How to Easily Connect Your Bluetooth Headphones to an Xbox Console

Have you ever wanted to use your Bluetooth headphones while gaming on your Xbox? If so, you‘re in the right place!

In this guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through different methods to connect Bluetooth headphones to an Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S. We‘ll also troubleshoot any issues that arise with Bluetooth adapters.

By the end, you‘ll be wirelessly listening to game audio through your favorite Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. Let‘s get started!

Pairing Bluetooth Headphones with an Xbox Console

The Xbox itself doesn‘t directly support Bluetooth audio connections. But with the right accessories, you can find workarounds to wirelessly stream Xbox audio to Bluetooth headphones.

Before connecting, make sure your Bluetooth headphones are in pairing mode. For most models, this involves opening the case so the headphones power on and enter pairing mode automatically.

Here are four methods you can try to pair your Bluetooth headphones with an Xbox console:

Method 1: Connect Through Your TV‘s Bluetooth

This method works if your TV already has built-in Bluetooth capabilities. About 80% of smart TVs sold in 2022 have Bluetooth support according to Statista.

To pair your headphones:

Go to your TV settings menu and look for Bluetooth settings. It‘s often under Settings > Audio > Audio Output > Bluetooth.
Put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode. They should show up on your TV‘s list of available devices. Select them to pair.
You‘ll hear a chime or voice confirmation when successfully connected.

Now Xbox audio can travel from the console through your TV‘s Bluetooth connection right into your headphones. Just make sure to select the Bluetooth headphones as your TV‘s audio output.

Method 2: Stream Through Xbox Remote Play to a Bluetooth Laptop

With Xbox Remote Play, you can stream your Xbox screen to a Windows 10 or 11 PC. Here‘s how to use it for wireless audio:

On your Xbox, enable remote features under Settings > Devices & Streaming > Remote Features.
Open the Xbox app on your PC and click the console icon at the top to start Remote Play.
Pair your Bluetooth headphones to your PC. You should now hear Xbox audio coming from the headphones.

Microsoft says Remote Play works best when connected via ethernet cable. If using Wi-Fi, try to connect your Xbox and PC to a 5GHz network.

While convenient, Remote Play can suffer from lag and compression artifacts. It works better for slower paced, single-player games.

Method 3: Get a 3.5mm Bluetooth Transmitter for Your TV

If your TV lacks Bluetooth support, you can get a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter. They plug into the TV‘s headphone jack and pair with Bluetooth headphones.

The ZEXMTE Bluetooth 5.0 transmitter is a top rated option with over 5,000 reviews on Amazon. It auto-pairs, has 30 feet of range, and charges via USB-C.

To use:

Plug the transmitter into your TV‘s 3.5mm port, often labeled "Audio Out."
Put your headphones in pairing mode and connect to the transmitter once detected.
On your TV, select the headphone jack audio output. Xbox audio now streams through the transmitter to your headphones.

Method 4: Use a 3.5mm Bluetooth Adapter for Your Xbox Controller

You can also find 3.5mm Bluetooth adapters designed specifically for Xbox controllers. They take advantage of the controller‘s existing 3.5mm headphone jack.

For example, the Uberwith adapter pairs Bluetooth headphones while letting you chat using the Xbox headset port.

To use:

Firmly plug the adapter into the 3.5mm port at the bottom of your Xbox controller.
Pair your headphones with the adapter. An LED light indicates when successfully connected.
Make sure your Xbox audio output is set to "Headset" to send game audio through the controller jack.

Troubleshooting Bluetooth Adapters for Xbox

While useful, these Bluetooth adapters aren‘t officially supported by Microsoft. Many are made by third parties. So you may run into issues:

No microphone support – Most don‘t allow using your Bluetooth headphone‘s mic. You‘ll have to use the controller‘s headset port instead for voice chat.

Audio lag – Cheap adapters often have significant lag between game audio and visuals. This makes games feel disjointed. Look for low latency adapters.

Connectivity issues – Adapters can sometimes disconnect or fail to pair. Try restarting both devices or re-pairing to fix this.

Poor sound quality – Due to Bluetooth‘s audio compression, sound quality may not be as good as wired headphones. But this varies across headphone models.

Despite flaws, a good Bluetooth adapter still lets you cut the cord and listen wirelessly. So they can be worth trying out.

Alternatives to Bluetooth Headphones for Xbox

Bluetooth has its downsides for gaming audio. Here are some alternatives to consider:

Wired earbuds – The earbuds that come with smartphones have inline mics and work when plugged into an Xbox controller.
Xbox wireless headset – Dedicated wireless headsets like the Xbox Wireless Headset provide better sound and mic quality.
TV wireless headphones – If your TV supports it, use dedicated TV wireless headphones like the Avantree HT5009.

So don‘t feel like Bluetooth is your only path to wireless audio. Depending on your budget and needs, wired or direct wireless options may work better.

Conclusion

Hopefully now you have a better understanding of how to connect Bluetooth headphones to your Xbox console:

Pair headphones through your TV‘s Bluetooth
Use Xbox Remote Play and link to a Bluetooth PC
Get a 3.5mm Bluetooth transmitter for your TV or controller

While not perfect, these solutions allow you to wirelessly use your favorite Bluetooth headphone and earbud models while gaming on Xbox.

If you run into any issues, try the troubleshooting tips covered here. And consider alternatives like dedicated wireless Xbox headsets for an optimized experience.

Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about using Bluetooth headphones with your Xbox!