How to Connect a Bluetooth Speaker or Headphones to PS5, Xbox, Switch and Steam Deck
Short answer: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and Steam Deck pair with Bluetooth speakers and headphones directly. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S do not support standard Bluetooth audio, so you need a workaround: a Bluetooth audio adapter, your TV’s Bluetooth, a phone running the console’s remote play app, or a speaker or headset built for that console’s own wireless system. Below you will find each method step by step, plus what it means for delay and voice chat.
Checked October 2026. Console makers can add features through system updates, so if your console’s Settings now show a Bluetooth audio option, that newer native option is the one to use.
Which consoles support Bluetooth audio?
| Console | Native Bluetooth audio? | Best wireless option | Mic over Bluetooth? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | No | USB Bluetooth audio adapter, or a PlayStation Link headset | Depends on the adapter |
| Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | No | Xbox Wireless headset or speaker, or a transmitter in the controller’s 3.5 mm jack | No |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes | Pair in System Settings | No |
| Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED, Switch Lite | Yes (since system update 13.0.0, 2021) | Pair in System Settings | No |
| Steam Deck | Yes | Pair in Settings, Bluetooth | Possible, at lower call quality |
Three things that affect every method
- Delay (latency). Bluetooth adds a short gap between what you see and what you hear. It is easy to ignore in films and slower games but can throw off rhythm games and competitive shooters. Adapters with low-latency codecs such as aptX Low Latency or aptX Adaptive only help if your headphones support the same codec.
- Voice chat. Most of these routes carry game sound only. When a Bluetooth headset’s mic is in use, it switches to a call mode with noticeably lower sound quality.
- Speakers and headphones work the same way. Every method below works for both. For a living-room setup, a soundbar connected to the TV by HDMI ARC is usually the better long-term choice; see our best soundbars under $300.
How to connect a Bluetooth speaker or headphones to PS5
The PS5 uses Bluetooth for its DualSense controller, but it will not pair with Bluetooth headphones or speakers for audio. These are the routes that work, best first.
Method 1: Use a USB Bluetooth audio adapter
- Buy a Bluetooth audio adapter that lists PS5 support (popular examples include the Creative BT-W5, Genki Audio and GuliKit Route Air Pro) and plug it into a USB port on the console.
- Put your speaker or headphones into pairing mode, then pair them with the adapter, usually by holding the adapter’s button until its light flashes.
- On the PS5, open Settings, then Sound, then Audio Output, and choose the adapter as the output device.
- Play a cutscene with dialogue to check volume and lip-sync before you start a long session.
This is the best all-round option for PS5. Whether your headset’s microphone works for party chat depends on the adapter, so check that feature in the adapter’s description if you need it.
Method 2: Pair the speaker or headphones with your TV
- Open your TV’s settings and find its sound output or Bluetooth menu (the name varies by brand).
- Put your speaker or headphones into pairing mode and select them on the TV.
- Leave the PS5 settings as they are: game sound now travels from the console to the TV and on to your Bluetooth device.
It costs nothing if your TV supports Bluetooth audio, but there is no voice chat and some TVs add noticeable delay. If your TV has a game mode or an audio sync setting, turn it on.
Method 3: Use PS Remote Play on a phone or tablet
Install the PS Remote Play app, connect your phone or tablet to your Bluetooth headphones as usual, then stream the PS5 to the phone. It works for quiet late-night play, but streaming adds its own delay and needs good home Wi-Fi.
Method 4: Plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the controller
The DualSense controller has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. A small battery-powered Bluetooth transmitter plugged into that jack can send controller audio to your headphones. Check the transmitter’s own pairing steps and battery life.
Sony’s own wireless option: PlayStation Link
Sony’s Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore earbuds use PlayStation Link, which connects through a small USB adapter, keeps delay low and supports chat. If you are buying new headphones mainly for PS5, compare these with our best PS5 gaming headsets.
How to connect a Bluetooth speaker or headphones to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
Xbox consoles do not support standard Bluetooth audio for game sound or chat. Current Xbox controllers do have Bluetooth, but only so the controller itself can pair with a PC or phone. Headsets connect to the console through Microsoft’s own Xbox Wireless system instead.
Correction: an older version of this page described pairing a Bluetooth speaker in the Xbox’s settings. That does not work on current Xbox consoles, and we have removed those steps.
Method 1: Choose a speaker or headset that supports Xbox Wireless
Headsets and speakers labelled “Designed for Xbox” with Xbox Wireless (such as the Xbox Wireless Headset) connect straight to the console, much like a controller, with chat support. See our best wireless gaming headsets for options.
Method 2: Pair your Bluetooth device with the TV
The same TV method described for PS5 works with Xbox: pair the speaker or headphones with a Bluetooth-capable TV, and Xbox sound will follow. There is no chat, and delay depends on the TV.
Method 3: Use a transmitter in the controller’s headphone jack
Most current Xbox controllers have a 3.5 mm jack on the bottom edge. Plug a small Bluetooth transmitter into it and pair your headphones with the transmitter.
Method 4: Stream to your phone with the Xbox app
The Xbox mobile app can stream your console to a phone. Connect the phone to your Bluetooth headphones and play through the app. Expect some extra delay from streaming.
How to connect Bluetooth headphones or speakers to Nintendo Switch and Switch 2
The original Switch gained Bluetooth audio in system update 13.0.0 in 2021, and Switch 2 supports it out of the box.
- Put your headphones or speaker into pairing mode.
- On the console, open System Settings and select Bluetooth Audio.
- Choose Pair Device and select your headphones or speaker from the list.
Limitations reported by Nintendo for the original Switch:
- Only one Bluetooth audio device can be connected at a time.
- Only two wireless controllers can be connected while Bluetooth audio is on.
- Bluetooth audio disconnects during local wireless multiplayer.
- Bluetooth microphones are not supported, so use a wired headset or the console’s own options for voice chat.
Switch 2 owners also report that Bluetooth headset microphones are not used, so plan on a wired or USB headset if you need chat.
How to connect Bluetooth speakers or headphones to Steam Deck
- Press the Steam button, then open Settings and select Bluetooth.
- Make sure Bluetooth is switched on, then put your speaker or headphones into pairing mode.
- Select your device under available devices and wait for it to connect.
Steam Deck behaves much like a laptop: game sound plays through Bluetooth without workarounds. If you also use the headset’s mic, sound quality drops while the mic is active, which is normal for Bluetooth headsets.
Fixing common connection problems
- The device does not appear: unpair it from your phone first, keep it within a metre or two, and reset it if needed (see how to reset Bluetooth headphones or how to reset AirPods).
- Sound lags behind the picture: use an adapter with a low-latency codec your headphones also support, turn on the TV’s game mode, or use a wired connection for rhythm and competitive games.
- Sound cuts out: move a USB adapter to a different port or onto a short USB extension cable, away from the console’s rear ports and your Wi-Fi router.
- No chat audio: most Bluetooth routes on PS5 and Xbox carry game sound only; a console-specific wireless headset is the reliable fix.
Which method should you choose?
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| The best PS5 experience with chat | A PlayStation Link headset, or an adapter that supports chat |
| The best Xbox experience with chat | An Xbox Wireless headset or speaker |
| The cheapest option | Your TV’s Bluetooth, if it has it |
| Wireless sound on a handheld | Pair directly on Switch, Switch 2 or Steam Deck |
| A bigger living-room sound | A soundbar on HDMI ARC instead of a Bluetooth speaker |
Frequently asked questions
Can I connect AirPods to my PS5?
Not directly. The PS5 does not pair with Bluetooth earbuds, but AirPods work through a PS5-compatible USB Bluetooth adapter, through a TV with Bluetooth audio, or through PS Remote Play on an iPhone or iPad. See our full AirPods on PS5 guide.
Does the Xbox Series X have Bluetooth?
The controllers do, but only to pair the controller with a PC or phone. The console itself does not send audio to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
Can I use a Bluetooth speaker for game chat?
Usually not. On PS5 and Xbox the Bluetooth workarounds carry game sound only, and Switch does not support Bluetooth microphones. Use a headset made for your console if you need chat.
Why does my Bluetooth speaker lag on my console?
Bluetooth compresses audio before sending it, which adds delay. TVs and adapters can add more. Low-latency codecs and a TV game mode reduce it; a wired connection removes it.
Can I connect two Bluetooth headphones to a Switch at once?
No. The Switch connects one Bluetooth audio device at a time.
6 Comments