Your AirPods won’t work here. Shopping for the best gaming earbuds for PS5 starts with one fact: the console doesn’t pair with regular Bluetooth earbuds, so you need a pair with a USB-C dongle, Sony’s PlayStation Link or a wired plug for the controller. That leaves a short list, and these five are the ones worth your money.
Best Gaming Earbuds for PS5 in 2026
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Our Top Picks
Best Overall
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (PlayStation)
Bottom line: The best gaming earbuds for PS5, with a low-latency dongle, Bluetooth at the same time and solid ANC, though some units develop a quiet or failing earbud.
- Game audio over the dongle and phone audio over Bluetooth at once
- Effective noise cancelling
- Graphic EQ and 100 game presets in the app
- Spatial audio on PS5
- Pocket-size case with Qi charging
- IP55 rating
- Mic gets drowned out in noisy rooms
- Some units develop one quiet or dead earbud
- Buy the PlayStation version for PS5
Best Battery Life
Sony INZONE Buds
Bottom line: The PS5 earbuds with the longest battery and the deepest console integration, including on-screen status, though their Bluetooth won't work with many phones.
- Up to 12 hours per charge
- Shows volume, battery and mute status on the PS5 screen
- Personalized 360 spatial sound
- AI noise canceling mic
- Works with Tempest 3D Audio
- 48 hours total with the case
- Bluetooth is LE Audio only, so many phones can't use it
- No support for SBC, AAC, aptX or LDAC
Best Sound
PlayStation PULSE Explore
Bottom line: Sony's own PS5 earbuds, with planar magnetic drivers that sound remarkably spacious, but they're prone to random disconnects.
- Planar magnetic drivers with a wide, detailed sound
- PlayStation Link and Bluetooth together
- Official Sony accessory
- Six ear tip sizes in the box
- Charging case included
- Low-latency PlayStation Link connection
- Prone to random disconnects from the PS5
- Fit and battery life are only average
- Pricey at full price
Most Comfortable
ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
Bottom line: Comfortable dual-mode earbuds with a PS5-compatible dongle, bone-conduction mics and huge battery life in Bluetooth mode, if you don't mind RGB earbuds.
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Dongle and Bluetooth at the same time
- Bone-conduction mics isolate your voice
- Wireless charging case
- Adaptive noise cancelling with auto mode
- 24-bit/96kHz audio in 2.4GHz mode
- Battery figure is for Bluetooth with RGB off
- RGB lighting may not appeal to everyone
Best Budget Wired
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO:RED
Bottom line: The cheapest way to get great PS5 audio, plugged straight into your DualSense, as long as you don't need a mic or wireless.
- Excellent sound for the price
- No battery, no latency, no pairing
- Detachable, replaceable cable
- Lots of ear tips for a good fit
- Plugs straight into the DualSense
- Dual dynamic drivers for punchy audio
- No mic for party chat
- Wired to your controller
- Durability is hit and miss
Table of Contents
Best Gaming Earbuds for PS5: Our Picks in Detail
1
Best Overall
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (PlayStation)
Bottom line: The best gaming earbuds for PS5, with a low-latency dongle, Bluetooth at the same time and solid ANC, though some units develop a quiet or failing earbud.
The Arctis GameBuds are the most complete gaming earbuds you can put on a PS5. They do everything a headset does, in a case that fits in your pocket.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Game audio over the dongle and phone audio over Bluetooth at once
- Effective noise cancelling
- Graphic EQ and 100 game presets in the app
- Spatial audio on PS5
- Pocket-size case with Qi charging
- IP55 rating
Cons
- Mic gets drowned out in noisy rooms
- Some units develop one quiet or dead earbud
- Buy the PlayStation version for PS5
Why We Picked It
The PlayStation version plugs a 2.4GHz dongle into your PS5's USB-C port for low-latency game audio, and it stays connected to one Bluetooth device at the same time, so you can take calls or play music from your phone while you game. Active noise cancelling blocks a good amount of outside noise, spatial audio works on PS5, and the companion app adds a graphic EQ and 100 game presets. A triple tap on the left earbud switches it to Bluetooth when you leave the console.
Who It's For
You play on a PS5 and want one pair of earbuds for gaming, music and calls. The USB-C dongle gives low-latency game audio while your phone stays connected over Bluetooth, so a call or a playlist never means swapping gear. A triple tap on the left earbud switches to Bluetooth when you leave the console, and the case slips into a pocket.
Specs & Configurations
- PS5 connection
- 2.4GHz USB-C dongle
- Also
- Bluetooth 5.3, usable at the same time as the dongle
- ANC
- 4-mic hybrid, with transparency mode
- Battery
- up to 10 hours (SteelSeries), a little over 8 hours with ANC on, plus 3 charges in the Qi case
- Extras
- 100 game audio presets, 360 spatial audio, IP55
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2
Best Battery Life
Sony INZONE Buds
Bottom line: The PS5 earbuds with the longest battery and the deepest console integration, including on-screen status, though their Bluetooth won't work with many phones.
Battery life is the INZONE Buds' headline: up to 12 hours on a charge and 48 with the case, more than any other wireless pick here.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Up to 12 hours per charge
- Shows volume, battery and mute status on the PS5 screen
- Personalized 360 spatial sound
- AI noise canceling mic
- Works with Tempest 3D Audio
- 48 hours total with the case
Cons
- Bluetooth is LE Audio only, so many phones can't use it
- No support for SBC, AAC, aptX or LDAC
Why We Picked It
On PS5, you see volume, battery level and mic mute status on screen and can adjust the game and chat balance, and the buds work with Tempest 3D Audio. Sony personalizes their 360 spatial sound to your ear shape, and the mic uses AI-based noise canceling to cut out background noise. They were designed with esports team Fnatic.
Who It's For
You play PS5 for long stretches and want your earbuds to act like part of the console. Battery lasts up to 12 hours on a charge and 48 with the case, so marathon sessions rarely end with a dead bud. On screen you see volume, battery and mic mute status, you can adjust the game and chat balance, and Tempest 3D Audio is supported.
Specs & Configurations
- PS5 connection
- 2.4GHz USB-C dongle
- PS5 features
- on-screen volume, battery and mic mute status, game/chat balance, Tempest 3D Audio
- Battery
- up to 12 hours, 48 hours with the case (Sony)
- ANC
- yes, with transparency mode
- Mic
- AI-based noise canceling
- Bluetooth
- LE Audio only, not compatible with iPhone or iPad
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3
Best Sound
PlayStation PULSE Explore
Bottom line: Sony's own PS5 earbuds, with planar magnetic drivers that sound remarkably spacious, but they're prone to random disconnects.
The PULSE Explore are Sony's own PS5 earbuds, and they connect over PlayStation Link, Sony's low-latency wireless connection.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Planar magnetic drivers with a wide, detailed sound
- PlayStation Link and Bluetooth together
- Official Sony accessory
- Six ear tip sizes in the box
- Charging case included
- Low-latency PlayStation Link connection
Cons
- Prone to random disconnects from the PS5
- Fit and battery life are only average
- Pricey at full price
Why We Picked It
They're the only earbuds here with planar magnetic drivers, and the result is a spacious, clear sound that's rare for something this small. They also stay linked to the PS5 while playing music from your phone over Bluetooth, and the box includes six ear tip sizes.
Who It's For
You love the PlayStation ecosystem and care about sound above all. These are Sony's own PS5 earbuds, linked over low-latency PlayStation Link, and the planar magnetic drivers give a spacious, clear sound that is rare in something this small. Music from your phone can play over Bluetooth while the console stays connected, and six ear tip sizes help you find a fit.
Specs & Configurations
- PS5 connection
- PlayStation Link USB adapter
- Also
- Bluetooth, usable alongside PlayStation Link
- Drivers
- planar magnetic
- In the box
- charging case, 6 ear tip sizes, PlayStation Link adapter
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4
Most Comfortable
ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova
Bottom line: Comfortable dual-mode earbuds with a PS5-compatible dongle, bone-conduction mics and huge battery life in Bluetooth mode, if you don't mind RGB earbuds.
The ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova are the comfiest earbuds on this list, and ASUS officially supports PS5 through its 2.4GHz dongle.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Dongle and Bluetooth at the same time
- Bone-conduction mics isolate your voice
- Wireless charging case
- Adaptive noise cancelling with auto mode
- 24-bit/96kHz audio in 2.4GHz mode
Cons
- Battery figure is for Bluetooth with RGB off
- RGB lighting may not appeal to everyone
Why We Picked It
Hybrid multipoint keeps you connected to your PS5 over the dongle and your phone over Bluetooth at once. Bone-conduction AI mics isolate your voice from background noise, and adaptive ANC adjusts to the fit of your ear and the noise around you. In 2.4GHz mode, they play 24-bit/96kHz audio tuned with Dirac Opteo.
Who It's For
You wear earbuds for hours on a PS5 and talk to teammates the whole time. The comfortable fit holds up through long sessions, and bone-conduction AI mics isolate your voice from background noise. The 2.4GHz dongle handles the console while your phone stays on Bluetooth, and the wireless charging case keeps things tidy on your desk.
Specs & Configurations
- PS5 connection
- 2.4GHz SpeedNova dongle (PS4 and PS5 supported)
- Also
- Bluetooth, with hybrid multipoint to use both at once
- Mic
- bone-conduction AI microphones
- ANC
- adaptive, with auto mode
- Battery
- up to 46 hours in Bluetooth mode with RGB off (ASUS)
- Audio
- 24-bit/96kHz in 2.4GHz mode, Dirac Opteo tuning
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5
Best Budget Wired
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO:RED
Bottom line: The cheapest way to get great PS5 audio, plugged straight into your DualSense, as long as you don't need a mic or wireless.
Wired in-ear monitors deliver more sound quality per dollar than any wireless earbuds, and the ZERO:RED is one of the best budget pairs for gaming. They plug straight into your DualSense with no dongle or pairing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent sound for the price
- No battery, no latency, no pairing
- Detachable, replaceable cable
- Lots of ear tips for a good fit
- Plugs straight into the DualSense
- Dual dynamic drivers for punchy audio
Cons
- No mic for party chat
- Wired to your controller
- Durability is hit and miss
Why We Picked It
Two dynamic drivers per side deliver clean, punchy game audio with zero latency and no battery to charge. The ZERO:RED is the flatter-bass version of the popular ZERO, which suits games where you want footsteps and dialogue to stand out. The cable is detachable, so you can replace it if it breaks, and you get plenty of ear tips.
Who It's For
You mostly play solo on a PS5, or already use a separate mic, and want great sound on a tight budget. Plug the ZERO:RED into your DualSense and you are done: no dongle, no pairing, no battery to charge. The flatter bass keeps footsteps and dialogue easy to pick out, and plenty of ear tips help you dial in the fit.
Specs & Configurations
- PS5 connection
- wired, 3.5 mm into the DualSense controller
- Drivers
- dual dynamic, 10 mm and 7.8 mm
- Cable
- detachable
- Mic
- none
- Extras
- multiple ear tip sizes
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Check Price on AmazonHow to Connect Earbuds to a PS5
USB-C dongle. Most wireless gaming earbuds, including the GameBuds, INZONE Buds and ROG Cetra, come with a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle. Plug it into the PS5 and the earbuds work like a USB headset, with low latency and mic support.
PlayStation Link. Sony’s PULSE Explore uses its own PlayStation Link USB adapter instead of a generic dongle.
Wired through the controller. Any 3.5 mm earbuds can plug into the headphone jack on the DualSense controller, which is why wired picks like the ZERO:RED work without any adapter.
Regular Bluetooth earbuds. The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio natively, so AirPods and other everyday earbuds need a third-party USB Bluetooth adapter, and some of those don’t pass your mic through for chat. If you also want to play music from your phone, look for earbuds that can use the dongle and Bluetooth at the same time.
How to Choose Gaming Earbuds for PS5
Mic quality. Earbud mics sit far from your mouth, so most struggle in noisy rooms. Models with AI or bone-conduction noise reduction, like the INZONE Buds and ROG Cetra, handle background noise better. Some gaming earbuds have mics that cut out mid-chat, so mic reliability matters as much as sound.
Battery life. Earbuds run out faster than headsets, and noise cancelling shortens that further. The GameBuds, for example, drop from 10 rated hours to a little over 8 with ANC on.
Dual connection. If you want game audio and phone audio at once, pick earbuds that can use their dongle and Bluetooth simultaneously, like the GameBuds, ROG Cetra or PULSE Explore.
Fit. Comfort varies more with earbuds than headsets. Try every ear tip size in the box, and consider memory foam tips if the stock silicone ones won’t stay put.
FAQ
Do gaming earbuds work with PS5?
Yes, if they use a USB-C dongle, PlayStation Link or a wired 3.5 mm connection. Regular Bluetooth earbuds need an adapter because the PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio on its own.
Can I use AirPods on PS5?
Not directly. You’ll need a third-party USB Bluetooth adapter, and even then your mic may not work for voice chat, which is why dedicated gaming earbuds are the easier option.
What are the best gaming earbuds for PS5?
For most players, the best gaming earbuds for PS5 are the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (PlayStation version). If you want Sony’s own option with the best sound, the PULSE Explore is the alternative.
What’s the difference between gaming earbuds and regular earbuds?
Gaming earbuds usually add a low-latency 2.4GHz dongle, gaming presets and a mic tuned for chat, while regular earbuds rely on Bluetooth, which adds lag and doesn’t work on PS5 without an adapter.