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Best PlayStation 5 headsets
The PlayStation 5 is here at long last, even if it is almost impossible to get your hands on one. If you’re lucky enough to have one or plan to get one at some point, investing in a good gaming headset is a great way to enhance the gaming experience. If you’re wondering what some of the best PlayStation 5 headsets are that you can pick up right now, then this list is for you.
Editor’s note: this best list was updated on October 20, 2022 to include the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, and EPOS H3 Pro Hybrid, as well as expand the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 highlight section to mention newer models and update formatting.
Why is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 the best PlayStation 5 gaming headset?
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 is a new entry in a new line of gaming headsets from SteelSeries, which changes the look of the company’s gaming headsets for the first time in years. Much like the non-Nova Arctis 7 headsets, this is a wireless gaming headset that 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, in addition to the 2.4GHz wireless and wired connection options, the Arctis Nova 7 also now supports Bluetooth connections. You can also use the Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections simultaneously, so you’ll never miss a phone call.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 takes a lot of cues from previous Arctis 7 headsets, but there are some definite differences between it and its predecessors. The two big differences are the connectivity and the battery life. The Arctis Nova 7 has Bluetooth, which the Arctis 7, Arctis 7P, and both + variants lack. The new headset also has better battery life than the non+ headsets—the Arctis 7+ and Arctis 7P+ both do better in this regard. However, the Arctis Nova 7 also features a better default EQ profile (You can EQ any of these headsets with SteelSeries software.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 microphone sample (Ideal):
People who hate wires should get the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
If you want the best wireless headset around, then 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 our resident gaming expert Sam Moore in his full review.
All you need to do to connect your Razer’s headset to your PlayStation 5 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 houses a 3.5mm input and features 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.
The most comfortable option is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset
If you tend to have hours-long gaming sessions, then chances are you want something that’s going to be comfortable. You might know Bose for its plush padding and noise cancelling headphones, and the QuietComfort series is likely the reason why. The standard Bose QC 35 II remains frequent flyers’ go-to noise cancelling headset, and now you can enjoy it while gaming.
Everything good about the original QuietComfort 35 II headphones is still here, but now these have a dedicated 3.5mm boom mic that you can plug into the headset. The improved quality of the microphone is easy to hear with the internal mic sample and boom mic sample.
The noise cancelling here is top-notch and does a great job cancelling out the whirr of computer fans and loud consoles. There’s also a large volume puck that comes with the headphones for when you’re connected to a PC. If you’re looking for accurate sound quality, this is one of the best headsets we’ve tested. In other words, the frequency response leans more neutral, rather than egregiously amplifying bass notes. This makes in-game dialogue sound clear, as well as more subtle sounds like crunching leaves. Of course, Bose is priced like a pair of high-end noise cancelling headphones, so if you have money to blow, this is a good choice.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II gaming headset microphone sample (Ideal):
The EPOS H3 Pro Hybrid has got it all, especially in the mic department
When it comes to picking a gaming headset microphone, excellent options are fairly rare amidst an otherwise crowded field of just fine options. The EPOS H3 Pro Hybrid is definitely in the excellent territory, but it comes at a premium. This gaming headset sounds great, and it supports connections over 3.5mm, 2.4GHz via wireless USB dongle, and Bluetooth. The headset supports ANC, too.
EPOS has put out a lot of interesting products in the last few years, but the H3Pro Hybrid is probably the first to really nail the execution. It’s very comfortable, and the battery life is pretty good at just over 19 hours with ANC turned on. Basically if you don’t mind spending a pretty penny, this will work everywhere and work well.
EPOS H3 Pro Hybrid microphone sample (Ideal):
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless brings best in class battery life to a classic build
The HyperX Cloud Alpha sat on this list and many others for years, and it feels only fitting that the thing to finally boot it off is, well, itself. 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. In our testing the Cloud Alpha Wireless lasted over 327 hours on a single charge.
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 the a battery like that.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless microphone sample (Ideal):
Are there any eco-friendly gaming 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 go quite a few gaming sessions before you need to top the battery back up. This saves those precious li-ion 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, or if you want Bluetooth connectivity, you need to pay 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 quite good and has an above-average mic all rolled in too.
Turtle Beach also sells new variants of this headset, which bring some notable, but limited improvements. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 USB is virtually the same headset as the regular Gen 2 model, but it now includes a USB dongle with 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 single charge (a big step up from the base Gen 2 model)
The best PlayStation 5 gaming headsets: Notable mentions
- Sennheiser GSP 300: You’ll stay well below a $100 USD budget with this wired gaming headset, which is compatible with any 3.5mm connection and even works with macOS.
- SteelSeries Arctis 3: 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: 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—all for only $99 USD.
- Sony INZONE H3: The lowest tier of Sony’s newest line of gaming headsets is a $99 USD 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: The mid-tier INZONE headset is wireless, connecting with a USB dongle. It sounds a little better than the H3, and its got great battery life, but it’s pretty expensive, at almost $230 USD.
- Sony INZONE H9: Sony’s newest top of the line gaming headset is 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.
Cut the cord: The best wireless PlayStation 5 gaming headsets
Hold up! Something’s different:
Some of our picks’ frequency response and isolation charts were measured with our old testing system. We have since purchased a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 test fixture (and the appropriate support equipment) to update our testing and data collection. We also have new standardized microphone demos, but it will take a while to update our backlog of old test results. We will update this list (and many others!) once we’re able with improved sound quality measurements and isolation performance plots. These will be made obvious with our new chart aesthetic (black background instead of white). Each new mic sample begins with the phrase, “This is a SoundGuys standardized microphone demonstration …”
Thank you for bearing with us, and we hope to see you again once we’ve sorted everything out.
What should you know about PlayStation 5 gaming headsets?
What we’ve selected as the best PlayStation 5 gaming headsets all operate similarly to other gaming headsets, meaning they we still prioritize things like sound and microphone quality, batter 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.
Become an expert: Sony PlayStation 5: What is 3D Audio?
How to connect a gaming headset to the Sony PlayStation 5
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.
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, but 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 PlayStation 5 gaming headset block out?
Seeing how most gaming headsets don’t feature active noise cancelling (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
Not only does the team at SoundGuys have years of experience with audio products in general, but we also have a secret weapon that we call Sam Moore. He’s our gaming expert who has put dozens (if not hundreds) of gaming headsets through an intense review process. Not to mention that every item that made this list got here only because we vouch for it. You can check out our entire ethics policy for our entire stance, but we don’t accept payments of any kind from companies to include their products on this list. The first time they learn about making one of our lists is when we hit publish.
Frequently asked questions about the best PlayStation 5 gaming headsets
Yes, there are plenty of gaming earbuds around and we even have a list of the best gaming earbuds for you to peruse.
Yes, you can use any headset here on PlayStation 4, whether that means plugging the headset into the PS4 controller’s 3.5mm input or connecting via USB.