If you search for gaming headsets less than $100, you need to be ready to get a cheap-made, low-quality product probably. Luckily, today manufacturers are wise in designing their products.
They know the demands of users and want to bring out gaming headsets that are affordable and high-quality. In this comparison review, we take a look at two fantastic gaming headsets that are wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is the two units we will be looking at in this review. The performance of the Arctis 1 and the Stealth 600 are more or less quite similar.
The sound profiles are sublime, but the Stealth 600 comes with more life in it. Sadly, the software is not very user-friendly or helpful either. The Arctis 1 is one of the best units in the market since 2016.
Though this is a mid-range version of the SteelSeries product lineup, we do not know to expect the maker to infuse cuts in an otherwise outstanding product. The design of the Arctis 1 is solid and does not feel cheap at all.
The amplifier on the Arctis 1 is also good and offers you with immense power. It comes with a dongle that you can use for minimum latency. They are comfortable to use and come with a well-balanced audio performance.
It has a 6-band EQ in the software that is very good in performance and usability. Additionally, the boom microphone works fantastic, and the battery life runs for 25 hours wirelessly. The Stealth 600 wireless is another exceptional product coming with all the features infused in it.
Its sound is quite nicely balanced, and the battery working is exceptional. They are quite comfortable to have on. Sadly, it comes with a massive and plastic design. We were not impressed by that.
It also comes with few features that you can customize to most of the mid-range gaming units. The unit works fantastic with most consoles and is quite similar to the features you can find in the Turtle product lineage.
 |  |
|---|---|
| STEELSERIES ARCTIS 1 | TURTLE BEACH STEALTH 600 |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| The headset provides you with accurate audio performance. It comes with a mighty boom microphone. You can use it with all consoles. The unit has a colossal battery life of 25 hours. The product is reasonably priced under $150. | It offers balanced sound when gaming. The microphone is extravagant. It has low latency non-Bluetooth connection. Stealth 600 is compatible with the latest platform. The price of the headset is under $100. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Few users felt that plastic design looks a bit cheap. | The unit has a low latency wireless connection. |
| SPECIFICATIONS | ARCTIS 1 | STEALTH 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset | Stealth 600 Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset |
| Brand | SteelSeries | Turtle Beach |
| Connection Type | Wireless | Wireless |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi |
| True Wireless | No | Yes |
| Built-In Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Carrying Case | No | No |
| Microphone Features | Detachable, Noise cancelling | Noise cancelling |
| Headphone Fit | Over-the-Ear | Over-the-Ear |
| Adjustable Headband | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 15 hours |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 year limited |
DESIGN & COMFORT
The design of the Arctis 1 is solid. By that, we mean it comes massive and can fit on large size heads with ease. However, you may have a problem when fitting it. The main issue here was the notches, as they are very rigid.
The model could have come with an elastic headband. It can be a struggle to find the right kind of fitting on your head. But the device was comfortable to wear thanks due to the padding in the earcups.
They did not press too hard on your ears. Besides, we did not find the headband too heavy on the head. We did not find a lot of difference between the Arctis 1 wired and the wireless foam on the earcups.
They come with a matte completion that is quite sleek. Though it is primarily made up of plastic, the pilots do not feel too strong. As they are wireless, you do not have to be concerned about the wires hanging around your face.
The design on the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is sublime. We felt that it has the capability of providing you with a comparable plan to other Turtle headsets. Yes, they come made from plastic material.
They also have a matte completion. But the earcups have reflective features in them, making them elegant in appearance. We liked the stripes across the earcups as they give it an aggressive look.
They are lightweight, and the headband is cushioned well so that it does not tighten its grip at the center of your head. This happens most of them with even top-end headsets. It can be very annoying for gamers as they need to wear it for few hours at least.
We liked the lattice texture that covers the cushion giving it a sublime and smooth texture. You will be happy to know that it is breathable. The only difference between the two models would be the color tones.
The Arctis 1 comes in black & white color as the color options. The Stealth 600 comes in black and blue color options. Besides, there are 3 more color combinations to choose from. All in all, both the units excelled in the design & comfort segment.
BUILD QUALITY
The Arctis 1 wireless comes to build with plastic and does not come with an aluminum frame, unlike most SteelSeries premium units. It has a plastic band with having a cushion made from leatherette.
The unit has airweave fabric padding that ensures the headset remains soft and does not get heated up soon. We felt that the unit is comfortable for playing lengthy gaming sessions. The headset fits ideally on your ears much better than the wired unit.
Of course, they provide a seal under the ear. In other words, the build quality is the same as that of the wired unit. The matte finish can be removed, enabling it to be replaced if it gets broken. The build is designed with plastic, and the headband appears nicely padded.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is made from a breathable material. The texture is also made from ample padding, ensuring that it is comfortable to wear for long hours. We liked the fact that they can form a decent seal around your ears.
However, your ears tend to become warm quicker than most units available in the market. This is similar to the Turtle Beach Recon 200. They form a steady fit around your ears. The body design is sublime and robust to last you few years.
They can withstand a few falls not getting damaged. When you wear spectacles or have long hair, you do not have to worry about the comfort, design, or build, because they fit in sublimely. Overall, the design and build of both models are fantastic.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
The unit provides accurate sound than other headsets in its own product lineup. We felt a slight dip at 2KHz. It can extract neutral audio from a wide frequency spectrum. The sound profile on the SteelSeries Arctis 1 is just right for the price.
This is a mid-range unit, and we could clearly hear the overemphasis given in the bass output. It also comes with an additional punch few people might consider. They are a sublime choice for music and games.
However, they are quite steady for many consumers, so your experience might most likely be the same. The sound profile in the Arctis 1 is punchy and comes with plenty of life. We felt that the low bass requires some zing in it.
We loved the fact that it comes with an exceptionally high pitch. Though the reaction is acceptable, it may dull voices at times in games. Overall, it depends on the fitting on your head. Some of you wearing glasses or having long hair may experience slight variations in the sound experience.
But most of us, when tested it found the fitting and the sound profile good. We want to mention that the conversations using Discord were superb. Thanks to the fact that the unit is Discord certified. You can feel the immense clarity in the voice calls.
We highly recommend this unit because of that. When compared to most units in the market, this one instantly recognized the headset quicker.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 comes with a phenomenal sound profile. When you are playing games, you can hear everything audibly. You do not want to verify the auditory masking that makes minor noises like footsteps difficult.
MICROPHONE PERFORMANCE
The Arctis 1 comes with an exceptionally high pitch. Though the reaction is acceptable, it may dull voices at times in games. Overall, it depends on the fitting on your head. Some of you wearing glasses or having long hair may experience slight variations in the sound experience.
But most of us, when tested it found the fitting and the sound profile good. We want to mention that the conversations using Discord were superb. Thanks to the fact that the unit is Discord certified. You can feel the immense clarity in the voice calls.
We highly recommend this unit because of that. When compared to most units in the market, this one instantly recognized the headset quicker. We felt that the sound intensity of the Stealth 600 deviates from most gaming headsets in the market, as they are focused on the bass.
You can hear the explosions that can eventually get it in the way of your gaming. The unit is also loaded with EQ presets, enabling you to use them how you want to. We loved how they sounded.
Its sound profile offers the bass boost option, allowing the headset to provide you with an intense vocal boost option.
COMPATIBILITY
This model that is an update to the earlier unit is mainly suitable for the gaming console owners, Nintendo Switch. We do want to mention here that the USB-based product could only work when the console was docked.
Thanks to the wireless option, you can now effortlessly connect to any device or gaming console of your choice. Users need to choose between docked and undocked play. All you need to do is use the dongle and attach it to the bottom of the Switch.
The unit’s microphone is also proactive, helping you hear what you say at the other end. It is helpful for remote gaming headsets and comes with excellent low inactivity. The microphone is good and never comes short of details in the voice.
Besides, we loved the customization features available on it. You will appreciate that the battery runs for 25 hours or more on this wireless gadget. We liked the feature on the headset where the controls are placed adequately.
It comes with a volume wheel that is quite simple to use. Users can make use of the force button that is similar to the control button. The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is a well-balanced wireless connection.
It comes with features that are customizable to units in the market. The Stealth 600 is a superb choice for remote gaming, but we cannot say the same for video watching or listening to music. The microphone is good, thanks to the low dormancy.
PRICE
Gaming peripherals can be a costly affair. Many times, gamers find themselves in the crossfire choosing two excellent gaming headsets that cost the same. However, the Arctis 1 and the Stealth 600 do not cost the same.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 wireless unit is priced under $150. It is reasonably priced, and you stand to get a discount during sales season. The price of the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 surround sound is under $100. Will the difference of $50 make consumers sway to the Stealth 600?
We think not because the Arctis 1 is a sublime gaming headset that comes with a barrage of sound options. The Stealth 600 wireless headset is good for its price. But you can get a lot more having the Arctis 1 in your hands.
Verdict
Unfortunately, this is the end of our comparison review. We hope you found the post on the SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Turtle Beach Stealth 600 helpful in making a choice. We were able to get their audit score, and hence we are sharing them with you.
The Arctis 1 wireless was able to garner 7.1, and Stealth 600 managed to get 7.2. Typically, gaming headsets work to score 7.2. However, this should not come as a significant factor in our decision for the winner.
The Arctis 1 wireless are average units that come in handy for mixed-use. They are meant for gaming purposes. It may not be suitable for listening to music or watching movies. The microphone is good, the audio reproduction was sublime, and the design was outstanding.
The Turtle Beach Stealth 600 wireless unit performance is similar to the Arctis 1 headset. It comes with bass and offers you consistent performance. The unit has a spectacular battery life, a great microphone, and awesome audio performance.
But it comes with less latency for entertainment purposes and may not impress you there. Sadly, it does not have Bluetooth support either. Besides, the design is quite massive that makes them not very suitable for sports or commuting.
On that note, our winner in this comparison review would be the Arctis 1 wireless unit. The design was flawless, the audio performance was acceptable, and the features were good. It is priced under $150, while the Stealth 600 wireless unit is priced at $100, which may sway you towards the latter.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.