The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S have been out for several months. The machines are still difficult to obtain and the same goes for some of their accessories. More specifically, the first party headsets the PS5 Pulse 3D, and the Xbox Wireless headsets are still sought by fans.
It's not as if gamers don't have a choice, as there are lots of third-party options out there. The Turtle Beach Recons and the Arctic Steel Series are still great options for owners of either machine. However, it's Sony and Microsoft's own that are leading the pack. These reasonably priced headsets implementing features that are either not found in rivals or are simply better than the similarly priced kit. They are great first-party headsets but how do they stack up against each other?
The Price
When it comes to choosing a decent headset for the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series S/X, price is going to be a major factor for a lot of gamers. Furthermore, the other peripherals like an extra controller, camera, or even a stand all start to add up when forking out a a lot of money for a new-gen console.
Thankfully, both the official PS5 and Xbox headset sell for a mid-range price of $99 in the US. While that isn't cheap by most people's standards when compared to some of the more high-end headsets on the market both the Xbox Wireless Headset and the PS5 3D Pulse stack up very nicely in terms of sound quality.
Winner - Draw
- Xbox Wireless Headset $99.99
- PS5 3D Pulse Headset $99.99
Battery Life
As competitive gaming gets more popular it's becoming ever more important for a good headset to have a significant amount of battery life. This is especially true for players that seem to get lost in their games like Fortnite and Call of Duty for hours at a time.
Thankfully, both headsets provide a decent amount of hours gaming with the PS5 3D Pulse lasting around 12 hours and the Xbox Wireless will last around 15 hours. Clearly, the Xbox Wireless comes out on top here with that extra three hours but most gamers probably won't notice. As for how each headset is charged, both require the provided USB cable, and both charge up fairly quickly.
Winner – Xbox Wireless Headset
- Xbox Wireless Headset – 15 Hours
- PS5 3D Pulse – 12 Hours
Design/Build
Both PS5 Pulse Headset and the Xbox Wireless Headset are attractive pieces of kit. The Xbox Wireless looks great for budding streamers out there and the mic provides just enough audio quality to do the job whether it's streaming or chatting with friends.
However, the PS5 Pulse has a more universal look which may appeal to some gamers especially, since large-sized headphones are becoming more common with walkers and commuters. The mic is built-in so they aren't in the way and don't look like a gaming headset at first glance. However, the Pulse's mic quality isn't quite as good as the Xbox Wireless.
Both headsets are made of plastic which is to be expected for a mid-range set but still feels very solid. The Pulse is certainly better than the Sony Wireless Headset 2.0 for the PS4 with its easily breakable plastic hinges. Instead, the Pulse headset has a strap, adjusts itself to the size of the wearer's head. It must be said, however, that the strap can take a little bit of getting used to especially if one has a larger head. Thankfully, most players will forget that it's there as it stretches around the top of the head.
As for the Xbox Wireless, it has an adjustable strap that can be clicked into place but it does seem like it could break in the hands of a young gamer for example. In terms of build quality, the headsets are about on par but for universal appeal and solid design the Pulse edges out a victory in this category. However, the Xbox Wireless also comes with some very easy-to-use volume dials that let players turn the volume up or down with a simple turn of the ear cup. So there's no fumbling around feeling for the volume button.
Winner - Draw
- Xbox Wireless Headset – Easy To Use Volume Dials, thin Plastic but slightly better mic quality.
- PS5 3D Headset – Built-In Mic but has lower sound quality. Looks universal, and has an adjustable Headband.
Weight And Comfort
As with most things in life, comfort can be very subjective when it comes to finding a nice set of headphones. However, it has to be said that these two headsets are very much on par when it comes to comfort. There is very little difference in weight between the two with the Pulse weighing 10.4 ounces and the Xbox Wireless weighing 11 ounces. However, the band at the top of the PS5 headset can make it feel a little heavier than it is because of how snug it sits at the top of the head at first.
Both headsets have an over-the-ear design that sits softly on the head thanks to soft plush ear cups. They don't feel too tight like some players have complained about the similarly priced third-party Turtle Beach 600 Gen 2's. Both the Xbox Wireless and the PS5 headset are comfortable to wear and won't make players feel too hot on those long summer play sessions. The pros and cons for both headsets bring them in line with each other making it an even draw.
Winner - Draw
- PS5 3D Headset - Comfortable Over the ear cups but the pressure from the band can make it seem heavier on the head out of the box.
- Xbox Wireless - Comfortable Over the ear cups
- PS5 3D Pulse Headset Weight: 10.4 Ounces
- Xbox Wireless Headset Weight: 11 Ounces
Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility both headsets have something to offer for other systems too. The PS5 Pulse Headset comes with a 3.5mm jack so that it connects to any TV, laptop, or PC with a headphone jack. In addition, the Pulse headset can also connect to the PS4 via the use of the USB dongle.
The Xbox Wireless doesn’t come with a 3.5mm headphone lead but it does have Bluetooth compatibility. This means it can wirelessly connect to a mobile phone so the player can hear and answer it with the headphones still on. Furthermore, the Xbox headset is compatible with the Xbox One and PCs.
Winner – Xbox Wireless Headset
- Xbox Wireless Headset – Bluetooth, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One but has no 3.5mm functionality.
- PS5 3D Headset – PS4, PS5, PC, and comes with 3.5mm functionality.
Audio Options And Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality both the PS5 Pulse and the Xbox Wireless Headsets offer a rich and immersive experience that’s well worth the investment. The PS5 Pulse 3D headset is designed to take advantage of Sony’s own Tempest 3D audio. This means that 3D audio-compatible games like Returnal and Demon’s Souls recreate a stunning surround sound effect that gives the audio a real sense of realism that comes in from all angles. The Xbox Series X/S supports Dolby Atmos and DTS which offer a very similar 3D audio experience.
Unfortunately, there are only a few PS5 games that support Sony’s Tempest audio but the list is growing. It’s also disappointing that the 3D audio isn’t compatible with movies on the PS5 be it on blu ray or streaming platforms like Netflix. On the Xbox, however, both DTS and Dolby Atmos are widely supported across many games, blu rays, and streaming services.
Unfortunately, the Pulse 3D headset's main drawback is the lack of audio options. The Headset Companion app from the PS4 is notably absent on the PS5 and there are no EQ controls. In contrast, the Xbox Wireless sound settings can be adjusted in the accessories menu or players can use the options in the Dolby Atmos app on the Xbox.
In terms of sound quality, Tempest and Dolby Atmos compatible games running on both headsets sound incredible. The Pulse 3D has a nicely balanced sound right out of the box and the Xbox Wireless has a powerful bass that sounds very cinematic. Of course, gamers that find the bass a little too heavy can adjust it in the settings.
Winner – Xbox Wireless Headset
- Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, and Fully Customizable Channel Mixer
- PS5 3D Wireless Headset – Sony’s 3D Sound, No Customization
- Xbox's Dolby Atmos compatibility is fully adjustable
- The PS5 has Fixed 3D Surround Sound Compatibility
- More games support Dolby Atmos on Xbox
Overall Winner Xbox Wireless Headset
In the past, Sony and Microsoft's first-party headsets often trailed behind the competition. With the Pulse and Xbox Wireless headsets, the tech giants have raised the bar significantly. Not only have they released headsets with superb sound quality for less than $100 but they surpass most third-party headsets in the same price range.
However, Microsoft has gone the extra mile by including features that are usually found in more expensive headsets. It has Bluetooth and fully customizable features that the Ps5 Pulse simply doesn't have. Yet, despite this, both are fantastic value and give the player exactly what they'd want for the price and that's great audio. PS5 and Xbox owners can't really go wrong with either one but for those who own both, it may be cheaper to buy a more expensive headset that's compatible with the two consoles.