Can the PSVR 2 cable be extended?
PSVR 2 is a wired headset, but don't let that one cable pull you back
After spotting Sony’s next-gen VR headset for the first time, you might well ask yourself: ‘Is PSVR 2 wireless?’. Disappointingly, the answer is no. While the PSVR 2 specs are impressively advanced, the long, dangling wire at the headset’s rear is definitely a mark against it.
The PSVR 2 can only be used when it’s wired up to a PS5. Thankfully, only one USB-C cable is required, rather than the tangle of wires the original PSVR needed. Even so, it’s a restrictive design, and the 4.5-meter cable that comes packaged with the headset might not be long enough if you want to give your legs a workout in a large room.
The solution is a simple one: buy an extension cable. Plenty of online retailers and electronics stores stock USB-C extension cables, and they’re usually pretty cheap. In fact, it's one of the best PSVR 2 accessories you can buy.
When you’re looking around, make sure to get one that supports a high data transfer speed. You can judge a cable’s rating just by the version of USB it uses:
USB 3.1 – 10 Gbps
USB 3.2 Gen 1 – 5 Gbps
USB 3.2 Gen 2 – 10 Gbps
USB 3.2 Gen 3 – 20 Gbps
Anything lower than USB 3.1 is likely too slow for VR purposes, and while USB 4.0 does offer transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, that kind of headroom is redundant (and pricey).
Of course, you should also pay attention to the length of the cable. Make sure it provides enough extension but also isn’t overly long. Coils of USB cables look ugly sitting in the corner of your living room and threaten to trip you up when you’re in the virtual world.
Check out a whole batch of suitable cables below:
Weighing up the PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2, it’s clear that one of the main advantages of Meta’s flagship headset is its fully wireless connectivity. Extending the PSVR 2’s USB cable goes some way to alleviating its biggest drawback, and with time, the feeling of a wire hanging across your back won’t be so jarring to pull you out of the immersive experience.
Plus, the cost of picking up an extension cable really is negligible next to the full PSVR 2 price. Don’t let a short cable color your decision of whether PSVR 2 is worth it.
Updated: March 2017, 2023