I’ve previously looked at the Xbox version of the Stealth 500 headset in 2025. However, I cannot resist a new product, especially one that is designed for a modern console. Accordingly, when Turtle Beach offered me the Stealth 500 headset for Nintendo Switch 2, I was never going to say no!
This recently released headset has been designed with the Switch 2 in mind. However, it is also compatible with any Bluetooth device. Therefore, you can use it as your day-to-day commuting headset or with your Steam Deck or other mobile gaming consoles. It is worth noting that this has a USB-C transmitter for the best gaming experience. Subsequently, Switch 2 gamers are going to appreciate the design quality, comfort, and responsive audio outputs for their FPS and other gaming needs.
What’s in the box of the Stealth 500 headset?
- The packaging is vibrant, informative, and easy on the eye. Moreover, it can be recycled.
- The Stealth 500 headset has a flip-to-mute microphone and a refined design. There are audio controls on the earphones, and the large earcups are glasses-friendly.
- A USB-C cable is provided to charge the headset.
- Connect wirelessly with the USB transmitter.
- Learn the basics with the user manual.
Technical aspects.
If you love wireless gaming, you’ll adore the Stealth 500 headset. This headset offers extremely low-latency audio pickup for the most extreme gaming situations. Think COD Modern Warfare, and you know what to expect. The USB-C transmitter is the best way to enjoy this experience, but if you wish to move to Bluetooth mode, this can be done with the click of a button. This versatile approach is fantastic if you want seamless connectivity between compatible devices.
Wireless gaming has many advantages, but charging your devices can be a nightmare. Luckily, this headset offers up to 40 hours of battery life when the volume is set to around 70%. Additionally, it has a quick charging facility to get you back in the game with limited interruptions.
High-quality headsets are judged on their audio quality (more on this in a moment) and microphone technology. The latter was extremely good. The omnidirectional microphone has pinpoint accuracy, and your team communication benefits from the crystal-clear voice pickup. Furthermore, it has a flip-to-mute mode to keep your private conversations private. The 40mm drivers are complemented by Turtle Beach’s preinstalled EQ profiles and superhuman hearing. These sound boosts are great to get the best out of the headset and to give you a match-winning edge in adrenaline-pumping games.
Finally, you can download the Swarm II app free of charge to alter any of the settings for your headset. This was easy to use, and the UI was intuitive. Although I stuck with the preset profiles, I appreciated the opportunity to customise things to my needs.
Audio quality.
The Stealth 500 headset is available for around £80, and this price point normally leads to some give and take when it comes to build or audio quality. Thankfully, this isn’t the case, as this headset delivers a nicely rounded soundscape for gaming, music, and TV and film. No matter how much I pushed the volume, the headset never faltered. There was no echo, crackling, or poor audio quality. Additionally, it was easy to identify each key tonal range.
If you are not happy with the plug-and-play design, you can adjust your settings in the Swarm II app. However, I liked the strong bass and the crisp range of tones. The low, mid, and high elements were easy to pick out, and none of them felt shallow or lacking in power. Moreover, everything is nicely balanced, and the addition of superhuman hearing makes playing FPS games an immersive experience.
Build quality.
Audio quality is one thing, but comfort while gaming for hours is something altogether different. If your headset squeezes your head, adds pressure to your skull, or is unsuitable for glasses, it is a nightmare. The Stealth 500 headset suffers from none of these things! The headband has a nice support arch to reduce that horrible top-heavy feeling. Moreover, the large earcups are made from plush, memory foam cushions to deliver perfect pressure consistently. If you wear glasses, you won’t feel temple pressure. The earcups are designed to reduce pressure and are ideal for glasses wearers.
The earcups are also designed with simplicity in mind. The tactile buttons are easy to locate, and adjusting your settings on the fly is easy. This makes it a superb headset if you want to play with things during heated gaming moments.
If you are a gamer who is a little heavy-handed, you may worry about damaging your accessories. Thankfully, the hardened case and moving parts are built to last. This makes it the perfect option for younger gamers who lack awareness or those who are guilty of rage quitting.
Is the Stealth 500 headset worth it?
Turtle Beach are renowned for exceptional gaming peripherals. Unsurprisingly, this affordable mid-point headset doesn’t disappoint. The audio is powerful and well considered. The microphone also delivers strong voice pickup for clear communication. If you then consider the free-to-download app, the durable build quality, and the low-latency audio for Nintendo Switch 2 via the transmitter, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Accordingly, it is an incredible gaming peripheral, and I recommend buying one here!
(More information on Turtle Beach can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! A sample was provided for an unbiased and free review!)
