How To Use Regular Headphones on XBox One [2024 Guide]

Can You Use Regular Headphones on Xbox One?

You can absolutely use your regular headphones with the Xbox One. The newer model Xbox One controllers come equipped out of the box with a 3.5 mm jack that you can plug your headphones into directly. 

If you have an older model controller, there are several other ways to solve this problem. In this article, I’ll cover specific examples that will allow you to use your existing wired or wireless headphones to avoid having to buy a pricey dedicated gaming headset.

Don’t forget to stick around to the end of the article to find out what I feel is the easiest and best way to add regular headphone audio and chat features to your day-to-day gaming.

So, let’s take a look at the different ways to connect your existing headphones to the Xbox One.

Looking for a new gaming headset? We have a guide for best gaming headsets for people with large heads, best closed back headphones for gaming, and whether to go with a gaming headset or regular headphones + mic.

How to Connect Your Wired Headphones to Xbox One

The easiest way to connect your headphones to Xbox One is to plug a set of wired headphones into the 3.5 mm jack found on the bottom of the controller.

1. Plug your headphones into the jack at the bottom of the controller.
2. For first-generation Xbox One controllers with no jack, you will need to plug in a stereo adapter in the controller’s expansion port.
3. Turn the Xbox one on and navigate to settings-device and accessories to check for controller updates for both methods.

If you have an old Xbox 360 wired headset and you wish to use it with your Xbox One without an adapter, we have a guide here on how to use Xbox 360 headset on Xbox One without an adapter.

What Are the Best Xbox One Compatible Wired Headphones?

1. Tritton 3.5mm Chat Cable for Xbox One & Playstation4
2. Gaming Headset Audio Cable Audio Aux Chat Cable Cord for Astro A10 A40 A30 A50 Headset
3. Stereo Bass Surround Gaming Headset Headphones for PS4 New Xbox One PC iPhone iPad MP3, MP4 players with Mic
4. Skullcandy Ink’d+ In-Ear Earbud – Cobalt Blue

It’s just as easy to connect wireless Bluetooth headphones to Oculus Quest 2 or the Xbox One as long as your existing headphones are compatible. Follow these steps to get your Bluetooth headphones set up in no time.

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One?

1. Press the pairing button on the Xbox One controller until it blinks rapidly.
2. Press and hold the pairing button on your Bluetooth headphones.
3. The controller pairing light will stop blinking when paired successfully.

What are the Best Xbox One Compatible Bluetooth Headphones?

1. Xbox One Gaming Headset Stereo Over-Ear Gaming Headset with Mic Noise Cancelling Volume Control for Xbox One
2. BLARO Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear, Hi-Fi Deep Bass Wireless and Wired Headsets, 72 Hours Playtime, Soft Memory Protein Earmuffs, Foldable Headphones with CVC6.0 Mic-red
3. Apple AirPods Pro
4. Skullcandy Riff Wireless On-Ear Headphone – Black

How Do You Connect a Mic to Xbox One When Using Regular Headphones?

If you’re connecting a set of headphones, either wired or Bluetooth, to Xbox One that doesn’t have a microphone feature built-in, you’ll be missing out on half of the fun of online multiplayer gaming.

You won’t be able to communicate with your Call of Duty squad to organize a successful attack if you can’t talk to your other team members!

How Do You Connect a Mic to Xbox One When Using Regular Headphones?

The easiest way to add mic functionality to your Xbox One gameplay without a dedicated gaming headset would be to connect a USB mic to Xbox One.

The USB mic can be plugged into a controller with a USB jack or into a stereo adapter added on to older generation controllers.

I feel the stereo adaptor option is better as it also adds volume control functionality to your controller.

What is the Best Xbox One Compatible USB Mic?

1. TPFOON 4M 13FT Wired USB Microphone for Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Let’s Sing – Compatible with Xbox One
2. G-Dreamer USB Universal Karaoke Mic Microphone for Xbox
3. Rock Band 4 USB Microphone

Can You Use Apple Headphones on Xbox One?

Chances are, either you or someone in your household has a set of Apple headphones that came with one of your other devices.

I have a pile of the things sitting around the house from old iPad and iPhone purchases. I’ll have to admit that the sound quality of the stock Apple headphones is pretty good, and I try to use them whenever they are compatible.

The good news is, you can use your Apple headphones with Xbox One (and even on PS4). As a bonus, if you have a set that has a mic, you’ll be able to use that feature as well.

However, there’s some tinkering with the Xbox One settings that needs to be done to get this setup to work correctly.

How to Use Apple Headphones on Xbox One

1. Plugin your Apple earpods into the 3.5 mm jack on your controller.
2. Double-tap the large button on your controller and scroll down to settings.
3. Move the slider for mic monitoring all the way to the left to mute it.

Follow those three steps, and you’re in business. You should have audio and talk features through your Apple earpod headphones and probably just saved a few bucks by using something you already had around the house!

Suppose you run into trouble and find that your headphones are not compatible with any of the above methods we’ve discussed so far. In that case, there’s a good trick and workaround to enable you to both hear and talk with your fellow gamers without buying a pricey headset.

Check out this trick!

How to Use Your Phone as a Mic on Xbox One

Using the Xbox app on your Apple or Android phone may be one of the easiest ways to avoid having to buy a gaming headset to get both audio and chat features.

Simply download the app on your phone. Sign in with your Xbox credentials once it’s downloaded and follow these steps to start an Xbox Live party using your smartphone.

1. Download and open the Xbox app on your phone.
2. Tap the icon with multiple people at the top.
3. Invite friends from your list of Xbox Live contacts.
4. Speak into your phone to chat with other party members.
5. If you’d like, plug your regular headphones into the jack (know how to fix headphone jack on android) on your phone or connect a set of Bluetooth headphones for audio.

You can even mute and remove people in the chat, essentially giving you the same features as the console itself.

We’ve covered many effective ways to use your regular headphones with your Xbox One. With today’s technology, there are always multiple methods to achieve the same results.

Remember that if all else fails, you can easily reference the Xbox support website to check your console’s specifications and compatible add-on devices.

If you’re looking to improve your audio and chat experience on Xbox One, give one of these methods a try before you run out and buy a dedicated gaming headset. Chances are you already have everything you need….Happy Gaming