Best PS5 Headset 2024: The Top Gaming Headsets for PS5

If you’d prefer to sit in front of your PS5 without a tight headband clamping your head, check out the Sony Inzone Buds. These wireless gaming earbuds are lightweight, comfortable, and secure. They also have heaps of extra features over many other wireless gaming headsets: remappable gesture controls for muting the mic and adjusting volume, granular spatial sound controls, and active noise cancellation.

There are no issues with lag here – a problem from which many early wireless earbuds suffered. And while the audio quality won’t match that of a similarly priced over-ear headset, it’s good enough that the Inzone Buds can double as your regular music earbuds, too.

While the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed used to be our favorite wireless earbuds, the Sony Inzone Buds have topped them thanks in large part to their generous battery life of around 12 hours. The extra juice stored in their charging case means you’ll rarely need to worry about keeping them charged. They’re the kind of earbuds you can sling next to your TV, or at the bottom of your bag, and forget about.

7. Sony Pulse 3D

Best PS5 headset for 3D audio

Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

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Designed for the PS5 but compatible with many other devices, this affordable headset offers Tempest 3D positional audio for detailed, immersive sound.

The official PlayStation headset that launched alongside the PS5, the Sony Pulse 3D has been explicitly designed to show off the console’s next-gen audio capabilities. It does that very well, particularly when it comes to the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, the virtual surround sound system designed to enhance positional audio feedback – think footsteps in a distant corridor, or an NPC talking to you from behind.

Even without that surround sound engaged, the Pulse 3D is a well-performing headset with a wide soundstage. The rounded, well-padded leatherette ear cups are wider than they look, although they can get a tad warm after continuous use. It’s lightweight, too, and the slick white-black color scheme perfectly fits the PS5 hardware.

A pair of noise-canceling microphones are built into the headset’s ear cups. They work fine and audio comes through loud and clear, though they struggle to completely isolate and eliminate background noise. For the most part, that won’t be a problem, but consider warning your multiplayer buddies if you’re ever playing while someone is vacuuming nearby.

8. Sony INZONE H9

Best noise-canceling PS5 headset

Sony INZONE H9 

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The other official gaming headset from Sony, only the INZONE H9 is also great for your PC.

Another official Sony headset, the Inzone H9 differs from the cheaper Sony Pulse 3D in one main aspect: active noise cancellation. It’s the headset’s big draw, which it pulls off wonderfully, blocking out ambient surrounding sounds as well as higher-pitched whirs from fans, TVs, or loud cars. An extra Ambient Sound mode that allows nearby sounds to pass through is handy for keeping conversations going without needing to press pause.

The cans themselves don’t rival Sony’s dedicated music headphones, like the WH-1000XM5, the best noise cancelling headphones, but with a reasonably wide soundstage and respectable bass output, plus the fact they handle the PS5’s 3D audio tech as deftly as the Pulse 3D, there’s little to complain about. Again, though, don’t expect to be blown away by the microphone. It’s serviceable but standard, and you may find yourself cranking its output so your friends on the other end can hear you.

9. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Best high-end wireless PS5 headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

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Multiple connectivity options, a hot-swappable battery, excellent sound, and hybrid active noise canceling make this a hard-to-top headset.

The cream of the crop. The pick of the litter. La crème de la crème. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the best high-end gaming headset for PS5. Plenty wide and rich across all registers, and especially punchy in the bass, nothing is lost coming through these 40mm drivers. The extendable microphone is clear and loud, and it does a reasonable job cutting out background noise in loud environments. And, of course, the headset’s fully compatible with the PS5’s Tempest 3D audio.

The accompanying Base Station (that small rounded black block that sits in front of your TV) can be used to flick between EQ settings on the fly but is most impressive for its battery charging. With two batteries included in the box, you can leave one juicing up while the other powers the headset, meaning you’ll never be left high and dry. The leatherette is plush, the elasticated headband snug but not tight, and the cups seal comfortably around the ears.

While the Audeze Maxwell is another popular premium headset among PS5 audiophiles, we favor the Arctis Nova Pro for its active noise cancellation and dual connectivity, which lets you listen to your PS5 along with audio from another source, like a podcast on your phone. It costs a pretty penny, but the audio quality is worth it, plus if you pair it with one of the best capture cards for PS5, it’s great for streamers. And with the extendable microphone slotting neatly back into the headset, it can double as a very capable pair of music headphones.

SteelSeries recently announced a new white edition of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, adding a bit more comfort and slightly better ANC while keeping everything else we love about the headset the same.

10. PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset

Best multiuse PS5 headset

Sony PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset

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Great sound, a unique look, and multipoint connectivity all come with this headset made with the PS5 in mind.

The PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset is an absolute beast of gaming headset, but doubles as a great wireless headphones when you’re in a pinch. It offers PlayStation Link technology, allowing you to speedily connect to the PlayStation Portal with the tap of a button, or the PS5 almost as quickly using the USB dongle. Add when connected to PS5, you can easily play around with EQ settings. Wireless multipoint also allows for simultaneous listening on two devices, so you can hear the action in a game while jamming out your favorite songs on your phone via Bluetooth.

Gaming headsets aren’t known for their music chops; the PlayStation Pulse Elite is an exception. Since Sony acquired Audeze, it put the audio giant’s top-notch planar magnetic drivers in the earcups for clear, detailed audio perfect for gaming or music. It’s not as bass-heavy as some, but you’ll still enjoy a pleasant listening experience. When paired with Sony’s spatial audio, everything from first-person shooters to story-driven RPGs come to life.

The most limiting factor of the PlayStation Pulse Elite may be the design. Don’t get us wrong, the headset is comfortable; it just has a rather polarizing unique, simple look with minimal controls. A physical telescoping mic pulls out from the earcup that isolates your voice well but sounds slightly muddled. When charging the headset, you have two options, plugging in a USB-C or attaching it to the sleek wall-mounted charger—a handy addition.

Best PS5 Headset in the UK

Best PS5 Headset SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless

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Pulse 3D Headset

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How to Choose a PS5 Gaming Headset

With an excess of PS5 gaming headsets, it’s hard to choose the best one for you. First and foremost, you need to decide on a budget. There are plenty of great options for under $100, but you’ll need to sacrifice some things, be it features, sound performance, or build quality. Generally, with a higher price tag, you’ll get adjustable EQ settings, surround sound, and spatial audio, so if any of those things are important, you need to be ready to splurge.

After deciding on your budget, your next focus will be design, with special attention paid to comfort. You’ll want plush, breathable earcups, a flexible headband, and a lightweight build to ensure you’re happy wearing the headset for hours.

Connectivity is key. Wired is generally cheaper and more reliable. But the USB receivers seen in most wireless headsets these days are pretty great, too, and you don’t need to worry about being tethered to your console or controller. However, the PS5 does not support Bluetooth audio. Unfortunately, most PS5 options also don’t work as Xbox Series X/S headsets, but most make great PC or Switch headsets.

Of course, sound performance is essential to hearing cues in your games and communicating with teammates. That means you want quality drivers ready to pump out loud, nuanced sound, while the mics should keep your voice crisp and clear – boom mics tend to do a better job of this. Looking for support of Sony’s 3D audio can also make for a more immersive listening experience as you game.

Finally, there are all the extras that can improve your quality of life while using the headset, like on-ear controls, adjustable EQ settings, active noise cancellation, multi-device connectivity, etc. Once you consider all those features, if you’re straying away from our picks, be sure to research and read reviews before making your final decision.

How We Picked the Best PS5 Headsets

All the headsets on this list were hands-on tested across several weeks of active use. We put each one through its paces across several games and genres to see how their overall audio performance fared. We also tested any extra functionality they offered, such as EQ adjustments, active noise cancellation, and battery life.

When choosing the headsets to include on this list, we looked for those that offer excellent audio quality, comfort, and durability for a reasonable price. Some are budget options, others will take a big chunk from your wallet, but we reckon all of them warrant their price tag. It’s up to you to decide whether the pricier picks are necessary for your purposes, or if you’ll get along just fine with a more affordable headset.

PS5 Headsets FAQ

Which headsets do PS5 streamers use?

Rather than headsets, many streamers use standalone microphones and headphones as they tend to support higher audio fidelity. Those who use headsets will usually pick pairs that feature robust, clear microphones to ensure their voice is broadcast to their audience at a high quality, like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Those interested in streaming may want to consider a capture card as well – see our roundup of the best capture cards for PS5.

What is the best budget gaming headset for PS5?

We reckon the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless is the best budget headset for PS5 because of its great audio quality and sub-$100 price tag. If you’re looking to save even more money, it might be wise to consider the Astro A10. Although a wired headset, its speakers are full-bodied, its microphone is surprisingly robust, and its build quality is excellent.

Is Sony Pulse 3D worth it?

The Sony Pulse 3D does a good job showing off the PS5’s next-gen 3D audio tech, whereby noises and sounds are emulated to appear in a 360-degree space around your ears. It’s straightforward to set up, comfortable, and surprisingly affordable for an official PlayStation headset. A great choice if you want to see exactly what the PS5’s 3D audio can do.

Do you need a Bluetooth adapter for your PS5?

If you’re hoping to connect wireless headphones and headsets to your PS5, you will need a compatible Bluetooth adapter. The PS5 does not currently support direct pairing with any Bluetooth headphones for audio output.

What is PlayStation Link?

PlayStation Link is Sony’s latest wireless connectivity standard that provides a lightning-fast connection, lossless audio, and ultra-low latency with easy switching between different devices. The PlayStation Portal is the only gaming device with the technology built-in. So, you’ll need the PS Link USB dongle when using the PS5, PS5 Slim, and PC. We’re hopeful that the PlayStation 5 Pro, rumored to be released later this year, will feature this proprietary wireless technology. Still, at the moment, only a couple of Sony’s peripherals have this technology, including the PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset in this guide.

What is Sony’s 3D Audio?

Made specifically for the PS5, this form of surround sound uses Tempest 3D AudioTech to simulate 360-degree audio in supported PS5 games. That means you can tell the direction the audio is coming from, be it a helicopter overhead or footsteps to your side, giving you an advantage over opponents. It’s similar to Windows Sonic on the Xbox Series X/S. Plenty of the best PS5 headsets support Sony’s 3D audio, including the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P, Sony Pulse 3D, and PlayStation Pulse Elite Wireless Headset.

Callum Bains is a freelance tech contributor and writer for IGN, with work seen on MSN, Yahoo and more.