Best PS4 headsets: unparalleled audio from SteelSeries, Astro, and more

Best PS4 headsets
(Image credit: Future)

It's been a long old while since the PS4 was the new kid on the block, but the best PS4 headsets are still well worth checking out in the present day. Sony's last-gen console retains a massive install base, games are still releasing for it, and many PS4 headsets designed for the console can be found for much less than retail price today.

At TechRadar Gaming we've tested and reviewed PS4 headsets for years. With all that knowledge under our belt, we're confident that we've managed to curate a list here to suit all preferences and budgets. From cheap wonders to luxurious premium kit - and everything in between - we've cherrypicked the best of the best across the price spectrum.

The best PS4 headsets in 2026

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Best overall PS4 headset

The best PS4 headset overall

Specifications

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth
Drivers: Bespoke SteelSeries
Battery life: 20-22 hours
Weight: 337g

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent sound quality
+
Multiplatform connectivity
+
Long battery life
+
Handy, versatile DAC

Reasons to avoid

-
Eye-watering price tag
-
ANC isn’t the best
-
Non-intuitive physical controls
Buy it if

You want world-class gaming headset audio: Fantastic audio quality and rich spatial sound, this is an immersive headset tailor-made for enjoying soundtracks and pinpointing movement in online multiplayer environments.

You want something multiplatform: Great for PlayStation, the included DAC also lets you switch connectivity to other platforms if you desire.

Don't buy it if

You need airtight ANC: Active noise cancellation here is serviceable, but if you game in noisier environments, this headset isn't quite up to the task.

The great thing about the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is that it's been around for a few years now, meaning it can often be found at much less than its eye-watering retail price. Pair that with its tremendous features and immersive soundstage, and you have a recipe for the best overall PS4 headset.

Even though it's a few years old, the Nova Pro Wireless hasn't lost a step. In our original review, Michelle Rae Uy named it "one of those defining moments in gaming peripherals history", and it's hard to argue with that.

You're getting a frequency range of 10Hz - 40kHz here, meaning the Nova Pro Wireless is capable of delivering booming lows and detailed high-res audio both. Everything from thumping footsteps in online shooters to fulsome soundtracks in single-player games are handled with aplomb.

Design-wise, you're also looking at a seriously professional package. SteelSeries penchant for build quality is very much intact here. Padded earcups offer immense comfort, while the floating ski headband offers a great deal of adjustment for a variety of head sizes.

The headset also comes with two hot-swappable batteries, totaling around 22 hours of charge each. When you're running low on one, simply pop it out of the left earcup (covered by a handy magnetic plate), and insert the other. Two batteries does increase the price of the headset of course, but this offers an incredible amount of convenience that'll let you carry on gaming between charges.

Best budget PS4 headset

Turtle Beach Recon 70

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget PS4 headset

Specifications

Connectivity: Wired
Drivers: 40mm
Battery life: N/A
Weight: 232g

Reasons to buy

+
Aggressive pricing 
+
Sounds great for gaming 
+
Multi-platform versatility 

Reasons to avoid

-
Expectedly cheap build quality 
-
No surround sound 
Buy it if

You want a multi-platform headset. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is a pretty versatile headset, so if you want something you'll be able to use outside of gaming with a PS4, then it's worth considering, especially given its price point.

You want something more affordable. The main appeal of this headset outside of its audio capabilities is its price tag. It's an incredibly affordable alternative for someone looking for a relatively cheap headset that doesn't sacrifice much quality.

Don't buy it if

You want something built to last. Although it's a more affordable headset, this is reflected through its build. The construction feels cheap, so it's a case of getting what you pay for.

You use surround sound. Like many other cheaper headsets, the Turtle Beach Recon 70 does not feature surround sound.

The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is not a new headset by any stretch, but it remains a staunch budget favorite in the brand's back catalog. It's even still reliably pushed by Turtle Beach as a recommended contemporary option, working as well on Switch and Switch 2 as it does PS4.

In our testing, we found that the Turtle Beach Recon 70 did an above-average job of immersing us in gameplay despite the lack of anything fancy like noise canceling or surround sound. It's very much a case of you getting what you pay for with these, making them ideal for kids and families, as well as the wallet-minded gamer after something that won't break the bank this year.

Speaking of, shooter fans are particularly catered to with this headset. We found that this unit hit its stride in popular games such as Fortnite for both listening in on what those around us were doing and giving out commands ourselves. That's because the mic, despite sounding a little thin, was crystal clear where it mattered the most; commendable giving the humble sticker price all in all.

Lastly, it's quite the looker as well. We sometimes shy away from obnoxious gamer-esque aesthetics with PS4 headsets, but the Turtle Beach Recon 70 strikes a nice balance. It's got style, but also won't look out of place away from the console and in somewhere like an office environment.

Best premium PS4 headset

The best premium PS4 headset

Specifications

Connectivity: Wireless
Drivers: 40mm Pro-G graphene
Battery life: 24 hours
Weight: 363g

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible comfort
+
As good as gaming headset audio gets
+
Slimmer charging stand

Reasons to avoid

-
Slow to charge
-
Naturally very expensive 
Buy it if

You appreciate sleek design: Both the headset and itself boast sleek designs to help save space on your setup while looking the part.

You value the best audio you can get: We've selected this product as our top pick for a premium headset for good reason, and that's down to the fantastic audio it offers. It's unmatched in terms of performance, but obviously, you will also be paying for its quality.

Don't buy it if

You need something for constant use: Since this headset is wireless, you'll need to charge it every now and then, and unfortunately the charge-up time for this one is pretty slow.

You need separate audio channels: Unlike other premium headsets, this model does not feature separate audio channels for talk and game sound which could be an issue if you frequently use both at once.

Astro's reputation for gaming headsets has been the envy of other manufacturers for the better part of a decade now. Like all previous versions of the A50, this refreshed model is about as expensive as the market gets, but it's also right at the high-tide line for quality.

You would expect some pretty special build quality for the high price point. What you get is a design that not only looks great sitting on your desk, thanks to a combination of rubberized matte and a glossy aluminum finish, but it delivers exceptional comfort too. There's more cushioning here around the earcups and headband than on a corner sofa, but it's not heavy or stifling as a result.

The sound is definitely designed with games as a priority, so you get a pronounced bass response that makes itself known when bullets fly and combustible objects combust. But it's not tweaked to such an extreme at the driver level that it sounds artificially scooped when you bring up Spotify or Netflix, and that subtlety it retains outside games really sets it apart.

Best wired PS4 headset

The best wired PS4 headset

Specifications

Connectivity: Wired
Drivers: 40mm graphene
Battery life: N/A
Weight: 340g

Reasons to buy

+
Competitive price point
+
Excellent audio
+
Strong build quality
+
Really comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
No on-board buttons or features
-
No companion software for customization
-
Mic not detachable
Buy it if

You need a reliable wired alternative: As wired headsets go, this is one of the best PS4-compatible models, and you'll be able to forget worrying about when you'll next need to charge it up.

You want something customizable: The headset's swappable magnetic mod plates (sold separately) offer a range of designs over at RIG's website, and are great if you want something a bit more expressive than the default PlayStation logo.

Don't buy it if

You'd prefer something with more audio tweaking options: Incompatible with RIG's app and lacking dedicated on-board buttons, this is very much a plug-and-play headset. At least it still sounds fantastic out of the box.

Testing and reviewing the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS (annoying naming conventions aside) was a real treat. What you have here is a budget-friendly wired gaming headset that offers shockingly good audio for the price, and a comfy plush fit designed to keep your head cozy while you game away the hours.

RIG has long been a mid-range audio powerhouse, and it's brought its capable audio chops to this plug-and-play wired headset. A lack of EQ customizability means you can't really tailor the audio to your liking, but what comes out of the box is rich and detailed thanks to its 40mm graphene drivers.

Build quality is a bit on the plasticky side, and the non-detachable mic means it isn't as portable as you might want. The mic itself is perfectly serviceable, though, and can be flipped up to mute at any time.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a relatively affordable headset that you can just plug and play and get going with, this is the one to buy.

Best PS4 headsets FAQs

What are the best headsets for PS4?

We think some of the best headset brands on PS4 include SteelSeries, Turtle Beach, Astro, and HyperX. Others to consider in a similar vein include Razer and Gioteck, too. With the PS4 being almost a decade old now, many older models have since been discontinued or replaced, so we're keeping you up to date.

What are good wireless headsets for the PS4?

If you've got the cash for it, we think that the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Astro A50s are pretty unrivalled when it comes to the best wireless headsets available on PS4. While some others may undercut in terms of price, the sound quality of these are paramount.

What are the benefits of a wired headset?

This is simple enough. Wired headsets don't need to rely on battery life, and thus will never need charging. Most will have a 3.5mm jack or USB-C connector that you can plug straight into your device of choice. The PS4's DualShock 4 controller has a 3.5mm port, meaning wired headsets are a great fit here. You also won't need to worry about input latency that could result in delayed audio; something that can happen over wireless Bluetooth connections.

How we test the best PS4 headsets

The testing process we follow when considering the best PS4 headsets is incredibly thorough to make sure they are worth featuring in our list of the best of the best. There's a lot that goes into seeing whether or not certain headsets meet the criteria, and with the number of products currently available on the market, it's important to know what to look for to be able to make the best recommendations.

With any audio device, sound quality and performance are always the first port of call. Making sure that both input and output are as clear and consistent as possible. However, outside of analyzing a product's auditory performance, things like battery life, comfort, and how easy products are to use are also factored into the testing process.

Our best headsets guides are updated as regularly as possible since new products are always coming onto the market, and we endeavor to deliver an honest recommendation on which are worth considering which is why we believe it's important to keep up to date with what products are relevant.

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Kara Phillips
Evergreen Writer

Kara is an Evergreen writer at TechRadar Gaming. With a degree in Journalism and a passion for the weird and wonderful, she's spent the last few years as a freelance video game journalist, with bylines at NintendoLife, Attack of the Fanboy, Prima Games, and sister publication, GamesRadar+. Outside of gaming, you'll find her re-watching Gilmore Girls or trying to cram yet another collectible onto a shelf that desperately needs some organizing.

With contributions from