PlayStation Earbuds for PS5: price, release date, restock alerts, and everything you need to know
Sony's new PS5 earbuds offer lossless audio, but the price exceeds some of its current headphone options for PS5
Update: After a tricky start, finding the PlayStation Earbuds for PS5 in stock in 2024 has become a lot easier. Officially known as the “PlayStation Pulse Explore,” these wireless earbuds are designed for PlayStation 5 gamers who want to take advantage of Sony’s critically acclaimed wireless earbuds technology but with PS5 gaming in mind. They also are the only wireless earbuds that work with the PlayStation Portal remote player.
Just like our PlayStation Portal restock tracker shows, the PlayStation Earbuds were initially showing out of stock. However, Sony is now able to keep up with demand and the PS5 Earbuds are a lot easier to obtain.
Sony’s current WF-1000XM4 earbuds and WF-1000XM5 earbuds can work with PlayStation 5, but you need to purchase an extra Bluetooth adapter to connect to both the PS5 Disc and PS5 Digital Edition consoles. And while that might be a viable solution for those who already own a pair of earbuds, it can’t compare to the native experience the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds offer.
Not only do the PlayStation Earbuds allow you to voice chat with your friends, but you also get other advantages such as console notifications when it comes to battery life and other perks such as lossless audio.
Announced alongside the Sony Project Q handheld – now known as the PlayStation Portal – the PS5 earbuds bring all the benefits of Sony’s wireless earbuds that consumers already enjoy, albeit with audio fine-tuned for the needs of gamers. And there’s strong demand for a pair of PS5 earbuds in addition to having the option of the over-ear Sony PS5 Pulse 3D headset that launched alongside the console.
The PlayStation-branded wireless earbuds can be used with PS5, mobile, and PC, and feature a “new wireless technology developed by SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment),” called PlayStation Link, which promises to deliver lossless audio with low latency. You can also switch between devices like the PS5 and PlayStation Portal with ease.
Here’s everything you need to know about the PlayStation Earbuds, or the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds as they’re now officially known.
PS5 Earbuds price
We predicted the PS5 earbuds price would be between $99 to $199, and it turns out it was the top end of our estimate. The Pulse Explore wireless earbuds cost $199.99, which is more expensive than the PS5 Pulse Elite wireless headset, a new over-ear pair of PS5 headphones that offer similar features but cost $149.99.
Thankfully, they’re still cheaper than the Sony WF1000-XM5 earbuds and the Sony INZONE H9, which both cost $299, but the Pulse Explore earbuds are the only wireless earbuds you can get straight from Sony that work flawlessly on PS5.
To complicate matters somewhat, Sony has also released the Sony Inzone Buds for $199, which work on PS5 and PC and include active-noise canceling. There’s no PlayStation Link or lossless audio technology here, and it’s a bit strange that Sony has decided to release two similar products to compete against each other and potentially confuse consumers.
PlayStation Earbuds specs
The PlayStation Earbuds’ specs are impressive, to say the least. We already knew they’d use a new wireless technology to deliver “outstanding sound quality while you’re playing” via lossless audio – but now we know they’re powered by planar magnetic drivers.
Put simply, unlike typical cone-shaped drivers found in the majority of headsets and earbuds, planar drivers are flat and can convey a wider range of nuanced sounds. Combine this with PlayStation 5’s 3D audio and players should be in for a crisp, immersive experience. Planar magnetic drivers are usually reserved for high-end, over-ear headphones, so to see them included in the PS5 earbuds is a nice surprise and goes some way to justify the $199 price point.
The earbuds also include an AI-enhanced, noise-rejecting microphone. The Pulse Explore wireless earbuds can smooth away repetitive background noise, like an air conditioner unit, so your friends on the other end don’t have to suffer.
In terms of battery life, Sony says they’ll last around 5 hours with up to an additional 10 hours supplied by the included charging case. That’s a step down from the XM4s, which offer eight hours of play and the case can supply a further 16 hours of charge. Less than at least six hours of playtime per charge is admittedly disappointing, matching the PS5 controller battery life of the DualSense Edge. We’ll be sure to judge and report back in a final PlayStation Earbuds review when they launch.
We already know that they come with a sleek charging case. Even at a distance, the wireless charging case doesn’t look very pocketable compared to other competing products on the market. That’s not a deal breaker by any means, as many will just use the PlayStation Earbuds at home.
PS5 earbuds release date
The PS5 earbuds’ release date was December 6, 2023. We made an educated estimate that the PS5 earbuds’ would be out in November to align with the PlayStation Portal, which was released on November 15, 2023. But that wasn’t the case.
PS Portal owners had to make do using a wired headset for almost a month, as the PS5 Earbuds arrived slightly later and are one of only two devices that let you enjoy wireless audio using Sony’s new PlayStation Link technology. That’s because the PlayStation Portal doesn’t support Bluetooth.
The PlayStation Earbuds also released after Sony’s PS5 Slim. Sony released its smaller, cheaper, and sleeker PlayStation 5 in November.
PlayStation Earbuds pre-order date
The PlayStation Earbuds pre-order date was November 9, 10am local time, which was over a month before their release.
Sony provided plenty of time between the PS5 DualSense Edge controller and PSVR 2 headset releases for pre-orders. Thankfully, similar to how it did for the Spider-Man 2 PS5 bundle, Sony is letting other retailers sell the PS5 earbuds, which means it isn’t just available from the official PlayStation Store.
Sony has veered towards selling its products directly for a timed period, before opening up sales to other retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop. While that ensures Sony can maximize its profits on early adopters, it does stunt sales in the long term and can often lead to some gamers missing out.
Should you buy the PlayStation Earbuds?
If you’re not a fan of over-ear headsets like the PlayStation 3D Pulse or if you want something that you can take with you on your commute, the Sony PS5 earbuds will be an attractive proposition. The fact they promise to deliver lossless audio will also please audiophiles who care about sound quality, and the PS5 branding means they won’t look out of place with the best PS5 accessories.
Apple has proven that in-ear headphones can have mass appeal with the AirPods, so expect Sony to bundle in a couple of replaceable tips so users can find the right fit.
Like anything, the PlayStation Earbuds’ price will make it less of an impulse buy than something like the PS5 Pulse 3D audio headset which was only $99, but the demand for a pair of wireless earbuds designed for PlayStation is certainly there and means they could become one of the best PS5 headsets in 2024. Stay tuned for more.
Last updated: April 22, 2024