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Hunting for the best Xbox headset under £100 in the UK? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get proper wireless sound on an Xbox Series X or Series S. Three headsets stand out at this budget: the Turtle Beach Stealth 500, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X and Microsoft’s own Xbox Wireless Headset. Here’s how they compare on battery, comfort, mic and features, and which one suits you.
This is a narrow three-way comparison. If you want a wider look at headsets for Xbox and PC at every budget, read our best gaming headsets for Xbox and PC guide.
Prices change often. Tap Check price on Amazon for today’s price. We haven’t tested these headsets ourselves; the picks are based on manufacturer specifications and official information.
Featured image: Xbox Wireless Headset. Image: Microsoft (official product image).
Quick picks
- Best overall: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X. Up to 60 hours of battery, a retractable mic and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Lightest and simplest: Turtle Beach Stealth 500. Just 233g, with up to 40 hours of battery and a flip-to-mute mic.
- Best for Xbox fans: Xbox Wireless Headset. Pairs straight to the console with no dongle, and Dolby Atmos is included.
- Best wired budget option: Razer BlackShark V2 X. A light 240g headset that plugs into your controller.
The three at a glance
| Turtle Beach Stealth 500 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X | Xbox Wireless Headset | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox connection | 2.4GHz USB transmitter | 2.4GHz USB-C dongle | Direct to console, no dongle |
| Battery (maker figure) | Up to 40 hours | Up to 60 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Weight | 233g | 265g | 320g |
| Mic | Flip-to-mute | Retractable | Boom mic with auto-mute |
Specs from Turtle Beach, SteelSeries and Microsoft. SteelSeries quotes 60 hours over Bluetooth; reviews of the Nova 5X report about 50 hours over the 2.4GHz dongle.
1. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X: best overall
The Arctis Nova 5X is the all-rounder. Its battery is the big draw: SteelSeries rates it at up to 60 hours, which is roughly a week of evening gaming between charges. A 15-minute top-up gives about six hours if you do run flat. It connects to Xbox through a small USB-C dongle with an Xbox mode switch, and a Quick-Switch button flips you over to Bluetooth 5.3 to take a phone call.
The ClearCast 2.X mic retracts fully into the earcup, so it looks tidy when you’re just listening. The free companion app offers more than 100 game audio presets, and the dongle also works with PC, PlayStation and Switch, so it’s handy if you play on more than one system.
The catch: it’s the priciest of the three, so it’s the one most likely to drift near the top of a £100 budget. Check the live price.
2. Turtle Beach Stealth 500: lightest and simplest
At 233g, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is the lightest headset here, with a floating headband and memory foam cushions for long sessions. Turtle Beach rates the battery at up to 40 hours, with quick charge. It uses a USB wireless transmitter for Xbox and Bluetooth 5.2 for your phone or PC, with a QuickSwitch button to jump between them.
The mic flips up to mute, which is the easiest way to know you’re muted without checking a light. The Swarm II app adds a 10-band EQ and Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing presets for picking out footsteps.
The catch: on Windows, it plays audio over Bluetooth rather than the wireless transmitter, so it’s best treated as an Xbox headset first.
3. Xbox Wireless Headset: best for Xbox fans
Microsoft’s own Xbox Wireless Headset pairs directly to an Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, so there’s no dongle to lose. It’s also the only one here with dials on the earcups: one for volume and one for the game and chat balance. Dolby Atmos is included at no extra cost, alongside Windows Sonic and DTS Headphone:X support.
It can connect to your console and your phone over Bluetooth at the same time, and the mic has auto-mute and voice isolation to cut background noise. You can tweak the EQ in the Xbox Accessories app.
The catch: battery life is up to 20 hours, a third of the Nova 5X’s figure, and at 320g it’s the heaviest here. Microsoft doesn’t include a power plug either.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox
Up to 60 hours of battery, retractable mic, Bluetooth 5.3.
Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox – Black
Lightest at 233g, up to 40 hours, flip-to-mute mic.
Who should buy which?
- You hate charging things: the Arctis Nova 5X.
- You want something light and easy: the Stealth 500.
- You only play on Xbox and want the official option: the Xbox Wireless Headset.
- You play on Xbox and PlayStation or PC: the Arctis Nova 5X, thanks to its switchable dongle.
Want to spend less? Go wired
If wireless isn’t a must, the Razer BlackShark V2 X is a lighter, cheaper route. It weighs 240g, uses Razer’s TriForce 50mm drivers and has a cardioid mic, and it plugs into the 3.5mm jack on your Xbox controller. There’s no battery to worry about. It also works with PC, PS5, Switch and phones. Razer’s 7.1 surround sound only works on Windows 11, though.
Tidy desk? The Razer Base Station V2 Chroma gives your headset somewhere to live, with a built-in USB hub.
Razer BlackShark V2 X Wired Gaming Headset – Black
Wired, 240g, TriForce 50mm drivers, cardioid mic.
Razer Base Station V2 Chroma Headset Stand with USB Hub – Black
Headset stand with a built-in USB hub and Chroma lighting.
FAQ
Do these headsets work on PC and PS5?
The Arctis Nova 5X works on PC and PlayStation through its dongle. The Stealth 500 for Xbox and the Xbox Wireless Headset connect to PC over Bluetooth, but not to PS5 for game audio. The wired BlackShark V2 X works almost everywhere.
Do I need Game Pass to use voice chat?
Microsoft says some voice chat features on Xbox may need a Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential subscription. The headset itself works without one.
Is wireless worth it over wired?
If you sit back from the TV, yes: no cable running to your controller. If you’d rather never think about charging, a wired headset like the BlackShark V2 X is a solid, cheaper choice.
Our verdict
For most Xbox players, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X is the best Xbox headset under £100. The huge battery, Bluetooth and retractable mic make it the easiest to live with. Pick the Stealth 500 if comfort and low weight matter most, or the Xbox Wireless Headset for no-dongle simplicity. Not sure? Try our which gaming headset quiz.
Setting up a new console? See our Xbox Series S vs Series X guide and our look at the Xbox controller rechargeable battery. You can also browse all headsets in our shop, check today’s deals, or find more ideas in our best gaming gifts under £50 guide.
Product images: manufacturer images from the official product listings.