We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a genuine gaming headset built for Xbox audio — one you can wear while playing, taking calls or listening to music — choose Polk Audio Melee Headphone; if you need a charging dock that keeps your Xbox controller topped up and your headset stored neatly between sessions, choose JDGPOKOO Controller Charger. These are two completely different products solving two completely different problems, and that's the whole point of this comparison. If you came here hunting for the best headphones for swimming, neither of these is a swim product — but a wired over-ear headset and a charging stand can both matter for a gaming setup, so let's figure out which one actually belongs in your room.
• Polk Audio Melee Headphone — biggest strength: It's an actual audio device. Over-ear dynamic drivers, 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range, a near-field retractable gaming mic, and four Immersion Modes tuned for racing, FPS, music and cinema.
• Polk Audio Melee Headphone — biggest trade-off: It's wired (3.5 mm jack), has no active noise control, and it's built around the Xbox 360 generation with an upgrade path to Xbox One — so modern console owners need to check compatibility before buying.
• JDGPOKOO Controller Charger — biggest strength: It solves a real daily annoyance: a charging dock for Xbox controllers plus a headphone stand and two extra USB ports, all in one tabletop station.
• JDGPOKOO Controller Charger — biggest trade-off: It charges nothing by itself. No controller or headset included, and it only works with batteries that have the four center contact terminals.
• Buy the Polk Melee if you need the sound and the mic. Buy the JDGPOKOO Charger if you already own the gear and just need it charged, stored and organized.
The Melee is a gaming headset first and a general listening device second, and the specs back that up. Polk built it in collaboration with game sound designers, and the result is a wired over-ear headphone with a 3.5 mm jack, dynamic drivers covering the full 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, and memory foam ear cushions wrapped in fabric with a plastic frame. That combination — over-ear cups, memory foam, 199 g — tells you it's designed for long sessions rather than quick bursts. The retractable near-field microphone is a nice touch for anyone who hates a mic boom hovering in front of their face; it tucks away when you're not talking.
What makes the Melee interesting is the feature set beyond basic audio. Polk's thumb-reach Audio Mixer lets you adjust modes and listening levels without lifting your hands off the controller — genuinely useful during a match. The four Immersion Modes (Forza Motorsport Racer, Halo FPS, Music and Cinema) let you tailor the sound profile to what you're doing, so the same headset shifts from a punchy FPS mix to something warmer for music or movies. It also works with smartphones and tablets, and you can take calls with a button press thanks to the call control. The touch-based control method is worth noting: if you prefer physical buttons, this may feel unusual at first.
Who should buy it? Anyone on Xbox 360, or Xbox One with the upgrade path, who wants one headset for gaming, music and phone calls — and who values over-ear comfort and a clean, mic-free look. Who should skip it? If you're on a current-generation console with different audio expectations, or you want wireless freedom, or you need noise cancellation for a loud room, this isn't the pick. It's a wired, no-noise-control design, and that's a real limitation worth respecting.
This is a desk accessory, not a listening device, and judging it as anything else is a mistake. The JDGPOKOO station is a multiport stand made from ABS plastic that combines a controller charging dock, a headphone stand, and two extra USB 2.0 ports (three USB ports total). It runs on USB Type-C input at 5 volts and 2.4 A, outputting 10 watts, and it charges a compatible Xbox controller in roughly two to three hours. There's an intelligent chip inside to guard against overcharging, overheating and short circuits — the kind of detail that matters when a device sits plugged in overnight.
The practical stuff is where it earns its place. The RGB headphone stand offers seven lighting modes you cycle through with a button, which is pure atmosphere but genuinely fun for a gaming corner. The smart indicator bar glows blue while charging and turns green once your battery passes 80 percent, and if no controller is seated, the bar flashes in sync with the base light bar. The extra USB ports let you connect a keyboard and mouse, or charge a phone, wireless headset or other small device.
The catch is compatibility, and it's a big one. This only works with original or imitation batteries that have four contact terminals in the center — batteries without those four contacts won't charge. It also doesn't include a controller or a headset; it's the infrastructure, not the gear. Buy it if you own Xbox Series X|S, Elite 2, One, One X, One S or One Elite controllers and want them charged, stored and displayed in one tidy spot. Skip it if your controller uses a different battery type, or if you'd rather keep your desk minimal and plug in a single cable.
• Best for actual game audio → Polk Audio Melee Headphone. It's the only one of the two that produces sound.
• Best for voice chat → Polk Audio Melee Headphone. The retractable near-field mic is built in; the JDGPOKOO station has no mic at all.
• Best for keeping a gaming space organized → JDGPOKOO Controller Charger. Dock, stand and USB hub in one tabletop footprint.
• Best for long-session comfort → Polk Audio Melee Headphone. Over-ear memory foam cups at 199 g are designed to be worn, not just stored.
• Best for charging multiple devices → JDGPOKOO Controller Charger. Three USB ports and a 10 W output handle controllers, phones and accessories.
• Best for console flexibility → JDGPOKOO Controller Charger. It covers Xbox Series X|S, Elite 2, One, One X, One S and One Elite, while the Melee is tied to Xbox 360 with an Xbox One upgrade path.
• Best "buy it once" simplicity → Polk Audio Melee Headphone. No battery contacts to worry about, no compatibility chart — just plug in the 3.5 mm jack.
• Best for gamers who hate cable clutter on the controller side → JDGPOKOO Controller Charger. Set the controller down and it charges.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the Polk Audio Melee Headphone — but only if I'm actually buying a headset, because that's the job it does. It's the complete product here: sound, mic, comfort and audio modes in a single device, and it works across gaming, music and calls. The JDGPOKOO Controller Charger is the better buy only when you already own a compatible headset and controller and simply want them charged and tidy. For anyone searching for the best earphones for swimming or gaming headphones for swimming, neither of these fits the water — but for an Xbox setup, the Melee is the piece that changes how your games sound, and that's the one I recommend starting with.
FAQ
how to connect xbox headphones
With a wired headset like the Polk Audio Melee, you connect through the 3.5 mm jack — plug it into the controller or audio source. It's also compatible with smartphones and tablets, and Polk lists an upgrade path to Xbox One. The JDGPOKOO station doesn't connect audio; its USB Type-C input powers the dock itself.
Wired headsets don't pair — there's no Bluetooth pairing step on the Melee's 3.5 mm connection. The Melee does list Bluetooth as a wireless technology, but the primary connection is the physical jack. If your headset is wireless, follow the headset maker's pairing steps; the JDGPOKOO charger only supplies power and USB ports, not pairing.
how to make xbox headphones louder
Start with your game or console volume, then use the headset's own controls. The Polk Melee includes Polk's thumb-reach Audio Mixer for adjusting listening levels without releasing the controller, plus four Immersion Modes that change the tuning. The JDGPOKOO station has no audio controls, so it plays no role in volume.
how to use xbox headphones
Wear them over your ears, connect the 3.5 mm jack, and use the on-headset controls to switch modes or take calls. The Melee's retractable mic stays out of the way until you need it. If you want a place to rest and charge between sessions, the JDGPOKOO station's headphone stand and charging dock handle that side of the setup.
• our Pioneer DJ HDJ-X7-S vs Audio-Technica 5 pick
• LEEMC Earbuds vs LINGUARA AI Translation Earbuds
• MAIRDI USB Headset vs Necode USB Headset: Headphones for
• Microsoft Modern vs Jabra Evolve2: Wireless Headset
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.