As of December 9, 2025, the PlayStation 5 (PS5) still does not natively support standard Bluetooth audio devices, such as your favorite AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM headphones, or most third-party wireless earbuds. This lack of native support is a deliberate design choice by Sony to ensure the lowest possible audio latency for a superior gaming experience, primarily prioritizing their own PlayStation Link and licensed accessories. However, the good news is that a simple, affordable, and highly effective workaround exists, allowing you to use virtually any Bluetooth headphone you own with your console. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the only reliable method to achieve wireless audio freedom on your PS5: using a low-latency USB-C or USB-A Bluetooth adapter. This simple hardware addition is the key to bypassing the console's limitations, giving you high-quality, lag-free sound for all your gaming sessions.

Why Your PS5 Won't Connect to Bluetooth Headphones Natively (The Latency Problem)

It’s a common frustration: you navigate to the PS5's settings, see the Bluetooth menu, but your favorite headphones simply won't pair. The reason for this limitation is technical and centers on one critical factor for gaming: latency.

The PS5's internal Bluetooth hardware is primarily reserved for connecting essential peripherals like the DualSense controller and media remotes.

Standard Bluetooth audio codecs, like SBC (Subband Codec), introduce a noticeable delay (latency) between the on-screen action and the sound reaching your ears.

In fast-paced games, this delay can be disastrous, causing you to miss crucial audio cues like footsteps or gunshots.

Sony's solution is to restrict native Bluetooth support to only a few licensed devices that use proprietary, ultra-low-latency wireless protocols, such as the new PlayStation Pulse Elite Headset and Pulse Explore Earbuds, which utilize the PlayStation Link technology.

To use any other non-licensed Bluetooth headphones, you must introduce a dedicated audio transmitter—the USB adapter—that is designed specifically to transmit audio using superior, low-latency codecs like aptX Low Latency or aptX Adaptive.

Step-by-Step: The USB Bluetooth Adapter Method

This is the most reliable, current, and recommended method for connecting any Bluetooth headphone to your PlayStation 5. It requires a compatible USB-A or USB-C Bluetooth audio transmitter (dongle).

Step 1: Choose and Install Your Low-Latency Adapter

First, you need to purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter that supports a low-latency audio codec. The adapter acts as a dedicated sound card for your PS5.

• Select a Port: Insert the adapter into an available USB-A port on the front or back of the PS5, or a USB-C port on the front (depending on your adapter's connection type).
• Power On: Once plugged in, the adapter should power on and immediately begin flashing or enter its pairing mode.
• Check Compatibility: Ensure the adapter is in a mode that is compatible with consoles (some have a PC/Console switch).

Popular and highly-rated adapters that work well with the PS5 include the Avantree Relay (formerly Prolink), the UGREEN Bluetooth Adapter, and adapters supporting the aptX Low Latency standard.

Step 2: Pair Your Bluetooth Headphones to the Adapter

This step bypasses the PS5's internal Bluetooth system entirely and connects your headphones directly to the adapter.

• Activate Headphone Pairing Mode: Put your Bluetooth headphones into their pairing mode. For most devices (including AirPods, Sony, Bose, etc.), this usually involves pressing and holding a dedicated pairing button until an LED starts flashing rapidly.
• Connect: The adapter will automatically search for and connect to the nearest device in pairing mode. The connection is successful when the flashing light on both the adapter and your headphones turns solid.
• Troubleshooting: If the connection fails, ensure your headphones are not currently connected to another device (like your phone or PC) and try the pairing process again.

Step 3: Adjust PS5 Audio Output Settings

Once the physical connection is made, you must tell the PS5 to send its audio to the newly connected USB device instead of your TV or soundbar.

1. On your PS5 Home Screen, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right).
2. Select Sound.
3. Select Audio Output.
4. Under the Output Device setting, change the selection from "HDMI Device (TV)" or similar to the USB Headset or USB Audio Device. The name will vary depending on the adapter.
5. You can also adjust the Volume and 3D Audio settings from this menu.

Your game audio, system sounds, and chat audio should now be playing through your Bluetooth headphones with minimal latency, thanks to the dedicated adapter. You have successfully connected your wireless headphones to the PS5!

Essential Entities: Recommended USB Bluetooth Adapters for PS5

Choosing the right adapter is crucial for a seamless, low-latency experience. Look for adapters that specifically advertise support for aptX Low Latency (aptX-LL) or aptX Adaptive, as these are the key to lag-free gaming audio.

• Avantree Relay / Prolink: Often cited as the gold standard for console gaming. It supports aptX Low Latency and is specifically designed to work plug-and-play with the PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
• UGREEN Bluetooth Adapter: A popular, budget-friendly option that is frequently recommended for its reliable performance and low-latency capabilities when paired with compatible headphones.
• TP-Link UB500 (or similar): While often marketed for PC, a high-quality Bluetooth 5.0+ adapter can sometimes function well, though dedicated audio transmitters (like Avantree) are generally safer bets for audio quality.
• Creative BT-W5: A premium, highly compatible adapter that supports the latest aptX Adaptive codec, offering an excellent balance of quality and latency.
• Olixar Multi Pairing Dongle: A solution specifically marketed for the PS5, allowing connection of multiple Bluetooth headphones.

Pro Tip: For the best results, ensure your headphones also support the same low-latency codec (e.g., if your adapter has aptX-LL, your headphones should too). If they don't, the connection will default to a higher-latency codec like SBC or AAC.

Alternative Method: Connecting via a Smart TV

There is one other less common method that can work, provided you have a modern Smart TV with built-in Bluetooth audio transmission capabilities.

In this scenario, you are not connecting the headphones to the PS5 at all, but to the TV itself.

The PS5 sends the audio signal to the TV via the HDMI cable, and the TV then wirelessly transmits that audio to your Bluetooth headphones.

While this method eliminates the need for a USB adapter, it has a significant drawback: it often introduces noticeable audio lag because the TV's internal processing and Bluetooth transmission are usually not optimized for low-latency gaming. This is a viable option only if you are playing slow-paced, non-competitive games where a slight audio delay is acceptable.

To try this, navigate to your Smart TV's settings menu (usually under Sound or Audio Output) and pair your Bluetooth headphones directly to the TV.

Final Thoughts on PS5 Wireless Audio

The necessity of using a third-party USB adapter to connect standard Bluetooth headphones to the PS5 is a minor inconvenience that is well worth the effort. It provides a simple, reliable bridge between Sony's focus on low-latency gaming and your desire to use your existing, high-quality wireless audio gear. By investing in a dedicated low-latency adapter, you unlock a world of wireless convenience without sacrificing the responsiveness and audio fidelity essential for a great gaming experience.