A wired headset that also has a built-in battery? That’s the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2.
An updated version of Turtle Beach’s best-selling Recon 200 gaming headset, it may seem strange that the Gen 2 has an on and off switch as well as a 12-hour battery when you still have to plug it into your controller or other device via a 3.5mm jack. But the reason for it is actually simple – this wired headset packs in some very useful features that are only possible thanks to a bit of extra juice. And still priced at £49.99, that make it a very good proposition indeed.
Open the box and you’ll find the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 gaming headset, as well as a USB-C charging cable, and a little plastic wrapper containing a quick-start guide, warranty information, and of course, a Turtle Beach sticker. The mic on this headset is not detachable, but it’s rather small and folds away very nicely when not in use. It automatically mutes itself when you do so, too, which is a nice touch.
Plug the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 headset into any device via the 3.5mm jack, and you’ll find that it works very well as a passive set of headphones. It may not provide the best audio experience around, but it’s good for the price point. It’s when you turn on the headsets power button, however, sliding it towards either PS or Xbox depending on your format, that the magic happens.
With power, the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 gains new features that really make it stand out. For a start, the audio is amplified, pleasing those who like things loud. Bass Boost is also enabled, making the audio feel richer and fuller. And finally, the full features of the mic become available, including variable mic monitoring so you can hear your own voice and accurately gauge your volume. Not bad for a budget headset.
The built-in battery allows the headset to be powered on for up to 12 hours, and if it dies unexpectedly on you in the middle of a gaming session, just a 15-minute charge will grant up to 90 minutes of additional powered use. So after a short break, you can be chatting to your friends again while enjoying amplified sound.
The headset itself is quite attractive, with textured segments on both the earcups and headband. It’s actually very similar in design to the Atlas One, which we reviewed way back in 2018. We were sent a black model for review, but it’s also available in white and midnight blue. The construction and finish is decent for a what it essentially a budget headset – it feels like it could withstand a lot of use as well as the odd bash and drop. Dual-foam ear cushions covered in breathable fabric are also a nice touch, meaning you can wear the headset for a long time without it getting uncomfortable even if you wear glasses. While the fabric of the earcups themselves wont get moist even in humid temperatures.
There’s honestly not really anything negative to say about the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 headset. The sound quality isn’t the best? Its connecting cable isn’t particularly long? The build quality could be a bit better? These are all issues that are pretty much to be expected at its price point. Ultimately, if you’re after a gaming headset that won’t break the bank but offers a good audio experience and has some bonus features such as mic monitoring, the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 comes highly recommended.
A sample unit was provided by Turtle Beach for the purposes of this review.
