Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Gaming Headset Review

What do you want from a gaming headset? Is a big brand name important to you? Or comfort? Price perhaps? Maybe it’s a rich feature set or the power of audio that is the real draw? All are preferable, but for many it’ll be the battery life – the amount of time you can sit with the headset pumping out sound as you game into the wee hours. 

For those folk, a wired gaming headset would be of the biggest appeal, mostly as direct connection to the controller in hand ensures that power is rarely an issue. However, wired headsets aren’t always going to be for everyone and that is where Turtle Beach come in with their Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX headset. The battery life you are going to get from this monster headset is pretty much second to none. 

It’s been a couple of years since Turtle Beach first pushed their Gen 2 Stealth series headsets to the market, with the Stealth 700 Gen 2 and Stealth 600 Gen 2 both being capable of covering a host of audio bases. But much like they’ve done over the years in order to stay prominent in the gaming headset market, Turtle Beach are continuing to evolve their range and with the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX, they’ve really gone to town. 

We’re not sure there’s much missing from the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX as the standard 600 Gen 2 was already a headset that we could easily recommend. This one ups the ante again though, with the MAX moniker really hammering home what is included. 

The big talking point is the number of hours of charge you’re going to be getting from the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX – the 48+ hours that Turtle Beach have promised is nothing short of ridiculous. We’re not sure there’s another headset on the market that can compete in terms of those numbers, with Turtle Beach’s own step up – the recently announced 700 MAX – not even able to up it either. 

What this means is that, once charged, you’ll rarely worry about losing audio connection to your favourite games and will hardly ever find yourself dropping out of an Xbox party due to headset power issues. We guess you could even sit there and game for days on end with no concern, but that’s not something we’d recommend – you gotta eat and sleep you know!

Of course, there could be concern that the big 48+ hours of power is just marketing talk and that in real world use you’ll rarely find the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX capable of hitting those numbers. Honestly, we don’t think Turtle Beach are far off. We’ve not nerded out enough to stick the MAX on a constant loop and, frankly, have better things to do than game for 48 hours straight, but have found that this is a headset that is more than capable of being at the ready at all times, with just quick short bursts of charging time keeping things topped up. 

But things get better still and whilst the previous Stealth 600 Gen 2 had full sync with your Xbox console, the 600 MAX goes multiplatform. Even though it is officially licensed by Microsoft as an Xbox headset, a simple USB stick ensures connection to the device of your choice, with a little switch actioning the swap from an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S to the likes of a PlayStation, a Nintendo Switch or a PC. Through use we’ve found this wireless connection to be super solid and not once have we noticed any form of drop between console and headset. Turtle Beach know what is needed for a headset to shine and whether it’s wired or wireless, rarely do they miss a beat. 

With it being a wireless offering, all the usual buttons and features that you’d need are also in place. Mostly situated on the left ear cup (in fact, the right cup is bereft of any function), is a USB-C power port for when that battery does eventually run down, a power button, a Mode button and independent chat and master volume dials to ensure that optimum audio is always delivered. The power button doubles up as a switch for Turtle Beach’s now standard Superhuman Hearing equaliser whilst the Mode cycles through a variety of audio presets. All are easy to reach and action. 

The only real issue here is the charging cable that comes boxed. This is a USB-A to USB-C option, letting you remove the USB stick and charge the headset from your console. We’ve found this to be a little short, preferring to use our Excitrus 100w Power Bank or standard USB-C laptop charger for sticking a little more juice into the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX. 

As a gaming headset, the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX also comes with an integrated mic, with this working a flip-to-mute angle. Again, if there is anyone who knows anything about creating a gaming headset it’s the TB gang and the mic here is great. There’s little to no flex available on it and it’s not like the boom is massively long, but it more than does the job needed to ensure that you and your teammates are able to communicate across the gaming battlefields. 

Crystal clear chat is easily sorted by the mic and superb audio is happily pumped through the 50mm drivers that are found in the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX’s earcups. There’s little to worry about in terms of the audio provided here, no matter how much you turn the volume up. 

You will find that the headset is typical Turtle Beach fare in terms of how the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX looks. Slightly plasticky when you consider it alongside more premium brands and Turtle Beach’s own higher ranges, it’s not the most standout of headsets in terms of feel in the hand and look on the head. Yes everything works well, the headband is well padded, the adjustability is a cinch and the swivelling material covered earcups feel nice. It just screams Turtle Beach – whether that is for you or not will be of personal taste. 

But let’s not get away from the main selling point and when you come to market with a wireless gaming headset that promises more than 48 hours of battery life, there’s very little that would be of concern. When you then include the usual standard Turtle Beach quality in terms of the audio in (and out) and ease of use, things just get better still. 

The one thing that may need to be considered prior to purchase of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX is of Turtle Beach’s own doing – the Stealth 700 MAX is just around the corner. It may limit you to ‘only’ 40+ hours of power, but if the previous Stealth 700 Gen 2 is anything to go by, the improved material quality and integrated Bluetooth technology could mean this is worth holding tight for. 

Huge thanks go out to Turtle Beach for providing us with the Stealth 600 Gen 2 MAX Headset for full review. Hit Turtle Beach up direct to grab a unit for yourself. It’ll cost you £129.99.