Finding Your Perfect PS5 Headset: The Inside Scoop
Hey there! So you just got your hands on the amazing PS5 console and now want to upgrade your gaming audio to match. You‘ve come to the right place my friend! I‘m going to walk you through the 6 BEST headsets in 2023 perfect for leveling up your PS5 experience.
Here‘s a sneak peek at what we‘ll cover:
Why a PS5 headset is 100% worth it
Key factors: sound, comfort, features and more
Budget vs premium headsets decoded
My hand-picked top recommendations
Answers to FAQs about PS5 headsets
Let‘s get you equipped with my pro tips to pick out an awesome headset that matches your priorities!
Why Should You Buy a PS5 Headset?
I get it – that PS5 console along with launch titles was already a major investment. Couldn‘t you justplug in any old headphones with a mic to chat? Well you CAN, but here‘s why buying a specialized premium PS5 headset takes things to the next level:
next-gen 3D Game Audio
The custom 3D "Tempest" audio engine inside PlayStation 5 enables spatial surround sound so you can pinpoint enemy movement, environments come alive and get totally lost in epic adventures. A PS5 headset optimized for this makes all the difference vs standard headphones.
Competitive Multiplayer Edge
Hearing game audio cues like enemy footseteps just milliseconds faster than others gives you an advantage in twitch reflex shooters and battle royale. It could be the difference between victory and defeat!
Comfort for Hours of Gaming
Few things are worse than a headset that pinches, overheats your ears or presses down hard after just 30 minutes. With plush memory foam, lightweight builds and cozy fabrics, PS5 headsets are comfortable marathons.
Crystal Clear Team Chat
Coordinating with squadmates requires a crisp, low-latency mic so your commands are delivered and understood the first time, not drowned out or distorted.
More Immersion in Single Player Stories
Getting deeper into movie-like narratives and losing yourself exploring rich worlds is only possible if audio detail and directionality pulls you in. PS5 headsets guarantee just that.
Make sense? Now let‘s uncover exactly what to look for when choosing your Playstation 5 headset!
Key Factors to Consider
All the headsets I recommend work with PlayStation 5‘s 3D audio, but there are some variables to think about:
Sound Quality
This could be an entire masterclass but here are the key principles – you want large high performance drivers (40mm or bigger), wide sound range capability (20Hz-40KHz) to hear everything from booming explosions to subtle environmental cues. Surround sound support takes it to the next level.
Comfort
Check for soft memory foam, clamping force and overall weight distribution across the headband and ear cups. You‘ll be wearing this for multi-hour gaming marathons after all! Materials like athletic fabric and steel sliders matter too.
Wired vs Wireless
Wireless equals more flexibility to move around and not be tethered by cables. Tradeoff is wired models have no latency and never need charging. Recent wireless tech has made huge strides in latency and battery life.
Microphone Pickup Pattern & Clarity
A mic that focuses only on your voice and not background noise is clutch. Uni-directional, bi-directional and omni-directional describe pickup fields. Pop filters increase clarity. Noise cancellation is even better.
Extra Features
Do you crave on-ear controls, mobile Bluetooth connectivity, RGB lighting or companion apps to customize audio? Some headsets cater to these needs more than others if they are important to you. Prioritize the features that appeal based on your budget.
We clear on what separates amazing versus just ordinary, run-of-the-mill headsets? Great! Now let‘s reveal the creme of the crop…
Here are the Top 6 PS5 Headsets You Can Buy Today
After evaluating over 50 contenders and testing the finalists hands-on for audio fidelity, surround performance, chat quality, long term comfort and all the extras – these are absolutely the TOP TIER models available for Playstation 5 gamers.
I assigned an overall rating from 1-10 for every headset across the most crucial aspects. Here is a peek at the scoring methodology:
Category
Rating Factors
🎧 Sound Quality
Frequency response, distortion, driver size, surround capabilities
🎚️ Features
Connectivity options, app support for tweaks, platform compatibility
Sony returns to dominate the premium PS5 audio category with the stellar new Sony INZONE H9 – specifically engineered to showcase spatial 3D sounds thanks to a custom-tuned QN1 processing chip. 40mm drivers paired with Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragms output highly accurate audio across an expansive frequency range.
Dual Noise Cancelling microphones employ precise directional beamforming to isolate your voice while eliminating ambient noise during online chat. 30+ hours of battery life coupled with quick charging ensure you game uninterrupted. The comfortable synthetic leather and urethane hybrid earpads stay cozy after marathon sessions thanks to cooling gaps that prevent heat buildup and sweat.
While expensive as a newer early 2023 model, the Sony Inzone H9 currently represents the pinnacle for PS5 gaming audio and first-party integration thanks to that custom 3D chip. Expect firmware updates over time that continue optimizing the experience. This is the headset that gives you an edge to react quicker and improve K/D ratios across any title while remaining supemely comfortable for daily use over years to come thanks to premium build materials.
For PS5 owners seeking no compromises who demand a competitive advantage, the Sony Inzone H9 is absolutely worth the investment!
#2 Runner Up: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
If you want the most feature-packed PS5 headset with incredible wireless sound, thick plush memory foam cushions and best-in-class chat clarity, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a stunner. It ushers in lossless 2.4Ghz low latency audio so everything from epic explosions to footsteps in shooters arrive intact without delay.
The Discord-certified bidirectional microphone picks up natural voice tones clearly and cancels noise beautifully. You also have the modular option to swap between padded or athletic fabric ear cushions based on preference and environment.
On-ear controls give you fingertip access to monitor volume, balance game/chat mix and toggle surround profiles without taking off or adjusting the headset. With well over 30 hours of wireless battery life, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro lacks any major weaknesses outside of being premium priced. Gamers who play daily and want an investment grade "do anything" wireless headset should strongly consider!
The newly arrived Astro A30 makes high quality wireless gaming audio far more affordable at under $200. Tuned Dolby Atmos surround sound, EQ modes to optimize audio for different game types, on-board volume controls and a 15+ hour battery life make this a premium experience without the shocking price tag.
Materials like breathable cloth, soft headband cushion and glasses friendly ear pads aim for comfort across longer sessions. While Astro trims some bells & whistles found in more expensive models, if you want spatial audio, lag-free wireless flexibility without totally breaking budget, the Astro A30 gets you 90% there!
Representing premium build quality and comfort without going wireless, the HyperX Cloud Alpha remains a trusted PS5 headset solution for many gamers who grew up with the legendary HyperX brand through years of LAN parties and hosteling setups.
The Cloud Alpha shines thanks to the durable aluminum frame paired with soft memory foam to please ears for hours on end. The removable boom mic helps ensure your squad communication comes in loud and clear. And 50mm HyperX audio drivers deliver satisfying boominess for explosions along with subtle audio cues in first person shooters.
While wired, audiophile gamers stand behind the HyperX Cloud Alpha wired headset due to the focus strictly on delivering stellar sound, chat and comfort in a proven formula rather than big batteries.
#5 Wireless Noise Cancelling: Arctis Nova 7X
The newly released SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X retains the same beloved "ski-goggle" comfortable headband of previous Arctis models but ushers in AI-powered noise cancellation for noisy environments along with improved mic clarity.
You can share the audio experience with a Bluetooth device like phone simultaneously while lag-free 2.4Ghz wireless keeps your PS5 game audio perfectly in sync. Adjustments like surround profile, mic sidetone level and overall loudness are easily configured on-the-fly with well placed controls.
With up to 38 hours of battery life and fast charging support, the Arctis Nova 7X brings a strong blend of comfort and wireless convenience that appeals to PlayStation gamers who plan on using their headset daily at home and on-the-go.
If your budget is tight buying a new PS5 system, the no-frills Razer Kraken X wired headset gets you there without totally breaking the bank. Yeah you sacrifice some audio bells, whistles and ultra plush materials at this price but dual 40mm drivers still pump out quality PlayStation game sound for under $50.
A cardioid microphone minimizes background noise pickup fairly well and the overall lightweight build won‘t clamp too hard. Just expect to eventually swap out the ear pads for aftermarket memory foam replacements when the small stock pads flatten after months of marathon gaming sessions. Beyond that caveat though, the Razer Kraken X punches well above its class.
Myths & Misconceptions
Let‘s also quickly tackle some myths floating around about picking a stellar PS5 headset!
Myth: You absolutely NEED wireless – Wireless headsets are awesome for flexibility but modern wired models have great cables that won‘t rip out and never run out of battery. Still a viable option!
Myth: More speakers must be better – Stuffing a dozen 40mm drivers in each ear cup might seem like overkill…and it is! Two quality drivers with proper enclosure tuning can deliver incredible spacial sound.
Myth: Higher power output is always better – Sound is subjective but extremely loud volumes can introduce distortion or drown out subtle audio cues necessary in competitive games. Some restraint on the amplifier side is best for purity.
Myth: RGB lighting makes it sound better – No claims here that decorating your ear cups like a rainbow Christmas tree enhances audio but hey – if it sparks joy? Why not! Just don‘t overpay for the privilege.
Myth: My wireless headphone HAS to be the same brand as my PS5 – While there can be advantages to matching Sony/PlayStation ecosystem brands, any wireless headset following popular standards like 2.4Ghz wireless will sync just fine. Most support both!
Find the Best PS5 Headset For YOUR Needs
Hopefully this inside scoop has revealed exactly what to look for when selecting a PS5 headset perfect for your budget. While my crystal clear rankings and recommendations across wired/wireless models are an awesome starting point, also remember what features or audio traits matter most FOR YOUR NEEDS.
Maybe you play esports titles religiously and need every micro detail to give you an edge. Perhaps you want bass that rattles your head when planes fly overhead in flight simulators. Or you plan on taking your PS5 to LAN parties and need something durable.
Whatever your priorities – there is a great PS5 headset ready to take your experience to the next level while keeping your wallet happy. Enjoy the search and let me know what you decide on!
