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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-05 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest strength: high-density foam plus high-grade protein leather that seals around your ears properly, which is exactly what you want for TV watching and long sessions on a Pulse 3D headset.
• SOULWIT Earpads — biggest trade-off: it is a replacement part, not a headset. It only fits the Sony Pulse 3D, and it is explicitly not made for the Pulse Elite.
• NUBWO HG04L — biggest strength: a full plug-and-play wired headset with 40mm drivers, a unidirectional cardioid mic, and a 3.5mm jack that works across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Switch.
• NUBWO HG04L — biggest trade-off: it is wired only, has no active noise cancellation, and its mic needs a bit of setup if you route it through an Xbox controller on PC.
• Pick SOULWIT Earpads if you already own a Pulse 3D and the pads are the weak point.
• Pick NUBWO HG04L if you need the whole headset, with a mic, today.
SOULWIT's pitch here is narrow and honest: these pads are made for the PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset only, and the listing tells you to confirm your model before buying. That specificity is a feature. Because the pads are precisely modeled for that one headset, they should not change how the Pulse 3D sounds — SOULWIT states they won't affect sound performance, whereas worn-out pads will. If your current pads are flaking, flattened, or no longer sealing, that seal is the whole point. High-density foam and high-grade protein leather are what let a pair of earpads trap sound properly, which matters more for movies and TV than for a quick round of anything.
Installation is the part people worry about, and SOULWIT addresses it directly: you get the earpads, a user guide, and a plastic tool, and the company says the job usually takes about five minutes. That's a reasonable expectation for a pad swap on a headset you already own. The color is black, the enclosure material is faux leather, and there is no warranty listed — so treat this as a straightforward consumable part rather than a long-term service commitment.
Who should buy it? Anyone with a Pulse 3D whose pads have degraded, and anyone who wants better comfort and isolation without buying a new headset. Who should skip it? Owners of the Pulse Elite — it doesn't fit. Also skip it if you need a microphone, wireless freedom, or a headset that works with Xbox and Switch, because this is a pair of earpads and nothing more. And if you don't already own a Pulse 3D, this product solves a problem you don't have.
The HG04L is the opposite kind of purchase: a complete over-ear wired headset in pink, built around 40mm dynamic drivers with a 32 ohm impedance, a 20 KHz frequency response and 96 dB sensitivity. In plain terms, that's an easy-to-drive headset that a controller's 3.5mm jack can handle without any extra amp. NUBWO describes the tuning as hi-fi stereo — crisp positional audio for spotting enemies, plus enough body for music and movie soundscapes. The oval earcups are plastic, which keeps the weight down, and the whole thing comes in at 250g. That's light enough that a long film or an all-night session won't feel like a neck workout.
The mic is the standout spec on paper. It's a cardioid, unidirectional design with a 120° pickup angle aimed at the front, which is exactly the pattern you want for filtering noise from the sides and behind you — keyboard clatter, a fan, a TV in the corner. For in-game chat that's a meaningful difference from an omnidirectional mic. NUBWO also points out an ergonomic layout for the mute button and volume wheel, positioned so you can find them by touch without looking away from the screen. Small thing, but it's the kind of detail that separates a headset you keep using from one you stop using.
Comfort and durability get real attention too. The memory foam padding and breathable leather are designed for full ear coverage, and NUBWO claims the earcups last over two years — longer than typical. Rotatable earcups adapt to different head shapes, improve isolation, and let you swing one side off your ear for a quick in-person conversation. The foldable design cuts the size by 30–50% for storage and travel. The cable is braided, 1.5m long, and built to resist tangling and stretching, which gives you room to move at a desk without yanking the controller.
Who should buy it? PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Switch players who want one wired headset for gaming, calls and work, plus anyone who wants a foldable set for travel. Who should skip it? People who need wireless or active noise cancellation — there is none here, and the connection is wired 3.5mm only. If your PC has separate audio and mic jacks, you'll need a splitter that isn't included, and Xbox-on-PC users have to enable mic settings on the PC first. There's a 1-year warranty, which is worth knowing.
• Best for reviving a headset you already own → SOULWIT Earpads. If you have a Pulse 3D, this is the cheaper path to better comfort and a proper seal.
• Best for a complete, plug-and-play setup → NUBWO HG04L. Headset, mic and cable in one box, ready for PS5 out of the 3.5mm jack.
• Best for voice chat and in-game calls → NUBWO HG04L. The cardioid unidirectional mic with a 120° pickup angle is purpose-built for that.
• Best for TV watching and movie marathons on a Pulse 3D → SOULWIT Earpads. High-density foam and protein leather seal around your ears, which is what keeps dialogue clear and bass intact.
• Best for cross-platform use → NUBWO HG04L. It's listed for PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Switch; the SOULWIT pads are PS5 Pulse 3D only.
• Best for travel and storage → NUBWO HG04L. Foldable, rotatable, and it shrinks 30–50%.
• Best for light, long-wear comfort → NUBWO HG04L. 250g with memory foam and breathable leather, versus adding foam to a headset you already own.
• Best if you need wireless or active noise cancellation → neither, as listed. The HG04L is wired with no noise control, and the SOULWIT pads are a passive part.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the NUBWO HG04L. It's the more complete product: a 40mm driver headset with a genuinely well-designed cardioid mic, a 250g frame built for long wear, and a braided 1.5m cable that works across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Switch. For for tv watching and gaming in one seat, that flexibility is hard to beat. I'd only go with the SOULWIT Earpads if I already owned a Pulse 3D and just needed to fix the pads — in that case it's the smarter, more targeted fix, and it keeps a headset you like out of the drawer. Whichever fits your situation, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
how to connect headphones for ps5
The NUBWO HG04L connects over a wired 3.5mm jack, so you plug it straight into the PS5 controller and it works without any pairing. There's no Bluetooth or wireless mode on this model, so the cable is the connection. If your PC has separate audio and mic jacks, you'll need a 3.5mm splitter, which isn't included.
how to use headphones for ps5
Plug the headset into the controller's 3.5mm port, then use the PS5's audio settings to route game and chat sound to the headset. The HG04L gives you an inline volume wheel and mute button so you can adjust on the fly. With the SOULWIT Earpads, nothing changes on the connection side — you're simply replacing the pads on a Pulse 3D you already own.
how to use bluetooth headphones for ps5
Neither product here is Bluetooth. The NUBWO HG04L is a wired 3.5mm headset, and the SOULWIT Earpads are a replacement part for the Pulse 3D, which uses its own wireless connection to the console. If Bluetooth is a must-have, neither of these is the right fit.
how to headphones ps5
Start with what you already own. If you have a Pulse 3D with worn pads, the SOULWIT Earpads restore the seal and comfort for TV and movies. If you need a headset, mic and cable in one, the NUBWO HG04L covers PS5 and other platforms via 3.5mm.
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