PowerA LucidSound LS500 review: a no-frills headset that punches above its price

PowerA's LucidSound LS500 — the PlayStation version reviewed here as the LS500/P — is a wireless gaming headset priced at $70 USD ($100 AUD) that strips away extras like active noise cancellation to focus on the basics. The result is a surprisingly capable pair of cans that holds its own well below the $100 mark.

At 261 grams, the LS500 is noticeably light, thanks to a plastic build that feels a little budget but keeps fatigue low during long sessions. The mesh headband helps, and the headset includes glasses slots — a small but appreciated detail for spectacle wearers. Battery life is rated at up to 70 hours, and after many tens of hours of testing the reviewer still hadn't needed to charge it. Connectivity runs through a dual-headed USB dongle (Type-A and Type-C) operating at 2.4 GHz, with Bluetooth as a secondary option — though you can't run both simultaneously, and the boom mic only works over the 2.4 GHz dongle connection, not Bluetooth. The flip-to-mute boom mic delivers solid voice pickup and decent isolation; mic monitoring is present but reportedly unreliable in practice.

Sound quality is where the LS500 genuinely impresses for the price. The 50mm drivers handled open-world ambience in Ghost of Yotei and directional audio in Hades 2 well enough that the reviewer was navigating by sound alone. At this tier, headsets often sacrifice audio fidelity to hit the price point, so getting convincing directionality and immersive soundscapes is a real win. PowerA acquired the LucidSound brand and has continued positioning it as a value-focused wireless line competing with the likes of Turtle Beach and Razer in the budget-to-mid segment.

The LS500 is a clear recommendation for budget-conscious players who want wireless freedom and decent audio without paying for features they'll rarely use. Anyone chasing full-featured flagships with simultaneous dual-connection or active noise cancellation will need to look elsewhere and spend considerably more.