noise. Also, the noise reduction capability of the mic ensures clear pick-up of sound.

Overall: This headset provides an immersive stereo sound effect with hard bass and crystal clear high. The headband is retractable and coupled with super soft ear cups that make this headset flexible to accommodate different people. It is light and comfortable to wear with ease for a long time.

3. Beexcellent Gaming Headset

Design: With some of the largest earpads available in an Xbox headset, the Beexcellent Gaming Headset features memory foam to keep you comfortable while you play. The large 50 mm drivers deliver crisp and clear sound in 3d stereo. The noise-reducing mic sits on the end of a flexible boom and can be easily positioned to sit in front of your mouth, even while moving around. This is a great headset for voice chat as well as serious eSports gaming. The red lights on the headset look great but, unfortunately, are only active when the headset is also plugged into a USB port.

Convenience: The retractable headband of the Beexcellent Gaming Headset helps it fit on any sized head without needing to take time adjusting the size. The microphone is made from a soft silicone material that is flexible and keeps its shape well. The cord is made from braided material, and the earpads breathe exceptionally well.

Overall: The Beexcellent Gaming Headset is a well-priced high-performance gaming headset. It produces great sound quality and the omnidirectional microphone does a great job of eliminating excess noise. Unfortunately, however, because it requires USB power, the LED lights on the headset do not work if plugged into the X-Box controller alone.

4. Turtle Beach – Ear Force Recon 50X

Design: The Turtle Beach Ear Force Recon 50X is a sleek, lightweight gaming headset and is perfect for an immersive gaming experience. The design gives you an opportunity to enjoy crystal-clear sound as you play your favorite Xbox One games. The headset is equipped with 40 mm neodymium speakers that produce great stereo sound. Recon 50X has conveniently put mic, mute, and volume control at your fingertips, enabling you to adjust the highly sensitive boom mic. The removable boom mic allows you to watch movies or listen to music.

Convenience: This Turtle Beach headset provides considerably simple gaming controls. The volume dial is responsive and easy to use. The dial has distinct endpoints that let you know when you reach full volume through touch. Also, the headset comes with an on/off button for the mic. The Turtle Beach Recon 50x is a decently breathable headset for the over-ear design that doesn’t seal the ears in the cups.

The headset is moderately stable. It is tight enough to ensure it doesn’t move around much since the headset is fairly lightweight and the ear cups never move around or slide like in much bulkier gaming headsets. This headset is ideal for critical listening but not for long sessions since it is not a very comfortable headset. Unfortunately, the build quality isn’t that great, so it may not last for as long as a premium headset.

Overall: Turtle Beach Recon 50x generates decent sound, which is good for deep bass and in-game sound effects, although the voice isolation is not very clear. The detachable mic has a brilliant recording quality.

5. CORSAIR HS60

Design: This wired gaming headset features a considerably comfortable fit and classy style. Corsair HS60 incorporates a USB surround sound dongle that generates 7.1 channel audio. The headset features a dark style with large, comfortable ear cups. Although it is not as comfortable as the more expensive Corsair headsets, it feels great to wear and can be donned for several hours with little discomfort.

The headset is based on 50 mm drivers and features a 20Hz-20 kHz frequency response with 32 Ohms impedance, a 3.5 mm analog connector, and 111 dB (+/-3 dB) sensitivity. Also,  the Corsair HS60 incorporates a detachable and flexible unidirectional noise-canceling microphone with 100Hz-10 KHz frequency response, 2.2 K Ohms impedance, and -40 dB (+-3 dB) sensitivity.

Convenience: Corsair HS60 is a well-made headset that feels more high-end than the price suggests. It comes with a thick and well-padded headband and a durable metal frame. The grills feel sturdy and well-built to cope with several accidental drops. Generally, the design of this headset matches the design of the more expensive headsets. It comes with a simple gaming control scheme with the volume control dial on the left ear cup and a button to mute the boom mic. It’s a bit heavier than most headsets, though, so you might notice it weighing you down more than you would something like the ultra-light RUNMUS Gaming Headset .

Overall: Corsair HS60 is a great choice for gamers who are looking for a good virtual surround sound without breaking the bank account. The headset has a well-balanced sound characterized by good bass, great mid-range, and adequate treble reproduction. This being a wired headset, it has console support for Xbox One controllers and negligible latency when gaming. Also, the low-key, dark style does not distract when gaming makes it a good choice in tournaments.

5 Best Cheap Xbox One Headsets 2021 (Under $100)

1. Razer Kraken Gaming Headset

Design: Available in 6 different colors, the Razer Kraken Gaming Headset does not have some of the bells and whistles of the other value Xbox headsets we reviewed, but it more than makes up for this in performance. The cooling gel inserts in the ear cushion keep your ears cool while you play, and the indents in the earpads are a nice feature for those of us gamers who need to wear glasses while playing. The 50 mm drivers are custom-tuned and do a great job mixing faint sounds like footsteps with loud sounds like gunshots and explosions. The bass is deep and resonates well.

Convenience: Even though there are not many extra features provided with the Razer Kraken Gaming Headset, we appreciated the simple and easy-to-use inline controls that allows players to control their volume and mute their mic if they need to cough or talk to someone else in the room. We also liked that the microphone is retractable, making this headset double as a good pair of high-quality studio headphones when not being used as a gaming headset. As it includes an adapter, it will work with any Xbox one controller right out of the box.

Overall: The Razer Kraken Gaming Headset is a great pick for gamers who want the performance of a high-end gaming headset without the big price tag. It does not have many of the style features of other headsets we reviewed like LED lights and ergonomic styling, but the lightweight aluminum frame, superior audio quality, and immersion may make you totally forget about the extras you are missing.

2. HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset

Design: The HyperX Cloud II gaming headset comes with a polished aluminum frame, accent stitching, and a generally impressive build quality. This is arguably the most professional looking headphone in this category. The headset features big, well-padded ear cups and headband. This stylish gaming headset has a very good detachable boom microphone. In quiet environments, the speech recorded on the mic feels natural but slightly lacking in brilliance. In noise environments, the mic performs great in separating speech from noise. All of these features have made the headset quite bulky, though.

It is equipped with 53 mm neodymium drivers that deliver crisp audio with a frequency response of between 15 Hz and 25 Khz to provide an immersive gaming experience—though the bass isn’t as good as it is in more expensive models like the Turtle Beach Ear Force XO One .

Convenience: This headset features 100% memory foam earpads and a headband covered with leatherette that makes it comfortable to wear for hours without discomfort. The detachable noise-canceling mic allows you to use it without the mic’s intrusion. It has a built-in audio control unit and sound card that ease volume adjustments and turns on the virtual 7.1 Surround Sound when gaming. Also, the headset has a 2-year warranty and free technical support.

Overall: HyperX Cloud II is a good gaming headset with decent balanced audio and casual design. It has low latency, decent well-balanced sound reproduction, and an excellent noise-canceling mic. The headset is comfortable enough to wear for a gaming session. The virtual 7.1 surround sound highlights the subtle sounds in your games. After removing the detachable mic, the headset resembles regular headphones. However, the design does not offer much breathability, so your ears may become a little warm after a while.

3. Turtle Beach – Ear Force XO One

Design: Turtle Beach Ear Force Xo comes with powerful 50 mm speakers and a bass boost to give you an immersive Xbox One gaming experience. The frequency response for the speaker ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz. This headset gives your Xbox One gaming experience an upgrade with quality audio and comfort that lets you play for long sessions without much fatigue. It is equipped with an audio controller that provides complete control over the chat and game sound. Also, you get at your fingertips mic mute and master volume controls.

Convenience: The headset is simple, with a body made from durable plastic. The headband and earpads are covered in a soft material, though the ear cups might be too small for some wearers. This lightweight headset is comfortable to wear for prolonged gaming hours. It comes with a detachable and bendable omnidirectional mic. As you watch movies or listen to music, you can remove the detachable and highly sensitive mic. Also, you get an independent chat-mix volume control that directly connects to Xbox One. As well, the headset offers a mic monitoring feature to monitor your voice on the mic. The headset is covered in a soft, foam, and mesh fabric cushion.

Overall: This is a team and solo gaming headset. The headset provides a quality amplified stereo that will provide you with detailed audio as you play or listen to music or watch movies through your Xbox One.

4. Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Gaming Headset

Design: Logitech G433 is equipped with a detachable noise-filtering boom mic that lets you chat with colleagues while decreasing background noise and mesh ear pads that provide breathable comfort. It comes with hybrid-mesh sound drivers that decrease distortion at high volume. With this headset, you enjoy a crisp sound and flawless communication. It comes equipped with an accessory case, pop filter, an audio splitter, microfiber earpads, a carrying bag and a USB DAC adapter.

The stunning 3D, 360-degree sound stage lets you immerse yourself as it delivers detailed spatial accuracy. The frequency rate for this headset ranges from 40 Hz to 10K Hz and frequency response for the mic ranges from 100 Hz to 10 KHz and guarantees an authentic sound production. The treble and bass aren’t exceptionally powerful, but the general sound quality is quite good.

Convenience: The unidirectional mic allows you to isolate your speech and decrease background noise as you chat, blocking out most of the background noise. You get an additional pair of earpads if you fancy microfiber to the mesh fabric provided by Logitech. Also, the headset is equipped with two interchangeable headset cables that connect to the left earpad.

Overall: Logitech G433 is a clear winner as it provides very good value and lots of flexibility to gamers who need to use the headset both in the console and outdoors with their laptop or phone. This headset is light, comfortable, and produces better sound than many other headsets in this category. Although the headset looks pretty, the plastic build feels cheap, which is odd considering the other qualities of the product.

5. Turtle Beach Recon 200

Design: This Turtle Beach headset has a faux carbon fiber finish. The headset is built out of thin plastic, and the headband is reinforced using a thin metal sheet that leaves it sturdier but fairly flexible. The well-padded ear cups should be comfortable. The headset features decent controls and quick flip-to-mute mic. It comes with a fixed mic that mutes on flipping up and has a volume adjusting the dial to ensure you never yell when chatting with other gamers.

Turtle Beach Recon 200 is equipped with a rechargeable battery-powered amplifier that lasts 12 hours and a bass boost with frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20 KHz generated by high-quality 40 mm drivers.

Convenience: This Xbox One headset provides clean audio immersion as it is optimized for Windows Sonic in Microsoft. Also, a spatial surround system allows you to hear in all directions of the 3D gaming environment. The metal-reinforced headband is covered in synthetic leather with a memory foam cushion to ensure your neck never strains.

Turtle Beach Recon 200 fits tight on the head and never moves, especially in gaming sessions that don’t need much movement. You get volume and mic monitoring dials to choose the level of your voice you want to hear in the headset as well as a preset slider for Xbox, but, unfortunately, the noise isolation isn’t great—if that matters to you, you may want to switch to the Logitech G433 7.1 Wired Gaming Headset , but you’ll sacrifice some audio quality if you do.

Overall: This is a decent gaming headset. You will not have latency issues with this wired design, and the mic will be adequate for chatting with teammates. However, your ears may feel warm after several hours.