Turtle Beach has a weird reputation amongst my peers.

Whenever the brand is brought up in conversation, it's often followed up with stories reminiscing about how "Turtle Beach headsets are cheap", but I don't think those people have touched a Turtle Beach headset since they were teenagers. For the sake of not troubling the waters of friendship, I usually just smile and nod whenever I hear those remarks, rather than spew the usual neurodivergent-fueled rhetoric that I've tested plenty of Turtle Beach-branded cups and had a pretty great time with them.

Now I have the Stealth Pro II to bring up as a straightforward example that the brand's quality is almost on par with some of the best gaming headsets on the market today.

Key specs

Design

The Stealth Pro II is one of those headsets that doesn't stand out too much against a sea of similarly looking black pairs, but it doesn't look horrendous either. On close inspection, there are some sleek design choices, like the recessed curves and metal earcups, that give it a more "premium" aesthetic. Ideally, for a pair that's $349.99 / £299.99, those premium vibes are exactly what you want.

The Pro II has the same headband as the brand's Atlas 200, which includes two plastic pieces connected via a swatch of stretched mesh fabric. The fabric underhangs below the headband, and it's this that sits across your noggin' while you're playing your favorite games. The pair's yokes are pretty unique and connect to the earcups via a simple S-shape design, which can then be adjusted by just pulling down and away from the headband.

Talking of the earcups, this pair went the oval route for its earcushions instead of opting for circular ones that you can spot on the older Stealth Pro. These oval-shaped earcushions are made from plush memory foam, which is coated in a breathable black fabric, and are attached to rounded cups, which are cluttered with on-board controls.

The best design element of this pair comes down to that Charging Dock. Rather than including a large Game Hub like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, Turtle Beach included a small cylindrical pad that looks like someone sliced the bottom off a Pringles tube.

It doesn't include all the bells and whistles that come with SteelSeries' charging gadget (more on that in a bit), but it requires far less desk real estate - a plus if you're like me and have plenty of figures and merch that have a home amongst your PC setup.

Features

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset is decked out with Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, a 9mm flip-to-mute microphone, ANC, and 60mm Eclipse Dual audio drivers, but the real meat of the pair for me comes down to that Charging Dock. It doesn't just charge spare batteries, but it doubles up as a wireless receiver. While the headset includes a 2.4 wireless dongle within its accompanying hard case, you can simply plug the Charging Dock into your PC to have a low-latency wireless experience.

The accessory also includes a button that pops batteries out for easy access. This was a major draw for me, as I have joint issues in my hands as a result of a chronic illness. Having fiddly controls in tech can be a literally painful experience, but this simple button makes swapping the batteries a breeze. Each battery has an up to 80-hour battery life, so I never needed to do that too often, if I'm honest. Alas, the accessibility remains a huge bonus.

The battery can be swapped for the one sitting by default in the left earcup. If that battery tech sounds awfully familiar to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, that's not just where the similarities end. While SteelSeries provides the ability to hook up to multiple platforms at once via its GameHub device, the Stealth Pro II is equipped with Crossplay 2.0 and can achieve console switching whether or not the consoles in question are in the same room.

It doesn't have an integrated screen that allows you to adjust volume and EQ settings, so it's not as bursting at the seams with integration as the Game Hub. However, with Crossplay 2.0, one device (like your gaming PC) can be hooked up to the Charging Dock receiver, and your PS5 in another room can be attached to the 2.4GHz wireless dongle. From then on, all you need to do is press the Crossplay button on the headset to switch between platforms. Turtle Beach actually boasts that you can wirelessly connect to "up to 4 Audio Sources" at a time, but there's a little bit of a catch.

If you want to be able to switch between up to 4 gaming platforms at a time, you'll need to purchase additional wireless dongles, which cost $34.99 ( Turtle Beach) / £29.99 (Turtle Beach) each. As of writing this review, the Xbox model USB Wireless Transmitter (which would be the one I'd need as I was given the Xbox model to review) is currently out of stock, so you'll have to take availability into account too.

Performance

Testing the Stealth Pro II was a more streamlined experience with the brand's Crossplay 2.0 tech, at least, as I was able to leave the Charging Dock transmitter on my PC desk while having the 2.4GHz dongle plugged into my chonky ol' PS5. So often when I'm testing headsets that are built around multi-platform support, I have to pick up and move around gadgets from room to room, but Turtle Beach made facilitating my detached PC and console setup more straightforward.

To begin with, I donned the pair when playing my PS5 as I was still taking my time with Lego Batman Legacy of the Dark Knight. The brick-built version of Gotham is surprisingly atmospheric, and on its default settings, I was able to hear the stud-laden streets come to life. Dialogue had a slight echo, which was not to my preference, but I was still able to hear Robin's incredible (and not at all cringeworthy) quips crystal clear.

There's not a whole lot of music in the game, which is why I'm glad that Deltarune Chapter 5 happened to drop during my time with the headset. I'm a huge fan of Deltarune, especially when it comes to the game's music. Toby Fox's works are hugely inspirational to me, so I put a lot of onus onto the headset that I use to hear the latest tracks for the first time, and the Stealth Pro II didn't disappoint. Mastering the new platforming mechanics as Fox's 'Sunset of the Seven Suns' played in the background was a memorable experience. The moment the full percussion kicked in, it felt almost euphoric as the Stealth Pro II had the power to level out the game's soundstage and help bring Chapter 5's new Dark World to life.

It sounded even better once I had the Turtle Beach Swarm II app at my disposal. The headset supports dual audio, so I was able to have it connected to both the PS5 and my phone at the same time. On the app, I selected the 'Bass and Treble Boost' audio preset to give it more of a kick, and it added even more vibrancy to the underlying bass of the track. I kept this preset toggled on when switching to PC, and it helped boost the score to everything I threw its way, from Marvel Rivals, Mina the Hollower, and even the dramatic sounds of Peak. The app's audio settings are one of the reasons I know I'm going to resort back to this headset time and time again, as you can actually update the firmware wirelessly through it - no wires required.

So often there have been moments where I've had to update the firmware on a headset or a piece of tech, and it's required me to have multiple cables attached to my PC, despite how limited my desktop is when it comes to ports. Turtle Beach must've known of my frustrations, as so long as it was hooked up to my phone, the app did the job on its own.

In fact, the app was even better in my experience than the official Swarm II software. When trying to do a firmware update on the PC, it kept refusing to show any progress on updating the Charging Dock transmitter. I tried multiple times and reset my PC, only to resort to updating both through my phone, where it did it the first time. This is one of the rare occasions where I don't mind having a headset app taking up the valuable storage space on my Samsung S26.

On this very app, you can also adjust your microphone settings, selecting between audio presets and toggling the AI Noise Reduction setting on and off. This was pretty useful when it came to testing the mic out while playing games like Peak and Meccha Chameleon with my partner. I didn't have to switch between windows when my phone had all the same settings, which resulted in a less intrusive experience.

I've provided a little sample of the microphone above, so you can hear for yourself. There are some plosives, but I did not have the 'Noise Gate' setting turned on when recording this sample. Through my own experience of many hours playing Peak, Marvel Rivals and just chatting to my partner through Discord, this was far less noticable with the setting on. Additionally, you can actually turn down the sensitivity of the microphone through the Swarm II app, which can also lessen the harshness of certain sounds.

Yet overall, this microphone is pretty impressive. My only issue is, is that it adds an extra bit of weight to the wireless headset. The pair is 393g with the microphone attached, and 382g without, and even that small difference is noticeable as I found the Stealth Pro II got a little sore pretty fast. I believe it's not just the weight that's at fault but a combination of it and the design of the headband, as the fabric mesh didn't do enough to suspend the plastic band above my head.

Should you buy the Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset?

As much as I herald the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni as the best headset on the market right now, its reliance on assuming you have a combined gaming setup doesn't mesh well with my personal gaming layout. I have my gaming PC in my home office, and my PS5 and Switch 2 in another room entirely, and so I can never truly take advantage of one of the pair's biggest draws.

The Stealth Pro II changes things with its Crossplay 2.0 system. I left the Charging Dock on my desk and had the 2.4GHz wireless dongle attached to my PS5, and it only took the literal press of a button to switch to my platform of choice on any given day. Ideally, I would have preferred that Turtle Beach provided an additional dongle for its $349.99 / £299.99 price tag so I could have incorporated my Nintendo Switch 2 into the Crossplay ecosystem, which is why I'd recommend waiting for a discount before grabbing the Stealth Pro II for yourself.

I'd definitely recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II for those with a split-room gaming setup looking for an alternative to SteelSeries' flagship headset, but I'd recommend ensuring you've got space on your phone for the app to bring out the pair's best sound possible. By default, it sounds fine, but it wasn't until I was able to give the bass and treble a little boost that it felt truly on par with the sound conjured up by other premium pairs on the market.

How I tested the Stealth Pro II wireless gaming headset

I've been testing the Stealth Pro II for a little under a month, switching it between my PC and main-room split PS5 and Nintendo Switch setup. During the testing process, I played through titles like Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Marvel Rivals, Doom Eternal, and Deltarune on the PS5. On the Nintendo Switch 2, the brand-new Star Fox remake was my game of choice, but I also made sure to see how the Pro II handled Mario Kart World, Pokemon Pokopia, and Donkey Kong Bananza compared to other high-end headsets I've tested so far.

Meanwhile, on PC I was playing Counter-Strike 2, Mina the Hollower, Marvel Rivals, Peak, and Meccha Chameleon, the latter of which was played with friends over Discord to put the microphone through its paces. When not gaming, I was also listening to a huge variety of music, from Ariana Grande's new single, Ninajirachi, Placebo, and the Deltarune Chapter 5 soundtrack, as playing through the chapter was not enough to satiate my Deltarune fandom. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II against the best cups on the market today.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II headset includes a charging dock that's designed to charge a battery pack while you use the other. Much like the best gaming headsets, it's a feature to eliminate the annoyance of hunting down a charging cable, but I love it more for its large RGB-lit button. Pressing this down releases a mechanism that pops out the battery in a matter of seconds. It's a simple inclusion that many might gloss over, but as someone who finds charging the batteries of SteelSeries' similar headsets a pain (sometimes in the literal sense), I'm a little bit obsessed with it.

At $349.99 (Amazon), this is not a key feature that I'd want people driving to pick up the Stealth Pro II for, of course. With Prime Day gaming deals, I'm hoping we'll actually see a few dollars shaved off its lofty price tag, but we'll have to wait and see. But my achy wrists and impatience with unnecessarily awkward gaming tech are forever thankful for this little button.

I've always found swapping out the batteries of headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, and the Pro Wireless before it pretty awkward. The pair comes with an extra device (known as the Game Hub) that requires you to push and click in a spare pack for charging. SteelSeries has been using its hot-swappable battery tech for years now, and pretty much revolutionized the way modern headsets can be charged, but it's not the most efficient of processes.

You have to push it in and tuck it behind a little ridge for it to stay put. Whenever I go to take it out, I have to shove my finger inside a small slit, and it's just a bit meddlesome. Not enough that I like the headset any less, but enough for me to moan about it to you right now.

I'm not sure if the designers at Turtle Beach felt similarly, as I much prefer their take on a similar system. Pressing that lovely button I mentioned earlier pops the battery right out, and it's already sitting out in the open and easy to grab. There's no fear of breaking a nail or causing aches in my old-age gaming pensioner finger joints, just an easy-breezy experience.

It may feel a bit silly to compare the two, as the Game Hub is capable of much more than just charging. There's every chance SteelSeries may have been limited in how they could incorporate the battery system into a device that also allows you to adjust EQ settings, and in the case of the Omni, hook up to multiple consoles and mix the audio of all of them simultaneously.

Yet, this tiny battery design choice has already got me pretty intrigued and excited to see what the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II is truly capable of, the more I test it. Expect a full review (which will most definitely include more about the button) very soon.

• View all Turtle Beach headsets at Amazon

If the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II doesn't push your buttons, I've also rounded up the best PS5 headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets that you should check out.

Whenever I'm after the best sound possible for my latest PS5 game obsession, I'm picking up a wireless headset. Right now, I'm obsessed with Lego Batman, and I've been cruising over the Gotham building tops with the best PS5 headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, pressed up on my head like the Dark Knight's cowl and loving it.

Yet even with the pair's hot-swappable battery tech in my utility belt, there have been a few occasions where I've just been too lazy to ensure the pair is all juiced up - enter, the Atlas 200 for PS5.

This headset is wired, so it takes the pressure off remembering to charge it. The best part? It sounds better than other wired headsets I've popped into my DualSense, so I haven't missed any of the Lego game's hilarious quips of that iconic Batman score.

During the many, many hours that I've been playing Lego Batman, I've had the Atlas 200 at arm's length. It sits in a hamper next to the sofa, originally intended for blankets, which has instead been relegated to storing all the best PS5 accessories I want to have easy access to at all times.

I'm glad I decided to add the Atlas 200 to the accessory pile, as it's made my lazy Lego Batman and gaming days a treat. The headset takes seconds to hook up, and afterwards, I can stay on the sofa for hours without having to ever get up for a charging cable because it doesn't need one. It relies purely on its 3.5mm cord, and that's that. At just 280g, it's also super lightweight and doesn't get grating on my head after I've noticed I've been running around collecting Lego studs for 5+ hours.

Most importantly, it sounds pretty darn impressive despite being a budget-friendly wired headset, so I can be lazy without having to forgo any sound quality. Batman games, even in their Lego form, are known for their great music, and I've been able to fully appreciate every moment of it.

It's usually $59.99 / £49.99 when there are no deals kicking around, and that price alone feels like you're getting plenty of value for what its 50mm Nanoclear Drivers can muster. Gotham gets pretty loud in Lego's latest game, as you're constantly bombarded with police alerts and nearby citizens barking at you, but the Atlas 200 makes every bit of audio sound levelled and balanced.

Right now it's down to $44 (Amazon) / £39.99 (Amazon), which is a record low for both the US and the UK, and a deal worth grabbing if you want to be lazy and comfortable too. Of course, you could always wait a bit for the best Prime Day PS5 deals to drop on June 23, where there's likely more headset savings to come. But if you have your eyes on a no-fuss all-must PS5 pair, I doubt you'll find much better than this.

• View all PS5 headset deals at Amazon

If you've already got a perfect pair for your PS5, check out the best PS5 controllers, the best SSDs for PS5, and the best monitor for PS5 instead.

Listen, I love a good touchscreen. I love it when peripherals add more customization control options. I want my setup to have as many launchers, macros, and LED buttons as possible - but even I have my limits.

Turtle Beach's new Command Series MC7 gaming mouse is now up for pre-order, at a pretty flagship-looking $159.99 MSRP might I add, and slapped right across its shoulder you'll find a massive 2.25-inch touchscreen display. It's not just giving me the ick, it's making me physically itchy.

The screen looks like it has space for four different macro zones, spanning DPI shifting, profile shifting, personalized macros, and OBS controls. It's positioned just above the thumb rest, standing starkly inline with an incredibly square front end, angled very slightly with the edge of the main clicks.

I just can't see a universe where, mid-game, I can curl my thumb around to hit any of these touchscreen zones reliably. It just looks too high, with too much of a ceiling on the thumb rest, to be truly navigable without looking down and shifting my entire hand. I'm even less likely to move my left hand over to hit anything on this panel. And this thing better have pretty intelligent gesture smarts - I can't think of anything worse than being threatened by accidental settings changes if I shift my thumb too far during gameplay. My hand is aching from the tension already.

It's not just the giant touchscreen that made me wince over the weekend. The whole rodent just looks like it's been designed with a set-square. It's somehow incredibly sharp and boxy while also relying on heavy angles around the main click height and rear hump. This is one I'll have to see to believe.

Elsewhere, the Turtle Beach Command Series MC7 offers 8,000Hz wireless polling with a 30,000 DPI sensor - all pretty standard fare for a top-end gaming mouse with competitive players in its sights. The battery presents yet another surprise, though.

This is a hot-swappable solution, much like the Glorious O3 Wireless, with two 15 hour battery packs in the box. Each pack slots into the rear hump of the mouse when it's juiced up, returning to the included charging hub after being swapped out.

I can't lie and say my first reaction to the Turtle Beach Command Series MC7 wasn't tinged with horror. I am, however, curious to see what this rodent has in store. I'm judging it particularly harshly based on looks alone, but if there's an ugly duckling redemption arc in here I'm keen to see how it plays out.

• See all gaming mouse deals at Amazon

We're also hunting down more of the best wireless gaming mouse models as well as the best gaming keyboards for more setup inspiration.

If you're about to take your Switch 2 on a grand summer adventure, an all-in-one case should be first on your shopping list. Well, maybe after the sunscreen. Once you have stocked up on enough factor 50 to keep your skin lathered up, picking up one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, like the Turtle Beach Play Trek 2-in-1 Case, is a must if you're planning on getting in some docked-mode gaming during your valued time off.

A small travel case can keep your handheld safe as it's tossed around in a suitcase, but the Turtle Beach 2-in-1 case will keep it and your dock and cables safe, too. These alternatives are pretty large and pricier than a run-of-the-mill slimeline option, but the Turtle Beach Play Trek 2-in-1 Case is down to $39.99 at Amazon thanks to Amazing Gaming Week today. It's just a $10 discount, but that's an extra $10 off the best multi-purpose case I've reviewed so far. Plus, you can put that spare $10 towards getting some well-deserved grub on your vacation, or if you're as pale as me, even more of that precious sunscreen.

You can technically get away with just shoving your dock in your suitcase, but I wouldn't recommend it. Particularly, as a first-party replacement, which includes a spare HDMI cable and AC adapter, will cost you $124.99 at Nintendo, which is not cheap. I regularly bring my entire Switch 2 setup to my in-laws' house when I'm house sitting, and I personally wouldn't risk it when options like the Turtle Beach PlayTrek case exist.

The Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 case can fit the handheld, the dock, and both sets of cables, while still having extra space for accessories. The main section of the case is kitted out with individual parted sections that keep everything secure and prevent your fancy dock from hitting anything but the soft fabric-coated compartment surrounding it. I've reviewed a few of these cases in the past, but the Turtle Beach version stands out as these sections are actually specifically moulded for your Switch 2 accessories.

Alternatives like the JSAUX All-in-One Carrying Case are great, but it just has rectangular spaces that can roughly fit your dock and more. With specific sections that are specifically designed for each part of the Switch 2, it prevents your pricey tech from rattling around. I thought it was pretty limiting at first when I reviewed the case last year, as the controller section appears designed for the Switch 2 Pro controller that I don't have. But fortunately, it can store everything from the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 to the official NSO GameCube controller, and wasn't actually restrictive in practice at all.

While I've been rambling on, I haven't even got to the best feature of this Turtle Beach case, and most all-in-one cases for that matter - the fact that it's actually two cases in one. If you're planning on having some docked and handheld Switch 2 fun on your holiday, you can keep everything together as one large case, or zip off the top. The upper section of the accessory doubles up as a standalone travel case, which can easily fit in your backpack.

Want to do some fishing in Animal Crossing New Horizons at the beach while literally at the beach? You can do that without lugging around the two cases together, and the top half even provides a fabric mesh pocket that can fit a charging cable, and space to store plenty of physical games, from New Horizons to Pokemon Pokopia.

If you're worried about carrying the entire large case around, over the upper half, Turtle Beach throws in a carrying strap to make things easier. The brand also has the benefit of having the official Nintendo licence too so this one looks far more dapper than others I've tested. You're getting a lot of bang for buck for today's $39.99 deal price.

Before you grab this Amazon Gaming Week deal, do remember that if you don't have a reason to travel around with your Switch 2 dock, you don't exactly need one. Yet, as you're essentially getting two cases here, you can always grab it, stick to the travel case at the top, and keep the rest of it set aside for when you are prepared for some well-deserved free time off, docked gaming.

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If you're on the hunt for an Amazon Gaming Week bargain, our best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers are full of the accessories we recommend picking up.

Turtle Beach is mostly associated with creating the best gaming headsets for the budget-conscious, but today it has revealed something a little bit different. The brand has just unveiled the new Stealth Pro II, a brand-new premium pair that introduces Hi-Res audio support, and more juicy high-end features.

The $349.99 / £299.99 headset launches on May 17, later this year, and will be compatible with the PS5, PC, and the Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2 (I presume, as it doesn't confirm the latter) thanks to its simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio. For Xbox players, Turtle Beach is also launching an Xbox version on the same day, which supports not just the Xbox Series X/S, but the older Xbox One. Yet, it's not its wide compatibility that has me foaming at the mouth, but that Turtle Beach has made sure to add swappable batteries into the mix.

Swappable batteries have continued to wow me ever since I first got hold of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The headset has remained my (and the rest of the GamesRadar+ hardware team's) top headset pick for over a year now, and its batteries are a huge part of that. The Stealth Pro II must've been copying SteelSeries' homework as it includes two up to 40-hour battery packs and a charging station of its own.

This compact device can keep one of your battery packs charged while the other is snug in your Stealth Pro II, but it also acts as a wireless transmitter. You can hook it up to your console of choice to get a low-latency connection, or use the USB-A dongle included with every headset, giving you two options to choose from.

The similarities between SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and this upcoming pair don't stop there. Turtle Beach has equipped the Stealth Pro II with CrossPlay 2.0, which Turtle Beach CEO Cris Keiren states allows players to "seamlessly switch between up to four platforms and devices at the touch of a button," but you will be limited to two from the get-go. To receive support for those four platforms, you'll need to grab two additional transmitters, which are sold separately.

That's a bit of a bummer when you consider this pair's $350 price tag, but there are more features abound that help explain its high cost. The pair also features 60mm-sized Eclipse Dual audio drivers, advanced active noise canceling, a unidirectional 9mm floating microphone, and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio support to offer up a more immersive soundstage for your favorite games.

Not to mention, its Hi-Res audio support is something typically reserved for more high-end headsets, like that of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. Turtle Beach states that its wireless audio is certified by the Japan Audio Society, and that the Stealth Pro II delivers "true 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio" to boot.

If that's what's caught your eye over this new pair, do remember that this doesn't matter much if you're a console player. Both the audio of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles max out at 48k/16bit, so you'll only notice the difference if you're a PC player first and foremost.

If that all still sounds good to you, you can pre-order the new Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II straight from Turtle Beach for $349.99 / £299.99 and participating retailers. Or, you can wait to hear my thoughts on the cups once I get my hands on them to review.

• View all Turtle Beach gaming headsets at Amazon

I've also rounded up the best PC headsets for gaming, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets that are full of more high-quality cups to suit your gaming setup.

With an official licence to use Nintendo art in its back pocket, Turtle Beach has been steadily growing its PlayTrek Travel Case lineup. Even as this review goes up, there are new models incoming, draped in lovely Nintendo character art, and all that'd be worthy as being the best Nintendo Switch 2 case as far as looks go.

Yet, it's the Mario Bricks PlayTrek Travel Case that was released in November 2025 that deserves that commendation in my eyes. Instead of just sticking on some Super Mario art and branding and calling it a day, Turtle Beach infused the case with a lenticular 3D-effect, which makes it stand out from the slew of alternatives I've tested since the Switch 2's launch. From one angle, it appears that the case features a plain brick pattern, but from another, art is revealed that showcases Mario doing what he does best, about to stomp on a pair of iconic Super Mario series Goombas.

It's a bit of a gimmick for sure, and it's sadly a bit prone to wear and tear if you don't store your case properly. However, it pushes an already great-looking accessory and transforms it into the best-designed case I've tested to date. The fact that it only costs $29.99 / £19.99 and is prone to discounts during even the smallest sales events just makes it even more worth your hard-earned gold coins.

Design

The 3D lenticular effect is something you may be familiar with if you were a 90s kid. There was an influx of 3D posters out in the wild back then, so seeing this make a comeback in a modern Switch 2 case brought on a rush of nostalgia. The effect on the case is pretty well implemented, too.

At first glance, you see the brick pattern, but hidden underneath is the art of Mario in a classic Yōichi Kotabe-style jumping into the air. There's a classic Mario star above his head, so it's likely Mario is about to go super saiyan and rain down some invincible pain on the two Goomba standing before him. It's a cute piece of official art, and it's made all the cuter that it's hidden under this lenticular gimmick.

In keeping with the classic cartoony Super Mario art style, Turtle Beach has made sure to include a green, red, and blue carrying handle, and pops of color throughout the rest of the case. Even the back, which brands like Hori tend to leave blank, like with their Gengar and Mimikyu case, sports a bright red splash of color and the 'Super Mario' logo in yellow in the center, to tie in with the rest of the Super Mario color palette.

Features

The Mario Bricks PlayTrek Travel Case isn't all style over substance. On the inside, it includes storage for both games and smaller accessories. There's even some dabs of color to be found, which some well-known accessory brands don't even bother with.

In between the upper and lower sections of the case, there lies a flap of fabric that features velcro pockets that can store up to 12 physical Switch and Switch 2 game cartridges. These little pockets are a deep blue to match Mario's overalls on the cover and the attachment at the end of the case's zipper. It's a tiny detail, but I'm always a fan when there's color on the interior of a case, too. The zip of the accessories pocket also matches, and it can store extras like a charging cable or a microSD Express Card if you have one spare.

After using my fair share of cases since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, I've been less fond of storing anything in pockets like it. When you zip up a case, you can sometimes feel the extra pressure that even a small pair of stored thumb grips can put on the handheld's display, so I chose to leave it empty for the most part. However, if you like to at least have a USB-C charging cable in tow, it's handy that it's there nonetheless.

The moulded bottom interior of the Turtle Beach accessory can also fit not just the Nintendo Switch 2, but also the older Switch and Switch OLED handhelds. I even put this to the test myself. Thanks to the two left and right ridges and the velcro strap, which keeps the handheld in place, my Switch OLED fit perfectly and never moved around.

Performance

I originally tested the 'Mario Bricks' Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case shortly after it launched last year. However, I wanted to see how the lenticular effect held up after months of use, as I was worried that it might be more prone to wear and tear than your average case exterior.

Over the last few months, I've gone back to using the case in between alternatives like the Belkin Charging Case Pro, and just as I expected, the cover has received its fair share of scratches. I can be a bit clumsy with my tech and accessories, but even I didn't expect the cover to receive as many nicks and scratches as it has. Just like the 3D Super Mario art effect, it's not entirely noticeable unless you're looking at the case from a certain angle, but it does make me concerned about ever taking the case with me when gaming on the go.

I only took the case to and from my mom's and friends' houses, so it was never in immediate harm's way. However, there must have been something in my backpack that wanted to leave a lasting impression on the unique case. If you want to grab this for yourself, it's worth making sure any objects, like a makeup mirror or hairbrush, are stored elsewhere, just to be safe.

Other than its susceptibility to cosmetic damage, this is still a fantastic Switch 2 case. It's a little thick coming in at 11.81 inches x 6.10 inches x 2.28 inches, so it's less travel-friendly than the thin PowerA Slim Case. But its chunky form factor is nice and robust, and managed to keep my beloved Switch 2 nice and snug, along with a selection of my favorite games to play on the go.

Like I mentioned earlier, I kept the accessory pocket empty during my original testing last year and the last two weeks that I've returned to using the PlayTrek case. As I'm slowly becoming less a fan of these over time, I didn't want to put any extra undue pressure on the handheld's display, but as someone who has to test the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, the fact that it can be zipped made it handy for storing an extra tiny SD card when I had to.

Should you buy the Mario Bricks Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case?

At just $29.99 / £19.99, this is a fantastic option for Switch 2 players and Super Mario fans. It's not just the unique and nostalgia-fueled lenticular cover that stands out and makes an impression, but the minor adn very appreciated details of the bright and vivid colored carrying handle, zips, and storage.

It's been out for a while now, so you can also regularly find it as part of sales events at US and UK retailers. In the past, this has brought the already affordable case down to an even lower $24.99 in the US and £16.99 in the UK. Of course, if you aren't a Super Mario fan, it's not going to be a good choice, no matter how cheap it gets.

Turtle Beach did launch a Donkey Kong PlayTrek Case alongside this Mario Bricks design, which showcases the same unique lenticular effect. The 'reveal' isn't as dramatic, but it's a better option if you aren't hugely a fan of Mario and this case's cartoony color palette.

How I tested the Mario Bricks Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case

The Mario Bricks PlayTrek Travel Case originally launched in November 2025, and at the time, I used the case as my one and only storage option for my Ninty handheld for multiple weeks. As I wanted to see how its lenticular effect held up over time, I recently went back to using the case for another few weeks. For more information on how we test accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2, check out our full GamesRadar+ Hardware policy.

For more Switch 2 accessories, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards.

As a '90s kid, I live by the ethos that everything is better when it glows in the dark. This thought process only grew after years spent drifting off to sleep by the light of the glowing solar system on my childhood ceiling. Even now, I still feel drawn to anything with that nostalgia-fueled, hazy green glow, especially when a brand like Turtle Beach manages to include it on a Switch 2 case.

The new Koopa Troop Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case does just that. It's available to pre-order for $29.99 (Amazon) / £19.99 (Amazon), and once the lights are out, the best Nintendo Switch 2 case contender showcases a glow-in-the-dark outline around Mario and all the classic Super Mario series baddies chasing after him. I sadly have yet to see the effect in person, but if the quality of the past Mario Brick Turtle Beach Switch 2 case is anything to go by, I'm sure the glow is just as bright and nostalgic as the images show it to be, and my inner '90s child couldn't be happier.

Turtle Beach seems to be having a lot of fun with its PlayTrek Switch 2 case line, that having a glow-in-the-dark gimmick feels like the natural next step. Before the Switch 2 case was announced on March 29, the brand had already launched its 'Mario Bricks' and 'Donkey Kong' cases, which featured lenticular covers that changed depending on your viewing angle.

I was fortunate enough to get to test the Mario Bricks Switch 2 case, which revealed hidden artwork of Mario stomping on some Goombas, and it's remained one of the best-looking Switch 2 accessories I've used to date. This time around, there's no secret artwork that reveals itself as it's just the line-art that glows, and yet I'm just as obsessed, if not more, with its funky design.

Growing up a glow-in-the-dark-loving '90s kid definitely has something to do with it, but I'm also a fan of the red, orange, and yellow strips of color that span across the front of the predominantly silver case. The vivid and warm color palette reminds me of Bowser's fiery breath, which I assume Turtle Beach was going for with a name like 'Koopa Troop'.

With the previous Mario Bricks case, I was impressed at not just its unique gimmick, but the quality of its interior too. As this new Koopa Troop version is part of that same PlayTrek line, it looks to carry that same interior quality, which features storage for up to 12 physical Switch and Switch 2 carts, and a fabric mesh pocket that you can zip up and store smaller accessories.

One of my favorite aspects of the PlayTrek cases is not just its design and accessory storage, but that there are dabs of color found elsewhere than just its front-facing design. So many cases feature fabulous artwork, but have the same all-black or gray interiors and zips. However, Turtle Beach has equipped this case with bright red game storage, red zips, and a matching colored handle to make the design and color palette feel more unified and fit for a King Koopa.

If you're a fan of this upcoming Koopa Troop PlayTrek Travel Case, you can also pre-order the matching Koopa Troop Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller. It launches a bit earlier on May 4 for $64.99 at Amazon, and includes the same artwork, which glows thanks to the pad's integrated lighting.

• Turtle Beach Koopa Troop Switch 2 Rematch controller | $64.99 at Amazon
• View all Turtle Beach Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Our team has rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers if you're after more funky accessories for your new handheld.

Princess Rosalina's big screen debut is just days away. I thought I couldn't get any more eager to sit down and munch some popcorn while staring up at my space queen in the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie, but then Turtle Beach went "what if we draped one of our best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers in Rosalina artwork" and unveiled their new Rosalina Rematch Wireless Switch 2 controller.

The Nintendo Switch 2 controller is available for pre-order for $64.99 (Amazon) / £54.99 (Amazon) and is expected to launch on May 4, 2026. Strangely, this is well after the launch of the film on April 1, but that hasn't diminished my adoration for this stellar-looking pad, draped in key art of Princess Rosalina dramatically posing in her iconic turquoise gown or its integrated RGB lighting effects that light up the pad as bright as the stars in space, which looks just as magical as my favorite Super Mario series princess.

The official marketing image doesn't do the RGB light effects that the Rematch controllers are capable of justice, if you ask me. I've been fortunate enough to be testing the upcoming Mario and Luigi Rematch controller, which is essentially the exact same pad. It's also available to pre-order for $64.99 at Amazon, and reveals a hidden, illuminating pattern of rainbow-colored classic Mario items once it's turned on.

It's not static, as the Rosalina images may make you believe. Instead, the RGB lighting of these Rematch controllers runs through the pad in waves. The effect feels even more fitting for this upcoming Rosalina gamepad, as the controller lights up to reveal a galaxy's worth of stars. Even the silhouette of the Comet Observatory lights up and shimmers, which should make it a spectacle for the eyes. It feels almost impossible not to have the beautiful hub-world waltz stuck in my head as I glance at Turtle Beach's official marketing images.

If you aren't much of an RGB fan, this is still a great-looking controller regardless. Its turquoise and yellow color palette matches Rosalina and her Lumas perfectly, and has me reeling with joy over how they're going to be portrayed in the upcoming film. Yet, as excited as I am, I don't want to over exaggerate too much that this is still a typical Rematch controller, so there's nothing new here besides its Rosalina makeover.

It's also not even the first Rosalina controller to appear online in the lead-up to the movie's release. Hori, a brand behind some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories where designs are concerned, unveiled its new "Universe Rosalina" Wireless HORIPAD Turbo pad, which features the space queen herself floating alongside a cute Luma friend. It's currently available for $69.99 (Target) and is also compatible with the new Ninty handheld. Much like Turtle Beach's version, it sports the same stick-drift-defying TMR thumbsticks and wireless connectivity.

The Hori version only has a battery life of up to 10 hours, however. Fortunately, this upcoming Turtle Beach Rosalina controller is equipped with up to 40 hours of juice, which is more than plenty to play Super Mario Galaxy on your Switch 2 if the movie has you in the mood for a replay.

While the Rosalina Turtle Beach Rematch Switch 2 controller won't release for a while, you can already grab the official Super Mario Galaxy Movie toys online. They feature Rosalina and even a egg-hatching Yoshi, if you prefer the adorable green dino instead.

• View all Turtle Beach Switch 2 controllers at Amazon
• View all Nintendo Switch 2 controllers at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras if you're after more stellar Ninty accessories.

Amazon's Spring Sale is a great time for finding the best Nintendo Switch 2 headsets at a more reasonable price, but the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit was already reasonable to begin with. Its MSRP is only $27.99, which is as budget-friendly as they come for wired headsets, especially ones draped in fancy official Switch 2 colors.

If that's still more than you wanted to fork out on a headset, the Spring Sale has knocked its price down to $19.74 (Amazon) today. That's still strangely not a record-low, as there are still a few cents to go until it reaches its lowest ever price I spotted during last year's holidays. But this is still a great deal, even with that teeny tiny price difference, and a great headset for all your Switch 2 gaming needs.

I love testing the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories that prove that cheap in price doesn't have to mean cheap in quality. The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit is definitely one of those products, as its sound quality is vastly better than its full $27.99 price lets on. I don't want to exaggerate, as this pair of cups doesn't have the mind-blowing sound quality you'd get from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. However, during my Turtle Beach Airlit Fit review, I found myself using the headset to continue listening to the jazz stylings of the Mario Kart World soundtrack for hours, and it was a delight.

Turtle Beach has packed 40mm Neodymium drivers in each cup. I've tested a fair number of cheaply priced headsets, and that normally means having to deal with plenty of warbling on lower frequencies, and yet these cups never faltered, no matter if I was playing Mario Kart World or experiencing the very busy soundstage of Donkey Kong Bananza.

The microphone isn't that bad either, which is usually where the quality takes a hit with headsets below the $100 price point. Don't get me wrong, it's not broadcast quality, so I don't recommend it for podcast recording or streaming. However, it's ideal for a few hours on GameChat or Discord if you want to chat with your friends. Your voice will have a slight muffling to it, but nothing so egracious that your friends will have trouble making out a word.

If your budget can stretch a little further, I'd recommend most players start with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless headset, which is down to $89.99 at Amazon thanks to the same Spring Sale. The SteelSeries pair comes in a variety of colors, has a microphone you can detach and set aside, and brings Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections, into the picture.

Just remember, this deal price will only be around until March 31, so you'll need to pick it up sooner rather than later.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 headsets at Amazon
• View all Nintendo Switch 2 Spring Sale deals at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases if you're hunting for even more accessories to suit your budget.

PS Direct is currently listing an "exclusive" Turtle Beach accessory bundle. At a quick glance, it appears to be a combo of two high-quality PS5 accessories and two of our team's favorites to boot. But on a second look, it's not really the deal it makes itself out to be.

The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Wireless Modular Controller & Atlas 200 Wired Headset Bundle isn't awful. You're getting one of the best PS5 headsets and a revised version of one of the best PS5 controllers together, but it's the cost that's not worth the effort.
The US PS Direct store has the bundle listed for $249.99 (PS Direct), which would be a deal on an average day. The Victrix Pro BFG has a $209.99 MSRP, and when combined with the $59.99 MSRP of the Atlas 200, there's a saving of $19.99 here. Yet, thanks to Amazon and this cheeky controller deal, you're better off ignoring this bundle and grabbing them separately to save the most cash.

The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded Wireless controller is down to just $169.99 at Amazon, saving you $40 off its full price. When combined with the $59.99 MSRP of the Atlas 200 headset, that total only takes you up to $229.98, a saving of $20 off the PS Direct bundle. If you want to save cash today, you're far better off grabbing both accessories separately, especially if you're a Prime member and have free shipping to take advantage of.

If you do, you're in for a treat. The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5 is one of my favorite budget headsets I've tested to date. Its microphone is pretty subpar and will make your voice sound like that muffled plane announcer quality, but the audio is anything but. During my initial testing, I was amazed at how the sound felt almost on par with alternatives like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless, which are more than double its cost. That's because the 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers are great at bringing balance to low, mid, and high frequencies, and there's Tempest 3D AudioTech support that brings games to life.

I tested the pair with the indie horror Still Wakes the Deep, and the creepy muttering of the monsters was so crystal clear that there were moments where it felt like they were in the room with me. The only downside besides its muddying mic, is that this is a wired pair, so you will have to be happy with popping it into the 3.5mm port of your DualSense controller. But luckily, there's one included on the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded controller too.

This controller is essentially a re-release of the Victrix Pro BFG, one of our hardware team's Duncan Robertson's favorite PS5 pads. The original version, which Duncan heralded for its modular design, allows you to swap out the facial components to your liking and was available for $179.99. It's been prone to discounts over the years, and normally, I'd suggest grabbing it over the "Reloaded" version, but it has shot up to $199.99 in price at retailers like Amazon today, perhaps due to dwindling stock.

Instead, you can grab the Reloaded version for $10 less than the previous model's MSRP, and get yourself some new Hall effect modules in the process. These were sold separately for the older model, but come packaged with this new iteration in all three of the provided modules that you get right in the box.

If you had your eyes on that PS Direct bundle, grabbing both it and the Atlas 200 headset separately on Amazon is the cheaper option today. If you've ever wanted proof that you're best always double-checking the actual value of gaming bundles, let this PS Direct "exclusive" bundle be it.

• View all PS5 controller deals at Amazon
• View all PS5 headset deals at Amazon

Our team has also rounded up the best SSDs for PS5, the best PS5 external hard drives, and the best monitors for PS5 if you're looking to complete your Sony gaming setup.

Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale has officially kicked off, and it's looking to be a good week for those of you PS5 players in need of a new headset. Plenty of the best PS5 headsets I've ever popped on my head and reviewed are included amongst today's tech savings.

Take the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the best option out there for PS5 players overall. It's down to $299.99 at Best Buy today, a mighty $80 saving off its full $379.99 price. Sure, it's not a record-low, but it's not far from it, and picking it up this week means you're getting access to the greatest headset that can pair with Sony's pixel pusher. If it's a bit out of your budget, the brand's mid-range Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is down to $129.99 (Best Buy) and carries the same comfortable over-ear design, albeit without some of the fancy high-end bells and whistles.

It's not just SteelSeries headsets that are seeing plenty of savings this Tech Fest, but a whole range of big-name brands from Turtle Beach to Razer. So you can find the right pair for you, I've gathered all my top PS5 picks from this week's sale down below and have made sure to include devices that myself, or someone else on our hardware team, have tested. Better yet, I'll continue to add any PS5 headset deals I see over the coming days as the sale doesn't end until this Sunday, March 22, 2026.

How I find the best PS5 headset deals for gamers

Finding the best gaming headset deals at an event like Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale is an easy feat for me, but that's because I spend day after day catching up with the latest pairs and their pricing history. When I first approach a brand-new sales event, I look at how the most premium pairs are discounted, which, in this case, means the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

It currently tops our best PS5 headset guide, and is my go-to pair whenever I start a new PS5 game, whether that's Resident Evil Requiem, Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly, or just the latest season of Marvel Rivals. I'm always keeping an eye on its pricing history as it tops multiple of our "best of" lists, but for an event like today, I'm most interested in seeing how much it's discounted from its full price, and how close it is to its record-low saving. If it's just a measly $10 or so off, it doesn't feel relevant to bring to your or anyone else's attention. However, this week it's $80 off at Best Buy, which brings the usual $379.99 pair down to $299.99 - a price definitely worth highlighting.

After looking at more premium offerings, I like to check out the mid-range market and below to see what lower-priced headsets are even cheaper at an event like Best Buy's Tech Fest Sale. In today's case, that brought me to the likes of the SteelSeries' own Arctis Nova 5 Wireless and the Razer Barracuda X wireless headset. The latter of which isn't currently on our top PS5 headset list, but it's actively been a favorite headset of mine due to its comfortable, lightweight design and great sound.

I'm not just looking at the differences in MSRPs when choosing the best PS5 deals to include today, but I also like to ensure there's a bit of variation for any type of PS5 player. For example, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the best of the best, but it's best suited for those who play on the PS5 and other platforms. Meanwhile, I included the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 for those who need their bass to sound in-your-face and as intense as possible, and the Corsair Virtuoso Max Wireless is included here as it's cheaper and one of the best-looking PS5 headsets for those who love a bit of RGB lighting in their setups.

If it's high-quality PS5 accessories you're after, our best SSDs for PS5, best PS5 controllers, and best PS5 external hard drive guides are full of top-tier devices that have been tried and tested by our very own hardware team.

Mario Day is here, and Turtle Beach is taking advantage of today in the most opportune way possible by adorning one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 headsets with a new Mario look.

Today of all days, the accessories brand has announced it's releasing a new version of the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset, swapping its black, blue, and red color palette for a new 'Mario Star' design which includes a translucent black and red color combo. The best part is undoubtedly the inclusion of Mario on the earcups, who's sporting that iconic and classic Yōichi Kotabe art style.

Despite its swanky new looks, the headset is sticking to its budget $27.99 / £19.99 price tag, and is available to pre-order now on the official Turtle Beach US and UK online stores. Better yet, you don't have to wait long for it to arrive, as it's set to launch on March 30, 2026, alongside a brand-new Mario and Luigi controller.

The upcoming Mairo Star Airlite Fit wired gaming headset might just be one of my favorite versions of the cups I've seen yet. It's hard to outdo the nostalgia-fueled look of the Ghost Purple Airlite Fit in my 90s kid eyes. Yet, I can't help but be a fan of the fact that Turtle Beach has also equipped this incoming Mario version with a translucent plastic chassis, which gives it a retro appeal despite being so new it isn't even out yet.

Under the hood, it's the same old headset as before. It's still sporting those 40mm audio drivers, jersey-knit-covered ear cushions, and a flip-to-mute noise-canceling microphone. I reviewed the pair in September last year, and I was pretty impressed with its sound despite its low price. However, it's definitely one I'd recommend for the younger Nintendo fans in your life, rather than those invested in finding the best gaming headset out there.

The microphone isn't ideal, and the headset feels a little cheap when popping on your head, so older fans might prefer saving up for an alternative like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless. Yet, if you've got a tight budget to deal with after investing in a Switch 2 and just want a pair for gaming on the go, it's still an ideal pickup, especially as the original is prone to discounts.

To keep the Mario Day celebrations going, Turtle Beach is also launching a new Mario and Luigi Switch 2 controller, with the Mario & Luigi Rematch Wireless RGB Gaming Controller. It's essentially a re-skin of the brand's Rematch pad, featuring swanky TMR sticks, motion controls, and wireless connectivity that works up to 30 feet, and that new 'c' button to unlock quick access to Game Chat.

Of course, as it's Mario Day, the focus is more on its flashy design, which features Mario and Luigi with crossed arms on either grip. At a glance, it's pretty plain-looking, with just a blue background and matching blue face buttons; however, the RGB element is what brings it altogether. When lit up and ready to go, a sea of rainbow Mario items glows across the pad and illuminates the controller. I kinda wish the headset did the same thing, but that'd likely affect its budget-friendly status, and I don't fancy seeing more inflated prices in this day and age.

The Mario and Luigi Rematch Wireless RGB gaming controller is available to pre-order for $64.99 (Turtle Beach) and £54.99 in the UK and is set to launch on March 30, the same day as the new Mario Star Airlite Fit headset. You still have a few days to wait before they'll arrive at your door, but you can check out our Mario Day Starter Pack for more super goodies you can grab quicker than you can say "yahoo!"

• View all Turtle Beach Switch 2 headsets at Amazon
• View all Turtle Beach Switch 2 controllers at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras for more accessories for your new Ninty handheld.

Having been born in the late 90s, I, like many a gamer, have a library of memories from the Guitar Hero days. In fact, I'd argue gaming franchises from my upbringing don't get much more iconic than Guitar Hero and Rock Band. These were household names that transcended the typical gaming audience. But while we'll remember the iconic soundtracks and high score challenges first, none of it would have been the same without the bespoke gaming controllers that we played them with.

It's now 2026, and although nostalgia has pulled pretty much identical rhythm games back from the dead (Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero), gaming peripherals have moved on a lot since the 2000s, and it wouldn't be right for modern Guitar controllers not move with the times. PDP understood this when it produced the Riffmaster Guitar Controller, because it uses clever quality-of-life upgrades to make the annoyances of these peripherals less grating.

The Riffmaster was the first guitar controller to launch in what felt like a century. With no direct companion games to sell it with, it felt like this brand was taking a big risk in shipping it, but there was clearly a resurgent demand from Fortnite Festival fans that was waiting to be satiated. Now joined by the likes of CRKD's Gibson Les Paul controller, it finds itself in a difficult position. At a $149 price point that's only dropped as low as $99.99 a handful of times, it's a more costly alternative with less charm to it.

Design & Features

I said it back when I previewed the Riffmaster in the months leading up to its launch, but for its price, I really do wish some higher-quality materials were used in forging it. The controller's fret board feels great, with a sturdy build that helps shredding your way through a guitar solo feel epic, but the body of the guitar is this plastic, hollow, and really unimpressive chassis for something so pricey. Combine that with a really plain black and grey design that hasn't been built on at all since launch, and you've got something that feels like it's missing the sort of badass rock god look this type of accessory needs.

The surface of the Riffmaster's body is glossy and reflective, which time is not kind to. As I'm sure you'll know, sessions in higher difficulties in games like Clone Hero can get pretty sweaty, so you'll find smudge marks all over your pricey controller after not too long playing with it. I've also found that keeping it clean from dust is particularly tricky. And again, because it's a glossy surface, if you leave it to sit for a few months, it'll become sort of sticky and in need of a deep clean - not ideal for such a trophy controller, you'll probably want to bring it out to show friends if they come over.

Thankfully, there are practicalities in the Riffmaster's design that save it. First of all, there's a foldable neck, so if you ever struggled to store away your Guitar Hero controllers in your elder days, you might be free of some clutter this time around.

There's a removable faceplate (which I have more to say about later), and underneath, a space for you to store your controller's wireless dongle. This is a massive win - I wouldn't like to imagine how many Guitar Hero controllers are still in working condition today, but their wireless receivers have been lost to the ether. Going back to that build quality though, the swappable face plate snaps off so jarringly you feel like you're breaking something - it's just not the sort of intuitive design you'd hope for in a premium peripheral.

It was always a challenge navigating menus with older Guitar controllers, so PDP put a handy thumbstick on the back of the fret board. You'll also be able to navigate menus with the D-pad on the guitar's main body.

To add a bit more style for rocking out during solos, there's a secondary row of fret buttons at the bottom of the Riffmaster's neck. These are smaller than the regular buttons up top, which might even make playing on higher difficulties a bit easier since your fingers have less distance to travel between the orange and green buttons. These aren't the touch pads from the later Guitar Hero controllers though, they're physical buttons which I think are so much better and a lot more useful.

In terms of connectivity, there's a version of the Riffmaster for PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch / Switch 2. I've had no trouble using my PS5 version on PC to play Clone Hero, but I have heard that the Xbox version has some compatibility woes on PC, so maybe look into this further to ensure you get the right version for you and your setup. Where you'd usually plug an amplifier into an electric guitar, you'll find space for a 3.5mm headphone jack, which will give you the ability to rock out silently if need be. The Riffmaster charges for wireless play via USB-C.

The battle of the bands

Something to note before you make your buying decision is that the PDP Riffmaster was originally made by, go figure, PDP. PDP is the brand that made tonnes of great budget gaming peripherals, and spawned the Victrix brand you'll know and love if you've shopped around for one of the best PS5 controllers.

Since the Riffmaster launched, however, PDP was acquired by Turtle Beach, and I fear that's been slightly detrimental to the life of this guitar controller.

When the Riffmaster was revealed, a fairly big part of its appeal was its detachable faceplate. It definitely seemed like there were plans to launch an ongoing series of collectible aesthetic panels, and it seems like Turtle Beach has totally abandoned that idea. This is a real shame, because, versus the CRKD Gibson Les Paul, which has three different colorways and counting, the Riffmaster now seems like a total plain Jane, which is not what you want for a peripheral that's supposed to help you dip into your rock star fantasies.

The other thing that really irks me is that the Riffmaster's price has increased since PDP was acquired. This is not an unfamiliar narrative since Turtle Beach got hold of the wider catalogue of PDP's products. I noticed that the Victrix Pro BFG's price also increased after PDP was bought over, and with the new "Reloaded" model (which is entirely under the Turtle Beach name), it's sitting at a more expensive price point.

When I did my preview of the Riffmaster, PDP had told me the price was going to be $129.99 / £129.99, which it did launch to. But if you check Amazon now, you'll see a price of $149 / £149 with frequent discounts down - likely because even the original price felt too much to ask and people are probably opting for a cheaper alternative from CRKD.

All that to say, when the current Guitar controller market is hotly contested between only a couple of brands, it might be worth taking note of which of them you're really buying from.

Performance

For all my gripes with the Riffmaster and its new parent brand, it's kind of hard not to like it if you were a fan of these rhythm games in a past life. It turns out, something that's capable of channelling this much nostalgia is pretty good, really. The Riffmaster gets the job done, and feels pretty authentic if you aren't looking for nitty-gritty points of comparison like I am.

Something that's always bothered me slightly with the Riffmaster though, is that its strumming bar doesn't feel very tactile. Back in the day, these controllers had slight microswitch mechanisms in them, which meant when you moved the strumming bar up or down, you'd hear and feel a click that gave you immediate feedback. The Riffmaster doesn't have that, and it feels like that instant gratification from playing each note is missing.

As is, there's no functional problem using the strumming board - it's not like it's hard to tell whether or not you've played a note, but beyond all their personality, these controllers are for rhythm games; I think the lack of a click each time you play a note does present a bit of a drawback in the game feel department.

But as I mentioned earlier, the fret buttons have a really premium actuation to them. Every time I pick up the Riffmaster to play a song or two, it takes me right back to the days of playing Guitar Hero Live with that franchise's swan song controller. The frets on that guitar were horizontally level with the physical fret board, not raised buttons on top that had a different texture. This makes it feel more accurate to a real guitar, but also results in less pressure needed to push them down. If you know your Guitar Hero sessions ran long in the good old days, you'll thank PDP for this design, because you'll feel less of a strain in your hands and wrists from all those quick Dragon Force riffs. There's no sense that you have to press really hard with the Riffmaster to register each note, which is a great bonus.

Should you buy the PDP Riffmaster?

There are a lot of minor gripes I have with the Riffmaster. Turtle Beach doesn't seem too bothered about supporting it with new designs or faceplates. The price is higher than when it launched, and than the competition. And if I'm honest, I'm not sure the build quality overall really warrants that.

I feel like there's a lot of missing character and tactility in this controller that does sort of make it feel like an attempt to profit on nostalgia rather than offering people a really authentic timepiece to add to their gaming collection.

All of that said, the Riffmaster plays pretty well in the games it's designed for. If you can get it at a discount, you'll find lots to enjoy here. Similarly, if you know you'll get a lot of use out of it, this is an easy recommendation, but now that CRKD and a few other brands are tuning up their own bands, I'd maybe consider cheaper (and potentially better) alternatives first.

How I tested the PDP Riffmaster Guitar Controller

I've been using the PDP Riffmaster for all of my nostalgic rhythm gaming sessions since before the device launched in 2024. I've used it for longer sessions, I've covered its discounts, and watched its price fluctuate as its parent brand has changed. While I'm yet to go hands-on with its competition, I've covered the controller market and closely compared prices and features between models.

For this review, I mainly tested using Clone Hero on PC, but I have tested the Riffmaster using Fortnite Festival and Rock Band IV on PS5.

For more on how we test controllers, take a gander at the GamesRadar+ hardware policy.

Not done reading? Take a look at the best Xbox Series X controllers, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best mobile controllers.

I've just finished up my testing of the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro, only to find that the very reason it missed out on that last half a star has been (temporarily) eradicated. It's a little hard to fully justify at its full $139.99 MSRP, but with 40% off that final rate, the brand's latest rodent is looking far more welcoming.

Amazon has it down to $84 this week, just over $55 off the launch price and marking the first time it's been less than $100. Considering the Burst 2 Pro has only been trifling the best gaming mouse models for a couple of months, that's a surprisingly steep early discount.

What else could you get with $84 in your pocket? There are two gaming mice that threaten Turtle Beach's position this week.

First up, the Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight has taken a $20 discount on its $99.99 MSRP, ending up at $79.99 at Amazon. This is a much, much lighter mouse, weighing in at only 36g, that still manages to retain a less creaky build quality compared to the Burst. It's slimmer, and better equipped for a fingertip grip, but can't match Turtle Beach for overall comfort (especially in a palm grip) or battery life.

Next, we have the Keychron M7 8K. This is my go-to for wireless value on any given day, cramming high-end features into a $69.99 MSRP without breaking too much of a sweat. It's on par with the Burst 2 Pro's unfortunate creaks, but adds a more accessible DPI shifting button and a thumb tray for extra comfort as well. Just note that you're getting a slightly slimmer shape here, less geared towards larger hands or a relaxed palm hold - and that could be for better or worse depending on your preferences.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro?

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro has something neither the Corsair Sabre nor the Keychron can offer. That chunky rear end.

The wider shape of the Burst 2 Pro is pretty rare in the world of esports-focused gaming mice. Competitive players are normally hemmed into a claw or fingertip grip if they want the lightest, fastest polling mice on the market, whereas Turtle Beach has left plenty of room for a less tense palm grip here.

Sure, most of us regular folk won't notice the benefits of that 8,000Hz wireless polling rate. Instead, it's the speedy, reliable sensor, excellent tracking features, and relatively low 57g weight that will see you through ranked matches. If you don't like the taller shape of most fps-first mice, it's well worth investigating the Burst over Corsair and Keychron's similarly priced offerings.

There's one caveat here, but it's largely personal.

Pretty much as soon as I started using the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro, I was aware that those main clicks felt a little strange compared to the rest of my rodent fleet. They're much softer than other models, still plenty fast and nicely responsive, but less tactical; that satisfying snap doesn't quite make itself known. By contrast, the side buttons are particularly crisp, which is a strange combination but one that could make or break your decision.

The only thing that kept my review at 4.5 stars? That $139.99 MSRP puts the Burst 2 Pro up against giants like the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 DEX. In that arena, it's not quite punching in the same league, from its sensor specs to its software features.

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I'm catching all the best wireless gaming mouse models (humanely, of course) as well as hunting down the best Razer mice and the best Logitech mice for more flavors as well.

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro doesn't look like a $139.99 / £119.99 gaming mouse, but it's got the features, feel, and sensor performance to keep up with more expensive flagships while offering a form factor that plays particularly nicely with a relaxed palm grip.

That's not something you find in the best gaming mouse models every day. Its wider form factor isn't going to satisfy those going for gold in truly competitive esports arenas, but for the casual gamer who just wants a little comfort while zipping through some ranked matches, there's plenty to love here. It's not going to be for everyone, and it's priced just a little high compared to some of the mid-rangers out there right now, but the Burst 2 Pro is well worth stepping outside the Razer / Logitech box for.

Design

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro doesn't stray too far from the rest of its line. This is still a wide mouse with plenty of space for a comfortable palm grip and a soft-touch finish that keeps things smooth and tactile under the hand. A pear-shaped form factor means I can easily maintain control of the top half with just my thumb and pinky, while the base of my hand has good support from the fairly tall dome shape. That does limit finer movements, with the rear end often hitting my palm when I'm trying to fine-tune aim with more of a wiggle action, but it's more comfortable in a relaxed palm hold as a result.

The shape itself is going to serve those who use their forefingers and thumb to move primarily, rather than those who employ their smaller digits for more discrete movements. This is for the palm and claw grippers among us; otherwise, there's just too much strain on the fingertips.

Aesthetically, the Burst 2 Pro is a little dumpier than most of the gaming mice that cross my path. It's certainly smaller than the comparatively hulking Glorious Model O 3 Wireless and looks far more streamlined as a result. A heavier gradient down towards the front and an emphasized widening to the rear mean this is more of a slope to work with, compared to Glorious's slab-like design. It is, however, chunkier than the featherweight Corsair Sabre Pro V2 Ultralight, with less of a slimline feel.

Construction feels alright. Nothing has sent major red flags during my last few weeks of testing, but there's considerable creaking from the sides and the back of the main hump when pressure is applied. However, there's no rattle in the main clicks, and the scroll wheel feels just as tight as the day I opened it.

At 57g, we're still a way off from Corsair's magical 36g whisper of a mouse, but Turtle Beach has done well to keep the figures this low with such a chunky body under the hand. It helps that the underside is essentially carved out from the sensor up, with two open panels dropping a few grams. It's rocking the same kind of feel in-hand as the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro. That's with a nicely balanced weight distribution and no drag from that larger rear section.

Controls

You'll find everything you need here, with two side buttons to accompany those main clicks and a tappable scroll wheel. A DPI shifting button also lives right at the top of the mouse, but it's so far up the device that it's almost impossible to hit during gameplay. Still, I'll take it over the underside placement of the best Razer mice, even if I do have to shimmy up the mouse and grip the sides particularly hard to actuate the stiffer switch.

The scroll wheel feels nicely notched with a good amount of tension to avoid accidental flicks, while still feeling responsive in-game. There's no fancy footwork featured here, no side-to-side action, and a simple notched system to work with. However, it feels comfortable, doesn't squeak, and has good action to it overall. I did struggle when using it for weapon selection, though. These are softer notches than I've been used to, which sometimes meant a little over-extension.

Software

While many brands are moving towards lighter web-based configuration tools, the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro still needs the full Swarm treatment. This is Swarm 2, though, and it's miles ahead of the original software.

Everything works just as it should, with a simple keybinding system mapped to a virtual image of the mouse itself and easy macro recording to boot. Deeper customizations take place in a separate screen, with everything from lift-off distance to angle tuning available via individual panels. It's lightweight, doesn't throw a bunch of ads in your face, and never failed or took up too much CPU space during my testing time. It also provides a solid battery indicator, which is more than I can say for other brands.

Connection

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro offers an 8,000Hz wireless and wired polling rate, which feels more like a box-ticking exercise than a feature you'd actually prioritize when picking up a new gaming mouse. Yes, ultra-competitive players may feel a difference, but it's unlikely to be noticed by the rest of us and doesn't feel particularly well placed in the Burst 2 Pro's chunkier form factor.

Thankfully, Turtle Beach hasn't gone all in on tailoring its connections to the Esports elite. You'll still find a versatile Bluetooth connection onboard, with a simple USB-A 2.4GHz receiver for a faster tether. Connection modes are selected via a sliding toggle on the underside, and I found swapping between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth between devices to be pretty simple.

Battery

Turtle Beach expects you to get up to 150 hours of juice out of this rodent, and that's a number I wouldn't second-guess after a few weeks of testing. I've only had to plug in once or twice during this period. In a regular month of work and play, I had to recharge once, and I average around 53 hours of use per week. That does dip with a higher polling rate, but I largely keep to 1,000Hz with 4,000Hz in the back pocket if I need it.

You don't get the hot-swappability of Glorious's newer rodents, but with a heftier battery under the hood, you don't exactly need it. In fact, the only other mouse to hit the same power ceiling as the Burst 2 Pro is the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, and that's the best wireless gaming mouse for battery I've tested so far.

Sensor

The Owl-Eye sensor is back, with its 30,000 DPI and 750 IPS tracking speed. That's a pretty standard affair, not quite touching Razer's flagship Focus Pro or Logitech's Hero 2, most recently featured in the G Pro X Superlight 2c, but still offering a sturdy experience. Tracking remains stable and accurate on both fabric and harder surfaces, with no noticeable stuttering during faster moments. Power does seem to be routed away when the mouse is at low battery, though. I noticed more juddering when at lower percentages than I do from other devices.

There's also a strong roster of additional sensor features to dig into. This is often where more premium flagships take the win, with Razer's rodents offering the best selection of sensor features of the bunch. Turtle Beach is getting close, though, with lift-off distances running the full 0.7mm, 1mm, and 2mm gamut, with fine-tunable angle snapping and motion sync.

Switches

This is one of the only gaming mice I've tested that has softer main clicks than side buttons. That's a strange one. I'm normally getting stroppy about side clackers that feel too limp under the hand, but I was surprised when I first put these optical switches to the test.

They're fast and comfortable, but the main clickers feel just a touch too padded to truly feel tactile, while the side buttons have more of a traditional response. It doesn't impact gameplay too much. I was still able to hit all my usual beats, but if you prefer a crisper snap to your clicks, I'd recommend looking into the Logitech G Pro X Superlight line instead.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro?

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro has plenty going for it: a solid battery life, low weight, comfortable shape, and a reliable sensor with a bunch of extras. It's zippy but comfortable, lightweight but particularly easy to control, and offers a few software features you won't find further down the price range.

It's premium, but it isn't as expensive as Logitech and Razer's top dogs. No, it's not as cheap as other mice offering similar feature sets, but if you're after a more relaxed hand position while still maintaining the internal speed of FPS-first pointers, it's an easy recommendation. However, considering the NZXT Lift Elite packs a similar shape with only a few minor sacrifices in the sensor department for just $79.99 / £79.99, it's worth consolidating your own needs first.

If you're after a soft feel with the sensor smarts to keep up with faster gameplay, this is an easy recommendation. However, this isn't a one-size-fits-all rodent.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro

I used the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro exclusively for four weeks, running the mouse as my day-to-day device for both work and play. In that time, I was primarily playing my way through Doom: The Dark Ages arena runs, while also ticking along in Planet Coaster and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I also stress-tested the mouse in Apex Legends and CS:2 during more focused testing sessions. For more information on how we test gaming mice, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also hunting down all the best Logitech gaming mouse options, while also diving into the best gaming keyboards and best gaming headsets for more setup inspiration.

If you were asked to conjure up the generic image of a gaming headset in your head, you're likely imagining an all black or all white pair of cups, and that's to be expected.

Most of the brands behind the best gaming headsets launch their cups in black or white. However, 2025 marked the year when some brands, like SteelSeries and Turtle Beach, made sure to make their latest headsets in a range of different colorways to suit a variety of setup types and themes, and I hope that the variety of colors for headsets is a trend that continues into 2026 as the new year approaches.

Earlier this year, SteelSeries released the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless gaming headset, which didn't just launch in the suspected all black and white models like the headsets before it. Instead, it was also available in a lovely Aqua and Lavender versions, providing more variety for those who wanted it.

For review, I was given the Lavender version, which is draped out in a lovely pastel purple colorway, and looks far more fitting in my cute, gaming-themed setup than the all black version would. It's also the same headset under its purple exterior, with its 40mm Neodymium audio drivers, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio support, fast charging, and support for over 200+ audio presets - there's no style over substance here.

SteelSeries didn't do this with just one release over 2025 either. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 headset was available in black, white, and Magenta when it launched on October 14 earlier this year. This new colorway was particularly unique as it provided a dark pink shade, when other pink headsets, like the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 line, resort to light pink shades instead. Unfortunately, there was no Aqua or Lavender like with the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless release, but to see any color alongside the all-black and white models was a treat. I review a ridiculous number of headsets every year as the resident headset nerd of the GamesRadar+ hardware team, and the sight of all black and all white colorways gets monotonous and boring over time.

SteelSeries isn't the only brand that was experimental with its color variety this year, but Turtle Beach also got in on the trend. In February of 2025, the brand released a new purple SKU of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 wireless gaming headset, which saw the cups covered in a dark, deep purple shade.

Cris Keirn, CEO of Turtle Beach Corporation, stated in the February 13 2025 press release that he was "happy to give gamers a wider range of colors" when it came to the headset, and I can see why. The deep purple shade stands out from other headsets on the market today, and means that players have more of an opportunity to grab a high-quality PC headset that can match up with their setup, especially if they're particularly fond of the color purple.

A dark, deep purple doesn't match up with my white and pink PC gaming setup theme, however, I was happy to see this version of the cups pass my testing bench at the start of the year. Not only was the headset sporting the new colorway, but even the 2.4GHz dongle was purple too, which made it easier to find amongst my ever-growing collection of wireless dongles for the many headsets and accessories that find their way into my setup.

I'm not entirely sure why this added variety has been a trend seen throughout headsets this year, but I'm glad to see it. More variety is always the more consumer-friendly choice, as it means anyone looking to upgrade their headset can do so while picking out a design and look they actually like, without having to stick to the all-black look purely as it might be the only one available at the time.

My only guess at the swarms of new color varieties could have something to do with streaming, and having PC and console setups that look as aesthetically pleasing as possible to viewers who might get a glimpse into your gaming setup. The advent of TikTok content also means that there are plenty of people showing off their dedicated themed PC and console areas of their house, and having these extra colorways can give a better choice to those who need to keep everything looking as video-friendly as possible. No matter the reason, I'm all for it.

Gaming headsets will still most commonly be available in black and white models, and that's likely going to change any time soon. Recently, I've reviewed the Sony Inzone H9 II wireless headset and the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS, and both are available in black SKUs, with Sony opting for a white version too, likely to better match the headset with the white design of the PS5 console itself.

However, with extra emphasis put on the look of headsets as well as their specs when it comes to things like streaming, I'm excited to see the trend of new colorways continue as we enter the big new year of 2025. If anything, at least it will ensure that everyone has more choice and variety and can better unify their PC and console gaming setups to the color and aesthetic of their choosing - which I am a fan of this year, and will be the next.

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• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless  | $109.99 at Amazon

Our guides to the best PS5 headset, the best Xbox Series X headset, and the best Nintendo Switch headset are full of cups, which are available in a range of colorways for all your aesthetic setup needs.

Sim racing sounds great on paper, but unless you have a dedicated space for a cockpit chair, pedals, and a wheel, it demands a lot of faff. Setting it all up when you want to use it is a pain, making sure the pedals aren't going to slide away from you as you stomp down the brake is a classic problem, and bolting one of the best PC racing wheels to your desk could cause a monitor to vibrate its way to the floor.

I really wish there were more accessible solutions out there, and thankfully, Turtle Beach has an answer. The Turtle Beach Racer Wireless for Xbox and PC is, as it sounds, a wireless steering wheel that looks to simplify the hassles of sim racing while also giving people a bit more novelty in their driving games.

Straight off the starting line, I'll say that this is not going to be one for veteran sim racers to consider. There's no force feedback here, and there aren't even pedals. Perhaps what's worse, from my experience of using it, there are huge deadzone issues that even the companion software can't fix.

Cruising around the tracks of Forza Motorsport was pretty difficult when I had to massively oversteer just to get a small correction on my racing line to register. Setting deadzones both in the game settings and the Turtle Beach software to zero did nothing to help that either; it very much felt like a baked-in issue due to the design of the wheel.

And yet, I really want to like this Wireless Racer. It has some really clever design elements, like its lap mounts, which you can adjust to your leg size and sitting position. You don't need to mount it to a coffee table, desk, or PlaySeat Formula Instinct; it rests on your lap really securely.

The bigger issue is with go and stop. Without pedals, you use the gear shifter paddles on the backside of the wheel to accelerate and brake, but when you're squeezing the brake on a corner, that means your arms are going to tie themselves in knots. Combine that with big deadzone issues that mean you need to turn the wheel about double the amount that you should, and you've got a big ol' problem with the steering lock in any virtual car you drive.

At the same time, I don't want to tear down Turtle Beach's trend setter too much. I can see it being a novel Xbox Series X accessory for any junior gamer this Christmas. A kid probably won't notice deadzone issues because they'll be too busy smiling from ear to ear that they have a functional steering wheel on their lap. Not to mention, the average Xbox steering wheel can easily set you back double or triple this amount. Turtle Beach's VelocityOne KD3 costs £329.99/$449.99, and it's priced fairly competitively.

I'd also love to see Turtle Beach innovate more on wheels like this, and for other sim racing brands to join the wireless party. What if one of these options had some pedal compatibility? What if there were some basic vibration through rumble motors to satiate the want for force feedback? I really do think there's a place in the market for more accessible (and affordable) racing wheels - we just need one with deadzones that make small corrections possible.

• Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3: $449.99
• Turtle Beach Racer Wireless: $179.99 at Turtle Beach
• Logitech G RS50: $699.99 at Amazon

Looking for something for the PS5 gamer in your life? Read up on the best PS5 steering wheel, the best PS5 controller, and the best PS5 headset.

Forget squad shooters, it’s sim racing hardware that seems to be the most active battleground in gaming over the past year or two. Not only are more brands dropping in with new hardware, they’re fighting each other particularly hard when it comes to price. There’s been a noticeable shift in the market as it’s rapidly become more mainstream; it’s no longer a choice between budget or performance, genuine mid-range racing wheels for PC are now a reality.

Turtle Beach is one of the more recent additions to the grid. It may be best known for headsets, but in recent times it’s shifted focus to an expanding range of VelocityOne simulation gear too. It came out swinging with the VelocityOne Race in mid-2024, a punchy 7Nm direct drive debut, and now it’s adding to the team with a gentler, cheaper model. The Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 halves the torque but basically halves the price at the same time.

It has competition in this race though. MOZA was the first off the line with the R3; Logitech’s RS50 is leading the championship, and old-school options like the Logitech G923 will still get the job done. At £329.99/$449.99, the KD3 looks like a very accessible direct drive option, but has Turtle Beach had to pick up too many corner-cutting warnings to make it possible?

Design

Early credit to the Turtle Beach design team here, because the VelocityOne Race KD3 is one of the most unique-looking wheelbases you’ll find. When everyone else is copying each other’s homework with basic black cubes, Turtle Beach has gone anti-corner with a striking cylindrical design. It’s still matte black, but there are a couple of striking neon yellow logos to break things up. I like it, though it does mean you’re reliant on a separate, though included, mounting bracket to stop this thing from rolling away.

Build quality on the wheelbase is strong, with a textured metal body capped off by plastic ends. It feels a little more hollow than rivals, but not in a concerning way, and on the whole, it all feels more premium than the price tag would have you expecting. It’s impressively compact too, just 15cm long and 13cm wide, allow a couple of cm on the bottom of the clamp and you’re still looking at a very small-space-friendly footprint. That included mounting bracket is all metal with a clever integrated tilt adjustment offering up to 20 degrees of angle choice.

The VelocityOne Race KD3 includes a 30cm round wheel as standard, but this is Turtle Beach’s first track limits violation. It’s nowhere near as premium as the wheelbase, and it’s being shown up by its teammate.

The wheel rim features a textured rubber coating that’s not bad, but a joining seam running right the way around not only looks cheap but is noticeable and uncomfortable to hold. Things get worse heading into the middle of the wheel, where it’s plastic galore. Everything from the frame itself to the buttons and selection rollers is hard plastic and not pleasant to touch and use, though the layout is tidy and all inputs are within reach of a thumbsweep without adjusting your grip. Around the back, the paddle shifters are a highlight; they’re metal, magnetic, a great size, and in a great position.

This isn’t your only option, however. Turtle Beach has introduced the VelocityOne F-RX Formula Wheel alongside the KD3, and it could not be more different in terms of build quality. It’s phenomenally good in design and execution to the point it really makes me question what went wrong with the default option. The rubber grips are soft and luscious, and while they too have a joining seam, it’s much less noticeable. There’s a huge array of customizable inputs littering the (unfortunately still plastic) face. The buttons are mechanical with just the right amount of resistance, though the three central rotary encoders are too stiff for my liking. If it wasn’t for the little palm tree in the middle of it I wouldn’t have believed this wheel was from the same brand, let alone the same range. You’ll pay for the privilege, mind you, £189.99/$249.99 for the wheel alone, but it is an absolute delight.

The pedals are almost a hybrid of the wheel and wheelbase in terms of quality. There are pros and cons to them. Turtle Beach has stuck with a large, all-in-one tray, which I don’t mind as a concept, though the execution relies heavily on plastic and doesn’t feel great as a result. The texturing on the heel plate is welcome, and there are non-slip pads on the bottom, though I didn’t find them particularly effective on either carpet or a hard floor so you’ll probably want to butt the KD3 pedals up against something.

Thankfully, this is now possible as Turtle Beach has learned from the original VelocityOne Race and has moved the USB connection from the back to the side, a very welcome and logical change.

The pedals themselves are again largely plastic, although they feel sturdy with generously-sized metal faceplates. There’s loads of adjustment potential here too with no less than 21 holes drilled into the accelerator and 15 in the brake. There’s no actual lateral movement to the accelerator though, and a negligible amount to the brake - bizarre given the inch-wide bezels on the outer side of both. I found they felt a touch cramped as a result, not enough that I was actually clipping my feet together, but tight enough that it wasn’t comfortable or natural.

Features and Compatibility

The Turtle Beach KD3 is an entry-level direct-drive wheel, so raw torque numbers from the wheelbase are a little lacking on paper. 3.2Nm of force isn’t nothing though, particularly if you’re new to sim racing or looking to step up from a gear or belt-driven option like the Logitech G923.

It’s fully compatible as an Xbox steering wheel, which gives it natural affiliation with PC, though there’s no love for PlayStation racers, unfortunately. The little OLED display on the wheelbase is a nice touch and allows for onboard tuning of settings, though it’s certainly fiddlier than making those adjustments in the supporting app.

The included wheel is particularly light on inclusions. There are no additional programmable buttons here, just the standard array carried over from an Xbox controller. The F-RX Formula Wheel, on the other hand, offers 10 mechanical buttons spread across the face with RGB backlights, three rotary and two thumb dials, two thumbsticks, onboard RPM lights, Hall effect clutch paddles, tunable clutch paddles—the works. The pedals rely on traditional spring resistance and have quite a large travel distance. There’s no load cell brake here, which is a shame, but both the throttle and brake use contactless Hall effect sensors for accuracy and longevity.

Performance

Most of my sim racing is done on PC, so that’s where I started with the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3. I bolted it to the Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition, connected the F-RX wheel, and jumped straight into F1 25. I was pleased to see the KD3 was fully button-mapped out of the box, which meant I was able to go straight out on track with no additional config. With 3.2Nm of torque at its disposal, I wasn’t expecting the KD3 to wrestle me around corners but resistance did feel light around high-speed bends. Where I am able to lean into the torque for control on strong wheels, with the KD3, my car felt much more floaty, and I didn’t have that same level of physical connection. That said, after adjusting I was able to bang in consistently quick lap times, so while it’s a compromise on a more powerful wheel, I still enjoyed whipping around Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Curiously however, there’s next to no feedback from the track surface itself, not even a gentle buzz to let me know I still had tyres on, it was like driving on ice down the straights. This wasn’t limited to F1 25 either, Forza Motorsport (which required full button mapping) had the same sensation. Kerbs, bumps, and gravel were a different story altogether in both titles, and the KD3 was excellent when I strayed off-line. Riding over kerbs gave a proper jolt and shudder through the wheel; it was obvious when I dipped a wheel in the gravel and I had to correct for it. It’s proof the K: Drive motor is capable of some grunt, it’s just not being overly well implemented at present. Buoyed on by this off-track performance, I swapped over to EA WRC and was much more impressed. It really seems like the VelocityOne Race KD3 was born to rally because when you take it away from tarmac, it comes into its own. Sliding around gravel-covered hairpins was wonderful with a rich amount of detail, plenty of wrestling, and a great amount of control.

Things aren’t quite so straightforward when it comes to playing on console. Not because there are quirks in game performance (though there are), but because there are quirks in what games you can actually play. Compatibility on Xbox is a major issue with the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3, just like it was with the original VelocityOne Race 18 months ago. There’s a list of the games that are supposed to be compatible on the Turtle Beach website, but surely I shouldn’t have to dig out a spreadsheet to find out what games I can play with my jazzy new wheel?

I’d love to go into deep detail about how the KD3 performs on Xbox, but as it stands, I couldn’t play much from my library to actually be able to tell you. Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Motorsport are both on the compatibility list and do actually work, so we’re off to a good start, but the experience is middling. Everything was button-mapped and force feedback worked well moving between surfaces, but there was a strange inner deadzone issue in both games that felt like the wheel was on top of a pyramid and was determined to pull left or right down straights.

I tried jumping over to F1 24, another game on the list with claimed full compatibility, though I failed at the game’s simple request to “Press Any Button” to start. Nothing, dead. Might as well be turned off. The same was true of Burnout Paradise, though admittedly that wasn’t on the compatibility list. Wreckfest was, yet while the buttons worked and I could navigate menus, neither pedals or steering registered anything. I’m not sure if you’ve tried to compete in a demolition derby without being able to move or turn, but it doesn’t end well.

I’m just glad the force feedback that’s meant to work in that game didn’t, or I’d have been sore in the morning. Farming Simulator 22 is on the list, but curiously, 25 is absent. I tried the latter anyway and while the pedals, steering, and some buttons work, there’s no way to look around or move outside of vehicles. I’m not sure if you’ve tried to harvest wheat without being able to see where you’re going, but it doesn’t end well.

I’d be inclined to say that this could change as time goes on, but that’s what I told you about the original VelocityOne Race. With game compatibility being a persistent gripe with this brand’s sim gear, it makes the rivals look even better. The Logitech G RS50 doesn’t have immediate compatibility with every game out there, but it has a clever mode that tricks games into thinking you’re using the widely compatible Logitech G Pro wheel. Even worse for Turtle Beach, Nacon has come straight out of the gate with its first-ever sim racing system in 2025, the Revosim RS Pure bundle, and while its game support might not be perfect, you can tell it’s been something the product designers have put thought into.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3?

What makes the KD3 so frustrating is that, on the hardware front at least, Turtle Beach has a competitor with genuine potential. This could be a perfect step-up wheel for maturing young gamers or a logical entry point for new racers wanting more than a toy wheel. Even tuned down to 3.2Nm, the K: Drive motor has enough punch for most people, and it can deliver smooth and precise sensations when you venture off of smooth tarmac. Connect it to a PC and pair it with that scrumptious F-RX wheel and it’s a compelling bundle (albeit less compellingly priced by that point).

But console compatibility just isn’t up to standard. I shouldn’t need to cross every finger when booting up a game from my library in the hopes that my wheel works, I shouldn’t have to check a spreadsheet to know if I can go racing, and I definitely shouldn’t have to question my sanity when a game I was told will work, doesn’t.

I have a strange sense of déjà vu with the KD3 because I feel like I could copy and paste a lot of my top-level thoughts from my review of the original VelocityOne Race a year and a half ago. The same pros are still pros, and the cons are still prohibitive cons. I’m sure there are intricacies in game compatibility and I’m not expecting every single game since the console’s release to work perfectly. But there’s no excuse for titles released in the last two or three years to simply not work, and there are more misses that hits here.

How we tested the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3

I tried the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 on both Xbox Series X and PC, mounted to either a Playseat Trophy Logitech G Edition racing seat or bolted to a coffee table using the included clamp and supplied tools in both cases. I tried a range of games on both platforms, focusing on titles included in the official compatibility list while also trying my luck on others that weren’t. In each game, I used both the included standard wheel and the F-RX wheel, which is a paid add-on to the bundle.

For more on how we test controllers, take a casual gander through our Hardware Policy.

Looking for something more PlayStation-compatible? Check out the best PS5 steering wheels. For more on controllers, take a look at the best PC controller, and the best Xbox Series X controller.

Of all the PS5 headsets I suspected to see on sale throughout the holidays, the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 was not one of them. The officially licensed pair of cups has barely been on the online shelves for three months, and its $59.99 MSRP was so cheap to start with, so I thought it'd be at least 2026 before we'd see any significant savings.

Yet, the Atlas 200 received its first-ever discount during Black Friday, taking its full price down to $49.99 at Amazon, where it still remains today. A $10 saving doesn't sound that dramatic at first, but it feels pretty significant when it's $10 off one of the best PS5 headsets I've tested all year, which shares the sound quality of rivals well past the $100 mark. If you need a cheap headset for your PS5 and don't want to be stuck with a cheap sound, the Atlas 200 is worth every dollar.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Atlas 200?

This is a wired headset, so if you cannot stand being at the mercy of cables, even a 4ft-er, this is not the pair for you. I get it, as I very much prefer hooking up to my Sony pixel-pusher via a 2.4GHz wireless connection, as I do via the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless. That being said, the sound quality of this Turtle Beach pair is pretty much on par with SteelSeries' mid-range, wireless marvel.

The Atlas 200 is equipped with 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers, which allow the wired pair to have a really warm and balanced sound. During my Atlas 200 review, I tested the headset while playing horror games like Still Wakes the Deep, and stated that it made the creaky oil rig and the terrifying mutters of the monsters lurking sound fantastic, and I still stand by that.

The larger 50mm size of the drivers means there's more surface area for the sound to resonate, so any and all bass-heavy frequencies, whether it was in Still Wakes the Deep or online games like Marvel Rivals, sound sublime and distortion-free - just the way I like it.

It's not just the sound that I admire about the Atlas 200, but the ear cups are super comfortable to boot. Whenever I can't be bothered to ensure I've charged my current wireless headset of choice, I instead pop the Atlas 200 into the 3.5 headphone jack and can't help but grin as I feel the soft, fabric coating of the cups on my ears. It also helps that the cups are round enough to fit around even my massive, Dumbo-like ears, so while there's no noise-canceling, the sound feels isolated and perfectly loud.

The main stickler I have with this headset is its microphone. If you're after a less than $100 PS5 headset specifically for online gaming, I'd much prefer to direct you towards something like the Razer Barracuda X instead. The Atlas 200 gives an early 00s PC mic quality to your speaking, which your friends won't want to be subject to for multiple hours on end.

However, if you prefer single-player experiences with the odd match of Fortnite without voice chat, this wired pair is worth its current $49.99 deal price. Honestly, it's worth its full price too, so if you're coming to this article late and the deal is already gone, I'd still recommend you add it to your Sony gaming setup.

• View all PS5 gaming headset deals at Amazon
• View all PS5 Turtle Beach headsets at Amazon
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 wireless headset | $199.99 $149.99 at Amazon

Check out our guides to the best gaming headsets, which if full of PS5 picks, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets to suit every budget.

For another year running, the best PS5 headset title has been claimed by SteelSeries, but it's the new Arctis Nova Pro Omni that now sits in the top spot. This headset launched on May 5, 2026, and instantly showed it was worthy of taking the Pro Wireless down a peg, as it remains equipped with everything that impressed us with the older headset, but features quality-of-life upgrades that make it just that little bit better.

In the last year, Razer has sent its BlackShark V3, Corsair has posted its Virtuoso Max, and even Sony has been in the running with its new H9 II. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless always seems to keep its head above these competitive waters, though, surviving on a combination of quality, value, and unique features, which are all present on the new Omni.

As the Omni is still so new, discounts haven't yet appeared, and it sits at a $20 / £20 higher price than the Pro Wireless before it. However, its price still feels justified for such a premium device - it's the best gaming headset on the market, after all. That means there are more budget-friendly trophies to hand out, and some use-cases in which competitors take a slight lead. I've had all the best PS5 headsets across a range of budgets on my head this year, and you'll find all my top picks below.

The quick list

The best PS5 headset overall

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni is more than the best PS5 headset out there, it's our new favorite gaming headset overall, and here's why.

Before now, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless used to sit in this top spot, and it well and truly deserved the attention. The headset had a rich, deep, and fantastically well textured audio quality and it managed to combine that audio pedigree with additional features that actually make life easier. Gaming headsets often pad out marketing with these extra gadgets, but a multi-platform hub with easy-access EQ settings, hot-swappable batteries keeping you juiced up the entire time, and a retractable microphone makes tangible improvements to any setup.

The Omni is essentially the same headset, but SteelSeries has imbued it with some upgrades that make it even better than what came before. Now, the microphone mutes when retracted, the earcushions are thicker and far more comfortable as a result, but most importantly, the audio quality and Game Hub have been through a bit of a makeover. The Omni can now connect up to four sources (the PS5 included) at once and have the audio of those mixed simultaneously through the hub. It's also Hi-res audio compatible, which isn't really important where Sony's pixel-pusher is concerned, but its sound needs little to no EQ this time around.

Yes, alternatives like the Audeze Maxwell might have an edge in audio quality (it's more neutral and offers a wider, more detailed soundstage overall) but its hard, heavy form factor has nothing on the softer, lighter Nova Pro Omni. Its features are also less focused on gaming overall, with detachable microphone and limited EQ settings on PS5.

The Astro A50 X is better for multiplatform switching with its integrated KVM hub (you can swap both your audio and video feed between Xbox and PS5 at the tap of a button), but this introduces more issues than it solves for a lot of players. Most notably, it doesn't suit those with different setups in different places and can't beat SteelSeries' Bluetooth versatility. Not to mention, you can't adjust the sound of all those sources on the fly via the Game Hub like you can with the Omni.

Both these headsets feature further down the page, but SteelSeries has also beaten the more recent Sony Inzone H9 II and Razer BlackShark V3 Pro. The latter got full marks, with a booming sound quality that emphasises bass tones particularly well the best mic we've used on a PS5 headset. EQ settings are a little trickier to manage here, though, and you're dropping that easy charging system. Sony's own Inzone model is more PC-focused but while it matches SteelSeries in a lot of arenas, it falls particularly short in battery.

Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni vs the competition

The best budget PS5 headset

The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 can be found for less than $60 / £50 but still manages to offer premium-sounding audio and a particularly comfortable form factor. Those are often your first sacrifices when hunting down a budget PS5 headset, so Turtle Beach is already off to a good start.

The Atlas 200 really wants you to know it's an officially licensed headset, with a crisp white and blue colorway and PlayStation logos stamped on each side of the elastic headband. It's a clean design, though, and remains in keeping with the PS5's aesthetic. It's also super comfortable, resting neatly on the crown and holding out at just 280g.

Yes, you're dropping a lot of the features that you'd find further up the price scale but for $60 / £50 you really just want comfort and audio. If you want to rip the Band-aid off, Turtle Beach has made its biggest sacrifices in the microphone. It's a tiny plastic detachable number with a thin piece of white foam protecting pop sounds. It sounds as cheap as it is, but it functions (better than some we've tested).

Crucially, it works next to a set of cups that over perform for their price. With Tempest 3D Audio fully supported, Silent Hill f proved particularly powerful in our testing, and more competitive scenarios are well catered for as well. The Atlas 200 maintains precise directional audio in Marvel Rivals, even in a busier soundstage.

The best value PS5 headset

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is the line's middle child, but it's one of the more recent releases for PS5. That means it can pack even better value than the Nova 4 and Nova 7 it finds itself in between. You lose the hot-swappable batteries, hub, and some of the audio power and build quality of the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, but you're spending significantly less and you even gain some EQ add-ons.

That's because the Nova 5 comes with the Arctis companion app. This software gives you access to a massive number (now 300+) of EQ presets created by sound engineers and game developers themselves and tailored specifically for a huge supply of games. You're getting the perfect EQ settings for everything from Fall Guys to Fallout, all just a click away on console. That's not something we see every day, where EQ settings like this a generally locked away for PC users.

Audio straight out of the box is compelling, but we were surprised by just how well the various EQ presets worked with each game we tested. Yes, some are more useful than others - we're not sure just how much a dedicated Fall Guys option really adds. But there were also some shocks in there - cinematic Baldur's Gate 3 scenes benefitted greatly and - of course - you're getting plenty of competitive options in there as well.

With easy connection options across a massive range of devices, but a specific focus on bringing game-specific EQ settings to consoles like PS5, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless makes for a fantastic headset. It's well priced, excellent value for money, and incredibly versatile. The only reason my eyes would stray towards the similarly priced Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed is if my microphone was particularly important. The Nova 5 has a solid arm on it, but it doesn't reach the super wideband heights of Razer.

Read more: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless review

The best multiplatform PS5 headset

If you primarily play on PS5, but also have an Xbox Series X waiting in the wings, the Astro A50 X is going to be your best friend. This premium model comes in a similar price point to the Omni, but throws in a unique HDMI switcher feature that lets you hop between consoles at just the touch of a button. Meanwhile, the excellent audio and Tempest 3D compatibility mean the overall experience still remains powerful between the cups as well.

It's less comfortable than the Omni overall, with harsher plastic sides and a thin material covering the headband. It's also got that robot-aesthetic that doesn't quite match the softer lines of the Nova. There's also a Bluetooth problem.

The Astro A50 X only routes your Bluetooth connection through the hub itself. That means no on-the-go play, a major consideration if you're eyeing it up. Have multiple consoles in the same setup and don't need to travel with your kit? This is the best PS5 headset for you.

The base station keeps the full 4K 120Hz signal of the HDMI 2.1 cables intact, and switches seamlessly between the two provided both are set to rest rather than turned off. Both the headset and dock are plastic in construction, but both feel sturdy enough to survive some beating. There's a particularly soft swivel to each side which means the cups will sit flush against your head without pinching on the ears, though this looser approach does make slotting the headset onto the charging contacts on the base station a little more fiddly.

Featuring the same graphene driver tech as the Logitech G Pro X2s, the Astro A50 X is an absolute belter. There's a particularly deft handling of competing audio across all the ranges here, as well as a powerful bass and well-spaced higher tones as well. Between the bullet-hell cacophany of Doom Eternal's battlegrounds and the thwacks of an Evil West fist fight, audio was booming where it needed to be and delicate elsewhere. That makes for a particularly well-rounded listening experience, not only in games but across music and movies as well.

Read more: Astro A50 X review

The best PS5 headset for Tempest 3D Audio

Sony's official PS5 headset is still a top performer and has consistently been one of our favourites. If you're going all in on 3D audio this generation, this is the most cost-effective option we've tested.

Sharing the same design language and aesthetic that the PS5 and its accessories have, the Pulse 3D headset maintains a subtlety in its form - there's no extruding boom mic, and all the tech is discreetly hidden.

That 3D tech really is at the forefront of the Pulse's package, which means there are other sacrifices in this spec sheet. There's no retractable mic, and battery life could certainly be better. Yet, the headset delivers undeniable quality in its sound and comfort.

It delivers gloriously rich and detailed sound as you traverse Astro Playroom's noisy noisy platforms, and gives multi-layered audio detail in the roar of combat in Miles Morales. However, it is in the quieter moments that the Pulse 3D headset and the PS5's Tempest audio magic really blew us away: spaceships zoom past your head in Astro, or footsteps' exact direction of travel being discernible in Miles Morales. There's a reason that this is the official headset, and we can see from our testing and hands-on that Sony invested in it.

The results are awesome, and it is absolutely one of the best PS5 headsets - and it's at an aggressive price point too. Sony's official device goes above and beyond the call of duty for its price point, even if there are some microphone sacrifices to get there.

Read more: Pulse 3D headset review

The best microphone on a PS5 headset

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is a sturdy release by itself, even extending a little further into the lower ranges for more bass oomph compared to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni. However, where it truly stands apart from our top contender is in its microphone.

Razer uses its new full band microphone on the V3 Pro, an upgrade even from the V2 Pro's super wideband model. 'Full band' essentially just means the microphone is capable of picking up frequencies across the entire range of human hearing - nothing is left out here.

Its predecessor was already leading the market, and the newer release polishes that trophy a little further. It's one of the richest mic experiences we've had during testing, with excellent noise reduction, a super textured vocal reflection, and plenty of detailing.

This high-end headset is also decked out with ANC, simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio, comfortable ear cups, and a great sound thanks to its Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen 2 audio drivers. It's deeper than SteelSeries' audio, but rather than being directly better it's geared more towards those who prefer power in the bass ranges rather than space in the mids.

The PS5 version of the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is designed officially with the Sony console in mind, and brings all the impressive qualities that blew us away with the PC version to console players - especially its rich and fantastic sounding full-band omnidirectional microphone that makes it perfect for online gaming fans.

Read more: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review

The best PS5 headset for audiophiles

The Audeze Maxwell offers the best audio I've heard on a PS5 headset so far, hands down. Why is it not at the top? Because Audeze goes all in on that sound quality, at the expense of comfort, customization and mic quality. If you're going for audiophile listening first and foremost, you'll have a field day here - but as a headset for the vast majority of players looking to upgrade, it's more difficult to recommend.

We'll start with the good. You'll be looking to a set of 90mm planar magnetic drivers (see which gaming headset drivers you should choose for more) to provide that super wide soundstage the Maxwells are known for. Essentially, these drivers use a different method of vibrating the diaphragm between magnets, one that reduces distortion and increases responsiveness. It's truly fantastic sound, I use these headphones not just for gaming but for music listening sessions as well.

It's a beautifully detailed stage, with space for intricacies at both the low and high range to shine through. The size of these drivers and the sophistication of the tech here is unmatched on the market today.

So what do you lose compared to SteelSeries? Just about everything else the Nova Pro Omni has going for it. The Maxwells have a solid 80 hour battery life but you're still plugging in to recharge, EQ presets are a little fiddly and pretty basic on the smartphone app level and the microphone suffers in quality compared to even cheaper gaming headsets. You also sacrifice ANC and simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections.

There's also the build. The Maxwells might feel more durable with their large aluminum and steel parts and hefty weight, but they weigh just as heavy on the head. There's a rubber elastic strap to alleviate pressure, but this is still a two-hour max endeavour.

Read more: Audeze Maxwell review

How we test PS5 headsets

Every PS5 headset we come across goes through weeks of testing before we make our final review assessment, but we don't just leave these cups on the test bench. These headsets are slotted into our everyday play, becoming our daily drivers for work, play, streaming, and music during their testing period.

On PS5, we test across a range of different games, each posing a slightly different question of the device itself. Doom Eternal is used to see how well a driver separates a bassline from more intricate details in the mid-range. Horizon Forbidden West is excellent for measuring a clustered mid-range and how well the headset handles sometimes overpowering environmental sounds when competing with dialogue. Spider-Man: Miles Morales expands upon directional audio in a more condensed environment.

Apex Legends is used to test the directional accuracy of a headset, putting it through its competitive paces for both precision and mic volume. Finally, Dead by Daylight is used to see how the headset deals with a more atmospheric sound, and how it places voice chat within its subtle soundscape.

Of course, we're also playing whatever game sits on our backlog at the time during testing as well. These titles can differ depending on the access of any given reviewer, but it's always pertinent to test headsets during a whole range of games. Ensuring we're using not just the same games across each headset we test, but also brand-new releases is pertinent to recommending each and every set of cups.

Beyond pure audio performance, we're also comparing similarly priced headsets based on design and features. We're continually measuring comfort levels across cushion depth, materials, size, shape, and temperatures as well as headband padding, structural shape, and adjustment options. We then look at the extra features on offer in comparison to other spec sheets, noting connection, EQ, control, battery life, microphone type, and noise cancellation.

Once reviewed, each PS5 headset is scored out of five across six categories; comfort, audio, battery, microphone, versatility, and build quality.

For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Also tested

How to choose the right PS5 headset for you

If you don't know where to start in your search for the best PS5 headset, it's worth taking stock of what it is you need from your cups, and what features you need the most where your Sony setup is concerned.

If it's a wireless headset you're after, make sure you're getting a 2.4GHz dongle for the fastest connection. You can push the boat out further with an additional Bluetooth option for additional flexibility as well. Headsets part of this list, like SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, provide both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity.

If you play in a busier environment, or you want your headset to double up for commutes, you'll want to invest in something with either active noise cancellation (the digital blocking of external sound) or passive noise isolation (the physical blocking of external sound, via a tighter clamp force or larger ear cushions).

Battery life is important to consider if you don't want to be worrying about tapping out due to low power or having to plug in before or during a play session. Battery lives generally range from 20 - 50 hours these days, with 70 hour options and hot-swappable battery features available in more premium models.

Best PS5 headsets: FAQ

Glossary

• ANC: Active Noise Cancellation; a digital process of removing external audio picked up by microphones by adding a separate sound to cancel it out.
• Closed-back: A headset design where the driver is completely enclosed in the body of the cup. This is the norm for gaming headsets.
• Driver: The part of a gaming headset that produces the audio by converting electrical signals into sound waves.
• Dynamic: A driver type; dynamic drivers are the most commonly used in gaming headsets due to their low cost and wide range.
• EQ: Equalizer; a feature usually found in a gaming headset's software that allows for the fine-tuning of each frequency point along the device's audio range. EQ settings are used to emphasize or de-emphasize certain sounds like basslines or treble.
• Frequency response: The range of frequencies a gaming headset can produce, usually sitting at 20Hz - 20kHz, the range of human hearing.
• Graphene: A lightweight but sturdy material used in the drivers of high-end headsets to reduce distortion.
• Latency: The speed at which a wireless headset can receive information from your PS5, a higher latency will result in missed audio cues and is inadvisable for competitive play.
• Open-back: A headset design where the driver is not enclosed within the main body of the headset, offering a more spacious and natural soundstage while also bringing sound bleed in both directions.
• Planar: An alternative, more expensive, driver design that prioritizes clarity in low-end frequencies and reduces distortion while also proving more responsive in-game.
• Tempest 3D Audio: Sony's audio engine that uses object tracking to create realistic directional audio.

If you're not exactly in the PlayStation camp, we're also rounding up all the best Xbox Series X headsets and the best Nintendo Switch headsets on the market right now.

• Back to the top ^

The Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Switch 2 case is very similar to the rest of the carrying cases that have since hit the market in the wake of the new Nintendo handheld.

The large Nintendo Switch 2 case shares the same dual-storage system and a strap for portability like the rest of the all-in-one cases I've tested so far. However, it's in the tiny nuanced design and functionality differences of the officially licensed accessory that make it stand out against the sea of large Switch 2 case monotony. Instead of a plain all-black design, there are subtle red and blue design elements that harken to the Switch 2's aesthetics, and Turtle Beach went as far as to provide an additional messenger-bag-type strap for easier travel.

The $49.99 / £39.99 case shines when it comes to design, build-quality and value, but I wouldn't expect less from an officially licensed Switch 2 product. Begrudgingly, the moulded-accessory interior is not removable, which felt a bit limiting at first. However, it's nonetheless become my new go-to all-in-one carrying case, as it provides all I need to bring my whole setup, with plenty of space left over for extras.

Design

Out of all the all-in-one Switch 2 cases I've come across so far, I'm the biggest fan of the design of the PlayTrek 2-in-1.

Turtle Beach was able to take advantage of the case's official Switch 2 product status and provide it with some unique design flourishes that help it stand out against the sea of all-black all-in-one cases I've tested so far. Unlike alternatives like the Snakebyte System Organiser Case, this PlayTrek model is covered in a light gray colorway, with little strips of black on the far right side.

This strip of black fabric is stitched onto the main body of the case with a neon blue and neon red thread, which perfectly matches the colors of the Switch 2 Joy-Con, and the ones all of us now associate with the Nintendo Switch era of handhelds. It's a subtle design choice, but I'm a big fan of it.

Features

The case is separated into two sections, hence the "2-in-1" name given to it by Turtle Beach. The upper section is a hardshell compact case that can store the handheld and some smaller accessories. Meanwhile, the lower main body is a separate case which is larger and integrated with a moulded interior designed to store the bulkier accessories required for setting up the handheld - think the Switch 2 dock.

If we focus on the upper section, or the "first case" for a moment, it's a pretty ideal travel case in its own right. Just like the Belkin Carrying Case, one of my go-to Switch 2 accessories I've tested since launch, it can store the handheld and features a fabric flap that rests on the 7.9-inch display of the handheld for some extra protection. The upper side of this flap also features two strips of elastic, which are sewn into little pockets to store up to 14 physical Switch or Switch 2 games. Above this is a small fabric mesh pocket that can store smaller accessories. Typically, I use pockets like this to keep extra microSD Express cards and a spare set of Switch 2 Joy-Con rails on me at all times, as you never know when you'll need them.

The main body of this PlayTrek 2-in-1 case is a bit different. It's a deep, large case, with a moulded bottom that's shaped like a set of Switch 2 accessories.

Some all-in-one carrying cases like this feature velcro straps, which you can adjust to store your extras of choice. Turtle Beach instead opted for this moulded-out insert, which has space to store the Switch 2 dock, a Pro Controller, a spare set of Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, and the AC adapter. This section cannot be removed (as much as I did try), but there is more room to sit extra accessories above what you've added to it, if you need the extra space.

The top of this section, when closed, features a rectangular carved-out shape for the upper case to fit in. Once added together, you can secure both cases to become one by wrapping around the included strap and hooking its plastic buckle into the plastic hooks on either side of the main body. Other all-in-one cases come with this feature, but Turtle Beach went a step further by including a messenger-bag style strap with a shoulder cushion to make this one easier to carry around too.

Performance

Out of all the all-in-one cases I've looked at since the release of the Switch 2, the PlayTrek 2-In-1 from Turtle Beach has impressed me the most. At first, this purely came down to its design, but I also grew to prefer its storage options above its all-in-one case rivals.

I have a sneaking suspicion that some brands believe that a case like this is one you might keep in the back of your car on holiday trips to the in-laws, so it doesn't need to look good. Or at least, that's how it feels when I gaze upon the very plain and all-black looking cases of its kind that are hard to decipher between each other. Turtle Beach instead made the PlayTrek 2-In-1 stand out, with its nice gray coloring and strips of black with bright, Switch 2 stitching, which I previously mentioned earlier in this review. It's still a pretty simple design, but the dabs of color and variation make it hands-down my favorite of its kind in terms of looks, as it keeps a professional-looking edge while still screaming that it's a Switch 2 accessory.

My only gripe with how the case looks comes down to the fabric choices. The black strips are very prone to attracting miscellaneous fluff from in and around my home. If you own a cat or a fluffy animal or two, you might begin to notice hairs clinging to the black straps on the case very quickly, and the interior will be far worse. Of course, if you're pet-free, this likely won't be an issue for you at all, but it's worth bringing to your attention if you need your Switch 2 accessories looking as pristine as possible. I wasn't too bothered as I own a long-haired cat, so I have some de-fluffing tools around me at all times, but it was annoying when it came to taking photos of this very review - which you can visibly see for yourself.

Of course, as a case, it's all about whether it can get the job done of carrying all your Switch 2 gubbins and keep it protected at the same time, and the PlayTrek 2-in-1 does a very good job of that.

I wasn't a fan originally of the moulded interior, as it felt very limited as to what accessories you could actually fit inside. For example, the controller section looks like the shape of the Switch 2 Pro Controller, of which I don't own and don't want to feel the push to buy simply because it fits better in a case like this. When I actually put the storage into practice, it fortunately didn't feel limiting at all. The controller space managed to keep everything from my 8BitDo Wireless 2 controller to my official Nintendo Switch Online wireless GameCube pad securely in place as it carried it to and from my mum's house.

Having a precise place for the Switch 2 dock also felt nicely reassuring that it wasn't going to receive any damage as the case bounced around in the back of the family car - and it didn't. I can confirm that no matter what I popped into the case, everything always came out just as I left it. It did feel a bit bizarre just to rest extras on top of what is meant to be placed in there, eg my HDMI cable was just floating in the body of the case as there wasn't a moulded section designed specifically for it. Yet, I never heard it rattling around in this case, and it remains damage-free weeks later.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case?

If the main bulk of your Nintendo Switch 2, like its dock and cables, are always going remain at your home, you can make do with just a compact travel case. However, if you enjoy taking your handheld around to friends' or family members' houses for some Mario Kart World co-op action, this $49.99 / £39.99 PlayTrek 2-in-1 case is one of the best options out there.

While its price may seem a lot for just a case, the fact that it's actually two cases in one makes it cost seem pretty justifiable in my eyes. Instead of buying two accessories for taking your Switch 2 in your backpack and one for when you want to take your entire setup, you can just grab this officially licensed option instead, and get the best of both worlds.

The top case is a well-built everyday accessory that provides simple but appreciated game and accessories storage for when you just to bring your handheld to a cafe, or have it on you as you stroll from room to room of your home (like I do on the regular.) The main body is equally as sturdy, and has managed to keep my dock and extra controllers safe when I had to house-sit for my mum, or just wanted to bring the Switch 2 to the in-laws for some rounds of Super Mario Party Jamboree. The included extra messenger bag strap makes it one of the easier all-in-one cases to carry around, and all in all, this is my new go-to for bringing the Ninty handheld about with me, and will be for the foreseeable future.

How I tested the Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case

Over the last two weeks, I used the PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for the Nintendo Switch 2 as my main case of choice. The upper case became my new compact case option, and I used to carry my handheld, my games, and my spare set of Joy-Con rails no matter where I went. Additionally, when travelling in the car to and from family members' houses, I used the main body of the Turtle Beach accessory to store and carry the Switch 2 dock, its AC Adapter, and HDMI cable, and my Nintendo Switch Online GameCube controller. For more information on how we test Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, please read our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards for even more accessories we recommend for your new Ninty handheld journey.

It's been 5 months since the Nintendo Switch 2 came into existence, and I've got my hands on a ludicrous amount of cases in that time. Softshell, hardshell, and those large all-in-one carrying bad boys that can store everything down to the dock, but they haven't been quite as flashy and funky as this PlayTrek Mario Bricks Travel Case.

Available today for $29.99 / £19.99, the Nintendo Switch 2 case is officially licensed by Nintendo and takes full advantage of it. The case is one of the most colorful out there, featuring a Mario Brick design, colorful straps, and matching interior features. Turtle Beach could have easily left it there, and I'd have been happy to waltz my handheld around in the easy-to-carry accessory, but they went a step further by adding a "flip to reveal" lenticular design that shows off a hidden Mario image - and I'm obsessed.

If you have no clue what I mean when I say "lenticular," that's okay. Our team's own Duncan Robertson wasn't entirely sure either when they wrote about the new Turtle Beach Switch 2 controllers either. The lenticular effect of this case basically means that the design or image that you see changes depending on your viewing angle.

Looking at the case from one side will make it appear as though it's just covered in a simple Mario brick design, but looking at it from another will reveal a cute bit of Mario art instead. The bricks of this case change to show off our favorite mustachioed plumber as he jumps in the air to defeat some pesky Goombas, as it's just as adorable as it is cool.

Turtle Beach could have easily stuck with the Mario art and left that as is, but the lenticular feature makes it stand out from the rest of the many, many cases on the market now. While this effect is purely on the top outer half of the hardshell, the rest of it is just as colorful. The little silicon handle on top, which makes it easy to carry from room to room, is bright red and green, and there's a red edge to the zip to make it even more bright and vivid.

One of my favorite aspects of its design, which cements it as the best-looking Switch 2 case I've tested so far, is the back of the case. You'll rarely see it when the case is plopped down on your coffee table, but it's made up of this iconic Mario-red leather-like fabric, with a big yellow 'Super Mario' logo bang in the center. I've been playing Mario games for over 30 years, and it all feels entirely on brand, and something that looks the part when sat next to my plethora of Mario merch and accessories.

This case doesn't just look great either. It's made up of a durable EVA molded hardshell and TPU-coated polyester exterior, so my Switch 2 has felt extremely safe and protected in the little over a week I've had it by my side. On the inside, it also closely resembles the Belkin Carrying Case with the myriad of storage options, which was a relief to discover, as the Belkin alternative is one of the best cases I've used so far.

After unzipping the case (even the zip is a bright and colorful yellow and blue), there's plenty of storage to be found, and a flap of protective fabric that sits in the center. The top of the flap is home to the storage for up to 12 games, which is comprised of two strips of blue elastic. For my case, the elastic is sewn a little too tight, so it was a bit more difficult to pop games in than in a case like the Belkin Charging Case. That being said, even on a closer inspection, it doesn't feel so tight that I need to worry about the safety of my Switch and Switch 2 games.

The case also provides a little fabric mesh pocket, which is deal for storing smaller accessories like a spare set of Switch 2 Joy-Con rails. Honestly, I recommend just having a pair on you at all times as I managed to lose my original so quicky, which is why I was more than pleased to see the pouch included.

If Super Mario isn't your thing, Turtle Beach has also launched a Donkey Kong model with the same funky 'flip to reveal' design. I was fortunately enough to also take a look at the case, but as hardened Mario fan I was more drawn to the model I've been yapping on about today.

The style and build materials are almost identical, but there's a jungle design on the front featuring DK and Diddy Kong running through a flock of trees. All the extra details, like the game storage and the zip edges are now green and not blue, to tie in with the rest of the design.

Both the PlayTrek Mario Bricks and Donkey Kong Switch 2 Travel Cases are available for $29.99 / £19.99 from Turtle Beach and select retailers. If you want one, I recommend grabbing them as soon as you can, as they've already sold out entirely at the Turtle Beach storefront despite dropping this very day - that's a lot of shoppers who have a great sense of style, if I do say so myself.

• View all Turtle Beach Switch 2 cases at Amazon
• Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case Donkey Kong | $29.99 at Amazon

Our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories is full of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards that we recommend adding to your new Ninty gaming setup.

We're definitely approaching Black Friday, and you can tell because some of the best PC controllers are starting to see price cuts left, right, and centre. Chief among them, the Victrix Pro BFG, which has been my favorite overall pick for PS5 players since it launched in January of 2023, is currently seeing a brand-new record low price.

There's more to this PS5 controller deal than meets the eye, and for reasons I'll come onto, I wouldn't expect to see this controller down at this price again for a very long time. Despite launching to the tune of $179.99, its White model is currently discounted to $119.99 at Amazon, which makes it $80 cheaper than what most folks would consider the go-to pro controller for PS5, the DualSense Edge.

The Victrix Pro BFG is my favorite controller because of its modular build. That means its facial components can detach, spin around, and you can decide for yourself whether you want a symmetrical or non-symmetrical layout. It also has a fightpad attachment that gives it six face buttons instead of the traditional four. Not only that, it has four excellent back buttons that make competitive Esports-style gameplay a lot easier to handle.

There are faster controllers out there today, there are options with six extra buttons over the BFG's four, but for its more reasonable price, the BFG is still the one I deem the best overall for most players.

So why am I concerned we won't see this price again? Well, this controller was originally created by PDP, which was acquired by Turtle Beach last year, and now, the BFG has a refreshed model that doesn't change much, but its new parent brand has increased the price to $209 - which totally undermines the amazing undercut the original BFG pulled on other premium controllers like the DualSense Edge.

The biggest change in the updated model is that you get Hall Sensor thumbsticks out of the box, as opposed to optional Hall modules for the original you can buy separately. Personally, I've been using this controller for over two years now, and I've never run into any serious issues of stick drift that meant I had to opt for the Hall modules. I argue there are other benefits to using Hall sticks, but for the price increase Turtle Beach is imposing, it seems to me like there are some funky retail pricing things going on for very few real-world benefits to most consumers.

I even asked if Turtle Beach would like to comment on the price of manufacturing and using Hall Sensor sticks in controllers, since brands like GameSir have been doing it for years now and charging under $50 for their products. Turtle Beach didn't get back to me on it.

This deal is on the original, white model of the BFG, which I'd wholeheartedly recommend over the new BFG Reloaded controller, especially because as stock of this original version runs out, it'll probably get more expensive. For now, the original BFGs are seeing lower-than-ever pricing, so I'd make the most of it.

• Victrix Pro BFG: $119 at Amazon
• Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox: $194 at Amazon
• Shop for other PS5 controllers at Amazon

Want to get platform-specific? Check out the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.

The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset isn't the most feature-full headset you can grab for your Switch 2, that's for sure. Yet for just $27.99, its 40mm audio drivers pack in an impressive sound that feels far above what you'd expect with that low a price tag.

A $27.99 MSRP is practically chump change, and yet somehow it's now even cheaper at just $20.15 at Amazon today, and I'm in awe. I never assumed the Nintendo Switch headset would be immune to discounts, I just thought I'd have to wait much longer for the cheap pair of cups to see any price drops. If you're after a low-cost headset for gaming on the go, and want something that'll match the black, blue and red snazzy colors of your new console, look no further than the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset?

I'm going to get this out of the way and out of the way fast - the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit is not a headset for those after the best sound available to them. If you want your Switch 2 games to sound their absolute finest, may I direct you to the way of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless that's available for $319.14 at Amazon instead?

If you've stuck around, let me tell you that this wired headset from Turtle Beach is ideal for those who don't want to spend a fortune on Switch 2 accessories and yet still want to be handed a quality that will bring the vibrant world of Nintendo games to life. When I tested it just months ago, its 40mm audio drivers made everything from Mario Kart World to Donkey Kong Bananza sound great. In fact, during testing, there were multiple times where I left the headset on to listen to the funky beats of the jazz-like score of the latest Kart racer, and barely noticed I had on a less-than-$30 headset.

Its microphone isn't the best in the world, but I'm always a strong advocate of recommending headsets around the $100 mark, at least if you want something for online gaming. If it's just a quick match of Mario Kart World with a friend you're after though, the Airlite Fit will get the job done. Just don't subject your friends to hour-long Discord calls if you want to keep them as friends.

Even without its small $7 discount today, this is a headset that remains part of our best gaming headset list, as its low cost does not mean low quality. Full price or not, it's a wired headset I'm gonna be talking about throughout the Switch 2's lifespan.

• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon
• View all Turtle Beach headsets at Best Buy

Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express cards if you're on the hunt for more new Ninty goodies.

As the resident audio tech nerd of the hardware team, I have no shortage of the best gaming headsets at my disposal. Yet it's the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 that's going to keep me company through this Halloween weekend.

Unlike many other PS5 headsets I've tested, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 remains one of the few pairs that actually gets loud enough to make me sit up in my couch in fright, just how I like it. If you're a fellow horror game fan, you can treat yourself to the booming cups for $149.99 at Amazon right now, saving yourself $50 off its frightening $199.99 MSRP.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 for the PS5?

I've tested a lot of PS5 headsets since I first took a look at the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 earlier this year, but it's still one of my go-to pairs of cups to pull out when it comes to horror games. Why? It packs in one of the best bassy and loud sounds a PS5 headset can muster.

A ton of PS5 headsets tend not to get that loud for the Sony system. That's partially a good thing, as typically you don't want the screams of your fellow survivors in Dead by Daylight matches to be damaging your eardrums. But for me, that means I have to miss out on the nuances of the music and sound design of my favorite horror games, and feel less scared as a result. And what horror game fan wants that?

The 60mm Eclipse Dual audi drivers of this headset do not have that problem. Not only can they conjure up a perfectly loud sound during Dead by Daylight matches or when I feel like walking through the streets of Silent Hill 2 in the remake, but there's little to no distortion either. Out of the box, this headset also has one of the best-sounding bass tones in any pair of cups, which perfectly dials up the fear.

The Stealth 700 Gen 3 is pretty heavy at 408.2g, so you will need a few breaks between the scares to give your head a break. However, if you're after a mid-range headset for your PS5 that is perfectly loud for horror games (and any PS5 game for that matter), this $50 off deal at Amazon is the ideal spooky festive treat.

This headset likely won't arrive in time for the big spooky day. But there's no wrong time to play horror games and make them sound their best through a headset like the Stealth 700 Gen 3.

• View all gaming headset deals at Amazon
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 (Xbox) | $169.99 at Amazon

If the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 doesn't sound right for you, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PC headsets for gaming to find your perfect pair.

The majority of gaming keyboards that cross my desk these days have one thing in common. Magnetic switches are taking the scene by storm, but Turtle Beach is taking a step back from this Hall effect revolution. The Vulcan II TKL is a wired hot-swappable mechanical keyboard retailing for $119.99 / £119.99, just $40 less than its magnetic Pro model.

That's a little tricky to reconcile. For just a little extra, the Pro offers adjustable switches and a wrist rest for good measure.

So what do you get here? A particularly smooth typing experience, dedicated volume controls, and a nicely staggered keycap design makes for a versatile and intuitive deck with the feel of a low profile keyboard but the depth of a full height machine. At this lower mid-range price point, though, it's not going to give any of the best gaming keyboards too much of a headache.

Design

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL looks like pretty much every other Vulcan release to date, even going back to the Roccat days. Just like the Vulcan II Mini Air, we've got a set of exposed switches with skinny caps on top, an all-black chassis, and a plastic body.

It's an aesthetic I can get behind, and I normally prefer the thickest, thocciest keyboard I can get my hands on. There's an almost industrial design going on here, with those exposed switches and LEDs shining bright underneath each cap and a brushed effect keeping the top plate interesting as well.

Thankfully the larger top bezel of older releases is gone, with the only branding here being a light gray Turtle Beach logo underneath the navigation keys.

It's a cheaper build quality for sure, but the aluminum top plate still feels solid and the main case avoids feeling too hollow.

That's because, despite the slightly thinner design, there's still a good amount of sound absorption going on here. Dampening foam is listed on the Vulcan II TKL's materials list, but the exact structure of that internal padding is still a mystery.

Whatever it looks like inside, Turtle Beach has done a fantastic job of eliminating ping and echo around this deck - something even the $199.99 Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed suffers from.

Keycaps

Unlike the Pro version, the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is compatible with third party keycaps, and I'd recommend swapping them out pretty soon. These are cheaper ABS numbers, and I'm already seeing just a little hint shine after just over two weeks of use.

Aside from the legends themselves there's no texture here, and things can get clammy fast. Of course, if you do swap you'll lose the RGB vibrancy offered by the T-shaped cap design. Lighting is reduced to a small underglow on the top plate when swapped with a set of Cherry-profile Duckys.

It's a little frustrating that Turtle Beach cheaped out on the keycaps here, as the visual design of the existing profile is one of the deck's main strengths. The brand also notes that after-market low profile keycaps might not be compatible.

Switches

Onto better news, I do love these switches. The Vulcan II TKL is outfitted with a set of the brand's own Titan HS linears, all pre-lubed. These are particularly smooth and soft, with a particularly dampened landing that still manages to produce a satisfying clack sound.

Combine that with the sound dampening underneath and you've got a particularly creamy feel to each keypress. A 1.8mm actuation point and 45g of force keep things a little zippier than some red linears, they're slightly shorter and lighter.

This is also a fully hot-swappable keyboard, compatible with both 3 and 5 pin switches. In theory, anyway. I'd be damned if these things aren't cemented into the PCB, it's incredibly tough to actually rip them out. I'm swapping switches nearly every week and I've never had this much trouble tearing down a keyboard.

If you do manage to prise these clackers out, note that LEDs are north facing so you'll need to make sure your switches suit in order to get the full light show.

Software

Like most Turtle Beach accessories, you'll be booting up Swarm II software, a fairly lightweight program for keybindings and RGB customization. There's little else going on here, without any adjustable switches to speak of additional controls are limited to SOCD configuration.

Key remaps and individual macros are easy to set up and assign, with a simple click-and-replace process and a visual representation of the deck to work from. There are some quirks here, though. For some reason my keyboard showed up in an alternate layout, which I never seemed to be able to resolve. All the keys were still remappable, though.

Controls

This is a TKL number, which means you've still got full access to the function row as well as a separate navigational cluster and arrow buttons. That means you've got more horizontal space to work with compared to a 75% model, while still cutting down on your footprint to save desk space.

This is a happy medium for many players.

It also means you're more likely to find dedicated media controls and, while playback is relegated to the function row, a separate volume dial stands tall in the top right corner. I say 'stands tall' because the extra height on this dial compared to others I've used makes it particularly easy to twirl at a moment's notice.

Some decks will instead offer a wider, flatter roller control (like the Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3), but they're often lost amongst the sea of keys. I have to physically reach over the top of the caps to hit them, whereas Turtle Beach's implementation feels far more intuitive.

Connection

Is $119.99 a little pricey for a wired gaming keyboard? It depends who you ask. This would be a fantastic price if the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL was wireless, but competitors in this price range are still attaching cords as well. The Cherry MX 3.1 occupies the same MSRP with a wired connection and the Alienware Pro Wireless gaming keyboard keeps the cord at the full $199.99.

Still, it's worth noting that the Keychron V6 Max manages to do away with that cable for just $5 more, and does so with a fantastic range of connection options to boot.

The Vulcan comes supplied with its own USB-C cable, plugging directly into your system with a 1,000Hz poling rate.

Typing

The combination of sound dampening and super smooth switches makes for a particularly comfortable typing experience. There's more resistance underneath each key than I'm used to here, but interestingly that tension ramps all the way up on larger buttons.

The space bar, enter key, and backspace all feel a little more muffled under the fingertips. Initially, I was worried that my presses weren't even registering, such was the difference between the clack of the main alphas and the cushioned thunk of these modifiers. However, I've grown used to the sensation and, overall, it adds to the comfort.

The high sensitivity of these switches comes as both a curse and a blessing. On the one hand, shorter actuations meant my typing speed was slightly up, hitting 100 WPM on average during testing. However, the smaller caps combined with the difference in resistance meant accuracy was shot. I averaged 92% accuracy in typing tests, a notable drop from my usual 95% position.

Gaming

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is plenty fast enough for today's games, at a variety of skill levels. It's not pushing too far into esports territory with its 1,000Hz polling rate but will still serve those playing competitively online just fine. If you're knocking on tournament-level doors, you might prefer something with a faster speed.

The extra sensitivity is nice, but is held back a little by shorter key spacing and less defined caps. While those smooth keycaps did hurt accuracy a little during faster games like Doom: The Dark Ages, I was comfortable playing for the vast majority of my time with the Vulcan. The strange feel of the space bar did take even more getting used to when it came to perfectly-timed jumps, though.

Of course, it's also worth noting that you'll get far more gaming features, like rapid trigger, multi-step actuation, and joystick-like controls from magnetic or analog keyboards, some of which are only a little more expensive than the Vulcan II TKL.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL?

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL carries a typing feel that differs from just about every other gaming keyboard I've tested to date, but if you prioritize smooth switch action and a short actuation point above all else it's going to serve particularly well. It takes a few hits in accuracy, and its advertised hot-swappability is easier said than done, but overall this is a pleasant deck to use every day.

You'll need to get used to the higher tension underneath each switch, and longer, faster typing sessions can grow fatiguing. It's also only one for those cramming as many LEDs into their setups as possible, but it's solid on its own.

The problem is there's a lot more available for only a little extra cash. In the Vulcan's very own family the Pro model offers far better value overall with its magnetic switches and extra design features. Not only that, but from a pure mechanical standpoint, the Cherry MX 3.1 sits at the exact same price but with far better keycaps and easier hot-swappability.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL

I used the Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL over a period of two weeks, alongside the Glorious GMMK 3 and CLVX 1 here and there. During that time I used the device for both work and play, running most days entirely on the keyboard connected to either a Razer Blade 14 or Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 gaming laptop. I primarily tested across Apex Legends, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Doom: The Dark Ages, with additional typing tests at TypingTest.com. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I'm also rounding up all the best Razer keyboards if you're after another flavor. Or, check out the best gaming mouse models and best gaming headsets for more setup inspiration.

Turtle Beach has refreshed its low profile Vulcan line this week, with the Vulcan II TKL hitting the pre-order shelves ahead of the October 12 release date. I've been running the new deck alongside some of the best gaming keyboards for a little while in the lead up to release, but one thing was obvious as soon as I got it out the box.

This is a damn strange space bar.

I can't decide if I love for hate it. See, Turtle Beach has greatly improved the switch smoothness in its latest iteration, but it's also massively softened its larger keys. While the main alphas feel incredibly well sound dampened, even creamy, under the fingertips, the space bar is almost entirely silenced.

It's got more resistance behind it, absolutely no sound, and it's even set ever-so-slightly lower than the rest of the deck. The first time I used it I immediately assumed it hadn't even registered a keypress, that my unit was faulty. This looks to be a feature, not a bug though.

It's a bizarre feeling to try and get used to, but in just a few hours I did. The effect is also replicated across the backspace and, to a lesser extent, and enter key. There's a higher tension in these keys, but an additional softness to compensate and it, actually, makes for a surprisingly comfortable experience.

I'm not a fan of low profile keyboards, and I never have been.

Newer releases are turning my head, though. The Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile is one of my favorite decks on the market, thanks to its super cushioned typing feel. The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL has even more of a pillowy design.

I'm yet to get enough time with the new deck to release my full review but, even from this short period of testing I'm on board. I'm even starting to like the industrial RGB vibe.

Smaller keycaps, a view straight down to the switches, and larger gaps between keys means there's nowhere for these LEDs to hide. Other decks tend to clean this up a little, to make their lighting look a little more slick. I don't hate seeing every color dancing across the board here.

So maybe I was a little harsh on low profile keyboards in the past. It wasn't the gradient I hated, but the hard, loud key landing. It's difficult to dampen a shorter key stop, as I learned recently while testing the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low Profile Hyperspeed. If more low profile decks give this much attention to cushioning that typing feel, I could be their next convert.

It's also fully hot-swappable, offers its own dedicated volume dial, and polls at the standard 1,000Hz.

• See all gaming keyboards at Amazon
• Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL | $119.99 at Turtle Beach
• Asus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile | $199.99 $139.99 at Amazon

Need something tether-free? I'm also rounding up all the best wireless gaming keyboards on the market. Or, check out more of the best hot-swappable keyboards available. If you're looking for something cheaper, take a look at the best membrane keyboards available.

I hope this is a safe space to admit that I'm always a bit wary when it comes to testing out cheaper wired gaming headsets, even though I'm well aware that a low price doesn't always equate to low quality.

Before I had the opportunity (and privilege) to try the huge range of headsets I do now, I was used to using many a wired pair of cups from brand names that sound like something I'd put together in a fever dream, as it was all I could afford. They always sounded awful and felt awful to have on my head, but the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5 is a fine example that not every wired headset is built the same.

Everything the PS5 headset does, it does well. In fact, the sounds from its 50mm Nanoclear Drivers and the comfort of its dual-foam ear cushions are so high in quality that it more than justifies its $59.99 / £49.99 MSRP. If you don't have the budget to splash on one of the best wireless headsets or want just a low-cost alternative for the little Sony fan in your life, the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 is the best officially licensed budget PS5 headset I've tested so far.

It's a relief to know that, at a time when we're bombarded with gaming price hikes practically every day, quality can still be found in budget-friendly tech.

Design

The Atlas 200 is the first officially licensed PS5 headset Turtle Beach has ever produced. The cups are going to constantly remind you that it's intended for the console, via its branding and color combo, but I can't help but be a fan.

The PS5 is my favorite current-gen console so I don't mind seeing the PlayStation logos that adorn either side of its headband. They are printed on top of two blue velcro straps, which are also functional pieces that can be adjusted to tighten and loosen the elasticated headband.

The headband itself is a bit unusual. Turtle Beach opted for a plastic cut-out band with that aforementioned piece of elastic hanging underneath. These two pieces are wrapped in a piece of mesh fabric, which in turn creates a tight pull to make the headband rest lightly on your head. I wasn't too sure about it when I first took the wired cups out of their box, but through my weeks of testing, the band was never once uncomfortable. I also have a sneaking suspicion that it's a major contributor to why the headset is ultra lightweight at just 280g - so I'm not going to knock it.

Otherwise, the Atlas 200 is a run-of-the-mill-looking wired headset that sports an over-ear closed-back design, with two dark gray dual-foam ear cushions on either cup. The cushions are extremely soft to the touch, glasses-friendly, and feature another dash of blue in the fabric coating on the driver speakers. They also attach to the cups via a sliver of leather-like, matching gray fabric, which gives the headset a more premium appearance.

Features

As a low-cost budget headset, the features of the Atlas 200 are pretty minimal. The cups are equipped with 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers, and a flip-to-mute microphone, which is located on the left side.

You'll also find the volume dial there, the only onboard control found on the entire headset. The 3.5mm port, used to hook up the Atlas 200 to your PS5, PS4, or any mobile device that still has a headphone jack, is also located on the left between the dial and the microphone.

The PS5 headset comes equipped with Tempest 3D AudioTech support. This was a treat to discover, and to put in practice with games like Silent Hill f, as I'm used to finding surround sound 7.1 in budget-friendly headsets instead. It made a huge difference in making the sound of this headset sound more premium than its price point suggests.

Performance

The indie horror game Still Wakes the Deep, has been on my radar for a while as a game set in my home country of Scotland, but I'm glad I waited to test it using this wired pair of cups.

At full volume, I was able to really immerse myself in the game, and the creaks of the disheveled oil rig and the creepy mutterings of the monsters sounded fantastic. The drivers were able to reverberate any bass-heavy frequencies with ease and without distortion, which produced a sound that felt almost on par with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, one of my go-to PS5 mid-range headsets.

I say almost, as the Atlas 200 doesn't get as loud as I'd prefer, even with the dial up to max. Dialogue, like the filthy Scottish swearing at the start of Still Wakes the Deep, also didn't have the clarity that I've experienced with the mid-range SteelSeries headset. This was also the case with the dialogue-heavy Master Detective Archives: Rain Code on the PS5, as any high-pitched chatting had a slight hollow-ness to its tonality. There is a $89 price disparity between these pairs of cups, so it's impressive that the Atlas 200's sound reminded me of a pricier pair, regardless, even if dialogue doesn't always sound its best.

The Turtle Beach Atlas 200 really excelled at making horror games sound their best, however, and this was evident while roaming the foggy streets of Ebisugaoka in Silent Hill f. The new Konami game supports Sony's Tempest 3D AudioTech, so I was able to hear the music and sounds of one of my favorite game composers, Akira Yamaoka, as if they were sounding off all around me.

The Atlas 200 impressed when it came to hero shooters, too. I took out Marvel Rivals on the PS5 to see how the low-cost cups dealt with a louder, and busier soundstage, one where the screams and cries of friends are also going to be involved, just from IRL ones this time. The hero-shooter sounded great, and I was even able to pinpoint the approaching footsteps of this one Magick player who made a game of trying to flank me down during a healer main match.

This was where I noticed that I wasn't a huge fan of the microphone. Budget PS5-compatible headsets like the Razer Barracuda X have a bulb of foam to act as a sound dampener and de-harshen the sounds of 'p' and 's', but the Atlas 200 instead opts for a tiny piece of thin white foam. At first, I thought it was part of the packaging.

Unfortunately for me, the mic sounded a bit cheap, too. In my first bit of coverage for this headset, I noted that the mic sounded terrible and made me sound like a " muffled pilot making a plane announcement," and I mostly still stand by that. Turtle Beach kindly sent a replacement after my initial thoughts in case there was a fault going on, but I still disappointed the second time around.

It sounds far better if I point the mic boom arm far away from my mouth and lower the mic sound level via the system sound settings. Yet, whether it was chatting to my friends via the built-in Discord chat on the PS5 or hearing my voice back during recorded clips (which I assured were being picked up by the mic and not the DualSense built-in mic), there was still a muffled air to the tone that didn't sound too pleasant.

Is it the worst microphone in the world? Definitely not, and I've tested headsets worth far worse. I was just disappointed that the premium quality of the sound, design, and comfortable fit of the headset wasn't represented in the mic, too. Regardless, that hasn't stopped the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 from being my new favorite low-cost wired PS5 headset on the market today.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5?

If you're after a comfortable and premium-sounding headset for your PS5 gaming needs, but want to keep your costs as low as possible, the $59.99 / £49.99 Atlas 200 for PS5 is a must-buy in my eyes.

The headset might be cheap, but it doesn't sound as much. Its 50mm Nanoclear drivers bring a balanced and nuanced sound to any game I threw its way, from the loud and sometimes overbearing soundstage of the online hero-shooter Marvel RIvals, to the creepy and eerie score found lurking within the horrors of Silent Hill f.

It's also extremely lightweight and comfortable at just 280g, making it ideal if you happen to wear glasses every day like me. The only issue I had was with the microphone.

If you just want a mic for chatting to friends online for 30 minutes at a time every other week, it's not a huge deal. The mic's somewhat muffled quality will likely manage to blend in with the loud antics of online games like it did with Marvel Rivals for my friends and myself.

Through my years of experience testing headsets, you're going to need to get closer to the $100 price point to get access to a higher-quality mic, and even then, I personally prefer to have one of the best streaming microphones in my online gaming arsenal instead.

How I tested the Atlas 200 for PS5 wired gaming headset

I tested the Turtle Beach Atlas 200 for PS5 gaming headset by incorporating it into my Sony gaming setup and using it day in and day out for a minimum of two weeks. During that time, I played everything from Marvel Rivals to single-player horror games like Still Wakes the Deep and Silent Hill f. Additionally, I also tested the mic via games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza on the Switch 2, and Slay the Princess on the Steam Deck.

To put the wired headset truly through its paces, I made sure to hook it up via the headphone jack on my PC tower and listen to a wide range of music via Spotify, from the soothing sounds of the Deltarune Piano Collections by Toby Fox and Trevor Alan Gomes, to the loud punk-rock tunes of Scottish band Slime City. Additionally, I also used it while catching up with episodes of Only Murders in the Building and High Potential on Disney Plus via my PS5 DualSense controller. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Not a PS5 player? Check out our guides on the best Xbox Series X headsets, best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best PC headsets for gaming for high-quality cups for your preferred platform of choice.

The Airlite Fit wired gaming headset isn't technically new by any means.

Turtle Beach has been re-releasing it for a few years now, but September 3 was the first time ever that it, or any headset for that matter, has launched with a lovely bit of official Nintendo Switch 2 branding. This new version of the wired pair of cups not only features the new handheld's logos, but it also matches its sleek black, red, and blue aesthetic, so that you know it's a bit of officially licensed Switch 2 tech.

It's a wired $27.99 / £17.99 headset, that's only boastful features include its 40mm dynamic audio drivers, and sound-isolating bi-directional microphone, so there isn't a lot going on here. It's not going to kick the best Switch headset off its top spot any time soon, but it's definitely a new contender for the best budget headset out there today.

Key specs

Design

The Airlit Fit is a lovely-looking headset. As it's officially licensed by Nintendo, Turtle Beach was able to copy the sleek look of the new Nintendo Switch 2, down to its charcoal black main colorway, and neon red and neon blue accents.

White 'Nintendo Switch 2' logos are printed on either side of the headband, and there are matching blue and red Turtle Beach logos found on the outward-facing side of both cups.

The headset features a closed-back design and looks almost identical to the previous Airlit Fit releases before it. The two oblong-shaped cups are equipped with a reasonable amount of foam cushioning, that's coated in a soft jersey knit fabric, as is the plastic headband. For extra comfort, the headband can also be gently pulled above the colored accents to provide some level of adjustment.

Inexpensive wired headsets like this one, that you might see lining up the tech section at a toy store, can tend to look pretty cheap and nasty. However, Turtle Beach has managed to make a pair of cups that look like a perfect match when sat next to the new Nintendo handheld.

Features

I've said it once already, but this is not a feature-full headset. The sound of the Airlite Fit is powered by its 40mm Neodymium Magnet audio drivers, and it's also equipped with a fixed bi-directional flip-to-mute microphone that's attached to the left ear cup.

That's pretty much all she wrote for this Switch 2 headset, but that's why its cost is so low. There's no wireless connectivity to be found here, and instead, the headset hooks up to your Nintendo Switch 2 (or the original Switch) via its 3.5mm headphone jack that's also found on the left cup.

The left cup is basically where the magic happens, as it hosts the microphone, the connectivity, and the singular on-board control, which just so happens to be a small black volume wheel.

Performance

As the Airlite Fit headset is not an entirely new release, I was already accustomed to its sound quality. Previously, I had spent a few weeks with the Ghost Purple Airlite Fit Nintendo Switch headset, which is also equipped with the same 40mm Neodymium audio drivers, and sounds far better than you'd expect for such a low-cost pair of cups. The experience of using this Switch 2 version was pretty similar; I just had a better range of Switch 2 games to test it with.

I first took the new Airlite Fit for a spin with Donkey Kong Bananza to see how it coped with the incredibly busy soundstage. To my delight, there was no distortion, even with the volume dial turned up to its highest. As a limited wired headset, there naturally wasn't that gut-punching bass that's so loud it shakes my entire body (which is just how I like it), but I was still taken aback by how balanced the bass, mid, and high frequencies sounded as they permeated through the cushioned cups and into my eardrums.

The great sound was more noticeable when it came to driving around free-roam mode in Mario Kart World. After a few hours of testing (and completing any P missions I had previously missed), I ended up keeping the Airlite Fit on my head while listening to the smooth jazz OST. The hypnotic beats and energetic horn sections of the soundtrack sounded incredible through the small, rounded cups.

The microphone quality wasn't too bad either. It has a slightly muffled consistency to it, but not to a point where you couldn't easily hear what someone is saying. I put it to the test by listening back to multiple recording tests via the handheld's built-in settings, as begrudgingly, I don't have anyone able to join me via the GameChat feature. Regardless, my voice still sounded consistently clear while listening to the recordings, though that tiny bit of muffling was always present.

If you're prone to screaming and generally getting fairly loud where games like Mario Kart World are concerned, I'd be more likely to suggest you save up and invest in a headset like the Corsair Void Wireless V2. Its omnidirectional mic means it can pick up sound from any direction, and it's one of the best mics I've used in a long time. However, the bi-directional scope of the Airlite Fit is still of a quality that the $27.99 price tag feels more than justifiable, and gets the job done.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit for Nintendo Switch 2?

There are two main camps of players that I would recommend the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit headset for - those who want a budget-friendly headset for their kids, and those who, after spending a lot on the handheld and its games, don't want to break the bank with accessories, but don't want to forgo high-quality sound either.

If I had kids of my own, this is the headset I would add to their Switch 2 (or original Switch) gaming setup. It's super low $27.99 / £19.99 MSRP means that, should anything happen to it, it wouldn't be the biggest issue in the world. It also provides exactly what any younger Ninty might need, from a comfortable fit, great sound, and a microphone that doesn't turn your voice into a garbled and distorted mess.

For adults and those who have adult spending money, I'm typically going to recommend spending a bit on a headset like the Razer Barracuda X, as it provides access to wired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz connectivity, but not everyone can splash out for around $100 for a headset.

Those who can't still deserve for their Switch games to sound their best, and the Airlite Fit's 40mm Neodymium audio drivers can achieve just that. Their ability to make everything from Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, and even older GameCube games via Nintendo Switch Online, like Chibi-Robo, sound full and equally levelled, is proof that cheap headsets don't mean cheap quality.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit for Nintendo Switch 2

The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit for the Nintendo Switch 2 became my only headset during a two-week testing process. In that time, I used the pair of cups when playing Donkey Kong Bananza to see how it handled the busy soundstage, which can become overbearing due to all the terrain-smashing sound effects. Additionally, I also used the headset while playing Mario Kart World and Chibi-Robo via the GameCube Nintendo Switch Online game library to see how it handled Nintendo releases, old and new.

When not playing the Switch 2, I also popped the headset into my PS5 controller to briefly test it on my Sony console while playing Marvel Rivals, and via the Steam Deck when playing games like Slay the Princess and My Friendly Neighborhood. When not gaming, I incorporated the Airlit Fit into my daily working setup, and used it to listen to tech briefings and presentations, and various different music genres via Spotify - from the punk-rock band Slime City, to the Persona 5 game soundtrack. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our guides to the best PC headsets for gaming, best PS5 headsets, and the best Xbox Series X headsets if you want a more feature-filled pair of cups and have the cash to splash.

The best value for money in any sim racing setup comes from modular racing wheel bases. These are the nerve centre of any wheel, pedal, and gear shifter bundle, and modular ones allow you to attach more than one wheel to them, giving you better scope to specialize in an area of racing you like best. Essentially, they're the thing you're really paying money for when you buy one of the best PC racing wheels. But boy, do you usually have to pay money for them.

Modular setups from the likes of Logitech G can cost you within the region of $1,000, and if you start to look at the even more specialist brands, prices go even higher. Turtle Beach, which is still a relatively new team in the sim racing world, is launching a new modular setup today, which only costs $449 / £329 - an alluring price point versus the competition.

The racing sim market seems to be heating up at the moment, but Turtle Beach is filling a gap in the market in terms of price. Thrustmaster's latest offering avoids a modular design entirely; instead, it's doubling down on a more affordable flagship. The new Nacon Revosim Pure Bundle offers the same modularity with more power, but it's a few steps up on the pricing ladder. Moza's R3 bundle is the only modular build I know that comes close to what Thrustmaster is launching today.

Turtle Beach might be going for a ballsy undercut here, but based on its first racing wheel, the Turtle Beach Velocity One Race, it has a fair bit to prove. Although the brand's first crack at sim racing had some great specs, it wasn't received all too well on the whole, and the unreliable compatibility and force feedback led us to bring it into the pit stop instead of allowing it to join the grand prix of best Xbox steering wheels.

The new Velocity One KD 3 is a more affordable, scaled-back option. It only offers 3.2Nm of peak torque compared to 7.2Nm in the Velocity One Race. That's understandable, seeing as it has a much smaller (and less bulky) form factor in its wheel base. The pedals are customizable though, with a Hall effect throttle and brake. Disappointingly, there's no room for a clutch, which does limit things slightly.

Thankfully, a modular build isn't going to waste, because there's already an F-RX wheel available separately, which looks more like a track-specific option, similar to the one found in the Logitech G RS Wheel Hub range.

It's definitely shaping up to be an interesting mid-range race in the wheel and pedal market right now. Thrustmaster's T248R isn't modular, but it does have a similar price point for PlayStation and PC players and offers more torque. The new KD 3 is available only for Xbox and PC, but if you're on a gaming PC, you've got loads of choice right now.

• View all racing wheels at Amazon
• Thrustmaster T248R: $349.99 at Amazon
• Moza R3 Bundle: $359 at Amazon

Are you okay without the pricey sim racing gear for now? Check out the best PC controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers.

Turtle Beach has come to the rescue of my US PS5 price hike woes, with the unveiling of its first-ever officially licensed Sony headset, the Atlas 200.

Starting today, both versions of the PS5 Slim and the PS5 Pro are going up by $50 in the US, but this official wired PS5 gaming headset is available to pre-order for just $59.99 at Turtle Beach and £49.99 at Amazon UK, and is set to launch in a matter of weeks on September 12. What a sight for pricey Sony sore eyes.

I wouldn't blame you if you had already presumed an officially licensed PS5 (and PS4) headset from Turtle Beach had already come and gone.

There's plenty of headsets from the brand that are fully compatible with the Sony pixel-pusher, from the Stealth 700 Gen 3 to the Stealth 600 Gen 3, but so far, the Atlas 200 remains the first of its kind to be officially licensed and bear that iconic blue and white Sony branding.

The brand states that the Atlas 200 "draws upon key design, engineering elements, and inspiration" from the Atlas Air and the Recon 200, and I can spot the resemblance. The design looks almost identical to that of the Air, if it weren't for its blue-coloured headstrap, and unidirectional flip-to-use microphone poking out from he left earcup.

This new Atlas 200 headset is wired, so naturally, it's missing the wireless connectivity of its competitor. However, it is equipped with larger 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers, a lighter 280g body, and has the added benefit of "patented" ProSpecs Dual-Foam ear cushions for a more glasses-friendly wearing experience.

The upcoming wired headset is also available in black or white colorways, which is neat given I always feel that white accessories match up more with the aesthetics of the PS5.

Turtle Beach hasn't forgotten about PC players either, as the Atlas 200 is also available for PC platforms in black and gray colorways. Despite having the same 3.5mm wired connection, the PC version is a tad pricier and is available to pre-order at $69.99 right now. But I don't see why you can't grab the cheaper PS5 version, as it's also wired, you just have to be okay with a handful of Sony logos.

• View all Turtle Beach gaming headset deals at Amazon
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3: $199.99 $169.99 at Amazon
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3: $98.74 at Amazon

If you've already got a PS5 headset, grabbing one of the best SSDS for PS5, the best PS5 controllers, and any other of the best PS5 accessories can help give your aging Sony console a well-needed boost.

I've tested a ridiculous number of Nintendo Switch 2 headsets, and the Turtle Beach Airlit Fit is still one I think about on a regular basis.

It's not the flashiest gaming headset around as it's only equipped with a 3.5mm cable and a flip-to-use microphone, but if someone were to ask me for a Switch headset for under $30 that's perfect for travel, or the little Ninty fans in their life, I'd pick the Airlite Fit like clockwork.

Now, a new model of the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit has emerged and is available to pre-order for $27.99 at Amazon, this time with some lovely Switch 2 branding, and a colorway that matches perfectly with Ninty's latest handheld. Under its Switch 2 coat of paint, this is the same old wired headset as before, but that won't stop me from remaining a fan of the budget-friendly Switch headset line.

No matter what model of Airlite Fit you're looking at, it's clearly not a pair of cups designed for those of us who need all the fancy features, from Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless audio, EQ customization, spatial audio support, and RGB lighting.

Instead, this low-cost wired headset is more aimed at those who need some cups to pass to their kids in the backseat of the car, or one that can be easily shoved in a lightweight travel bag to provide some fun Switch 2 gaming on the go.

They're lightweight, super affordable at just $27.99 / £19.99, and carry a level of build and sound quality that similarly cheap no-name brand headsets on US retailers like Amazon can't always seem to muster.

The headset is equipped with 40mm speakers, which won't bring the highest echelons of audio quality like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but it gets the job done. While testing its Ghost Purple Airlite Fit predecessor, I was impressed with how rich the busy soundstage of Mario Kart World sounded through these cushioned cups, and it's continued to wow me with new releases like Donkey Kong Bananza too.

Talking of cushioned, this wired headset is also incredibly lightweight at just 228g, and comes decked out with a headband and cups coated in a soft jersey knit for comfort and to keep sound as isolated as possible. In case you need to quickly use the Switch 2's new GameChat feature, the new Airlite Fit also features a flip-to-use Bi-Directional microphone.

What sets this Airlite Fit apart from the versions before it is undoubtedly its Switch 2 branding and matching colorway. Previous versions of the headset had the original Switch logo, but now there's a big 'number 2' to let you know this is an officially licensed product.

I'm personally more of a fan of its new design than its branding. Its hints of neon red and neon blue peaking out from the headband are perfectly reminiscent of the gaming handheld itself, helping it look just as sleek and professional as my high-end Switch headsets.

The new Turtle Beach Airlite Fit wired headset for the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available from September 3 for $27.99 / £19.99 from Amazon and other retailers. A black and white model is also available to pre-order for £19.99 at Amazon UK, set to launch on the same day.

• View all Nintendo Switch 2 headset deals at Amazon
• Ghost Purple Turtle Beach Airlite Fit: $27.99 at Amazon
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless: $109.99 at Amazon

Our ultimate Switch 2 starter kit is full of one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, which can help unlock the full potential of your new Ninty gaming setup.

If you've been looking for the very best controller for any platform for the last few years, there's only one I'd point you toward. The Victrix Pro BFG first hit the shelves for PS5 players in January of 2023, and following a hop over to Xbox, it's cemented itself as one of my favorite controllers ever made. That was before Turtle Beach bought over PDP and the Victrix brand, however, and now, the best PC controller is getting a relaunch.

Although, like many onlookers, I'm a tad confused as to why. The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded got stealthily revealed over the weekend, and from a first glance, it's very difficult to see what's new about it. The first thing I noticed was an inflated price, which immediately piqued my interest. The $179.99 / £179.99 price tag was always something that worked in its favour because it undercut a lot of the $200 competition on Xbox and PS5. It seems like Turtle Beach has missed that, however.

The Turtle Beach version of this controller is up for pre-order now, and US gamers will have to fork out an extra $30 for... not very much improvement. Thankfully, UK buyers can still get the updated controller for the same £179.99 price as always.

The Reloaded version sports Hall Effect thumbstick modules, which advance the original's potentiometers. But here's the rub that Turtle Beach probably doesn't want me telling you: You could buy Hall Effect modules for the original Pro BFG controllers already, and they'd slot right into your existing product. Granted, this new Reloaded version consolidates things into one easy purchase, but Hall Effect thumbsticks shouldn't equate to an inflated price tag. If Turtle Beach really wanted to "reload", I don't see why it wouldn't put TMR thumbsticks in the BFG, as this is the latest 2025 standard.

Elsewhere, the fightpad module that gives you six face buttons was always a distinctive feature on the Victrix Pro BFG. Turtle Beach has changed the placement of the buttons on this swappable part to be more ergonomic, but in essence, it's not all that different.

That's it. There's nothing else that Turtle Beach has chosen to improve on. One of the issues I've seen people talk about (and never really found myself) is a slight latency issue with the existing BFG controllers, but there's nothing on Turtle Beach's website to signal this has been stamped out in the Reloaded model.

My original guess was that the new version might finally give PS5 players some rumble, but this isn't mentioned anywhere either. For context, the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox has rumble motors in it, which add a little bit of heft and a lot of great feedback when playing games. The PS5 version hasn't had those vibrating motors, which makes it feel lighter and sportier, but it definitely lacks crunchy feedback. If this isn't addressed in the Reloaded model for PS5, it'll likely be due to licensing parameters. All the other officially licensed PS5 controllers don't have haptic feedback or rumble, as this is a reserved feature for Sony's official controllers for the platform.

The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded (yes, Turtle Beach has officially slapped its name on the front of it), is available in black and white on both Xbox and PS5. This is the latest in a growing line of PDP products that Turtle Beach is re-releasing under its own name. While I understand that this is the way company buy-outs go, I did always say it'd end in tears. In many ways, the BFG feels like one of the main reasons Turtle Beach wanted to acquire PDP, because with the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra and Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot, it's clear this brand has been trying to nail the modular controller formula. For me, the BFG is hard to beat in that arena, so you can see why it'd be a feather in Turtle Beach's cap.

So, which version of this controller should you buy? Well, as someone who has reviewed both the Xbox and PS5 versions of the original BFG, I'd be inclined to say that you should really just buy those. Especially if you're a US reader, you can save yourself some money by opting for the older BFG. Although the Hall Sensor thumbsticks in the Reloaded version will give you more futureproofing, I've not run into serious stick drift issues with the originals. If you do, you could always buy the Hall Effect modules separately, although, I have noticed that these are harder to get a hold of, and will likely continue to be more rare now that the updated version is launching.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the original models were discontinued from here on out as stock starts to disappear. Now that Turtle Beach has a version that's directly its own, it'd make sense for the older ones to be quietly phased out.

I'll be keen to test out the Reloaded BFG to see if there are any minor differences that aren't clear from the marketing materials and retail pages. The new model is available for pre-order now, and is said to launch on September 28.

Get the original BFG controllers here:

• PS5: $169.99 at Amazon
• Xbox: $170 at Amazon
• UK PS5: £139.99 at Amazon
• UK Xbox: £140 at Amazon

The BFG is easily the best PS5 controller and the best Xbox Series X controller, but you can also read more about the best Nintendo Switch controllers.

Do you know what Lenticular means? I'll be honest, I didn't until earlier today. Luckily, it's not as complicated as it sounds. You know those fun tilt-to-reveal things you get sometimes that reveal a second image of something if you look at it from a different angle? Well, there's a Donkey Kong Bananza controller with one of those designs up for pre-order right now.

Turtle Beach is fond of a wacky Nintendo Switch controller design - you may remember the Invincible Mario controller that glows in the dark. Well, the latest design for the Rematch Wireless gamepad will arrive on October 12. It's available for pre-order now at Amazon though, and for $59.99, it might be the perfect edition to your Switch 2 setup. It sports a fancy tilt-to-reveal, secondary design on its faceplate, and it's perfect for folks who are swinging into the latest DK adventure.

Alongside its adventurous lenticular design, the Rematch controller sports wireless support and two back buttons. In 3D games like Donkey Kong Bananza, that means you can map functions like jumping to a back button, resulting in fewer instances where your thumb is coming off the camera and movement sticks. They can come in handy, and they completely levelled the playing field when I first used them in 3D Mario games.

There's also motion controls and official licensing from Nintendo which gives it that authentic seal of approval. This licensing process is more rigourous than a lot of people realise, and it means that Nintendo's standards are upheld when people buy third-party accessories.

The only catch might be that it doesn't have a C-button, so if you're constantly using Game Chat on the Switch 2, you may want to look elsewhere.

Donkey Kong Bananza just arrived on Switch 2, and it's the first 3D Donkey Kong game since Donkey Kong 64 and Diddy Kong Racing - so, it's been a minute. We awarded it with a 4.5/5 score in our Donkey Kong Bananza review, saying it's "the best reason to own a Nintendo Switch 2".

Adding to your Switch 2 collection?

• Donkey Kong Bananza: $69.99 at Amazon
• Switch 2 controllers: 8BitDo, and first-party pads available
• Switch 2 accessories: Screen protectors from $8

If you're looking to put the "pro" in pro controller, you need to know about the best PC controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers.

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 is one of my utterly favorite pairs of cups I've reviewed this year. The sound from its beefy 60mm Eclipse dual audio drivers rocked my Polly Pocket-branded socks off - and still does to this day.

Yet, even with its powerful sound, its hefty $199.99 / £179.99 price point, and uncomfortable, bulky size made it hard to fully recommend amongst the best gaming headsets out there. Right now, it's down to just $151.99 on Amazon, which is not only just dollars away from its lowest ever price, but makes it far easier than ever to finally sing its incredibly sounding praises.

It's current low price doesn't erase the fact that this is not a headset for those with extra sensitive noggins', but if you're more concerned about finding a headset that gets loud and brings that booming bass and oomph you've dreamed of for your favorite games, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is the way to go.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset?

If you've spent your fair share trying out some of the best Xbox Series X headsets but have never found something loud enough, the 700 Gen 3 should be on your radar. It's been a few months since my Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 review, but I regularly grab these bad boys when I'm after that gut-punching sound, and the current headset I'm using (or reviewing) isn't quite doing the job.

No matter if I had it plugged into my PS5 or PC, every game sounded, and still sounds absolutely incredible. The D-shaped earcups are not that comfortable (which I'll touch on more later), but they're large enough to entomb your ears and fully immerse you in the sound of their mighty 60mm Eclipse dual audio drivers, even without any active noise canceling to be found. During my review, I stated that the Stealth 700 Gen took my favorite online games like Marvel Rivals and Dead by Daylight and "propelled them to levels of immersive bliss" and I still stand by that.

That fantastically loud sound extends to TV shows, too. The day the Severenace season two finale dropped on Apple TV, I was so fed up by the awkwardly quiet sound of the headset I had at hand that I went through the effort of pausing my favorite show and running to my office to grab this Turtle Beach headset instead - and I'm glad I did. Not only was it capable of making online games sound superb, but the eerie chords of composer Theodore Shapiro's Severance opening never sounded better.

The only major issue I had with the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is its massive weight. At 408.2g, it remains one of the heaviest headsets I've ever tested, and as someone prone to migraines, I can't wear it that long without starting to feel a bit sore and nauseous. If you have an extra sensitive head like me, grab the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless for $129.99 at Amazon instead, as this is not a comfortable experience, especially if you wear glasses every day like me.

However, its current almost record-low price of just $151 on Amazon, powerful sounding 60mm Eclipse dual drivers, high-quality unidirectional microphone, and simultaneous Bluetooth & 2.4GHz connectivity make it easier to recommend today - if you can overlook its bulky, uncomfortable misgivings.

If the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 doesn't sound quite right for you, our best PC headsets for gaming, best PS5 headset, and best Nintendo Switch headsets guides are bursting at the seams with other top-quality headset picks.

The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit stands out amongst the best Nintendo Switch accessories available for Ninty's latest handheld, not just for its incredibly low $30 / £20 cost, but thanks to its glorious, nostalgia-inducing transparent tech colorway.

The moment I first saw the 'Ghost Purple' model in person, my mind was flooded by memories of staring at the stunning Grape Purple Nintendo 64 that lined the Toys R' Us shelves growing up, and even the Atomic Purple Game Boy Color that I currently still have amongst my older Nintendo tech collection.

It's not the first headset to callback to the transparent tech trend of the late 90s and early 00s by any means. Right this very second, you can grab the limited edition 'Glorange' SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds and the Phantom Green Razer Barracuda X Chroma headset that feature transparent orange and green designs of their own, but this nostalgia aesthetic typically doesn't come cheap.

If you're a fellow old-age millennial gaming pensioner and want to dip your toes back into the transparent tech trend of your childhood, the Airltie Fit wired gaming headset is a low-cost way to do just that, and even better, it's compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2 straight out of the box.

This is a wired headset, so there wasn't a huge worry that it wasn't going to be compatible with the Switch 2 during my time spent testing the pair of cups so far. However, I can't pretend that the best Nintendo Switch headsets and their varying compatibility didn't bestow some worry within me before I popped the headset into the 3.5mm jack and had absolutely no issues.

Once you have the Airlite Fit hooked up to your Switch 2, you have some pleasantly sounding 40mm speakers at your disposal. As a low-cost headset, they have nothing on the 40mm Neodymium drivers audio drivers of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, but whether I was drifting through Mario Kart World in free-roam mode, or trying to refreshen up my Soul Calibur 2 skills via the Nintendo Switch Online GameCube game library, everything from dialogue, the roaring of engines, to the clashing of swords sounded pleasant to the ear.

As a wired headset, the Airlite Fit doesn't come with all the fancy features found on other Turtle Beach headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3. There's no Bluetooth, no 2.4GHz, no customizability - it's literally just a reasonably good sounding wired headset with a flip-to-mute mic. But it still comes with one major caveat - its particularly tight clamping force.

Its headband is adjustable, but no amount of pushing the headset up or down was able to put off the strain it began to put on either side of my temples after about an hour's worth of testing. At least it's extremely light at just 228g, just like the 'Airlite Fit' name suggests, however, its lack of comfort puts me in the camp of recommending this more to younger Switch 2 fans. Or to those of you who want a cheap headset option for their kids when they're desperate to play some Mario Kart World during long car journeys.

Adults will still get a kick out of the nostalgia-inducing 'Ghost Purple' colorway, but I recommend saving up for alternatives like Phantom Green Razer Barracuda X Chroma if you still want the transparent-tech throwback without losing out on comfort.

If you need more than the wired connection of the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit, our best PC headset for gaming, best PS5 headset, and best Xbox Series X headset guides are full to the brim with high-quality alternatives to choose from.

Turtle Beach has put three new controllers up for pre-order, and they might not be as pricey as you first expect coming from a well-known brand. While Turtle Beach does make some premium bits of hardware, it's no stranger to catering to the budget buyer either, and you may be surprised to know that all three of the brand's latest gaming gadgets are coming in under $50.

The main standout for me is the new Turtle Beach Afterglow Wave, an RGB-filled controller with fairly solid features for its asking price. Newly refreshed with Hall Sensor tech, 3-stop adjustable triggers, and integrated audio controls, this would give any budget Xbox Series X controller a run for its money. For only $49.99 at Turtle Beach, it comes in a slew of colors that only strengthen its RGB-filled personality. You can pre-order it now for its release on the 18th of May.

The most clued-in among you may feel like the Afterglow looks eerily familiar, and that's because it's actually a refreshed version of an existing peripheral. If you didn't know, Turtle Beach acquired rival gaming accessory maker PDP last year. Although PDP is responsible for some excellent controllers, it now looks as though Turtle Beach is taking a big step inwards as its parent company and removing its name from its existing product lines.

The PDP Afterglow Wave controller for Xbox Series X already exists, and costs the same as this new version does. Honestly, it's a little bit tricky to notice the differences between PDP's original model and this relaunched one - they even have the same color variants and official Xbox licensing. It looks as though the Hall Sensor triggers, textured grips, and rumble motors are the new standout features Turtle Beach is priding the new version on. On the whole, though, it does look a bit like this is the same controller, priced exactly the same, just with any mention of PDP's original craftsmanship removed.

The second controller the brand has refreshed is the Rematch Core Wired, which again, is an existing PDP product. The PDP Rematch Advanced Controller has made a name for itself with a very affordable sub-$30 price tag and loads of interesting colorways. The New Turtle Beach version releases on May 15 for $29.99 at Turtle Beach and doesn't seem to add much in the way of features, besides some new multicolored camo paint jobs. Thankfully, it's also priced the same as the existing PDP model.

Lastly, Nintendo Switch owners have something to get excited for, thanks to a new design for the Rematch Wireless controller for Nintendo's platform. The Invincible Mario skin for this product launches (you guessed it) May 18, but it's got a pretty god-tier Mario livery on it that shows the titular hero clearly benefiting from a dose of star power. The coolest bit? It even glows in the dark.

This one will set you back $59.99 (£49.99) at Turtle Beach, but I'd expect with so many excited Nintendo shoppers right now, you might want to act quickly on pre-ordering. That said, there is a bit of a caveat to think about in terms of futureproofing.

Interestingly, for anyone looking to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2 at the moment, the marketing materials and press release Turtle Beach sent don't include any claims about it working with Switch 2. This is disappointing for sure, but it tracks.

We're still yet to hear any confirmation about third-party Nintendo Switch controllers being compatible with the new platform. Yes, we do have compatibility grids and confirmation about existing first-party Nintendo accessories, but still nothing about third-party products. Let's hope that with a skin this fun, we can expect to be racing around Mario Kart World with it in hand.

I’m not sure how to feel about the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot controller. On one hand, it’s a modular controller that’s right up my alley. Instead of coming with a case crammed full of swappable parts and a tool or two to join them together with, it’s got a fresh, spinning design that’s unrivalled in terms of its novelty and convenience.

On the other hand, I can’t help but feel like the Stealth Pivot is copying the best PC controller’s homework a little too closely. This is the first gamepad Turtle Beach has launched since acquiring PDP, the maker of the Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox. That controller is the modern-day trendsetter for any modular gaming peripheral, and even if the Stealth Pivot goes about things in a different way, it feels a bit like an inferior version that’s trying to buddy up to what came before.

The other problem is that while the Stealth Pivot has a reasonable $129.99 / £129.99 price tag, it’s silently driven up the cost of its predecessor, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra. Despite launching at a generous $179.99, it’s since inflated to $200, and I’m not convinced the Stealth Pivot is good enough to be a more affordable replacement.

Design

In terms of its broad design strokes, the Stealth Pivot feels very similar to the Turtle Beach controllers of old. It’s got a traditional Xbox shape albeit with a slightly swollen mid-section where more utility features are crammed in. On the Turtle Beach Recon, these were audio controls, but here, there’s a small on-screen display that allows you to change profiles and button mappings with a bit more ease than usual.

There are some textured grip panels, there’s matte black plastic bodywork, and more than a lot of the best Xbox Series X controllers, there’s decent build quality in the Pivot. I don’t hear any creaks or cheap plastic noises when I try and wrench one grip away from the other, and that can often be the case.

Of course, the biggest design praise I can give is to do with the clever modular functionality of the Pivot. Using some switches on the back of the controller, you can apply some light pressure to one of the facial panels, spin it around, and get a new controller entirely - at least in theory. No need for a specialist screwdriver or fiddly part swapping. Just flick the switch, spin the module, and you’ve got a new controller to play with.

Since this is an officially licensed Xbox controller, the main modules you’ll use for the majority of your playtime are the offset thumbsticks, X, Y, B, A buttons, and circular D-pad. When spun around though, this really becomes a fighting game specialist, with a D-pad and duplicate buttons for the bumpers on the left, and six facial buttons on the right. It’s a bit of a shame that there’s no way to swap out the modules at all so you can specialize more in different genres, though.

Features

But the clever pivoting modules aren’t the only reason to consider the latest Turtle Beach gamepad. It’s got Hall sensor thumbsticks, which are cleverly designed to twist inwards to allow for the signature pivoting movements. It is a bit unfortunate that they don’t have a second twist-out length to make them higher like the PowerA Fusion Pro does. Unlike the Stealth Ultra, you don’t get varying thumbstick tops in the box, so you’re left with the fairly small, quite slippy surfaces that come as standard.

You get two back buttons, and although they press with a rather robust feel thanks to the controller’s build quality, they do feel like a downgrade compared to the four microswitch back buttons on the Stealth Ultra. Even if Turtle Beach couldn’t justify the cost of microswitches in the back of the Pivot, I’d have liked to see all four back buttons carry over. This would have truly made this controller stand out, especially in its price range.

There are some trigger-stop switches if you’re a fan of turning them into short-actuation speed machines. The feel on them is quite harsh when these are locked into position though, and the corners do dig into my fingers a bit.

The face buttons are fairly uninteresting if I can say that without sounding rude. There’s not a lot of feel to them, they have quite a deep actuation, and for a pad that wants to be able to transform into a fightpad, they really lack the speed other controllers can give. It’s nice having the option of a potential eight face buttons, but aspiring Esports athletes will probably want something like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, or even its cheaper tournament edition which has extra bumpers, and very speedy and super tactile microswitch buttons all over it.

Then there’s the OSD, which also feels a bit downgraded from the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra. Having just tested the Manba One, I’m now hyper-aware that there are much more conclusive and easier-to-operate OSDs that can appear on board a controller. Turtle Beach was really a pioneer of this feature, and while it’s useful for switching profiles and extra button assignments, it isn’t the most intuitive to navigate, and if the pivot really wants to distinguish itself, it needs a bit more than that.

At least in terms of connectivity, you do get some wireless bonuses. The USB dongle comes in its own, small box, which is better than nothing when it comes to keeping it in a safe place where it won’t get lost. Unfortunately, the receiver isn’t the strongest, and I frequently found calibration and detection issues throughout my wireless playtesting. Turtle Beach does quote a 20-hour battery life which I’m yet to fully deplete in my testing before this review. You do get an included USB cable as well, but other than that, the contents of this pad’s packaging feels quite bare-bones. Hey, at least there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack which some controllers these days leave out.

Performance

I’d love to tell you that the action of spinning this controller’s face modules is as easy as it sounds. Unfortunately, it really isn’t as intuitive as it wants to be. You need to flick some switches on the controller’s back which are awkwardly placed and sit so deep into the chassis that you really need to turn it around and get a good look to find. Then, you need to tuck the thumbsticks in, which should be a simple twist, but always ends up feeling as though you’re breaking something. Following that, you push down on the sides of the modules that are closest to you, and they’ll do about a quarter turn. Note that they can only spin towards you, for some reason. You then have to move your thumbs up to catch the upper half of the module and rotate them the rest of the way round. This all feels like a really clunky process for what’s supposed to be a streamlined attempt at modular design. I’m no great fan of the Thrustmaster eSwap X2, but its magnetic push and pull parts feel like a satisfying fidget toy compared to the janky spinning modules of the Pivot.

While I do enjoy my fighting games, I’m not mainlining Tekken 8 in every one of my gaming sessions, so if I’m totally honest, the majority of my testing time was done without actually using what’s supposed to be this product’s standout feature. That’s disappointing because if there were alternative options that came in the box, or there was any way to properly customize the layout, I feel like I’d be spinning the parts around with each game I was playing. It just feels like someone at Turtle Beach had a truly fresh idea for a modular controller, but it was half-baked in order to satiate a cheaper price than the Stealth Ultra.

Fortunately, the robust build quality and feel of the Pivot in the hands do a lot of heavy lifting. Although the thumbsticks can be really slippy due to their tiny indentation, their loose stick tension makes them feel really snappy in FPS games like Hunt: Showdown. This is definitely on the looser end of stick tensions though, kind of similar to the Scuf Nomad in that sense, so if this is something you’re looking for, all the power to you.

It just feels like this controller is missing an element of speed that would really justify its price versus something like the GameSir Kaleid. In Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Hunt: Showdown, and even Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor (which I revisited for the first time in years while testing this pad), there’s just a lack of urgency that other controllers offer.

Probably my favorite thing about this controller, however, is that the awesome, crunchy feedback of the Stealth Ultra carries over. It isn’t technically haptic feedback, but there’s something in the rumble motors, grip textures, and materials this brand uses that makes even a little rumble feel incredible. It’s not quite as detailed as the DualSense Edge’s haptic feedback, but it’s a step toward it I’m yet to find in other Xbox controllers. In Shadow of Mordor, for example, it’s the sort of feedback that you can hear, and it almost adds to the sound design of the game you’re playing. It’s a strange synesthesia, but it’s one I’d recommend the Pivot for almost on its own.

The jolt of lightning your palms feel whenever you use your dash in Celeste is complimented by a D-pad that’s textured so that you can easily feel the directional differences on it. Again, I think the actuation is a bit too deep to really be helpful in platformers like Celeste where speed really is key.

Overall comfort in cozy exploration games is fine, but it’s nothing special. I wouldn’t recommend the Stealth Pivot if that’s your main use for a controller, but it’ll get by if you need a quick fix. Sable controlled smoothly in this way, but if you have larger hands you might want to look at something else.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot

There are so many great controllers out there right now, and although I wouldn’t scream and shout about how you should buy the Stealth Pivot, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily bad either. It does a lot of things well, and for players of fighting games looking for something versatile, it’s going to come in really handy.

Unfortunately, it’s just okay overall. Its novel concept of a spinning, modular design is hamstrung by its lack of options outside of fighting and platforming. In addition, the action of spinning out the modules feels just as clunky as other modular pads make it.

I understand that the Stealth Ultra should now seem like the premium alternative, but it doesn’t feel like the Pivot puts up enough of a fight to be worth considering against it. The fact that it’s bumped up the price of the Stealth Ultra for no real reason is a bit of a gut punch too.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot

I used the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot as my main controller for all PC gaming for about a week before this review. In that time, I put it through the usual wringer of games I test pro controllers with. I used fighting games like Dragon Ball Sparking Zero and Tekken, I cruised around the deserts of Sable, I revisited Shadow of Mordor, and I snuck around the swamps of Hunt Showdown. For platforming, I played Celeste, trying to grab as many strawberries as I could.

I compared my experience closely with the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra and Stealth Recon. I also reflected on how this controller matches up with other modular options and ones with OSDs.

For more on how we test controllers, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Looking to specialize in a certain type of controller? Check out the best joysticks, the best racing wheels for PC, and the best PS5 steering wheels.

Turtle Beach is changing things up a notch and steering away from the plain aesthetics of all-black peripherals, with the launch of the new purple Stealth 600 Gen 3 headset. Launching on March 3 this year, the brand has taken one of the iconic models from its Stealth line and given it a new sleek purple coat of paint, all for the same budget-friendly $99.99 / £99.99 price point.

Gaming headsets come in all shapes and sizes. But when it comes to color, even the best gaming headsets don't leave much to the imagination. Unless specifically designed to capture that 'cute and cozy' aesthetic, these devices typically come in either an all-black or all-white designs. This was just as true for the iconic Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 but now this new pretty and purple lease on life makes it stand out from the rest of the aesthetically plain Stealth line.

Despite this new sleek purple aesthetic, the headset retains not just the same price, but the same premium features that impressed us the first time around. Most notably, for under $100 you're still getting that impressive up to 80 hours of battery life, which is notable more than other headsets of its price range. Normally you can expect to get anywhere from 50 - to 70 hours of juice on a sub $100 pair of cups. Even alternatives in the Stealth line, like the Stealth 700 Gen 3, share the same battery limits despite costing double.

This purple version of the headset is designed with the Xbox in mind, but its Bluetooth 5.2 and 2.4GHz connectivity options make it compatible with pretty much anything you throw at it - from the Xbox Series X/S, PC to the PS5 and your everyday mobile phone. While your gaming setup gets a splash of color, its 50mm Nanoclear audio drivers offer up a rich, robust sound profile, which through our hardware team's own testing, gave justice to games from The Last of Us to Doom Eternal.

This purple Stealth 600 Gen 3 is also decked out with a flip-to-use microphone, re-mappable wheel & mode buttons, built-in EQ modes including the brand's branded 'Superhuman' hearing feature, and memory foam padding with the brand's own "Glasses-Friendly" technology. For all intents and purposes, this is the same Stealth 600 Gen 3 headset released last year, but in purple form. Fortunately, the pretty purple design also hasn't jacked up the price - which is good news for those looking for a better fit for their cute and cozy gaming setups. Or anyone just as bored as I am with the sea of all-black or all-white peripherals.

One of the stand-out aspects of the purple Stealth 500 Gen 3 gaming headset is arguably its price. This is a sub-$100 headset, and even its brand-new flashy makeover doesn't deviate it away from its more budget-friendly price point. The Turtle Beach headset is just $99.99 / £99.99, marginally cheaper than other headsets in the Stealth line, like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 which is double that of this new purple pair. By sticking with its budget pricing, that pits the Stealth 600 Gen 3 still up against other budget rivals like the Razer BlackShark Hyperspeed, or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X.

Where to buy the purple Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 headset

Purple Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 FAQ

If the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 didn't impress you the first time around, check out our best Xbox Series X headset guide for a huge list of alternatives. We've also gathered all the best PC headsets for gaming, and the best Steam Deck headsets in one place if you're after a pair of cups for your PC instead.

When I entered the realm of gaming headsets, Turtle Beach was one of the first brands that caught my attention - namely for their budget-friendly options in a sea of brow-raising pricey tech. To this day, I still covet my Star Wars-branded X-Wing Turtle Beach headset, despite it not holding a candle to what a pair of high-powered cups like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 can offer.

Its predecessor, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2, remains one of the best gaming headsets to this day and reinstated what the Stealth line was known for with its beefy battery life and never-ending compatibility options. This time around, the brand has yet again taken one of the best Xbox Series X headsets and packed it with more premium features, including simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity, and booming 60mm dual audio drivers that make even the busiest game soundscapes sound full of life.

Sadly there is no noise cancelling to be found, which is a bit disappointing given the headset is priced at $199.99 / £179.99 - a lot more than its mid-range rival. Additionally, its heavy, bulky design prevents it from being the ultimate mid-range powerhouse. Regardless, there’s still a lot at play here, and Turtle Beach has proven again it can add an extra bit of pizazz to an already impressive piece of tech.

Key Specs

Design

• Sleek black and metal silver accented colorway
• Subtle branding
• Imbued with easily accessible onboard controls

The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3, for all intents and purposes, could have been named the Bulky 700. The wireless gaming headset is one of the largest pairs that’s ever crossed my desk for testing, with densely packed leather-covered foam cushions and overly large D-shaped cups. I get why they’re there, as they’re large enough to cup right around even the biggest of human ears. I also always prefer a leather, or fake leather, coating to my headset foam cushion over a fabric one as traditionally they’re softer and attract fewer cat hairs. However, they contribute to one of the most uncomfortable experiences with a headset I’ve come across.

It’s always worth noting that I do have a more sensitive head than most and am prone to migraine triggers of any kind. This headset also never gave me one, but even after adjusting the height on the cups, there was always an unnecessary tightness on the underside of each of my ears. Fortunately, this extra force (caused by the massive foam cushions) didn’t dig into the bands on my glasses. I’ve experienced that in the past with similarly heavy headsets, like the Logitech G Astro A50 X, but the Stealth 700 didn’t leave any imprints of my glasses on my head. In fact, the headset is designed to be “glasses friendly”, which is a nice accessibility win for those of us who need it.

The bulk isn’t just relegated to the leather-coated foam cushions. Each cup itself is pretty huge, likely to encase the booming 60mm dual audio drivers inside. If you’re after a more subtle headset to take out and about for music and podcasts, the Stealth 700 is not for you. The overall look is at least pretty sleek despite this, featuring a black colorway with some metal silver accents. There’s no garish cheap-looking lighting, and even the branding has a sleek sense of professionalism. The Turtle Beach logo is subtly located on either side of the cups, and the headband features an embossed logo that nicely catches any RGB lighting you might have around your gaming setup.

The silver accents to the Stealth 700 are also a nice distraction from the unsightly bulk of the whole thing. For the most part, the build quality also feels rigid and of high quality, and there’s a nice matte plastic coating, which holds out well against my aptitude for tech wear and tear. My only nitpick is that there are seam lines along each of the silver edges of the headset. They aren’t too noticeable, but any keen eye won’t be able to unsee them after a while as they give a bit of a cheap feel to an otherwise premium headset.

The cups also have a ton of onboard controls, which I’m always a fan of. The left features a small circular power button with a ring of LED lighting, which flashes green when connected to your Xbox Series X, PC or PS5. Above this, you can find the Type-C port for charging, a re-mappable dial with bumps for additional grip, a game/chat mix dial and a small EQ ‘mode button.’ The left cup is also where you can find the hidden microphone, which flips out on the front-facing side. Whereas, on the right cup, you can find the Bluetooth multi-function button, Bluetooth dial and the cross-play buttons.

Features

• Simultaneous Bluetooth & 2.4GHz connectivity
• ‘Superhuman’ hearing feature
• EQ & customization through the Swarm II app
• Hefty 80 hours battery life

The Stealth 700 Gen 3 has an impressive list of features. Despite the lack of active noise canceling, the D-shaped cups are large enough to entomb your ears, which does all it can to zone out the audio around you. But you won’t quite get that total exclusion of outside noise. Where it may lack in the ANC department, the Stealth 700 does come packed with the option for simultaneous connectivity. This is a new addition that wasn't present on the Stealth 700 Gen 2 model, and the setup just requires the usual Bluetooth pairing process, along with ensuring you’ve slotted one of the accompanying dongles into your Xbox Series X / S or Xbox One.

Unlike headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, the version of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 I tested is designed specifically for Xbox consoles in mind but also comes with two dongles, so you aren’t limited to Xbox platforms. As someone who primarily finds themselves playing the PS5, this was a pleasant surprise. There are now two tiny dongles you need to keep track of, and without an accompanying cloth bag or case to keep them in, they could go missing fast. But, either way, it makes switching to different platforms and setting up simultaneous connectivity an easier process. During testing, I connected the Xbox dongle to my PC tower to switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, while the extra dongle was attached via the USB port on the front of my PS5.

Switching between hardware was not only incredibly simple but also pretty impressive. I can’t stand having a headset per-console,having to re-pair and switch out dongles, so this cuts down a lot of needless prep. When the PS5 was turned on, its audio instantly came through - even if I was initially using the headset with my PC in the other room. This came in tremendously handy when finishing up a day's work as it made switching from listening to Spotify to playing Marvel Rivals in the evening super speedy.

What also came as a tremendous benefit is the Stealth 700’s inclusion of ‘Superhuman’ audio. Also included on the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, this EQ audio pre-set allows you to hear your muddled gaming soundscape in a new way, in an effort to help you decipher the position of incoming bullets and footsteps. The audio tech isn’t available out of the box, and requires the downloading of the Swarm 2 app, either on your PC or through your smartphone. But when turned on, it allowed me to take full advantage of the spatial audio integrated into the headset. It’s worth noting that it’ll do absolutely nothing for music playback other than making audio sound hollow and lifeless as a result. So make sure to turn it off when you want to mellow out to some Chappell Roan over playing a competitive hero shooter.

The Superhuman Hearing mode can be easily switched on and off via a toggle on Swarm II, which also plays host to the test of the EQ customization. On both the PC and the smartphone app (available for iOS and Android-based devices) you can switch between ‘game’ and ‘mic’ modes, which each have their own lists of pre-made audio presets. Alternatively, you can easily create and save your own. As always, I like a beefy bass and so had the ‘bass boost’ preset selected, especially when listening to music. This did create more audio spillage but made my favorite bands from Bombay Bicycle Club to Nirvana sound dreamy. Fortunately, there wasn’t any visible distortion from any of the available presets, from the bass boost to the ‘Turtle Beach signature sound’ setting.

The battery life of the Stealth 700 is also one of the best things the Xbox headset has going for it. The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro only has up to 12 hours of battery to contend with (per battery pack), and even the Stealth 700 Gen 2 only has 20 hours, but the Stealth 300 can muster up to 80 hours of playback. From weeks of testing, I only had to charge the headset fully once, and this is after multiple nights of staying up until 3am playing Unicorn Overlord, and catching up on PS Plus’s addition of High on Life. When I did finally give it a charge, it was done within a few hours, and the small LED ring around the power button politely lit up to tell me the job was done.

Performance

• Superb 60mmd dual drivers audio-quality
• Easy to set up crossplay audio system
• Crystal clear flip-to-use microphone

The Stealth 700 Gen 3 headset took the audio of games like Marvel Rivals, Dead by Daylight and Unicorn Overlord and propelled them to levels of immersive bliss. The 60mm dual audio drivers that Turtle Beach integrated this generation are no joke and can not only get very loud but make it difficult to drag myself away from spending too much time on my PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

I broke out Marvel Rivals to see how the headset dealt with a barrage of sounds, from bullets to the roars of the Incredible Hulk. With the out of the box audio settings, the low, mid and highs of the shooter’s soundscape sounded deep and expansive, which is exactly what you want from the world of Marvel. In fact, I actually got in a hefty amount of kills as my main Starlord and climbed up the scoreboard as a result. Not only was this more than my usual measly attempts, but the superhuman EQ setting propelled this further.

Without ANC, especially as I tend to game in the same room as my partner's PC, it was definitely harder to focus entirely on the game. But the ‘gunshots’ Superhuman audio setting in particular made it easier to suss out enemy team members who would try and surround our team. The EQ tech placed the audio in a 3D soundscape, so instead of getting lost in a sea of noise, I could hear Jeff the Shark's rendition of the Jaws theme in time behind me, before the adorable guy did his worst. Turtle Beach calls its Superhuman Hearing a “cheat code for the ears” which accurately describes the feeling of having it at my disposal. I’m still relatively new to the CS:2, growing up on Quake instead when it came to PC first-person shooters. With that in mind, I'm not the best at the game but the Superhuman pre-sets also went a long way in helping me identify not just where the enemy was, but also where my team members were running off to.

The headset was not just equipped to give me a competitive edge, but its microphone became one of the most stellar things about it. It’s detachable, and can’t be manipulated to place it closer to your mouth, which could be a deal-breaker for most. However, I grew to become a fan of its discreet hidden placement in the left cup as it was faster to flip it down when Marvel Rival match-making came to an end.

As a uni-directional microphone, also known as a dynamic mic, there’s only one spot where it’s going to best pick up your speaking. This inclusion, as opposed to other polar pickup patterns Turtle Beach could have gone for, makes sense as you can’t actually position the mic in any other way besides up. Regardless, it provided a lovely crisp tone and my friends’ heard me yelling through their own headsets with no issues. It’s worth adding that the mic was a little loud at first. So having the Swarm II app on your phone, or on your PC to adjust it will help not blow out your best friend’s eardrums.

The mic was flipped up and out of the way when testing on the Nintendo Switch, which connected easily through Bluetooth. Every sweeping instrument of the Super Mario Galaxy score sounded almost magical coming through the headset. I also tested the Stealth 700 Gen 3 while playing my latest gaming obsession, Unicorn Overlord, namely as the OST was written primarily by one of my favorite game composers, Mitsuhiro Kaneda. The triumphant medieval fantasy setting felt bustling and full of life thanks to the 60mm drivers yet again, as did the almost Shakespeare-like voice acting found within the game.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset?

At a price point of $199.99 / £179.99 the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is one of the more expensive mid-range headsets I’ve had across my testing bench, but its densely packed premium features almost entirely justify its more-than-average cost. No matter if it’s the Xbox, PlayStation, or PC-designed version, this Turtle Beach headset comes with two 2.4GHz dongles to cover your bases. With its simultaneous audio system, you can also switch between using a Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connection across an array of consoles. High-end alternatives, like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, allow you to connect to multiple consoles and platforms at once but with costs in the higher echelon of gaming headsets, coming in at $359.99. With the Stealth 700, you are getting a more limited version of this multi-platform support, but at a fraction of the cost.

Additionally, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 produces some of the best audio I’ve ever heard coming from a gaming headset. There’s no muffled gunshots, distorted highs and hollow lows at play here. Instead, the 60mm dual drivers show their stuff by doing justice to everything from competitive shooters like Marvel Rivals and CS:2, to Super Mario Galaxy on the Nintendo Switch. Every genre of music I threw at the headset, or audio from an array of streaming services also sounded their best.

The only thing preventing this from being an all-around perfect package is the lack of wired audio support, and its outright distracting and almost painful bulky shape and weight. I'd have loved to see ANC included too, however, that'd likely drive up the cost even further, and we tend to see it on more high-end headsets like the Alienware Pro Wireless rather than any mid-range rivals like the Stealth 700 Gen 3.

If you don't quite have the budget for a high-end headset but don't want to skimp out on too many premium features, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is an ideal pickup. While I tested the Xbox version, there's also a PlayStation and PC model available, each with their own slight colorways. But even if you happen to stick with the Xbox Series X version like I tested, its two accompanying dongles make it a match for those who can't stick to one platform for long. Plus, no matter if you're playing the Xbox Series X, or PS5 or just listening to music, the headset's drivers can pack a punch that rivals the audio found on more expensive offerings.

These aren't going to be the comfiest things to pop on your head though. And if like me, you have a more sensitive noggin' than most, I'd recommend a mid-range alternative like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) instead, which is much more lightweight. The Stealth 700 Gen 3 also doesn't have a detachable mic, and its bulky shape makes it more stuck to use indoors than something you can easily take out to listen to your favorite tunes. Regardless, Xbox and even PS5 and PC owners have a lot at their disposal with the Stealth 700 Gen 3, and again Turtle Beach has proven to me why they’re still one of the best gaming headset brands in the biz.

Ratings

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset

I spent over two weeks with the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset. During that time I ran the mid-range pair of cups through a gaming gauntlet of plenty hours of the competitive hero shooter, Marvel Rivals. I also put the Stealth 700 through its paces by playing Dead by Daylight, Unicorn Overlord and even Nintendo Switch titles like Super Mario Galaxy (via Super Mario 3D All-Stars) and Super Mario Sunshine. When not gaming, I used it alongside streaming platforms like Netflix to watch the mini-series Apple Cider Vinegar and listened multiple music genres and bands, from Bombay Bicycle Club, OK Go and Chappell Roan. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you're after a headset for your other consoles instead, check out our best PS5 headset, best Nintendo Switch headset, and best PC headset for gaming guides which are full of the brim with mid-range, and high-range, alternatives to the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3.

Before Turtle Beach dissolved the Roccat brand, the original Kone Air attempted to pair a modest price tag with a wireless connection. While it got the job done, it made too many sacrifices to truly be considered one of the best gaming mouse models on the market. The new generation is here, though, and I couldn’t be happier. The Turtle Beach Kone II Air does up the price tag, to around double that of the original, but boosts the sensor significantly and adds a rechargeable battery - all in a much slicker feeling chassis. 

I’ve spent the last two weeks testing the wireless Air model, though there’s also a cheaper $69.99 / £59.99 wired model that shares the same functionality and design. It’s a premium pointer considering its wider base, but in a market led by the super light, it’s certainly got a lot to say.

Design

The Kone’s form factor is never going to be svelte - this is a wide-set mouse for those with larger hands or who prefer a more relaxed palm grip. At its widest point, the Kone II Air measures in at 8.3cm, a considerable increase compared to the Razer Basilisk V3’s 7.5cm and the Corsair Darkstar Wireless’s 6.7cm. This is a wide, flat base with only a very slight hump in the middle - a design that’s stuck around since the early days of the range, but one that provides a particularly comfortable hold. While that form factor made the original model appear cheaper, the Kone II manages to get away with it, thanks to the addition of three vibrant RGB patches. These are dual-zone programmable, and provide a nicely crisp illumination across both sides of the mouse and underneath the scroll wheel. On my white model, a clean cyan shines through particularly well, though there are a range of effects to choose from. 

The matte surface texture also helps the Kone II Air feel far more premium than the original. While some may miss the rubberized sides (grip tape is still provided in the box), I much prefer the soft touch plastic coating on the 2024 model. While mice with this material sometimes run the risk of feeling slippery, I was never worried about losing my grip. That’s because this is still a well sculpted chassis. The grooves on each side help gently guide the hand into the correct position, without every feeling tense or unnatural during gameplay. On the left, just above the thumb rest, a particularly deep recess provides both stability and comfort - I was easily able to hook my thumb around the back of this groove for extra precision when pulling down on the mouse, for example. 

Of course, a wider base is always going to have an impact on the weight and the Roccat Kone II Air doesn’t shy away from its heavier 110g form factor. That’s not as bulky as the original model’s 119g, but it is noticeably chunkier than the 89g Corsair M75 Wireless and the 74g SteelSeries Aerox 5 wireless, both wider-set mice. In practice, that extra weight does mean that the Turtle Beach Kone II Air is less versatile than its direct competition. The Corsair Darkstar Wireless, for example, is my go-to MMO mouse at the moment, but still manages to pack a 96g form factor that brings FPS games within far closer reach. The silhouette and weight of the Kone simply aren’t conducive to these faster paced games, though it does have its place on the battlefield.

The extra weight provides a reassuring presence on the desktop. Games with the space to allow for more considered movements absolutely benefit from the additional level of control and precision that comes with a heavier pointer. Those with larger hands are going to get more out of this than someone with smaller hands like me (I did sometimes struggle to fully manoeuvre my way around the device during a few shootouts).

The actual aesthetic is a strange one. The crisp angular lines running across the main body of the Kone II give it a distinct ‘gamer’ vibe, but this is then undercut by the soft rounded corners of the device as a whole. I would even go so far as to call the front area stubby, it just looks like there should be a tiny bit more main click before the taper begins.

Features

While the original Roccat Kone Air prioritized its wireless connection via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, the Turtle Beach Kone II Air adds wired connectivity as well. That means you can easily plug in to charge up (yes, you can charge now - no more replaceable batteries) or ensure you’re getting the lowest latencies possible. It has to be said, I never noticed a difference in speeds between the wired and 2.4GHz connection - though most wireless gaming mouse models are up to speed standards these days anyway. 

Turtle Beach also states that that wireless connection (and the RGB lighting) can run off a battery that lasts up to 130 hours on 2.4GHz and 350 hours on Bluetooth. That’s high in the world of gaming mice - the Corsair Darkstar Wireless taps out at 80 hours with a smaller system of RGBs and the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro only manages 90 hours. I will spend an average of 7-10 hours using a mouse every day, and at the end of the week I was still at well over 50% charge by the time Monday came around again. 

The wider base and heavier form factor might have given it away but the Turtle Beach Kone II Air hasn’t been designed for first person shooters - and that means we get a load more programmable controls onboard. That’s excellent news for anyone who regularly plays across larger adventure titles or MMO games, having more access to quick functions makes these types of experiences all the more intuitive especially when you can keep your right hand firmly on the mouse at all times. In the Kone’s case, three side buttons (two standard back and forward clickers and a thumb rest paddle underneath) make up the bulk of your customization. However, the scroll wheel can also easily be tipped to the side to make two more inputs, with a third coming from the press of the wheel. 

Underneath the scroll wheel, you’ll find a DPI shifter and scroll mode toggle as well. That makes up nine inputs in total, which can be transformed into 21 using the brand’s Easy Shift functionality. When switched on, holding left paddle with the thumb opens you up to another layer of functionality from the same buttons. Unlike in the original Kone, you’ve also got space for several presets as well - excellent for swapping between work and play, or between games.

These are among some of the best side buttons I’ve used on a gaming mouse, offering just the right amount of tension to remain satisfying without being heavy but still steering well clear of accidental presses. That even goes for the paddle sitting beneath the thumb - I’m able to comfortably rest on top of it, and giving it a quick nudge to actuate exactly when I want to. The larger shape means I’m not able to roll my thumb to reach the back side button quite as easily as I would on something smaller like the Razer Cobra Pro, but both clickers are still easily accessible.

All of those button assignments are sorted in the Roccat Swarm software. This is a no-frills experience that neatly avoids plastering ads all over your desktop and instead focuses on getting a wide range of customization options in front of you in an intuitive manner. All of your button assignments are quickly and easily set in here, but you’ll also be configuring your sensor’s DPI, polling rate, debounce, lift off distance, angle snapping, and motion sync, as well as setting your standby timing and viewing battery and update status. Everything is neatly laid out in one place without the need to dig through menus - as someone who uses a lot of these programs for a lot of different devices, not having to re-learn where everything is is a godsend.

Performance

Of course, the Turtle Beach Kone II Air isn’t going to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Razer Viper V3 Pro from a pure speed standpoint. However, its feature set means its geared more towards games that require more custom inputs. That doesn’t mean it’s not equipped to track fast, though. 

The Turtle Beach Owl-Eye 26K sensor runs at 650 inches-per-second, making tracking feel effortlessly smooth across a wide range of genres. In a slimmer mouse, this sensor could easily take on more competitive endeavours from a pure specification standpoint. It’s snappy, responsive, and tracks pretty easily across a range of surfaces as well. Meanwhile, the brand’s optical Titan Switches have remained intact underneath each main click, offering a soft but still energetic response. With configurable debounces, repeat presses felt immediate. 

They’re not quite as tactile as the Omron switches in the Corsair Darkstar Wireless, and they felt a little heavier than Razer’s own optical switches. In practice, this meant a little fatigue was creeping in after more frantic moments, when I would sometimes drop a press or two. 

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Kone II Air?

The Turtle Beach Kone II Air is perfect for a player with larger hands who wants plenty of controls at their finger tips. While I wouldn’t recommend it to those playing competitively due to its size and weight, anyone looking to put comfort first while still remaining relatively fast on the battlefield should be considering this device. It’s cheaper than a lot of its competition, and offers a form factor we don’t see too much of these days. Plus, it absolutely nails its ergonomic design and keeps a cool light show onboard for extra flair. 

With the wireless model coming in so much more expensive than the wired alternative, I would be hesitant to pit it as the better buy of the two. If you don’t mind a tail on your rodent, the cheaper wired version offers excellent value for money. 

From an MMO perspective, the Turtle Beach Kone II Air is just pipped by the slightly more expensive Corsair Darkstar Wireless. With more programmable inputs, a lighter form factor, and more tactile switches, Corsair’s slick pointer retains its crown in this matchup, though its $169.99 / £149.99 MSRP might run the wrong side of some budgets.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Kone II Air

I used the Turtle Beach Kone II Air for a period of three weeks, using the device for all daily work and play. I primarily tested across CS:2, Fallout 4, and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey during this process (though also dabbled in Planet Coaster and TCG Card Shop Simulator: The Prologue) as well. For more information on how we test gaming mice, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.  

We’re also rounding up all the best Razer mouse models on the market, as well as the best Logitech gaming mice. Or, for a full setup refresh, check out the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested so far.  

Turtle Beach has lived in the mid-range and entry level price brackets for years now, with the Stealth line leading the flagships. May brought about two new Stealth models, the mid-range Stealth 600 and the lower mid-range Stealth 500. What’s the difference? About $20. The Stealth 500s are really a plug for those who can’t quite meet that $99.99 price tag of the third generation 600s but still want a solid headset for their cash. 

The $79.99 / £79.99 cups still have plenty of competition, but moving further away from that $100 position means they’re able to drop more features and prioritize audio quality while keeping that price relatively low. They’re not going to give some of the best gaming headsets in the premium range a run for their money, but they still offer a solid experience all-round. 

Design

With identically shaped cups and a similar silhouette, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 follows its sibling in its general aesthetic. However, the shortcuts to reach that low price point are pretty obvious when held side by side. The leatherette cushion cover on the Stealth 500 is much less comfortable than the mesh design of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600, often growing hot and slightly claustrophobic during longer play sessions. 

The actual build of this cushioning is also questionable - my test unit has a section with particularly stretched fabric. The actual cup warps slightly around the left edge, with heavy wrinkling and a less plump cushioning. This leatherette material is already prone to flaking over time, and I’m not too optimistic about the durability of that already-loose corner. 

The most noticeable difference between the two headsets, though, is the headband. This is where the Stealth 500 wins out the most. The Stealth 600 is shipped with a pretty standard solid band, but there’s just not enough padding in there to remain comfortable for longer sessions. The cheaper version, however, throws a floating piece of elastic into the mix, similar to SteelSeries’ range of Nova devices. That alleviates any sense of pressure on the top of the head, with the crown only ever hitting the elastic and never the simple plastic frame on top. I much prefer this design during everyday use, especially when I’m playing for hours at a time. 

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless achieves this effect with a slightly higher $129.99 / £129.99 price tag, with a similarly flexible headband that provides just a touch more adjustability. There are no sliders to adjust the actual slide on the headband itself on the Turtle Beach, whereas the SteelSeries is fully adjustable. However, you’re still getting three size options for the elastic itself, swapped using a set of notches on each side. 

I’m lucky, though. Placing the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 straight on my noggin from the box, I didn’t notice any pain points for mis-alignment in the earcups. If you have a particularly large or small head, though, I’d recommend steering clear. The cups themselves don’t swivel and there’s not enough adjustment in the headband to be truly customizable in shape and size. 

For all their leatherette sins, the earcups remain comfortable over longer periods of time, temperature concerns aside. There’s a plush cushioning under each side, with a low clamp force trying desperately to keep things feeling loose - at least for the first few hours. 

The plastic housing of the Stealth 500 feels cheaper and more tinny compared to the Stealth 600, but looks like it could hold up against longer term use. It’s also a lightweight design that works towards its comfort as well. The Stealth 500 weighs in at 233g, a considerable improvement over the 301g Stealth 600 - especially with that lower clamp force in tow. 

Features

There was a time when cheap wireless gaming headsets abandoned pretty much every fancy feature in the book to keep their prices low. That time has passed. Now the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 features not only 2.4GHz low-latency connectivity but also Bluetooth 5.2, and the ability to quickly swap between the two. That means you can run this on pretty much anything - though the option to default to a wired mode when the battery runs out is absent. That’s the same connectivity suite as the Stealth 600, though the Razer Barracuda X adds a wired connection for its $99.99 / £99.99 RRP. That makes it a better buy for Nintendo Switch players who don’t want to worry about running out of juice while out and about. 

You’re also getting chat-mix controls right on the headset itself, right next to the volume wheel. That’s not an idea placement, especially considering my natural reach consistently hit the chat wheel instead of volume during testing. In fact, everything is pretty clustered on this left cup, with very little tactile difference between various controls. While I’m impressed with the comprehensive selection of buttons and scrollers, it takes a bit of work to discern the difference between each option on-the-fly. 

This is still a lower mid-range (very almost entry-level) wireless headset, though, so you won’t find any of the fancier features you can grab further up the price scale. However, the Swarm II software still provides access to EQ tweaks, microphone adjustments, and customization options for the multifunction button. There’s also a mobile version of the full PC suite which will come in particularly handy for console players (a rare addition, I usually see cheaper headsets relegating all of their customization features to PC-only use). 

The mobile app does do away with the full 10-band EQ feature, but can otherwise be used to check battery, swap presets, and adjust your microphone. Overall, Swarm is a solid piece of software that provides excellent functionality while still remaining intuitive in its menus, all without demanding too much from your PC. 

This is also where you’ll be toggling Superhuman Hearing, an audio preset that’s been shipping with Turtle Beach headsets for years now. This setting emphasizes ranges that hold things like footsteps and gunshots, with the aim being to make certain sounds clearer for competitive play. The result is an overly-processed soundstage, though, that never feels comfortable to listen to for too long. 

The battery is another indicator of a slightly lower price tag, though the 40 hour rating is more than workable for everyday play. I used the Stealth 500 for around five days averaging around five hours of use per day and still had 35% remaining, so Turtle Beach’s suggestion certainly rings true from my own testing. If you’re a heavier user, it’s worth noting that the Stealth 600 bumps your battery up to 80 hours for just a little extra cash. 

Performance

The Turtle Beach Stealth 500s aren’t going to give high-end headsets any concerns in their audio quality. However, they do offer a nicely energetic soundstage with plenty of range and a nice balance. The lower ranges are naturally a little more powerful than the mids, as is expected from this cheaper bracket. That means the mids can feel a little clustered at times. Octopath Traveler’s soundtrack feels a little restricted through these cups, compared to the Razer Barracuda X where there’s more space for detailing in the lower-mids. Nevertheless, there’s a warmth to the Turtle Beach Stealth 500’s sound quality that shines through particularly well in dialogue and cut scenes, and everyday play still sounds natural and well-balanced. 

Unlike cheaper headsets that over-emphasize the bass at the expense of clarity, the Stealth 500s still sound impressively clean in the low ranges. I didn’t notice any distortion during everyday use, though it’s also worth noting that I couldn’t seem to crank the volume to the levels where I would usually hear this degradation in quality either. If you like your games at ear-splitting volumes you might struggle to feel the full power of this device. 

Overall quality is impressive for $79.99 / £79.99, though, especially considering directional audio is still worth a shot. Apex Legends and CS:2 both benefited from additional positional cues, with footsteps and gunshots easily heard amongst the heat of battle. That spatial sound wasn’t quite as precise as more competitive-minded headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed, but I could easily discern the general direction of certain effects. If you’re a truly competitive player you’ll need to move further up the price scale to notice a difference in your play, but the Stealth 500 nails the basics particularly well for the price. 

The microphone does its job in the same way, offering a nicely clear pickup for the price but without the extra tonal or volume qualities of more expensive models - it’s certainly not a patch on the BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed. 

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?

I’d recommend the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 to anyone who doesn’t want to go near the $100 / £100 price bracket, but wants more than a $50 / £50 headset can provide (namely a wireless connection and light form factor). In isolation, the Stealth 500 offers a solid price proposition - it’s one of the first cheaper headsets to offer both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections at an affordable rate. However, the Stealth 600’s build quality, battery life, and materials make it the better buy overall. For just $20 / £20 more you’re doubling your juice and picking up a more comfortable set of cup cushions. While the headband itself is a little less comfortable than the floating style of the 500s, the adjustability makes it a more viable option for many as well. 

The Razer Barracuda X also offers a similar proposition, with better sound quality in the lower ranges and a more adjustable form factor. You’re still getting both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, though with only 10 hours more battery life. The microphone is also detachable on Razer’s model rather than the handier flip to mute version on the Stealth 500.

How I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 500

I used the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset as my only gaming headset for a period of two weeks, while also testing alongside the Stealth 600, Razer Barracuda X, Corsair HS35 V2, and Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed for a period of one week. During my full testing period I tested for competitive accuracy in CS:2 and Apex Legends, while also running Octopath Traveler and Fallout 4 on PC as well.

I tested environmental audio and definition in Horizon Forbidden West, with further PS5 directional testing accomplished in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Doom Eternal was used to test the power of the lower ranges and lower mids in a more clustered soundstage, with The Last of Us Part 2 being used for dialogue and soundstage recreation. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We’re also rounding up all the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets on the market, as well as the best Nintendo Switch headsets for on-the-go play as well.  

Turtle Beach is back at it again, dropping higher-end devices after years of catering to entry-level and lower mid-range prices. The Turtle Beach Atlas Air is the latest in this more premium category, combining a wireless connection with an open-back design for a fairly rare experience. There’s plenty going on here that sets the device apart from the competition (both from a closed-back and open-back standpoint), but going up against audiophile heavyweights is no easy task. 

The Corsair Virtuoso Pro was previously the best gaming headset with an open-back design but its reliance on cables (a lot of cables) and its strangely flat mids mean there’s ample opportunity for Turtle Beach to wiggle in here - and that’s exactly what the Atlas Air has done.  

Design

I’m testing the Atlas Air during a rare warm spell here in England. My body has also decided to remind me I’m just a year away from 30 which means a strange back pain that has seemingly sprung from sorting the recycling at the weekend. That means I’m sitting in a hot room with a hot water bottle, and the Turtle Beach Atlas Air is exactly the headset I need. It's light, cool, comfortable, and keeps everything feeling breezy, natural, and relaxed. 

The Atlas Air doesn’t want you know it’s there. This is an incredibly well-designed headset, featuring a mesh headband design that melts into the crown and plush, light cushions on each side. It’s by far the most comfortable device I’ve ever used with barely any pressure on the head itself. Of course, that’s all helped by the fact that there’s a very light clamp force (I could jiggle the headset around on my head if I really tried, but it otherwise still remained stable), and extra give in the padding itself. That meant my head was free from headband strain and my ears were housed neatly in a set of malleable cushions.  

Each cup is actually suspended from the headset itself, using what Turtle Beach calls the ‘world’s first floating earcup design’. It essentially means that each cup is held onto the frame with a set of six elastic bands rather than less flexible aluminum or plastic yokes. That means each side can nestle straight into your head shape without being constricted by the frame itself. These bands all look pretty snug, and they have a reassuring thickness to them but their durability is yet to be tested long-term. 

 At 301g, the Atlas Airs aren’t the lightest on the market - the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X comes in at 277g and the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed is just 280g. However, they’re certainly in the lightweight category, adding to the overall comfort even more.   

The aesthetic itself is fairly subdued. You won’t find any RGB lights and the matte black plastic feels like standard fare for Turtle Beach. The plastic itself is slightly thinner than you might expect from a gaming headset taking aim at a fairly premium price category, but it achieves its low weight well even if it doesn’t look or feel like a $180 piece of kit. The headband itself is adjustable via velcro, but fit me perfectly the first time - testing on someone with a larger head showed that customization is particularly easy and there’s a decent range of movement in the band altogether. 

Features

The first thing you need to know about the Turtle Beach Atlas Air is that it’s an open-back headset. That means the drivers themselves are free to blast sound in both directions without being locked down by plastic coverings on the side of each cup. In practice, open-back headsets provide a more natural soundscape without the distortions that many closed-back devices suffer from - it’s also a far more relaxing way of listening, without the claustrophobic sense of being glued to a set of speakers. 

That means the Atlas Air allows sound to flow in both directions, though, which means it’s not the best headset to use in busier environments. Don’t let that Bluetooth connectivity fool you - this isn’t a dog-walking set of headphones. That design does make for a more comfortable chat experience, or if you’re a streamer, as you’re able to naturally hear your own voice. 

Open-back headsets aren’t as readily available as closed-back models, and wireless devices are even rarer. They exist, but generally as audiophile headphones and that means you’re paying for an audio quality that you might not need while losing mic features. The Atlas Air is the first dedicated wireless gaming headset with an open-back design I’ve personally seen.  

Packing both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, this isn’t just a wireless headset, it’s fully inline with 2024’s expectations and even packs a 50-hour battery. All this tech is packed into the cups themselves, with two extra circles over each side, unlike the Corsair Virtuoso Pro which features full open grills. 

All of the controls are packed onto the left-hand side, with the power, Bluetooth pairing, and QuickSwitch buttons nestled underneath the main cup. They’re not particularly easy to discern when wearing the headset, but equally you don’t really need these functions while in-game. Like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, volume controls are spread across the side of the cup in a dedicated dial. That means quick and easy adjustments without having to fiddle around your ear - it’s a personal highlight and a feature I wish more headsets added.  

The Atlas Air does one more thing differently. The microphone is very much a best of both worlds affair. It’s detachable, so you can leave it in the box if you never jump on comms and don’t have to worry about it sitting right in front of your face. But it’s also flip to mute once it is installed. That’s not something I’ve seen before, but it makes all the difference in everyday life, especially if you use your headset for single-player and multiplayer games in equal measure.  

While the fully acoustic Corsair Virtuoso Pro doesn’t benefit from any additional customization options, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air has a whole suite of controls in the Swarm 2 software. Not only is this a robust 10-band EQ system for PC, but it’s also available on mobile for on-the-go tweaks as well. The app offers all the usual features; chat-mix sliders and sidetone monitoring as well. 

This is also where you’ll find Superhuman Hearing, Turtle Beach’s FPS-first EQ preset which aims to enhance more competition-critical sounds like footsteps, gunshots, and reloads while killing other sounds. The result has never been particularly pleasant and generally muddies the soundstage with oddly distorted, unnatural effects. The result is even worse in this open-back format which places so much emphasis on natural sound. I don’t know how much of the final price tag goes into enabling this feature, but it’s likely not a significant amount. No biggie if you’re not fussed about competitive play, then, but worth considering if this extra feature brought your attention to the Atlas Air in the first place. 

Performance

I’ll cut straight to the chase. The Turtle Beach Atlas Air sounds fantastic - it wasn’t as eye-wideningly revolutionary for me as the Corsair Virtuoso Pro was - but it’s still a cut above the rest. Everything is well balanced, with lower ranges pounding away underneath delicately handled treble tones and an impressively detailed mid-range. The additional space of an open-back design helps the Atlas Air massively here - naturally this is going to have a wider, less processed soundstage. However, there are plenty of open back headsets that still have emphasized basslines reverberating through your skull or clustered mids. 

The Atlas Air performs particularly well for itself across a range of genres as well. The gentle melodies of Octopath Traveller were a delight with so much freedom for twinkly detailing and marching percussion. Fallout 4’s battlefields were expanded when I returned to mop up some side quests, with visceral explosions in the distance and markable enemies scurrying around the maps. Waking up the PS5, I found that The Last of Us Part 1’s echoes were pleasantly terrifying and I almost had to tap out of the hotel set piece in Part 2. Everything was represented in gorgeous detail and with a robust texture, all without the manufactured feel of a more traditional headset.

As mentioned earlier, the graphene drivers of the Virtuoso Pro did give Corsair’s model a slight edge in my head-to-head testing. The Atlas Air has a wide soundstage, the Virtuoso Pro has a slightly wider one. I already thought Corsair had a slightly flattened mid-range, and the two headsets compete equally here. While the Atlas Air was able to pump more power into a clustered soundstage, like the great plains of Horizon Forbidden West, therefore bringing lower tones to the forefront a little more, the Virtuoso Pro revelled in the higher end of this range, picking out screeches of metal better than the clunk of a machine’s footsteps. Considering there’s plenty of power in the Pro’s audio, I’d take the extra detail of a higher range over the grunt of a lower one when put side by side. 

That’s an incredibly nitpicky point, and more of an attempt at quantifying why I felt slightly more drawn to Corsair’s sound than Turtle Beach’s. When all’s said and done you’re certainly getting your money’s worth from a pure audio standpoint here. 

The microphone is… fine. I had some issues with Windows 11 recognizing it as an input at first, which could be down to a waiting firmware update or simply plugging it in wrong. Once fixed, my teammates could hear me - and unless you’re going for a streaming or podcasting career that’s all you really need. 

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Atlas Air?

With its excellent feature set and incredibly comfortable design, the Turtle Beach Atlas Air is the best open-backed headset I’ve tested yet. Yes, its audio quality is ever so slightly lagging behind the Corsair Virtuoso Pro - but not the extent that I would forego that wireless connection and ergonomic design. Taken in isolation this headset sounds great for single player and competitive experiences alike, and still manages to bring all the benefits of an open-back design with it as well. The so-so microphone does mean I’d still recommend the Virtuoso Pro to streamers before the Atlas Air. 

Of course, there’s always a big caveat to recommending a headset like this. You have to really know you want an open back headset before buying one. Sound leakage is real, and it works both ways. If you play in a busier environment or you want your $179.99 investment to see you through morning commutes at the same time you’ll need to look elsewhere. If you play your games as God intended, locked away in a dark room far, far away from society this is going to be an excellent buy. 

How we tested the Turtle Beach Atlas Air

I spent two weeks testing the Turtle Beach Atlas Air, with the first week spent testing alongside the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Gen 3 and the second testing against the Corsair Virtuoso Pro. In that time I primarily played on PC, running Fallout 4 and Doom Eternal on a gaming laptop via 2.4GHz and Octopath Traveler on Asus ROG Ally via Bluetooth. I also tested across The Last of Us Part 1 and 2 as well as Horizon Forbidden West on PS5 as well. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.  

We’re also rounding up all the best PS5 headsets and best Xbox Series X headsets for more console audio, or check out the best PC headsets on the market.  

It’s been less than two years since Turtle Beach refreshed its Stealth 600 headset, and we now have the Gen 3 on the shelves. The latest model doesn’t exactly reinvent the popular series, but it does add some fantastic new features that help the 2024 release stand out in an increasingly competitive lower mid-range arena. This is a range built on everyday value for money, an area the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 absolutely nails.

With an impressive battery boost, Bluetooth connectivity, and a more robust soundstage all added to the final product, the latest generation certainly makes its mark. I spent two weeks using the new model, alongside its main competition (the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, and the Razer Barracuda X) to see where it sits among the best gaming headsets on the market.

Design

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 certainly doesn’t look like a cheap headset. The model I received feels distinctly PlayStation in its design (though it’s the Xbox variant that I would recommend to most players) with crisp plastic framing the black internals and headband adjustment. I personally prefer this aesthetic to the alternative mono-black model also available - it just looks and feels far more luxurious overall.

A sturdy metal headband and lighter plastic support the slick visuals. The band itself isn’t nearly as flexible as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X, but still promises a nice degree of durability, especially in its adjustment movement and swivel hinges. Despite its thinner plastic coating, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 weighs more than the last generation (and is the heaviest out of my comparison pool). There’s a larger battery in here than the rest of the competition, though, which goes some way to explaining the additional heft.

That weight doesn’t make itself known during wear, though. A thick foam surrounds each cup, with a nicely cool mesh fabric covering over the top. There’s a pretty heavy clamp force here, but the size of each cup and the generous padding means the ears themselves never feel the brunt of it. Instead, you’re getting the best of both worlds, with a breathable material but an impressive seal for sound isolation.

The headband does let the side down. There’s just not enough padding in the top of the band to truly allow the Gen 3 to be a five-hour session headset. The harder feel of the band made itself known from the moment I put the device on, and wore quickly with time. It’s far from my least comfortable experience, but it’s not as pleasant as the Razer Barracuda X or BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed. Both of these headsets offer a thicker cushion around the top.

Each cup can swivel a full 180 degrees for laying flat during travel or wearing around the neck. That also means you can get a nicely customized position, to ensure the best seal during play as well. Each side sports a familiar almost-oval form factor, which hugs the ears nicely, with a flat top that doesn’t stick out too far. If you want these headphones to double up for your daily commute or dog walk you’ll have a much better time with this design than the chunkier shape of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro.

A flip-to-mute mic is also strategically housed inside the left ear cup, perfectly hidden when not in use but easy to whip out when needed. I do prefer this style of inbuilt mic to that of SteelSeries, which opts for a retractable arm that does sometimes feel a little fiddly to find while wearing. Here, a simple flick down is all you need - with an accompanying tone letting you know your microphone is engaged.

Editors note: During the time this review was originally published, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 wireless gaming headset was available in black and white colorways. Yet, as of March 3, 2025, this has changed, as Turtle Beach launched a brand-new purple version of the headset. The underlying specs have remained the same, but the new look has replaced the all-black, or all-white, form factor with a dark purple coat of paint, which includes the 2.4GHz accompanying dongle.

Features

The big new features here are Bluetooth 5.2 support and a boosted battery life. The former means the Stealth 600 is now compatible with pretty much anything you can throw at it (providing you pick up the Xbox version). A wireless gaming headset for under $100 / £100 offering that kind of functionality isn’t quite as rare as it used to be - but it’s still a marvel for value.

Simultaneous connection between both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth is still too far out of this two-figure price range, but a handy quick switcher button on the right cup keeps you nimble between your sources. Unlike many cheaper wireless options, this source switching was impressively fast in my testing - hopping between my phone and PlayStation at the snap of a button once everything was configured. Normally, there’s a small lag further down the price bracket. It’s worth noting that there’s no wired mode - so those looking to plug in need to head elsewhere.

A massive 80-hour battery life also keeps things particularly competitive. That’s a particularly high number for this lower mid-range position. $100 gaming headsets usually come with 50 - 70 hour batteries and you’ll find plenty of headsets even further up the price scale struggling to compete with this number. The only other headset I’ve reviewed recently that beats Turtle Beach’s battery was the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless with an MSRP of $169.99 / £169.99.

That 80-hour figure rang true in my testing as well. I spend pretty much the whole workday listening to music on my headset, with a few hours of gaming every other evening, and around five or six hours of play across a weekend. That translates to between 55 and 60 hours of use on a given week, and after my testing week, I still had about 30% charge left.

The Stealth 600 Gen 3 punches well above its price tag in the battery department, but also impresses in its onboard controls. They’re a little clustered which means there’s a steep learning curve to getting every tap and adjustment right the first time, but the sheer number of clickers at your fingertips is certainly impressive here. I would have preferred to have the chat mix and volume dials separated to avoid accidental scrolls, for example, but having both present isn’t something I can say for many headsets under $100.

If you don’t want to use the chat mix dial (and you won’t be able to on PlayStation anyway), it can be reprogrammed in the headset’s software for other functions. You’ve got a small Bluetooth switcher button, a separate option for pairing, a power button, and a multi-function ‘Mode’ button all on the left cup as well. This last clicker can be used for a range of different customizable functions, from swapping presets to controlling media playback, but primarily toggles Turtle Beach’s SuperHuman Hearing feature.

SuperHuman Hearing is Turtle Beach’s ‘competition’ mode. It’s a sound profile that highlights footsteps and gunshots while de-emphasizing everything else in the soundstage. It’s awful. I’ve never enjoyed the over-processed, unnatural audio that results from this mode - and the Stealth 600 can keep casual players aware of their surroundings well by itself. This is an added feature and doesn’t detract from the overall experience, but I would be wary about basing your purchase on it alone.

The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is one of the rare headsets that uses software from both a desktop-based client and a mobile app. That means you’re covered for both PC and console play, though the full Windows program is far more sophisticated. You’ll be running Swarm II (thanks to the brand’s recent acquisition of Roccat) to customize your sound profile across 10 EQ bands, but the mobile app can also keep your battery information handy, navigate your presets, and adjust chat-mix. That’s a good degree of functionality, especially with those additional programmable buttons in the mix.

Performance

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 uses its 50mm drivers to the best of its ability. This is a rich, robust sound profile with particular care directed towards the lower ranges but a surprising amount of detail in the trebles as well. Everything sounds very warm here, which makes for excellent cut-scene audio - particularly in more emotive situations like The Last of Us Part 2. However, that powerful bass also brings explosive battlefields to the fore. Doom Eternal benefitted the most from this wide soundscape in my testing, with dynamic gunplay represented fantastically through bouncy, energetic audio and plenty of grit in those metal moments.

The overall result isn’t going to match up to higher-end headsets - I did experience distortion in the middle and lower ranges when volumes were bumped up (more noticeably on console than PC), and there’s less detail in these often more complex areas than you’ll find in something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro or Astro A50 X. The Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed is better at handling these more muddled soundstages (it uses the same high-end drivers as the Pro model), with the Stealth 600 Gen 3 losing far more of the action when things got heated. You’re also not spending nearly the same amount of cash here as you would with SteelSeries or Astro’s top-of-the-range devices - and, for the money, I was impressed with the audio pumping out of these cups.

Everything sounded far more textured than the Razer Barracuda X, and with a bolder bassline than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X (on a neutral setting). This is a well-balanced sound profile straight out of the box, with enough tonal energy to keep things lively while still providing a nice level of detail for quieter environment-heavy moments.

Directional audio is more than passable for everyday play as well. Ultra-competitive players will be looking for something with a little more precision in its stage, but everyday players will be more than happy to plug in with these cups. I was able to easily identify footprints and gunshots in my CS2 runs. The microphone isn’t going to hold up to the holy grail that is the Razer BlackShark - but it does its job. You’re not getting the warmth or natural clarity that you’ll find in more high-end models, but my comms were all loud, clear, and strong enough for my teammates.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3?

The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 is a jack of all trades, and that’s exactly what it needs to be to compete right now. Excellent functionality pairs beautifully with a rich soundstage and is topped off with an impressive battery life and a slick design to boot. There’s not much you can argue with there - especially considering that $99.99 / £99.99 price tag. I’d recommend this headset to anyone working with a split PC and console setup and plays casually.

That’s not to say the Stealth 600 Wireless Gen 3 is going to replace the Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed as the best headset for the majority of players. The BlackShark offers up a more sophisticated sound profile while also boosting your mic quality - all for just $30 / £30 more. The design doesn’t lend itself to everyday wear quite as well, and Xbox players need not apply - so there’s plenty of wiggle room in that assertion, depending on your situation.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X is also just $30 / £30 more than the Stealth 600 Gen 3. It features the same 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connection system (with a newer Bluetooth 5.3 version) and adds pre-engineered presets for a massive number of games straight from the mobile app. The Stealth 600 does offer a more well-rounded audio profile straight out of the box and through larger 50mm drivers. If you want sound tailored to your game, I’d opt for SteelSeries. If you’re more PC-focused (or don’t want to tinker with EQ at all), Turtle Beach wins in this matchup.

Then there’s the $99.99 / £99.99 Razer Barracuda X. This model sits at the bottom of the price range these days (often on sale for $69.99 / £69.99), but does so with older 40mm Razer TriForce drivers and smaller 50-hour battery life. It’s more comfortable than the Stealth 600 and can run in an unpowered wired mode, which means it retains its position as the best Nintendo Switch headset available, but I’d take the newer Turtle Beach model for all other platforms.

How we tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3

I used the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 for all daily music, streaming, and play over the course of two weeks. I also tested directly against the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5x, Razer Barracuda X, and Razer BlackShark V2 Hyperspeed in that time. I primarily played Doom Eternal (PS5), The Last of Us Part 2 (PS5), Fallout 4 (PC), and CS2 (PC) for review purposes, while also playing A Little to the Left and Gears Tactics on PC. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

We’re also rounding up the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets. Or, if you’re looking for something more desktop-based, check out the best PC headsets on the market.

With a 20-year history, Turtle Beach will be a familiar name for gamers but the new VelocityOne Race arrives as the brand’s first ever racing wheel. This £629/$649 direct drive wheel lands in a bit of a gap in the market too, splitting the gear-driven classic Logitech G923 and more expensive, advanced options like the MOZA R12 and Logitech G Pro.

Sim racers have never been spoiled for choice when it comes to picking the best racing wheels for PC or consoles. While there are plenty of options at the top end of the market, newcomers have been left with just a couple of brands offering basic wheels and little more to choose from.

With a few unique tools up its sleeve and 7.2Nm of grunt behind it there’s potential on paper, but is Turtle Beach’s debut wheel a podium contender or will it trundle around at the back of the field?

Design

Direct drive wheelbases tend to follow one of two design theories; a compact cube or an oversized wedge. Turtle Beach has firmly gone with the latter because the VelocityOne Race is a huge, heavy lump. It’s similar to the Logitech G Pro racing wheel in both size and shape with a top viewing window that offers a glimpse of the K: Drive motor inside. It’s an all-plastic shell but feels sufficiently premium with a solid build quality that doesn’t flex or creak anywhere. 

You’re offered a couple of mounting options for the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race; you can either bolt it to a sim racing seat like the Playseat Challenge X, and there are all the standard pre-drilled holes for this, or you can clamp it to a desk thanks to cleverly hidden arms. A pair of wings unfurl on either side of the wheelbase to reveal a nifty tool storage area and hex bolts that lower clamps from the base of the unit. It's a nicely considered, tidy solution that offers impressively stable performance even in the most DIY of cockpits. Despite rattling everything else on my desk, the VelocityOne Race itself stayed perfectly put and never needed tightening or adjusting.

Unique to the VelocityOne Race is the integrated ‘Race Management Display’ that sits proudly on the front of the wheelbase. For the role it plays the screen is bright and clear enough to not be a problem though there are a noticeable amount of artifacts and distortion to the interface at times. This became worse after a recent firmware update which caused issues with the background behind a number of elements that I wasn’t able to overcome with any number of restarts. This was solely brought on by a firmware change though so I’m sure it could be ironed out with future updates and may even have been isolated to my unit.

The 30cm D-shaped wheel itself is wrapped in hand-stitched leather that feels great to hold and doesn’t feature the same scratchiness I found on the Logitech G Pro. It’s also nicely sculpted in a way that I found made it remain comfortable across driving styles, whether it was holding it edge to edge in F1 23 or a higher grip in Forza Horizon. Unfortunately, not all of the VelocityOne Race’s wheel inputs feel quite so good. While the buttons are tactile and responsive, they’re small and tightly spaced which makes it difficult to not accidentally press more than one at a time, and the four silver cogs feel very cheap. One of these is also reserved solely for controlling the RMD which leaves you with far fewer wheel-bound input options compared to competitors.

Features

Sticking out of the side of the VelocityOne Race's wheelbase is a button box that, while excellent in theory, is let down by poor execution. The inputs here fall a long way short of the wheel’s overall build quality, and I quickly found myself ignoring it altogether. The buttons and dials are all a little too close together to be practical and I had to pay real attention to what I was trying to do to avoid misclicks - not what you need when you’re tearing down a back straight, and consistent with an issue we found with the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra.

Most of this wheel’s inputs are mappable, but the largest two are reserved for powering it on and off which is a strange choice given how easily these could be accidentally fired off. They’re made doubly strange by the presence of a second set of power buttons on the side of the wheelbase itself. Some, like the four toggle switches on the bottom row, only register an input when flicked to the up position - which largely defeats the purpose of that kind of three-way switch. 

The VelocityOne Race pedals are a mix of good and bad. Again similar to the Logitech G Pro pedals’ design, the large overall footprint offers plenty of heel space to support the three pedals on offer but the plastic construction leaves you wanting more for your money. There’s only a small amount of adjustment here with just the brake pedal able to shift left and right and while you can cleverly flatten the clutch pedal to free up a little space, there’s no way to remove it entirely and use that space as a wider two-pedal setup. Turtle Beach does include pads to aid with grip on both hard and carpeted flooring, although I found these pretty ineffective. The pedal box was still prone to moving around, particularly under braking and a bizarre choice to have the USB cable stick directly out from the back of the unit means you’re not able to wedge it against a wall like you can with some of the other best Xbox steering wheels.

Performance

On paper the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race slots neatly into a gap in the market for sim racers. There aren’t too many direct drive wheel and pedal combos available at this price point and even fewer that are compatible with Xbox as we see here. That should make it an enticing option for those looking to step up from or bypass a more basic gear-driven option like the Logitech G923 without going all out on a top-level setup. Unfortunately, the results aren’t quite there yet.

The benefit of a direct drive force feedback motor is stronger, more responsive power that should offer smooth and detailed racing. There were times the VelocityOne Race delivered this but too often the immersion was broken by odd behavior or a lack of power altogether. 7.2Nm of torque is plenty for new to mid-level racers and at times the VelocityOne Race did use this power to good effect. Through slow-speed corners in particular, the resistance is beefy and engaging but sweeping around longer, high-speed corners in F1 23 the force feedback becomes jittery and weak with no sense of the road or forces involved. It’s almost like something is lost in translation as the K: Drive motor becomes floaty while twitching every few meters like someone is pulling down on your wrist. I found this made it better suited to games like EA WRC (which is also one of the few games currently with out-of-the-box configuration support) where I was constantly fighting with the wheel as I slipped and drifted around windy gravel tracks. 

The pedals aren’t without a few quirks themselves. I found a confusing lack of correlation between physical travel on the accelerator and when games or the RMD would say I was full throttle. The reverse is true of the load cell brake pedal which offers a noticeably short travel distance and while it’s OK to use overall, it always felt a little peculiar. Furthermore, it’s stronger than the all-plastic pedal tray frame and there’s an alarming amount of flex in the frame itself in heavy braking situations. When bolting it onto the Playseat Challenge X I actually noticed the bottom plastic panel distorting around the screw hole rather than offering a tight and secure fit and I had to sheepishly loosen it a few turns for risk of it sheering off.

The ‘Race Management Display’ is a nifty addition and will be particularly useful for Xbox players. The screen allows for onboard configuration of a handful of settings that should allow you to dial in performance to your liking and situation. However it must be said that at this stage I found the changes each setting made particularly gentle. Even going from one extreme to another on some settings prompted a very minor difference in on-track feel. The RMD should also act as a real-time telemetry screen offering information on revs, lap deltas, and gears but at the time of writing no Xbox title officially supports RMD telemetry. While there are a number of PC titles that are named to offer compatibility, I was never able to get any working. It’s a shame as this is a stand-out feature against other wheels. Hopefully, there’ll be great plug-and-play support for this with future updates.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race

The VelocityOne Race is the first attempt from Turtle Beach at a mid-tier racing wheel and unfortunately, that lack of experience currently shows. There are promising signs, but it needs to overcome some rookie errors. The K: Drive motor is capable of good things in the right situations and new players in the market are always welcome, but a few too many teething issues spoil the experience overall. 

In my testing, this was highlighted by just how much changed from one firmware update to another. The force feedback felt completely different with each but in most cases did improve. It makes me hopeful for the future with Turtle Beach in the sim racing space. It may simply be a case of getting more laps under its belt and refining the software to let the VelocityOne Race properly show off what it can do. 

How we tested the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race

I used the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race on both the Xbox Series X and a gaming PC for a couple of weeks. Across both platforms, I tested it in Forza Motorsport as well as EA F1 23 and WRC and used it both attached to a desk and in the Playseat Challenge X sim racing seat. 

For more on the ways we test the latest controllers, check out our hardware policy.

For more controllers check out the best PC controllers, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers.

The two best controllers I've reviewed in the last year are the Victrix Pro BFG, and the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I learned this morning that the parent brands of both of those gamepads would be joining forces. 

More specifically, the news has broken that Turtle Beach Corporation, the brand behind some of the best console accessories of the past decade, is acquiring PDP, which is arguably one of its biggest rivals. Both of these companies make some of the best PC controllers available, and in fact, they've both had unrivaled success in the console space recently. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is the first officially licensed third-party Xbox Series X controller to get wireless support - something that Xbox usually requires its third-party accessories to forgo if they want a license. 

The best PS5 controller, without a doubt, is the Victrix Pro BFG. In fact, it's so good, that its Xbox Series X version has just been released, and is virtually unchanged from the original model. I don't know about you, but I can't think of another controller that's so good that it's been 1:1 translated from PlayStation to Xbox. 

At first thought, I was excited to see what PDP and Turtle Beach could create together. You're essentially talking about two of the best controller makers in the sector combining their collective talent, and that could make for some truly brilliant controllers in the next couple of years. The press release that announced the news did say that "the transaction substantially grows the size of Turtle Beach", projecting "total revenues of $390 to 410 million in the first full 12 months of ownership (Q2 2024 through Q1 2025)."

Whether these are accurate projections or not, the buyout cost $118 million for Turtle Beach, which, according to numerous reports, has had a fairly turbulent few years financially speaking.

On the other hand, I have no idea how to feel about this merger.

Competition breeds innovation

I think, regardless of how it's managed, this acquisition could be huge for the controller market. In fairness, we still have very few details about how it'll play out, and even though I asked both parties for comment earlier today, I'm told they have no news to share on it. In time, I'm sure we'll know more. 

We've seen our fair share of acquisitions in the gaming hardware space recently, though, so we can speculate based on what we've seen elsewhere. Logitech bought Blue, one of its biggest rivals in the content creation/microphone space. Following that, the Blue brand has been pretty much eradicated, surviving only in updated versions of its products under the "Logitech G" name. 

While we are still testing the Logitech Yeti GX, the updated model of the Blue Yeti Nano, from what I've experienced so far it's a back-step in quality. If Turtle Beach follows this trend, I'm not excited to see PDP's momentum be snuffed out by its new parent. Its Fortnite Festival Guitar controller proves the brand is doing things no one else is within the market. 

Alternatively, things could play out like Corsair with its now numerous arms and legs. It most recently bought DROP, the keyboard brand, but to Corsair's credit, you'd be forgiven for not noticing a real difference. Corsair's Elgato, Scuf, and Origin brands frequently pull resources, spinning one another's ideas around. The Corsair 2000D Airflow Case is slightly modified for the Origin Chronos V3, for example, but you don't get the sense that any one brand is dictating the other. 

To be honest, compared with either scenario, I'm more nervous than I am excited.

Competition within hardware markets breeds so much innovation, and arguably that's especially true of controllers because so many designs are similar, and competing for the same shoppers.

If Turtle Beach and PDP are now under the same umbrella or completely integrated into one team, it could make for fewer standout controllers for us to play with. For surrounding brands like Scuf, GameSir, PowerA, and Razer, it could actually mean great things. If there's one less big shark feeding in this pool, another has the chance to capitalize.

Grab a more situational controller with the best joysticks, the best racing wheels for PC, and the best PS5 steering wheel.

There was a moment when I was testing the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless controller when it reminded me of a scene from my favorite film trilogy. In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, three main characters are met with a wizard clad in white robes in a dark forest. Upon realizing it's not who they suspected, Gandalf tells them he has returned to Middle Earth in order to right the wrongs of his wizardly peer. He's now Gandalf the White, and he's everything Saruman should have been.

Last year, I was a little disappointed by what was prophesized to be one of the best Xbox series X controllers. The Asus ROG Raikiri Pro won loads of design and innovation awards at the start of 2023 for its mini OLED screen, RGB strikethroughs, and intriguing back buttons. When I finally got my hands on it though, I found that it was all style and no substance. A good controller, by any metric, but one that went down a dark path and didn't make the most of its potential.

At $179.99 / £179.99, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra has arrived, and it's here to right the wrongs of that misguided Asus gamepad. For a start, it's the first-ever officially licensed third-party Xbox controller to feature wireless support, so it really is a trendsetter. More importantly, it takes all of those intriguing features Asus started and focuses more on function than form. 

Design

Over-the-top analogies about Lord of the Rings aside, it is really easy to compare the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless controller to the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro. This is an officially licensed pro controller for Xbox and PC which features Hall Sensor thumbsticks and triggers, a mini display mounted on the face of the controller, four unorthodox back buttons, and all the customization and profiling you could need. 

Along the gamepad's grips lie some flashy RGB lighting arrays that shine alluringly at you and blend really well into the bronze faceplate and black body of the device. These lights really compliment the design, in my opinion, and give the Stealth Ultra an aura other gamepads wish they had. 

On the controller's face, you'll find microswitch buttons that don't feel quite as spongy as the ones on the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro or its Xbox equivalents, but they are just as responsive. On the left, you'll find a metallic D-pad which appears almost minimalist compared to the ones found on the best PC controllers. Where rivals make strong divisions and rigid line work stand out, the Stealth Ultra lives up to its name by placing subtle grooves into the circular pad. I like this because when using it, your thumb feels this tactile clarification of which direction you're pressing, but it makes the D-pad feel easier and quicker to navigate. 

Flipping the controller over, you'll find four back buttons which are integrated horizontally into its grips and spine. Now, I have to say, usually, this is a red flag for me. It reminds me a bit too much of the back buttons on the Thrustmaster eSwap XR, or indeed the Raikiri Pro, both of which are placed completely unhelpfully. These, on the other hand, are large, easy to find, satisfying to press, and are situated low enough that you can use them comfortably. They make use of a dotted texture as well which is a tiny detail that makes them so much more usable.

Next to a set of microswitch bumpers and excellent Hall Sensor triggers, you get some trigger stop switches. In terms of connectivity, you have the usual 3.5mm headphone jack and USB-C charging port.

Features

As mentioned, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is the first officially licensed controller for Xbox Series X/S that features wireless support. Until now, this has been a stipulation any gamepad has had to follow to secure its licensing deal, but thankfully that's now beginning to change. With the arrival of the upcoming Victrix Pro BFG, it looks as though Xbox players will soon have an increasing number of wireless pro controllers at their disposal.

As a result of that wireless connectivity, the gamepad comes with a 30+ hour quoted battery life, which, I have to be honest, I couldn't get through in weeks of testing. Even if you do somehow manage to eat through over 20 hours, the gamepad comes with a wee charging stand that helps you to display your controller - and its grip lighting will even indicate its charging progress with different colors. This is a brilliant little accessory to throw in and one that will likely keep this controller as a mainstay in my TV unit's display.

Speaking of displays, the Stealth Ultra features a tiny one of its own. Unlike the Raikiri Pro, this doesn't feel limited at all and is super easy to navigate using the controller's usual buttons. In addition, the UI feels as though it's had some time and effort put into it, unlike Asus's bizarre and robotic menu which feels like a total afterthought. 

What's really impressive is that there is accompanying PC software for the gamepad, but almost everything in that application is already in the controller's display menu. It's usually a point of praise for me when a pro controller lets you customize back buttons without the aid of a gaming PC, but the conclusive options you can footer with on the Stealth Ultra Wireless are so impressive. If you want to change your axis-mapping, your audio settings, or your lighting, it's all accessible in the controller itself. There's even a little social section that'll allow you to see Whatsapp messages and other notifications. 

Just like the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro, the manufacturer didn't hold back when allowing profile storage. There are 10 profiles storable on board here. That's no short of excellent and puts pro controllers with four profiles to shame. 

Performance

A sign that a controller has really won me over is when it makes me completely rediscover one of my favorite games. When I was working on our Elite Series 2 Core review, it made Dishonored feel brand new despite me finishing that game probably hundreds of times. When I reviewed the Victrix Pro BFG I was able to land shots in Hunt: Showdown like never before. It was a similar story here when I was doing my usual platforming tests in Celeste.

I've played Celeste loads of times, and it's up there with my favorite games of all time. Its controls are so tight that it makes for a brilliant test of how today's pro controllers will handle side-scrolly-platforming. I usually play a chapter or so with each controller I review, but as soon as I performed my first dash with the Stealth Ultra, I was completely re-hooked. I ended up playing for about two or three hours, loving every minute as Turtle Beach's ergonomics and best-in-class vibration reinvented Maddy Thorson's gameplay. 

And therein lies probably my favorite thing about the Stealth Ultra. There are controllers with rumble, there are controllers with lackluster vibration, and then there are controllers like the DualSense Edge that change the game with precise haptic feedback. Turtle Beach hasn't put haptics in this gamepad, but if you told me the opposite I'd probably believe you. The game feel this controller gives you is quite honestly second-to-none and by far the best I've felt in an Xbox controller. It is as close to haptic feedback as Xbox controllers get, at least until the Xbox Series X Refresh brings us that leaked controller. 

The other big point of praise for me is the back buttons on the Stealth Ultra. Usually, if a set of back buttons isn't integrated into the grips of a controller, it falls short of the mark. Different people will hold controllers in different ways, and hand shapes can vary a lot, but some back buttons can really make themselves difficult to use. Vertically positioned back buttons are usually the ones that work best for everyone since they lie exactly where your fingers naturally sit with a controller in hand. Horizontal ones, however, have never made sense to me since you can only comfortably use one finger on each hand with them. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra has bucked that trend, however. 

Besides it being a little tougher to use both back buttons on one side simultaneously, I loved using these in Alan Wake 2 and Hunt: Showdown. I especially love that they're integrated into the natural curves of the controller and they're raised which makes it easy to find them with your middle fingers.

Speaking of Alan Wake 2, it was in that game that I really appreciated Turtle Beach's triggers. They feel snappy to use, and I never felt they were slow enough to warrant the use of their trigger stops.

If I had to nit-pick an issue or two, it'd have to be the thumbsticks. There aren't really any attachments for them to make them taller, just some covers you used to get on the best PS4 controllers to resurface them. Out of the box though, I was amazed at how slippy the sticks were. It's a pretty basic design aspect at this point that thumbsticks need to be shaped in a way that means your digits aren't going to slide off them as you use them. The material used and the lack of any real indentation means they just aren't very good. Luckily the toppers for them really improve things.

Lastly, the left menu button is placed symmetrically to match the main options button, but the asymmetrical thumbsticks mean it's a bit awkward to find when trying to reach over the left thumbstick. I know this was a design choice for symmetry's sake, but if you're going for offset Xbox sticks, maybe don't be afraid to place this button a bit lower so it's a case of moving your thumb to the right as opposed to reaching over the top. This button opens Saga's Mind Place in Alan Wake 2, so it's a frequent annoyance when it's placed jankily.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra?

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless controller for Xbox and PC is one of my favorite controllers I've tested in the last 12 months. It's earned itself a four-and-a-half-star review score, which is high praise from me since it's the same achieved by the Victrix Pro BFG, which is arguably one of the best gamepads ever made. 

This controller brings a lot of features to the table and is everything I wanted the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro to be when I tested it last year. Even disregarding that comparison, it's maybe the best third-party Xbox controller going at the moment, and its price is super reasonable too. For your money, you get four back buttons, a slew of customization, anti-stick drift assurance, and battery life that rivals the Elite Series 2. 

The Victrix Pro BFG's Xbox arrival is sure to make for an interesting match-up, but since that gamepad doesn't include any vibration, it makes this look like an excellent all-rounder option for those not looking for the last word in Esports performance. 

How we tested the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra

I tested the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless controller on and off for around a month before writing this review. I compared my use closely to my experiences with other pro controllers from the past year and lent particularly toward the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro as a rival. 

I tested the controller across a wide range of genres, mainly using Hunt: Showdown to test its FPS chops, Celeste for platforming, and Alan Wake 2 as a touchstone for third-person games. 

For more on how we test the latest gaming tech and accessories, take a gander at our hardware policy.

For more on controllers, check out the best PS5 controller, the best Nintendo Switch controller, and the best Xbox One controller.

Turtle Beach has made a nice little home for itself in the world of budget and mid-range headsets over the last few years, but in 2023 it's taking on the big kids. The Stealth Pro is not just the best gaming headset the brand has produced to date, but it's also one of the most well-rounded devices we've had our hands on so far. These cups shine across a massive range of platforms, genres, and use-cases with a bursting feature set designed to offer all-round functionality no matter what, where, or how you play. 

That's impressive, but at $329.99 / £279.99, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro is muscling into a premium market here, sow does it stack up against industry leaders? We put the latest model to the test, comparing against similarly priced recent releases to see exactly where it sits among the best wireless gaming headsets on the market. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro will launch on April 24, but pre-orders are alive and well right now.

Design

• Slick and durable form factor
• High clamp force takes getting used to
• Excellent controls but slightly lacking premium finish

There's an understanding that even the best Turtle Beach headsets will carry a full plastic build. The brand has a headset in nearly every color under the sun by now, but a premium price tag commands something a little more grown up. The metallic structure of the Stealth Pro fits the bill perfectly. Without the logo on the side of the cup I would never have guessed this was a Turtle Beach device. It's sleek, slick, and subtle - all the qualities you'd want in a headset that can easily convert into a set of professional-level headphones. 

That does mean it's a touch heavier than other devices, but the careful use of plastic materials (and excellent finish to them) means it's by no means skull crushing. I was initially taken aback by the clamp force, and it took a little getting used to overall. However, after a couple of sessions I was able to relax into the sturdier hold and appreciated the extra sound isolation that came from it. I didn't find it as comfortable as a lighter headset like the Razer Barracuda X or one with more attention to cushioning like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. 

I did appreciate the oval cups themselves, with convincing leatherette cushioning. I much prefer this longer design to smaller, cheaper models; the cup gently hugs around the ear itself, rather than pinning itself to the top or bottom. That means there's no ear pinching even during longer sessions. 

It certainly helps that the whole device is built to a very high degree of quality. This is a supremely sturdy-feeling headset, from the gentle resistance in the swivel hinges to the steel construction and threaded cables. There's plenty of adjustability here, and even the small details like thin indicator lines on the inner headband were appreciated when finding that perfect fit time and time again. 

The right cup houses the majority of controls, with a unique volume dial set across the full back plate of the cup itself. That's particularly handy for quick adjustments - no more fumbling to find the right scroll - and the rubber texture kept things grippy as well. I would have preferred a notched feel to this dial, though, it feels a little loose simply sitting on top of the cup with no feedback. At this kind of price point, I'd expect this level of attention to detail. There is, however, a handy multi-function button in the centre which can easily be set to a range of inputs - I used it primarily for activating noise cancellation. 

Underneath the extended portion of the cup housing the volume dial, you'll find a standard USB-C port for charging (though hot-swappable batteries are in play here, more on that in moment), buttons for power, Bluetooth, and Superhuman Hearing, as well as a port for the detachable mic. I did appreciate the additional texture on these buttons, making it particularly easy to click Superhuman Hearing mode on and off without spending too much time reaching around the ear.

The left cup plays host to a small magnetic panel, with the removable battery underneath. That's right, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro has taken inspiration from SteelSeries with hotswappable battery packs and a dedicated wireless transmitter / hub to keep them topped up. The top panel itself pops easily off, with the battery slotting in and out with no fuss. It's an easy to use system that can see you swapping power packs within just a few seconds, though I would have preferred slightly stronger magnets on the housing itself. As it stands, there's a little too much wobble here straight out the box, which does cause some concerns for the longevity of this system.

Features

• Fantastic active noise cancellation
• Wide compatibility and easy simultaneous connections
• Superhuman Hearing still drastically reduces audio quality

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro certainly isn't wanting for features. Packing everything you could ask for from a high-end headset, there's plenty of extras to enhance the whole experience. Perhaps the most immediately notable is the active noise cancellation, protecting your audio from external noise at up to 25dB. In practice it's a particularly powerful system - by no means giving high-end mainstream headphones a run for their money but definitely outperforming other noise cancelling gaming headsets I've had my hands on. It's also helped by that larger clamp force, ensuring even the closest of noises stay out of your gameplay. 

The Stealth Pro (at least the Xbox version I had my hands on) can run on pretty much anything. The wireless transmitter and battery charging station can hook up to PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, or a Nintendo Switch dock (with an additional passthrough port to make sure you're not losing out on a connection), with handheld Nintendo Switch and mobile devices covered with super fast Bluetooth. I had no problems switching and changing between PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch - every connection is as secure and reliable as the last and easily configured. If you're after a Nintendo Switch headset, though, it's worth noting that there's no direct USB-C dongle to connect to your console. On top of all that, though, you're also getting simultaneous connections via Bluetooth. That means listening to some tunes from your phone while playing, or taking a quick call. Everything just works with no faffing and no unreliable or finnicky pairing.

That wireless transmitting hub is also keeping a spare battery warm. No more plugging in when the juice runs low, simply pop a fresh charge in and you're good to go once again. Each battery holds 12 hours of charge, though it should be noted that's around half of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Turtle Beach's Superhuman Hearing is still available in this high-end release, and while it's the latest generation of the brand's well-known software it's still not quite an everyday silver bullet. Yes, competitive play is bolstered by enhanced footsteps and shots, but even during these scenarios I was disappointed by the tinny flatness when this mode was enabled. I kept it firmly off, but more competitive players may well get more mileage.

Software is comprehensive enough to make this a solid PC headset, but your EQ settings are all saved to the device itself, which means those looking for a PS5 headset or Xbox Series X headset will still be well served by the customization options. 

Performance

• Fantastic balance across all ranges
• Precise, accurate directional audio
• Clear, crisp microphone

With a premium design, excellent finish, and bags of features, it's impressive that Turtle Beach has managed to pack uncompromised audio quality into the Stealth Pro. Both single player and competitive endeavours benefit from these incredibly well tuned drivers, all without falling into common pitfalls. There's plenty of detail across all ranges and at all volumes, a rarity considering many gaming headsets simply make things louder rather than paying much attention to more complex sound qualities.

That makes for a device that can handle particularly busy soundscapes with aplomb. While Horizon: Forbidden West often presents one of the biggest challenges for headsets I'm testing, with its heavy machinery noises, delicate environments, and strange focus on Aloy's own footsteps, the Stealth Pro came closest to true representation. Even the audiophile-worthy Audeze Maxwell struggled to juggle all these competing sounds, but Turtle Beach treats every mechanical clank, gentle breeze sound, and far-off Burrower with impressive care.

That attention to detail is found in more competitive landscapes as well. I was able to easily track sounds across CS:GO's maps, pinpointing shots and footsteps with remarkable accuracy straight out of the box. That was all intensified with Superhuman Hearing switched on, though I still preferred to prioritize audio quality over the ability to hear slightly further off in the distance. 

Simultaneous connections are great for listening to music while playing, so it's a good job the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro manages to handle a range of genres. Even the over-produced growls of Grandson managed to retain their clarity, while more relaxed Nick Mulvey tunes lent themselves particularly well to the well-balanced mid and higher ranges. The experience isn't as groundbreaking as that of the Audeze Maxwell, but it's certainly well worth the luxury price point - these will serve just fine as both a gaming headset and everyday headphones. 

The microphone continues this tradition of excellence, offering crystal clear vocals that punch through with impressive sharpness. It's not quite broadcast quality, there's a lack of richness in the human voice that would be preferable for a more broadcast-style quality. However, for quickly barking orders or getting your teammates' attention, it makes for a fantastic piece of kit.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro?

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro set out to infiltrate the world of high-end gaming headsets, and it's accomplished its mission. At $329.99 / £279.99 it's certainly not cheap, but it's by no means the most expensive device on the market. In fact, it sits square in the middle of the two headsets I was directly comparing against throughout my testing. The $349.99 / £329 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless remains our favorite headset, but the Stealth Pro certainly gave it a run for its money. With better battery life and a more comfortable overall fit, though, SteelSeries has the edge here. That said, if you're looking for a more competition-oriented headset, Turtle Beach's Superhuman Hearing mode and super clear microphone may just nudge it ahead. 

If you're stuck between the Audeze Maxwell and the Stealth Pro, your decision is a little more clear cut. Both are extraordinary headsets, offering excellent audio quality, precise directional cues and clear microphones. However, the Maxwells drop active noise cancellation and don't offer hot-swappable batteries (though do win out in overall battery life at 80 hours). Meanwhile, the Stealth Pro's dynamic drivers can't compete with the size of the soundstage on offer in Audeze's entry - there's a much more dynamic feel to every sound in the latter, which will make it a better pick for audiophile players keen to get immersed in some single player adventures. 

Of course, all of these options sit in the high-end category. If you're looking to spend a little less you can still pick up a gaming headset with active noise cancellation - the Razer Barracuda Pro offers such technology for $249.99 / £249.99 while the JBL Quantum 800 makes a few more sacrifices to get you there for around $200 / £200. For more multiplatform action, though, we're still loving the Turtle Beach 700 Gen 2 Max, which comes in substantially cheaper at $199.99 / £179.99.

How we tested the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro

I used the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro for just over a week, running the headset for all daily work and play across PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch during that time. I primarily tested across CS:GO and Doom Eternal on PC, with Doom Eternal, The Last of Us Part 2, and Horizon Forbidden West running on PS5 for comparison. On Nintendo Switch the majority of my testing was completed with Super Mario Galaxy, with a sprinkling of Dragon Quest Builders 2 thrown in. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We're also rounding up all the best Xbox One headsets for more choice, as well as the best Razer headsets and the best Sennheiser gaming headsets for anyone shopping by brand as well. 

Dying Light Enhanced Edition is currently free on Epic Games Store.

Dying Light Enhanced Edition will be free to download on Epic's own PC client from now until April 13, 2023.

In case you wondered what the difference is between the standard and the enhanced edition, the latter includes the season pass and all the content released in the first year of "post-launch support", including an expansion with the buggy, an additional game mode, two extra quarantine zones, and two bundles.

Automation puzzle game Shapez is also free across the same time period, too.

As for its Dying Light's sequel, Stay Human? Dying Light 2 is set to receive a massive game update on April 20, where Techland will roll out an improved combat system and new gear transmogrification options. 

Dying Light franchise director Tymon Smektala shared this news at the Future Games Show Spring Showcase Powered by the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, where he also teased the next DLC content and promised that more support for mods and mod maps will be coming to the community later this year. 

Parkour combat was one of Dying Light 2's strengths, so it's certainly promising to hear Smektala say that this upcoming update will "include significant improvements to the combat system that will be more brutal, physical, and rewarding" than ever before. The franchise director also confirmed that you'll no longer have to choose between "style or stats", as the new gear transmog system will let you better transform your favorite gear to fit your look. 

Dying Light 2: Stay Human is out now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.

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