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Sep 29, 2023

Best PS5 Headsets In 2023

These are the best gaming headsets for the discerning PS5 owner. Getting the

These are the best gaming headsets for the discerning PS5 owner.

Getting the best PS5 headset can transform your playing experience as it can bring you close to the action and better immerse you in the game. The PS5 is well equipped to do this with its 3D audio capabilities and a sound engine that's improved from its predecessor. With TV speakers often being on the thin side nowadays, to get a more immersive gaming experience often means putting on a headset. You might also want headphones so as not to disturb others in your household or you might need to talk to other players when playing an online game.

Related:The Best Accessories To Buy For PS5

There are a range of options for PS5 headsets and the best one might differ depending on your needs. You might need a headset within a certain budget, for example, or a pair that work equally well with other games consoles. There are wireless and wired options, headsets that offer removable or retractable mics, and then there are those that prioritise sound quality above all else. We have a range of options so look no further for the best PS5 headsets available right now.

The Best PS5 Headset For Most People

The best PS5 headset for most people is the Sony PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset. Sony's official PlayStation 5 headset balances performance with price, hitting a good combination of features for the money. Being the official headset it also pairs easily with the PS5 and shares the console and DualSense's design aesthetic. The Pulse 3D headset works well with the PS5's Tempest 3D AudioTech that simulates surround sound. It also has an in-built mic that doesn't protrude but goes with a minimalist style while being one of the more comfortable headsets on the market. All this makes the Pulse 3D wireless headset the best PS5 headset for most people.

The PS5's Tempest audio engine simulates spatial audio in supported games, creating the illusion of sound moving around you. While it works with any headset, a former TheGamer editor tested the 3D sound with different audio devices, including high-end Beyerdynamic monitor headphones and a Sonos soundbar, and was surprised to discover that it was the Pulse 3D—a $100 headset—that made him a believer in the tech (you can read his write-up here).

The Pulse 3D includes an adjustable EQ and a battery meter on the PS5 dashboard—incidentally, you're looking at about 12 hours of play per charge, which is done via USB-C. It also comes in Midnight Black for those who prefer a dark color scheme.

Decent Performance For Cheap

The best budget PS5 headset is an excellent choice for sound quality, comfort, and convenience since they work on other gaming platforms as well. For an afforable price, you get sound quality on a par with the more expensive options in SteelSeries' range, as well as a removable mic and a handy volume dial on the left earcup. While you don't get wireless functionality, since these plug into the DualSense with 3.5mm jack, it does mean it can be used with a range of other devices. For less than $50 you get bang for your buck with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1s.

Those on a limited budget or who simply don't want to splash out too much for a headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Wired headset punches above its weight in terms of sound quality and convenience, with a fully retractable mic built in and the ability to use it with other platforms. It'll even serve as regular headphones for everyday music listening since it handles most genres in a well balanced way — just don't expect too much bass.

Overall, the Arctis Nova 1 won't blow you away with its build quality, but it will please those on a limited budget with its features, comfort, and overall performance for its price. It's fully compatible with the PS5's Tempest 3D Audio and represents a great entry point into the SteelSeries brand and to start immersing yourself into PS5 games or to use them with any device with a regular headphone jack.

The Premium Experience

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a premium option among PS5 headsets and is regarded as the best pick for those looking for something high-end. With 40mm Neodymium drivers and 360° Spatial Audio, the Nova Pro is fully compatible with the PS5's Tempest 3D audio. Build quality is of a high standard with plush earcups and an elastic headband. These headsets also feature an AI noise cancelling mic that seamlessly retracts into the earcup. Overall it's an attractive combination of features that you'd expect from a high-end pair of gaming headphones.

Those looking for one of the best sounding gaming headsets compatible with the PS5's 3D audio should look to the Arctis Nova Pro. These headsets also have Multi-System Connect that allows users to switch between PC or Nintendo Switch with the press of a button, and they support Microsoft Spatial Sound to boot.

The EQ settings allow players to customise their sound profile to adjust bass and treble to suit preferences or a particular game, while the bidirectional mic should have your voice coming through clear and crisp. These premium headsets come with a GameDAC that offers Hi-Res audio resolution and purer signal for less noise and distortion. As a high-end gaming headset expect robust build quality and a premium feel.

Good Range Of Features

The Logitech G Astro A30 Wireless gaming headset is a premium option that offers good sound quality and performance. These will work well for those wanting to chat as they come with a removable boom mic that's a clear upgrade from the built-in mic on the earcup. They're also versatile as they work with a range of gaming platforms and they ship with a Lightspeed USB-A transmitter. With a 27-hour battery life, these Astro A30s are a dependable and solid option.

These gaming headphones are a great versatile option as they work with most platforms and come with a removable boom mic that'll make your voice sound that much clearer. With a wide frequency response and customisable EQ, they'll also provide the soundstage capabilities to make your gaming more immersive. However, these mid-entry headsets are in a competitive price bracket and with deals ongoing for various other headsets, it's worth shopping around to get the best price.

For Audiophiles

The Audeze Maxwell wireless gaming headset for PlayStation is a premium headset for those wanting the ultimate in sound quality. These feature massive 90mm planar drivers allowing for deeper bass and a wider soundstage than most gaming headsets. The trade-off is that they're somewhat heavier and bulkier than most. But the sweetener is their class-leading 80-hour battery life. The boom mic also offers clear and natural-sounding voice communication.

For the PlayStation gamers who value sound performance above everything, the Audeze Maxwell will deliver the goods. With 90mm planar drivers, these will appeal to audiophiles but also work well as gaming headsets with their AI noise-filtering microphones and detachable boom mic. The enormous 80-hour battery life is head and shoulders above the competition too, while Bluetooth 5.3 is another differentiator with support for LC3plus, LDAC, AAC formats for general music use.

The Audeze Maxwell are compatible with the PS5's Tempest 3D and users can customize their listening experience using Audeze's HQ gaming app, which can also save up to four user-defined EQ profiles. Those wanting the ultimate in sound quality may be forced to wait as the Maxwells aren't widely available but it'll be worth it.

For Those Who Game On Multiple Platforms

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max are convenient and versatile especially for those who regularly switch between gaming on a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Although officially licensed by Microsoft for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One, these headsets are also compatible with PS5 with the flip of a switch on the transmitter. They also work with PS4, PC, Mac, and Nintendo Switch, and the 2.4Ghz Bluetooth make them play nice with Android and iOS devices to boot. Meanwhile, you'll get detailed sound, good bass, a comfortable design, and 40 hours of battery life.

While the so-called console wars play out, many gamers are happily enjoying playing their PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, taking advantage of their respective libraries and exclusives. For these gamers, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max offers great battery life and the neat feature of being able to flip between the two via a simple switch. These are a good choice for glasses wearers too, with softer foam on the relevant parts of the ear cushions.

Most PlayStation 5 owners looking to get a gaming headset will be satisfied with Sony's PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset. Featuring Sony's famous design and build quality, the Pulse 3D are designed to work with the PS5's Tempest audio engine for 3D sound. They are comfortable, sync easily, and aren't too pricey. There are better options for those who want improved battery life, detachable boom mics, and multi-platform capabilities, but most PS5 players will be pleased with the Pulse 3D.

Those on tighter budgets should look for the SteelSeries Arctis 1, which has similar sound quality to more expensive gaming headsets in the SteelSeries range but for a much lower price. While not the most comfortable headset out there, for a reasonable outlay you get a removable mic, decent sound performance with the PS5, and the ability to use them with other platforms and devices.

Included in the box of every PS5 is a DualSense controller, which comes with a 3.5mm headphone input. This means any headphones with a 3.5mm jack should work with your PS5 (provided they're not fancy audiophile-grade headphones that need dedicated amps to drive them). We use the term 'gaming headsets' but any headphones can be plugged into the DualSense. The DualSense includes a built-in mic and it will do a passable job for voice chatting during online multiplayer. However, gaming headsets usually come with built-in mics or removable mics that'll be perform much better for this. Regular headphones might not include such a mic, whereas headsets usually do. When buying a headset make sure you get the PS5 version and not the Xbox Series X/S version.

While most wired headphones can be used on PS5, not all wireless ones will. There are many wired options out there, from standard everyday music headphones to dedicated gaming headsets. However, when considering wireless it should be noted that many standard Bluetooth earbuds or headphones won't work with PS5, even if they're Sony ones. Wireless gaming headsets often come with a Bluetooth dongle so that they're compatible with PS5. Those specifically designed to work with PS5 will often take advantage of the PS5's Tempest 3D Audio engine too.

Sound quality is a subjective experience but there are certain things to listen out for. The sound should be free of distortion and not unpleasant to listen to over long periods. As volume increases, there shouldn't be drastic changes to the tone of the music or sound effects. With gaming headsets preferences can vary a lot. Those who want to be competitive in shooters, for example, may want wide dynamic range so they can hear even quiet footsteps while a strong "surround sound" performance will help the player to ascertain where gunfire is coming from.

Meanwhile, single players may want to hear Red Dead Redemption 2 in its full glory as that game has a particularly rich soundscape and a decent pair of headphones should be able to help you hear all the elements clearly and expressively. The best thing you can do is to start listening and to experiment with different headphones/headsets to discover what you prefer. Those headsets with customisable EQ will let you adjust things like bass and treble, too.

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Lu-Hai is a news editor at TheGamer. He has bylines in Eurogamer, IGN, Paste, Kotaku, and Wired, among others. He can be reached at [email protected]