You cannot connect ordinary third-party Bluetooth headphones directly to a PS5. Sony does not support third-party Bluetooth wireless headsets on PS5. To use them, connect a compatible USB Bluetooth audio adapter to the console, or use a wired headset through the DualSense controller. Official wireless headsets such as PULSE Elite and PULSE Explore use a PlayStation Link USB adapter rather than the PS5’s Bluetooth menu.
Can you connect Bluetooth headphones directly to a PS5?
No. The PS5 does not support ordinary third-party Bluetooth wireless headsets through its built-in Bluetooth connection. Sony’s PS5 FAQ states that third-party Bluetooth wireless headsets are unsupported, although USB and analog headsets are generally supported.
The menu at Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories is real, but Sony documents it for Bluetooth keyboards and mice. A pair of headphones may appear in the list, yet selecting it does not make it a supported PS5 audio device. Sony warns that incompatible devices can appear there; see its keyboard and mouse support page.
Option 1: Use Bluetooth headphones with a USB adapter
A USB Bluetooth audio adapter is the practical way to use ordinary Bluetooth headphones with a PS5. The adapter acts as a USB audio device for the console and separately transmits sound to the headphones. The PS5 is not gaining direct Bluetooth-headphone support.
#1 Best Overall
- User-Friendly: Connect your wireless headphones to your PS5 or other gaming consoles with the UGREEN adapter and enjoy high-quality audio with no wires, drivers, or software required. Also Add Bluetooth audio capability (AUDIO devices ONLY, no data) with ease to your Desktop, Computer, iMac
- Support Audio Decoding: Support Key Switch APTX/APTX Adaptive Low Latency/APTX Adaptive High Quality/APTX HD/SBC. Corresponding LED lights display the working status. Equipped with a Qualcomm chipset that supports low-latency aptX LL, transmitting high-quality 24-bit dynamic audio via a stable, energy-efficient connection. NOTE: The headphones you use must also support the same standard
- Wide Compatibility: Easily transmit audio wirelessly from your USB-C ported PS5, Switch, or PC/Laptop to your Bluetooth headphones or speaker. Note: 1. Compatible for Windows/macOS, not compatible for Linux. 2. Not Compatible with PS4
- Low Latency Certification: Chip APTX-Adaptive with low latency encoder applied, the audio delay has been minimized to less than 100ms. The Bluetooth audio adapter will present fully synchronized audio & video, letting you enjoy high-quality music wirelessly without disturbing others
- Note: 1. Our product is not compatible with the PS5 Portal. 2. Our product is incompatible with AirPods Pro 2 and does not support the dual-device pairing feature
What you need
- A USB Bluetooth audio adapter designed to transmit audio, not merely a Bluetooth adapter for keyboards or controllers.
- Bluetooth headphones that support the adapter’s pairing method.
- An available PS5 USB port.
Connection steps
- Insert the Bluetooth audio adapter into a PS5 USB port.
- Put the adapter into pairing mode, following its instructions.
- Put the headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Wait for the adapter and headphones to connect.
- On the PS5, open Settings > Sound > Audio Output.
- Select the USB adapter as the output device and confirm that audio is routed to the headphones.
Pairing buttons and indicator patterns vary by adapter and headphone model, so there is no universal PS5 Bluetooth-headphone pairing sequence. Check both devices’ manuals if pairing does not begin.
Limitations of USB Bluetooth adapters
Generic adapters can introduce audio delay, pairing instability, or limited microphone and control functionality. Sony supports USB and analog audio devices generally, but does not certify every third-party Bluetooth audio adapter or guarantee compatibility with every headset. For competitive games, latency may be more noticeable than with a purpose-built wireless headset.
Option 2: Connect headphones without Bluetooth
If your headphones have a compatible 3.5 mm plug, connect them to the headset jack on the DualSense controller. Sony lists 3.5 mm, USB-A, and USB-C headsets among supported audio connections, including for 3D Audio.
Rank #2
- 【For PS5 Users Only】 Specifically designed for PS5 to connect Bluetooth headphones (e.g., AirPods, Bose, & more) for audio playback. For optimal voice chat experience, please use the PS5 controller microphone instead of headphone mics.
- 【Premium Sound, Low Latency】 Enjoy immersive, low-latency audio with aptX-Adaptive, aptX-HD & aptX-Low Latency. Achieve clear, dynamic audio for gaming and movies with compatible headphones (e.g., Bose QuietComfort Ultra). Note: Only aptX-Adaptive or aptX-Low Latency-enabled headphones support low-latency audio. (e.g., AirPods, Bose QC45 or QC35 do not support aptX-Adaptive and may experience audio delay.)
- 【Limited Mic Support】 Due to Bluetooth bandwidth limits, microphone input will not work with Bluetooth headphones. Please use the PS5 controller mic for clear voice communication. Manual settings required: PS5 Settings > Sound > Microphone > Input Device: Microphone on Controller.
- 【NOT FOR 2.4GHz Gaming Headsets & Other Devices】 Not compatible with Xbox, PS Portal, keyboards, mice, controllers, PS5 Pulse 3D Headset, or 2.4GHz wireless gaming headsets. Also, cannot be plugged into TVs, car systems, projectors, or printers.
- 【Easy Setup & Reliable Connection】 Plug the USB-C dongle into your PS5 and set audio output to “C81-G” once. The adapter auto-reconnects for convenience, but manual microphone setup must be performed for voice chat.
To check the routing, open Settings > Sound > Audio Output and review Output to Headphones. The exact available options depend on the connected device.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThis is usually the simplest adapter-free solution, but it keeps you physically connected to the controller and may drain the controller battery faster during extended use.
How to fix “connected but no sound”
- Open Settings > Sound > Audio Output and manually select the USB adapter or connected headset.
- Check the adapter’s volume controls and the headphones’ volume.
- Confirm that the headphones paired with the adapter rather than with a phone, computer, or another nearby device.
- Reconnect the adapter firmly and power-cycle the headphones.
- Remove unused wireless adapters from other USB ports.
- Move other wireless devices away from the adapter.
- If the connection skips or drops, remove nearby USB 3.0 devices and test again. Sony also recommends using a USB extension cable to increase the distance between a wireless adapter and other USB devices.
Sony recommends a front USB port for the best PlayStation Link connection. On CFI-2000-series slim PS5 consoles, connecting a PlayStation Link adapter to the front USB-C port requires a separately sold USB-C-to-USB-A adapter. If a PlayStation Link adapter is connected through a USB 3.0 hub alongside a high-speed device such as an external hard drive, safely unplug the other devices temporarily to test for interference.
Rank #3
- Bluetooth 5.4 + Broad Compatibility - Provides Bluetooth 5.4 plus EDR technology and is backward compatible with Bluetooth V5.3/5.0/4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1.
- Faster Speed, Extended Range - Get up to 2x faster data transfer and 4x broader coverage compared to Bluetooth 4.0 — perfect for smooth audio streaming and stable connections.
- EDR and BLE Technology - This Bluetooth dongle is quipped with enhanced data rate and Bluetooth low energy, UB500 has greatly improved data transfer speed and operates at the optimal rate of power consumption
- Nano-Sized - A sleek, ultra-small design means you can insert the Nano Bluetooth receiver into any USB port and simply keep it there regardless of whether you are traveling or at home
- Plug & Play with Free Driver Support - Plug and play for Windows 8.1/10/11 (internet required). Supports Win7 (driver required and can be downloaded from website for free). Download the latest driver from TP-Link website to utilize Bluetooth 5.4
Official wireless alternatives: PlayStation Link
Sony’s PULSE Elite and PULSE Explore do not connect through the PS5’s Bluetooth Accessories menu. They use the included PlayStation Link USB adapter.
PULSE Elite
With the included adapter, turn on the PS5, insert the adapter into a USB Type-A port, press the PlayStation Link button on the headset, and follow the on-screen instructions. A slowly blinking blue headset light indicates searching; a solid blue headset light and solid white adapter light indicate a connection.
A separately purchased PlayStation Link USB adapter is not paired out of the box. To pair it with PULSE Elite, insert the adapter, turn on the headset, hold the headset’s PS Link button for about eight seconds until it quickly blinks blue, then press the PS Link button on the adapter. The adapter and headset search for up to 30 seconds. If pairing fails, press the relevant PS Link button again to restart the process.
Rank #4
- Plug and Play: This PS5 bluetooth adapter is designed to work with a wide range of devices and makes it simple for previously unsupported devices to have Bluetooth capability now, adding Bluetooth audio capability (AUDIO devices ONLY, no data) with ease to your PS4, PS5, Switch, Desktop or iMac. No need to install any driver/software. Simply plug the CM668 into your device's USB port, then set your headphones or speakers to pairing mode, and an automatic connection will be made.
- Low Latency: The bluetooth dongle for PS5 is compatible with aptX AD, greatly eliminating the frustrating Bluetooth audio lag issue. The audio lag will be reduced to less than 60ms, 4x shorter than standard Bluetooth (220ms for standard Bluetooth) – virtually unnoticeable.
- High-Quality Audio: The Bluetooth 5.3 adapter supports APTX HD, APTX AD, APTX, and SBC, providing seamless, wireless voice chat via an included 3.5mm microphone to plug into your controller. Stream audio from your PS5, PS4, Switch, Mac, or Desktop into your favorite pair of Bluetooth headphones to get lossless sound quality and enjoy your late-night gaming session.
- PC & Mac Compatible: The audio transmitter for is not only great for game audio streaming but it's also perfect for work-from-home conference calls and meetings. Skype, Zoom, Teams, Meet & more, the Bluetooth adapter automatically switches between Music and Talk modes when used on a Windows PC.
- Long Range Coverage: The bluetooth dongle adopts the latest upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 BR+EDR technology, reduceing the possibility of signal interruption and power consumption, ensuring stable & reliable connectivity up to 33 ft (10 m) away.Need to step away from your screen? No problem. Walk around without the audio connection breaking up or dropping. Actual range may be affected by any physical obstructions.
PULSE Explore
Insert the included PlayStation Link adapter while both earbuds are docked in their charging case. Remove both earbuds from the case to connect them.
PULSE Elite and PULSE Explore can pair with up to eight PlayStation Link USB adapters, but can play audio from only one adapter at a time. One adapter can pair with up to eight PlayStation Link devices.
These products can also maintain a PlayStation Link connection to the PS5 while paired with a mobile device over Bluetooth. Sony says simultaneous Bluetooth audio does not affect PlayStation Link audio latency. This feature applies to these PlayStation Link products—not ordinary Bluetooth headphones connected directly to the PS5.
Best Value
- Bluetooth 5.4 Technology: Featuring advanced Bluetooth 5.4 technology with low latency, this wireless USB bluetooth adapter can allow your non-bluetooth PC laptop/desktop/computer to feature Bluetooth 5.4 function, it offers faster data transfer speeds & a more stable connection, and it support A2DP, ensure that you can enjoy high quality music audio transmission and more stable bluetooth pairing.
- Plug and Play: Designed for computer windows systems/laptop/tv/ps4/ps5 consoles, this Bluetooth transmitter is easy to set up and use. It requires no driver installation, just insert the usb bluetooth transmitter adapter and connect your device (headphones/headset/speaker) with it, then it can transform your device into a wireless bluetooth device.
- Dual Device Connection, Wireless Sharing: The usb wireless Bluetooth transmitter allows you to connect 2 headphones/speakers at the same time without losing any sound quality, ideal for sharing music/movies together not to disturb others. Bluetooth pairing is fast easily & stable and the audio quality is really clear, no delays or interference, perfect for travel, home theaters and automotive use.
- Sleek and Portable Design: The usb bluetooth adapter is small, compact and portable, you can take it to anywhere you want, perfect for placing it on a PC/TV/laptop. The longest transmission distance is 50m(164ft) and support to using in open space. The perfect using range is 10m(33ft).
- What’s in the Box: The Package comes a USB Bluetooth Adapter and a type-c port conversion interface, you can connect it to PC,TV or any device that outputs audio via USB or Type C, very convenient to use. Note: This device is optimized for wireless audio transmission and is not compatible with data devices such as mice, keyboards, game controllers, or printers.
Fixing microphone echo
For microphone problems or echo, go to Settings > Sound > Microphone > Adjust Microphone Level. Sony recommends moving the Microphone Level fader two to four notches to the left to reduce echo.
Reset instructions for Sony wireless headsets
PULSE 3D
Turn off the headset and insert its USB wireless adapter into the console. Press the adapter’s reset button with a small pin for at least one second. Hold CHAT and VOLUME+ on the headset, then slide the power switch on while continuing to hold the buttons. A successful reset reconnects the headset and adapter.
PULSE Elite
For a normal reset, hold the headset’s PlayStation Link button for at least 10 seconds, then press it again to turn the headset on. This does not delete PlayStation Link or Bluetooth pairings or audio settings.
To erase pairing data instead, hold the PS Link button for eight seconds, release it, then hold it for another eight seconds. This deletes all PS Link and Bluetooth pairings and audio settings.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Headset Companion app is not compatible with PS5. Instructions telling PS5 users to use it are outdated or intended for PS4.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| USB Bluetooth audio adapter | Using existing Bluetooth headphones | Possible delay, pairing issues, or limited microphone support |
| 3.5 mm connection to DualSense | The simplest low-cost setup | Wired connection and controller battery use |
| Official PlayStation Link headset | Reliable purpose-built wireless gaming audio | Requires compatible PlayStation hardware |
In short, do not try to pair ordinary Bluetooth headphones through Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories. Use a USB Bluetooth audio adapter, connect wired headphones to the DualSense, or use a headset designed for PS5 through USB or PlayStation Link.
Quick Recap
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