PS5 Pulse Vs Xbox Wireless Headset: Which One Is Better?
PlayStation 5
and
Xbox Series X/S
have been out for several months.
Machines are still hard to get
and the same goes for some of their accessories. Specifically, first party headsets, the PS5 Pulse 3D, and Xbox Wireless headsets are always sought after by fans.
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It's not like gamers don't have a choice, as there are plenty of third-party options. Both the Turtle Beach Recons and the Arctic Steel series are still great options for owners of either. machine.However, Sony and Microsoft lead the pack.These reasonably priced headsets implementing features either not found in competitors or simply better than the similarly priced kit.This are great first-party headsets, but how do they compare?
The price
When it comes to choosing a decent headset for the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X, price will be a major factor for many gamers.
other devices
like an extra controller, camera, or even a stand, it all starts to add up when you shell out big bucks for a next-gen console.
Thankfully, official PS5 and Xbox headsets retail for an average price of $99 in the US. While that's not cheap by most people's standards compared to some of the higher end headsets on the market, the Xbox Wireless Headset and the PS5 3D Pulse stack up very well in terms of sound quality.
Winner - Draw
Xbox Wireless Headset $99.99
PS5 3D Pulse headset $99.99
Battery life
As competitive gaming becomes increasingly popular, it becomes increasingly important for a good headset to have meaningful battery life. This is especially true for gamers who seem to get lost in their games like
Fortnite
and
Call of Duty
for hours on end.
Luckily both headsets offer a decent amount of hours of playtime with the PS5 3D Pulse lasting around 12 hours and the Xbox Wireless lasting around 15 hours Clearly the Xbox Wireless comes out on top here with these an additional three hours, but most gamers probably won't notice. As for how each headset is charged, both require the included USB cable and both charge fairly quickly.
Winner - Xbox Wireless Headset
Xbox Wireless Headset – 15 hours
PS5 3D Pulse – 12 hours
Design/build
The PS5 Pulse Headset and Xbox Wireless Headset are attractive kits. The Xbox Wireless is perfect for budding streamers and the mic offers just enough audio quality to get the job done, whether it's streaming or chatting. with friends.
However, the PS5 Pulse has a more universal look that may particularly appeal to some gamers, as full-size headphones are increasingly common among walkers and commuters. The mic is built in so they don't get in the way and don't don't look like a gaming headset at first glance. However, the Pulse's mic quality isn't as good as the Xbox Wireless.
Both headsets are plastic, which is normal for a mid-range set, but still very sturdy. The Pulse is definitely better than the Sony Wireless Headset 2.0 for PS4 with its easily breakable plastic hinges. the Pulse helmet has a strap that adjusts to the size of the wearer's head. It must be said though that the strap can take a bit of getting used to especially if one has a larger head. Fortunately, most players will forget it's there as it extends around the top of the head.
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As for the Xbox Wireless, it has an adjustable strap that snaps on but it looks like it could break in the hands of a young gamer for example. In terms of build quality, the headsets are just about on par, but for universal appeal and a solid design, the Pulse takes a win in this category. However, the Xbox Wireless also comes with very easy to use volume buttons that allow gamers to raise or lower the volume with a simple twist of the headset. So there's no fumbling around to feel the volume knob.
Winner - Draw
Xbox Wireless Headset - Easy to use volume dials, thin plastic but slightly better mic quality.
PS5 3D Headset - Built-in mic but with 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 good helmet. However, it must be said that these two helmets are quite on par when it comes to comfort. has very little difference in weight between the two with the Pulse weighing in at 10.4 ounces and the Xbox Wireless weighing in at 11 ounces. However, the band at the top of the PS5 headset may make it a bit heavier than it is in because of how snug it is on top of the head at first.
Both headsets have an over-the-ear design that rests gently on the head thanks to soft plush ear cups. Both the Xbox Wireless headset and the PS5 headset are comfortable to wear and won't make gamers too hot during those long summer gaming sessions. The pros and cons of both headsets make them an equal draw.
Winner - Draw
PS5 3D Headset - Comfortable On the ear cups, but band pressure can make it heavier on your head right out of the box.
Xbox Wireless - Comfortable on the earbuds
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 as well. The PS5 Pulse headset comes with a 3.5mm jack so it connects to any TV, computer laptop or PC with a headphone jack. Additionally, the Pulse headset can also connect to the PS4 through the use of the USB dongle.
The Xbox Wireless does not come with a 3.5mm headphone cable, but it is Bluetooth enabled. This means it can wirelessly connect to a mobile phone so the gamer can hear it and there. respond with the headphones always on. Plus, the Xbox Headset is compatible with Xbox One and PCs.
Winner - Xbox Wireless Headset
Xbox Wireless Headset - Bluetooth, PC, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One but does not have 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, the PS5 Pulse and Xbox wireless headsets deliver a rich, immersive experience that's well worth the investment.The PS5 Pulse 3D headset is designed to take advantage of
Sony's own Tempest 3D sound
.This means games that support 3D audio like
Return
and
demon souls
recreate a stunning surround sound effect that gives the audio a real sense of realism from every angle. Xbox Series X/S supports Dolby Atmos and DTS which provide a very similar 3D audio experience.
Unfortunately, only a few PS5 games support Sony's Tempest audio, but the list goes on. It's also disappointing that 3D audio isn't compatible with movies on PS5, whether on blu ray or on streaming platforms like Netflix. On the Xbox, however, DTS and Dolby Atmos are widely supported in many games, Blu-rays, and streaming services.
Unfortunately, the main downside of the Pulse 3D headset is the lack of audio options. The PS4's Headset Companion app is notably absent on the PS5, and there are no EQ controls. Xbox Wireless sound can be adjusted in the accessories menu or players can use the Dolby Atmos app options on the Xbox.
In terms of sound quality, Tempest and Dolby Atmos compatible games running on both headsets sound amazing. The Pulse 3D has well-balanced sound right out of the box and the Xbox Wireless has powerful bass that sounds very cinematic. Of course , players who 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 – 3D sound from Sony, no customization
Xbox's Dolby Atmos compatibility is fully adjustable
PS5 has fixed 3D surround sound compatibility
More games support Dolby Atmos on Xbox
Overall Winner Xbox Wireless Headset
In the past, proprietary headsets from Sony and Microsoft often lagged the competition. With the Pulse and Xbox Wireless headsets, the tech giants have raised the bar considerably. outstanding for under $100, but they outperform 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 have a fantastic value and gives the player exactly what they would want for the price and it sounds great 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 compatible with both consoles.
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Michael Llewellyn
(172 articles published)
Writer for GameRant, The Gamer, The Sportser, and ScreenRant. A fan of games, wrestling, and movies for over 35 years. He's a Schwarzenegger and Stallone fanatic who considers himself an expert in all things RPG and corny action movies of the 80s and 90s.
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