Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3: A Brief 2-Minute Review
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 serves as a wireless gaming headset that works across multiple platforms due to its Bluetooth capabilities along with the inclusion of two USB dongles.
Although it mostly lacks common gaming features – such as RGB lighting, for example – it remains quite noticeable due to its extra-wide side panels. Therefore, this isn't really a headset designed for easy transportation. Almost every aspect of it is focused on providing an immersive experience. best PC gaming headsets Out there, it has a smaller profile compared to this.
Fortunately, it isn't as cumbersome as it appears, though some players might opt for a lighter model. In my case, this wasn't a concern with the Stealth 700 Gen 3. However, what did bother me was the absence of cushioning on the headband, leading to discomfort even during brief periods of use.
The comfort around the ears has improved significantly. The earcups offer ample cushioning, so people who wear glasses won't face issues either. However, my main concern is their considerable size; they didn’t sit securely enough for vigorous movement despite fitting well with regular head motions. Nonetheless, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 remain stable during typical head movements.
The overall craftsmanship is also quite commendable, despite not all the materials being top-tier. The folding microphone is a thoughtful addition, crafted just as well, featuring a smooth open mechanism and providing ample steadiness when deployed.
The Stealth 700 Gen 3 features four buttons, enabling numerous quick settings changes. Additionally, this device includes three scroll wheels: two dedicated to adjusting volumes separately from Bluetooth devices and transmission sources. This setup lets you enjoy music or answer calls via your smartphone simultaneously with gaming sounds coming from your computer or console.
Additional adjustments can be made using the Turtle Beach Swarm 2 peripheral software on PCs, enabling more precise settings for output and input along with the option to reassign functions to the Mode button and one of the wheels; however, these customization features have certain limitations.
The audio performance excels for gaming as well as various types of leisure activities like enjoying music and viewing media. Every frequency range remains crisp and balanced, and the Bass Boost function delivers richer bass tones without compromising the overall fidelity; however, some minor distortions might occur at louder levels. In terms of voice capture, the mic isn’t outstanding, yet it provides sufficient clarity for everyday use, complemented by an effective noise gate that minimizes background noises.
The Stealth 700 Gen 3 pairs swiftly using the wireless transmitter and Bluetooth, and they function together seamlessly. Nonetheless, I encountered sporadic signal drops when used with a PC; determining if the problem lies with the headphones themselves or my specific configuration is unclear. If the issue resides within the headset, perhaps it could be resolved through future updates.
The battery life is outstanding and aligns well with Turtle Beach’s claimed 80 hours, as I used it for a few days through both Bluetooth and the transmitter across various gaming platforms, yet it only lost around 5-10% of its charge.
It occupies a mid-range position in terms of pricing, costing approximately the same as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro , which stands out among top wireless gaming headsets. Nonetheless, this headset includes additional features not found in the Stealth 700 Gen 3 and surpasses it in nearly all aspects. Additionally, we have the Epos H3 It’s one of the top affordable gaming headsets available; however, you’ll need to accept that it has a wired connection.
Although these gaming headsets may provide greater value, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 comes close. At this pricing level, it performs impressively well, delivering audio quality that exceeds expectations for its category. Some minor discomforts and ease-of-use concerns do arise; however, considering the cost, I don't believe they significantly impact overall satisfaction.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 review: cost and accessibility
- $199.99 / £179.99 /AU$399.95
- Now available in three different colors
- Middle-tier pricing for a gaming headset
The Stealth 700 Gen 3 has a price tag of $199.99 / £179.99 / AU$399.95 and is currently available in three colors: Black, White, and Cobalt Blue. Despite offering different compatibility choices for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, each version comes at an identical cost.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, among the best wireless gaming headsets In our opinion, it offers the same pricing (or even a bit lower in the UK). The headset boasts excellent audio and microphone quality, along with impressive construction. It comes with additional adjustments and personalization options compared to the Stealth 700 Gen 3, including support for THX Spatial Audio. Additionally, its battery performance is outstanding, which makes it hard to surpass at this particular price range.
If your aim is to significantly reduce costs for a gaming headset, the Epos H3 is among the options worth considering. best wired gaming headsets It circles around and is available at a substantial markdown off its initial cost. In our opinion, this headset delivers outstanding audio quality along with excellent comfort within its price range. There’s also a wireless version offered; however, it comes with a higher price tag.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Review: Features
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Review: Design and Features
- Very bulky
- Plenty of physical adjustments
- Several helpful attributes and personalization options
The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 has a fairly understated design, avoiding the overly flashy look common in many gaming headsets; it doesn’t feature any RGB illumination. Nonetheless, it is notably large, featuring exceptionally broad drivers—possibly the widest I've encountered on a gaming headset—which means it remains far from inconspicuous.
It feels well-constructed despite this. Although it may not use top-tier materials, the components seem quite sturdy and are assembled nicely. The flip-down microphone is a thoughtful addition; its hinge operates smoothly and provides good stability when in place. Nevertheless, even though the Stealth 700 Gen 3 doesn't weigh as much as expected, individuals who prefer lighter headsets ought to be aware that it is somewhat heavier compared to others in its category.
The padding around the ears is quite substantial, enhancing the overall comfort when using the headset. Turtle Beach explicitly notes that the Stealth 700 Gen 3 model accommodates glasses without causing discomfort, and based on personal experience, I confirm they do indeed prevent any pain or tiredness even when worn over the temples of eyeglasses.
These cushions have a distinctive shape that roughly mimics the curve of an actual earlobe. In my experience, this design performed reasonably well. However, they might be slightly oversized for some users; additionally, because the headband is fairly broad, they do not sit as snugly as those on other headphones, though this issue becomes noticeable mainly during active movement. Their generous size suggests they would likely suit various ear shapes and sizes effectively.
Adjusting the height for the driver is simple but doesn’t shift unintentionally. Additionally, these drivers can turn 90 degrees, which makes it convenient to wear them hanging around your neck. On the downside, the headband isn't as comfy. Although the cushion seems soft at first glance, it squashes down very quickly. This means the firmer part beneath ends up pressing against the crown of your head, leading to discomfort even during brief listening sessions.
On both controllers, several buttons are available: the CrossPlay toggle allows switching between the dual transmitters (with one designated for Xbox and another for other systems). Additionally, there’s a Bluetooth button along with a Mode button to cycle through different audio settings. However, unlike certain Razer headsets, this controller fails to provide an audible cue indicating the current mode selection.
Tapping the power button can activate the Superhuman Hearing mode as well; however, occasionally it did not function correctly, forcing me to turn off and then restart the headset for the button to become effective again.
Interestingly, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 comes equipped with three scroll wheels: one wheel adjusts the balance between game audio and voice chat, whereas the remaining two manage different volumes—one for Bluetooth connections and another for wired transmitter inputs. Although this might appear excessive at first glance, these controls actually highlight a distinctive feature of the headset—simultaneous output from both Bluetooth and wired transmission sources can be adjusted separately using each volume dial.
This implies that you'll need to familiarize yourself with the placement of every dial whenever you wish to make real-time modifications. Fortunately, however, these dials are compact enough not to overcrowd the design, making them simple to handle after you can find their positions, thus offering seamless and precise tweaks.
With Turtle Beach’s Swarm 2 software, you can only reallocate one wheel. This allows you to tweak settings such as microphone monitoring volume, chat level, bass enhancement, treble boost, or the threshold for the noise gate on the microphone.
Swarm 2 provides additional customization options and adjustments. The previously mentioned Mode button can also be reallocated, though the sole alternative function aside from its standard use is enabling the noise gate.
Swarm 2 offers several pre-set sound options such as Bass Boost, Bass and Treble Boost, and Vocal Boost. Each of these settings allows for customization—alternatively, you may design your own profile—by adjusting ten distinct frequencies within a range of 9 decibels, spanning from 32 Hz to 16 kHz. Thus, you have ample opportunity to fine-tune the audio according to your liking.
Additionally, there is an option known as Superhuman Hearing, aimed at amplifying specific audio cues within the game like footsteps and gunfire. Regarding microphone configurations, you have the ability to tweak the pickup sensitivity, monitor volume, and noise gate—these are key adjustments for optimizing your voice inputs.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Review: How Does It Perform?
- Impressive sound
- Passable microphone
- Some connectivity issues
I was largely pleased with the audio performance of the Stealth 700 Gen 3. The sound across all frequencies remains crisp and well-balanced, and the Bass and Treble Boost mode noticeably amplifies the lower range without becoming overwhelming, making it excellent for both gaming sessions and enjoying music. However, this boost might lead to some distortion at higher volumes, though simply reducing the volume level slightly takes care of that issue readily. In contrast, I didn’t find the Vocal Boost feature very practical because it notably diminishes the overall clarity of the sound quality.
The Superhuman Hearing mode proved helpful in some situations, but I generally opted to keep it disabled. While playing Counter-Strike 2 The footsteps setting made these sounds more pronounced, albeit at the expense of degrading the overall audio quality. Similarly, the gunshot setting failed to enhance the clarity of gunfire sounds. Enabling both Bass and Treble Boost offered the most satisfying experience for me, delivering crisp audio with significant depth and richness.
The built-in microphone offers decent sound quality but falls short when it comes to delivering crystal-clear vocals. However, the noise gate function works well and effectively eliminates background noises you'd rather not hear.
Connecting to a PC through the USB transmitter is just like plug-and-play. Similarly, linking up with consoles is equally straightforward. best PS5 headsets and best Nintendo Switch headsets Setting up Bluetooth with my phone was straightforward, and I didn't notice any noticeable difference in audio quality. I experienced no problems when gaming on my PC using the dongle and simultaneously enjoying music streamed from my Google Pixel 7a via Bluetooth.
Nonetheless, the Stealth 700 Gen 3 may require a few seconds to reestablish connection with a PC upon waking from sleep mode. Additionally, I encountered several unexpected disconnections from my PC following an unexplained beep from the headset.
The problem might be originating from my personal computer instead of the Stealth 700 Gen 3; however, similar issues have not arisen with other gaming headsets I've used. Fortunately, I managed to restore the audio promptly. Hopefully, an upcoming firmware update could resolve things if the issue stems from the headset itself.
Positively speaking, the battery life of the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is impressive; Turtle Beach’s claimed 80 hours seems accurate since it only dropped by about 5-10% after several days of intermittent use.
Should I purchase the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 headphones?
Buy it if...
You're looking for excellent gaming sound. The audio from the Stealth 700 Gen 3 is crisp and powerful, ideal for both gaming sessions and enjoying music, with the Bass Boost enhancing the overall sound quality even more.
You desire numerous physical modifications.
Featuring four buttons alongside at least three scroll wheels, tweaking different configurations during gameplay becomes quite simple.
Don't buy it if...
Your head is quite sensitive. Although I found the earpads quite comfy, the headband lacks sufficient padding, leading to discomfort and pain.
You prefer something subtle... in all aspects. The Stealth 700 Gen 3 is notably one of the bulkiest gaming headsets I've come across, so if you prefer something slim and unobtrusive, this model won't be suitable for you.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Review: Consider This Too
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro stands out among top-tier gaming headsets because it excels across all areas: comfort, durability, superior audio quality, advanced features, and an extended battery life. Priced similarly to the Stealth 700 Gen 3, this model may hold a slight advantage due to its comprehensive performance benefits.
Read our full Review of Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
Epos H3 For those operating with a strict budget, we believe the Epos H3 stands out as the top choice for a wired gaming headset due to its exceptional audio quality and comfort, which exceed expectations at this price point. Additionally, there is a wireless version of the same model; however, it comes with a higher cost.
Read our full Epos H3 review
The Way I Put the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 Through Its Paces
- Tested for several days
- Used on multiple platforms
- Extensive gaming experience
I put the Stealth 700 Gen 3 through various tests over multiple days, using it for gaming, enjoying music, and viewing videos. During this period, I connected it to different devices including a Windows 10 computer, a PS5 , and a Nintendo Switch I linked up with these systems using both the wireless USB transmitter and Bluetooth whenever possible.
I played games like Counter-Strike 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl , where precise audio quality and clear vocals are crucial. I also captured my own voice to assess the microphone’s performance.
I've been into gaming for more than two decades, trying out countless headphones from different manufacturers at all price levels. Additionally, I have conducted reviews of several gaming headset models before.
- First reviewed February 2025.
- Read more about how we test
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