Technologies

Best PS4 Gaming Headset for 2022

Looking for a new headset for your PS4 or PS5? Here are our current top picks, from basic budget models that cost less than $50 to high-end feature-packed powerhouses.

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 are popular consoles that are widely used by gamers internationally. In order to enhance the gaming experience, Sony developed a range of headphones that are specifically designed to work with these consoles. The PlayStation 4 headphones are known for their high-quality sound, noise-cancellation technology, and comfortable design. They offer a great balance of sound and chat audio, making them perfect for online gaming.

Gaming is a great way to take a break from the grind of daily life and escape to expansive, fantastic worlds, as well as a way to stay in touch with friends from around the globe. If gaming time is the way you and your friends keep in touch, then you’ll probably want to invest in a proper gaming headset with top-notch audio quality. A great headset offers high-caliber sound for an even more immersive gaming experience, and can be crucial when it comes to coordinating a raid, co-adventuring in a fantasy world or deciding which pal among you is more of an im-pal-ster. And no matter your needs or your budget, there’s a perfect headset out there for you.

You don’t have to buy Sony headphones either. Most standard wired headphones with microphones technically work as headsets for the PS4 (you simply plug the headphone into the 3.5mm jack on your controller), but having a dedicated «gaming» headset, like the PS4 compatible headsets below, ensures an optimized sound experience. One of the best PS4 headset features is the noise isolation, which can block out background noise for a more immersive experience, and another great gaming headset feature is a good mic that ensures others can hear you clearly when you’re in the middle of a long gaming session. Seriously, when you’re going head-to-head with another squad, mic quality matters.

Many people with a PlayStation 4 choose to go with a wired headset simply because it can be plugged into the already wireless controller. It’s also worth noting that many, if not most, wired PS4 headphones also work just fine with the PS5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Windows PCs, Macs and the Nintendo Switch.

But what if you don’t want your headphones to be tied down by wires? If you want to eliminate the cord that goes from the controller to your headphones, some of the best PS4 headset options let you go completely wireless. Just be aware that these PS4 headsets all include — and require — a low-latency wireless dongle that plugs into the USB port on your PS4 (there should be no audio delay).

Note: Almost no PS4 wireless gaming headsets will also work with the Xbox One. The Switch, meanwhile, requires a USB-C wireless dongle for wireless headset connectivity (though some of the USB dongles do work via the Switch’s dock).

Some midrange and high-end PS4 gaming headset models feature 7.1 virtual surround sound. To be clear, this isn’t real surround sound but it can help with the sound quality to create a richer, more immersive audio experience. It also gives you a better sense of spatial awareness with certain games where that can be an advantage. When looking for the best PS4 headsets, we also took mic quality into consideration if you’re playing online, because that’s especially important if your gaming session requires group coordination. If you can’t be heard, you can’t strategize!

With those basics established, let’s talk about the best PS4 headset. These are the results of our own home-based testing — we thought about everything from noise cancellation to the comfiness of the ear cushions. This list is updated periodically and includes some options suggested in GameSpot’s list of best gaming headsets.

More gaming recommendations

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Aug. 14

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Aug. 14

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword isn’t too tough, and it has some fun movie and TV references. Just remember that «poster» can mean a couple of different things — it’s not always that photo of Def Leppard hanging on the wall. Want help with today’s NYT Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Animals holding «Eat Mor Chikin» signs, in a classic ad campaign
Answer: COWS

5A clue: Suffix with Beatle or Wrestle
Answer: MANIA

6A clue: «Au revoir!»
Answer: ADIEU

7A clue: Ugly poster?
Answer: TROLL

8A clue: Be likely (to)
Answer: TEND

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Core group
Answer: CADRE

2D clue: Vegetable combined with celery and carrot to form «mirepoix»
Answer: ONION

3D clue: Handle, as a sword
Answer: WIELD

4D clue: «Better Call ___» («Breaking Bad» spinoff)
Answer: SAUL

5D clue: Damon of «Oppenheimer»
Answer: MATT

Technologies

The iPhone 17 Hasn’t Been Announced Yet, but There’s Already a Case for It

The new case makes a bold style statement, but there’s no official confirmation that it correctly reflects Apple’s upcoming phone.

One of the first cases for the iPhone 17 has made its appearance. Canadian tech accessory company Dbrand announced its Tank Case for the iPhone 17 is set to go on sale in September, the same month we’re expecting Apple to announce the eagerly awaited iPhone 17.

While we don’t know the price of the Tank Case yet, Dbrand has certainly made some striking design choices in the hard black shell case, including plenty of number codes, the Freemason Eye of Providence in what looks like a center designed for MagSafe connections and what appears to be Braille. Dbrand is light on details for now, but you can sign up with your email address to get notifications about the case.

A representative for Dbrand did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Patrick Holland, CNET managing editor and mobile guru, cautions that these early-announced phone designs don’t always end up making it to the release date. Holland saw that happen just last year, when some manufacturers were forced to push quick redesigns to make room for the iPhone 16’s surprise camera control button.

«It’s become a yearly tradition,» Holland said. «We see companies try to be the first out with a new case design for the latest iPhone, even though the phone hasn’t been announced by Apple.»

«For Dbrand, it’s unclear whether the Tank case is designed based on rumors, or if the company got an early look at the iPhone 17 series, or were given a dummy model,» Holland said. «The case does feature a full body width camera bump that has been heavily leaked for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. There’s one thing that’s for certain: Dbrand’s Tank case looks chunky and busy, especially for a sleek new iPhone.»

That’s why we’re also keeping a close eye on all the latest reports of iPhone 17 features, including rumors of a redesigned camera bump and a movable lens that could throw a curveball for third-party cases like this.

Social media buzz

Commenters on X shared a variety of opinions about the case. While one person wrote, «that case looks fire,» another wrote, «that case looks hideous.»

Commenters also wondered if the case design was revealing some previously unknown details about the iPhone 17.

«So the second button is basically confirmed?» one X commenter wrote. «Why would the case sport an area that looks pressable or ‘slideable’ otherwise?»

Another wrote, «Am I seeing that correctly? Three cameras on a base iPhone model finally.»

Others zeroed in on the idea that Apple likely does not want case manufacturers to reveal details about a phone before the company announces it, noting that Dbrand also unveiled a case for the Nintendo Switch 2 before that console came out.

«First the Switch 2, now the iPhone 17,» the one commenter wrote. «Yeahh, they’re never getting shit early to make cases anymore.»

Technologies

Apple Reportedly Planning AI Comeback, Complete With a Tabletop Robot

Home security cameras and a standalone smart display are also coming, the report says.

Apple wants a bigger place in your home, according to a report posted Wednesday from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While you might think of Apple primarily because it provides your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook, AirPods and more, the tech giant reportedly hopes to use artificial intelligence to sell you a number of new smart home devices. Those devices may include a tabletop robot, home security cameras and a smart speaker with a screen.

A representative for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tabletop robot

According to Bloomberg, it’s the tabletop robot, reportedly coming in 2027, that is the center of the plan. Bloomberg — and CNET — have reported on this plan before. At that time, the company reportedly had two concepts in mind: a robot that can move around the home, and a tabletop robotic device.

Now, Bloomberg says the robot «will feature a lifelike version of Siri and the ability to engage with users throughout the day.» It reportedly resembles an iPad mounted on a movable limb that can reposition itself to face you.

Former CNET senior editor Lisa Eadicicco wrote in 2024 that «perhaps the biggest challenge when it comes to a home robot is that the market is unproven.» We’ve all seen the robot maid Rosie on the old Jetsons cartoon, but do we really need or want a robotic helper in our homes?

Standalone smart display

Another item Apple is reportedly working on is essentially a smart speaker with a screen. Bloomberg calls this a «stripped-down version of the robot.»

It won’t have a robotic arm or conversational Siri, but it should be able to do such things as music playback, note taking, control home devices and video conferencing. Bloomberg says it will run a new operating system called Charismatic.

Home security cameras

Home security cameras are becoming more and more popular, and Apple wants to move into that realm as well. The company will make cameras that will anchor an Apple security system, the report says.