The Best Turtle Beach Headsets in 2024

Turtle Beach has a storied history in the PC audio world, starting in the mid-1970s as a software developer for editing musical recordings. The company would become one of the most popular manufacturers of sound cards before concentrating on developing headsets in 2005. Today, Turtle Beach is a dominant force in the gaming headset arena, producing numerous devices praised for their rich soundscapes, microphone quality, and ease of connectivity.

How to Decide on a Turtle Beach Gaming Headset

• Build Quality: Turtle Beach designs several affordable gaming headsets consisting of mostly plastic parts. While these budget peripherals have surprisingly convincing sound and microphone quality, they may not endure the most rigorous gaming action. Thankfully, Turtle Beach also sells much more expensive headsets built with sturdy materials like aluminum and steel.
• Comfort: The headsets created by Turtle Beach employ a variety of materials in their earpads and headbands. Some fabrics are softer, more breathable, and excel at noise isolation.
• Platform: Another admirable characteristic of Turtle Beach headsets is their widespread compatibility with all gaming consoles and PCs. Nevertheless, the company often makes many different versions of the same model with various colors and minor differences in features.
• Wired vs. Wireless: Like all major gaming headset manufacturers, Turtle Beach customers have a choice between wired and wireless devices. Wired headsets sidestep any battery life concerns, while cord-free alternatives allow total freedom around gaming desks.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Turtle Beach Gaming Headsets in 2024

Like the Turtle Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max also makes some significant improvements on its predecessor. Battery life is now stellar at 40 hours, and wireless connectivity to Xbox and PlayStation consoles has improved. The 700 Gen 2 Max should tempt gamers looking for a durable multi-platform gaming headset. Still, many buyers may wonder whether the higher price is justified over the more affordable Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max.

The Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is bulkier than the 600 Gen 2 Max, and as a result, it weighs a more significant 381 grams. However, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is also better built, with some metal pieces reinforcing the adjustment points on the headband. Even so, quite a bit of plastic is used in the rest of the device compared to premium headsets like the Stealth Pro. The earcups sport a soft, luxurious feeling pleather, which is also effective at rejecting background noise.

50 mm Nanoclear drivers are responsible for the rich and balanced soundscape of the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max. The improved noise isolation makes surround sound more immersive, and Aerofit cooling gel in the earcups leads to a more comfortable listening experience. The flip-to-mute mic is convenient to adjust for single-player action and also offers class-leading voice clarity.

As the overall best Turtle Beach headset, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has ample battery life, widespread wireless connectivity, and a high-quality microphone.

The Turtle Beach Recon 50 is an extremely affordable wired gaming headset compatible with PCs or console controllers. Among the top-budget headsets, the Recon 50 differentiates itself with a mix of comfort, sound quality, and a surprisingly accurate microphone.

Clocking in at only 209 grams, the Recon 50 is one of the lightest gaming headsets on the market. As expected, its build quality is predominantly plastic, but there is ample adjustability with the headset’s swiveling earcups. While the earcups can also slide up and down below the headband, larger heads may still struggle to find a comfortable fit. Synthetic leather lines the set of cans, and foam cushioning make the Recon 50 a decent option for longer gaming sessions.

If a buyer intends to use a headset more than their PC speakers, it’s worth saving money for gear with better build quality and improved sound. Otherwise, the Recon’s crisp microphone quality and widespread connectivity make it ideal for gamers who have already invested too much money in their setup.

If a gamer’s budget is stuck between the Stealth Pro and budget alternatives, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max is a more than sensible solution. Evolving from the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2, the Max version addresses some of the shortcomings of its popular predecessor. The hallmarks of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max are exceptional battery life and hassle-free wireless connectivity to nearly every console.

It’s common for wireless headsets to only work with certain consoles, forcing buyers to purchase different versions for their multiple systems. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max solves that dilemma with a low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless USB dongle. The adapter seamlessly pairs with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles and is also a capable PC headset. While the wireless headset is officially licensed for Xbox use, the peripheral becomes compatible with other platforms with a flip of a switch on the adapter. Sadly, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max doesn’t include an analog audio connection for wired use.

Despite no wired option and a snug form factor, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max is the best Turtle Beach Headset in the mid-range sector. Battery life ranks well above similarly priced alternatives, and the headset can connect to virtually any gaming console or PC wirelessly.

The Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 is not an ordinary wired headset, largely because of the included SuperAmp. Although gamers will use the headset with cords in most instances, this accessory is Bluetooth-compatible and accepts connections through USB and optical audio. Boasting a durable industrial-grade construction, the Elite Pro 2 suits buyers looking for versatile connectivity with the reliability of a wired connection.

Justifying its considerable asking price, the Elite Pro 2 relies on abundant metal parts, including above its suspension headband. As a result, the headset will fit comfortably on most heads while surviving some drops and collisions on gaming desks. The Aerofit cushions are a compromise between luxury and heat absorption, with cooling gel beneath their slightly coarse surface. Many listeners will also welcome the same glasses-friendly construction of the pads as the Recon Spark.

The Elite Pro 2 would be a rather ordinary headset without the SuperAmp in action. Buyers can use the headset with just an analog audio cable, but connecting it to the SuperAmp unlocks some powerful customization. Unfortunately, adjusting the sound mix requires a mobile app, which tends to lose connection with the headset. PS5 gamers should also remember that for the best experience, they must use a TV’s optical audio output or an HDMI converter to control chat volume.

Sound quality doesn’t disappoint with the Elite Pro 2, with bass that loudly thumps. Mid and high tones also seem convincing, amplified by the headset’s support for DTS Headphone: X surround sound, which produces a more immersive listening experience. The Elite Pro 2 also showcases Turtle Beach’s Superhuman Hearing, intelligently boosting sound effects that become muddled on lower-end headsets.

The Elite Pro 2 earns its status as one of the best Turtle Beach headset contenders with top-tier build quality and unusually flexible wired connectivity.

Until the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro arrived, the manufacturer had no answer to the highest-end wireless gaming headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. The Stealth Pro combines the best qualities of the most feature-packed headsets while setting some new high marks for performance. There are two versions of the headset for PlayStation and Xbox gamers, with PC users able to enjoy the capabilities of the Stealth Pro with either variety.

Where the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro really shines is with its active noise cancellation abilities. ANC is typically found on only the most expensive headsets, like its Arctis Nova Pro rival. The technology nullifies distracting background noises by monitoring environments with small mics and producing finely tuned electronic pulses of sound. Turtle Beach’s headset reduces unwanted sounds by as much as 25 decibels, which eclipses the noise cancellation levels of the Arctis Nova Pro. Listeners can adjust how much background noise can penetrate the earcups of the Stealth Pro with sliders in the Turtle Beach Audio Hub. The S.M.A.R.T Noise-Cancelling TruSpeak external boom mic also does an excellent job filtering out everything except the voices of chatters during multiplayer action.

As one of the most innovative Turtle Beach peripherals, the Stealth Pro is the obvious choice for the best Turtle Beach headset in the high-end category. Even if the headband could use more flexibility and its battery life trails the capabilities of other wireless contenders, the Stealth Pro outputs exceptional sound quality in even the most chaotic settings. For more on what makes this headset so unique, read Game Rant’s comprehensive review of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro.

The Turtle Beach lineup is crowded with reasonably priced wired gaming headsets, so standing out is not easy for the Recon Spark. However, beyond its unusual purple and white color scheme, there are a few key differences between the Recon Spark and Recon 50. The Recon Spark is very well-built for its asking price and provides the reliable performance of a quality wired headset.

Metal parts can be difficult to find in cheaper gaming gear, but Turtle Beach has reinforced the Recon Spark’s band with more durable materials. This adds to the headset’s weight but enables it to withstand abuse better than the Recon 50. Otherwise, buyers will find the same memory foam earcups in competing headsets. One design choice of note is that the cushions are softer in the middle section, which benefits glass wearers.

The 40 mm Neodymium drivers in the Recon Spark are quite punchy, even if they slightly overemphasize bass tones. When connected to a PC or Xbox with a 3.5 mm analog audio cable, gamers can also take advantage of Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. As a native stereo headset, the Spark will also work with Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio. Microphones are a strong point on even budget Turtle Beach gaming headsets, and the flip-to-mute mic attached to the Recon Spark is no exception. Some gamers find they speak at lower-than-expected volumes to other chatters, but the mic reproduces voices accurately nonetheless.

An integrated cord that’s not the most flexible and a lack of color choices are the only two knocks against the Recon Spark. Turtle Beach has made some minor but noteworthy revisions to its other budget headsets, resulting in a top-flight wired contender.

The Turtle Beach Recon 70X is the clear choice for the best Turtle Beach headset for Xbox gamers. This wired headset is very popular, especially among Xbox fans, because of its compact design and green and black color scheme. Turtle Beach also makes versions of the Recon 70 for other consoles, but they all connect to controllers and PCs via a 3.5 mm analog audio cable.

Even though the Turtle Beach Recon 70X is a legitimate budget headset, it does offer a significant step up in comfort from the Recon 50. Gamers will find that the synthetic leather material on the earpads feels more supple and forms a tighter grip on earlobes for improved noise isolation. Bass tones are once again a highlight, and overall, the Recon 70X sounds more dynamic than other cheap competitors. For a small investment, the Recon 70X does an admirable job supporting surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio, which enhances the sound of even the most basic stereo headsets.

Surprisingly, contrary to the Recon 50, the Turtle Beach Recon 70X does not feature a detachable microphone. Fortunately, the high-sensitivity mic still flips up to mute, and the recording quality is more than acceptable for introductory streaming gear. The four-foot cord attached to the Recon 70X will come up short for some gamers looking to use the headset with more than just console controllers. Also, when on full blast, the low, mid, and high tones tend to become muddled, making the lack of companion software to adjust settings disappointing.

With significant clamping force, the Turtle Beach Recon 70X fit is still somewhat confining on larger heads. Nevertheless, its improved earpads and noise isolation alone are reasons to consider spending more on the Recon 70X over the slightly cheaper Recon 50.

Finding a compatible wireless headset for PlayStation consoles can be a frustrating process. One of the best ways to overcome problems with wireless pairing is with a wired headset connected to a PS4 or PS5 controller. The Turtle Beach Recon 500 features improved audio quality compared to cheaper headsets like the Recon 50, and more sophisticated styling.

As opposed to the vibrant colors of many console-specific headsets, the Recon 500 sports the black and silver design of the Stealth Pro. The ear cushions on the Recon 500 are lined with a weave fabric, which helps to avoid body heat buildup. Underneath this fabric is plush memory foam, and when combined with forgiving clamping force, the Recon 500 remains a pleasure to wear for hours of gaming.

Along with a more professional look, the 60 mm drivers output a balanced soundscape that resists exaggerating bass levels. Wood pulp outside the drivers facilitates a more natural sound. Consequently, the Recon 500 is a great candidate for music and movie watching during breaks from console gaming.

Following a theme of simplicity, the Recon 500 is also a very straightforward headset to operate. Physical controls are minimal, which comes at the expense of a slider for chat volume. Nevertheless, PlayStation gamers will enjoy a more than functional headset, which includes some eerily realistic spatial audio through Sony’s Tempest 3D. With the Recon 500, listeners can identify subtle background sounds more clearly than competing headsets in this price range.

A detachable noise-cancelling mic makes the reasonably lightweight Recon 500 more portable. Still, once attached to the device, the mic is not the most adjustable, so gamers may struggle to find the sweet spot for the most effective communication.

A few drawbacks don’t diminish this wired headset’s robust and accurate sound. Despite limited buttons and a fairly stationary mic, the Recon 500 is worth upgrading from a budget PlayStation headset.

When away from home without an available headset, the solution is often a cheap pair of wired gaming earbuds. Unfortunately, most of these earbuds lack features to make them practical for gaming, which is where the Turtle Beach Battle Buds come into focus. The Battle Buds have a distinctive triangular shield with the Turtle Beach logo on their surfaces. Connecting with a typical 3.5 mm analog audio cable, the Battle Buds are compatible with any gaming controller, mobile device, or PC with the appropriate audio jack.

The Turtle Beach Battle Buds won’t rattle eardrums with excessive bass as, like most earbuds, they excel at sharper, higher tones. Budget headsets outclass the overall sound, but portability is what attracts buyers to the Battle Buds. To address the problem of inexpensive earbuds having terrible built-in mics, Turtle Beach has designed an external boom mic that can snap into the side of one of the buds. Undoubtedly, gamers are better off with this portable boom mic than an internal mic, but it’s so sensitive that it’s likely to pick up on background noises in crowded environments.

With a fairly unbalanced sound, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds fall short of more expensive wireless earbuds like the Razer Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed. Nevertheless, they are a reasonable solution for gamers on the go who don’t want to risk misplacing costly gaming gear.

How to Find Headset Paradise with Turtle Beach

With their decades of proven excellence in sound equipment, a gamer can hardly go wrong when buying a Turtle Beach gaming headset. Even so, the manufacturer’s inventory appeals to gamers with very different expectations and budgets. To avoid disappointment, remember to consider these qualities:

Build Quality

Without a doubt, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is the company’s most well-built gaming headset to date. At 421 grams, it’s not particularly lightweight, but a healthy amount of aluminum used in its construction allows it to withstand the rigors of extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the affordable Recon 50 is extremely compact at 363 grams, but is unlikely to outlast more expensive options because of its uniformly plastic frame.

Comfort

Much to the dismay of speakers, headsets have become the default choice of audio gear for many gamers. With ears pressed against earpads and headbands clamping on heads for long hours, a lack of comfort can spell doom for any headset. The Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max is one of the most luxurious feeling peripherals made by Turtle Beach, benefiting from Aerofit cooling gel in its ear cushions and extra padding in its headband.

Even budget Turtle Beach gaming headsets can have some advantages in comfort, like the Recon Spark with its glasses-friendly earcups.

Platform

When it comes to finding a single headset that can connect to every gaming console and PC, a wired device like the Turtle Beach Recon 70X is an outstanding candidate. Even with a rather short 4-foot cord, the Recon 70X will work with PlayStation and Xbox consoles or any source with an analog audio jack.

Turtle Beach also manufactures wireless gaming headsets that can pair with nearly every gaming system thanks to a versatile USB dongle or Bluetooth. Once again, the Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max rises to the occasion with dual wireless connectivity, allowing simultaneous audio from PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.

Wired vs. Wireless

The budget-friendly Turtle Beach Recon 50 uses the manufacturer’s most time-tested headset designs and provides the stability of a wired connection. Corded headsets are often surprisingly versatile, with the Elite Pro 2 benefiting from a bundled SuperAmp. This accessory not only enables Bluetooth connectivity with mobile devices but also includes USB and optical audio ports.

On the other hand, the low-latency wireless Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max does what few competitors can do at its mid-range price point. Gamers won’t have to purchase several different versions of the headset since its USB dongle has a switch to maximize its compatibility. Also, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 Max’s 48-hour battery life will never leave multiplayer gamers unable to communicate at critical gameplay moments.

Whichever Turtle Beach gaming headset buyers purchase, they will have the confidence of gaming with audio gear from one of the most reliable manufacturers.

FAQ

Q: What makes Turtle Beach different from other gaming headset manufacturers?

Turtle Beach has experience in the PC audio industry that predates the explosion of gaming-specific gear. The company has implemented its vast knowledge of how to produce a balanced soundscape and accurately record audio with its numerous gaming headsets.

Q: What’s the average budget for a gaming headset?

The budget for a gaming headset can vary wildly depending on multiple factors. Make, build, brand, RGB, and compatibility all can affect the price of a headset. The lower range can be anywhere from $20-$30, while high-end gaming gear headsets can cost anywhere up to $200-350.

Q: Which is better, wired or wireless gaming headsets?

Depending on the quality of the individual headset, one may be better than the other. However, most of the time, the difference between a wireless and wired headset is indistinguishable. While the answer may have been wired over wireless in the past, technology has improved in the last several years, making wireless and wired more comparable in the modern gaming scene.