After three years, Xbox is finally updating its wireless headset

Microsoft announced some upgrades to its Xbox Wireless Headset on Tuesday, with improved audio, longer battery life and an improved microphone for $110, which is $10 more than its predecessor. And it’s available now.

Xbox calls this an “update” in the announcement post on its website, and in fact, not much changes to the design. The only major difference is that there is no longer a green ring around the ear cups. Instead, a completely black look is used.

The biggest change concerns the battery life: The new Xbox Wireless Headset offers a playing time of 20 hours instead of 15 hours in the previous model. The microphone has also been upgraded with improved auto-mute and voice isolation features to eliminate background distractions. For the best sound, the company has also integrated Dolby Atmos for spatial sound “at no additional cost” (ideal for audio-rich games like…). Hellblade 2) and Bluetooth 5.3 for more stable connections between devices.

The previous Xbox Wireless Headset, released in 2021, is a good, affordable headset. It doesn’t have many of the advanced features seen on other wireless gaming headsets, but it offers clear sound, allows you to adjust settings on the earcups, and has an extendable microphone. Plus, it costs $100, making it cheaper than other great Xbox headsets, even those that are wired only. And via Bluetooth you can connect it to your PC or mobile device if necessary.

The new Xbox Wireless Headset will replace the 2021 version in stores and is the only one you can buy from the Xbox Store. It’s also priced at $110, which isn’t a huge price increase, but it’s also not an insignificant one. If you want a first-party headset, your only option is the cheaper, wired Xbox stereo headset, which is sold out at the time of writing.