Best Xbox accessories: controllers and headsets

An Xbox ships with one controller. A second pad and a headset with a mic are the two accessories most players add next.

Every pick below names Xbox in its maker’s data. List prices were checked Nov 8, 2026, and store prices change.

Which Xbox accessory should you buy first?

Short answer: a second controller if anyone else plays, then a headset for party chat. A mouse only makes sense if their main game supports one on Xbox.

The quick match:

• Second player, wireless: the Xbox Wireless Controller.
• Second player, wired: the HyperX Clutch Gladiate, licensed by Xbox.
• Wireless headset: the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3, Xbox version.
• Wired headset: the Turtle Beach Recon 70, for the controller’s jack.
• Mouse for supported games: the HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Core Wireless.

We have no checked maker list price for the Xbox Wireless Controller or the Stealth 600 Gen 3 yet. Check the store page for those two.

Wireless or wired controller?

Short answer: the Xbox Wireless Controller is the one to get if you want no cable. The Clutch Gladiate makes sense for a couch seat close to the console, since its 3 m cable reaches and it never needs batteries.

Microsoft lists up to 40 h on AA batteries for its controller. Xbox Support says it takes AA batteries or the Play and Charge Kit’s rechargeable pack. It connects to Windows, Android and iOS over Bluetooth too.

The Clutch Gladiate is wired only. It adds two-position trigger locks and remappable rear buttons. Both controllers have a 3.5 mm audio jack.

A spare wired pad is a smart second controller: nothing to charge, nothing to pair, and it lives by the console.

PC player too? Our controllers for PC guide compares four pads on Windows.

Which headset works on Xbox?

Short answer: pick a headset whose maker lists Xbox, with a USB transmitter or a 3.5 mm plug. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 uses a USB transmitter and lists up to 80 h. The Recon 70 plugs into the controller and needs no battery.

Xbox Support says wired headsets can connect through the controller’s 3.5 mm jack. That makes the Recon 70 the simple choice. Turtle Beach lists Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X support, though some need extra purchases or apps.

The Stealth 600 Gen 3 has 50 mm drivers and a flip-to-mute mic with AI noise reduction. Its QuickSwitch button toggles between 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.2. Turtle Beach sells Xbox, PlayStation and PC versions, so check the box says Xbox.

For more options, see our best headsets for Xbox guide. PlayStation in the house too? See our PS5 accessories guide.

What about a mouse on Xbox?

Short answer: only for games that support it. Xbox says mouse and keyboard input works in select games and apps, and the publisher must enable it.

If their game does, the Haste 2 Core Wireless is a light option at 70 g. HyperX rates it up to 100 h per AAA on 2.4 GHz, about 1.43 hours of battery per gram.

Gift kits and list price totals

Short answer: for a second player with chat, pair the Clutch Gladiate with the Recon 70. Both are wired, so nothing needs charging on the day.

Kit	Parts	List price total (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Second player with chat	Clutch Gladiate + Recon 70	$79.98 (HyperX, Turtle Beach)
Mouse for supported games	Haste 2 Core Wireless	$49.99 (HyperX)

Those list prices break down to $39.99 for the Clutch Gladiate (List price from HyperX, checked Nov 8, 2026) and $39.99 for the Recon 70 (List price from Turtle Beach, checked Nov 8, 2026).

Before Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Short answer: Black Friday is Nov 27, 2026 and Cyber Monday is Nov 30, 2026. On either day, compare the store’s price with the list prices above.

Specs and list prices here are current as of November 2026. Read how to spot a fake Black Friday deal, then check our Cyber Monday hub. Every pick also sits in our gaming hub.

The picks, side by side

Specs from each maker's official page, checked Nov 8, 2026. Spec score formula: how we score.