Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for PS5
From the Stinger 2 Core to the Stealth 600: four headsets ranked on driver size and connection, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A PS5 headset needs a USB dongle or Bluetooth profile the console accepts. Every pick lists PS5 or PlayStation support and a wireless connection, ordered by driver size.
Our comparison rests on published figures for driver size, connection and microphone; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out driver size, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation)
The cheapest way into this group, below the BlackShark V2 X PS.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation
A HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for: Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Our take Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation (opens in a new tab)
Noise-cancelling Microphone
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset
A noise-cancelling microphone.
Best for: Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation)
The top of this price range, adding up to 80 hours of listed battery life.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the BlackShark V2 X PS. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab) |
| A HyperClear cardioid mic. | Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic. | Check price for Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation (opens in a new tab) |
| A noise-cancelling microphone. | Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone. | Check price for SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding up to 80 hours of listed battery life. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Core (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HyperX's Cloud Stinger 2 Core uses 40mm directional drivers and a swivel-to-mute mic in a light over-ear frame.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if driver size matters most to you; the BlackShark V2 X PS offers 50mm.
Why we like it
This is the PlayStation-styled version with a 3.5mm plug. Its swivel-to-mute mic flips up to mute, and audio controls sit on the headset. Soft ear cushions keep it light.
On driver size it trails the group at 40mm, while the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm. It is the only pick here with a swivel-to-mute boom microphone; the Arctis Nova 1 has a noise-cancelling microphone instead. You also get a lightweight over-ear design.
A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the BlackShark V2 X PS was closest. Driver size is its weakest area, and the BlackShark V2 X PS covers it better at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 40mm
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Swivel-to-mute boom
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Swivel-to-mute microphone
- 40mm directional drivers
- Lightweight over-ear design
Cons
- Driver size trails the BlackShark V2 X PS (50mm)
Also Consider2 of 4
Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PlayStation version of Razer's BlackShark V2 X keeps the 240g frame, 50mm TriForce drivers and HyperClear cardioid mic.
Best for
- Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Stinger 2 Core cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 3.5mm plug also works on PC. Razer's Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers split into three parts to tune highs, mids and lows separately. Closed earcups cover the ears fully for passive noise isolation, and the cardioid mic rejects sound from the back and sides.
It matches the Stealth 600 on driver size (50mm). A HyperClear cardioid microphone is unique to it among these picks, while the Arctis Nova 1 uses a noise-cancelling microphone. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter. Its price falls between the Stinger 2 Core and the Arctis Nova 1, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Driver size: 50mm
- Weight: 240g
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: HyperClear cardioid
Pros
- 50mm drivers
- Light 240g build
- No charging or pairing needed
- HyperClear cardioid mic
Cons
- Costs more than the Stinger 2 Core at the time of writing
Noise-cancelling Microphone3 of 4
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arctis Nova 1 is a multi-system 3.5mm headset with a noise-cancelling mic and Tempest 3D support on PS5.
Best for
- Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone.
Skip if
- Pass if a published driver size matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
Its ComfortMAX system adjusts in height with rotating ear cups and AirWeave cushions, and on-board controls handle volume and mute. No other pick in this guide offers a noise-cancelling microphone; compare the Stinger 2 Core, which has a swivel-to-mute boom microphone. A 3.5mm plug means it works with a controller or front-panel jack; on PC, a separate mic and headphone jack may need a splitter.
It was priced above the BlackShark V2 X PS and below the Stealth 600 at the time of writing. There is no published driver size figure, whereas the BlackShark V2 X PS comes in at 50mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: Wired 3.5mm
- Microphone: Noise-cancelling
Pros
- No charging or pairing needed
- Tempest 3D audio support on PS5
- Multi-system 3.5mm connection
- Noise-cancelling microphone, the only one here
Cons
- No published driver size
- Costs more than the Stinger 2 Core at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless (PlayStation) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Turtle Beach's Stealth 600 offers up to 80 hours of battery life with 50mm drivers.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Stinger 2 Core, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It connects over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has a flip-to-mute mic. A mappable wheel and mode button can be assigned in the app, and the ear cups lay flat for travel. Memory foam cushions are glasses-friendly.
It matches the BlackShark V2 X PS on driver size (50mm). You get a flip-to-mute microphone here, which sets it apart from the Stinger 2 Core and its a swivel-to-mute boom microphone. On a PC, use the 2.4GHz dongle for games and keep Bluetooth for a phone, since Bluetooth adds latency. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Arctis Nova 1 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Driver size: 50mm
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5
- Microphone: Flip-to-mute
Pros
- Up to 80 hours of battery life
- 50mm drivers
- Dual wireless: dongle plus Bluetooth
- Flip-to-mute mic
Cons
- Costs more than the Stinger 2 Core at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wireless Gaming Headsets for PS5
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared four headsets on driver size, connection and microphone, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Stinger 2 Core to the Stealth 600, state connection and microphone.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arctis Nova 1 gives no driver size.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Stinger 2 Core (under $50) to the Stealth 600 ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Driver size across these picks
Here driver size runs from 40mm on the Stinger 2 Core to 50mm on the BlackShark V2 X PS. The BlackShark V2 X PS is the pick for driver size. No figure for the Arctis Nova 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The BlackShark V2 X PS: a 240g frame. The Arctis Nova 1: a multi-system 3.5mm connection. The Stealth 600: a flip-to-mute mic.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Stinger 2 Core, the BlackShark V2 X PS and the Arctis Nova 1; $50 to $100 buys the Stealth 600 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the Stinger 2 Core. Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone: the Arctis Nova 1. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the Stealth 600.
Weight and clamp matter after an hour
Lighter headsets reduce pressure on the top of the head, and memory foam or fabric pads stay cooler. A difference of 50g is noticeable over long sessions.
If you wear glasses, look for soft pads that do not press the arms into your head.
How to Choose a Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Stinger 2 Core | The cheapest way into this group, below the BlackShark V2 X PS |
| Buyers who want HyperClear cardioid mic | BlackShark V2 X PS | A HyperClear cardioid mic |
| Buyers who want a noise-cancelling microphone | Arctis Nova 1 | A noise-cancelling microphone |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Stealth 600 | The top of this price range, adding up to 80 hours of listed battery life |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The BlackShark V2 X PS leads on driver size at 50mm, ahead of the Stealth 600 at 50mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Headset | Driver size | Connection | Microphone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stinger 2 Core | 40mm | Wired 3.5mm | Swivel-to-mute boom |
| BlackShark V2 X PS | 50mm | Wired 3.5mm | HyperClear cardioid |
| Arctis Nova 1 | Not listed | Wired 3.5mm | Noise-cancelling |
| Stealth 600 | 50mm | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5 | Flip-to-mute |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Stinger 2 Core was the lowest-priced pick and the Stealth 600 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Headsets |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Stinger 2 Core, BlackShark V2 X PS, Arctis Nova 1 |
| About $50 to $100 | Stealth 600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Stealth 600 worth paying more than the Stinger 2 Core?
On paper it adds driver size (50mm against 40mm). The Stinger 2 Core was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Stinger 2 Core the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the BlackShark V2 X PS. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the Stinger 2 Core and the BlackShark V2 X PS differ on microphone?
The Stinger 2 Core uses swivel-to-mute boom; the BlackShark V2 X PS uses HyperClear cardioid; the Arctis Nova 1 uses noise-cancelling; the Stealth 600 uses flip-to-mute.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Stinger 2 Core and the BlackShark V2 X PS apart?
The Stinger 2 Core: a swivel-to-mute microphone. The BlackShark V2 X PS: a HyperClear cardioid mic. The Arctis Nova 1: Tempest 3D audio support on PS5.
Who should choose the Arctis Nova 1?
The Arctis Nova 1 carries our Noise-cancelling Microphone label for a noise-cancelling microphone. It ranks third of 4 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Stinger 2 Core, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the BlackShark V2 X PS. Look at the BlackShark V2 X PS for a HyperClear cardioid mic, the Arctis Nova 1 for a noise-cancelling microphone and the Stealth 600 for the top of this price range, adding up to 80 hours of listed battery life if those matter more to you.
Use the USB dongle for the lowest latency.