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Sony PULSE Elite vs PULSE 3D: which PS5 headset?

Sony's two PS5 headsets both connect through the USB adapter in the box and work on a PC and a Mac too. The PULSE Elite has a boom mic that folds away and up to 30 hours of battery; the PULSE 3D has built-in mics and buttons for chat mix and hearing yourself.

Compared by the connections, controls and parts each maker lists. No hands-on sound ranking. Updated Oct 13, 2026 How we choose

The two models at a glance
Sony PULSE EliteSony PULSE 3D
Choose it fora boom mic and longer batterychat mix and monitoring buttons on the headset
Maker price No maker price No maker price
ConnectionWireless, through its USB adapterWireless, through its USB adapter
Mute on the micMic mute button on the headsetMic mute button on the headset
Hear yourselfSidetone: set its level on the PS5 or in the PlayStation Link PC Driver; the headset keeps it on other devicesMic monitoring button on the headset

Choice A

Choose it for a boom mic and longer battery

Sony PULSE Elite

A retractable boom mic with AI noise rejection, up to 30 hours of battery, Bluetooth for your phone at the same time, and PlayStation Portal support.

Check Sony PULSE Elite setup

Choice B

Choose it for chat mix and monitoring buttons on the headset

Sony PULSE 3D

Buttons on the headset for game/chat mix (on PS5 and PS4) and mic monitoring, and a 3.5 mm cable for PS VR and phones. Its two mics are built in, with no boom.

Check Sony PULSE 3D setup

From the makers

What changes between the two?

5 of 10 setup details differ.

Facts from each maker. “Not listed by the maker” means the maker doesn’t say, not that the feature is missing.
Setup detail Sony PULSE Elite Sony PULSE 3D
Microphone connection (differs) Retractable boom microphoneBuilt-in microphones, no boom
Connectors (differs) PlayStation Link USB adapter · BluetoothWireless USB adapter · 3.5 mm cable
Mute on the mic Mic mute button on the headsetMic mute button on the headset
Hear yourself (differs) Yes: sidetone, set on the PS5 or in the PlayStation Link PC driver; the headset keeps that level on other devicesMic monitoring button on the headset
Works with (per the maker) (differs) PS5 · PC · Mac · PlayStation Portal · Mobile (Bluetooth)PS5 · PS4 · Windows · macOS · PlayStation VR (3.5 mm) · Mobile (3.5 mm)
Included parts (differs) PULSE Elite wireless headset · PlayStation Link USB adapter · Charging hangerPULSE 3D wireless headset · Wireless USB adapter · 3.5 mm audio cable
Also needs Depends on how you connect and mount itDepends on how you connect and mount it
Mount or thread
Dimensions Not listed by the makerNot listed by the maker
Software needed Not listed by the makerNot listed by the maker

What they share

Both connect to a PS5 through their own USB adapter, and Sony lists both for PC and Mac as well. Neither is listed for Xbox or Switch. Both have a mic mute button and volume on the headset.

The mic

The PULSE Elite has a boom you pull down toward your mouth and push back when you're done, with noise rejection Sony trained with AI. The PULSE 3D hides two mics in the headset, with noise cancelling. A boom sits closer to your mouth, which keeps your voice further above the noise around you.

Controls and battery

The PULSE 3D has buttons on the headset for game/chat mix and mic monitoring; Sony says the chat mix works only on a PS5 or PS4. The Elite's own buttons are volume and mic mute: you set its sidetone (how loudly you hear your own voice) on the PS5 or in the PlayStation Link driver on a PC, and the headset keeps that level on other devices; its game/chat balance is in the PS5's Sound menu. The Elite lasts up to 30 hours on a charge, with up to 2 hours from a 10-minute charge; the 3D up to 12 hours.

Two complete setup examples

PULSE Elite on PS5

Plug the PlayStation Link adapter into the PS5 and turn the headset on, then open Settings, Sound, Microphone and choose it as the input.

  • Sony PULSE Elite
  • PlayStation Link USB adapter
  • PS5
Check this exact connection

PULSE 3D on a Mac

Plug the wireless adapter into the Mac, pick the PULSE 3D in Sound settings and in Discord, then check your level in the mic test.

  • Sony PULSE 3D
  • Wireless USB adapter
  • Mac
Check this exact connection

Compare the complete cost of these two setups

How each mic connects

Sony PULSE Elite: how it connects and what you can adjust

Over the wireless dongle

  1. Sony PULSE Elite microphone
  2. The wireless dongle from the box
  3. Mic input on your PC or console
  4. Game chat
Connections
PlayStation Link USB adapter · Bluetooth
Mute
Mic mute button on the headset
Hear yourself
Yes: sidetone, set on the PS5 or in the PlayStation Link PC driver; the headset keeps that level on other devices
Sony PULSE 3D: how it connects and what you can adjust

Over the wireless dongle

  1. Sony PULSE 3D microphone
  2. The wireless dongle from the box
  3. Mic input on your PC or console
  4. Game chat
Connections
Wireless USB adapter · 3.5 mm cable
Mute
Mic mute button on the headset
Hear yourself
Mic monitoring button on the headset

Sources and model details

Connections and controls come from these model-specific documents. Manufacturer claims about sound are not independent tests.