Microsoft has announced the next generation Xbox Series X/S consoles including their features and accessories. As a result, everyone is excited about the new consoles dedicated to both 4k resolution gaming for the Series X and 1440p for the Series S. These consoles also have some impressive specs for their respective price points. But, to get the absolute best experience out of your them, you’re going to need the best Xbox Series X accessories which we have reviewed below.
The new Xbox is designed to catch up with the immersive experience offered by high-end gaming PCs, but without breaking the bank. That being said, to fully enjoy the next-gen games that come with it, we’re going to want to get our hands on a few accessories such as a headset or a storage expansion card. Some of them are official extensions of the Xbox, while others are third party products designed for gamers.
In fact, the Series X is designed in such a way that almost any accessory will work with it, thus unlocking so many choices. Some might even say too many choices. So let’s explore these Xbox Series X accessories that we know of so far and find out what’s worth ordering for the ultimate gaming experience.
Xbox Series X, Series S Accessories
The Xbox Series X comes with a wireless controller and a high-speed HDMI capable included. So the following accessories aren’t absolutely necessary, but depending on your preferences and your gaming needs, some of them will be nice to have. Furthermore, this isn’t a definitive list since Microsoft may announce new peripherals down the line and other companies will surely fill in certain gaps. So, make sure you keep an eye out for anything new and interesting.
1. Xbox One Core Controller
The new console comes with a newly designed controller with a carbon black finish, sculpted surfaces, and a refined geometry to keep the player comfortable for hours. This sleek controller will certainly feel good in everyone’s hands and it will be hard to put down.
In addition to being paired with the next-gen Xbox, Microsoft announced that it will be compatible with the previous console generation, as well as Windows 10 systems and Android/ IoS devices. It’s compatible with so many devices that you can seamlessly switch between them and play any game you want. Therefore it’s worth getting an extra one or two to play with your friends or to make sure you always have one readily charged.
The controller also features a 3.5mm jack where you can plug your headset, and all of the buttons can be custom mapped. In addition, there’s a share button that we can use to easily send screenshots and videos to others.
Comfortable, highly compatible with a variety of devices, and customizable, however, some may not like the fact that AA batteries are used by default. Rechargeable batteries can also be used instead, and the controller can also be plugged in through a USB-C cable.
2. SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Gaming Headset
The Arctis 9X is already a popular choice among Xbox One fans because of the high-quality sound it provides as well as the typical comfort we expect from SteelSeries. Furthermore, it connects wirelessly to the console. So if you already have one, it’s going to work perfectly well with the new Xbox series.
The quality of the sound matches the premium price that comes attached, and you’ll get to enjoy crisp, clean sounds effects and background music at the same time. What’s also worth mentioning is the fact that you can use the Bluetooth connection to listen to music from your PC or accept phone calls, without interrupting the Xbox wireless connection. So if you’re up for some grinding, blast your favorite playlist and enjoy.
The most important aspects of a headset are the sound quality and comfort. After all, we have to wear one for hours at a time. Fortunately, the Arctis 9X succeeds on both accounts, and on top of that, it connects to the console without having to fiddle with clunky dongles.
3. Xbox Rechargeable Battery
As mentioned earlier, the controller comes with AA batteries by default. Most gamers may not be too happy about that. Fortunately, we have the option to purchase a rechargeable battery. Ideally, it would’ve been included in the controller, but nonetheless, it’s inexpensive and according to Microsoft’s specs, it charges in four hours and it lasts for approximately 30 hours of gameplay.
In addition, a USB-C cable is included and we can keep the controller plugged in while playing. The battery will continue to recharge during this time. Take note that if you already have the older Xbox one rechargeable battery, you will be able to use it with the new controller. However, you’ll need to use your own USB-C cable in that case.
All in all, this is a must have accessory to stop hoarding AA batteries.
4. PowerA Dual Charging Station for Xbox
In addition to Microsoft’s own accessories, they’re partnering with third-party companies for their Designed for Xbox program. PowerA is one of these companies and they have revealed their line of accessories. Among them is the Xbox Dual Charging Station.
This device enables us to charge and store two controllers without using any wires. Furthermore, it features an LED indicator that will change colors to indicate whether the controllers are fully charged or still charging.
Take note that in the package we’ll also find two 1100 mah batteries included. According to the manufacturer, they’ll provide us with a total of 40 hours worth of gameplay. This officially licensed charging station certainly has a lot to offer for $29.99.
5. Seagate Storage Expansion Card
This officially licensed SSD for Xbox Series X/S is designed to extend the available storage space by 1TB by providing it with the same speed and performance that we see in the internal SSD. Microsoft partnered with Seagate to deliver a special drive that replicates the high-speed architecture of the console’s internal memory.
This information alone helps us understand and accept the $219.99 price tag. This is not your typical external SSD that’s connected through an inefficient USB cable. Instead, it takes advantage of the PCIe 4.0 standard, thus being able to provide us with much faster loading times.
However, even though Microsoft announced that Xbox One accessories will remain compatible, we won’t be able to install the next-gen games on external USB hard drives and SDDs. Games developed for the Xbox Series X/S can only be played from the internal SSD or the expansion card. This may not be pleasant news, but the new console relies a lot on its PCIe 4.0 interface to deliver a quality experience, therefore the Seagate expansion card will come in handy.
6. Astro A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station
With the launch of the next-gen consoles, Astro announced their line of compatible next-gen headsets. The A50 is one of them and it’s going to be fully compatible with the Xbox Series X as well as Sony’s PlayStation 5, PCs, and Mac.
The Astro A50 comes with 7.1 simulated surround sound, allowing you to feel the added realism to in-game actions, such as an arrow whooshing above your head. Furthermore, thanks to the Dolby Pro IIx compatibility, the headset features a clean, deep bass complemented by crisp highs. The sound quality can be compared to almost any other 7.1 headsets on the market.
As for the design of the A50, that’s up to each individual. The headset is fairly bulky and it won’t fit quite as snug as other headsets, but it should still feel comfortable for most people. The controls are easy to access as well, with a minor exception being the volume/voice balance. These two options are controlled by the same wheel. When you push it to raise the game volume, the voice volume will be lowered. The opposite happens when you increase voice volume. Some may or may not like this feature, but that shouldn’t be enough to justify skipping the A50.
Next to the headset, the package also includes a base station. While previous versions came with a simple stand, this is a lot more than that. The station is a wireless transmitter that ensures clean voice communication and it also simplifies headset charging. As a bonus, it also looks cool as a stand for your headset.
All in all, this is one of the most feature-rich headsets out there, and with the high compatibility added into the mix, it becomes a tempting purchase. Finally, the A50 comes with its own dedicated software where you can customize everything from game audio settings to voice communication.
7. Anker Powerline III USB-C to USB-C Cable
A good quality USB-C to USB-C cable is always good to have since so much tech uses it today. As mentioned earlier, the new Xbox controller comes with a USB-C connector because it has been made compatible with many mobile devices. This is where the Powerline III gets to shine.
Anker is well-established on the power-delivery market and their USB-C cable is a great solution for our Xbox needs and more. Just keep in mind that the Xbox Series X itself doesn’t have a USB-C connector, just the usual USB-A. However, we still need the Powerline III to connect the controller to certain devices.
The Powerline III is 10 feet long, has a quadruple fiber core, and it’s highly resilient. Anker mentions that their cable should survive up to 25,000 bends, so it should be quite durable for daily use. We can also use USB-A adapters with it if necessary.
As far as USB-C cables go, the Powerline is a great accessory to have in general and its quality is backed by a lifetime warranty.
8. PowerA Play and Charge Kit
As an alternative to Microsoft’s Xbox rechargeable battery, we have the Play and Charge kit from PowerA. This officially licensed battery kit includes two 1100 mah batteries that are compatible with any wireless Xbox controller, except for the Elite Series 2.
The kit also includes two battery doors for the Xbox Series X/S and another two for the Xbox One. Furthermore, the batteries can be charged using any charging station designed by PowerA.
The rechargeable kit is highly affordable and therefore recommended over plain AA batteries. Otherwise, it won’t be long until you end up spending more money on AA batteries than on the PowerA kit.
9. The Atlas Universal Dual Game Controller Wall Mount
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Whether you’re a longtime console gamer or just starting out with the new Xbox Series X/S, you should invest in a cheap universal wall mount for your controllers. It’s never fun wasting your time looking for them when you have friends over. In addition, the new controllers also make nice decorative pieces. So do them a favor and hang them using the Atlas dual mount.
The Atlas can hold two Xbox controllers simultaneously, but it’s also compatible with other controllers as well. For instance, if you also intend to get a PS5, its controllers will fit just fine. The same goes for the Gamepad and the Steam controller. Its universal design makes it highly adaptable.
This mount is easy to install because it comes with 3M tape already applied on it. All you need to do is attach it to the wall, desk, monitor, or any other surface you can think of. The manufacturer guarantees that it can hold up to 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) of weight, so two controllers shouldn’t pose any risks.
10. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
This controller is another one of PowerA’s officially licensed Xbox Series X/S accessories. As the name suggests, it comes with a few additional features for an improved gaming experience. It’s also worth noting that it’s compatible with the Xbox One as well, so you can switch back and forth from console to console.
The Enhanced Wired Controller is a feature-rich controller that’s aimed at those of us who don’t mind wires and prefer to avoid dealing with batteries, chargers, and stations. Sometimes simple is better and cheaper. Besides, the USB cable is 10 feet (3m) long, which is plenty without the risk of experiencing any level of input lag.
The first things you’ll notice are the Share button that enables you to share in-game screenshots and videos, and the Headset Dial. The dial is an excellent addition that is used to control the volume or mute the chat channel when wearing a wired headset. It’s convenient because we have audio control on the spot without entering any menus or using the buttons on the headset.
At the same time, we can also map the two Advanced Gaming Buttons instantly, again without navigating through any menus. There’s no software configuration involved. All we need to do is hold our thumbs on the analog sticks and map our actions two the buttons at the back of the controller. Just make sure to memorize the process so that you can map your buttons in less than three seconds.
Furthermore, the PowerA controller features dual rumble motors, anti-friction analog sticks, and a 3.5mm jack for the headset. The layout is designed for maximum control and customization. The visual design isn’t ignored either as the controller comes with a diamond-textured grip and a metallic D-pad.
Finally, PowerA includes a two-year warranty to guarantee the quality of their enhanced controller.
Final Thoughts
The next-generation Xbox Series is certainly exciting and it unlocks immersive 4k resolution gaming for everyone. Microsoft designed its newest console using future-proof technology to extend its life for the near future. But that doesn’t mean it’s no longer compatible with various Xbox One accessories. On the contrary, Microsoft focused a great deal on fixing compatibility problems, and they have also partnered with third-party companies like PowerA to deliver everything we need for the best experience.
In conclusion, there are many accessories out there for each type of gamer. And this list isn’t definitive since many new products will be released during the lifetime of the console. So take your time and find what suits your best.
