One more thing that can be done is trying to sync the Astro A50 headset with the base station that you have for it so that the device and its built-in microphone start working properly. Doing so is pretty easy. Another thing to watch out for are the two different modes that are available on the base station. The Astro A50 headset was made for PC and Xbox gamers alike, and there are two different settings that can be chosen depending on which of the two platforms that users have. The ASTRO Command Center software enables full configuration of the adjustable settings for these ASTRO devices: MixAmp Pro TR, A50 Wireless + Base Station, A20 Wireless. The software will not detect any other ASTRO Gaming products prior to the generations of products mentioned above, and is not compatible with the C40 TR Controller. The ASTRO Command Center software enables full configuration of the adjustable settings for these ASTRO devices:­­ The Elite Pro 2 as a wired headset doesn't sport a huge amount of features that a fully wireless system often does, deferring to 3.5mm connectivity through an Xbox controller as its primary interface with your console. Where it does deliver is big, cavernous sound which works incredibly well coupled with Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos. The sound profile is cinematic while also giving you tactical spatial awareness, and is one of the few headsets I can definitively attribute additional kills to in games like Battlefield and Call of Duty. The microphone is no slouch either, although you probably won't be creating content on it, it does the job for communication online.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 2)is arguably the best entry-level wireless headset for Xbox users, with direct-to-Xbox connectivity and a decent array of features. This is a pure Xbox wireless headset, and I am recommending it for those who want to ditch the cables without ditching their bank liquidity. The headset is incredibly light too, given how powerful it is, and even has on-board active noise canceling for good measure, making it one of the few Xbox gaming headsets to support ANC. Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. This headset has the best price-to-quality ratio of any wireless Xbox headset out there, and should be the first thing you consider if you don't need Bluetooth, and don't want to break the bank. The LucidSound LS35X is a direct-to-Xbox wireless headset, meaning it connects straight to your console without any intermediary USB dongle or anything like that. It's charged via an included USB cable, and sports a generous battery life of up to 15 hours.

Is the microphone any good?

The reason why this is such a good thing, in particular, is because not a lot of third-party headsets + microphones tend to work properly with consoles. But this isn’t a problem with the Astro A50 or its mic, as both of them work well. At least, this is the case most of the time. The Razer Kairaseries is Razer's mid-range headsets designed for Xbox consoles, which come in various shapes and sizes. The Razer Kaira X we've listed here is their wired version, but there's also a Razer Kaira Pro that is wireless and comes with Bluetooth as well for good measure. The CloudX also lives up to its namesake, with a cloud-like fit and weight making it one of the most pleasant headsets to wear on the market. There's a reason this headset has only received minimal changes since its introduction over five years ago — if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That being said, each headset is unique essentially based on a wide variety of factors, so we tend to focus on a general idea of what you'll be getting out of each headset's soundscape. Some headsets prioritize a more realistic and balanced cinematic experience, while others focus on tactical play, emphasizing highs that might give away an enemy position, for example. Some headsets even let you configure this using accompanying apps or software tools, or even onboard switches and features. Turtle Beach's "Super Human Hearing," for example, gives priority to frequencies where sound effects like footsteps or enemy movements may sit.

Turtle Beach's Elite Pro 2is another headset that I personally used as my primary set for a lengthy amount of time coupled with their TAC audio controller, owing to its supreme comfort, durable design, and truly impeccable soundscape. All current ASTRO Gaming products designed for Xbox will offer continuous compatibility on Xbox: Series X|S.

In terms of budgetary overheads, a cheaper wired headset can often output superior sound quality than an equivalently priced wireless headset. Some of that budget goes towards radios and batteries in a wireless headset, whereas a wired headset can pour those savings into higher-quality speakers or overall materials and construction. It's not always the case, to be sure, but it often is. Holding the power button on the headset initiates pairing, which you shouldn’t have to do since the Base Station/MixAmp and headset are pre-paired. If they're not paired, hold the power button on the Base Station/MixAmp until it flashes white, and then the power button on the headset until it flashes white. Once they stop flashing and stay white, pairing is done. The Astro A40 TR + MixAmp is a great set up for content creators, given that you can mix a PC source with a SPDIF optical source (like direct from a TV) and mix the sound devices into a single stream. It's essentially the wired version of the Astro A50, although it's a bit too expensive to recommend generally. (Image credit: Future) How to choose

My personal favorite Xbox headset right now, which I use as my primary device. The versatility of the Arctis Nova Pro is unmatched, with a hot-swap battery feature and easy multi-platform support, owing to dual USB connections. (Image credit: Jez Corden | Windows Central) The first solution to try is the simplest one here, which is to just unplug the cord of the Astro A50 from the base. But there is a specific way this needs to be done for the mic to start working again. Firstly, players need to assign a party with the players that they intend to talk to and/or run the game that they plan to play.

Should you buy the Astro A50 Wireless?

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro does it all. Maximum comfort. Top-tier construction. Swappable batteries. Interference-free Bluetooth and Xbox wireless sound mixing. Great mic. Great on-ear controls. And sexy design. The ASTRO A50 Base Station for Xbox/PC features a wireless transmitter that provides clear, low-latency voice communication, while making headset pairing and charging simple. You could force the Xbox One to recognize your Astro A50 headset and sure that both the audio output as well as input through the microphone work perfectly. To do so, head on over to the settings of the console and try to locate an option named “Kinect and Devices”. Choose this option and then try to locate the settings for the headset from within the new menu that’ll appear on the screen.