Turtle Beach Stealth 500
Turtle Beach
Buying a wireless gaming headset for Xbox has always meant one of two compromises: pay a premium for genuinely wireless audio, or accept a cable running to your controller because Microsoft's proprietary wireless protocol locks out most third-party manufacturers. The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 sits at the point where that compromise starts to disappear. It bundles its own USB wireless transmitter so it talks directly to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC without a cable in sight, then adds Bluetooth 5.2 on top so the same headset can pair with a phone for music or calls between matches. At its price point, that combination alone puts it ahead of a lot of headsets that force you to pick one connection type and live with it.
Design, Build Quality & Comfort
The first thing you notice picking this headset up is how little it weighs. Turtle Beach has built the Stealth 500 around a floating headband — a suspended strap that sits inside the main frame and flexes to your head shape rather than clamping down with a single rigid band. Combined with memory foam ear cushions wrapped in synthetic leatherette, the result is a headset that disappears during long sessions instead of announcing itself with pressure points on the top of your skull or the sides of your ears.
The over-ear cups form a closed-back design, which helps block out room noise and keeps your game audio from leaking out to annoy anyone sitting nearby. The all-black finish is understated rather than covered in gamer branding, and the frame itself doesn't creak or flex alarmingly when adjusted.
Where the build quality dips is in the smaller touchpoints — the physical buttons and volume dials on the ear cups. Independent testing has flagged these as feeling noticeably cheaper than the rest of the housing, with buttons that need more give before they register a press and volume wheels that spin a little too freely to make fine adjustments easy by feel alone. It's a fair trade-off for a headset built to keep costs down and weight low, but if you're the type who likes tactile, precise controls, this is where the budget shows.
At a Glance
- Ultra-lightweight floating headband design
- Memory foam ear cushions, closed-back cups
- Understated matte black finish
- Buttons and volume dial feel budget-grade
How It Connects: Wireless Freedom Without the Usual Catches
This is arguably the headset's strongest selling point. Two separate wireless systems are built in, and a physical QuickSwitch button lets you flip between them without digging into settings menus:
2.4GHz USB Wireless Transmitter
Plugs into an Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC USB port and delivers a low-latency connection built specifically for gaming, where even small amounts of audio delay can throw off your timing in competitive titles.
Bluetooth 5.2
Pairs directly with a phone, letting you take calls, listen to music, or hop on a mobile game without switching headsets, and switch back to console audio with one press of the QuickSwitch button.
For anyone who's ever had to physically swap headsets to go from a gaming session to a phone call, this dual-connection setup solves a genuinely annoying problem.
The trade-off, and it's worth knowing about upfront, is that there's no wired fallback option. If the battery dies mid-session, you're not plugging in a 3.5mm cable to keep playing — you're waiting for a charge. For a headset built around all-day wireless use, that's a reasonable design choice, but it does mean battery management matters more here than on headsets that offer a cable as backup.
Sound Quality & the Superhuman Hearing Feature
Turtle Beach has tuned this headset around 40mm drivers, and in practice that translates to a wide, detailed soundstage that handles everything from distant footsteps in a tense firefight to atmospheric ambience in open-world exploration. Testing across shooters, open-world adventures, and even music-heavy indie titles has consistently found the audio quality to punch above what you'd expect from an entry-level price tag — a genuine surprise given how many budget wireless headsets sound thin or compressed by comparison.
Advanced Superhuman Hearing, Explained
The headline software feature here is Advanced Superhuman Hearing, accessed through Turtle Beach's free Swarm II companion app on PC or mobile. In plain terms, it's an audio EQ preset that boosts the frequencies where footsteps, reloads, and other subtle in-game cues typically live, making them easier to pick out over explosions, music, and general background chaos. You get three intensity levels to dial in, so you can push it hard for competitive shooters where every audio cue matters, or keep it subtle for games where you don't want the mix tilted too aggressively toward footstep detection.
It's worth being clear about what this feature is and isn't: it's a smart EQ curve, not artificial surround sound or object-based audio like Dolby Atmos. The headset doesn't carry official certification for formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS, though it can decode and pass through some of those signals to approximate part of the effect. If true object-based spatial audio is a hard requirement for you, that's a spec to check elsewhere.
One consistent note across independent testing: at idle, with the headset connected but no audio playing, there's an audible low-level hiss. It disappears once actual game audio kicks in, so it's more of a minor annoyance during quiet menu screens than a dealbreaker, but it's honest to mention since it shows up repeatedly in hands-on reviews.
Microphone & Chat Clarity
The flip-to-mute microphone is a small design touch that makes a real difference day to day. Instead of a mic that's always dangling in your peripheral vision, it tucks up into the ear cup when you're not using it and flips down when you need it — and the physical act of flipping it up automatically mutes you, which beats fumbling for a software mute button mid-match.
Chat quality itself is described consistently as clear and more than adequate for squad callouts and party chat. It's not positioned as a broadcast-quality microphone for streaming or long voice calls — testing has noted it can peak when you raise your voice or when there's a plosive sound (hard "P" and "B" sounds), and it lacks the kind of dedicated pop filtering you'd find on higher-end mics. For gaming communication, it does the job well. For someone whose primary use case is podcasting or professional calls, it's a secondary consideration rather than the main event.
Battery Life & Charging: What "40 Hours" Actually Means for You
A 40-hour battery rating sounds abstract until you translate it into how you actually play. In practical terms, that's roughly a full week of two-hour evening sessions before you need to plug in — or several weekend-long gaming marathons back to back. Reviewers who tested the headset over extended periods have confirmed the real-world battery life holds up close to the advertised figure, with some needing only a single charge across many hours of mixed console, PC, and Bluetooth use. That's a genuinely strong result for the price bracket and removes the daily-charging anxiety that comes with a lot of wireless peripherals.
Quick charge support means a short top-up gets meaningful playtime back rather than requiring a full charge cycle before you can jump back in.
Charging Details to Know
- Includes a 0.7m USB-A to USB-C charging cable, but not a charging adaptor
- Requires a USB power source rated between 0.25W and 2.5W output
- Does not support PD (Power Delivery) fast charging, so a high-wattage USB-C charger won't charge it any faster than a basic one
Who This Headset Is Actually For
Genuinely Good Match If
- You want a proper wireless connection to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC without paying flagship prices for it.
- Long gaming sessions are the norm, and headset weight or ear fatigue has been a problem with previous headsets.
- You want the flexibility to also pair with a phone via Bluetooth for calls or mobile gaming, without owning a second headset.
- Competitive multiplayer and FPS titles are a big part of your library, where the Superhuman Hearing EQ preset genuinely helps you react faster to audio cues.
Less Natural Fit If
- Premium tactile controls matter to you — the buttons and volume dial feel like the most obvious cost-cutting on this headset.
- You need certified Dolby Atmos or DTS surround sound for movies or highly immersive single-player audio design, rather than gaming-focused stereo tuning.
- Voice chat or calls are your primary use case rather than gaming — the mic is solid for gaming but not best-in-class for that purpose.
- You want a wired backup option for when the battery runs flat mid-session, since none exists here.
How It Stacks Up Against the Alternatives
| Feature | Turtle Beach Stealth 500 | Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset | Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz USB transmitter + Bluetooth 5.2, QuickSwitch button | Proprietary Xbox Wireless + Bluetooth | 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth 5.2, QuickSwitch button |
| Driver size | 40mm | Not directly comparable (different tuning approach) | 50mm |
| Battery life | Up to 40 hours | Roughly half that of the Stealth 500 | Up to 80 hours |
| Weight | Around 233g — notably light | Broadly similar weight class | Heavier, around 300g |
| Mic noise handling | Standard flip-to-mute, no active noise reduction | Standard | Adds AI-driven mic noise reduction |
| Companion app / EQ | Swarm II with Superhuman Hearing presets | Limited built-in EQ options | Swarm II with additional EQ depth |
| Typical price position | Mid-to-low budget tier | Similar budget tier | One step up in price |
The natural comparison for anyone shopping in this exact price range is Microsoft's own Xbox Wireless Headset, which has the advantage of using the console's native wireless protocol directly. Where the Stealth 500 pulls ahead is battery life — it comfortably outlasts that option — and in offering genuinely useful companion software through Swarm II, which the first-party alternative doesn't match. If your budget can stretch further, the step up to Turtle Beach's own Stealth 600 Gen 3 buys you larger 50mm drivers, double the battery life, and AI-assisted mic noise reduction, at a meaningfully higher price. That makes the Stealth 500 the more sensible choice if you want the best value at the lower end of the market, and the 600 Gen 3 worth considering if audio fidelity and mic clarity are non-negotiable for you and the extra spend isn't a concern.
Where This Headset Wins, and Where It Falls Short
The case for the Stealth 500 is built on a handful of genuine strengths working together rather than any single standout spec. The combination of dual wireless connectivity, all-day battery life, and a design light enough to forget you're wearing it adds up to a headset that fits naturally into daily use rather than becoming a chore. The Superhuman Hearing feature is a legitimately useful tool for competitive players rather than a marketing gimmick, and the flip-to-mute mic is the kind of small, sensible design choice that makes a headset pleasant to live with day to day.
Set against that, the compromises are honest rather than hidden. The buttons and volume dial feel like the clearest place Turtle Beach cut costs to hit this price point, and you'll notice it every time you reach for a control by feel. The background hiss during silent moments is a minor but real quirk. And the absence of a wired fallback mode means the 40-hour battery figure isn't just a nice-to-have — it's the only thing standing between you and no audio at all if you forget to charge. A small number of customer reports also mention occasional random low-battery beeping or intermittent mute-button quirks, though the large majority of user feedback describes a headset that performs consistently well across long-term daily use.
The Verdict: Should You Buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 500?
For anyone gaming primarily on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC who wants real wireless freedom without stepping up to premium pricing, the Stealth 500 earns its place near the top of the budget-to-mid-range shortlist. The battery life alone removes one of the most common frustrations with wireless headsets, and the dual 2.4GHz-plus-Bluetooth setup means it adapts to how you actually use your devices rather than locking you into one connection type.
Where it makes less sense is if tactile control quality or certified surround sound formats are must-haves for you, or if your use case leans more toward voice calls than gaming chat. For the core audience — someone who wants a comfortable, genuinely wireless headset for long console and PC sessions, with useful software extras thrown in rather than treated as an afterthought — this is a confident, easy recommendation.
What People Say
87 commentsA Brilliant Entry-Level Gaming Headset
The Stealth 500 is the entry-level wireless headset from the current Turtle Beach generation.
Weighing in at only 235g they are extremely light, making them very suitable for wearing for extended periods. I know us technology consumers often have a misguided perception that heavier things are better quality, but that really isn't the case here as they really do feel solidly built and have enough battery oomph to last a reported 40 hours. That's over 2 weeks of use for me on a single charge.
Note that there are different versions of this headset depending on the hardware you want to use it with, so do check the compatibility options before purchase.
Design-wise I like that they have gone for a more adult-looking aesthetic with a focus on practicality. There is an adjustable elastic headband that sits comfortably on the top of your head without much pressure, and the microphone flips away almost invisibly when not in use. The ear cups are well-padded and offer a high degree of natural sound insulation, and even after a couple of hours they didn't feel clammy like ear cups sometimes can.
All of the controls are on the left ear cup with dials for volume and mic monitoring. There is a button to switch between 2.4GHz wireless connectivity (via the supplied USB dongle), and Bluetooth. We also have our power switch and USB charging port, for which a charging cable is supplied but no charger.
On trial, the sound quality more than meets my expectations for a headset at this price point. The mid-range audio is excellent and I could pick up on all of the relevant critical sounds that are present in games like Call of Duty, with very distinguishable left and right directional cues.
The microphone sounds great but I did find myself needing to turn the sensitivity right up to the top as my friend did say it was coming through a little quiet at his end.
I'm not usually a fan of needing apps to use equipment like headphones but you do need to install the Swarm II app on desktop or mobile to deliver firmware updates, which might actually be needed before you can even start using these. The mobile app is a light version with essential options whereas the desktop version gives you the full 10-band equaliser customisation. I actually liked the signature sound best and really don't need any bass boost.
If this is your budget for headphones then the Stealth 500 is a great buy, and I wholeheartedly recommend them for music or gaming.
Great headset
Turtle Beach Stealth 500: A Budget-Friendly Gaming Gem
I've been using the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 for a few months now and I'm thoroughly impressed. As a budget-friendly gaming headset, it delivers exceptional value. Here's why I love it:
* Incredible Sound Quality: The audio is crisp and clear, with a nice balance of bass, mids, and highs. I've noticed a significant improvement in my gaming experience, especially in games with immersive soundtracks.
* Comfortable Design: The Stealth 500 is lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods. The earcups are soft and provide good sound isolation, blocking out distractions.
* Great Microphone Quality: The microphone is clear and picks up my voice well, even in noisy environments. The flip-to-mute feature is a convenient touch.
* Easy to Use: The controls are intuitive and easy to navigate. The headset is compatible with both PC and consoles, making it versatile for gamers.
If you're looking for a high-quality gaming headset without breaking the bank, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 is definitely worth considering. It's a fantastic option for gamers who want to enhance their audio experience without spending a fortune.
Trust a fat bald gamer.
I’ll start by saying I am not a bot or paid, I’m a 40yo fat balding man that is gaming….yeah I know, grow up. With that out the way you can trust what I say. If you game and use audio there is a high chance you know turtle beach, it is a big brand and does release good products. It’s wireless which is a plus for me (I hate cables etc around my desk)
The dials are easy to use for your game chat and party chats, once you realise which is which.
I’ve only have it 4 out of 5 as I’ve only had them a few months. I previously have had this headset and had it for a few years before upgrading to 700s.
Things were made easier that it was at my local Argos so I could run and pick them up and have them in my hand the same day and not have to wait on delivery from manufacturer or other supplier. I’d recommend, they are good and a million times better than 500s, hence why they cost more. 700s are also very good but very heavy on your head/neck where as the 600s are a lot lighter.
Great set of cans, you won’t be disappointed.
The sound on these is very clear, so far I’ve used them with my pc and iPad/iphone. They are very easy to set up and there is an app for phone and/or pc so you can alter the settings to your liking. I’ve not yet used them with an Xbox as I’m a pc girl mostly but I would imagine the sound quality would be just as good. The sound is better than my old Skullcandy headphones and they are very comfortable. They go totally over my ears and can’t really tell I’m wearing them. Even my old over the ear Skullcandy’s sat on my ears ever-so-slightly, so I was very pleased with the fact these went totally around them. I like the fact the mic can be folded out of the way when not needed and that this action mutes it too. Very convenient. I have had Stealth 600P and 700P (both Gen 2) and have found the 500’s more comfortable than both these more expensive models. I’d say these are very good value all round great headphones/headset.
Snug universal fitting plush gaming headset
Lightweight, snugly fitted with a flexible headband fit. Integrated microphone that clips out and tucks back into an integrated slot on the headset, usb c charging cable and plug and play set up. A really easy set up and comfortable gaming headset with good noise cancelling and immersive gameplay. Sound quality is superior that I literally feel engulfed into my Xbox when I use them especially during late night gaming. Turtle beach have definitely made this into a stealth headset with the silky silicone like finish and the plush padded ear pads. I absolutely love this headset especially as I can’t lose the microphone which had happened with previous headset. All in all, a highly recommend superior gaming headset that is actually quite portable and travel friendly due to its slimline profile.
Perfect headphones for serious gamers
These headphones are smart and sleek. A lot of headphones can feel cheaply made, but this is not the case with these headphones, they are well made and do not feel flimsy at all. The ear pieces allow for comfort and do not hurt your ears after wearing them for a couple of hours like a lot of headphones do. The quality of sound is top notch, making all audio and speech clear not just to me but when I am online using the microphone with my friends. When playing music through the headphones, the audio is great quality and better than a lot of other brands I have had. These headphones are wireless, using a type C charger, so I don't have to use numerous different charging cables. Once charged the battery lasts for hours. These headphones are a great addition to any gamers collection.
Immersive Headset
I bought this a couple months ago. Ultimately the headset is excellent, immersive and exquisite sound, extremely lightweight and comfortable for the head. However, at times it will randomly disconnect when you reload a game, and make your voice sound robotic to other listeners. A major inconvenience is the mute function, as it has completely broken on my headset, when I toggle the mute function it currently has a 50% chance of working, leaving privacy unreliable. At times when it is on mute, it will randomly unmute itself when the headset is not even on my head, laying flat on the table. 7/10 overall.
Great sound quality and battery life
Initially problematic to set up, did require the use of both a laptop and smartphone app to install the mandatory firmware update before the item could be used. This took in excess of two hours to set up but once set up worked well. Worth noting that the usb which connects to the XBox needed to be put in the rear rather than the front of the XBox. Once set up sound is quality is good, battery life seems excellent, really lightweight and comfortable. Auto connect and disconnect to the Xbox once set up. The only reason it’s not five stars is the set up being long winded.
Great Headphone for Xbox and mobile
I bought for the nephew and he loves them. The headphones connect to the Xbox wirelessly via a dongle and they connect separately to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. The headphones are great for switching between the 2 (console and phone) with the press of a button and the microphone flicks up and down controlling if it’s on/off for chatting. There are other headphones on the market that are cheaper but do require the dongle to be attached to whatever you are wanting to listen to (including the mobile phone) so this is why I chose these headphones.
Brilliant for gaming
Absolutely brilliant headphones! Perfect for gaming! Extremely comfortable, with the band overhead and the cusioning on the ear piece. Love that the mic can be hidden away by pushing it up then pulling it down when in use talking to friends etc online. Was really easy to connect. Says its for xbox but does work on ps5 too.
Really nice and sleek design. Really good battery life too.
The sound quality is really good!
Especially on online gaming such as COD you can hear steps etc in back from the game play.
Excellent.
In the past ive always used wired headphones mainly because of latency and Comfort with prolonged use. These I can have on for 5 hour or so before I get uncomfortable on the ears or sweaty. Ive spent upwards of £300 on bose headphones and as low as £2 in the past. The quality of these are really surprising and didn't realise how much These helped my game play. the little noises you miss from footsteps, Gun Fire are heard on These. The app is good too so you can save your own presets.
A very good Gaming Headset
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bought these for my son and he’s really happy with them. The wireless connection is a big improvement over his previous wired headset as it gives him much more freedom when gaming.
The sound quality is clear, the microphone works well for chatting with friends, and the headset is comfortable enough for longer gaming sessions. Setup was straightforward and it connected quickly to the console.
Overall a great upgrade from a wired headset and good value for money.
An overall review
A month ago I had purchased this headset for my brother. The sound cancelling is great, however the sound quality out of the box is dull- which can be tweaked with an EQ app developed for the headset, downloaded through the phone. The only thing that isn't great about this headset is the fact that they don't have a desktop application (PC) for the EQ.
This was bought in-store, arrived within 30 seconds of purchase. Great service, would purchase from Argos again 👍
They do the job.
Only changed headset as mine was not compatible with new console. They do the job. For the price they feel super cheap and tacky but they do what they meant to. I can clear games and party members clearly and they hear me clearly also.
Connecting was easy enough if you follow instructions.
Only ever had 1 connection issue and once I de-connected and re-synced it was fine.
Again for the price they are good enough. For a budget friendly headset I’d recommend.
Headphones fit for any gamer amateur and pro
These Turtle Beach Stealth 500 wireless gaming headset is sleek and stylish they featuring a fold back microphone that mutes automatically when folded back in they are lightweight and comfortable with a floating headband and memory foam cushions they are easy to wear for hours. The small wireless transmitter set up is effortless, making them perfect for gaming. Plus, they connect to other consoles and devices via Bluetooth making them versatile for any use!
Sound good with great features
Been using these on my pc and my sons xbox and with the dongle setup takes seconds. sound is ok and with the diffrent eq presets great for gaming and watching videos. good amount of base and footstep foucs for the battle royal games. headset is light and comfy for even when wearing for long gaming but plastic dose feel alittle cheap. I tested the mic when playing twith my son and was clear both ways.
Battery, volume
Great headset has amazing volume and settings to switch between from not only using it on Xbox but the ability to use it as a Bluetooth headset as well. Another positive is the battery life of one charge from it, it last me a full day plus more which I love as I play serval hours of Xbox each day.
Only one negative is speaking to my friends in a party they find it hard sometimes to hear me
Great product, price and service!
Ordered headphones as price was cheaper than anywhere else, item was available for pick collection from store (so no delivery chares) the same day! On arrival, although the store was busy, the staff were friendly, proactive and efficient, and despite a queue I was in and out within a few minutes. Spot on service from start to finish and Headset perfect for my son's next level gaming!
Excellent Sound Quality
I bought this 2 weeks ago and with daily use since, I have to say the sound quality is really good. It was really easy to connect via Bluetooth and the dongle that is included. Voice function works for taking calls on my phone too which is nice touch. The headset sits comfortably on any sized head. My 7 year old nephew had no issues with the fit at all. Overall good value for money.
13 year old gamer is very happy with this purchase
Got these for my son for his gaming PC after a different pair broke. These are great; he says sound quality is fab for both gameplay and chatting with his friends online. His friends have said he’s a lot clearer on the mic than his last headset which was over double the price of these so overall very happy with the product. Nice stylish look too
