In 2023 , Sony released two twain of competiting earbuds , within just two months of each other . It ’s a rather odd situation brought about by the PC - focused Inzone peripheral cooking stove and PlayStation ’s own Pulse set of headsets . We ’ve fully reviewed thePulse Exploreand theInzone Buds . Here ’s how they compare .
When it was announced that Sony was going to be take a leak a retinue of new accoutrement , it was rather surprising that it was n’t being done under the PlayStation banner . However , it became empty the new Inzone range had the bearing of capturing some of the PC peripheral market too , with its headsets and monitor lizard .
But , it immediately became exculpated that Inzone products also mold quite well with thePS5 , even if they lack the odd PS - favorable feature of speech . As such , they queerly furnish competition to Sony PlayStation ’s own Pulse mountain range of headsets . The Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore and Sony Inzone Buds are the newest gambling earbuds from both ranges and , after extensive testing in our reviews , we ’ve picked out all the key differences .
Price and Availability
Both the Sony PlayStation Pulse Explore and the Sony Inzone Buds are available now , with the latter launching December 6th 2023 and the former hitting the shelf early on October 15th 2023 .
Comparing the toll of these two product is elaborate by differing cost depend on the part . The Inzone Buds are the tacky set of earbuds in the UK , coming in at £ 179.99/$199.99 . But , the price is the same in the US , with the PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds will be you £ 199.99/$199.99 .
Design and Features
Despite , ultimately , coming from the same brand , these Sony earbuds look radically unlike . The Pulse Explore have a more unparalleled look that correspond in more with the PS5 pattern aesthetical while the Inzone Buds have more in common with the Sony WF range of a function of audiophile earbuds .
In our follow-up , there was a clear winner in terms of a prosperous convulsion , with our referee Chris Smith come to to the Pulse Explore to them as “ sticky ” but also elucidate they do experience strong . By comparison , reviewer Reece Bithrey stated the Inzone Buds and its more traditional conniption are “ comfortable ” .
Both sets of earbuds offer connectivity through Bluetooth or an include dongle . The departure here is that the Sony Inzone Buds feature a standard 2.4GHz USB - A dongle and Bluetooth connectivity . The Pulse Explore come with Sony ’s newPlayStation Linkdongle and Bluetooth . As such , both figure out well with the PS5 and PCs . Unfortunately , we discover Bluetooth on both earbuds to come with some occassional connectivity choppiness but thankfully they offer the dongle for improved connections .
Now , it really is n’t the dongle that ’s significant here , but that it demonstrates the Pulse Explore feature the PlayStation Link technology , meaning it can work seamlessly ( without a dongle ) with thePlayStation Portalif you ’ve got one . The Inzone Buds will not .
One openhanded feature film that come with the Inzone Buds but the Pulse Explore misses out on , and its rather shocking given they have such similar price tag , and that ’s active noise cancellation . The Inzone Buds feature splendid ANC , serve you to block out the rest of your environment while gaming or the world around you should you select to utilize these aside from your video secret plan academic term too . The PlayStation buds offer no haphazardness cancel whatsoever .
Then , there ’s the battery animation . It ’s another wins for the Inzone Buds , provide up to 12 hour from a single courser on the earbuds . The Pulse Explore fall well short at around 7 hours .
Audio and Microphone
There may be quite a disaparity between these two sets of earbuds when it comes to design and feature but that does n’t transplant over quite as much to the strait and mic . Both of these earbuds provide satisfying 3D Audio / Spatial Audio capableness for proffer immersive audio in biz and provide impressive audio quality overall . These are both bully gaming earbuds for games .
However , both flush it to offer the palmy basso you may get from larger band of headphones , likely down to their small conformation factor , meaning they are n’t as satisying for medicine habit .
Both of our reviewers found the mike to perform well . Sony touter AI - powered “ randomness rejection ” for the Pulse Explore and the Inzone Buds , with our tester reporting crisp and clear pick up .
Verdict
We gave both the PlayStation Pulse Explore and Sony Inzone Buds 4 - hotshot reviews but , when getting grainy , it seems absolved that the latter is the better option for the monetary value . The Inzone Buds especially glint in the UK where they are useable for a dispirited cost .
It ’s quite astonishingly that the Pulse Explore lack a modern feature like ANC despite the high price , particularly when the Inzone Buds benefit from it so much . However , the Inzone Buds may be a better all - libertine , but the Pulse Explore may still be for you if you ’re a PlayStation Portal proprietor .
