Turtle Beach Stealth 500
Turtle Beach
Wireless Freedom Without the Wire-Related Excuses
Cable management is the silent killer of good gaming setups, and nowhere is that more obvious than with a headset cord snagging on an armrest mid-clutch. The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 exists to solve exactly that problem for PS5, PS4, and PC players who want to cut the cord without cutting corners on sound. Turtle Beach built its reputation on console audio, and the Stealth 500 sits in the brand's more accessible tier — a headset engineered to prove that going wireless doesn't have to mean going premium-priced. After putting it through everyday sessions across platforms, here's exactly what you're getting, where it shines, and where you should adjust your expectations.
Design, Build Quality, and How It Feels on Your Head
The Stealth 500 leans into a deliberately minimal look: matte black plastic, a floating headband design, and cushioned ear cups that prioritize function over flash. This isn't a headset trying to win a lighting contest — there's no RGB, no aggressive angular styling. It's built to disappear on your head during a four-hour raid, not to look aggressive on a shelf.
That "floating headband" design matters more than it sounds. Instead of a single padded strap pressing straight down on your skull, a suspension band distributes weight across a wider area, which noticeably reduces the top-of-head pressure that heavier headsets cause after an hour or two. Combined with plush, memory-foam-style ear cushions, the clamping force feels even rather than pinched, and the over-ear cups are sized generously enough to fully enclose most ears without resting uncomfortably on the outer ear.
The headband itself adjusts to fit different head sizes, which is worth checking before you assume "one size fits all" is marketing fluff — it genuinely accommodates a wide range of head shapes without leaving obvious gaps or excessive pressure points.
Where the build quality shows its price point is in the on-ear controls. The physical buttons and dials used for volume, chat-mix, and mode switching are functional but feel like exactly what they are: a cost-conscious construction rather than a premium-tactile experience. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you've used a headset with more refined dial action, you'll notice the difference the first time you reach up to adjust something mid-match.
Getting Connected: 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth 5.2
This is where the Stealth 500 earns its "wireless freedom" framing. Rather than locking you into one connection method, it supports two simultaneously available options:
- 2.4GHz wireless via USB transmitter — the low-latency connection you want for actual gaming, where audio needs to sync tightly with on-screen action
- Bluetooth 5.2 — useful for pairing to a phone, tablet, or laptop for calls, music, or a second audio source
A dedicated switch button lets you toggle between the two connections without digging through menus, so swapping from "gaming on console" to "taking a call on my phone" doesn't require unplugging or re-pairing anything. Setup itself is plug-and-play on PS5 and PS4: insert the USB wireless transmitter, and the headset connects automatically without needing separate software to get up and running. PC users get the same simplicity through the same transmitter.
It's also worth noting that the wireless and Bluetooth connections don't run at the same time — you actively switch between them rather than blending both simultaneously, so you can't game on 2.4GHz while also streaming music over Bluetooth in the background.
Sound Quality and the Superhuman Hearing System
The Stealth 500 uses 40mm speaker drivers, which is a mid-tier size in the gaming headset world — large enough to deliver reasonably full bass and clear mids, without the sheer output of the bigger 50mm-plus drivers found in some pricier Turtle Beach models. In practice, that translates to sound that's punchy and detailed enough for competitive shooters and cinematic single-player games alike, with surround sound processing adding a sense of directionality that helps you place footsteps, gunfire, or environmental cues.
The standout software feature here is Advanced Superhuman Hearing, accessed through Turtle Beach's Swarm II companion app. This isn't just an EQ preset — it's a tuning system specifically designed to boost the frequencies where footsteps, reloads, and other tactical audio cues live, while pulling back on less useful background noise. The app gives you three preset intensity levels, so you can dial in a subtler boost for atmospheric games or crank it up for close-quarters competitive titles where hearing an enemy a half-second earlier actually matters.
Realistically, this feature will matter most to players of competitive shooters and battle royales, where audio cues are a genuine gameplay advantage. If your library leans toward story-driven or slower-paced games, you'll appreciate the surround sound more for immersion than for any tactical edge.
Microphone and Communication Quality
The built-in microphone is one of the areas where the Stealth 500 quietly overdelivers for its price. It's an omni-directional mic with a flip-to-mute mechanism — flip the boom up, and the mic physically disengages, which is both a satisfying tactile way to mute and a reliable one, since you can feel and see that you're muted without checking an app or light indicator.
Voice clarity through the mic is clean enough that your team should have no trouble understanding callouts, even in moderately noisy environments. Combined with adjustable mic monitoring (letting you hear your own voice through the headset so you're not accidentally shouting), it's a communication setup that feels more considered than you'd expect from an entry-level wireless model.
Battery Life, Charging, and What's Actually in the Box
Turtle Beach rates the Stealth 500 for up to 40 hours of battery life per charge. To put that in perspective: if you game for roughly two hours a day, that's potentially a couple of weeks before you need to plug in again. Even heavy users — say, four to five hours daily — are looking at charging roughly once a week rather than nightly. That's a genuinely competitive figure and one of the strongest arguments for choosing this headset over cheaper wireless alternatives that often top out at 15-20 hours.
The headset uses a single built-in rechargeable battery (included), charged via USB-C, with a 0.7-metre USB-A to USB-C cable supplied in the box. Quick-charge support means a short top-up before a session can meaningfully extend your playtime even if you forgot to charge overnight.
The full box contents are:
- Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Gaming Headset
- USB Wireless Transmitter
- 0.7m / 2.3ft USB-A to USB-C charging cable
- Quick Start Guide
Who the Stealth 500 Is Built For
- Multi-platform players who bounce between PS5, PS4, and PC and don't want to buy separate headsets for each, since a single transmitter and Bluetooth cover all three
- Long-session gamers who value not thinking about battery life for days at a time
- Competitive shooter fans who want a genuine audio tool — Superhuman Hearing tuning — rather than just generic "surround sound" marketing
- Comfort-first buyers who game for hours and prioritize a headset that won't leave pressure marks over one with the most premium-feeling hardware
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Xbox owners — this specific version is built for PlayStation and PC. Turtle Beach sells a separate Stealth 500 model for Xbox, so make sure you're buying the correct platform variant
- Audiophiles and sound purists who notice background hiss or subtle audio imperfections and prioritize pristine clarity above all else
- Players who want a wired backup option for when the battery dies, since this headset offers no fallback cable for actual audio use
- Buyers who don't already own a spare USB charger, unless they're prepared to source one separately, since none is included
How It Stacks Up Within Turtle Beach's Own Lineup
Comparing the Stealth 500 to its closest sibling, the Stealth 600, helps frame exactly what you're trading off at this price point.
| Feature | Stealth 500 | Stealth 600 (Gen 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker drivers | 40mm | 50mm |
| Battery life | Up to 40 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Microphone | Omni-directional, flip-to-mute | Larger flip-to-mute mic |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth 5.2 | 2.4GHz wireless (mini-USB transmitter) |
| Positioning | Entry-level multiplatform wireless | Mid-tier, PlayStation-focused |
The pattern here is telling: the Stealth 500 actually out-lasts its nominally higher-numbered sibling on battery life by a wide margin, largely because it's built around efficiency and dual-connectivity flexibility rather than driver size. If raw audio output and driver size matter more to you than marathon battery life or Bluetooth flexibility, the step up in Turtle Beach's range is worth a look. If all-day comfort and not thinking about charging is your priority, the 500 is arguably making the smarter trade-off, not the cheaper one.
Beyond Turtle Beach's own range, the broader budget wireless headset market is genuinely crowded, and most competitors force a choice between long battery life, dual connectivity, and a functional companion app — rarely all three at once. The Stealth 500's combination of 40-hour battery life, simultaneous 2.4GHz-and-Bluetooth flexibility, and a real tactical audio tool in Superhuman Hearing is a harder combination to find below the premium price bracket.
The Honest Trade-Offs
No headset at this price is without compromise, and the Stealth 500 is refreshingly upfront about where its money went. Turtle Beach clearly prioritized battery longevity, comfort, and cross-platform flexibility over premium tactile hardware and pristine audio purity. The result is a headset that will comfortably outlast your gaming sessions and adapt to whatever device you're using that day, but one where you'll notice the plasticky feel of the control dials and, in quiet moments, a faint hiss that pricier headsets manage to engineer away.
The missing charging adapter is a real practical friction point, not a minor footnote — if this is your first wireless headset and you don't already have a spare USB power source lying around, you'll need to budget for one separately or use a console's built-in USB port. Similarly, the lack of any wired fallback mode means battery management, while generous, is not optional; there's no backup plan if you're caught without power.
None of these are surprising compromises for the price bracket the Stealth 500 occupies. They're the kind of trade-offs you'd expect from an entry-level wireless headset, and Turtle Beach has clearly spent its engineering budget on the features that affect daily use — comfort, connectivity, and battery life — rather than on cosmetic polish.
The Final Verdict
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 earns its place as a genuinely sensible pick for PS5, PS4, and PC players who want to go wireless without paying a premium price and without sacrificing the battery life and comfort that make wireless worth it in the first place. Its standout strengths — exceptional battery endurance, dual 2.4GHz-and-Bluetooth connectivity, a reliable flip-to-mute mic, and a genuinely useful Superhuman Hearing tuning system — solve the problems that actually affect daily gaming, rather than chasing spec-sheet bragging rights.
Buy this headset if you want a comfortable, multi-platform wireless solution that you can rely on for days between charges, and you're willing to overlook slightly plasticky controls and an occasional audio hiss in exchange for that convenience. Just remember to have a compatible USB charger on hand before it arrives, since one isn't included in the box — and if you're on Xbox, double check you're ordering the correct platform-specific version before you commit.
What People Say
48 commentsAmazing Sound and Build Quality
I recently got my hands on the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Headset, and I have to say, I'm absolutely blown away! This headset has exceeded all my expectations, and here's why.
First off, the build quality is top-notch. From the moment I unboxed it, I could tell that this headset is built to last. The materials feel premium, and the overall construction is solid. It's comfortable to wear for extended gaming sessions, which is a huge plus for me.
Now, let's talk about the sound quality – it's simply stunning. The audio is crisp and clear, with a rich bass that makes every game feel incredibly immersive. Whether I'm playing on my PS5, PS4, or PC, the sound is consistently amazing. The wireless feature is seamless, with no noticeable lag or drop in quality.
The battery life is also impressive. I can go for hours without needing to recharge, which is perfect for those long gaming marathons. The mic is clear, and my friends have noticed a big improvement in my voice quality during chats.
Overall, the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless Headset is a fantastic investment for any gamer. The build quality and stunning sound make it a standout choice. I couldn't be happier with my purchase!
Wow the sound quality is 10/10
I bought these for my son to play on the switch and ps5, but I was pleasantly surprised to realise that you can also Bluetooth connect to mobiles and tablets which was a bonus. Love how these are wireless. These are super comfortable to wear, they have a floating head band and memory cushions on the ears. This was super easy to connect to my devices and have easy to follow instruction on what the buttons on it are for. These are compatible with PlayStations,pc, Nintendo switch , mobiles and tablets. These have 40 hr battery life which is great for when you travel a lot. These are ultra lightweight when wearing or carrying. 40mm drivers and super human hearing. The sound quality is absolutely amazing and surround sound to the ears the microphone flips so it safely put away when not using. It comes with charging cable and usb wireless transmitter. These are super smart looking as well as being super comfortable
Great quality headphones for gaming experience.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless headphones are very comfortable with crisp sound quality, sleek design and high-performance audio quality. Battery life is great too, one full charge lasts around 40 hours. These headphones can be connected with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, PC and other gaming consoles wirelessly with either Wireless adaptor which comes with the headphones or via Bluetooth. These headphones can also be connected with any smart mobile phones as well via Bluetooth.
Connectivity is simple too but you have to read the instructions before you connect.
These headphones are great choice for gaming experience as it provided great and crisp sound with no lag experience. Also, there is a build in great quality microphone as well.
These headphones are slightly bulky but sound quality is great. Highly recommended for gaming experience.
Amazing sound and battery life
I’ve been using the Turtle Beach Stealth wireless headphones for a couple of weeks now and I’m blown away. The sound quality is crystal clear with deep, punchy bass—perfect for gaming, music, and even movies. What really impressed me is the battery life; I can go days without charging, and even when I do, the quick-charge feature gets me hours of use in just minutes.
They’re comfortable for long sessions, and I love the flip-to-mute mic—super convenient for calls or in-game chat. The wireless connection is rock-solid, and I can easily switch between my console and phone without any hassle.
If you’re looking for a headset that delivers on both sound quality and insane battery performance, this is it. Couldn’t be happier with my purchase!
Solid Headset Highly Recommend
I really like this headset. First thing I noticed was how light the headset was. I really enjoy the feature where you can mute the microphone just by flicking up the microphone and it also beeps as a prompt to let you know when you have muted
The battery life when I first used it on a Saturday it completely turned off on me on a Monday which l think is really good
Another thing that makes me really enjoy this headset is that it uses Type C charging I have so many of those wires around I’m glad it uses the next gen charging port
This headset also uses Bluetooth as well as a wireless dongle provided a you can easily switch with a press of a button so the headset can connect to your phone via Bluetooth or other supported devices.
When
Good Gaming Headset
This is an excellent Gmaing headset for the Playstation or XBox.
Very comfortable ear cups, lightweight with a fantastic sound quality. There is a strap at the top which helps to relieve pressure on your head. The app is quite user friendly and useful to adjust EQ settings. Turns off automatically on no use to save the battery. The battery life on its own is very good as well. The noise cancellation is average but better than most other headsets. The mic produces clear voice for the other person.
Overall an excellent gaming headset to improve the overall gaming experience.
Plug and play Bluetooth headphones
These are probably the easiest to use Bluetooth headphones I have ever had to set up. Using my PS5 it was a case of put in the dongle turn on the headphones and pair. So easy. No every time I put on the PS5 connects automatically. Very comfortable fit over the ears. Breathable with literally no sweat ring after play for two hours. Has an adjustable floating headband, flip up to mute mic that can’t be seen when housed. Easy to adjust volume because of the size with game chat mic volume control too. Overall a good headphone for gaming and comfortable to wear.
Loads of functions
I bought this upgrading from a wired headset and this is so much better, many buttons are hat allow for more precise settings for gaming and even compatible with going from wireless to Bluetooth instantly, only downside is the amount of beeping it does to tell you an input has been made (changing volume or settings) which can get annoying but the headset overall is worth the money with the functions and comfort.
Great headset. The sound is great for gaming.
I bought this a few weeks ago now and it’s great. I wanted a headset that picks up sound well. Particularly so that I can hear which directions opponents footsteps are coming from and how close / far. It also has an option to switch between Bluetooth and wireless mode which is great because I can connect it to my iPhone / TV etc. Sturdy headset with adjustable fit. Great comfort also. Great battery health too.
Not the easiest set up
These headphones look and feel great, very comfortable however I found the set up really difficult on the Nintendo switch and had to find a YouTube video to help me! It's not a simple plug in and your done, you have to pair the transmitter as well which took a few goes to connect. Having said that once it was done, the sound was really good but for the set up I would not buy these again.
Work well. Reliable. Comfortable.
Work great. Sound quality is good, and loud. Comfortable, light weight. Perhaps too light weight as it makes them feel flimsy. Great battery life.
I'd like a way to adjust the fit but the design doesn't really allow for that, relying inatead on supporting them on an elaatic strap over the top of your head. This makes them very confortable but I worry the elastic will periah quickly.
Poor wireless connection
Comfortable and the audio is clear. The mic worlds great too. Unfortunately. The WiFi pairing simply doesn’t work, it drops out all the time and takes 10 seconds to reconnect itself. If you want this for Bluetooth only fine. But it’s worthless on a PlayStation as you can’t hear anything or anyone for half the time. Bought a steel series instead and works perfectly
Awesome headset
Grabbed this headset on black Friday for £50. Result for sure as it's fantastic for the price. Always been a turtle beach fan and never been disappointed. The headset is comfortable even with my glasses on and the sound is great. Can't comment on the mic as I don't online game but would definitely recommend if your looking for a budget headset.
Headset
I brought this for my ps5.
The headset was easy to set up, and it already had a full charge.
The battery life is good, I can where/use these for 8 hours straight without changing up.
Comfort wise, they feel pretty good.
The only downside the headset is a little short for me.
They look good as well.
Fantastic Headset, Crystal Clear Sound
Absolutely brilliant headset! The sound quality is fantastic—crystal clear and really immersive. It's also incredibly comfortable, even after hours of gaming. The wireless connection is seamless and the mic is clear and reliable for chatting with friends. An excellent purchase I'd highly recommend.
Great
Great headphones and mic, used for PC . Nice setup, clear sound and very good with the mic, be able to close mic back into the headphones when not needed mic. No wires , just one wire to charge (USB C) headphones are Comfortable. Great software to download for pc so you can update headphones
So far so good!
Bought a couple weeks ago following some other ones and you can immediately tell the quality is top notch. Lightweight, adjustable with a long battery life and easy to connect to a ps5 at least. Foldable microphone is great and overall has no problems so far. Would recommend
Amazing headset
This headset was bought for my son’s PS5 and he loves them. Said his games are even better as he can hear where people and other players are coming from due to the great sound. Also said they are extremely comfortable. A very happy 10 year old boy indeed.
Comfortable quality headset
This headset is different to previous one, the size is adjusted with a soft elastic strap across the top of the head rather than sliding the hard plastic on both sides. The earpieces are very comfortable, more so than more expensive headsets we've had.
Fab quality and sound
Great quality and sound. My son prefers these to his PlayStation ones, and said the microphone is great. They also feel very solid and well put together with lovely padded ear pieces. Nice size too, they should last him a few years of growing.
