The best PS5 headsets in 2023

Best headsets for PS5
(Image credit: SteelSeries)

The best headsets for PS5 provide a more intimate way to enjoy rich in-game sound, while letting you chat with friends (or enemies) over the included microphone. The PS5 even supports some advanced 3D audio features, which can be delivered through certain headsets for even more immersive sound.

Granted, you’ll need to find where to buy the PS5. But luckily our picks of the best PS5 headsets are in much greater supply. Read on below to find out more about these fine peripherals, which span premium models and affordable budget alternatives alike.

The best headsets for PS5 you can buy

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Side view of SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7

(Image credit: SteelSeries)
The best headset for PS5 overall

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 22 kHz
Wireless: Yes
Battery life: 38 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile connectivity options
+
Sonar makes everything sound a bit better
+
Smart physical redesign

Reasons to avoid

-
Sound quality doesn’t match the price
-
Tight fit

It might be expensive compared to some other headphones on this list, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 justifies its price tag with solid sound, a suite of connectivity options and a neat design. 

We think it's the best overall headset for the PS5, thanks to doing pretty much everything well. There's a very stable 2.4GHz wireless connection, yet also an option to connect to the PS5 via USB-C if you don't want to use the wireless connectivity. Bluetooth supports lets you use the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 with other devices too, say the Nintendo Switch as it now has Bluetooth headphone support. 

And the elegant design sweetens the whole package, while an elastic headband makes it comfortable even after long gaming sessions. In short, this is definitely a PS5 headset you'll want to consider. 

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 review.

Best headsets for PS5: Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

(Image credit: Sony)
The best PS5 headset for 3D audio

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency response: Not stated
Wireless: Yes
Battery life: 12 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Native 3D audio support
+
Stylish design
+
Compatible with PSVR

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited stock
-
Other headsets have longer battery life

The Sony Pulse 3D Wireless headset is the official headset of the PS5, so comes with Sony's solid reputation for good build quality, all at a reasonable $99/£89. Add in compatibility with Sony's Tempest 3D Audio engine and you've got a rather impressive gaming headset.

Not only does the headset look rather good with a black and white color scheme matching that of the PS5, but it also delivers some solid audio, You'll hear all the bangs, pop, creaks, screams, and more in all manner of games, with the 3D audio letting you pinpoint where enemies are by sound alone. But the headset also does a decent job when it comes to music and movies. And it not only works with the PS5 but also with PCs as well, adding a degree of versatility to the headset

It's also pretty comfortable, with decent cushioning and a sturdy headband that works for long gaming sessions. There's no active noise cancellation and some of the controls on the earcups aren't the most intuitive, But we'd still say the Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is an essential PS5 accessory. 

Read our full Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset review

Best headsets for PS5: SteelSeries Arctis 1

(Image credit: SteelSeries)
The best cheap headset for PS5

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Good sound
+
Comfortable to wear
+
Removable mic

Reasons to avoid

-
Imperfect fit
-
Subpar mic quality

Want to save some money on a PS5 headset but don't want to compromise too much on quality? Then check out the SteelSeries Arctis 1. The headset takes the design of its more expensive stablemates, like the Arctis 7P and simplifies it; you won't see too many tech bells and whistles on the cans. 

Yet the Arctis 1 has plenty going for it. The headset delivers strong audio chops, especially when it comes to positional audio in shooters, something that's a must in competitive gaming. This model does use a wired connection, which may not be everyone's preference for a PS5 headset, though the 3,5mm jack means it can be used with other gaming machines and audio outlets. But we've tested the Arctis 1 Wireless and also approve of it, just be aware you'll need to pay a decent bit more. Nevertheless, we feel the Arctis 1 is one of the best affordable PS5 headsets around. 

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis 1 review.

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 on desk

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
A lightweight PS5 headset at a low price

Specifications

Drivers: 50mm
Frequency response: 18 Hz - 23 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Great sound, for the price
+
Comfortable fit
+
Simple operation

Reasons to avoid

-
Cumbersome, quiet microphone
-
Flimsy design

Another fine choice for PS5 owners on a budget, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 emphasizes comfort and lightness. The featherweight frame and imitation leather ear cushions will let you play for ages without any agitation, which is all the more impressive considering how cheap the headset is.

Sound quality on the Cloud Stinger 2 isn’t half-bad either, although it's not quite as robust as what you'd get from a more expensive headset. A sturdy microphone arm and on-ear controls also help the Cloud Stinger give the impression of being a much more premium product than it actually is.

Read our full HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 review.

Best headsets for PS5: Razer Blackshark V2 review

(Image credit: Razer)
Razer's best headset yet

Specifications

Drivers: 50mm
Frequency Response: 12 Hz - 28 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound
+
Comfortable earcups
+
3D audio support

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to get a good fit
-
3D audio performance varies by game

Even in a gaming peripheral catalogue as vast as Razer’s, the BlackShark V2 still manages to stand out. This is an excellent wired headset and a good fit for the PS5, thanks in no small part to its rich audio quality and clear microphone performance. It’s more than capable of handling everyday music playback, too.

The BlackShark V2 is also lighter and more compact than a lot of Razer headsets, which helps keep it comfortable when worn for long periods. The ear cushions are particularly well-padded. Another thing worth pointing out is the virtual surround sound support, though this is primarily intended for PC games rather than the PS5. Some games will exhibit better 3D audio performance than others. At the this price, though, that’s better than having no 3D support at all.

Read our full Razer Blackshark V2 review.

(Image credit: Astro)
The best-looking cheap headset for PS5

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Good design despite low price
+
Impressive audio performance
+
Clear microphone

Reasons to avoid

-
Tight fit on large ears

It’s rare to find such a cheap gaming headset that’s as well-made as the Astro A10. It borrows its eye-catching design traits from the pricier A40 and A50 models, and backs up its looks with commendably high build quality, too. That said, it’s better suited to players with small ears.

Performance-wise, the A10 is impressive, with the kind of punchy low-end audio that can really help action and sports games feel more exciting. All across the frequency range, in fact, the A10 maintains detail and a sense of positioning. These aren't just pleasant to listen to; they could hand you an advantage in competitive PS5 titles.

Read our full Astro A10 review.

Best headsets for PS5: Logitech Pro X Wireless

(Image credit: Logitech)
The best wireless PS5 headset from Logitech

Specifications

Drivers: Hybrid mesh Pro-G 50mm
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20K Hz
Wireless: Yes
Battery life: 24 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound quality
+
Versatile
+
Comfortable build

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to get a good fit
-
Not easily portable

We’re big fans of the wired Logitech G Pro X, but the G Pro X Wireless is even better — just plug the USB dongle into your PS5 and you’re good to go, no extra cables required. It is a tight fit, especially for those who wear glasses, but the excellent sound quality definitely makes up for it.

So, too, does the microphone, which is one of the best you’ll find on any gaming headset. Battery life is also very good, coming in at the same 24 hours that the SteelSeries Arctis 7P offers. The G Pro X Wireless charges quickly too, wisely using USB-C to top up instead of micro-USB.

Read our full Logitech Pro X Wireless review.

Best headsets for PS5: HyperX Cloud Alpha

(Image credit: HyperX)
A great-value PS5 headset

Specifications

Drivers: 50mm Dual Chamber
Frequency Response: 13 Hz - 27 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek, premium design
+
Comfortable
+
High sound quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Earcups can feel snug
-
Microphone picks up background noise

HyperX doesn’t just produce great entry-level headsets. The mid-range Cloud Alpha is another PS5-friendly accessory that feels a lot more premium than the price suggests, with comfortable (if snug) ear cushions and a durable, grown-up design.

The Cloud Alpha was also the first HyperX headset to use the company’s proprietary Dual Chamber Driver system, which separates the bass from the mids and treble. In testing, we found this helped keep higher frequencies clear and detailed without the bass rumble muddying them.

Read our full HyperX Cloud Alpha review.

(Image credit: Razer)
A cheap headset for PS5 with high-quality gaming sound

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency Response: 12 Hz - 28 kHz
Wireless: No
Battery life: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek design
+
Comfortable fit
+
Good in-game sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't hide mic
-
Subpar music performance

The Razer Kraken X works nicely if you just want a simple, affordable PS5 headset, specifically for gaming. It’s sleeker and more sensibly styled than the majority of Razer’s headsets, and light enough to wear for hours at a time without discomfort.

We wish the microphone was retractable, removable or just a little easier to fold away, and performance in music playback isn’t great. Still, the Kraken X sounds a lot better in games, with crisp dialogue and a lively mid-range. There are some conveniently integrated controls on the left earcup, too.

Read our full Razer Kraken X review.

Best PS5 headsets: Razer barracuda X

(Image credit: Razer)
An easy-to-use PS5 headset with a good mic

Specifications

Drivers: 40mm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Wireless: Yes
Battery life: 20 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Intuitive controls
+
Clear mic
+
Wireless

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited customization
-
Better-sounding alternatives

Another respectable Razer model, the Barracuda X makes for a very user-friendly PS5 headset. Its controls, in particular, are straightforward and highly intuitive: each button feels distinct to the touch, so there's a pleasant lack of fiddliness when making adjustments on the fly.

Razer itself makes better-sounding headsets, like the BlackShark V2, but the Barracuda X still finds other ways to impress. Mic quality, for one, is very good, and if you just want to sit down with a single-player game, the flexible boom arm is easy to remove. 

Read our full Razer Barracuda X review.

How we test the best headsets for PS5

As with testing any gaming headset, we test the best PS5 headsets by playing games normally. This gives us the most authentic representation of how each device performs, including how good the microphone is. We’ll ask trusted friends and teammates to let us know how we sound over the mic.

Since a lot of people will also want to use their PS5 headset as a pair of headphones, especially wireless models, we’ll also listen to music to see how they cope here, too. With both games and music, we’ll try to listen to a wide variety of genres. An explosion-heavy action game will naturally sound different to a racing game or strategy game.

We’ll also wear each headset for extended periods of time, as what might initially seem like a comfy design could become uncomfortable as the hours tick by.

How to choose the best headset for PS5 for you

The most important thing to consider is whether the headset you want is actually compatible with the PS5. Some models might be designed for the Xbox family and won’t be able to connect to Sony’s console. All the headsets on this list, however, should work with the PS5 out of the box.

The appeal of high sound quality is largely universal, though you should consider how important the microphone is to you. You might be a keen competitive player who’s constantly trying to communicate, or you could prefer single-player games where there’s no need for a mic. In the latter case, you might want to consider a headset with a retractable or removable mic.

Think about whether you want a wired or wireless headset, too. Wired headsets are often cheaper and don’t need to be recharged, but wireless headsets mean you don’t need to run a fiddly cable into your PS5 controller. And many have long enough battery lives that you could play for a couple of hours every day and still have charge left over.

James Archer

James is currently Hardware Editor at Rock Paper Shotgun, but before that was Audio Editor at Tom’s Guide, where he covered headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he also wrote computing and gaming news for TG, usually relating to how hard it is to find graphics card stock.

With contributions from