Best Gaming Headsets for GTA 6: PS5 and Xbox Picks for Every Budget

A gaming headset is not an optional extra for Grand Theft Auto VI. It is the easiest upgrade you can make before the game launches, and it is also the one most players will notice straight away. Good headphones put you in the driving seat in a way a soundbar or television speakers cannot — you hear the city before you see it, and the world feels wider because of it.

But not all gaming headsets work the same way on PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Some cost more than they are worth. Others are excellent on one console and compromised on the other. And a few cheap headsets are better buys than models that cost three times as much. This guide covers the models that are worth buying for GTA 6, and the ones you should skip.

Why sound matters more in GTA 6 than in most games

Rockstar is building Leonida as the biggest world Rockstar has ever built, and sound is a bigger part of that world than most games need it to be. That includes Vice City, the Leonida Keys, Port Gellhorn, Ambrosia, Mount Kalaga, and the swampy Grassrivers. Those are not just different backdrops. Each one has its own sound, from crowded city streets to open water and the quieter stretches between towns.

Direction matters more than it did in GTA V. The launch trailer alone is packed with sirens, horns, music spilling from car windows, and gunfire that echoes off concrete. A headset with good imaging lets you place those sounds in the world. A weak one turns them into noise.

There is an honest note to add here. GTA 6 is not out yet, and none of these headsets has been tested in the game itself. The picks below are based on the hardware, on how well each headset works on PS5 and Xbox, and on long-term testing by specialist reviewers. Nothing here is a guess at the game’s audio settings.

What to check before you buy

Four things decide whether a headset is worth buying for this game. Get these right and the model almost picks itself.

First, check the console. Xbox has a wireless trap. Most PlayStation and PC wireless headsets use a 2.4GHz dongle, and that dongle will not connect to an Xbox wirelessly. On Xbox, a wireless headset needs either official Xbox Wireless support or a wired connection. That is why several picks below are different for each console.

Second, look for a wired fallback. A 3.5mm cable is the most reliable option on any console. If the battery dies or the wireless connection drops, you can keep playing with a cable.

Third, think about comfort and battery life. You will be playing for long sessions. A heavy headset with a poor headband will hurt after an hour. And a headset that only lasts 15 hours will need charging during a weekend.

Fourth, do not ignore the microphone. GTA Online is likely to matter again, and a clear microphone makes a difference in any co-op mission or online lobby. You do not need a studio microphone, but you do need one that other players can understand.

Best overall sound: Audeze Maxwell 2

The Audeze Maxwell 2 is the best-sounding headset in this guide. Its planar magnetic drivers produce detail that other headsets miss, from the low rumble of a car engine to the high-frequency detail of rain on a windscreen. It also works on PS5 and Xbox with the included dongle, and it supports wired, Bluetooth, and USB connections. It is the only headset here that is genuinely excellent on both consoles without a compromise.

Battery life is rated at over 80 hours — among the longest here, effectively tied with the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 below. It is expensive, and its weight will not suit everyone, but if you want the best audio for GTA 6 and you can afford it, this is the model to buy.

Best premium all-rounder: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the most flexible premium headset you can buy. It comes with a base station that charges one battery while you use the other, so it never needs to be plugged in during play. It also has active noise cancelling, a clear microphone, and a companion app that lets you tune the sound for each console. The Xbox version also works on PS5, so if you own both consoles, buy the Xbox version.

One warning: the base station is large, and the headset is not the lightest here. If your gaming space is small, or you prefer a simpler setup, the models below are better choices.

Best for PS5: Sony PULSE Elite

The Sony PULSE Elite is the best headset you can buy if you only play on PS5. It is built for Tempest 3D Audio, and it is the only headset here that was designed specifically for Sony’s own spatial audio. It is light, comfortable, and its retractable microphone is better than the one on the older PULSE 3D. It also has a 3.5mm jack, so it can be used with a controller if the battery runs out.

It is not a great choice for Xbox, where it only works as a wired headset and loses its best features. But for a PlayStation-only player, it is the most natural fit for GTA 6.

Best for Xbox: Xbox Wireless Headset

The Xbox Wireless Headset is the best choice if you only play on Xbox. It connects directly to the console using Xbox Wireless, with no dongle and no extra setup. It also supports Dolby Atmos for Headphones, which is the most useful spatial-audio option on Xbox. The sound is not as detailed as the Audeze or SteelSeries models, but it is balanced, the microphone is clear, and the headset is light enough for long sessions.

It will not connect wirelessly to a PS5, so do not buy it if you plan to play on PlayStation as well. For Xbox-only players, though, it is hard to beat at this price.

Best for both consoles: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is the best headset for players who own both consoles. It connects to Xbox wirelessly, and it also works on PS5 with the included dongle. It has a long battery life, a clear microphone, and a comfortable fit that is lighter than the Nova Pro. It also supports Bluetooth, so you can take a call or listen to music while you play.

If you want a lighter and cheaper option, the Nova 3X is also worth a look. It is less powerful and has a shorter battery life, but it is still a good headset for GTA 6 and it is easier to carry.

Best battery life: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 has the best battery life of any headset here after the Maxwell, with up to 80 hours of play. It also has a clear microphone, a comfortable fit, and a companion app that lets you tune the sound. It is available in both PS5 and Xbox versions, so make sure you buy the one for your console.

If the price is too steep, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 is a cheaper alternative. It has a shorter battery life and a less detailed sound, but it is still a good headset for GTA 6 and it is much easier to find at a discount.

Best budget wired: HyperX Cloud III

The HyperX Cloud III is the best budget headset for GTA 6. It is wired, so it works on PS5, Xbox, and PC with no setup and no battery to charge. It is also comfortable, with a clear microphone and a balanced sound that is good for both music and dialogue. It is not the most detailed headset here, but it is the best value.

For the tightest budgets, the Razer BlackShark V2 X is also worth a look. It is cheaper, it is wired, and it is comfortable for long sessions. It is not as detailed as the Cloud III, but it is a good headset for GTA 6 at this price.

The one-box premium setup: Astro A50 X

The Astro A50 X is the most expensive headset here, and it is also the most complete. It comes with a base station that connects to both PS5 and Xbox at the same time, so you can switch consoles with one button. It also has a clear microphone, a long battery life, and a comfortable fit. If you own both consoles and you want a premium setup, this is the model to buy.

It is expensive, and it is overkill if you only play on one console. But if your setup already has two consoles and a premium television, the A50 X is the headset that matches it.

Quick picks, by player

• Best sound: Audeze Maxwell 2
• Best premium all-rounder: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
• Best for PS5: Sony PULSE Elite
• Best for Xbox: Xbox Wireless Headset
• Best for both consoles: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2
• Best battery life: Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3
• Best budget wired: HyperX Cloud III

How to set up 3D audio before launch

Buying a headset is only half the job. You also need to set up 3D audio before the game launches. On PS5, that means enabling Tempest 3D Audio in Settings, choosing the right profile, and testing it with headphones. On Xbox, that means enabling Dolby Atmos for Headphones in Settings, and making sure your headset supports it. Do not leave this until launch day.

While you are preparing, check that the official pre-load opens a week before launch, and that you have enough space on your console. You will need a storage upgrade if you do not have enough free space, and you will not want to be deleting games at the last minute. A headset will not help if the game itself is not ready to play.

What to skip

Skip any headset that is only designed for PC. It may work on PS5 with a dongle, but it will not work wirelessly on Xbox, and it may not have a wired fallback. Also skip any headset that is too heavy or too tight for long sessions. Comfort matters more than sound quality if you cannot wear the headset for more than an hour.

And skip the panic buy. Do not buy a headset because it is on sale, or because it is the most expensive model in the store. Buy the one that fits your console, your budget, and your playing style. That is the one you will still be using in a year’s time.

The bottom line

GTA 6 is built to be heard as much as it is built to be seen. The world of Leonida is full of sound, from the streets of Vice City to the quiet stretches of the Grassrivers. A good headset will make that world feel bigger, and it will help you hear the details that other players will miss. The Audeze Maxwell 2 is the best-sounding headset here, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is the best choice for most players who own both consoles. And the HyperX Cloud III is the best value for players who want a good headset without spending too much.