The 7 Best PS4 Gaming Headsets - Fall 2022 Reviews

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox is the best PS4 headset we've tested. Although we tested the Xbox variant, these premium headphones come in console variants for the PlayStation and Xbox; if you care about versatility, only the Xbox model can be used with both consoles. They come with a wireless transmitter dock with its own set of controls, allowing you to adjust settings like channel mixing and EQs on the fly. The dock also ensures low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync. Since they have a dual battery pack system, the dock recharges the spare battery pack, and one battery lasts roughly 25 hours continuously. If that's not enough, the headphones support Bluetooth, meaning you can connect them to your PS4 and smartphone simultaneously.

Out of the box, these over-ears have a touch of extra bass to help emphasize sound effects like footsteps in first-person shooters. Dialogue and instruments are a bit harsh, and sibilants like cymbals are piercing. These headphones have an ANC system to help block out background noise like ambient chatter and the hum of your PS4's fan. However, they struggle to block out bass-range noise like the roar of car engines from an open window. Part of the driver also protrudes from the inside of the ear cup and it can become uncomfortable over time if your ear is pressed up against it.

The best upper mid-range headphones for PS4 that we've tested are the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019. Like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox, they have a wireless dock that offers a low latency connection. However, the dock differs from the SteelSeries as it doesn't offer controls, but can be used to recharge the headphones when not in use. It also offers an optical port, which some users prefer for a better audio quality experience. They don't support Bluetooth, so you can't connect them to more than just your PS4, and their 17.5-hour continuous battery life isn't as long-lasting as the SteelSeries. It's still plenty of time to last through long gaming marathons, though.

Out of the box, these very comfortable and well-built headphones have a well-balanced sound profile. Their bump of extra bass can help emphasize sound effects while vocals and lead instruments are bright. That said, you can customize their sound using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets and save them to the headphones' EQ button, making it easy to change up your settings on the fly. For those who chat with teammates, the boom mic offers excellent performance, so your teammates should have no problem understanding you clearly.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are the best mid-range PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. If you don't want to worry about recharging your headphones each time you use them, the manufacturer advertises these over-ears to deliver over 300 hours of continuous playback time, which far exceeds that of the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019. They also have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life if you forget to turn them off. They have low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync in the heat of the moment.

These headphones have a sturdy build and a comfortable fit. When using the 'Balanced' EQ, they have a slightly v-shaped sound profile with a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom, which can help emphasize sound effects. Unfortunately, if you want to customize their sound, their companion software's graphic EQ and presets aren't transferrable onto the PS4. They're also prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, and you may especially notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses. Their boom mic offers a very good performance, so your voice sounds clear, even in moderately noisy environments.

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless are the best lower mid-range PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. They're the upgraded variant of the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless, with a longer continuous battery life, advertised at 30 hours. However, we measured 60 hours of continuous playback time, and while that pales in comparison with the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, battery life can vary depending on use. Thanks to their USB dongle, they have very low audio latency, but the dongle doesn't offer any additional controls or features. Their retractable boom mic also does a good overall job of capturing your voice clearly, even in moderately noisy environments.

These headphones have a ski-band headband design, which helps distribute their weight on your head. However, it has a limited adjustment range, which can be frustrating if you have a large head, and the headband makes it hard to ensure a consistent fit. The headphones are very prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to adjust them on your head each time you use that. With a good fit, the headphones have a boomy sound that can help emphasize sound effects. They also have a passable soundstage for closed-back headphones, and audio feels like it's coming from all around you rather than from inside your head, making for a more immersive experience.

The best budget PS4 gaming headphones we've tested are the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless, you can only use them wirelessly, so if you run out of battery life, you'll have to wait for them to recharge to use them again. These over-ears have over 35 hours of continuous battery life, and their USB dongle ensures a very low latency gaming experience. They're also comfortable enough for long gaming marathons, but their boom mic does an only okay job of capturing your voice since speech lacks a lot of body.

These headphones have a fairly well-balanced sound profile. Although they lack a bit of thump and rumble, they have a touch of extra warmth while dialogue and instruments sound clear in mixes. They have a decent build quality but feel plasticky. If you're looking for better-built gaming headphones at this price point, it's worth considering the HyperX Cloud Alpha S instead. These wired over-ears have a flexible aluminum frame and detachable parts, including the ear cup padding, audio cable, and boom microphone. However, they're more prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, and their soundstage doesn't feel as natural or open.

The Logitech G433 Gaming Headset is the best cheap PS4 gaming headset we've tested. When you get to this price point, it's pretty common to only find wired headphones without any extra frills. These Logitech over-ears are no exception, and while they lack customization features when connected to your PS4, and their controls are limited to mic mute and volume, they deliver a significantly better mic performance than the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. Their boom mic has a great recording quality, ensuring that your teammates and enemies alike hear you loud and clear.

These headphones have a well-balanced sound that's very similar to our budget pick, meaning you can expect clear dialogue and instruments. They also have a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to mixes. Their soundstage feels wide and out-of-head, but it doesn't feel very natural. They're very prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, and you may especially notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses. Their build quality is decent, but the fabric padding can wear and tear over time.

The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019 are the best open-back PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. Although they occupy the same price point as the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, they offer a very different performance worth checking out if you want a more immersive gaming experience. These well-built over-ears have an open-back design and are among the best open-back headphones we've tested. While this means that they purposely leak sound, which can bother others around you, and won't block out background noise, the headphones can create a spacious, out-of-head soundstage. They also come with a MixAmp, which puts controls like EQ presets, chat mix, volume, and surround sound right at your fingertips.

Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile. Their extra high-bass emphasizes sound effects like footsteps or explosions in your gameplay. Dialogue and instruments sound clear, but they're a bit veiled and dark. Their companion app has robust sound customization features like an EQ and presets that you can save to the MixAmp, though. If you like to game with others, their boom mic does a great job recording your voice, so your teammates should have no problems hearing you clearly.