Best PS5 headsets

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While snagging a PlayStation 5 is no longer the challenge it once was, securing the perfect gaming headset to enhance your gaming experience still is. Dive into our curated list to discover the best PS5 headsets that truly elevate your gaming sessions on Sony’s leading console.

Why the Audeze Maxwell for PlayStation is the best PS5 headset

The Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets we’ve tested and should be on your radar, provided you have the budget. Thanks to their planar-magnetic drivers, the Audeze Maxwell achieves deeper bass extension, lower distortion, and a broader soundstage, distinguishing it from dynamic driver headsets such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. They are a bit bulky and heavier than typical gaming headsets, to be sure, but the beefy 64-hour battery can get you through days of gaming without recharging.

In terms of software, the Audeze HQ app provides Spatial Audio and various EQ presets. The headset’s substantial ear cups and clamping force compensate for the absence of active noise cancelation, providing effective passive noise isolation. For PS5 users, choosing the correct variant of the Audeze Maxwell is essential to ensure compatibility with console-specific audio features like Tempest 3D audio.

What makes the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 a great PS5 headset?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a newer entry in a new line of gaming headsets from SteelSeries. Much like the non-Nova Arctis 7 headsets, this wireless gaming headset uses a USB-C dongle to connect to your device of choice. The on-ear controls and hardware features are very similar, but visually, the design is pretty different.

The Arctis Nova 7 brings an improved microphone that now retracts to fit flush in the headset, an updated suspension band that you can adjust with pins in the frame like a snapback hat, and that same comfortable Airweave material covering the ear pads. The headset sounds a little closer to our in-house target curve, and in our testing, we found it lasted well over 41 hours.

The headset continues SteelSeries’s movement toward USB-C dongles for its wireless headsets, like the Arctis 7+ and Arctis 7P+. However, besides the 2.4GHz wireless and wired connection options, the Arctis Nova 7 also supports Bluetooth connections. You can also use Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections simultaneously, so you’ll never miss a phone call.

People who hate wires should get the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

If you want one of the best wireless headsets, go with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro. The original BlackShark gaming headset was already one of our favorites, and the second iteration makes it an even better buy. Complete with an improved microphone and wireless functionality, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro impressed us.

All you need to do to connect your Razer headset to your PS5 is plug the RF dongle into the USB input. Of course, this also means that this is compatible with PCs and the PS4. The headset has a 3.5mm input and an impressive 24-hour battery life. Pair that with the ear pad’s superior comfort, and you’re ready for a day and night of adventure. The surround sound compatibility means these are compatible with the 3D Audio built into the PlayStation 5.

Bounce around platforms? Get the Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed

For those looking to bounce between computer, console, and smartphone, the Logitech G Pro X 2 Lightspeed has much to offer. Namely, there are a ton of available connections and features that allow you to use everything from your computer to Nintendo Switch.

Though there’s no Bluetooth multipoint, the ability to use wired, wireless, or dongle connections means you shouldn’t have any issues using this headset with your platform of choice. This is fortunate, as the Logitech Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed does not come cheap at $279. But they offer low latency, a comfortable fit, and over 88 hours of continuous battery life.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is the ANC king of gaming

If you need to block out the world around you, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro offers the best ANC of any gaming headset we’ve tested thus far. Sure, there are a few tradeoffs, but overall, this is a rock-solid headset if you want something that will keep you from hearing your housemates or living on a noisy street.

However, anyone looking to grab this headset should be aware that it’s heavy. It won’t make you forget similarly-priced headphone options for music, either. Though the range of sounds that the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro makes your enemies anything — you may want to use an equalizer if you’re going to swap to tunes.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless brings best-in-class battery life to a classic build

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a wireless update to the classic HyperX workhorse. This gaming headset connects to your platform of choice using a 2.4GHz USB-A wireless dongle, and it brings an improved microphone (the original didn’t quite pull enough power for the low end) and indisputably the best battery life on the market. The Cloud Alpha Wireless lasted over 327 hours on a single charge in our testing.

On top of the battery and mic improvements, the headset sports the same very comfortable metal design with thick leatherette ear pads. It sounds just as good as its predecessor, too. The price markup for going wireless is rather significant, but it’s hard to argue with a battery like that.

What about the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless Headset?

Are there any eco-friendly PS5 headsets?

The Logitech G733 Lightspeed is one of a few eco-friendly headsets for gamers, as Logitech is a member of the Amazon Climate Pledge and merits Natural Capital Partners’ CarbonNeutral certification. Its battery life is pretty good at around 28 hours, so you should be able to last quite a few gaming sessions before you need to top the battery back up. This saves those precious lithium battery cells from quick degradation. The headset has other qualifications too, like its lightweight build, great sound, and solid microphone.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 has a wealth of connectivity options

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a great gaming headset with consistently accurate microphone quality and Bluetooth connectivity. Its desktop app is simple, which may leave some gamers wanting more, but at least it doesn’t overcomplicate the setup process. Few wireless gaming headsets also connect over Bluetooth and the ones that do usually cost a small fortune. We like the Stealth 700 Gen 2 because it’s a fairly affordable headset with plenty of ways to connect. It sounds pretty good and has an above-average mic all rolled in, too.

Turtle Beach also sells new variants of this headset, bringing notable but limited improvements. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 USB is virtually the same headset as the regular Gen 2 model. Still, it now includes a USB dongle with a switch that adds compatibility with Xbox consoles, meaning the headset now works well on every platform. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX also features the new USB dongle, but its big improvement comes in battery life, where it reaches over 40 hours on a single charge (a big step up from the base Gen 2 model)

The best PS5 gaming headsets: Notable mentions

• Sennheiser GSP 300 ($34.99 at Amazon): You’ll stay well below a $100 budget with this wired gaming headset, which is compatible with any 3.5mm connection and even works with macOS.
• SteelSeries Arctis 3 ($93 at Amazon): Versatility is the name of the game with this wired headset, which works with any 3.5mm connection. The Arctis 3 shares much of the same DNA as the SteelSeries Arctis 7.
• Razer Barracuda X ($99 at Amazon): This wireless gaming headset checks off pretty much all the same boxes as the SteelSeries Arctis 7P and Arctis 1 Wireless. It’s not quite as comfortable as the Arctis 7P, but it sounds great, connects using a USB-C dongle, and it’s very lightweight.
• Sony INZONE H3 ($48 at Amazon): The lowest tier of Sony’s newest line of gaming headsets is a wired gaming headset. It uses 3.5mm to connect, so it works everywhere, and it’s pretty comfortable for long gaming sessions. However, its sound and microphone are a little lackluster.
• Sony INZONE H7 (on the product’s website): The mid-tier INZONE headset is wireless, connecting with a USB dongle. It sounds a little better than the H3, and it’s got great battery life, but it’s pretty expensive.
• Sony INZONE H9 ($279.99 at Best Buy): Sony’s newest top-of-the-line gaming headset is wireless like the H7, but it brings ANC and Bluetooth support to the table. It sounds good, it’s comfortable, and the INZONE Hub app really rounds out the experience. However, it’s also priced a lot higher than most gaming headsets with comparable features.

What should you know about PS5 gaming headsets?

What we’ve selected as the best PlayStation 5 gaming headsets all operate similarly to other gaming headsets. We still prioritize sound and microphone quality, battery life (when applicable), comfort, and compatibility. Let’s dive into everything you should know before buying.

What is 3D Audio on Sony PlayStation 5?

Sony’s 3D Audio uses an object-based system to place sound objects in 3D space around the user’s head. We’ve seen other companies do this, even with non-gaming headsets like Samsung 360 Audio and Apple’s spatial Audio for its AirPods and other compatible products. What’s so cool about 3D Audio on the PlayStation 5 is that it works with any headset. That’s right; you don’t specifically need to buy a proprietary headset to use it.

How to connect a gaming headset to the PS5

There are multiple ways to connect a headset to the PlayStation 5, and perhaps the easiest way is to do so directly through the controller’s 3.5mm input. Alternatively, you can use your headset’s 2.4GHz USB dongle to connect to either the USB-A or USB-C input on the PS5 console itself.

If you want to connect a Bluetooth headset to your PlayStation 5, you’ll need to purchase a USB-A or USB-C Bluetooth transmitter. Once you connect the transmitter to your PS5 and put it into pairing mode, you can then turn your headset on (and into pairing mode). The two devices will “find” each other and establish a connection. Be aware that Bluetooth connectivity, while convenient, may introduce audio-visual lag, which is bad for gaming.

How should a PS5 gaming headset sound?

Gaming headset manufacturers tend to boost bass notes more than companies that create general consumer headsets. This kind of frequency response with extra-loud bass can be good for people because it makes action sounds seem that much more impactful. Still, the fact of the matter is that audio engineers who work on games typically mix explosions and gunfire to be the loudest sound regardless of a headset’s response. While you may still want booms to sound extra, well, boomy, you shouldn’t be all too worried if a gaming headset appears to under-emphasize bass relative to either our house curve or the headset’s midrange and treble response.

How much noise should a PS5 gaming headset block out?

Seeing how most gaming headsets don’t feature active noise canceling (ANC), don’t expect any headset to block out much low-frequency noise. Passive isolation is more effective for blocking out high-frequency, incidental sounds anyway and is ideal if you live with roommates who do the dishes while you game. A good seal between the ear pads and your head will do more to affect these unpredictable sounds (above 1kHz) than ANC would.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

At SoundGuys, our commitment to delivering in-depth, unbiased reviews is unmatched. Our team of experienced audio professionals and enthusiasts rigorously tests each headset, ensuring our recommendations are based on performance, quality, and user experience. We understand that sound quality is crucial for an immersive gaming experience, especially with next-gen consoles like the PS5. That’s why we analyze everything from audio fidelity to comfort, build quality, and feature set. We don’t just rely on our ears; we also use industry-standard equipment to measure performance objectively.

By choosing SoundGuys, you’re not just getting a list of products; you’re getting trustworthy guidance backed by thorough testing and a deep understanding of audio technology. Trust us to enhance your gaming experience with the best headsets tailored to your needs and preferences.

Frequently asked questions about the best PS5 headsets