Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Gaming Headset Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The new Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 Amplified Gaming Headset is available right now from many major retailers. It’s on Amazon with a very reasonable price tag of £49.99. What’s cool is that it’s available in black, which is the one I reviewed, white, and a cool looking dark blue version too. For a headset that is compatible with PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch & PC, as well as comes with that cool built-in amplification, I think that’s pretty amazing value for money.

Overview

Turtle Beach is one of the most prolific brands when it comes to headsets. They’ve got a vast range of hardware that covers budgets that range from pocket money products right up to enthusiast headsets that cost a few hundred. However, what staggers me most is how much value they can offer for £50. Looking through Amazon (here) there are some properly junk looking products, even from some respectable brands too.

The Turtle Beach Recon 200 was a great headset when it launched three years ago, and it’s remained excellent value for money throughout that time for those that want a bigger sound, without breaking the bank. The new Gen 2 version hasn’t really tinkered with that formula at all, it’s still a plug-and-play powerhouse that works with just about every major device… well, ones with 3.5mm jacks, at least.

The improvements to the design are minor, but they work well, and the headset is just a little more refined and toned down as a result, which I like. The new ear cup padding is a huge step up, as the older one was a little too tough. However, the new one manages to be somewhat breathable and a bit softer to the touch, while still being a fairly tight fit that really helps lock in the sound. It’s not quite a passive padding, it’s more halfway between passive and a sealed leather one. Plus, the glasses friendly design is included, which is awesome.

Should I Buy One?

This headset is pretty hard to beat. At this price range, it’s a clear cut above much of the competition. It’s not the most complex or robust design, but I think that’s reflected in the price. However, for sheer power and punch, with excellent clarity and obviously near-universal device support, they generally make great headphones, a good work chat headset, or even just a gaming headset for those long gaming sessions. For those wanting a more stylish headset, but without the amplification, perhaps pushing your budget to the Turtle Beach Recon 500 is the next step up for you.