Official Xbox Wireless Headset review: A decent $99 option with impressive features

Source: Windows Central

Microsoft is no stranger to edifice headsets. Dorsum in the day, Microsoft would bundle its iconic mono piece headset with its Xbox 360 console, and later released some wired Xbox Stereo headphones of its own. Microsoft's Surface team now makes its own headphones too, with the Surface Earbuds and the Surface Headphones. Microsoft hadn't nonetheless congenital a wireless headset for Xbox though — until at present, that is.

Say howdy to the official Xbox Wireless Headset from Microsoft, coming in at an impressive $99. This headset impressed me right from the announcement, given the fact it combines some rare features at this cost tier. Microsoft has a mountain of contest in this space, though, which is hotter than ever thanks to the popularity of games like Fortnite.

Tin Microsoft's very outset wireless gaming headset brand the grade on our list of best Xbox Series 10 and Series South headsets, or our best wireless Xbox One headsets? Have a seat, and allow's find out, together.

A great outset offering

Xbox Wireless Headset

Bottom line: This headset has an impressive feature set up for its price, with decent audio across the lath. For those who seek a $99 option that combines Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless, in that location probably isn't a better-value option on the market right at present.

Pros:

• Lightweight, comfortable, and airy for long sessions
• Pinnacle-tier activeness on the buttons and dials
• A+ feature fix, combining Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, alongside an intuitive auto-mute feature
• USB-C charging beyond a fifteen-hour usage time

Cons:

• Mic and audio quality isn't the best
• Mic arm is too short, which makes mic monitoring a bit serenity even at max volume
• No iii.5mm capability

Xbox Wireless Headset review: What I love

Source: Windows Central

Right out of the box, Microsoft provides y'all with plenty of reasons to love this headset. The subtle pattern profile is marries modernity with functionality nicely, consummate with embossed Xbox branding and those archetype Xbox light-green accents. Typically, I'm non a fan of bright colors on a headset, only considering this is, you know, official Xbox hardware, it makes sense here more than elsewhere.

Category	Spec
In the box	Headphones, USB-C charging cable
Speakers	40mm, neodymium
Frequency Response	20Hz to 20kHz
Battery	xv hours usage time
Compatibility	Xbox One, Xbox Serial S, Xbox Serial X, Xbox Wireless USB dongle, Bluetooth devices
Weight	xi oz (312g)
Price	$99

The headline act of this production is the feature fix Microsoft has baked in. For $99, I think this may really be the but solution on the entire market place that bakes both Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless into a single production, particularly for dual-source mixing. Most of these types of products start at around $130 or higher, so it's nice to see Microsoft deliver some existent value hither in terms of features.

Bluetooth is always kind of janky, whether you lot're using inexpensive $20 earbuds or $550 Apple products, since the standard is just then susceptible to any class of interference. But at least until the tech improves, it'southward the best solution we have correct at present for multi-device connectivity. On the plus side, Microsoft'due south implementation really does seem to be amid the best I've used in terms of interference.

I typically use Bluetooth/Xbox combo headsets for podcasting over long periods of time, so I can game while also streaming to PC via Discord. I however got occasional point degradation from the Bluetooth while chatting on PC, just it was nowhere near equally frequent equally other headsets I've used that endeavour this combo. And every bit expected, the Xbox Wireless bespeak by itself is rock solid.

Microsoft also offers mic monitoring with this headset, alongside a surprisingly intuitive motorcar-mute feature that stops your headset from sending background noise when you're not speaking. Sometimes it can take a piffling while to un-mute you, though, cutting off the first parts of your judgement. Microsoft's Xbox Accessories app on PC and Xbox lets you finetune both the mic monitoring book, and the auto-mute characteristic, giving you lot the selection to reduce sensitivity or plow them both off. There's also an EQ tuner for those who like to tweak, alongside some presets for different types of sound experiences.

Source: Windows Central The controls are cleverly hidden in the dials.

Equally someone who tests dozens upon dozens of headsets in my constant search for the best Xbox One headset, I'thou inclined to expect compromises at certain cost tiers. The $99 wireless segment is mostly the entry indicate for wireless gaming headsets, and many of them seem to compromise on build quality and construction, sacrificing action on buttons, dials, and switches for cheaper solutions, or opting for breakable, depression-density plastics. Thankfully, Microsoft spared no expense in this area.

The dials on the sides of the headphones act as a volume mixer between games and phonation chat, with the other controlling master volume. The smoothness of the dials, the responsiveness, and gradation between the volumes are impressive. The Xbox Wireless Headset feels superior to many far more expensive headsets I've used in this regard.

The quality extends to the cups, which feature generous cushioning and breathable synthetic leather, which feels pleasant across lengthy sessions. The headset is likewise impressively lightweight, to the point where I'd assumed there was no metal in the headband. I later discovered that there is metal reinforcing the headband, which adds a sense of conviction with regards to longevity.

Xbox Wireless Headset review: What I don't love

Source: Windows Central

Out of the gate, Microsoft impressed me with the headset's blueprint, characteristic prepare, and price. Simply there are a few caveats you lot should be aware of if you plan to brand this your go-to Xbox headset for the time to come.

First and foremost, this headset is wireless in the truest sense of the discussion. There's no 3.5mm jack to exist institute, pregnant that one time the bombardment is gone, yous'll accept to recharge it. The battery life is impressive given the headset's weight, clocking in at around 15 hours of continuous use. With that kind of battery life, the lack of a 3.5mm jack is not necessarily a bad matter, but it'southward worth being aware of.

Just don't await to be blown abroad past the audio quality.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment I had with this headset was the general audio experience. I felt like the bass on this headset was truly overpowering, albeit admittedly impressive. On the downside, the bass cuts through everything, fifty-fifty with bass boost disabled. Y'all tin fine-melody this using the headset's app, only fifty-fifty then, the mids and highs lack a sense of definition that other headsets in this price range offer. The headset struggles the more sounds are introduced into the mix, introducing subtle distortion at higher volumes, with different frequencies snapping unnaturally from the stage as they boxing for dominance with the bass.

At that place are cheaper 3.5mm wired headsets that are more than performant in this area, with superior separation and a broader soundstage. Fifty-fifty with extensive tweaking, this headset'southward sound contour is among the muddier options in this toll range, with an imbalanced audio pallet that isn't particularly amazing for gaming or media. In the rut of battle, you lot probably won't find yourself too hung up over the operation of different frequencies. For $99, it's more than than passable, and everyone has different tastes when it comes to sound. Simply don't expect to exist diddled abroad past the audio quality.

The microphone on the headset is non particularly astonishing, though it's passable. The audio sample higher up was recorded via Bluetooth for full transparency, which may have created performance dips versus usage on Xbox Alive. Either way, you lot probable won't be using this for content creation, but it'south decent enough for gaming with friends or in meetings.

Some other pocket-size gripe I have is the microphone arm, which doesn't extend farther than your cheek. Even with the mic monitoring boosted to maximum volume, the mic will be as well far away from nigh adults' mouths to register any side-tone whatsoever, giving the feature reduced effectiveness.

Xbox Wireless Headset review: Should yous buy it?

Source: Windows Central

This headset is built and designed to offering a baseline entry-level wireless experience for gamers within the Xbox and Windows ecosystem, and in that, the headset delivers. The features are without peer in this price range, and the headset construction and ergonomics are height-notch.

I accept some reservations nigh the audio stage, which feels a bit muddy compared to many headsets I've used in this price range. If you lot were hoping to be blown away by the sound, you may detect yourself disappointed unless you are specially fond of aggressive bass. But it's by no means terrible and more than does the job. It'due south also highly configurable with loftier-quality software, which is more than I can say for most wireless headsets out in that location.

I suspect this will be a very popular headset regardless, attributable to its features above everything. It is an intuitive product, meeting the needs of today'due south Xbox gamers, who shift their experiences to dissimilar devices. In that, Microsoft delivers some much-needed competition in the wireless headset space, where Bluetooth options typically sit with more expensive products. Truth exist told, this is arguably among the best value Xbox wireless headsets out there right now when you consider everything you're getting for $99.

Adept value

Xbox Wireless Headset

All-time-value Bluetooth Xbox Wireless combo.

If you're a gamer who wants to combine Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless audio into a single headset's sound stream, this is the all-time-value option on the marketplace right now.

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Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/official-xbox-wireless-headset-review

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