The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless is a gaming headset designed primarily for PS5 consoles. It's fully compatible with PC as well as PS4 and PS5 consoles, whether you're using its wireless USB receiver or the included 1/8" TRRS cable. It supports Tempest 3D Audio, a virtual surround sound feature on the PS5 advertised as generating a more immersive listening experience, though it only works with certain games. Unlike most gaming headsets, it has an integrated mic instead of a boom mic. Although you can use the headset with any console or even your phone using the included cable, you can only access the sound customization features when you connect to a PlayStation console.
The Sony PULSE 3D are decent for neutral sound. The headphones' sound profile lacks a bit of low bass, which flattens the thump and rumble of sound effects in action-heavy games, but its well-balanced mid-range yields clear and present dialogue as well as vocals and lead instruments in music. Unfortunately, its uneven treble range can give some notes a slightly dull, veiled quality. While it has a graphic EQ and presets, these features are only available on the PS5. It also has virtual 3D audio, which is only available in some games.
The Sony PULSE 3D are bad for commuting, though they aren't designed for this purpose. These headphones let in a lot of ambient noise, especially the low rumble of bus and plane engines and the chatter of other commuters. They're not very portable or comfortable. They aren't Bluetooth-compatible, so you can't connect wirelessly with your phone, but you can listen to audio and use the mic by plugging the included 1/8" TRRS cable into your phone.
The Sony PULSE 3D are middling for sports and fitness and aren't meant for that purpose. The headphones are lightweight but bulky and unstable on your head, so they will slip out of place during workouts. You need to use the included 1/8" TRRS cable to connect with your phone, which can get snagged on something while moving.
The Sony PULSE 3D are inadequate for office use. Like many headphones meant for gaming, they do an awful job of blocking out the chatter of coworkers. They aren't very comfortable and can't connect to your computer over Bluetooth. They don't support handy features like multi-device pairing. Thankfully, they don't leak much audio and have enough battery life to easily get you through a day at work and the commute back home.
The Sony PULSE 3D are decent for wireless gaming. The headphones transmit audio with low audio latency on PCs and PlayStation consoles using its wireless USB receiver. If you're gaming on PS5, you can also access EQ presets and a 5-band graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Unfortunately, the integrated microphone can make your voice sound a little muffled, and it struggles to isolate speech from loud background noise.
The Sony PULSE 3D are decent for wired gaming. It comes with a 1/8" TRRS cable that allows for full audio and microphone compatibility with PlayStation as well as Xbox consoles and PCs. However, people on the other end of the line may hear your voice as being very quiet while using it on a wired connection with PCs. These headphones can also be a little uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.
The Sony PULSE 3D are sub-par for phone calls. The headphones block out very little background noise, so it's hard to hear calls you make in noisy environments. The integrated microphone makes your voice sound relatively natural but also a little veiled, and it struggles to isolate your voice from even moderately loud ambient noise.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless come in a few different colorways: White, Midnight Black, and Gray Camouflage. We tested it in 'White', but our results are also valid for the other variants.
If you encounter another variant, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
The Sony PULSE 3D are gaming headphones compatible with PCs and PlayStation consoles. They have a sleek, distinctive look and low wireless audio latency for gaming, not to mention a 3D audio feature for a more immersive gaming experience. Unfortunately, they aren't very comfortable and have an integrated mic, which doesn't perform as well as the boom mics found on other similarly-priced gaming headphones like the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless.
If you're looking for alternatives, look at our list of recommendations for the best PS4 gaming headsets, the best PS5 gaming headsets, and the best gaming headsets.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless and the Sony PULSE Elite Wireless are both closed-back gaming headsets that share the same monochromatic aesthetic that's borrowed from the PS5. Unlike the PULSE 3D, the PULSE Elite have Bluetooth connectivity and a dedicated retractable boom mic with great recording quality and excellent noise handling. They're also more comfortable and have a longer continuous battery life. On the other hand, the PULSE 3D can deliver audio more consistently, are better built, and have a more intuitive control scheme.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless are better gaming headphones for the PS4 and PS5 than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The SteelSeries are more comfortable and feel better-built. They have a better performing boom microphone, a longer-lasting continuous battery life, and support SteelSeries Engine so you can tweak their sound using this software's graphic EQ or presets. However, the Sony deliver audio more consistently. While you can also customize their sound using their graphic EQ and presets, this feature is only available on updated PS5 consoles.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless and the Sony PULSE Explore Truly Wireless are gaming headphones meant for PlayStation consoles; which one you prefer mostly depends on what type of headphones you want. The Explore have a smaller, more portable in-ear design and use planar magnetic drivers, which is intended to improve the clarity of audio. They support Bluetooth, so you can connect them to your phone when you're on the go. On the other hand, the 3D are over-ears with a longer continuous battery life. Their design helps them create a more wide, spacious-seeming passive soundstage. They also have a dedicated app with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.
The Sony INZONE H9 Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The INZONE H9 are more comfortable, have noise cancelling, which helps them block out significantly more ambient noise, and their microphone offers better overall performance. Their battery performance is better, they have more customization features, and they support Bluetooth, meaning you can stay connected to your console and smartphone simultaneously. However, the PULSE 3D have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, their passive soundstage is more immersive-feeling, and you can use them wired via a 1/8" TRRS cable.
The Sony INZONE H7 Wireless are slightly better wireless gaming headphones than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The INZONE H7 are more comfortable and better-built, and their mic offers better performance. They also have more customization features, have better overall battery performance, and support Bluetooth, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and console at the same time. However, the PULSE 3D have lower latency and support an analog connection, which is nice if you want to use them wired.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Razer Kaira X. The Sony can be used wired or wirelessly with low latency. When connected to a PS5 console, they can also access a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Razer are wired-only headphones but they're better built, more comfortable, and have a more neutral default sound profile.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless and the Sony INZONE H3 have different strengths, and you may enjoy either. The PULSE are better-built wireless headphones, have more consistent audio delivery, and their passive soundstage performance is better. You can also use them wired. On the other hand, the INZONE are wired-only headphones that are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a better overall boom mic performance.
The Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 are better for wireless gaming than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The Astro are far more comfortable, better-built, and have a better-balanced sound profile that's delivered more consistently. They also have a better overall microphone. However, the Sony can also be used on a wired connection. They also leak less audio and charge faster, though they do have slightly shorter battery life. That said, while they can access a graphic EQ and presets, this feature is only available on updated PS5 consoles.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless and the Xbox Wireless Headset are two gaming headphones and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they can be used on PC, PS4, and PS5 consoles with full compatibility using either their analog cable or USB wireless dongle. They also have lower wireless latency for gaming. You can customize their sound using their graphic EQ and presets too, but this feature is only available on updated PS5 consoles. However, the Xbox are better-built and more comfortable. While some users may find their sound profile to be very bass-heavy, you can adjust it to your liking using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets. They also have a longer-lasting battery life than the Sony. Since they're designed for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, they offer full compatibility with these consoles using their USB cable or by using Xbox Wireless.
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless are more versatile gaming headphones than the Xbox Stereo Headset. The Sony have more consistent audio delivery, their sound profile is more neutral, which some users may prefer, and they have low non-Bluetooth wireless latency. However, the Xbox Stereo are more comfortable and have a better build quality. Their boom mic also offers a significantly better overall performance.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless are more versatile than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The Turtle Beach are more comfortable, better-built, have a superior microphone, and have a companion app with a graphic EQ and audio presets. They're also Bluetooth-compatible. Meanwhile, the Sony headphones have a better-balanced default sound profile and can be used on a wired connection courtesy of their included 1/8" TRRS cable. They also have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency. You can customize their sound using their graphic EQ and presets too, but this feature is only available on updated PS5 consoles.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless are better overall headphones than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, are better built, and have a better microphone, not to mention a longer battery life and a feature-rich companion app. However, unlike the Sony, they can't be used on a wired connection. The Sony also exhibit lower non-Bluetooth audio latency and deliver audio more consistently.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better for wireless gaming compared to the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The SteelSeries are comfier, more sturdily-built, and have a considerably longer battery life. They're also compatible with the SteelSeries Engine companion app, which offers a fairly broad range of configuration options. That said, the Sony deliver audio more consistently and leak a little bit less audio.
The HyperX Cloud Flight S are better overall headphones than the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The HyperX are comfier, feel sturdier, and have a superior detachable boom microphone and a much longer battery life. They're also compatible with a companion app that offers functions for control remapping and surround sound support. However, the Sony can be used on a wired connection via their included 1/8" TRRS cable and deliver audio more consistently.
Their look stands out among gaming headphones. They're heavily inspired by the Sony PS5 console and share the same white-over-black color scheme, accented with blue indicator lights. The two-piece headband, with a white outer edge and a padded adjustable inner band, is similar to the ski-band design found in other gaming headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless.
They're passably comfortable. The ear cups don't offer much range of motion and don't form a good seal against your ears, so the headphones have an unnatural, floaty feel. Thankfully, they're relatively lightweight and don't clamp very tightly. Their adjustable headband also lets them fit on a variety of head sizes.
The control scheme is passable. There are dedicated controls for volume adjustment and microphone muting, but no call or music management buttons. Unfortunately, it can also be hard to tell if your mic has been muted or not without feeling for the button. The buttons themselves are hard to tell apart, which isn't helped by the fact that they're all located on the left ear cup. That said, they mostly offer a good mix of physical and audio feedback.
On the left ear cup:
The Sony PULSE 3D Wireless have a decent build quality. The ear cup padding is lined with faux leather, while the inner headband is made of rubber. The plastic outer structure feels fairly solid and seems more durable than the Sony INZONE H3. However, the mounting points between the cups and headband feel slightly flimsy, as does the connection between the inner and outer bands.
These headphones have a warm sound profile. Their flat, even mid-range yields clear and present vocals and lead instruments. Unfortunately, their underemphasized low-bass range means your audio doesn't have much thump and rumble. Also, their uneven treble range can veil the details of some higher notes. On the upside, if you're gaming on a PS5, once you've updated your console to the most recent firmware, you can access three EQ presets and a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound to your liking.
These over-ears have satisfactory frequency response consistency. You may notice a drop in bass if you wear glasses or have thick hair. Depending on their fit and positioning, they're also prone to inconsistent treble delivery. It's important to adjust the headphones to hear consistent sound each time you wear them.
The bass accuracy is decent. The underemphasized low-bass range slightly dampens the thump and rumble of sound effects in your favorite action games, but their fairly well-balanced mid and high-bass range results in sufficient warmth and body.
This headset has amazing mid accuracy. The entire range is quite flat and balanced, resulting in clear, present, and detailed vocals and lead instruments.
The treble accuracy of these headphones is poor. The range is wholly underemphasized, resulting in a loss of clarity for vocals, lead instruments, and lispy and dull sibilants. Instruments like the violin in the main theme for Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom lack some articulation and sound dull instead of bright. That said, since their treble delivery can vary depending on their fit, seal, and positioning, your experience may vary.
They have a decent peaks and dips performance. An extended bump across the bass range generates some boominess while a slight dip in the low through mid-mid thins out vocals and lead instruments and nudges them toward the back of the mix. A bump in the high-mid and low-treble gives some vocals and lead instruments a harsh quality. The alternating drop and rise in the mid-treble can make sibilants sound alternatively dull and piercing.
Their imaging performance is great, like most headphones from Sony that we've tested. Their weighted group delay falls entirely beneath the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble. The L/R drivers are also well-matched regarding phase, frequency, and amplitude response, so objects like footsteps and voices are accurately placed in the stereo image. That said, imaging indicates the manufacturer's quality control and ergonomics and varies between units.
They have a middling passive soundstage, which is normal for closed-back headphones. It's a small and fairly closed-off soundstage, and sound seems to come from inside your head rather than speakers placed in the room around you.
The Sony PULSE 3D Headset is compatible with a 3D virtual sound feature called Tempest 3D AudioTech, but only on PS5 consoles and on some PS4 games. Using this feature, you can adjust the virtual center point between your ears, which raises or lowers the apparent source of your audio. The feature is intended to improve the virtual soundstage to help create a more immersive experience.
They have a decent weighted harmonic distortion performance. There aren't many spikes aside from a peak in the low to mid-treble range at moderate volumes, which won't be too noticeable overall. Audio reproduction is mostly clean and pure.
These are the settings used to test the Sony PULSE 3D Headset. Our results are only valid in this configuration.
Note: Unfortunately, while the headset could connect to both PS4 and PS5 consoles, we couldn't manually update its firmware or check the current firmware.
They have bad noise isolation. They filter out almost no ambient noise in the bass or mid ranges, so you're likely to hear both the low rumble of buses passing by an open window and the chatter of people in a nearby room. They do a better job of blocking out high-pitched background noise, like the hum of a loud AC unit, but their performance here is still mediocre.
They have a decent leakage performance. Most of the escaping audio occurs in the low-treble range, giving it a somewhat thin quality. That said, it isn't too loud overall and won't be disruptive to people nearby.
The microphone has okay recording quality. Your voice sounds fairly natural and mostly free of distortion but also somewhat veiled and muffled. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a better mic recording quality, consider the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless or the Sony PULSE Elite Wireless, which has a retractable boom mic.
The microphone's noise handling performance is unremarkable. Online teammates may struggle to understand you if you're calling from somewhere even moderately loud, like a shared living room. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a better noise handling performance, consider gaming headphones with a boom mic, like the Razer Kaira X instead.
They have a decent battery performance. They supply over 13 hours of continuous playback, exceeding the manufacturer's claim of 12 hours, but they fall short of other over-ear headphones like the Sony INZONE H7 Wireless. However, battery life varies with use. You can also use them while they charge via the included USB-C cable. The 1/8" TRRS cable lets you use their mic and listen to audio passively.
The Sony PULSE 3D have a decent app. On PS5, you can access a 5-band graphic EQ plus three EQ presets: 'Standard', 'Bass Boost', and 'Shooter'. You can see a comparison of the EQ presets here. Note that we played our calibration file through a USB connected to the console and could only get a maximum of 95 dB. We also level-matched our original curve measured on our PC (tested at 100 dB) to the 'Standard' preset (tested at 95 dB), and you can see that graph here.
To access the sound customization features, you'll need firmware update 21.02-04.03.00.00-00.00.00.0.1 for PS5. Then press the 'PlayStation' logo on the controller and then click the 'Sound' tab.
These headphones come with a 1/8" TRRS cable allowing full microphone and audio compatibility with devices with an AUX port. They also come with a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging.
The Sony PULSE 3D Headset has excellent non-Bluetooth connectivity. The USB wireless receiver lets you use it wirelessly with PCs as well as PS4 and PS5 consoles. The headphones have low latency via that connection, so your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming.
These headphones are fully compatible with PCs via a wireless connection using the USB dongle. You can also use the included 1/8" TRRS cable for a wired connection, which allows you to receive audio and use the mic.
These headphones are fully compatible with PlayStation consoles, either using their analog cable or connecting them via non-Bluetooth wireless. If you're gaming on the PS5, you can also access EQ presets and a 5-band graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound to your liking.
The Sony PULSE 3D have full audio and microphone compatibility with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X when you plug their 1/8" TRRS cable into the console's controller. However, they aren't compatible with the Xbox One or Xbox Series X when using a wired USB connection. If you're looking for a headset that supports Xbox Wireless technology, consider the Xbox Wireless Headset.