The Turtle Seashore Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max has a relatively cumbersome identify, however a whole lot of that comes from this headset’s pedigree, an improve to a second-generation wi-fi headset that’s probably the greatest in its class. It’s dearer, but in addition outright higher – and it’s considered one of my favourite gaming headsets in the marketplace proper now.

By way of its core function set, this new Max mannequin is basically just like the unique Stealth 700 Gen 2. It builds on a number of years and different fashions of Turtle Seashore headset, and in consequence it’s fairly rattling sharp in all of the metrics that matter.

It’s comfy and will be worn for hours, for example. It feels about as sturdy as a light-weight, wi-fi headset will be, and appears constructed to face up to the standard-issue put on and tear that’ll come from placing it on, hurriedly ripping it off, and tossing it to at least one facet of the couch – although I clearly wouldn’t precisely need to sit on it.

I’m a giant fan specifically of the supplies used for the headset and of its design, which I really feel does a reasonably good job of bridging ‘gamer’ aesthetics, however with out over-the-top RGB lighting and a shouty, edgy aesthetic that’d make this one thing you wouldn’t need to put on out in public. That’s necessary, too – this headset has each console and bluetooth capabilities, which suggests you should use it for gaming, but in addition as a headset whilst you’re out and about, for music, taking calls, or transportable gaming on a telephone or different machine.

The most important change on this new ‘Max’ variation is definitely to the headset’s battery life, with Turtle Seashore claiming that the set can final for over 40 hours. A few exams in VG247’s extremely unscientific lab do reveal this determine to be correct – placing it somewhat means beneath another normal wi-fi headsets, however in the direction of the top-end of gaming-specific units. Even in case you do run out of cost, it’s acquired fast charging, that means plugging it in by way of USB-C for ten or fifteen minutes will get you wherever as much as seven or eight hours’ of motion.

Comfort is the secret, actually. The battery life is handy. So too is the connectivity. There’s broad compatibility right here, with the headset’s full suite of options suitable with all Xbox One and Xbox Collection consoles, PS4, PS5, Change, telephones, PCs, together with the Steam Deck. Connecting is available in considered one of two kinds – bluetooth, or a USB dongle that connects the headset over a 2.4GHz wi-fi sign.

Let’s discuss dongle first. I examined this on each Xbox (which is what the headset I examined is primarily marketed as being for), PS5, and PC, and every time it linked rapidly and painlessly to the machine. This must also theoretically work on a docked Change, and even on Steam Deck with a USB adapter. The dongle has a selected ‘Xbox’ mode, which unlocks further advantages on that platform, however it works elsewhere, too – simply flick the swap on the dongle to ‘USB’.

Nonetheless, the opposite methodology is simply as viable: Bluetooth. That is suitable with all the above too, although you may get extra options on sure gadgets with the dongle. One helpful little function is the flexibility to have each Bluetooth and Dongle connections without delay – so you can pair your telephone and take calls with out interrupting your sport audio, with the quantity rigorously leveled between the 2 audio sources. It additionally permits you to rise up, depart your gaming session, and stroll out of the door along with your headset nonetheless going to take heed to music or a podcast in your telephone. This can be a area of interest function, however one I actually respect.

All of this combines with that hefty battery life and different sensible design modifications, similar to a better-padded headband, to create an general significantly better headset. My largest destructive, the truth is, stays the obtainable software program on PC and cellular – which is nice on paper, however just a bit bit garbage in observe. If Turtle Seashore desires to supply additional software program to energy up its headsets, it must be good, dependable, and broadly suitable. Proper now, it isn’t. Fortunately, the headset works simply fantastic with out.

I discovered the headset first rate at blocking out the noises of the world, although once I had it turned up loud I did get a noise leakage criticism from my associate – so possibly don’t flip these up too loud on the prepare, and if not disturbing others when it’s loud is a precedence, hold that in thoughts.

Sound high quality is king, in fact. Coming from Turtle Seashore, what to anticipate: it’s good. Certainly one of this firm’s strengths is punching above its value class by way of sound high quality – however this headset is on the costly facet, and so has much less of that. At $200/£180 it’s function wealthy, nevertheless, and actually has a premium high quality really feel that’s troublesome to return by within the gaming area. That value places it round $50 greater than its non-max predecessor – however a slew of smaller tweaks and upgrades, together with the expanded battery, are price that punt.

None of that is to say the sound high quality is dangerous, although – it’s definitely worth the money. It has 7.1 encompass sound, is suitable with Dolby Atmos, and likewise works with PS5’s 3D audio function. Its built-in microphone is first rate sufficient for on-line play, although you’re unlikely to need to podcast with it – you need to get a devoted mic for that. I am keen on that the mic mutes itself whenever you flick it up, out of your sight – this can be a intelligent different to a bodily mute button.

The value feels somewhat excessive, however I truly suppose this is likely to be my favourite of all the Turtle Seashore headsets I’ve reviewed through the years. It’s an actual high quality piece of substances – as long as you’ve acquired the finances. It’s a simple suggestion and addition to our checklist of the Greatest Gaming Headsets.

Examined on Xbox Collection X, Collection S, PC (Home windows 10), Cell (Google Pixel 6), Nintendo Change, and PS5. A headset was offered by the producer for check.