Bluetooth headsets are convenient for everyday listening but can hinder gaming because their audio delay may make important sound cues arrive too late. The article argues that this matters most in fast-paced, competitive and rhythm games, where milliseconds can affect reactions, while wired and 2.4GHz wireless options are generally more dependable.

Standard Bluetooth can add roughly 200 milliseconds of latency, although this varies by device and codec, and using its microphone can reduce audio quality during voice chat. Dedicated 2.4GHz gaming headsets typically achieve under 20ms latency via a USB dongle, but cost more and may require console-specific compatibility; wired headsets remain the lowest-latency, often cheaper alternative. PS5 users also cannot use native Bluetooth audio without workarounds.