For those who spend a lot of time gaming, having quality headphones is simply imperative these days. It was with PlayStation 5 players in mind that Sony recently launched the Pulse Elite.
These are the latest wireless headphones with microphone for the next generation console. They arrived on the Portuguese market for €149.99, but are they worth it? I tested them over the last week and now I'll tell you my opinion.
Unboxing
Inside the Pulse Elite box you will find everything you need to start using these headphones with your PS5. In addition to them, there is a charging cable and dongle to connect to your PS5 and start using PlayStation Link.
But inside we also find an accessory that many may not be expecting. It's a small base that you can, for example, attach to your desk or wall and use to hang the headphones while they charge completely wirelessly.
Design and construction
The best compliment you can give to headphones is that they are perfect for the PlayStation 5, but at the same time they stand out from any others and seem to come straight from the future. There are many references, but that's what I feel when admiring the aesthetics of the Pulse Elite.
White and black predominate, quite appropriate given the design of this generation's Sony console. And the wavy appearance, which culminates in a hidden microphone, is undoubtedly an excellent work of engineering. They still look like gaming headphones, but without the heavy, LED-laden paraphernalia of competing models.
The Pulse Elite are well-built headphones. But perhaps because they have a very malleable and curved design, they appear to be a fragile product. This fragility ends up making them better in the following point.
Comfort and controls
The malleability of the Pulse Elite makes them very comfortable headphones. I never felt like they put a lot of pressure on my head, and the truth is that I have difficulty feeling comfortable with most of the headphones I've tried.
I can tell you that they are great headphones to use for long periods. They have a flexible black band that rests on the top of the head and the cushions are also large, of good quality and comfortable.
And of course, we have to talk about the weight. They are 347 grams very well distributed, so in my case I found them light. An important point is also the comfort of wearing glasses. I wore them with glasses and they didn't prove to be intrusive.
In the field of controls we have three physical buttons. The main button is used to pair and turn the headphones on or off. And further back we have buttons to increase or decrease the volume.
At the tip of the microphone there is a third button, which is used to turn it on or off. In the previous model we had a button that gave the possibility of mixing the sound of the game and the people you were talking to. Something that in this case we can only do directly in the console. I would like this physical button to remain on this model.
Audio quality
When we start listening to the audio coming out of these headphones, we understand why they have Elite in the name. The audio from these headphones is very transparent and gives a sense of immersion in games.
Whether it's hearing the engine of my cars in Gran Turismo 7 or having an awareness of what's going on around me in Helldivers 2, it's a great improvement for any player looking to get more into their favorite games.
According to PlayStation, the Pulse Elite have flat electromagnetic transducers. These are inspired by studio quality and aim to transmit the soundscapes of games in the best quality, with minimal distortion.
And I tell you that to listen to your favorite songs while playing, or simply if you want to connect them to your smartphone or PC to listen to music, you won't be disappointed either. They deliver what they promise in this field.
It is worth noting that they do not have noise cancellation. But passive noise cancellation is more than enough so you don't hear outside noise. And when someone calls you, you will be alert.
Microphone quality
The microphone is an essential part of any gaming headset. After all, many users play online and like to be in constant communication with their gaming partners. In these Pulse Elite we find a retractable microphone that is an extension of the headphones themselves.
It can be easily stored away when not in use, or stretched out when needed. And it is malleable, so it can be moved closer to or removed from the mouth. And as I mentioned above, it has a button so you can quickly turn it on or off. With the white light you know it is on and with the yellow light it is muted.
It's a quality microphone for talking to your friends and being heard on calls or online sessions. In my case, I was always well heard by my interlocutors, even having to lower the volume because they heard me too well. And as for muffling external noise, it also seems to do a good job.
Connection and compatibility
After taking the headphones out of the box, the initial setup is quite simple. You plug the PlayStation Link dongle into the back of your console, connect it to your headphones and immediately see a pop-up on the console indicating that an update is needed. From there, just follow the steps and it’s ready to use.
With each use, each time you click the button to connect the headphones, they automatically and wirelessly pair with your console. I found the process very simple and quick on any call.
Because they have Bluetooth, this means you can also connect them to your smartphone, computer or tablet without any problems. Oh, and they are also one of the few devices that work with PlayStation Portal completely wirelessly (the others are the Pulse Explore headsets).
Another detail to take into account is that they can be connected to two devices simultaneously. In other words, you can have them connected via PlayStation Link to the console and via Bluetooth to your smartphone and move between them to play or answer a call.
It should be noted that you can also connect them by wire, using the available 3.5 mm jack input. However, this cable is not provided in the product box. And if you're worried about wireless audio latency, don't be: I didn't experience any delays between what was played on the console and what was heard on the headphones.
Battery
In terms of the battery, I was also quite satisfied. You can count on up to 30 hours of autonomy, although this will depend on use. Higher or lower volume and use of the microphone will influence this.
For someone like me who is a more casual gamer, you can probably go through many gaming sessions without having to reload. And when that happens, 10 minutes of charging provides 2 hours of autonomy.
These charge via USB-C, or you can use the charging stand that comes included in the box. When attached to a wall or desk, it allows you to put the headphones down and they charge.
Conclusion: PS5 headphones with great value for money
For those who want to buy completely wireless headphones for PlayStation 5, the Pulse Elite are the best choice if you are looking for quality-price. For €149.99 you get very comfortable headphones, with a gaming look while still looking futuristic. The autonomy is excellent, they have a multipoint connection and the latency is very low.
You can count on wireless compatibility with PS5, PS Portal, PC, Mac and mobile devices. They bring a stand that is also a wireless charger in the box and the audio you will get is of high quality, transporting you to the universe of what you are playing. All that's missing is a physical button to switch between audio and chat.
If you have up to €150 to spend on headphones for the PlayStation 5, this is the option to make. The Pulse Elite are our recommendation.