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The best Xbox Series X accessories can not only enhance your existing setup, but open you up to a far more convenient experience as well. From controller charging docks to headsets with ultra-long battery lives, Xbox Series X accessories can give any tired setup a new lease of life.
There are some staples we’d recommend any new owner invest in first, though. An additional controller is likely one of the best things you’ll grab for your console – you’ll be able to keep one handy for co-op and you won’t have to worry about running out of battery either. Many Xbox Series X bundles will offer this, though it’s well worth investing if you pick up a console by itself.
Next, we’d recommend going digital and checking out Game Pass – it’s the jewel in Xbox’s crown and well worth the monthly price. Of course, you’ll need somewhere to store all those downloads, so a strong SSD or storage card should also be on your Xbox Series X accessories shopping list.
We’ve put together all the best Xbox Series X accessories, drawing on our own personal experience living and playing with headsets and controllers. We’ve had our hands wrapped around all manner of storage solutions, charging docks, and more and brought all our findings right here. Plus, all of these can be classed as the best Xbox Series S accessories, too, as all are compatible with both versions of Microsoft’s new console. You’ll also find that many of the best Xbox One accessories are also compatible with the new system.
The best Xbox Series X accessories available now
You’ll find all our favorite Xbox Series X accessories listed just below. If you’re looking to make the most of that low Xbox Series S price, it’s worth noting that all of these accessories are compatible with the cheaper console as well.
Xbox Series X controllers
Microsoft Xbox Series X controller
The best Xbox controller for most people
Specifications
Connection: Bluetooth, Micro USBCustomization: Button mappingWeight: 287gBattery: AA replaceable, up to 40 hours
Reasons to buy
+The official controller+Improved grip+Multiple colors available
Reasons to avoid
-Doesn’t feel like a next-gen upgrade-Still runs on batteries
This is the same Xbox Series X controller that you get with the console (black with the Series X and white with the Series S). It’s a refinement more than an upgrade on the Xbox One controller, with improved grip, a more compact design, and (finally!) a proper share button for captures.
The Xbox Series X controller runs on batteries, so there’s not an immediate need to pick up an extra one to make sure you always have one charged and good to go, but there’s still plenty of reason to pick one up.
Local multiplayer being the most obvious excuse, but Microsoft has been smart early on and has released the new console’s controller in a variety of different colors. Sure you could pick up a black or white one, but we’re very much taken with the new Robot Blue and Pulse Red options. We often see them go for a slightly higher price, but we think the cool effect is worth it. The price comparison chart above is for the black one, but we’ve listed prices for the other colors below too.
There are fancier controllers out there (see below), but the official standard option is the best all-rounder for the price and one best suited for most players.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
The best Xbox controller overall
Specifications
Connection: Bluetooth, USB-CCustomization: Button mapping, interchangeable thumbsticks and paddle shapes, onboard profilesWeight: 345gBattery: up to 40 hours
Reasons to buy
+Wireless charging+New system-level customization options+Adjustable stick tension and trigger travel+Better balance
Reasons to avoid
-Cheaper controllers are quickly catching up
The Xbox Elite Series 2 doesn’t reinvent the super customizable design ethos of the original model, but refines some of its best features and expands on others to product the most luxurious gamepad the Xbox has seen so far. We were blown away by the new software improvements, being able to completely remap the gamepad with a new menu of inputs, but of course you’re still getting those magnetically replaceable paddles, analog sticks, and d-pads.
The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but at times it feels like a revolution.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 review
We were pleased to note that the textured surface running along the grips now runs over the full length of the leg, offering far greater support. In all our testing we didn’t notice anything to suggest that this cover will be prone to scratching or wearing away either.
It should already be obvious, but the Xbox Elite Series 2 is designed for those who want to tweak every little aspect of their experience – and it offers the freedom to do just that. The new model takes its analog sticks even further as well, thanks to adjustable tension. We tightened those sticks for competitive titles like Mortal Kombat 11 and Gears 5, and found the new settings particularly handy for those who like a more precise level of control and a faster snap back to neutral position.
Similarly, the Elite Series 2 seems to have taken a note from one of our favorite controllers; the Razer Wolverine Ultimate. Buttons eschew the squish of the classic Wireless Controller in favor of a much tighter, clicky feel with a lower travel distance.
All of those features work incredibly hard to justify the higher price tag of the Elite Series 2, making it one of the best Xbox Series X accessories to pass our palms in a long time.
Read more: Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Xbox Series X headsets
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset
The best headset for Xbox Series X
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed back, over earConnections: Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C chargingCable length: 14-inchDrivers: 40mmWeight: 312g
Reasons to buy
+Super clear mic +Reasonable price point +Solid surround sound +Fantastic bass
Reasons to avoid
-Mic monitoring could be better-Might be too small for larger heads
The official Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset has really disrupted the Xbox Series X headset scene by not only being one of the very best out there, but also holding a significantly cheaper price point. At $99 / £89 we were impressed by the out of the box quality in our testing, being particularly adept at wider soundscapes and excelling in our time with Red Dead Redemption 2. We were particularly pleased to hear a detailed surround sound between these cups as well, and those bass levels could be pumped with additional boost.
Not only that, but that price offers better value for money over headsets of a similar quality – and you’re even getting luxury features like a dual connection with your phone which typically bumps up the cost as well. The Razer Kaira Pro actually costs $50 more than the standard model to include this feature, so value for money is excellent here.
You won’t find a more rounded gaming headset on Xbox Series X for such a low price
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset review
We were initially surprised by the size of the Xbox Wireless Headset, weighing in at just 11oz (312g). In testing we did have to open that headband up a little to find a comfortable fit, and did experience a little pinching from the thinner foam padding around the band itself, but overall we were able to customize the fit enough to last through longer sessions. You’re getting more space here than with the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 but if you are concerned, it’s well worth checking out the slightly pricier SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless for an elasticated design instead.
The mic quality is great and we love how the mic itself tucks away neatly when not in use. There is a small light on the mute button when the mic is switched on, and while the brightness is adjustable, we did experience some frustration in testing – just catching the glare out the corner of our eye.
It’s worth noting that while you’re getting the best for Xbox Series X here, the Xbox Wireless Headset is difficult to connect to other devices. The Bluetooth, while the strongest we’ve experienced on Xbox, won’t work on PC, and there’s no 3.5mm port so you’ll need to invest in a USB-C to USB-C.
Read more: Xbox Wireless headset review
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SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless
A premium Xbox Series X headset
Specifications
Acoustic design: Closed BackDrivers: 40mmWeight: 12.4oz (352g)Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Android
Reasons to buy
+Comfortable for long sessions+Great audio across the range+Decent mic
Reasons to avoid
-Slightly lacking in bass-Sells out regularly
If you’re not interested in Microsoft’s own audio solution, we’d direct you to the SteelSeries Arctis 7X wireless headset. With cooler padding around the cups it’s an incredibly comfortable headset and we didn’t feel any pinching thanks to that elasticated band running across the top. We were particularly impressed with the soundscape on offer here, with bassier tones holding their own details despite the cups themselves offering smaller 40mm drivers, compared to the 50mm standard seen in Corsair and Razer devices.
You’ll also find a solid mic quality here, perfect for multiplayer, with an easily removable form factor for solo play as well. We generally recommend the Arctis 7X for Xbox, but you can also use the USB-C dongle with PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android to boot.
Xbox Series X steering wheels
Logitech G923 steering wheel & pedals
The best Xbox steering wheel overall
Specifications
Rotation: 900°Buttons: 16Pedals: 3Adjustable Pedals: NoCompatibility: Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S / Xbox One / PC
Reasons to buy
+More affordable than direct competitors+TrueForce feels insane+G Hub Software is brilliant
Reasons to avoid
-TrueForce only compatible with four games-No handbrake input and stick shift not included
Logitech created some of the best steering wheels on the market, and the G923 is no exception. With high quality, reliable construction, and TrueForce feedback baked right in, the G923 caters for both the enthusiast and entry level buyer perfectly. While it’s not the cheapest Xbox steering wheel on the market, it’s likely the best value for money thanks to the additional features it brings into play (900° rotation, dual-clutch, and premium leather cover). You can pay a lot more for a few more fancy add-ons, but overall this is the sweet spot for most players looking to dive into Forza in the evenings.
A steering wheel is one of the best Xbox Series X accessories for anyone who enjoys some time on the track, but we’d recommend this to those who regularly play more than four or five hours each week. At £350 / $400, this isn’t an impulse buy device, but if you’re looking to improve your lap times and immersion at the same time it’s a solid go-to.
We found it easy to set up, with everything working straight out of the box (a luxury that can’t be taken for granted once you start looking at high-end setups). We were also impressed by the power of the TrueForce immersion, with strong torque that had us wrestling with certain tracks. Not only that, but we loved the use of G Hub software on PC, so if you’re looking for a cross-platform device we’d heartily recommend the G923 for both Xbox Series X and Windows.
Read more: Logitech G923 review
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<a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Spider-Racing-Wheel-Xbox/dp/B00IVHQ0KI”>Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider</a>
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<a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Spider-Racing-Wheel-Xbox/dp/B00IVHQ0KI”>Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider</a>
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<a href=”https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Ferrari-Spider-Racing-Wheel-Xbox/dp/B00IVHQ0KI”>Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider</a>
2. Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider
The best Xbox steering wheel on a budget
Specifications
Rotation: 240ºPedals: 2Buttons: 15Adjustable pedals: YesCompatibility: Xbox Series X / Xbox Series S / Xbox One
Reasons to buy
+Relatively cheap+Offers decent control
Reasons to avoid
-Rotation isn’t as good-Doesn’t feel as satisfying to use
If you’re not looking for the latest and greatest driving experience, maybe you play for a few hours every month or so, or jump in and out of these titles, the Thrustmaster 458 Spider will be much better. At just over $100 / £100, you’re dropping some of the fancier features like Force Feedback, but the Spider manages to overcome these sacrifices with a few tricks of its own.
‘Linear resistance’ is packed into the steering wheel, so it’s harder to turn the further you spin the wheel. You won’t get the feel of a dedicated system here, but it’s certainly a nice to have if you’re looking for a degree of immersion without breaking the bank. That also means we’d recommend it more for arcade racers and more relaxed driving games, rather than hardcore simulation titles.
A smaller degree of rotation means you’ll get less precision out of each turn, but you’ll still feel a world of difference under your fingertips compared to a gamepad. With solid construction and an easy assembly, there’s still plenty of value in this cheaper steering wheel alternative.
Xbox Series X storage
Official Seagate Storage Expansion Card
The best official Xbox Series X storage device
Specifications
Capacity: 1TBStorage type: NVMe SSD memory cardConsole compatibility: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SPlays Series X/Series S optimized titles : Yes
Reasons to buy
+Matches speed and performance of internal SSD+Super simple installation+Very reliable
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive
If you’re finding your Xbox Series X’s internal SSD is full already and you’re regularly playing a wide range of games, then the official Seagate Storage Expansion Card will let you store even more and not have to worry about losing out on the fastest loading speeds or next-gen performance enhancements. This is one of our absolute favorite Xbox Series X accessories, thanks to its ease of use.
Look at that $220/£220 price though, that’s pretty wild – especially if you’ve recently paid for the Series X itself. This 1TB card comes with 920GB of usable space and to be fair, runs your games with all the same speeds and enhancements as if they were running on the bespoke internal SSD.
We did see a brief discount of $15 around launch, but in reality, given how expensive it is to produce a cutting-edge SSD card like this, we wouldn’t bank on prices dropping much further anytime soon. If you’re mainly looking for some extra space to play older Game Pass titles, you can save a lot of money and get even more GBs by opting for a standard external HDD like the one below. If you want the ultimate in performance though, this is the best option and will run older games much faster too as we halved Red Dead Redemption 2’s lengthy load times in half on this (and the internal SSD) compared to an external HDD.
WD Black P10 1-5TB Game Drive
A bit pricey, but reliable hard drive built to last
Specifications
Capacity: 1-5TBStorage type: : HDDConsole compatibility: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox OneUSB type: 3.0Plays Series X/Series S optimized titles : No
Reasons to buy
+Feels sturdy+Runs cool and quiet+3-year warranty as standard
Reasons to avoid
-Just regular loading speeds
We’ve been using our WD Black P10 on Xbox for a while at GamesRadar and easily moved our heaving Game Pass collection of downloaded titles from Xbox One to Xbox Series X with simple plug-and-play ease. We loved it so much, we awarded it a ‘best gaming hard drive’ prize at the GamesRadar Hardware Awards 2020.
Nowadays we use it to store new Xbox Series X titles when our internal SSD storage is a bit full, which means we don’t have to go through the fuss of redownloading titles. Get a 5TB version and you’ll be able to download almost every single Xbox Game Pass game.
The speeds are just the standard for an external HDD, so we’d still move over big last-gen titles like Red Dead 2 to the internal SSD as you’ll cut those loading times in half. For most last-gen titles though, we’re more than content to run them from this HDD. For Series X exclusive games or games with specific graphical enhancements patched in for the new console, you will have to run them from the SSD or the memory card above to get those benefits, but we think this is a smart buy for your last-gen titles, or benching Series X games you’re not playing much at the moment but don’t want to redownload (gluttonous beasts like Warzone and GTAV come to mind).
If you’d like to see a few other storage options, be sure to check out our full guide to the best Xbox Series X external hard drives and memory cards.
Xbox Series X charging accessories
Fosmon Dual 2 Max Xbox Charging Dock
A solid third-party charging option at a good price point
Specifications
Charging Time: 6 hoursPlay time: 40 hoursCompatibility: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Reasons to buy
+Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S compatible+Charges two controllers at once+Long battery life after fully charged
Reasons to avoid
-No wall plug included
You might be skeptical about third-party Xbox Series X accessories, but the Fosmon Dual 2 Xbox Charging Dock is here to banish that skepticism. At just $30, this charging dock can charge two controllers at once, and considering the official Microsoft single controller charging dock is $40, this is quite the steal. Plus the Fosmon Dual 2 comes with two sets of battery plates for both the Xbox Series X/S and the Xbox One controllers, so you’ll be able to use it across console generations.
You can also find this model in either black or white, so you can match to your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox One – an important feature of peripherals for gamers who like to look good. Once you swap out your pesky AA batteries for the Fosman Dual 2’s rechargeable battery packs, you can easily slide your controllers onto the dock – there’s no locking mechanism that requires you to fiddle with the controller, you just need to place it in the dock and the contact points line up.
The Fosmon Dual 2 has a USB to micro-USB cable, so you can plug it directly into the front of your console and since it’s a flat-lying dock, you could easily put it in front of your television and not obscure your vision. There are two problems with the charger: the lack of a wall plug for it and the charging cord’s relatively short length. However, you could easily swap in any longer-length phone charger – and at this price point, it’s worth the minor inconvenience.
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Venom Rechargeable Battery Twin Pack
Super cheap and light on clutter
Specifications
Charging time: 2-3 hoursPlay time: Up to 15 hoursCompatibility: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Reasons to buy
+No chunky dock required+Play and charge+Can charge batteries or any USB-C accessory
Reasons to avoid
-Battery pack fit is awkward
Tired of forking out for batteries and prefer your gaming setup to be a bit lighter on clutter? The Venom Rechargeable Battery pack is a great option as it comes with two battery packs and a three-metre cable (so you can play and charge at the same time if needed) that splits into two USB-C connections. The cable can also be used to charge up any other Xbox Series X accessories (like headsets) that have a USB-C port.
The packs do take longer to charge than they would with a charging dock (like the one below), but this twin pack and cable combo is cheaper and having the option of charging other devices at the same time is super handy. This will charge in standby mode too. If you’re a little bit naughty, you can actually use this cable for charging your PS5 accessories too.
Tired of forking out for batteries and prefer your gaming setup to be a bit lighter on clutter? The Venom Rechargeable Battery pack is a great option as it comes with two battery packs and a three-metre cable (so play and charge at the same time if needed) that splits into two USB-C connections. The cable can also be used to charge up any other Xbox Series X accessories (like headsets) that have a USB-C port.
Venom Twin Charging Dock with Batteries
A super affordable charging solution for a pair of controllers
Specifications
Charging time: 1 hourPlaying time: 15 hoursCompatibility: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Reasons to buy
+Simple to use+Super quick charging+2-metre cable
Reasons to avoid
-Battery packs must be in the controller to charge them
This is the best charging dock solution we’ve tested over in the UK for the Series X controllers. There is a slightly cheaper single-controller version, but you’re probably better off with this double option for the sake of the difference in price.
You get two battery packs with this dual charging dock and an hour of charging fills the 850 mAh batteries for around 15 hours of play. When charging the packs they need to be in the controller as pictured, which isn’t as much of an issue if you have two controllers as you can always make sure you have one juiced and good to go. We wouldn’t recommend trying to remove the packs and placing them on the charging connections as they don’t attach well without the controller.
To be fair, with such a short charging time, not to mention this also charges even if the console is just in standby mode you could leave this charging when you’re not gaming too. Note: this product is generally only available in the UK.
Xbox Series X services
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
One of the best Xbox Series X accessories sits on your console itself. Game Pass is Microsoft’s biggest selling point at the moment, packing a serious roster of titles into a low monthly price and offering first party releases on day one. However, we’d recommend upgrading to the Game Pass Ultimate subscription. It’s a must-have if you’re playing on console and still want to roll your online play into the same membership without having to pay a separate Xbox Live Gold price. You’ll find all the best Xbox Game Pass deals available now just below.
Xbox Live
If you don’t need that catalog of extra games, but you do have an online squad to find, Xbox Live Gold is all you need. Thankfully, the multiplayer service is particularly cheap these days, with six month memberships regularly taking significant discounts.
How we test Xbox Series X accessories
The biggest Xbox Series X accessories are controllers, headsets, and storage solutions. As with everything we test, we live with all of this gear in our everyday lives, playing with each item that passes our desks for weeks at a time before making our final recommendations.
Controllers are tested across a range of genres and playstyles to ensure they perform across the board, and are also put to the test based on their own individual shapes and designs as well. Headsets are run through not only a variety of genres, but a range of soundscapes and mixes. First person shooters are used to test surround sound performance, wider open world titles can show us how detailed a stage is, and epic single-player campaigns can help us work out how well each headset balances dialogue and music with sound effects. Of course, running through all of that is a constant eye on build quality and comfort as well.
When testing the storage solutions we recommend, we run each device through a series of industry tests to ascertain read and write speeds in an isolated manner. However, we also install each drive and check those numbers in a real world setting as well, running our own fast travel and install tests.
You can find out more about the recommendations we make in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.
- How we test headsets at GamesRadar+
- How we test controllers at GamesRadar+
- How we test SSDs and hard drives at GamesRadar+
We’re also rounding up all the best Xbox One accessories and the best Xbox One steering wheels for those looking to save a little extra on their setup. For more Series X gear, though, take a look at the best Xbox Series X wireless headsets for more inspiration.
