Best PS5 headsets 2023

The best PS5 headsets make it easier for you to communicate with your friends (and enemies) while playing online, while also giving you a chance to appreciate the sound designers and musicians who worked hard to bring your favorite games to life. With an official Sony headset, you’ll even be able to experience 3D soundscapes which immerse you more deeply in the videogame world.

 

The PlayStation 5 is one of the best gaming consoles of all time and if you’re playing without a headset, you’re not getting the most out of the platform. Consider getting the right headset to be just as important as using the best PS5 controller. Trust us, once you’ve got the right one in place, your gaming sessions will be so much better – so let us help you one.

Here are the best PS5 headsets: 

• Sony Pulse 3D – best overall
• Steelseries Arctis 7P – premium choice
• Sennheiser GSP 600 – best wired option
• Sony PlayStation 4 Platinum – best PS4 headset
• Razer Kraken – budget choice

1. Sony PS5 Pulse 3D

The best wireless PS5 headset is the Sony Pulse 3D.

Sony PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset specs:

Pros:

• Comfortable headband
• Integrated noise-cancelling microphones
• Crystal clear 3D audio

Cons:

• Not much sound customization
• Microphone could be better

Sony’s official PS5 headset is an absolute winner. It shares the sci-fi vibe of the DualSense controller and that WiFi router-esque console, tying everything together in a pretty bow that whispers aesthetics.

The headset is comfortable to use, and all of the tech is hidden away inside: there’s not even a boom mic, although that does hinder voice chat a little. Still, the discreet form-factor and the lack of ‘gamer’ branding means it’s something you won’t feel too bad about leaving around or on the coffee table. It also looks sleek and stylish fitting the rest of your PS5 set-up in your front room.

Because Sony developed the headset to complement the PS5, the Pulse 3D headset takes advantage of 3D Audio. It can identify the direction of incoming rounds in Warzone or increase the scares in a horror game like Resident Evil Village.

2. Steelseries Arctis 7P+

The best premium headset.

SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ specs:

Pros:

• Long battery life
• Broad compatibility

Cons:

• Expensive
• Could be better at noise-canceling

Steelseries has long been known for its premium headsets and gaming peripherals, and the Steelseries Arctis 7P+ is no different. The top-of-the-line PS5 headset has excellent audio quality with 3D Audio support.

With a wide variety of options and controls, you can customize the audio experience for each game you play on PS5, perfecting the sound for a fight with your foes or a leisurely stroll through the landscapes of an open-world adventure. The only real limitation is the fact that its design is not quite as effective at noise-canceling as other headsets.

Its price tag is high, but the Steelseries Arctis 7P+ is a top-tier headset for the PS5 that is an unmissable bit of tech if you can stomach the price. Let us be clear though, it very much earns that high price tag.

3. Sennheiser GSP 600

The best wired PS5 headset.

Sennheiser GSP 600 headset specs:

Pros:

• Memory foam ear cushions
• Flip-to-mute microphone
• Volume control wheel

Cons:

• May feel a bit tight
• No sound customization

In all honesty, most sets of Sennheiser cans are worth a punt if you’re in the market, but one of our favorites is the wired GSP 600 headset, which has a cushioned design that makes it perfect for long game sessions.

The GSP 600 has some clean lines and a chunky design that make it look the part. It’s not feature-rich (there’s no sound customization), but we appreciate the fact the microphone automatically mutes when you raise up the boom, and the earcup lets you quickly adjust the volume by twisting a knob that feels pretty slick.

The GSP 600 is missing a few features you might expect for the price you pay, but you do get clean, clear audio, and it’s easy to differentiate sounds in the thick of the action. The over-ear design also means there’s minimal sound leakage, which is always a bonus – though we must admit that it’s a little bit of a tight fit.

Overall, the Sennheiser GSP 600 series is an attractive package, even if the price is a little steeper than most.

4. Sony PlayStation 4 Platinum

The best PS4 headset.

Sony PS4 Platinum wireless headset specs:

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Easy to use with PSVT

Cons:

• Fairly fragile
• Pricey

Although not built for Sony’s new system, the Sony PlayStation 4 Platinum headset is another great PS5 headset.

Sony’s Platinum headset has a sleek look with a metallic trim, and a design that is similar to the PS5 console’s design, although this headset is black instead of white. The headset also works well with the PSVR.

In the PS4 era, the Platinum headset was renowned for its audio balance, and the ability to store different sound profiles. The headset app used to do this isn’t compatible with the PlayStation 5, but the headset is still a solid choice if you want a cheaper option that will work well.

It packs a fairly substantial battery life, promising up to six hours of play, which is enough for anyone who is looking for a night of playing Warzone matches or is excited about a lot of the upcoming PS5 games releasing on Sony’s new system, such as the gorgeous-looking Horizon Forbidden West.

5. Razer Kraken

The best budget PS5 headset is the Razer Kraken.

Razer Kraken headset specs:

Pros:

• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Different colorways

Cons:

• Lower sound quality than premium choices
• Gets uncomfortable after long sessions

Razer’s famous and ever-popular Kraken headset is a shoe-in. The Kraken is renowned for its quality sound at a cracking price

You get what you pay for with sound. The mid-range can sometimes be a little underwhelming but the bass and low-end are remarkable, and the microphone offers clear and precise voice chatter.

The Kraken is distinctive looking and one of the better headsets in the price bracket, and there’s even a cheaper version — the Kraken X — that costs less than a new PS5 game. If you want a decent pair of headphones without breaking the bank, the Krakens aren’t the best in the business but they’re more than worth the asking price.

How we chose the best PS5 gaming headsets

When deciding which headsets were worth including in this list, we took several key pointers into consideration:

• Pricing: If you desperately want a headset and don’t care much about getting anything fancy, you can get one for as little as $40 (£30). Anything less than that is probably not worth considering. On the other end of the spectrum, the fanciest headsets will sit in the region of $175 (£150) and they’ll come with improved sound and customization options. We wanted to give suggestions for all budgets here.
• Wired vs wireless: Though the ease of movement that wireless headphones provide is going to be the more appealing option for most gamers, if you enjoy playing for extended periods and worry about the power cutting out mid-session, you’ll want to go for a wired headset instead – hence our including both kinds in the list.
• Battery life: Of course, another way to avoid having to worry about your headset cutting out mid-game is to get something with a long battery life. The average battery life is probably in the range of 13 – 15 hours, so we didn’t want to include anything that was less than that –  though we did want to include at least one option with a really impressive battery.
• Build quality:  We’re not going to recommend anything that isn’t sturdy and reliable. Every headset on this list is pretty durable and we wouldn’t recommend any of the cheaper ones which are made from flimsier materials.
• Comfort: You want something that’s going to fit comfortably on your head. We’ve only included those that meet a certain level of comfort (though admittedly, some of them become uncomfortable after prolonged use). As everyone has slightly different needs in this regard, it’s worth shopping with the size of your head in mind, and avoiding smaller ones if you have a big head, and bigger ones if you’ve got a small head.

Read our how we test page for more information on how we put these lists together. If you still have questions, read our FAQs below:

Can you use any headset with PS5?

Pretty much, yes. If you have a headset that connects via a USB cable or dongle, then you shouldn’t have any problem using it with a PS5. Of course, they’re not all going to give you a good experience with the console, but if you stick to the ones we recommend her, you should be fine.

Are PS5 headsets worth buying?

Absolutely. While some of them are expensive, they help to significantly improve your experience with the best PS5 games.

How many hours does a PS5 headset last?

This will vary depending on the model you chose. For most, it’s around 15 hours, but if you’re willing to spend more, you might find one that can run for 30 hours or more.

Can you use regular headphones on PS5?

Yes. If you don’t want the benefits of a full headset (such as the mic and sound customization options), then you can just use your regular headphones. This is how:

1. Plug your earphones into the PS5 controller audiojack
2. Go to the PlayStation Control Centre
3. Click ‘Sound’
4. Click ‘Output Device’
5. Select ‘Headset (controller)’

Now all the sound will come through your headphones or earphones.

That’s all of our recommendations for the best PS5 headsets on the market. We’ve also got a list on the best Xbox headsets, if you need it. Meanwhile, our list of the best PS5 co-op games is the place to go if you’re looking for games that are best enjoyed with a headset.