Turtle Beach's new $100 wireless gaming headset is a worthy follow-up to the company's bestselling first generation model

• The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a wireless stereo cross generation headset for the PS4, and it's expected to be compatible with the upcoming PS5.
• There's also an Xbox model designed to wirelessly connect with current Xbox One consoles and the upcoming Xbox Series X.

• The Gen 2 version of the Stealth 600 boasts several improvements over the previous model, including an updated mic that flips up and completely out of the way when muted.

• The headset also sports premium features, like 50mm drivers, USB-C charging, and a Superhuman Hearing option — all while keeping its weight low and balanced.

Back in 2017, Turtle Beach introduced one of the most successful gaming headsets of all time, the Stealth 600. Now, with two new video game consoles set to launch this holiday season, Turtle Beach is introducing its next generation model, the Stealth 600 Gen 2.

Few peripherals enhance gameplay more than a reliable wireless headset, and the Stealth 600 Gen 2 builds on the features that made the original Stealth 600 so popular. On top of new features, the actual fit and frame of the headset have been redesigned. From the shape of the earcups to the integration of the flip down mic to the charging point and transmitters, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 is something of a ground-up sequel.

Turtle Beach's latest headset retains the same charm and focus that I first encountered back when I used its products while working as a game developer on "Transformers: War for Cybertron." After years of painful and leaky headsets, I'll never forget putting on those impressive Turtle Beach headsets to dive into multiplayer with a room full of players.

Of course, in those days, we were all wired into our PCs. Fast forward to now, and wireless audio and chat from a console can be powered on and running in mere moments. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 promises performance with this ease of use in mind, boasting a simple setup, a reasonable cost, and a major upgrade in comfort and performance over a host of lesser solutions.

Note: I tested both the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the Stealth 600 Gen 2, but this review will focus on the PlayStation model.

Design

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a stereo over-ear headset with fabric cushions on swivel earcups. The shell of the headset is plastic which helps keep it light, and the PlayStation version I received for review has a light coloring that is clearly indicative of the PS5 aesthetic. After dozens of black Turtle Beach headsets, this look was a little shocking at first, but it not only ties into the upcoming PlayStation 5's style, but it also reminds me of those first Turtle Beach headsets I encountered way back in the day. A PlayStation model with a black and blue color scheme is also available.

More important than looks, the ergonomics of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 are quite impressive. The double swivel design that connects the earcups to the headband gives them an articulation that helps in terms of comfort. I also suspect that this design will aid in lasting durability. The headband's extension mechanic reminds me of the Turtle Beach Atlas line as the headset stays at the notched spot where you set it. I find the 2.5 spot (out of four) to be just right for me.

The shape of the earcups is rounded, but on top there is a slant up to the front where a corner is formed. This corner gives the earcup a more ear-friendly and glasses-friendly shape. I'm also a fan of the mesh material used for the ear pads, as it feels nice, breathes well, and looks good.

Specs

• Speakers: 50mm with Neodymium magnets
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
• Earcup design: Over-ear (closed)
• Ear-cushion material: Fabric with foam cushioning
• Mic design: flip-up omni-directional
• Battery: rechargeable 900mAh Lithium Polymer with up to 15 hours per charge

Setup and interface

The headset box includes the headset, USB transmitter, USB-C charging cable, and a quick start guide. After unpacking the headset, buyers will want to charge the device. I was surprised to find that the headset charges fairly quickly for a device like this, with a complete charge in around two hours. You can then connect the headset directly to a PC in order to check for firmware updates through the Turtle Beach Audio app.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 for PlayStation uses a USB transmitter that plugs into the front of a PS4 or PS4 Pro. The transmitter is compact to help keep it from sticking out of the console in a dangerous way, and it has a light on the front to indicate a connection as well as a recessed sync button. Once the transmitter is plugged into your PS4 Pro, I recommend setting the PS4's headset volume setting to max and then adjusting volume on the headset's physical controls.

The charging jack, controls, and microphone are all located on the left earcup. The top wheel controls volume while the lower volume wheel controls the mic monitoring level. You should check both before powering the headset on. Once on, you can flip down the mic and move it closer to your face, and adjust mic sensitivity in the PS4 Device settings menu.

Overall, setup is simple, but with the PS4, switching between the headset and my home theater speakers requires that I either unplug the transmitter or switch the output device in the PS4 settings menu. This is easy to do, but it's not as convenient as the way that Sony's first party PlayStation headsets switch automatically when powered on and off.

The USB-C cable is a welcome inclusion, making it easy to plug the headset in whether it's dark or light in your room. As a big fan of Turtle Beach's micro-USB cables, which have done an excellent job surviving repeated abuse over the years by me and some four-legged friends, I'm happy to see that its USB-C cable seems to be of similar quality. I just wish it was longer. A three foot cable would be more useful than the 1.5 feet length used here.

Performance and features

There are two buttons on the headset. The recessed button next to the USB-C port is the power button, which also (annoyingly) serves as the toggle button for the Superhuman Hearing feature. Sticking out above the power button is the Mode button which lets you cycle through the headset's presets. The first preset, Signature Sound, is best for games, but I use the Extra Bass and Extra Treble preset for watching movies on Netflix.

The flip to mute mic is a nice feature and works well, but the rest of the controls are just OK. I often put my finger on the charging port when trying to find the power button and, again, I dislike how the Superhuman Hearing function is activated. It should have its own button as it's easy to toggle it on and then accidentally turn off the whole headset when you try to deactivate it.

The two volume wheels also seem too similar to each other, and I would prefer to have the ability to adjust the chat volume or mix. The Xbox version of the headset actually does have this feature, but the PlayStation version does not. Instead, the PlayStation version's lower wheel controls the mic monitoring level, which allows you to hear yourself speak. I do enjoy being able to hear how I sound, but I'm not sure a dedicated wheel is necessary.

When powering the headset on or off, flipping the mic up and down, or activating presets (and Superhuman hearing) the headset notifies you by way of audible chirps and beeps. This works, but I really prefer word-based audio prompts.

During my time with the Stealth 600 Gen 2, I tested the headset with a variety of games. Playback is serene with "Ghosts of Tsushima," excellent in "Nioh 2 Tengu's Disciple" co-op, and effective and bombastic when playing "Warzone." The performance of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 proves that Turtle Beach still has it. There's a lot packed into this wireless headset, but game audio, chat audio, and mic pickup are all reliable and enjoyable.

With "Warzone" I find that the 50mm drivers have a sweet spot where if I go too high in volume, the sound becomes too shrill for my tastes. The Superhuman Hearing feature, which is really good for trying to hear if someone is about to get the drop on me, is too intense for my taste to be on for a whole match. I would actually trade the preset button for a dedicated Superhuman Hearing button.

I really like the mic pickup and it seems like I always come through very clear without having a lot of extraneous sound (breathing, bumping, etc.) going through. The mic doesn't just flip up and down; it has a second pivot point that lets it swing in towards my face. Still, it's a shorter mic, and it's impressive how well it picks up while staying out of the way.

Battery life is stout for such a light headset, and if after some long sessions the battery gets too low, the headset can still be used while charging if needed. The headset also has a battery saving function that kicks in after 10 minutes of no audio and powers off the device. The wireless signal holds up while playing and even when walking around, reconnecting quickly if I go too far.

Turtle Beach claims to have designed the Stealth 600 Gen 2 to be durable. Unfortunately, this is always an aspect that's hard to evaluate when testing a device for a limited amount of time. The headband and earcups all seem less strained than past designs, however, and I feel like I could use them for years without issue. As previously mentioned, I tested two headsets for this review, and I let my family play around with them without any noticeable wear and tear.

Using the Stealth 600 Gen 2 with a Nintendo Switch and PC

Using the Stealth 600 Gen 2 (PlayStation version) with the Nintendo Switch is as easy as plugging the USB transmitter into the Switch's dock. Just like that, I'm able to play "Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary" and "Fortnite" without disturbing the rest of my household.

Though I can't find any mention of official support, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 for PlayStation does work when I connect the transmitter to my PC. It's a nice bonus, but as it has been tuned for the PS4, I would not recommend buying the headset solely for use on a PC.

Xbox One and Series X version

The Xbox One version of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 has some important differences from the PlayStation version. Visually, the model I received features a traditional black with green color scheme, though a white model will also be available. There is no USB transmitter as the headset wirelessly connects directly to the console. There is a little sync button next to the USB-C charging jack. To pair the two, I simply press the Pairing button on my Xbox One X and press and hold the Connect button on the headset.

Happily, the Xbox version allows me to set the chat volume as well as the game volume on the headset. While the Stealth 600 Gen 2 is a stereo headset, the Xbox One offers support for Windows Sonic surround sound, which I put to good use when playing "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order."

I have an original version of the Xbox Wireless Adapter, and I'm able to pair the headset with it. It works, but the ability to control both game and chat audio on the headset is lost while using it in Windows 10. In fact, I have to completely turn down the lower/chat audio wheel in order to allow the top audio wheel to work correctly.

It will be interesting getting to compare how the PlayStation version does on the PS5 versus how the Xbox version does on the Xbox Series X but, for now, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 (Xbox version) is a nice way to hear the Xbox One platform.

The bottom line

When it comes to gaming headsets, Turtle Beach knows how to deliver on the essentials and the extras. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 offers wireless stereo audio and chat in a light and comfortable package. The new model even has an innovative mic design to go with its updated body and looks.

On the downside, the controls aren't impressive, but the USB-C charging feature is a nice plus. The PlayStation version works well with the PS4 Pro and PS4, and I look forward to testing it with the PS5 later this year.

The Stealth 600 Gen 2 (PlayStation) and Stealth 600 Gen 2 (Xbox) are both available for preorder now for $100 each. The PlayStation version is expected to launch on August 16. Meanwhile, Amazon currently lists a September 20 release date for the Xbox version.

Should you buy it?

Both the PlayStation and Xbox versions of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 are good wireless headsets that are well equipped at their price. Though some people will seek more advanced models, for most gamers, this price range is the sweet spot for headsets, and the Stealth 600 Gen 2 offers a lot of value within that sweet spot.

Which model should you get?

Xbox One, S, X, and Series X users should get the Stealth 600 Gen 2 for Xbox. That headset connects directly to Xbox consoles, and it can work on a Windows 10 PC if you have an Xbox Wireless Adapter ($24.99) connected to it.

For PlayStation 4, Pro, and Slim users the Stealth 600 Gen 2 for PlayStation is the obvious choice, and its USB min-transmitter will also allow the headset to work with a docked Nintendo Switch and a PC, though those platforms are not the focus. It's likely that PlayStation 5 buyers will also enjoy using the Stealth 600 Gen 2, but we'll have to wait until the PS5 release in order to fully test the headset with that console.

In addition to the new Stealth 600 Gen 2, it should also be noted that Turtle Beach has a new Stealth 700 model as well. This headset costs more but uses better materials, has more controls, and adds Bluetooth connectivity, which allows it to connect to a phone or tablet.

What are your alternatives?

For Xbox platforms, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for Xbox, which costs $100 and uses a dongle, or the pricier Arctis 9X, which costs $200 and connects directly, are both promising cross generation headset options as well.

On the PlayStation side, Sony's own PlayStation Platinum headset ($153) or the upcoming Pulse 3D headset are good options. With that said, both use invisible mics which introduce a lot of background noise and aren't good in loud (ceiling fan) or quiet (child sleeping in next room) situations. The Arctis 1 Wireless ($100) is also a solid alternative, but it lacks the USB-C charging, Superhuman Hearing, and the flip to mute mic of the Stealth 600 Gen 2 for PlayStation.

For more headset recommendations, be sure to check out our guide to the best gaming headsets.

Pros: Flip-up mic performs well, USB-C for charging, comfortable, good battery life, PlayStation model works with Nintendo Switch

Cons: Controls are lacking, beeps instead of vocal prompts, USB-C cable is short, PC app required for adjusting some settings, no mobile cable/AUX jack