Hands-On: Testing All 5 of Sony’s New PC Gaming Peripherals
▼ Summary
– Sony has launched new InZone PC gaming accessories, including headsets, a keyboard, a mouse, and mousepads, developed with esports organization Fnatic and available for preorder.
– The InZone H9 II headset is a $349.99 successor to the 2022 H9, featuring a lighter design, improved comfort, and high-quality audio with active noise cancellation and Bluetooth LE support.
– The InZone E9 are $149.99 wired in-ear monitors tuned for FPS games with accurate sound for locating in-game cues, though they are described as boring for non-gaming use.
– The InZone KBD-H75 keyboard costs $299.99 and uses Hall effect switches with customizable actuation points, but lacks wireless support and faces competition from cheaper alternatives.
– The InZone Mouse-A is a $149.99 lightweight wireless mouse with optical switches, while the new mousepads (Mat-F and Mat-D) cater to different gaming styles with varying friction levels.
Sony has officially entered the competitive PC gaming peripheral market with a full suite of high-end gear under its InZone brand. Developed in collaboration with esports organization Fnatic, the new lineup includes two headsets, a gaming keyboard, a wireless mouse, and a pair of specialized mousepads. While the brand recognition is undeniable, each product carries a premium price tag that places it firmly in the enthusiast category, raising questions about value in a crowded field dominated by established players.
Swapping out my everyday setup for Sony’s new offerings felt like stepping onto a sponsored esports stage. The experience was immersive, though not always comfortable or convincing from a cost perspective.
The InZone H9 II stands out as the clear star of the collection. Priced at $349.99, it’s a refined, lighter successor to the earlier H9 model. Its clever pinch-to-adjust headband mechanism makes finding the perfect fit effortless, and the suspended design feels remarkably light during long sessions. Audio performance is outstanding, leveraging the same 30mm drivers found in Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones. The active noise cancellation is top-tier, and features like dual wireless connectivity, Bluetooth LE Audio, and a removable boom mic make it incredibly versatile across devices and environments.
For those preferring in-ear monitors, the wired InZone E9 offers focused, accurate sound tuned for competitive FPS play. At $149.99, they provide solid noise isolation and come with a practical carrying case. However, their flat, reference-style tuning makes them less engaging for music or media compared to more musical, and often cheaper, IEM alternatives available online.
Sony’s first foray into gaming keyboards, the InZone KBD-H75, is a wired, milled-aluminum board with Hall effect magnetic switches. Typing feels smooth and surprisingly quiet, though the light actuation led to frequent typos until I adjusted the customizable actuation points. While the build is premium, its $299.99 price is hard to justify when competing boards offer wireless connectivity, hot-swappable switches, and similar performance for less. The heavily marketed 8,000Hz polling rate also feels more like a spec sheet boast than a practical advantage for most players.
The InZone Mouse-A is an ultra-lightweight wireless mouse weighing just 48 grams. Its minimalist design and comfortable shape make it easy to recommend for small to medium hands, though the $149.99 price is steep. It uses optical switches for fast response and includes a subtle honeycomb pattern that reveals a slick purple PCB underneath. Sony also introduced two mousepads: the Mat-F for control and the Mat-D for speed, catering to different playstyles.
While the H9 II headset is genuinely impressive, the rest of the lineup struggles to justify its cost in a market filled with proven alternatives. Sony’s InZone series makes a strong first impression with premium materials and thoughtful design, but it will need more than a famous name to win over skeptical gamers.
(Source: The Verge)
