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PlayStation Earbuds: Pricing, Release, and Restock Updates

Sony’s latest PS5 earphones provide top-quality sound but cost more than some other PS5 headphones.

Finding the PlayStation Earbuds for PS5 in 2024 is much simpler now. They’re known as the “PlayStation Pulse Explore” and are tailored for PS5 gamers. These wireless earbuds are designed explicitly for PS5 gaming and are the exclusive choice for the PlayStation Portal remote player.

ps5 earbuds release date 2

The PlayStation Earbuds were initially out of stock, as our PlayStation Portal restock tracker showed. However, Sony has improved its availability, making PS5 earbuds much more accessible.

To use Sony’s WF-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM4 earbuds with PlayStation 5, you’ll need an extra Bluetooth adapter for both PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Disc consoles. This solution may suit those who already own the earbuds, but it doesn’t match the seamless experience of the Pulse Explore wireless earbuds explicitly designed for PS5.

PlayStation Earbuds lets you chat with friends and receive console notifications about battery life and perks like lossless audio.

When Sony introduced the PS5 earbuds with the Sony Project Q handheld, now known as the PlayStation Portal, they offered gamers specially tuned audio in a wireless format. 

These earbuds, offering features familiar to Sony users, cater to the gaming community’s audio needs. Demand for the PS5 earbuds is high despite the availability of the Sony PS5 Pulse 3D headset launched alongside the console.

The wireless earbuds from PlayStation work with mobile devices, PCs, and PS5. They feature a new wireless technology, PlayStation Link, developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE). This technology ensures high-quality audio with minimal delay. Switching between devices like the PS5 and PlayStation Portal is effortless.

Get the scoop on the PlayStation Earbuds, now officially dubbed Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.

How much do PS5 earphones cost?

Our estimate for the PS5 earbuds was between $99 and $199. They’re priced at $199.99, which is at the higher end of our projection. Surprisingly, despite having similar features, they’re more expensive than the PS5 Pulse Elite wireless headset, which costs $149.99.

ps5 earbuds release date

Fortunately, they come at a lower price than the $299 Sony INZONE H9 and the WF1000-XM5 earbuds. The Pulse Explore earbuds stand out because they’re the sole wireless earbuds directly from Sony specifically crafted to seamlessly function with PS5.

Priced at $199, Sony has introduced the Sony Inzone Buds. They are compatible with PS5 and PC, offering active noise canceling. However, they do not include PlayStation Link or lossless audio tech. Sony’s decision to release two similar products might need to be clarified for consumers.

PlayStation Earbuds Specifications

Impressive specifications define the PlayStation Earbuds. We expected great wireless technology for gaming sound quality. However, they’ve exceeded expectations with planar magnetic drivers.

The PS5 earbuds stand out because they use flat planar drivers instead of the usual cone-shaped ones found in most headsets. This unique feature and PlayStation 5’s 3D audio offer players a more immersive experience. 

Typically found in high-end headphones, including planar magnetic drivers in the PS5 earbuds at $199 is unexpected but makes the investment worthwhile.

The earbuds feature an advanced microphone powered by AI to reduce unwanted noise. With Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, you can converse without disturbing background noises, such as those from an air conditioner, bothering the person on the other end.

Sony claims the earbuds will endure about 5 hours on their own, with an additional 10 hours provided by the charging case. This falls short of the previous model, which offers 8 hours and an extra 16 from the case. The similarity to the PS5 controller’s battery life might disappoint some. We’ll provide a comprehensive review upon their release.

While the charging case boasts a sleek design, it may not be as portable as some competitors. Nonetheless, for home use, this should be fine.

ps5 earbuds release date 2

When will the PS5 earbuds be released?

The PS5 earbuds were released on December 6, 2023, which was later than expected. We initially anticipated their launch in November, in conjunction with the PlayStation Portal’s release on November 15, 2023, but this did not happen.

As a result, owners of the PlayStation Portal had to rely on wired headsets for nearly a month. This delay occurred because the PS5 Earbuds, one of only two devices supporting wireless audio via Sony’s new PlayStation Link technology, were released slightly later. Notably, the PlayStation Portal does not support Bluetooth.

The PlayStation Earbuds debuted after Sony launched the PS5 Slim in November. The PS5 Slim is characterized by its smaller size, reduced cost, and sleek design compared to the original PlayStation 5.

When can you pre-order PlayStation Earbuds?

Pre-orders for the PlayStation Earbuds started on November 9th at 10 am local time, a month before their release date. Sony ensured ample pre-order time between the  PSVR 2 headset and the PS5 DualSense Edge controller launches. 

Additionally, similar to the approach with the Spider-Man 2 PS5 bundle, Sony allowed other retailers to sell the PS5 earbuds, expanding availability beyond the official PlayStation Store.

Initially, Sony sells its products directly before distributing them to other retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop. While this strategy maximizes early profits, it may hinder long-term sales and result in some gamers missing out on the product.

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