The 7 Best PS4 Gaming Headsets - Black Friday 2023 Reviews

The best PS4 headset we've tested is the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. These premium gaming headphones are available in PlayStation and Xbox variants, so be sure to get the right model for your console. They're among the few gaming headphones to feature planar-magnetic drivers, which helps them produce more low-bass than similar gaming headphones with dynamic drivers, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. These headphones also have very low latency via Bluetooth and their USB dongle, ensuring a gaming experience without audio lag. They also have a very neutral default sound profile that accurately reproduces sound effects, dialogue, and soundtracks.

If you'd like a different sound profile, their companion app offers a few EQ presets to help change their sound to your liking. Their battery lasts nearly 78 hours, so you can game over several days without recharging. Their boom mic is impressive, making your voice sound clear and natural over team chat, even in environments with loud background noise. You can also take the boom mic off and use their integrated mic, which makes them versatile as an everyday casual-use option. However, they're quite bulky, and their ski-band headband design doesn't distribute their weight comfortably across your head during long gaming sessions. They don't have ANC, so any loud background noise around you will impact how well you hear your game.

These headphones can be difficult to find in stock. When they aren't available from online retailers, the manufacturer's website may have them in stock.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the best upper mid-range gaming headset we've tested. They're wired headphones, but their dock offers a low latency USB connection and includes a few controls, so you can adjust the volume or mic sidetone on the fly. Their boom mic also has a great recording quality, so your voice sounds clear and natural, if a little bright. Out of the box, they have a fairly neutral sound profile. Elements like voices can sound veiled, but you can customize their sound with a parametric EQ in the companion software. However, compared to their wireless sibling, they're prone to inconsistent audio delivery, and people who wear glasses or have thick hair can experience a drop in bass.

They also support an analog connection with most consoles, which is helpful if you want to eliminate latency. This also means you don't need to worry about battery life, unlike the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. However, this also makes them less suitable for commuting or the office. They aren't great for phone calls either since they lack onboard audio and call controls. If you're looking for more versatility at a lower price point, you might prefer the Astro A30 Wireless. You can use them wirelessly, and they have a more intuitive control scheme, but they aren't as comfortable.

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 every day, the manufacturer advertises these over-ears to deliver over 300 hours of continuous playback time, which is very impressive for gaming headphones. They have low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync in the heat of the moment. They 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 like footsteps in games.

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 performs well, so your voice sounds clear, even in moderately noisy environments. Additionally, some users have noticed latency issues when pairing these headphones with their companion software on PCs. If you experience this issue, please tell us about it in the forums.

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. 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. When connected via the USB dongle, they have very low audio latency. Their retractable boom mic also does a good overall job of capturing your voice clearly, even in moderately noisy environments. They 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 them. 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 inside your head, making for a more immersive experience.

The Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless are the best budget PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. Unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless, you don't have the option of using them wired, so if they run out of power, you have to wait for them to charge to use them again. Still, their battery lasts roughly 35 hours of continuous use, so you only need to plug them in every few days. They come with a USB dongle that provides a low latency connection for gaming and have a comfortable fit for most people. Their boom mic has an okay recording quality but doesn't make your voice sound as full-bodied as the previous picks.

Their sound profile lacks some thump and rumble, but it's reasonably well-balanced overall, so your audio has body and warmth, and voices sound clear and detailed. They have companion software that includes a graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. They're decently well-built but feel plasticky, and if you'd prefer a sturdier option, the HyperX Cloud Alpha S are another good, budget-friendly option. They're better built overall, and their cable, mic, and ear cup padding are detachable, so it's easier to replace anything that gets damaged. However, they don't have sound customization features and create a less natural, open-seeming passive soundstage.

The Logitech G435 are the best cheap PS4 gaming headphones we've tested. Headphones at this price range don't usually come with many extra features or customization options, like a graphic EQ or channel mixing, and these are no exception. These lightweight over-ears are mainly designed for younger users and people with small heads, so if you've often found most headphones fit too big, these are worth considering. They also have an adjustable volume limiter, which can help anyone trying to habitually lower their average listening volume. Some users have noticed issues with their wireless dongle being able to update to recent firmware, but we found that hard resetting the headphones solved this problem.

They have a warm sound profile that gives extra boom to sound effects and footsteps. Dialogue and instruments also sound clear and detailed but a bit recessed. Their integrated mic makes your voice sound bright and clear but unnatural and lacking fullness. They only last around 20 hours compared to the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless' 35 hours, but they'll still get you through several playing sessions before needing a top-up. If you don't want to worry about battery life, the Logitech G433 have a wired-only connection and a boom mic that transmits your voice more clearly than the G435. However, their wired connection makes them less versatile for casual use while away from your PS4.

The Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X are the best PS4 headset with an open-back design that 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 environmental noise blend with your game's audio. Naturally, these headphones don't isolate you from external audio; they leak sound, meaning 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.

They're among the best open-back headphones we've tested, with good comfort and build quality to help avoid head fatigue during a long gaming session. The mic performs well, and your voice sounds clear and full over the 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.