The 7 Best PS4 Gaming Headsets - Winter 2023 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 PS4 gaming headset in the upper mid-range that we've tested is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. These wired gaming headphones are comfortable enough for long gaming sessions and have a very good mic. They also have a somewhat neutral sound profile, which will make audio sound well-balanced and clear. However, fans of big thumpy bass may feel that sound effects like footsteps and explosions aren't as full-bodied against the rest of the mix. They also come with the GameDAC Gen 2, a digital-to-analog converter that offers both channel mixing and EQ features. However, they're console-locked to the type of GameDAC you get, so keep in mind that you need to get the PlayStation-compatible model if you're going to play on PS4.

Because these headphones are wired, battery life and lag aren't an issue on any console. However, they're not as well built as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox, and also don't have Bluetooth, meaning they're less versatile overall. They also don't have any call and music-related controls, so you'll need to use your phone for all inputs if you want to wear them around town wired. If you're looking for a more versatile pair of gaming headphones at this price range, check out the Astro A30 Wireless. They perform well but lack any EQ or channel mixing controls, which makes them less suited for dedicated console gaming.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is the best PS4 wireless headset in the mid-range 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 is very impressive for gaming headphones. 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. However, some users have noticed latency issues when paired with the headphones' companion software. If you experience this issue, please tell us about it in the discussions below.

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 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. We measured 60 hours of continuous playback time, which, while not as long-lasting as the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, is still outstanding for wireless gaming headphones. 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 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 Drop + Sennheiser PC38X are the best open-back PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. If you're looking for a more immersive gaming experience, it's important to consider open-back headphones. The listening experience is different, but far more engaging as the design lets in environmental noise to blend with your game's audio. Naturally, these headphones don't isolate you from outside audio and they leak sound as well, meaning that people nearby will hear your game at high volumes. However, if you're looking for headphones that can create a spacious, out-of-head soundstage, you're in the right category.

The PC38X is also among the best open-back headphones that we've reviewed. They're comfortable and have a good build quality, which will help avoid head fatigue during a long gaming session. The mic also performs very well, and your voice sounds clear and full over team chat. Due to their open-back design, they don't produce much low-bass, but the rest of the range is relatively neutral, meaning that dialogue and sound effects will sound well-balanced, detailed, and present. Unfortunately, they don't have any EQ feature, so you can't adjust the sound to your liking.