May brought about two new Stealth models, the mid-range Stealth 600 and the lower mid-range Stealth 500.

However, the shortcuts to reach that low price point are pretty obvious when held side by side.

The actual cup warps slightly around the left edge, with heavy wrinkling and a less plump cushioning.

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 on a wooden desk

The most noticeable difference between the two headsets, though, is the headband.

This is where the Stealth 500 wins out the most.

I much prefer this design during everyday use, especially when Im playing for hours at a time.

close up on leatherette earcups of Turtle Beach Stealth 500. The left is puckered around the join with the main plastic chassis and appears wrinkled.

Im lucky, though.

If you have a particularly large or small head, though, Id recommend steering clear.

For all their leatherette sins, the earcups remain comfortable over longer periods of time, temperature concerns aside.

Close up on three-pronged headband adjustment on the inside of Turtle Beach Stealth 500

Its also a lightweight design that works towards its comfort as well.

That time has passed.

Youre also getting chat-mix controls right on the headset itself, right next to the volume wheel.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 and Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headsets on a wooden desk

The result is an overly-processed soundstage, though, that never feels comfortable to listen to for too long.

However, they do offer a nicely energetic soundstage with plenty of range and a nice balance.

That means the mids can feel a little clustered at times.

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset with ski-style headband

If you like your games at ear-splitting volumes you might struggle to feel the full power of this rig.

Should you buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?

However, the Stealth 600s build quality, battery life, and materials make it the better buy overall.

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 headset set up against packaging on a wooden desk

Youre still getting both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, though with only 10 hours more battery life.

For more information onhow we test gaming headsets, check out the fullGamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Turtle Beach Stealth 500…

Turtle Beach Stealth 600…

Razer Barracuda X (2022) -…

EE Store

Razer BlackShark V2…

Turtle Beach Stealth 500…

Prime

Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Xbox…

Turtle Beach Stealth 500…

TURTLE BEACH Stealth 500 Xbox…

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 gaming headset on a wooden desk with 2.4GHz receiver and charging cable

Photo taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 gaming headset sitting on top of a black PC tower with its box behind it.

Photo taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe of the OXS Storm G2 wireless gaming headset sitting on a black shelf with a gray background.

Photo of the Corsair Void Wireless V2 gaming headset, taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.

Image of the Corsair Virtuoso Max wireless headset sitting on top of a gaming PC case taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.

Image of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless gaming headset with a dark purple GamesRadar background.

Razer Barracuda X gaming headset with Nintendo Switch

Corsair Virtuoso Pro headset on a stand

Photo of the Corsair Virtuoso Max wireless headset sitting on a white desk, taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.

Photo of the Corsair Void Wireless V2 wireless gaming headset taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe in a pink and white office.

Photo of the SteelSeries Arctis Game Buds on a white desk, taken by writer Rosalie Newcombe.

A T-Force A440 Lite being held by a reviewer

Articulate! box, board, tokens, and timer on a wooden table, against a black background

The Logitech Z407 speaker and control puck

2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop on a wooden desk

Logan Kim as Hershel and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2

King of Tokyo components, box, and cards on a wooden table against a black background

Articulate box, cards, board, and tokens on a wooden table

The cast of Thunderbolts standing in an elevator during the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Phase 5 movie.