I have been trying to figure this out for like three days now and honestly my head is just spinning with all the different options and technical words. I am sorry if this is a super basic question but I really have no idea where to even start with this stuff. I went into a store yesterday and the guy was talking about drivers and hertz and spatial audio and I just nodded like I knew what he meant but I was totally lost lol.
Basically I have an old PS4 in my bedroom that I still use a lot and I finally treated myself to a PS5 for the living room last month. I am tired of using the crappy wired earbuds that came with my phone because the wire is always getting tangled in my controller or hitting my chin when I move. I want one nice wireless headset that I can use for both consoles but I dont know if that is even possible or if I have to buy two separate ones?
I read somewhere that PlayStation doesnt let you use normal Bluetooth headphones like the ones I use for my phone which seems really weird but I guess that is just how they do it. Something about a USB stick you have to plug in? I am located in the US and I have a few specific things I am looking for if anyone can help me pick something out.
Is there a specific brand that is better for beginners? I saw the Sony ones called Pulse but some people said they are uncomfortable if you have big ears. If I get one with the USB stick do I have to keep moving the stick back and forth between the two consoles every time I switch rooms? I am really worried I am going to lose that tiny piece...
Building on the earlier suggestion, the HyperX Cloud III Wireless 120h Battery is fantastic!
Just catching up on this... you definitely want to be careful with the technical side of these wireless connections. The reason you need that USB stick (a 2.4GHz transmitter) is for latency. Bluetooth is basically useless for gaming because the audio delay is too high, so the proprietary wireless signal keeps everything in sync. I would suggest considering the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 Edition Wireless Gaming Headset. It sits right at your $180 budget and addresses your specific concerns:
Re: "Just catching up on this... you definitely want..." - unfortunately, even after you spend the money, the reality is often pretty disappointing. I have had issues with so many different pairs because that little USB stick is such a hassle. If you are constantly moving it from the PS4 to the PS5, you are 100 percent gonna lose it or accidentally snap it off in the front of the console eventually. Since you are worried about comfort and tech stuff, definitely watch out for these traps:
Hey! Totally get the confusion. Gaming tech can be a nightmare with all the jargon. Youre right about the Bluetooth thing—PlayStation is super picky and usually needs that USB dongle (the little stick) for low-latency audio. I have been using the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless PlayStation Gaming Headset for about a year now and honestly it fits your list perfectly. It has these elastic headbands that dont squeeze your skull, which is a lifesaver if you wear glasses like I do. The battery lasts like 38 hours so you wont be charging it constantly. It works great for Spider-Man because the audio is really clear, but the mic is totally fine for chatting with your brother too. For your PS4/PS5 setup: yeah, youll have to move the USB-C dongle between consoles. To keep from losing it, I just leave it plugged into the front port of whatever I am playing. It is basically plug-and-play... no weird setup menus required. Pros:
Cons:
@Reply #4 - good point! I totally get the worry about losing that tiny USB stick, but honestly, it is the only way to get the high-quality data transfer needed for gaming audio. I have been super satisfied with my setup and havent lost a dongle yet... fingers crossed lol. If you want something that works well and is basically plug-and-play, just go with any of the Sony PlayStation Wireless Headsets. They are built specifically to integrate with the PS5's 3D audio tech so you get all those cool spatial effects without needing a degree in engineering. If you are worried about the fit for a larger head, you honestly cant go wrong with the Logitech G Wireless lineup. I have looked at the specs for their headbands and they are generally much more flexible than other brands. Just pick any of their wireless PlayStation-compatible sets in your budget range and you will be happy with the comfort. They use a really solid wireless protocol that handles interference way better than cheap stuff. Just keep the USB stick in the front port and you will be fine!
Unfortunately, finding a wireless headset that seamlessly transitions between two rooms without physical swapping is almost impossible due to PlayStations USB transmitter requirement. I had issues with my console ports wearing out from constantly moving the dongle back and forth. To solve this, I recommend setting up a short USB extension cable on each console so you arent reaching behind the machine, and choosing a headset designed specifically for glasses wearers: