Sony’s fifth-generation PlayStation makes the ones that came before it look practically primitive by comparison. PS5 graphics, speed, and sound offer limitless, next-gen gameplay. That is, if you can even get your mitts on one. Still, those who own one can set their watches to the cinematic-quality of games that made PlayStation a household name when it launched in the US in 1995. However, when it comes to totally immersive experiences, you’ll need a solid gaming headset to take full advantage of the moment. Here’s a selection of the best PS5 headsets worth your cash.
— Best Overall: Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
— Best Wireless: SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless Headset
— Best Wired: Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset
— Best Premium: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
— Best Budget: Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset
How We Picked The Best PS5 Headsets
Methodology
Even to a longtime player, gaming headsets, no matter what device you’re using them on, can run together when it comes to looks. This makes picking out a good PS5 headset a little more difficult than it needs to be. Luckily, though, there are a few simple things to consider when judging a good headset against a lackluster one. Here’s a quick look at the rubric I used.
Ease of Use: Headsets should not be complicated. Syncing them up to the Playstation 5 should be done quickly and without any headaches that wireless devices often bring. Even if a model isn’t wireless, it should still be ready to “plug and play.” That is, it should connect to the PS5 with a button touch or two. And once it is connected, it better stay connected.
Sound Quality: Developers big and small invest tons of money into making audio in games sound as crisp as possible. These cinematic sounds should never ring tiney or anything less than stellar. And if there’s any audio lag with a headset, it’s not even worth buying.
Longevity: You should be able to use a PS5 headset for hours upon hours on end, because even the most tech-obsessed among us forget to charge devices. Better yet, will it hold a charge for days, weeks, or months, should the PS5 gather dust? Bonus points if the device can be used while it’s being charged.
We further explain how we test gaming equipment here.
Best PS5 Headsets: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Why It Made the Cut: This headset is made specifically to tap into the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech capabilities.
Specs:
— Weight: 0.63 pounds
— Connection: Wireless
— Battery: Charges via USB-C
Pros:
— Easily customizable settings through PS5 menu
— Tuned for Sony’s premium PS5 Tempest 3D Audio
— Runs up to 12 hours
Cons:
— Lackluster microphone
— Can’t charge and play at the same time
It should be no surprise that the headset Sony made for its own console is the best PS5 headset. In many cases, you simply can’t beat the vertical integration Sony brings to its consoles, televisions, and in this case, headsets. The Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is noise-canceling and provides “fine-tuned 3D audio.” This is a fancy way of saying that sound will be as immersive as possible, providing a near tsunami of sound coming at you from every direction.
Better yet, this headset can be customized directly from the PS5 menu, with three convenient presets. These include Standard, Bass Boost, Shooter. Each of these is optimized for different genres and play styles, but you can also customize up to three presets at a time. And along with being comfortable, they match your PS5’s sleek aesthetic. You know, if that sort of design synergy is important to you. Keep in mind that despite providing excellent in-ear sound, the built-in microphone isn’t as great as it could be. Still, for its quality and price point, it’s the most prudent choice. Prudent choice as it is, it becomes an absolute steal if you buy a renewed version, which not only shaves a pretty penny off the retail price, but earns you some eco-friendly points. Learn more about how we gauge sustainability.
Best Wireless: SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless Headset
Why It Made the Cut: The unmatched battery life makes this the best wireless headset for gaming on the PS5, PS4, PC, Android, and even Nintendo Switch.
Specs:
— Weight: 0.93 pounds
— Connection: 2.4 GHz Wireless via USB-C Dongle
— Battery: Charges via Micro USB
Pros:
— Crisp and detailed audio compatible with Tempest 3D Audio
— Easy plug and play via USB-C dongle
— Runs up to 20 hours
Cons:
— Expensive
— May require tweaking to get sound perfect
SteelSeries headsets offer some of the best build quality in gaming headsets. And while the Sony Pulse 3D headsets work great right out of the box, SteelSeries Arctis 7P is fully compatible with the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio, which allows you to not just hear sound, but feel it all around you. However, it may require fiddling with the settings to adjust it perfectly. What needs little adjusting is the ski-goggle suspension strap, which is built to stay comfortable on your noggin for the unrivaled 20-hour run time.
Also, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P is a great catch-all gaming headset. Because it connects to devices via dongle, you can go from gaming on PS5 to PC and even on the Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, you’ll be expected to drop a pretty penny on a pair. Still, it’s a bankable headset that is nearly universal.
Best Wired: Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset
Why It Made the Cut: For fans of analog sound, the Razer BlackShark V2 is an excellent entry-level gaming headset.
Specs:
— Weight: 0.53 pounds
— Connection: Wired 3.5 mm audio cord
— Battery: N/A
Pros:
— Comfortable and lightweight
— Sturdy audio and mic quality
— Unbeatable price
Cons:
— Sound comes in quieter than many mics
— Treble could use a buff
Sometimes, going wireless poses many more woes than simply plugging directly into a device. Luckily, this route is a little less cumbersome on PS5, considering that each controller has a built-in audio port. So say goodbye to latency issues that even some of the best wireless headsets bring in tow.
The build quality of the Razer BlackShark V2 headset is surprisingly high, for the price. Breathable memory foam ear cushions keep sound in while minimizing heat and sweat. They’re even equipped with passive noise-canceling capabilities because of the quality of the padding. But don’t expect to be blown away by the sound quality. The Razer BlackShark may be a little more immersive than simply using your television’s audio, but those looking for crystal-clear fidelity may want to invest a bit more in a pricier headset. It’s a great starter headset and our pick for the best wired headset.
Best Premium: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
Why It Made the Cut: Intensely immersive sound picks up subtle lows and booming highs better than many headsets on the market.
Specs:
— Weight: 0.57 pounds
— Connection: Wireless via USB Transmitter
— Battery: Charges via USB-C
Pros:
— Unmatched spatial surround sound
— Most comfortable headset
— Companion app allows for infinite customization
Cons:
— Wireless capabilities don’t stretch very far
Turtle Beach conducted a study in May of 2021 which found that its game-changing sound resulted in players living almost 20 percent longer, with a 44 percent boost in their kill/death ratio. Still, if you buy into the idea that unparalleled sound equals a boost in skills, this headset with refined internal acoustics is the one to test the theory out on. Yes, the headset is Tempest 3D Audio-compatible, but even the mic on this headset is high performance for clear in-game chatting or even phone calls.
Aside from the brilliant sound capabilities, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is also built with comfort in mind. Its ear cushions are infused with a special cooling gel that makes them so cozy, you may not even want to take them off. The companion Turtle Beach app allows you to not only customize audio settings, but listen to music while you game with a simultaneous Bluetooth connection. And aside from the price (this is the premium option, after all), its wireless capabilities don’t stretch too far. So be sure to take the headset off your head if you’re leaving the room.
Best Budget: Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset
Why It Made the Cut: Immersive surround sound for half the price of a standard PS5 game.
Specs:
— Weight: 0.55 pounds
— Connection: Wired via 3.5 mm audio cord
— Battery: Charges via USB-C
Pros:
— Excellent build-quality for the price
— Bendable cardioid pickup mic
— Lightweight and comfortable
Cons:
— Poor bass, occasional staticy highs
If you simply must have a pair of gaming headphones for less than $50, you could certainly do worse than the Razer Kraken X Ultralight Gaming Headset. Clocking in at a mere quarter pound, it’s so lightweight that you’ll almost forget you have it on. The built-in cardioid mic even bends perfectly so it picks up your voice and nothing else. If you plug it into a PC, it even comes with special audio drivers available via download.
And while this inexpensive offering does give you a taste of the sound immersion PS4 is known for, don’t expect Steely Dan levels of fidelity here. However, it occasionally does a fairly good job of noise canceling.
Things To Consider When Buying a PS5 Headset
PS5 Tempest 3D Audio Capability
The new Playstation comes with proprietary audio capabilities that become even better when paired with a good-quality headset. However, not all PS5 headsets come with Tempest 3D Audio compatibility. Those that do usually list it boldly.
Comfort
I’m not saying I condone gaming for days at a time, but even pulling an all-nighter wearing a gaming headset shouldn’t make your ears ache, let alone your skull. Lighter models are better at putting less strain on your neck as well. Some headsets even have memory foam earphones to provide extra comfort. However, because everyone’s head is different, it might be worth checking out exact dimensions of the model you’re considering buying.
Versatility
Dedicating a headset just for gaming on the PS5 is a cool idea if you can afford it. But peripherals scattered around your house or workstation can make things mighty crowded. Many headsets that work for PS5 also work on other consoles and devices, including Sony’s headset.
FAQs
Q: Will any headset work with PS5?
If a headset comes with an audio cord, you can plug it into the PS5 via the PS5 Dual Sense controller. It can be found under the controller in between the control sticks. Not all wireless headsets are compatible with PS5. Be sure to check compatibility before buying.
Q: How much does a PS5 headsets cost?
Wireless PS5 headsets cost anywhere from the low end of $30 all the way to a few hundred, depending on their features and build quality. The PS5 headset Sony makes for its own console costs less than $100
Q: Are Turtle Beach headsets good?
Yes, Turtle Beach headsets are good. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Headset is our favorite premium option. However, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Headset is also a fantastic option, and a bit more affordable.
Q: What headset has the best sound quality?
Out of the box, the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset will offer the fantastic, immersive 3D audio the PS5 is known for. The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless Headset is also a fantastic choice for great sound quality, but you will need to play with the settings to get it just right.
Q: What is the most comfortable headset?
Many of the pricier models are built with comfort in mind, but the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset takes it a step further with its comfort features. Its ear cushions have a layer of “cooling gel” to keep the heat down, along with sweat that typically accompanies it.
Q: Is wireless or wired headset better?
Wireless offers more mobility, but even the best wireless PS5 headsets can lag when gaming. And when it comes to gaming, like comedy, timing is everything. Going wired isn’t as cumbersome on the PS5, since the audio jack is inside the Dual Sense controller. Many wireless PS5 headsets also allow you to go wired at will. When you're ready to upgrade, find out how to recycle electronics.
Related: Optimize your experience with the best 4K gaming monitors.
Final Thoughts on the Best PS5 Headsets
Competitive gaming and headsets go hand in hand, and tapping into the PS5 Tempest 3D Audio can provide some seriously unmatched immersion. While many pricier headsets come with extra frills and occasionally richer sound, the Sony Pulse 3D Wireless is the most prudent choice because you can use it right out of the box. If you’re an audiophile, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset is Tempest 3D Audio ready, but offers far more customizability.
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
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