Skip to the board
Sbh

Audio & TV

Best GTA 6 Headsets: Picks for PS5, Xbox and Long Sessions

Adam Birney 836 views

GTA 6’s radio, dialogue and long drives call for more than game audio. These headset picks balance comfort, clear voices and console compatibility.

Best GTA 6 Headsets: Picks for PS5, Xbox and Long Sessions

GTA 6 arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, with digital preloading starting November 12. For a game built around long drives, busy streets and story scenes, a headset needs to do more than make explosions sound big. Comfort, dialogue clarity and console compatibility matter just as much.

GTA 6 Jason and Lucia firefight

Rockstar says Jason and Lucia can listen to the radio and on-demand podcasts while on foot, through headphones or earbuds connected to their in-game phones. That makes audio part of the wandering and driving, not just the action. The picks below reflect those demands, with results from SoundGuys testing and versions suited to the consoles GTA 6 supports.

For long story sessions: Sony INZONE H6 Air

Sony INZONE H6 Air
Sony INZONE H6 Air
  • Great sound
  • Good microphone
  • Good price
MSRP:
$199.99

Sony open-back wired gaming headset with a 3.5mm TRRS cable and an included 3.5mm to USB-C DAC.

The Sony INZONE H6 Air stands out for sessions that stretch across several missions. SoundGuys reviewer Jhaycee Calvez found it comfortable for more than eight hours of continuous play, without the itchiness that can make a long session hard to finish. That fit makes it a strong option if you’d rather stay in the story than take frequent breaks.

Its open-back design and drivers shared with Sony’s MDR-MV1 studio headphones suit games with plenty going on in the mix. Testing found that background music stayed clear of dialogue, while treble remained controlled at high volume. It also earned the highest overall MDAQS score among the four headsets in the comparison, a measure that predicts how much listeners will enjoy its sound.

There’s a practical catch: open-back cups let sound out and much of the room noise in. The H6 Air fits a quiet room better than a shared living space. It’s wired, with a 3.5mm cable for either console’s controller and an included USB-C DAC for PS5. There’s no battery to charge or wireless setup to manage.

For Xbox and battery life: HyperX CloudX Flight 2 Wireless

HyperX CloudX Flight 2 Wireless
HyperX CloudX Flight 2 Wireless
  • Console compatibility
  • Tuned for action and adventure games
  • Noise-rejecting microphone
MSRP:
$139.99

Designed for Xbox, with up to 100 hours of battery life and customizable RGB lighting.

For Xbox Series X|S owners, the HyperX CloudX Flight 2 Wireless offers a simple wireless setup: its Xbox version is licensed for the console, and the headset also works with PS5 and PC, plus phones over Bluetooth. SoundGuys found its tuning better suited to action and adventure than competitive shooters. A modest bass lift gives chases and blasts some extra weight without making the sound tiring.

HyperX rates battery life at up to 100 hours over 2.4GHz with RGB lighting off. Switch the lighting on and the estimate drops to about 20 hours, so the lights have a real cost if you want to stretch time between charges. Testing also found that the boom microphone rejects background noise well, a useful trait when there’s activity around you during party chat.

Dialogue isn’t its strongest point: a dip in the upper midrange can make voices seem more distant. Its leatherette ear pads also became warm after about four hours. There’s no wired backup if the battery runs flat. The headset is frequently on sale for around $99, making it the value pick when that price is available.

For a PS5 and Xbox setup: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
  • Up to four simultaneous connections
  • Maintains sound quality with multiple connections
  • Strong noise cancelling
MSRP:
$399.99

A wireless headset with multiple connections and features also found on the higher-end SteelSeries Nova Elite.

If both consoles share your TV, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is built to handle that setup. Its hub connects up to four sources, supports PS5 and Xbox, and can mix audio from the hub with a Bluetooth phone without a sound-quality drop. Two swappable batteries keep play going: one can charge in the hub while the other is in use. A single battery lasted 32 hours and 51 minutes in testing.

Its noise cancelling cut outside noise by 81% in SoundGuys testing, the strongest result among these picks. That can help keep a game audible when a TV, dishwasher or roommate is competing for attention.

The default sound profile is aimed at competitive shooters, and voices in story games came across as harsh, with strong sibilance in the review. Before starting, adjust the sound in SteelSeries GG on PC by reducing 8.5kHz and 10.5kHz by 5dB, or choose a preset that reduces treble in the Arctis mobile app. At $399.99, it makes the most sense for people who need its hub and multi-console setup.

For detail and dialogue: Audeze Maxwell 2

Audeze Maxwell 2
Audeze Maxwell 2
  • Clear separation
  • 80-plus-hour battery rating
  • 90mm planar magnetic drivers
MSRP:
$329.00

Wireless gaming headset with redesigned comfort, an AI-powered microphone and versions for different consoles.

The Audeze Maxwell 2 uses 90mm planar magnetic drivers, with separation that helps keep speech distinct when music or street noise fills the mix. SoundGuys found dialogue stayed clear under other sounds, and the headset scored highly for timbre in MDAQS testing. Its rated battery life exceeds 80 hours; the reviewer used it daily for more than a week before needing a charge.

There are two versions: the $329 PlayStation model also works with PC, Switch and phones, while the Xbox model costs $349. The PlayStation version won’t connect wirelessly to an Xbox, so check the model before buying.

At 567g, it’s the heaviest choice here. The reviewer found it warm and uncomfortable after about four hours, and a peak around 7kHz can make some voices sound sibilant during extended play. Its detail may suit shorter sessions, but the lighter H6 Air is a better match for marathon stretches.

For earbuds: SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
  • 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth
  • Noise cancelling
  • Extensive EQ presets
MSRP:
$159.99

Gaming earbuds with wireless console support, noise cancelling and adjustable sound.

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds solve a common console problem: PS5 and Xbox don’t support Bluetooth audio directly. Their 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is stored in the charging case and plugs into the console, while Bluetooth can connect to a phone. Triple-tap either earbud to switch between the connections.

Testing measured around 78% noise reduction from the active noise cancelling. With ANC off, the earbuds lasted 8 hours and 32 minutes over the dongle, and the case holds three additional full charges. Bass is less forceful than a full headset, and busy streets sometimes masked story dialogue in testing. The Clear Dialogue preset in the Arctis Companion app can help, alongside more than 100 game-specific presets.

Choose the Xbox version if you might use an Xbox: its dongle supports both Xbox and PlayStation modes. The PlayStation version won’t work with Xbox.

What to know before choosing

Sony’s new PlayStation Pulse wireless headset launches November 19 for $99.99. It brings planar magnetic drivers to the lowest price yet in Sony’s lineup and connects to PS5 through PlayStation Link while pairing with a phone over Bluetooth. The Pulse Edge, with noise cancelling and a detachable boom microphone, is due in early 2027. Neither new model has been tested yet. The older Pulse Elite offers planar drivers at a lower cost, though its review found a bulky fit, weak isolation and no noise cancelling.

You don’t need a special headset for GTA 6’s 3D audio. On PS5, Tempest 3D Audio processing happens on the console, so any connected headset or earbuds can use it. Find the setting under Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Enable 3D Audio for Headphones.

Xbox Series X|S includes Windows Sonic for Headphones at no extra cost. Dolby Atmos for Headphones is a $14.99 one-time purchase through the Dolby Access app, which also offers a free trial. DTS Headphone:X is another paid option. Choose an audio format under Settings > General > Volume & audio output; starting with Windows Sonic lets you compare before spending.

Wireless headset versions can look almost identical while using different console dongles. Check the packaging for your console’s logo. Some SteelSeries Xbox models also work with PlayStation, while the reverse is rarely true. A wired 3.5mm headset is the straightforward option for either controller. Neither console supports Bluetooth audio directly, and there’s no announced PC version of GTA 6 in the details provided here.

Frequently asked questions

When does GTA 6 launch?

GTA 6 launches November 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Digital preloading starts November 12.

Can I use Bluetooth earbuds with PS5 or Xbox?

Not directly. Use earbuds with a console-compatible wireless dongle, such as the Arctis GameBuds, or plug wired earbuds into the controller.

Can Jason and Lucia listen to audio on foot?

Yes. Rockstar says they can play the radio and on-demand podcasts through headphones or earbuds connected to their in-game phones.

Should I choose wired or wireless?

Either works. A wired headset won’t need charging and can connect to either controller. Wireless models offer more freedom to move; the 2.4GHz dongle connection used by gaming headsets has low enough latency for play.

Source: Adam Birney · www.soundguys.com

From the same roll