Only a few wireless headsets are natively compatible with the PS5. The PS5 doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, but you can use a Bluetooth Transmitter to connect basically any Bluetooth headphones to a PS5. This will only work for sending audio to the headphones, the microphone will not work. However, you need to get the settings right each time. The article will point you in just the right direction, from choosing the right device to establishing the Bluetooth connection between your headphones and PS5.
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on PS5?
The PS5 does not have Bluetooth connectivity built-in. However, there are a few official or supported headsets that use wireless USB dongles. Apart from the supported wireless headphones, there are plenty of other methods to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your PS5 for wireless audio.
How to Connect Supported Wireless Headsets to the PS5
Follow these steps to wirelessly connect the PULSE 3D headphones or any other natively supported headphones to the PS5 without requiring any additional devices:
Turn the PS5 on.Connect the included wireless USB dongle to one of the PS5’s USB port.Power on the wireless headset.Navigate to the Settings Menu.Go to Sound > Audio Output > Output Device.Set the Output Device to USB Headset (it may list the model of the wireless headset).Once you have set the Output Device correctly, you should hear all audio through the headset.
This process should work for basically any wireless headset that uses a wireless USB dongle.
How to Connect Any Bluetooth Headphones to a PS5
If your wireless headphones don’t have or use a USB dongle, don’t worry, you don’t have to buy another pair of headphones when you already have a set that works perfectly fine with everything else. You can use ANY Bluetooth headphones with a PS5 with a very simple adapter, and there are various methods by which you can do this.
Method 1: Use a USB Bluetooth Transmitter with the PS5
This is the most common method of connecting any set of Bluetooth Headphones to a PS5. On top of that, the process is a piece of cake to follow.
1. Buy a USB Bluetooth Transmitter
There are other USB Bluetooth audio transmitters out there, but you may have mixed results with the connectivity and the PS5 actually recognizing them. If you decide to go with another Bluetooth adapter, just make sure it’s a USB Bluetooth Transmitter, not a USB Bluetooth Receiver. A receiver is designed to receive audio, not send it out to another device. Some Bluetooth adapters can work as either a transmitter or receiver by flipping a switch on the device to TX (transmitting) or RX (receiving). Using one of these adapters set to TX will work perfectly fine. The PS5 hosts a total of three USB-A slots and one USB-C slot. You should use one of the three USB-A ports for the Bluetooth adapter, never the USB-C port. That way, you can utilize the USB-C port when it’s needed the most.
2. Connect the USB Bluetooth Transmitter to the PS5
Next, you’ll need to connect the Bluetooth Transmitter to one of the USB ports on the PS5. Preferably one on the back, so it’s not in plain view. If you run into any connectivity issues, then move the USB dongle to the front USB port on the PS5.
3. Pair the Bluetooth Transmitter with the Bluetooth Headphones
This process will vary depending on the USB Bluetooth adapter that you use. Most Bluetooth Transmitters will have an LED light on them. When you initially connect it, that light should begin blinking rapidly. If there’s a button on the adapter, try holding the button down until the LED light begins flashing. Once you’ve started the pairing process on the Bluetooth Transmitter, you need to start the pairing process on your Bluetooth Headphones. Again, there’s likely a pairing button on your headphones that you hold down until a light begins flashing rapidly. When both devices have entered their pairing modes, get them as close as possible to each other to ensure that they seamlessly pair together.
4. Set the PS5 Audio Output Setting
Once the Bluetooth adapter and headphones have been paired together, you’ll need to change the audio output settings on the PS5 to point the audio to the USB Bluetooth adapter. Here are the steps for changing the audio output setting:
Go to the “Settings” menu on the PS5.Select “Sound”Select “Audio Output”Set the “Output Device” to “USB Headset” (It may show the name of your Bluetooth adapter as well).
Once you’ve changed this setting, you should begin to hear all of the audio through your Bluetooth headphones. If you don’t hear any audio, attempt the pairing process again to ensure that the Bluetooth adapter and headphones are connected properly.
Method 2: Connect Bluetooth Headphones to the TV (no adapter)
Connecting Bluetooth Headphones to a TV instead of the PS5 is actually a better solution sometimes, especially if you want to use your headphones with devices other than the PS5. If you want to use your Bluetooth headphones with one of the TV’s smart apps or another media player like a Fire TV, Roku, Blu-ray player, etc. then this method works best. This is because all of the audio will be routed to your connected headphones rather than the TV’s speakers or any sound system connected to your TV. It makes things very simple! Most modern TVs have Bluetooth connectivity built-in, but not all do. Regardless, you can still connect any Bluetooth headphones to a TV to get the audio from a PS5. If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, proceed to method 3. But first, here are the steps for connecting your headphones to a TV that already has Bluetooth connectivity built in.
Method 3: Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a TV with an Adapter
If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, then you’ll need to use a different type of Bluetooth transmitter than the ones previously mentioned. You’ll need a Bluetooth Transmitter that uses AUX (3.5mm). You typically can’t use a USB Bluetooth Transmitter with a TV because TV’s don’t output audio through their USB ports. The USB ports on TVs are mostly used to show images, play video files, play music, and provide a small amount of power.
1. Buy a Bluetooth Transmitter with AUX
Both of these Bluetooth Adapters worked perfectly with our TV, didn’t have any noticeable lag or audio delay, and are reasonably priced.
2. Connect the Bluetooth Transmitter to the TV
If the Bluetooth adapter you purchased has a switch for either TX or RX, make sure it is set to TX for Transmitting. Connect an AUX cable from the adapter to the TV’s AUX output. This port may be labeled as AUX out, Headphones Out, Line Out, or even just Audio Out. But it should accept a 3.5mm connection. These types of Bluetooth adapters will likely require a USB port for power. Simply connect one end of the provided USB cable to the adapter and the other end to one of the TV’s USB ports. If the TV also doesn’t have any USB ports available, then you can connect the USB cable to the PS5 for power or use a USB power adapter and plug it into a wall outlet.
3. Pair the Bluetooth Transmitter with the Bluetooth Headphones
Again, this process will vary depending on the USB Bluetooth adapter you use. Press and hold the pairing button on both the Bluetooth adapter and headphones at the same time. Make sure they are very close together so they can pair correctly. Once paired, the LED lights on both should go from flashing to solid.
4. Set the TV’s Audio Output Correctly
Press the setting’s button on your TV’s remote control and navigate to the sound or audio settings. Look for “Sound Output” or “Audio Output”. Then select the port that you connected the Bluetooth adapter to. Again, this should be labeled as AUX out, Headphones out, Line out, Audio out, etc. Once you’ve set the audio output and both the Bluetooth headphones and adapter are paired correctly, you should be able to hear all audio coming through the headphones.
Method 4: Connect the Bluetooth Headphones with AUX to the PS5 Controller
If you don’t want to spend extra money on an additional Bluetooth adapter, and your headphones have an AUX connection on them, then you can simply connect the headphones to the PS5 controller’s AUX port. This method is one of the best as you’ll receive almost 0 audio lag because it’s natively designed to work like this. Of course, it’s not completely wireless though. You could alternatively use a Bluetooth audio transmitter with AUX and connect it to the PS5 controller, but then you’ll have a dongle hanging from your controller which isn’t very comfortable to game with.
Best Bluetooth Adapters for PS5
Here are some of the recommended Bluetooth adapters you can use with any PS5.
Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Adapter
It also works with computers and other gaming consoles that can output audio from a USB connection. The only downside with this adapter and many other USB Bluetooth transmitters is that chat functionality will not work.
Gulikit Route Air
With its USB-C plug, this adapter is fast and eliminates the Bluetooth delays commonly found in cheaper products. It sits close to the console, making the arrangement look intentional and sleek. It also allows you to connect 2 sets of Bluetooth headphones at the same time!
