Few video game characters are as iconic as Sonic the Hedgehog. The speedy little blue blur has been around for over three decades, touching every corner of pop culture along the way, from games, to comics, to TV, to blockbuster movies. But we’re here specifically to celebrate the mainline Sonic game series and pick the best of them. Before we start, let’s quickly touch upon our criteria. We tried to rank these games based on a combination of historical significance, innovation, and how well these games stand the test of time. Some games, like Sonic Adventure 1 and the original Sonic the Hedgehog, for instance, are obviously super important to the Sonic series and set the foundation for both 2D and 3D Sonic games to follow, but we felt like they both didn’t quite hold up as well as their sequels when judged by a modern standard, which was why they just missed this list. The 10 games on this list are the ones we feel are the best examples of both classic and modern Sonic style. So w...
Baldur's Gate 3 is a game full of intricate detail. With so many dialogue options, characters, classes, and quests, everyone's experience is a little bit different. Discoveries are around every corner, and the only thing seemingly separating you from success or tragedy is a dice roll. That being said, it's a lot easier to somewhat plot your destiny when you know where you're going. IGN's Baldur's Gate 3 interactive map can help guide you on your quest through Act 1, 2 and 3. See the full Baldur's Gate 3 Map for all locations We have the most updated Baldur's Gate 3 map with the location of every item, chest, enemies, NPC, and more throughout the prologue, Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. You can also check out our Baldur's Gate 3 walktrough for quests guides and details. Baldur's Gate 3 Interactive Map Currently, our Baldur's Gate 3 map features locations for the Prologue, Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. This include a Nautiloid map, a map of t...
Nintendo has promised to fix a game-breaking issue in Paper Mario: The Origami King that can keep players from progressing through the story. Light location spoilers for Paper Mario: The Origami King follow. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/14/paper-mario-the-origami-king-announcement-trailer"] On Mario and Olivia's journey to the last streamer in The Origami King, players have to collect four stamps for their Spring of Rainbows VIP card in the Shangri-Spa area. After you collect all four stamps from four different hot springs, you gain access to a secret fifth hot spring. However, once you enter the fifth hot spring, the Spring of Rainbows, you lose your VIP pass. And, the other four hot springs will not give Mario a second stamp, meaning it's impossible to regain the VIP pass after you've already used it. If you try to re-enter the Spring of Rainbows, Mario will once again be asked to show his VIP pass. So, if you leave the Spring of Rainbows b...
Investing in a PS5 headset is a no-brainer if you have a PlayStation 5. The Sony Pulse 3D headset is the ultimate choice if you’re seeking an immersive experience. But, if you’d rather a more discreet look, there are some smaller headsets you can consider, including earbuds.
TL;DR – These are our picks for the Best PS5 Headsets:
The best PS5 headsets should add to your gaming experience, not hinder it. Therefore, comfort is key, along with being able to block external distractions. Similarly, you want to enhance the audio in-game, which is where Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio wins us over.
We’ve researched the best of the best, so no matter what type of gamer you are, there’s something for you. Go portable and wireless, or ditch the batteries and enjoy a wired gaming experience with clear and punchy audio.
You’ve finally got your hands on a PS5, and now you’re going to want a great headset to pair with it. The Sony Pulse 3D takes advantage of the console's next-gen positional audio. Your games will sound not only crisp and clear, but you’ll also be able to tell where sounds are coming from, making it easier for you to place where your enemies are in a game and take ‘em out. Even without the Tempest 3D Audio, these cans still sound great.
There’s a lot more we love about the Sony Pulse 3D including its lightweight and comfortable design. You’ll be happy wearing this headset for hours. Plus, the round, heavily padded earcups house 40mm neodymium drivers, several controls, and dual noise-canceling mics–all of which work decently well for a budget gaming headset. There is limited battery life, and Bluetooth support would’ve been a nice add-on. But even with these faults, the Pulse 3D and PS5 are a match made in sonic heaven.
If you’re looking for an exceptional audio experience while gaming on your PS5, the Sony InZone Buds aren’t going to disappoint. With active noise cancellation, built-in microphone, and up to 24+ hours of battery life (ANC turned off), you have everything you need when you’re gaming at home, or on the go. However, if you’re an iPhone user, you may find it tricky to connect to the earbuds since the connection requires 2.4GHz wireless with the USB-C dongle.
Thanks to Sony’s experience in the audio industry, you can expect great things from its InZone Buds. In-game sounds are impressive, and thanks to the buds’ ANC, you’ll feel top-tier immersion here whether it’s character dialogue, background music, or explosions. For added convenience, you can charge your earbuds wirelessly using the included charging case. It’s not as slimline as Apple’s AirPods Pro case, for example, but it’s still compact enough you can carry it in your bag.
Boasting 50mm Nanoclear drivers, active noise cancellation, and a swappable battery system, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro takes it up a gear if you’re looking for one of the best PS5 headsets. If talking to your friends or teammates while gaming is your jam, you’re going to love this high-performance headset. Thanks to its wireless capabilities, it’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to switch from PS5 and PS4, to PC, Mac, or Nintendo Switch.
Whether you’re chatting to friends or listening to in-game audio, you can use the Turtle Beach Audio Hubb app (available on iOS and Android) to adjust EQ settings, and even program the mappable wheel. Switch up your gaming style and take your headset with you and ensure your batteries are charged so you can swap them out for an even longer gaming session.
Offering balanced, high-quality audio, easy setup, and comfort all-day long, this is the ultimate indulgent headset for your PS5 console.
4. SteelSeries Arctis Prime
Best Wired PS5 Headset
If you want to get one of the best PS5 headsets but want to save some cash for game deals, check out the Arctis Prime. Though it might lack all the bells and whistles, you get a great-sounding set of cans that even audiophiles can appreciate. It’s a solidly-constructed, lightweight headset that sits comfortably on your head for hours. And, you don’t have to worry about the battery life, as it connects via a 3.5mm jack that you can easily plug into your gamepad or virtually any device.
This back to basics headset offers incredible sound thanks to its high-resolution drivers. You’ll find that these drivers offer a bigger yet more precise sound. When you’re gaming with friends, there is a retractable ClearCast mic that sounds good and does a decent job at filtering ambient noise to make sure you’re a part of the winning team. What this simple headset may lack in features is more than made up for in its performance and price.
5. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7
Best Wireless PS5 Headset
Are you interested in a versatile pair of cans that sound great and can be used with just about any device, including the PS5? Say hello to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. This wireless headset is full of connectivity thanks to a USB-C wireless transmitter for lossless 2.4 GHz audio and Bluetooth 5.0. You can enjoy a lag-free connection to your PS5 using that dongle, while Bluetooth is perfect for connecting your phone or tablet. It doesn’t stop there, though, as you can simultaneously listen to your game's action via the dongle and also play music or chat over discord with another device through Bluetooth. If you're looking for a wired connection, a 3.5mm jack provides a way to use the headset with an Xbox.
Beyond connectivity, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 comes packing full Tempest 3D Audio compatibility, so when using it with your PS5, you’re in for some deep audio immersion that’ll transport you into your games. And though this headset sounds wonderful straight out of the box, SteelSeries’ Sonar software also allows you to tune the headset to your ears and games with next-level EQ adjustments. It’s also rocking a durable and comfortable design with a height-adjustable headband for a universal fit and breathable AirWeave ear cushions, so you’ll be good for marathon gaming sessions. There are some other convenient extras as well, such as improved 38-hour battery life, a noise-canceling mic, and on headset controls for ChatMix, volume, Bluetooth pairing, and more.
6. Razer Barracuda X
Best PS5 Headset With Tempest 3D Audio
The PS5 comes toting Tempest 3D Audio, and there are very few headsets that are full adopters of this immersive sound, but one is the Razer Barracuda X. With this headset, you’re not only getting support for Sony's new audio but also THX Spatial Audio for a 7.1 surround sound experience. There is a paid app to activate the THX Spatial Audio feature, but it's a one-time fee for a lifetime of impressive audio. Once you get listening on your PS5 or PC, you'll be able to detect enemies coming from different directions, giving you a big advantage over your opponents.
The design of the Razer Barracuda X is very toned down and minimalistic, especially by Razer standards. It doesn’t scream “gamer” when you rock them, so you’ll be able to get away with using these as an everyday pair of headphones after you remove the detachable microphone. And, it connects simply via a USB-C dongle, making it the perfect headset to wear with your PS5, but it’ll work great with a Nintendo Switch or Android phone as well.
7. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX
Most Versatile PS5 Headset
If you want a headset that has it all in one compact package, look no further than the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max. It offers 2.4GHz wireless for a pain-free, lag-free connection to your PS5, and with the flip of a switch on the earcup, you can connect to the Xbox Series X, making it a great Xbox gaming headset. Bluetooth is available for the majority of your other devices, and you can even listen to two streams simultaneously. Since this is a purely wireless headset, solid battery life is essential, and the 40 hours of juice on offer should be plenty to get through long-haul gaming sessions.
You’ll find once these cans are paired with your console, you’re in for a pleasant listening experience. The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX are comfortable, lightweight, and durable thanks to an improved design that will leave you surprised by how great they feel even after hours of use. Plus, 50mm Nanoclear speakers relay even the most subtle nuances in your games, including picking up on the quiet footsteps of other players. The sound is amped up further thanks to Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, DTS Headphone: X, and Superhuman Hearing support baked in. And if you connect to the Turtle Beach Audio Hub app, you can make customizations to the headset, and not just to the sound, as you can also remap controls on the earcups.
8. Audeze Maxwell
Best Audiophile PS5 Headset
Do you find yourself to be a bit of a sound snob, and your average headset just isn’t going to cut it? Enter the Audeze Maxwell, taking over the spot from its older sibling, the Penrose. The Maxwell features a massive pair of 90mm planar magnetic drivers with magnetic arrays and waveguides that help you hear everything from footsteps to gunfire, along with music mix all perfectly clear. Tempest 3D is baked in for a more immersive listening experience, and of course, you can completely customize the audio to your preferences using Audeze’s HQ gaming app.
The Audeze Maxwell also has you covered when it comes to connectivity, offering a USB-C wired option or wireless dongle to enjoy high-res sound up to 24-bit/96kHz. While Bluetooth 5.3 lets you connect to multiple devices, even supporting the LDAC codec and the low latency LC3plus and LC3 codecs. Beyond audio greatness and ample connectivity, this headset’s well built and hefty, though the suspension headband and contoured earpads help counter that weight for all-day comfort, and we mean all day for several days, with its wild 80-hour battery life.
The Astro A50 may be a bit pricey and complicated to set up, but it’s worth the initial headache for the great sound and features this headset comes packing. With the Astro A50, you’re getting improved drivers that make the sound come through crisp and clear, whether you're gaming or streaming your favorite album. And, the support of Dolby Atmos means a more immersive playing experience. Plus, with Game: Voice Balance, you’ll be able to control how you sound to your teammates or over discord easily as you play.
If you’re in search of a pair of cans that you can wear all day, the Astro A50 has you covered where comfort is concerned, too. There’s even a 15+ hour battery life to boot. And, this versatile high-end gaming headset will work not only with the PS5 but also the latest Xbox, after you purchase an additional charging base designed to use in conjunction with the system.
10. Master & Dynamic MG20
Best Premium PS5 Gaming Headset
If you’re on the search for a gaming headset that’s the epitome of quality and functionality, Master & Dynamic's latest MG20 is a premium pair of cans that may just end up being your next splurge. This headset comes packing an impressive sound stage thanks to the 50mm drivers that will instantly immerse you in your favorite games with their rich, deep audio quality. It even comes loaded with 7.1 surround sound support. Unfortunately, it does not come packing ANC though.
To get listening on the Master & Dynamic MG20 is fairly easy, there is a low latency dongle that plugs directly into the PS5, allowing you to use the headset wirelessly. A wired connection is also an option. Plus, with Bluetooth connectivity that supports aptX codec, you can connect to PCs or do some gaming on the go. On top of that, there’s the simple, classic design with an onboard microphone and a detachable boom mic, so you can get away with using these as your everyday headphones. And, it’ll last all day since it boasts a 22-hour battery life.
How We Pick The Best PS5 Headsets
Sourcing the best PS5 headsets requires us to consider a multitude of options. We know how easy it is to get lost in a gaming session, which is why the PS5 headsets we’ve picked are comfortable for long-time use. Similarly, we understand many gamers, especially console gamers, might want to join up with teammates to conquer the battlefield or complete a quest. Therefore, a built-in microphone is another tickbox we want to fill.
If you’re gaming in a noisy environment, or you don’t want others around you to hear the explosive sounds when you go to virtual war, active noise cancellation is a must. While some PS5 headsets do this better than others, most will offer some level of ANC.
Connectivity is also something we consider. Not everyone wants to recharge their headset’s batteries, and we get that. But we also get that you might want to use your PS5 headset on other consoles or devices, wirelessly. We’ve considered a range of headsets, both wired and wireless, so you have plenty to choose from.
Where to Get the Best PS5 Headset in the UK
Where to Get the Best PS5 Headset Australia
Collected below for your convenience are Down Under prices that are (in a few cases) down under recommended retail. Better yet, they can all be acquired locally, so you don't have to pay through the nose on the Aussie consumer's most hated enemy—international shipping charges.
Best PS5 Headset FAQ
Are All Headsets Compatible With PS5?
The good news for PS5 owners is that most headsets are going to be compatible with the PS5. Pretty much any headset that has a wired USB connection, a 3.5mm jack connection, or uses a Bluetooth dongle should work with your PS5. So if you already have a headset that meets those requirements, you should be able to use that on PlayStation's latest console without an issue.
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones as a PS5 Headset?
The short answer to this question is no. While the PS5 is able to support a variety of different headsets with various connections, it is unlikely that straight up Bluetooth headphones will be compatible. This is mostly due to the fact that the PS5 does not currently support Bluetooth audio. There are some ways around this problem, but it's easier to just get a compatible headset instead.
Wireless Vs. Wired PS5 Headsets
There are advantages and disadvantages for both wired and wireless headsets. While it may seem like wireless headsets would be better overall, the benefit of owning a wired PS5 headset is that they tend to offer more reliable sound quality and connectivity and a lower price point. On the other hand, wireless headsets offer mobility you just can't get with wired options. The only issue with wireless PS5 headsets is that the best ones tend to cost a lot more. They also require charging, which is an added step to the audio experience.
Michelle Rae Uy is a freelance tech and travel writer, part-time production editor, and a full-time traveler from Los Angeles, California. She currently splits her time between Los Angeles, London and the rest of the world. Follow her on Instagram@straywithRae.
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