Guide to using Your Favorite Headphones on PS4

Did you know that PlayStation 4 is the fourth highest-selling games console of all time, with over 114 million sales worldwide? Only the Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and PS2 have sold more units in history. PS4 is obviously on another level compared to the old PS2 and allows you to plug in headphones via a 3.5mm port directly on the Dual Shock Controller.

But can you plug in and use any old pair of headphones to a PS4 controller? Let’s find out in our guide to using your favorite headphones on PS4.

Contents

Using Headphones with PS4 Controller
How Can I Use Regular Headphones on PS4?
How to Select Compatible Headphones?
How to Plug in Regular Headphones to PS4?
Setting Up Wired Headphones
Setting Up Wireless Headphones
Need Great Gaming Headphones?
Guide to using Your Favorite Headphones on PS4 – Final Thoughts

Using Headphones with PS4 Controller

The major benefit of using headphones with a PS4 controller is you can listen to the in-game chat to enhance your gaming experience. Call of Duty gamers can really benefit from using headphones as it makes the game more interactive and authentic. Some users loved it, while others think it complicates gameplay and causes mass confusion.

The increased usage of gaming headphone sets has changed the way games are not just played but also designed. But this has sparked the question, “Can I use regular headphones with a PS4 controller?” The simple answer is yes, but there’s a little more to it than that.

How Can I Use Regular Headphones on PS4?

A major issue for gamers using PS4 is that the majority of the game’s audio comes through your TV’s speakers, while certain gaming controller sounds emanate from the PS4 controller speaker. These are known as “controller sounds.”

The controller sounds can be harsh and loud in comparison to the full game audio. You can turn off or balance the volume of the controller sounds by pressing your ‘PS4’ button. You can then go to Sound/Devices>Volume and then select the controller option and manually alter the volume.

But what happens if you want to plug in your regular headphones and listen to the full gaming audio? The first thing you’ll need to do is ensure that you have compatible headphone models.

How to Select Compatible Headphones?

The default headphone jack layout has been standardized by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). This standard is used for all smartphones, Xbox, and PS4 jack layouts. Your headphone jack will need this standard sleeve layout in order to work: Audio (left) > Audio (right) > Ground > Microphone (tip-to-sleeve).

If your headphones don’t have this layout, they won’t work with PS4. This is also the main reason why you can’t use Apple ear pod mics on a PS4.

Check out this list of headphones compatible with PS4 standard jack ports.

There are hundreds if not thousands of PS4 compatible gaming headsets available. Just make sure that your chosen model follows CTIA standards, or you will be disappointed.

How to Plug in Regular Headphones to PS4?

Now we’ve covered the types of headphones that are compatible with PS4; it’s time to learn how to plug in and set them up. Wired and wireless are the two main connection types available, so let’s take an in-depth look at them both.

Setting Up Wired Headphones

Common sense would tell you that the majority of modern gamers use wireless headphones. But that’s not entirely true. Many gamers still use the 3.5mm jack wired variety because they are more reliable than wireless connections.

I’ll now go through the process to successfully set up wired headphones with PS4, which is understandably a very important aspect of this guide to using your favorite headphones on PS4.

Press, hold, and release the controller’s PS4 button.
You could also press the D-pad button to find your ‘Settings.’
Scroll down and select the ‘Audio Devices’ option.
Now you will see a list of devices that are connected. If you haven’t plugged in your headphones yet, do it, and choose the option from the list.
Ensure the ‘Switch Output Device Automatically’ box has been selected, and if not, select it.
Firstly, select the ‘Output Device’ option.
You will see a list of dedicated output devices. Choose ‘Headset Connected to Controller’ if you have already connected your controller with your headphones. This setting’s default option will be AV Amplifier or TV.
You will need to divert all the audio outputs to your headphones, or you will only be able to hear the gaming chat and not the full game audio. You can do this by choosing the ‘Output to Headphones’ option on the ‘Audio Devices’ page.
From here, you can select ‘All Audio,’ which will make the chat audio the default.
Select ‘Input Devices.’
The last step is to select your mic and headphones, and that should be it. But do remember to check your mic levels in the ‘Adjust Microphone Level’ section.

Setting Up Wireless Headphones

Generally speaking, PS4 is similar to Nintendo in regards to having only a Bluetooth port for wireless connectivity. So, if you did want to connect wireless headphones to PS4, you will need to buy a Bluetooth dongle as a gateway. After you’ve connected the dongle, you need to use the same processes I have just described to connect your headphones to the dongle.

It should be that simple, folks.

Need Great Gaming Headphones?

We have you covered; check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Wireless PlayStation 4 Headsets, the Best Xbox One Headsets, the Best Nintendo Switch Gaming Headsets, the Best Gaming Headset, the Best Razer Gaming Headsets, and the Best PC Gaming Headsets you can buy in 2023.

You may also like our detailed reviews of the Best Gaming Headsets for Big Heads, the Most Comfortable Gaming Headsets, the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets, the Best Headphones with Volume Control, and the Best Headphones with Microphone currently on the market.