As a Sony console connoisseur, I always recommend that friends grab one of the best PS5 headsets when they finally make that next-gen leap.
A high-quality headset designed with the PS5 in mind can make or break your experience with a game, but there's a lot more to consider than meets the eye. I mean, the PS5 is almost six years old at this point, so while it's still an impressive piece of kit, it's not entirely up to date with the latest audio tech. For one, did you know that unlike the Nintendo Switch 2, the PS5 doesn't natively support Bluetooth audio? Well, now you do, and I've got a lot more factoids where that came from.
To make choosing your new PS5 headset an easier feat, I've narrowed down the top 5 things you should know as soon as possible. That way, choosing the best gaming headset for your Sony console will be an easier feat. I've even thrown in some of my top PS5 headset recommendations for good measure.
5. The PS5 doesn't have native Bluetooth support
The PS5 does not natively support Bluetooth headsets. If you want to use a headset that relies purely on Bluetooth connectivity like the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT Kuromi Edition, you will need an adapter, or you'll need to source an entirely different headset altogether.
While Sony hasn't officially stated why Bluetooth is a no-go for audio, it's highly likely that this is to avoid any annoying latency issues. Not to mention, any interference when it comes to the official wireless DualSense controllers.
There are plenty of adapter options on the market, including the UGreen USB-C Bluetooth Adapter for PS5 for $29.99 at Amazon, which you can pair with to get your headset rolling. I much prefer relying on a 2.4GHz wireless connection myself, as it will help fight against any lag, which is pretty important if you play a lot of online PS5 games. Yet, if your budget can't extend to a whole new pair of cups, grabbing an adapter is a cheaper alternative.
4. You can switch off automatic headset connectivity
If you have already bought your headset and have the 2.4GHz wireless dongle of a pair like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless or the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, you might have noticed that your audio will automatically output to them every time you turn it on.
While annoying, you can turn this off, saving yourself a big headache. It's pretty easy to do, too. All you need to do is turn on your PS5 and navigate to: Settings > Audio Output > and toggle "Switch Output Device Automatically" off.
From now on, every time you boot up your PS5 with a wireless dongle inserted, the audio will output to your TV (or TV speakers), saving you from reaching for that DualSense controller and messing around with your settings. Honestly, this should be the first thing after adding the PS5 headset of your choice to your online shopping cart.
3. The PS5 can't support Hi-Res audio
If you're a bit of an audiophile and fancied grabbing a headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, please be aware that the PS5 won't get the full splendour of its Hi-Res Audio ways.
Like most consoles, Sony's pixel-pusher audio maxes out at 48k/16bit, and can't keep up with the 96kHz/24-bit capabilities of the Elite and other hi-res headsets. That doesn't mean the Elite doesn't make PS5 sound incredible. I definitely discovered that games like Marvel Rivals and Death Stranding Director's Cut sounded impeccable through the 40mm Brass Surround + Carbon Fiber audio drivers. However, it does mean that you should consider other options if you're purely a PS5 player.
The Arctis Nova Elite has a $599.99 (Amazon) MSRP, and that's a big chunk of change to lay down when its main feature isn't compatible with the PS5. Other Hi-Res alternatives can be just as pricey. In this instance, I'd much sooner recommend our best PS5 headset pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, as it's prone to discounts and still includes some of the Elite's best features, like its hot-swappable battery tech. Plus, it sounds pretty incredible too.
2. Wired headsets can sound just as good as wireless
It's very easy to assume that affordable wired headsets must be worse in quality, but that isn't always the case. Take the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5, for example. This wired headset was designed for the Sony console and mind, and despite its affordable $59.99 (Amazon) MSRP, it's still packing impressive 50mm-sized Nanoclear audio drivers.
When I originally took the Atlas 200 for a spin during my review, I was amazed at how the low-cost cups amplified the horrors of Still Wakes the Deep. The creepy mutterings of the monsters that waited for me upon the derelict oil rig sounded like they were right next to me. A natural soundscape, especially one that makes dialogue sound rich and realistic, is typically found more on pricier open-back PS5 cups like the Skullcandy Crusher PYLR 720 Wireless. Yet, the Atlas 200 can muster up a sound that rivals headsets that cost more than double its MSRP.
Being at the mercy of a wire is never fun, but the 200 keeps things just long enough so it's not pulling down your head once you hook it up to the 3.5mm jack of your DualSense controller. There's also the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS available for $69.99 (Amazon), which packs in Graphene Coated 40mm audio drivers that eliminate any would-be distortion caused by low bass frequencies.
1. Trust me, you want a better battery life
Ensuring you have a decent battery life should be a priority when it comes to buying a headset for any platform, including the PS5. There's nothing worse than getting truly immersed in online matches of Fortnite and Marvel Rivals with your friends, only for your cups to give up and leave you frantically searching for a charging cable.
As much as I adore the PS5, the measly battery life of the DualSense controllers annoys me enough. I don't want to add any headset battery woes on top of that. The best way to get around a bad battery is to simply do a bit more research before you pick the right PS5 headset for you.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is available for $199.99 at Amazon and is PS5 compatible with its monumental up-to-300-hours of battery life. That's pretty much the gold standard if you want the best in battery, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is just as valid a pickup with its hot-swappable batteries. Alternatively, if you want to keep your costs far below the $200 mark, you can grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless instead.
So long as you can spare 15 minutes when things get dire, you can get 9 hours of playback with its fast charging feature. Even better, it still provides that comfortable standard the Arctis line is known for, but it is just $109.99 (Amazon) and is prone to discounts, making it a more budget-friendly pickup for the battery-conscious.
I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets if you aren't a Sony fan.
