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Best PS5 headset: The best headsets for gaming on your PlayStation 5
While snagging a PlayStation 5 is no longer the challenge it once was, securing the perfect 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
What's new?
- This best list was updated on May 24, 2023, to add the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro and Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed. We also added a section on the Sony Pulse 3D wireless headset. fixed some spelling errors and removed the disclaimer about old results, as it is no longer necessary.
- For more cord-cutting options, check out our list of the best wireless PlayStation 5 gaming headsets, and if you are wanting to use a headset with more gaming consoles than just the PS5, check out our list of the best gaming headsets.
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 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 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 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.
Bounce around platforms? Get the Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed
For those looking to bounce between computer, console, and smartphone, the Logitech G Pro X Lightspeed has a lot to offer. Namely: 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.
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.
Anyone looking to grab this headset should be aware, however, that it’s heavy. Additionally, it’s not going to make you forget similarly-priced headphone options for music, either. Though the ranges of sounds that the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro makes your enemies anything but — you may want to use an equalizer if you want to swap to tunes.
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. In 2023m 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 a battery like that.
What about the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless Headset?
Don’t get us wrong; the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless Headset is a good gaming headset. It represents a notable improvement over the PlayStation Gold Wireless Headset, with a much better microphone and build that’s more comfortable for more people. It also has really good sound quality when playing games on the PS5 and matches the aesthetic of the console to boot. However, compared to most gaming headsets worth their salt on this list, this one just doesn’t hold up all that well. Gaming headsets have come a long way in the last few years, and this one doesn’t quite measure up to the others on our list. That being said, PlayStation enthusiasts will still find a lot to like here, even if the audiophiles are left wanting more.
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 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 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 USD 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, meaning we still prioritize things like 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.
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 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
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.
Frequently asked questions about the best PS5 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.
Topping our list, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 stands out as the premier choice for gaming on the PlayStation 5.
For those seeking seamless dual audio, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, with its simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections, is a game-changer.
When it comes to unparalleled noise cancelation, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wears the crown in the gaming headset realm.
For budget-conscious gamers, the Razer Barracuda X and Sony INZONE H3, both priced at a modest $99, offer stellar performance without breaking the bank.