4 Ways to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a PS5 + Best BT Adapters

Are you trying to connect your Bluetooth headphones with PS5 with no success? Hate to break it to you, but the PS5 probably doesn’t support your headphone’s connection. However, you can still connect and enjoy music through them while playing games on your PS5. Want to know how?

Only a few wireless headsets are natively compatible with the PS5. The PS5 doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, but you can use a Bluetooth Transmitter to connect basically any Bluetooth headphones to a PS5. This will only work for sending audio to the headphones, the microphone will not work.

However, you need to get the settings right each time. The article will point you in just the right direction, from choosing the right device to establishing the Bluetooth connection between your headphones and PS5.

Key Things To Know

• Compatible Headphones: Only a few wireless headsets, like Sony PULSE 3D(on Amazon), are natively compatible with the PS5.
  
• Connection Methods: For other Bluetooth headphones, use a USB Bluetooth Transmitter, connect through a TV with Bluetooth, or use a Bluetooth adapter with an AUX to the TV or PS5 controller.
  
• Best Adapter: The Avantree Bluetooth Transmitter(on Amazon) is highly recommended for connecting various Bluetooth headphones to the PS5.

Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on PS5?

The PS5 does not have Bluetooth connectivity built-in. However, there are a few official or supported headsets that use Bluetooth USB dongles.

The most common option is the Sony PULSE 3D headphones (on Amazon). This is the company’s authorized headset which comes with native support for PS5.

Apart from the supported Bluetooth wireless headphones, there are plenty of other methods to connect your Bluetooth headphones to your PS5 for wireless audio.

How to Connect Supported Wireless Headsets to the PS5

Follow these steps to wirelessly connect the PULSE 3D headphones or any other natively supported headphones to the PS5 without requiring any additional devices:

1. Turn the PS5 on.
   
2. Connect the included wireless USB dongle to one of the PS5’s USB ports.
   
3. Power on the wireless headset.
   
4. Navigate to the Settings Menu.
   
5. Go to Sound > Audio Output > Output Device.
   
6. Set the Output Device to USB Headset (it may list the model of the wireless headset).
   
7. Once you have set the Output Device correctly, you should hear all audio through the headset.

This process should work for basically any wireless headset that uses a Bluetooth dongle.

How to Connect Any Bluetooth Headphones to a PS5

If your wireless headphones don’t have or use a USB dongle, don’t worry, you don’t have to buy another pair of headphones when you already have a set that works perfectly fine with everything else.

You can use any Bluetooth headphones with a PS5 with a very simple adapter, and there are various methods by which you can do this.

Method 1: Use a USB Bluetooth Transmitter with the PS5

This is the most common method of connecting any set of Bluetooth Headphones to a PS5. On top of that, the process is a piece of cake to follow and you will learn how to connect Bluetooth headphones to PS5 in no time.

1. Buy a USB Bluetooth Transmitter

We suggest getting the Avantree Bluetooth Transmitter (on Amazon). This USB Bluetooth audio transmitter can connect to many different devices including the PS5.

There are other USB Bluetooth audio transmitters out there, but you may have mixed results with the connectivity and the PS5 actually recognizing them.

If you decide to go with another Bluetooth adapter, just make sure it’s a USB Bluetooth Transmitter, not a USB Bluetooth Receiver. A receiver is designed to receive audio, not send it out to another device. Some Bluetooth adapters can work as either a transmitter or receiver by flipping a switch on the device to TX (transmitting) or RX (receiving). Using one of these adapters set to TX will work perfectly fine.

2. Connect the USB Bluetooth Transmitter to the PS5

The PS5 hosts a total of three USB-A slots and one USB-C slot. You should use one of the three USB-A ports for the Bluetooth adapter, never the USB-C port. That way, you can utilize the USB-C port when it’s needed the most. 

Next, you’ll need to connect the Bluetooth Transmitter to one of the USB ports on the PS5. Preferably one on the back, so it’s not in plain view.

If you run into any connectivity issues, then move the USB dongle to the front USB port on the PS5.

3. Pair the Bluetooth Transmitter with the Bluetooth Headphones

This process will vary depending on the USB Bluetooth adapter that you use.

Most Bluetooth Transmitters have an LED light that blinks rapidly when connected. If there’s a button, hold it down until the LED starts flashing.

To pair your Bluetooth Headphones, start their pairing process by holding down the pairing button until a light flashes rapidly. When both devices have entered their pairing modes, get them as close as possible to each other to ensure your devices seamlessly pair together.

You may need to repeat this process a couple of times in order to get them paired correctly.

4. Set the PS5 Audio Output Setting

Once the Bluetooth adapter and headphones have been paired together, you’ll need to change the audio output settings on the PS5 to point the audio to the USB Bluetooth adapter.

Here are the steps for changing the audio output setting:

1. Go to the Settings menu on the PS5.
   
2. Select Sound.
   
3. Select Audio Output.
   
4. Set the Output Device to USB Headset (It may show the name of your Bluetooth adapter as well).

Once you’ve changed this setting, you should begin to hear all of the audio through your Bluetooth headphones. If you don’t hear any audio, attempt the pairing process again to ensure that the Bluetooth adapter and headphones are connected properly.

Method 2: Connect Bluetooth Headphones to the TV (no adapter)

Using Bluetooth headphones with a TV instead of directly with a PS5 can be more versatile, allowing you to listen to audio from various devices like smart apps, Fire TV, Roku, or Blu-ray players. This setup routes all audio to your headphones, bypassing the TV’s speakers or external sound systems.

If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, you can use Method 3. But first, here are the steps for connecting your headphones to a TV that already has Bluetooth connectivity built-in.

1. Open the Bluetooth Settings on Your TV.
   
2. Put the Bluetooth Headphones into Pairing Mode.
   
3. Select the Bluetooth Headphones in the list of available Bluetooth devices.
   
4. Make sure the TV’s audio output is set to Bluetooth.

One downside with this method is that you’ll have to change the TV’s audio settings each time you want to switch from headphones to TV speakers or a soundbar.

Method 3: Connect Bluetooth Headphones to a TV with an Adapter

If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, the next best thing is to use a different type of Bluetooth transmitter than the ones previously introduced. You’ll need a Bluetooth Transmitter that uses AUX/3.5mm (we have already talked about this in another guide).

USB Bluetooth Transmitters usually don’t work with TVs as their USB ports are for displaying images, playing videos or music, and providing minimal power, not for audio output.

1. Buy a Bluetooth Transmitter with AUX

We recommend either the Aisidra V5.0 Bluetooth Adapter (on Amazon) or the 1Mii Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter/Receiver (on Amazon). You can order both of these online.

Both of these Bluetooth Adapters worked perfectly with our TV, didn’t have any noticeable lag or audio delay, and are reasonably priced.

2. Connect the Bluetooth Transmitter to the TV

If the Bluetooth adapter you purchased has a switch for either TX or RX, make sure it is set to TX for Transmitting. Follow these steps:

1. Connect one end of an AUX cable to the Bluetooth adapter.
   
2. Plug the other end of the AUX cable into the TV’s AUX output, which might be labeled as AUX Out, Headphones Out, or Audio Out.
   
3. Use the USB cable provided with the adapter. Connect one end to the adapter. Plug the other end of the USB cable into a USB port on the TV for power.

Also, older TVs may not have an AUX out but have RCA out (red and white connectors) instead. If this is the case, you can purchase an AUX to RCA cable (on Amazon) to make this work.

If the TV doesn’t have any USB ports available, you can connect the USB cable to the PS5 for power or use a USB power adapter and plug it into a wall outlet.

3. Pair the Bluetooth Transmitter with the Bluetooth Headphones

Again, this process will vary depending on the USB Bluetooth adapter you use.

Press and hold the pairing button on both the Bluetooth adapter and headphones at the same time. Make sure they are very close together so they can pair correctly.

Once paired, the LED lights on both should go from flashing to solid.

4. Set the TV’s Audio Output Correctly

Press the settings button on your TV’s remote control and navigate to the sound or audio settings.

Look for “Sound Output” or “Audio Output”. Then select the port that you connected the Bluetooth adapter to.

Again, this should be labeled as AUX out, Headphones out, Line out, Audio out, etc.

Once you’ve set the audio output and both the Bluetooth headphones and adapter are paired correctly, you should be able to hear all audio coming through the headphones.

Method 4: Connect the Bluetooth Headphones with AUX to the PS5 Controller

If you don’t want to spend extra money on an additional Bluetooth adapter, and your headphones have an AUX connection on them, then you can simply connect the headphones to the PS5 controller’s AUX port.

This method is one of the best as you’ll receive almost 0 audio lag because it’s natively designed to work like this. Of course, it’s not completely wireless though.

You could alternatively use a Bluetooth audio transmitter with AUX and connect it to the PS5 controller, but then you’ll have a dongle hanging from your controller which isn’t very comfortable to game with.

Can you Connect Airpods to PS5?

You can connect AirPods to a PlayStation 5 indirectly using Bluetooth adapters, connecting through your TV, or using the PS5 Remote Play app on an AirPods-compatible device like an iPhone, iPad, or Mac for game audio.

Best Bluetooth Adapters for PS5

Here are some of the recommended Bluetooth PS5 Bluetooth adapters you can use.

Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Adapter

The Avantree DG80 USB Bluetooth Transmitter (on Amazon) is a reliable choice for PS5 users. Our tests confirm no audio lag, easy pairing with Bluetooth headphones, and affordability. It’s compatible with PCs and other consoles via USB, but lacks chat functionality.

Gulikit Route Air

Although designed especially for Nintendo Switch, the Gulikit Route Air Bluetooth Adapter (on Amazon) is a multi-platform gadget. It works with PCs, PS4, PS5, and other devices too.

This USB-C adapter offers fast connectivity with minimal Bluetooth delay, a sleek design close to the console, and supports connecting two Bluetooth headphones simultaneously.

Best Wireless Headphones Compatible With PS5

As we have mentioned earlier, while the PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth natively, complicating the connection of Bluetooth headphones, several brands still offer models compatible with the console. Here are our top three recommendations:

We also have an article on recommended speakers for PS5, and whether you can connect a soundbar to a Sony PlayStation if you’re interested.