Buying a headset for a console is less about sound quality than people think, and more about one boring detail: which consoles it actually connects to. It is a very common story: someone buys a good wireless headset, plugs the dongle into an Xbox and gets nothing. With GTA 6 arriving on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on 19 November 2026, here are the questions I would answer before buying one.
Why Does a "Multiplatform" Headset Not Work on My Xbox?
Because Xbox is strict about wireless audio. Xbox consoles do not support Bluetooth headsets, and a 2.4GHz dongle only works if the headset is built for Xbox. That is why many headsets come in two versions, and why the "X" in a model name usually matters. PlayStation is more relaxed about USB dongles, so many wireless gaming headsets will work on a PS5.
The simple workaround is a cable. Any headset with a 3.5mm plug works through the jack on an Xbox or PlayStation controller.
What If I Own Both Consoles?
Then buy an Xbox-version headset, because those are the ones that tend to cover both. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is my pick here. Its listing covers Xbox, PC and PS5 through a USB-C dongle, with a USB-A adapter in the box, lists over 50 hours of battery, and can mix 2.4GHz game audio with Bluetooth from your phone at the same time.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Wireless is the lighter, simpler version: 260g, up to 40 hours of battery, and a multiplatform USB-C dongle for Xbox, PlayStation, PC and Switch. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 for Xbox is the battery champion of this list, rated at 80 hours, with 50mm drivers, 2.4GHz plus Bluetooth 5.2 and support for Xbox, PC and PlayStation in its listing.
What If I Only Play on PS5?
Then I would look at Sony's own headsets. The PlayStation Pulse Elite uses planar magnetic drivers and PlayStation Link, which connects to the PS5, a PC or Mac with the included adapter, and the PlayStation Portal. It can listen to Bluetooth at the same time, has a retractable mic with AI noise rejection, and is rated for up to 30 hours.
The Sony INZONE H9 is the pick if you play in a noisy room. It has active noise cancelling with an ambient sound mode, Sony's 360 Spatial Sound for Gaming, a flip-up boom mic and Discord certification, and it works with PS5 and PC. Neither of these Sony headsets is meant for Xbox.
Is There One Headset That Does Everything?
The ASTRO A50 X is the closest. Its base station connects to Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC at once with HDMI 2.1 passthrough, rated for 4K at 120Hz, and you switch between them from the ear cup. The headset docks magnetically to charge, and it can take Bluetooth from a phone alongside the console. If you have both consoles under one TV, it is the most elegant setup I know of.
Do I Need Wireless at All?
Not really, if you sit close to the console or play with a controller cable anyway. The HyperX Cloud III wired headset lists compatibility with PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Switch. It has angled 53mm drivers, a detachable 10mm mic and both a 3.5mm cable and a USB dongle. No battery to forget about, ever.
The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED sits between the two worlds. Its wireless side is PC and PlayStation, with 50mm graphene drivers and up to 50 hours of battery, but it also includes a 3.5mm cable, so it can plug into an Xbox controller too.
My Picks
Both consoles: Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2. PS5 only: Pulse Elite, or INZONE H9 for noise cancelling. One premium setup under the TV: ASTRO A50 X. Long battery life: Stealth 600 Gen 3. No fuss: HyperX Cloud III wired. More options are in Newegg's console gaming headset listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bluetooth headsets work on Xbox Series X|S? No. Xbox consoles do not support Bluetooth audio. Use an Xbox-compatible wireless headset, or plug a wired headset into the controller's 3.5mm jack.
Will a PS5 headset work on Xbox? Usually not wirelessly. Headsets built for PlayStation, like the Pulse Elite, connect through their own adapter and do not support Xbox. A wired 3.5mm connection is the exception.
What is the best headset for both PS5 and Xbox? Look for the Xbox version of a multiplatform headset, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Gen 2, or a base-station headset like the ASTRO A50 X.
Does the ASTRO A50 X affect my console's picture? It uses HDMI 2.1 passthrough rated for 4K at 120Hz, so the base station sits between the console and your TV without limiting the video signal at those settings.
How do I turn on 3D audio on PS5? Go to Settings, Sound, 3D Audio (Headphones). You can pick a preset or build a personal profile there, then enable 3D Audio for headphones. Rockstar has not said how GTA 6 will use it.
Read More
- PlayStation: Pulse Elite Wireless Headset -- Sony's official page covering PlayStation Link, battery and drivers.
- RTINGS: The Best Gaming Headsets -- Lab-tested headset picks with platform compatibility notes.
- PlayStation: 3D Audio on PS5 -- How to set up and personalise 3D Audio for headphones.
- Wikipedia: Xbox Series X and Series S -- Background on Xbox Series hardware and accessories.
- Newegg: Gaming Headsets for Xbox and PS5 -- Browse console-compatible gaming headsets.