ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Optical Mechanical Keyboard

4.5

$179.99 $139.99

Quick Verdict: The ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Keyboard sets out to be a perfect, on-the-go keyboard for gamers looking to play while they travel and excels in everything it sets out to be.

Pros:

• Full RGB lighting that adapts to help battery life
• Feels like a full-size keyboard when in use
• Mechanical keys feel identical to the normal wired version of the keyboard

Cons:

• Keycaps are removable, which can make being in a bag difficult
• Everything, including the Bluetooth switcher, is built into the keyboard keys, which can get confusing at times
• No number pad

Check Availability Check Availability at ROCCAT

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01/25/2024 01:46 pm GMT

Sitting on a desk, you likely want a full-sized keyboard like the ROCCAT Vulcan II. But keyboards can get so bulky and cumbersome when you’re on the go.

The problem is that some people want the same conveniences and feel as their regular keyboard when traveling, but most travel-capable keyboards are bland and simplistic. 

The Vulcan II Mini Air sets out to be a keyboard that feels at home both on the road and at a desk.

While the ideal user of this keyboard is likely traveling and gaming from hotels, they also don’t want to worry about swapping back and forth when using their laptop at home.

If you need a comfortable, gaming-capable, small, travel-worthy keyboard, you’re in for a real treat.

ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Keyboard Features and Specifications

ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Technical details

Design and layout

The great thing about the Vulcan II Mini Air is that it’s designed like a standard keyboard in everything except its size. If you’re a mechanical gaming keyboard fan, it will feel comfy.

I have some pretty big, clumsy sausage fingers, personally. So, when I started typing on this keyboard, it was like butter. 

They didn’t shrink the mechanical keys for the smaller form factor. Instead, they trimmed the bigger model.

As such, the keyboard offers RGB colors for the keyboard, just like its bigger sibling. It provides the usual AIMO intelligent lighting and other options like wave or ripple.

One unusual but welcome detail is that the back feet of Vulcan II Mini Air offer two additional heights, aside from being flat on your desktop.

The Vulcan II Mini Air axes the numpad to get to its smaller size. While some people may need it if they’re using it for work or calculations, dropping it off the smaller keyboard meant it gets a much more slim form factor.

Since this is a mechanical keyboard, you also can choose between linear (red) and tactile (brown) options.

While the key switches use Cherry MX-compatible stems, the design is incompatible with other companies’ keycaps.

Also of note is that the keyboard comes in black and white color options. The keyboard I’m reviewing here is the black model, but the white one looks pretty slick, too.

Compatibility

The great thing about any Bluetooth keyboard is that they’re pretty versatile. Sure, it’s designed for gaming on a computer, but that’s not all it can do.

Since this can plug directly into a USB port for a PC with the dongle, it’s worth using it if you have a free slot. But what about devices that don’t have USB functionality?

The Vulcan II Mini Air works like a charm on our iPad and the small, crappy laptop. It also connects to my phone quickly and types.

While not entirely unheard of, a mechanical keyboard that efficiently works with a phone or tablet and travels well is a big deal you rarely see.

As mentioned, the keyboard is built for gaming. Like most gaming keyboards, it has a gaming mode that will turn off your Windows button.

Battery

The ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air keyboard has several battery-preservation and consumption modes. It also has proximity sensors, which dim the RGB lighting when you’re not poised to type.

It has three modes: work, work & play, and holiday.

The work mode turns off the RGB lights entirely. This hikes the battery life for up to 750 hours, which is fantastic for those not looking for anything fancy while they type for work or school.

The average user is more likely to use the Vulcan II Mini Air in work & play mode, which has the LEDs at a lower brightness. This gives about 150 hours of battery life.

The holiday mode goes full-tilt with the RGB lighting. If you want glow on your face, this is the mode for you. But, it significantly drops the battery life to only 90 hours.

There are two additional modes that you can toggle on and off from the ROCCAT Swarm application. Those are Standby and Sleep, both of which turn the RGB lighting off after a set period.

Since the ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air has such a good battery life as it is, I let it sit overnight without any charging cable plugged in, but on. It dropped it from 100% to 95%.

After plugging it in the next day, it returned to 100% in 15 minutes. I’m impressed, honestly, as my other Bluetooth-capable Logitech K780 keyboard uses AA batteries, and I dread the day I have to replace them.

Comfort and weight

The ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air is 65% the size of a full-sized mechanical keyboard. This gives users a lot of flexibility in terms of weight, depending on their needs.

While most people will use this keyboard on a table or desk to type, it feels great on a leg for those who don’t have a stable surface.

As for weight, this keyboard tops the scales at 620g (or 21.87 oz), with the cable and dongle attached. That’s great for portability as you will be able to carry it around all day.

ROCCAT Swarm

ROCCAT Swarm offers a ton of customization for the Vulcan line of keyboards. You can control the RGB lighting, sound feedback, and character repeat settings. It also gives complete key assignments, including ROCCAT’s Easy-Shift+ functions. 

You also get more functions to do with wireless connectivity. Not only does it show the battery status and offer notifications for the battery, but it also includes the toggles for the standby and sleep modes. 

The proximity sensor used for the battery-saving modes can be adjusted and turned on and off from here.

Firmware is handled directly through the Swarm program. It’s as simple as just plugging in the keyboard, then you go through a couple of clicks, and it’s generally done in moments, if not seconds.

One thing to note is that ROCCAT Swarm can only find the Vulcan II Mini Air when plugged in via a USB-A to USB-C cable.

That means you need to plug in to change any settings or update firmware, but once changed, the keyboard will remember its settings when used wirelessly.

Alternatives

For gamers	Multi-device compability	For numpad users
Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro	Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard	ROCCAT Vulcan II Max Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
3.5	3.5	3.5
$249.99	$75.99$69.99	$224.25
Check Availability	Check Availability	Check Availability

For gamers

Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro

3.5

$249.99

Check Availability

Multi-device compability

Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard

3.5

$75.99$69.99

Check Availability

For numpad users

ROCCAT Vulcan II Max Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

3.5

$224.25

Check Availability

01/25/2024 09:31 am GMT

Final Verdict

I’m not going to lie: I had trouble finding anything I disliked about this keyboard.

I will mention that the keys can come off easily in a backpack. That’s true for any keyboard, but it’s easier on these switches due to their design.

The ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air sets out to do a specific thing, and it does it so well that it’d be hard to top.

This keyboard is perfect for travel and desk use, with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless options, full RGB lighting, full-size mechanical keys, high battery life, and a compact, lightweight design.

I pair this keyboard with my  ROCCAT Kone Air, which I also reviewed recently, for my travel laptop, and they work together like a charm.

I have nothing bad to say about this fantastic keyboard. If you need a small, long-lasting keyboard that works for gaming and has pretty lights, buy this.

You can pick up the ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Optical Mechanical Keyboard from ROCCAT, Amazon, Best Buy, and other big retailers.

ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Optical Mechanical Keyboard

4.5

$179.99 $139.99

The ROCCAT Vulcan II Air Mini Optical Mechanical Keyboard is a wireless 65% form-factor keyboard with a big focus on gaming. It uses Titan II optical switches for ultra-fast actuation in either linear or tactile versions, and Easy-Shift+ for quick access to a second function layer.

Check Availability Check Availability at ROCCAT

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 01:46 pm GMT

Editors Recommendations:

• Review: Roccat Kone Air Mouse
• Review Roundup: Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
• Review: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Headset
• Review: TCL Q7 65-inch QLED TV

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Review: ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air Mechanical Keyboard appeared first on KnowTechie.

Roccat Kone Air Wireless Gaming Mouse

4.5

$40.42

hide

Quick Verdict: As a mouse, the ROCCAT Kone Air isn’t technically anything special. But, it does offer both Bluetooth and wireless, as well as a long battery life, which makes it a solid choice for gamers looking at the price range it sits in.

Pros:

• It still works with only one AA battery
• Great battery life
• Both Wireless and Bluetooth for the price is great
• The grip on the mouse feels nice and won’t make your hands sweaty

Cons:

• Feels like cheaply made plastic
• Side buttons are too easy to click for bigger fingers
• No RGB LEDs
• Bluetooth can be spotty, depending on your setup

Check Availability See at Roccat

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01/25/2024 01:50 pm GMT

There’s nothing quite like the feel of opening a new gaming mouse like this Roccat Kone Air. That feeling also comes with many questions about feel and performance, and we’ll try to answer those today.

Roccat might not be a household name, but it consistently puts out solid gaming peripherals that won’t break the bank.

It’s now owned by Turtle Beach, who picked it up in 2019 to expand its offerings and has infused its own knowledge into the mix.

Let’s dive into what this new mouse can do.

Who is the Roccat Kone Air Mouse for?

The Roccat Kone Air is a wireless mouse for gaming. If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive option that offers good bang for your buck, the Roccat Kone Air Mouse fits the bill.

If you’re gaming on the go and need wireless or Bluetooth capability in your mouse, the Roccat Kone Air is a great upgrade to the older, but still great, wired Kone line.

The standout feature? Fantastic battery life compared to the competition.

No, seriously. Trying to find anything with the same range of battery and wireless requires a huge price increase in other brands. Some of the comparable mice out there are usually over $100.

The Roccat Kone Air is Perfectly Functional

Design and layout

I consider the Roccat Kone Air to be the “business daddy” of gaming mice. Sure, it’s designed for gaming by a company that makes gaming mice, but it doesn’t offer any of the usual gaming flair.

You won’t find any glowing RGB colors here. You barely even get additional macro buttons.

This mouse is designed for comfort, ergonomics, and those who need something a bit bigger in their hand.

As far as wireless mice go, it’s not exactly the smallest. In fact, when sitting next to its Kone XP Air sibling, it’s bigger and bulkier.

When compared to modern gaming mice with a ton of macro buttons, this one only offers three on the side: two above your thumb and one below.

Again, you can compare it to the Kone XP Air, which has six above your thumb and one below. And the other one has an RGB LED, whereas the Roccat Kone Air doesn’t.

But, where it lacks in swagger, it makes up for in functionality. 

Compatibility

It’s a mouse. It’s compatible anywhere that mice are compatible. What gives it the edge is that it offers both a Bluetooth and wireless dongle option.

While some mice only offer a dongle to connect, the Roccat Kone Air steps it up with an additional Bluetooth functionality. You can swap between both on the go, too, with a tiny switch on the bottom.

Just make sure your mouse is already connected to the device via Bluetooth, and it’s seamless. 

I’ve used it on multiple computers (a gaming desktop, a gaming laptop, and a small non-gaming productivity laptop) and have come to the same conclusion on all three. 

Wireless is a stronger, more direct signal. But connecting via Bluetooth makes that battery last even longer.

If you’re looking for exact movement in your gaming mouse for a game, it’s worth swapping to the wireless mode with the dongle to play. But, if you’re using the mouse for productivity or business, Bluetooth is perfectly acceptable.

The one downside is that if you’re in Bluetooth mode, you can’t do anything in the Roccat Swarm software. Think of Bluetooth mode as “turn off any function other than being just a mouse” mode, which is what gives it such a long battery life.

Battery

The battery life varies, depending on your usage and the mode used. Each offers a drastically different option, so let’s break those down.

Officially, they say that the Roccat Kone Air clocks in at over 800 hours. This is potentially true. 

As I don’t have 33 days to test this directly, I will trust it’s relatively close, based on the life left after several days of use.

This, however, only works like this in Bluetooth mode. Since that setting essentially turns the mouse into a generic mouse and pretends Roccat Swarm doesn’t exist, this is for those looking to use the mouse for professional reasons.

Interestingly, the AA batteries don’t require both slots to be full for the Roccat Kone Air mouse to work. In fact, contained in the box is only one AA battery to get you going.

According to their boasting, one AA battery offers 400 hours, exactly half of what two would give. Because math.

However, if you’re using your gaming mouse for gaming, as many do, that number drops significantly. Keeping the mouse on while using the included USB dongle plugged in significantly drops the runtime of the mouse, closer to similar mice on the market from Razer and Logitech.

At 100%, the mouse says it should only give me around 225 hours of battery life while in use with two fresh batteries inserted. That’s still fantastic, but nothing in comparison to the Bluetooth mode.

Unfortunately, as an AA battery-supported mouse, there is no charger cable for the Kone Air. This means that you need to keep some extra batteries around if you use it heavily and daily for both work and play. 

Comfort and weight

The Roccat Kone Air is actually quite heavy for a wireless mouse, more akin to the Razer Naga line of mice. It’s not a problem for those who use their mice at a deck, but it could be bulky for travel purposes.

The Roccat Kone Air also has a nice rubberized grip that feels pretty comfortable in a hand. It has a really nice texture to it that doesn’t feel rough to the touch.

When I look for anything I have to hold onto for long periods of time, I want something that won’t make my hands sweat. It’s a difficult mission usually to find something to fit my needs, but the Kone Air’s rubber grip allows my hands to insulate well. 

Color options

The Roccat Kone Air comes in two color options: black and white. My Kone Air mouse is a black model. 

Unfortunately, white mice and controllers usually eventually start to retain the oils from your hands, so the black option hides that very well.

If I, someone who sweats pretty profusely from my palms, were to come back and edit this article a year from now after heavy use, I probably would still retain my stance on this.

Despite the basic color options, the mouse, as mentioned, doesn’t offer any LED lights to offset the simplicity of the color. So, if you’re looking for a plain, professional-looking gaming mouse, you’re looking at the right option here.

Roccat Swarm

As with most Roccat products, the Roccat Swarm program offers your updates, firmware, and the capability to customize your hardware.  Honestly, the amount of options that this mouse packed surprised me. 

If you head into the Swarm app, you’ll see a ton of configurations. You can affect some basics, like your scroll speed and pointer speed, as well as a DPI switcher. 

You’ll also notice your Hz polling rate and a nice battery life toggle that you can set up to alert you about your battery. But it’s the button assignment settings that caught my attention most.

Since the ROCCAT Kone Air doesn’t offer nearly as many physical buttons as its rivals in the world, you could easily miss an interesting feature that is built into the mouse.

There is a bottom button seated below where your thumb likely is sitting with a + sign on it. While you can change this to any macro or setting you please, it automatically comes pre-assigned with a feature called Easy-Shift+.

When tapped, it doesn’t affect anything, so those of us out there with clumsy sausage fingers will likely tap it often and not have anything happen.

But, when held down, it allows a new set of functions to happen for each mouse button, similar to an FN key on a laptop.

Since ROCCAT is owned by Turtle Beach, it seems that the presets lean toward music, affecting playing tracks and volume. But these can be changed to anything you please, especially if you need them for extra gaming macros.

It’s really a nice touch and doesn‘t feel like it impedes your daily use.

Alternatives

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse	Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse	Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse
4.6	4.6	4.4
$69.99	$49.99	$29.99$23.98
Check Availability	Check Availability	Check Availability

Razer Viper V3 HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

4.6

$69.99

Check Availability

Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse

4.6

$49.99

Check Availability

Razer DeathAdder Essential Gaming Mouse

4.4

$29.99$23.98

Check Availability

01/25/2024 01:15 pm GMT

Final Verdict

The Roccat Kone Air gaming mouse is not a perfect mouse. But, as a mouse that wants to look like a business professional while still having the charm and feel of a gaming mouse, it balances well.

While there are likely smaller mice that offer wireless or Bluetooth functionality, the Kone Air excels at having a long-lasting lifespan on any amount of batteries while also offering modern conveniences like macros.

It doesn’t feel like a boring ergonomic mouse in your hands, and it keeps your sweaty palms dry. It’s almost like it’s trying to be stealthy in how good it is, and it’s working.

It may not be the prettiest, glowing-est mouse out there, but it does its job very well.

Roccat Kone Air Wireless Gaming Mouse

4.5

$40.42

The ROCCAT Kone Air is a long-living ergonomic mouse for gaming on the go that won’t make your hands sweat.

Check Availability See at Roccat

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 01:50 pm GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review Roundup: Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
• Review: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Headset
• Review: TCL Q7 65-inch QLED TV
• Review: Turtle Beach Recon Cloud

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Review: Roccat Kone Air Mouse appeared first on KnowTechie.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

4.5

$326.99

Quick Verdict: The Stealth Pro headset is comfortable to wear, offers amazing noise canceling and audio options, and is super easy to charge and use. I just wish that setup was much easier.

Pros:

• Great audio with a stand-alone volume dial separate from your console or PC’s volume
• Noise-canceling really works
• Comfortable to wear for long hours
• Great battery life

Cons:

• Set up, like most Turtle Beach items, is really rough
• No ProSpecs Glasses Relief System
• No light or color customizability
• Mic is made of cheap plastic that melts in its port if you pull on it the wrong way

Check Availability See at Best Buy

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 09:06 pm GMT

Turtle Beach is one of the longest-running PC hardware and peripheral manufacturers. Originally making only sound cards, they now make a huge range of peripherals.

We’ve liked the majority of their devices that have graced our desks, and now it’s time for one more. That’s the Stealth Pro headset, a multiplatform wireless headset with tons of features.

This headset comes in versions designed to work with Xbox consoles and PC, or PlayStation and PC. Let’s see what’s up.

Who is the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headset for?

You want a comfortable headset while you play games, watch YouTube, or listen to music at your desk. But, you don’t want to pay the price for the top-of-the-line options. 

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headset is a great way to get some of the luxury and richness that comes with audio without breaking the bank entirely. 

If you need headphones to use when walking around, this isn’t the headset for you. But, for those who play action games or just want to have a good headset for your computer, you can’t go wrong.

We got to dive into both the PlayStation and the Xbox versions of these headsets. Even though the baselines of these headsets are identical, both come with their own quirks and those will definitely be discussed below.

PS4/PS5

---

See at Turtle Beach

Xbox

---

See at Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Headset Features and Specifications

While there may be fancier headsets out there, the Stealth Pro is no slouch. There are plenty of pros and cons to Turtle Beach’s newest flagship audio solution.

Design and layout

Turtle Beach has learned over the years that people actually use their headsets. The Stealth Pro doesn’t suffer from the same issues as earlier models, which had cheap plastic at pressure points.

The headset never feels like I’m going to break it, no matter how much use and movement it gets, a problem that some previous models have suffered from. This alone gives it high marks.

The buttons on the headset itself are mostly in smart places. The buttons line on the right ear cup and never feel in the way.

I say mostly, however, due to the rotating volume dial on the same side. This dial is a bane to anyone who leans their head back or touches their head at all.

Since the headset volume is independent of the primary device’s volume (a smart move, honestly, for versatility), the dial must inform you when your volume is maxed out.

It does this by a double-beep in your ears, which is annoying and all too easy to trigger by brushing your arm past the dial.

It’s not a dealbreaker for the headset. But it is an interesting design quirk that could have been tinkered with more for a headset at this price point.

Turtle Beach went the classic Ford Model T route for color and design options. That’s black, and umm, black, with either a tiny blue or green LED that lets you know if it’s the PlayStation or Xbox version.

As you can imagine, aside from the smallest differences, the PlayStation and Xbox versions are identical.

Battery

The Stealth Pro comes with multiple options when it comes to its battery. The box has two batteries, one in the headset already and another with the hub. 

These batteries can be swapped out on the fly. You can also charge a battery by plugging the headset in via the USB-C type port. 

As for the life expectancy of the battery, after a month of use, I’ve gotten used to swapping in a new battery when I get to my desk early in the day each day.

You can expect a battery to last the entire length of your workday, plus some, in heavy use. If you’re using the headset for gaming only, you’re going to get a lot of play from a single battery charge.

As mentioned, the batteries swap quickly and easily with the hidden magnetic cover on the side of the headset. I can almost do this process one-handed at this point without removing the headset from my head.

When turning on the Stealth Pro, a voice is programmed into it to tell you your battery level. She speaks as if Microsoft made an Iron Man suit to tell you and will pop up randomly when your battery is dying to say, “Battery level is low. Shutting off.” And then the headset dies. 

My only complaint is that she doesn’t give you any real warning that the battery level is low before it shuts off. If you’re in the middle of a match, it can throw everything if you weren’t expecting it. 

You can occasionally hear a “beep beep”, potentially for the low battery level remaining. But, I’ve had that happen at a higher charge as well when bumping into the rotating volume switch. So, they’re hard to distinguish.

Comfort and weight

Turtle Beach is great about balancing style with comfort regarding their headsets. They’ve come a long way over the years.

Older Turtle Beach headsets, for instance, are noticeably heavier and clunkier to wear. Think of them as stepping stones to get to the Stealth Pro.

While the new headphones are lighter and easier to wear, they don’t come without their own caveats. Nothing is perfect after all.

Wearing these for long periods can make the sides of your head and ears sweat. It takes a long time, but it’s got to be something in the padding that eventually makes your head warm.

One choice that the manufacturer has made recently is to take away the usual removable, magnetic ear cups. This comes with a couple of consequences to that design choice.

First off, they’re a little harder to clean if they’re attached. As mentioned, you may sweat from your ears during long gaming or work sessions. It’s nice to clean the ear cups every so often.

But, it also removes an important feature that I utilized personally: the ProSpec Glasses Relief function. While I don’t wear prescription glasses, I do wear Gunnar brand gaming blue-blocker glasses.

This little feature would always allow you to create a notch that lets the glasses through without pushing them into your head. It was on the Elite Atlas Pro, which is significantly cheaper, and I don’t understand why it wasn’t featured here.

Customization options

Customization is almost non-existent, at least for cosmetics. The blue or green LED can be turned on or off, and that’s it.

The Stealth Pro excels at allowing audio options to be changed on the headset without needing software.

On the headset itself, you can change the volume of the headset, with the all-too-easy-to-hit dial. You can also turn the Superhuman Hearing and Noise-canceling functions on and off.

Compatibility

The Stealth Pro headset is Bluetooth. So, connecting anywhere that utilizes that is going to work. 

However, the issue comes where the hub is part of the headset. You’ll definitely want to connect it to your main device to have full functionality for your headset.

When connected to your Xbox or PlayStation, this headset works like a charm. Your necessary customization like Superhuman Hearing, Active Noise Cancellation, and the manual volume dial are all built directly into your headset.

If you need to adjust any other functions, such as the equalizer, you need to get your Turtle Beach Audio Hub on mobile and connect the headset through Bluetooth to your phone. 

As for the compatibility with PC, there’s a lot more to say. So, it gets its own section. (Spoiler alert: yikes!)

Turtle Beach’s usual software problem strikes again

I don’t know what it is about me and Turtle Beach products that refuse to work right the first time. If you’re willing to take some time and frustration in your day, they’re absolutely great.

But you have to be willing to put in the work.

Both the Xbox and the PlayStation versions gave entirely different issues on entirely different PCs during installation and setup.

If you’re trying to connect them to a console, they connect directly with Bluetooth and they’re done. No frustration is necessary.

But, if you’re looking to connect these to a PC to use for gaming or day-to-day basics, you’re going to need to put some work into it. Once you get past this, however, they’re fantastic.

When setting up the Xbox version of the Stealth Pro, it refused to connect via Bluetooth for more than 1 minute. I’d remove it entirely from the PC and try again. Still nothing.

Then, it’d connect and work perfectly, but still not allow a firmware update. I had given up and tried the exact same steps that were given by Turtle Beach for the 5th time… and it worked.

To this day, changing my audio output setting to any other speaker option on this PC has a small chance, for some reason, of uninstalling the Stealth Pro from my PC entirely.

For the PlayStation version of the Stealth Pro, the problems were increasingly worse. I used my wife’s gaming computer to have a fresh option away from the Xbox version.

The initial setup broke after the first attempt and required a full factory reset every single time it tried to connect. I tried around 7 times before giving up.

But, there is a happy ending here, weirdly. It took entirely factory resetting the headset and bringing it to our spare laptop. 

It connected and worked immediately. No problems whatsoever. 

After bringing the PlayStation Stealth Pro back over to my wife’s PC, it worked immediately on the first try. I can’t explain it, but not everyone has multiple computers to solve these kinds of issues.

If you’re a fan of anything with the Turtle Beach lineup, none of these stories should surprise you. Their software, notoriously, isn’t great on anything.

Alternatives to the Stealth Pro

Planar magnetic drivers	Lossless audio	Best for PlayStation
Audeze Maxwell Wireless Gaming Headset	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset	Sony INZONE H9 Wireless Gaming Headset
3.5	3.5	3.5
$299.00	$349.99$313.33	$298.00
Check Availability	Check Availability	Check Availability

Planar magnetic drivers

Audeze Maxwell Wireless Gaming Headset

3.5

$299.00

Check Availability

Lossless audio

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset

3.5

$349.99$313.33

Check Availability

Best for PlayStation

Sony INZONE H9 Wireless Gaming Headset

3.5

$298.00

Check Availability

01/25/2024 10:16 pm GMT

Final verdict

The Stealth Pro headsets, even with the software issues that plague nearly all Turtle Beach products, are fantastic for the price.

If you’re looking for a high-quality audio source without breaking the bank, they are a fantastic option.

Once you get past the initial setup, they excel in nearly every category for the price point.

While I wish they had more customizability with colors or lights at this price, they are amazing at noise canceling and equalizing.

They offer a ton of features once you get the Turtle Beach Audio Hub set up on your PC or mobile device. I highly recommend the Stealth Pro headset. Just know what you’re getting into, if you’re using them at your desk.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro wireless gaming headset can be found on the company’s website, along with various online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Gamestop and more.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

4.5

$326.99

Final Verdict: One of the best, most reasonably-priced gaming headsets on the market still comes with some caveats. Despite these caveats, the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headset provides excellent value for its price. It delivers high-quality sound and offers many features once the setup is complete. It is recommended for gamers who prioritize comfort and audio performance without breaking the bank.

Check Availability See at Best Buy

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 09:06 pm GMT

Editors Recommendations:

• Review Roundup: iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Plus – worth the hype?
• Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 accessories
• Review: Turtle Beach Recon Cloud
• Sonos Move 2: sonic leap forward or just another portable speaker?

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Officially, support ended on Sunday, October 8th. But, seeing as that was a Sunday with a federal holiday the next day, the game has been officially delisted as of today.

The game pitted 99 players against each other in classic PAC-MAN gameplay, with the ability to mess with your opponents in various ways. As with all battle royale games, only one can make it to the end.

The good news is that those who bought the DLC prior to it being delisted will still be able to play PAC-MAN 99 offline. People looking to get the game or DLC at this point are entirely out of luck, though.

Nintendo announced last week that they were killing the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U servers. So, we can just add it all onto the burn pile.

Nintendo recently announced and released F-ZERO 99, a chaotic F-ZERO game that has 99 players all racing on the same track. But they also still have the long-running Tetris 99 going full steam.

Back in 2021, they removed Super Mario Bros. 35, a fan-favorite battle royale game that had players compete while playing the NES classic. It was a special edition for the 35th anniversary of Mario, but it was gone much too soon.

PAC-MAN 99 isn’t the only pellet-eating battle royale in town.

Even though Pac-Man 99 is officially now lost media, Bandai Namco came in with the clutch today by announcing the mouthful of a title, PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle: Chomp Champs. Chomp Champs will be on all consoles when it comes out in early 2024, which will likely also be compatible with whatever Nintendo has planned for a Switch 2.

PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle was a digital-only Google Stadia exclusive. With the end of all Stadia support, this enhanced version will satisfy those looking for a new Pac-Man-based battle royale.

RIP, PAC-MAN 99. May you wakka-wakka your way to the big pellet in the sky.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• New Nintendo Switch 2 leak hints at a September 2024 launch date
• Nintendo kills Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online functionality
• Sony’s Project Q vs. Nintendo Switch – how do they compare?
• How to turn on dark mode on Nintendo Switch

The post PAC-MAN 99 shuts down, new PAC-MAN battle royale announced appeared first on KnowTechie.

There will be two models: PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition.

As the names suggest, one comes with a physical Blu-Ray disc drive, and one doesn’t. But you’ll be able to buy an additional Blu-Ray drive for $79.99, which attaches to the side of the system as if it were the normal PS5.

According to their blog post detailing the changeup, the new systems will be lighter and less bulky than what’s currently available, thus making them the PS5 Slim consoles that Sony eventually offers for each generation.

The volume will be reduced by a whopping 30%, and it’ll be lighter by between 18% and 24%, depending on your console choice.

This news comes as no shock to those who have been paying attention to video games and hardware for the past ten months. This has been an ongoing story since December 2022.

Back in December, we detailed a rumor about a “modular” PlayStation 5, which offered a detachable disc drive accessory. This is clearly the outcome of that rumor.

Since then, additional rumors and video leaks have added fuel to the fire. But, it was the Microsoft court case against the FTC that really blew it all wide open in July.

Their internal documents went into the public record, and they detailed their thoughts about a PlayStation 5 Slim. While they were a tad off about the final pricing, the fact that they talked about it was a big deal at the time.

Once the current lineup of PlayStation 5 is dried up after November, they’ll officially discontinue it in lieu of the new models. But it’ll give people a new option as we head into the holidays.

The new slim PlayStation 5 will retail for $499.99, with the Digital Edition at $449.99. You’ll be able to buy the additional, detachable Blu-Ray drive for $79.99.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Sony raises PlayStation Plus prices by $40 extra like it’s no big deal
• PlayStation is buying awesome headphone maker Audeze
• Sony’s PlayStation Portal is basically a portable PS5
• Can the PlayStation 5 play Blu-ray movies?

The post Sony replaces PlayStation 5 lineup with new slimmer, sexier PS5 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Quick Answer: Steam says it best: “Play free demos. Watch developer livestreams. Wishlist your favorites to get notified when they release!” It’s a lot to look through.

Three times per year, Steam runs a fantastic showcase on its platform. The Steam Next Fest is a celebration of not what is available today but in the near future.

This entire event can be summed up as “E3 for indies”. Instead of the rank-and-file timeslots that generally came with the ill-fated convention, Next Fest is all about the deluge of indies that come out yearly.

Short answer: Lots of free demos and indie developers showing off their upcoming games.

On Steam, they explain what to expect. “Play free demos. Watch developer livestreams. Wishlist your favorites to get notified when they release!”

So, Steam offers indie developers a lot of tools to help get the word out about their upcoming games and projects as it is. Not only can devs drop their game when it releases, but they can also properly market it with demos and showcases.

Scrolling down the main page, you can see developers livestreaming their games, with the option for you to directly wishlist it or download the demo. These streams rotate throughout the event.

But no worries! The broadcast schedule is available directly below the main streams. You’ll be able to know when specific games are being shown off.

Below that, categories are broken up into the usual genres you should expect, such as Action, Puzzle, or Simulation. One of the categories is (thankfully) named “Controller” for those of us who aren’t mouse and keyboard warriors.

There are so many more categories than just those in the menu bar, though. So, don’t be afraid to dive right in.

However, be careful if you have your settings to allow nudity. You will see a lot. I’ve never seen so many digital dongs in my life, just scrolling down this page.

Steam Next Fest is running from October 9th to October 16th. Check out all of the demos and wishlist everything you enjoy. The devs will really appreciate it. Plus, they should all work on the Steam Deck and future iterations of it.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• A Steam Deck refresh is likely on the way, says new report
• Diablo IV makes its way to Steam on October 17
• Does the Steam Deck have Airplane Mode?
• The best Steam Deck accessories

The post Steam Next Fest: What is it and what does it mean for you? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Nintendo announced on X, formerly Twitter that they’re officially sunsetting online play and “other functionalities that use online communication” for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U in early April 2024.

Back in March 2023, Nintendo officially put the Nintendo eShop functionality out to pasture for both previous generation systems. This meant you could no longer make any purchases on the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U systems.

The only good news is that you’ll still be able to redownload already purchased content and games “for the foreseeable future.”

Servers for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U are going away

This is not unlike the way that Nintendo handled the previous generation’s end nearly a decade ago. In May 2014, the original Nintendo DS and Wii both took their final breaths, officially.

However, not long after that, programmers figured out a workaround using specific Wi-Fi settings and set up a server to be able to play Mario Kart Wii.

This led to additional implementation that allowed people to use the online functionality of Nintendo DS-era Pokémon games, including all of the Mystery Gifts.

The unfortunate reality of going digital with nearly any software is that it eventually loses support, and servers will eventually be shut down.

The good news is that some functions for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U will remain active. For instance, Pokémon Home will remain online, as well as now being free annually due to the eShop closure.

Another silver lining is the ability to re-download previous purchases. 

Most people won’t notice a big difference here. However, this functionality going away is likely to affect speedrunning events and tournaments that use the Wii U or 3DS going forward. 

For those that deal with world records, this is also a big deal that some of the functionality won’t allow anyone ever to set a new record.

Nintendo has not set an official date at this time. All they’ve said is “early April 2024”.

If there are problems, it could be sooner than that. But expect not to be pranked by this on April Fool’s Day next year.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Steam Deck 2 is coming in Valve’s own sweet time
• Resident Evil Village is coming to iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max in October
• Pixel Watch 2 adds the best of Fitbit for the first time
• Apple rolls out iOS 17 update to battle overheating iPhone 15 bug

The post Nintendo kills Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online functionality appeared first on KnowTechie.

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Wired Gaming Controller

3.5

$79.95 $59.95

Quick Verdict: The Recon Cloud takes their solid wired controller line and adds Bluetooth. Unfortunately, they leave some of their original audience behind with compatibility issues on PC. But, if you’re buying this for your phone to play games, at least you can mount it to the controller and it connects to your Android really well for that specific purpose.

Pros:

• Shape and weight is identical to their other Recon controllers
• Full-sized buttons
• Mount is easy to use and holds phones well
• Can be connected directly to make it a normal Recon controller

Cons:

• If you want to use it on a PC, you have to jump through a ton of hoops
• Mount requires thinner cases or no case at all on your phone, it determines center of gravity, and will push down on your volume button
• Mount detaches and turns into a stand that won’t stand up on its own when phone is attached
• Superhuman Hearing only works when directly plugged into a PC or Xbox
• No phone app for firmware or additional options

See at Amazon

See at Turtle Beach

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01/25/2024 09:11 am GMT

Fans of Turtle Beach’s Recon line always know that they make good wired Xbox and PC controllers that are comfortable and inexpensive.

So, when they put out the Recon Cloud controller that works on Bluetooth for mobile, PC, and Xbox, it’s a no-brainer that it’d work great, right? Right?

It has some great uses and features. But, the good and the bad, at times, can outweigh each other from moment to moment. It’s not a bad controller by any means, but we’ll explain more ahead.

Who is the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud controller for?

The intended user of the Recon Cloud controller is anyone who plays controller-ready games and services on their Android devices. While it works with PC or Xbox, you’ll need a cable for those platforms.

The Recon line of controllers always focused on Xbox and PC players since they came out, with affordable alternatives to an official Xbox Controller.

The problem that players have always had is that it was wired only.

The Recon Cloud was designed to be intended to solve that. But, they put a new focus on Android users, relegating Xbox and PC users to second place.

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Features and Specifications

Technical details and specs

Design and layout

For what it’s worth, the Recon Cloud controller is nearly physically identical to its older Recon siblings. That’s a good thing, as those are some of our favorite controllers for Xbox.

One thing of note is that the grips on the Recon Cloud feel like a different material than the others in the line. Instead of a rubbery texture, the Recon Cloud feels and looks more like a softer, glossier plastic. 

The screw hole for the mount is on top and out of the way, while the Bluetooth button and switch are in a perfect spot not to get hit by accident. 

The Recon Cloud comes in two color options: Black and Blue Magma. The one we used to test was Blue Magma and reminds me of something right out of modern Halo or Destiny games.

Since the Recon line are Xbox controllers at heart, they are actually fully licensed by Microsoft. This means that the Recon Cloud controller keeps the same layout as a normal Xbox controller.

Speaking of the Xbox dome button, for some reason, the plastic used on it is much softer and easier to hurt than the original Recon controllers.

I accidentally pushed on it with my fingernail, and now there’s a long slash indent in it.

I tested my original Recon controller, and no matter how hard I pushed on it the same way, it wouldn’t indent the dome. I tried it again on the Recon Cloud, and now there are two indents.

The phone mount isn’t perfect

The mount for the Recon Cloud is one of the highest-quality mounts I’ve seen in this style. As a clamp, it does really well.

If you want perfect balance, as all things should be, you likely want to have your phone centralized to the Recon Cloud controller. But, the mount clamps hard onto the volume for some phones, so you have to push it slightly off balance.

You can feel that pull to the side as you’re playing. It’s not a dealbreaker here, but definitely should be noted.

The mount also has a major problem for people with chunky cases. The Recon Cloud only clamps onto thin cases or caseless phones. 

If your case is just too thick, you have to remove your phone from its case entirely. As someone with carpal tunnel and shaky hands, I just have to trust that the clamp is holding it well, which it is. I won’t be able to be helped if I drop the entire thing, though.

The mount is supposedly designed for two modes: attached and stand-alone. When attached, it’s sturdy, and it does its job.

When detached, with the leg stuck out, it won’t stand up straight no matter how hard you try if a phone is strapped into it. When you potentially don’t have a case on your phone so the clamp fits on it, that can be scary.

PC and Xbox compatibility

So, the compatibility is where things really start to fall apart. You can almost excuse the mount issues if it wasn’t so difficult to get the Recon Cloud controller to work on a PC.

You see, the Recon line, as mentioned, has always been for the Xbox and PC. While the controller connects almost effortlessly to your Android phone, the box notes that it was “made for Xbox” as well.

Sure, it’s “made” for Xbox, but the controller doesn’t have the option to connect wirelessly to one. You can connect it by wire, like a normal wired Recon controller, with the included 10-foot cable.

Being Xbox-compatible means that it should be PC-compatible as well. Well, just like how the Xbox version is sort of compatible, PC is a different kind of “sort of”. 

Understandably, this controller can’t be everything you want it to be. When plugged in via the USB-C port to a PC, it functions identically to my original Recon controller.

But, I didn’t want just to replace my older black Recon. I wanted a wireless version to work with Bluetooth on my PC.

It connects via Bluetooth, that’s not the problem. But, for some reason, none of the buttons work that easily. 

You have to manually configure every button for whatever game or loader that you are playing on. For instance, their help page only shows how to set it up on Steam, with outdated instructions.

My wife is a gamer, and I told her she could use it on her PC. But, she, a normal PC user and gamer, would have to individually calibrate her buttons for the games she wanted to play. 

I showed her how to calibrate it from Turtle Beach’s website, and after about 2 minutes in the Halo Infinite menus, the Bluetooth was acting up when trying to connect. So I had to plug it in.

As always with Turtle Beach, it’s a software issue. The controller plays without a single hiccup on my Android-based Google Pixel 6a phone, so why does it have so many issues with Windows?

In fact, I tried it out on both my Pixel 6a and my much older Pixel 4a, playing Halo Infinite on the included 1-month Xbox Game Pass trial. It worked fantastically on both.

Nothing wrong at all. Every button works, and the easy Bluetooth setup is a breeze. It’s a shame it doesn’t work like that on PC.

Battery

The battery life, according to Turtle Beach, boasts 30 hours. Based on my testing, it’s not far off from that. 

I used the heck out of it in games and then left it on by accident, only to come back to 75% battery left. If you leave it idle for long enough, it will apparently turn itself off. 

Comfort and weight

If you’re looking for something that weighs roughly the same as the original Recon controller, you’re in luck. The controller has a bit of heft to it. 

In fact, it’s even slightly heavier than its predecessor due to the extra Bluetooth and features built into it. With a phone and mount attached, it’s close to the weight of a Nintendo Switch, but top-heavy.

As this controller is definitely meant with travel and portability in mind, it’s important to note that this controller’s weight or design just isn’t really actually designed for either.

What is definitely a plus is the larger buttons for someone like me. With fat sausage fingers, the Recon buttons are always going to win me over compared to the smaller buttons on the newer Turtle Beach Atom Mobile controller.

But, for the sake of travel and portability, bigger buttons mean more bulk. Unlike the Atom, which could easily slip into your pocket or a purse, the bulk on the Recon Cloud just wouldn’t fit. So, I digress.

Firmware, features, and programs

As mentioned when talking about the PC compatibility, this is a Turtle Beach product. So, you know that the hardware is superb, but the software capabilities are not. 

Honestly, there isn’t much to say in terms of the firmware updater. While some Turtle Beach products get some detailed programs for customization, the Recon Cloud is relegated to “just a firmware updater”.

Not only is it nothing special, but you have to connect it by wire to your PC to update it. It feels archaic and could be improved with a cleaner UI.

The controller, like its predecessors, includes some extra buttons near the top of the controller. These are Turtle Beach hallmarks and are identical to the older Recon controllers.

Pro-Aim works anytime if you set it to be on. It slows your right stick speed down just a little during crucial moments to get a steadier aim in first-person shooters.

Superhuman Hearing is pretty fantastic like it always is on their headsets. It changes the speakers to help people hear gunshots or footsteps better when in fast-paced games. 

There is a caveat here, though. Superhuman Hearing only works when directly plugged into a PC or Xbox. If you’re looking to plug a 3.5mm headset into the bottom of the controller, it will not work at all on Bluetooth. 

This means that using the controller the way that it was intended cuts you out of many of the features. You lose access to Superhuman Hearing, EQ presets, volume controls, and mic monitoring. 

If you’re looking to configure any of the buttons, such as the back triggers, it’s all done within the controller itself. Just use their manual or online tutorial if you want to mess with those settings. You’ll thank me later.

Alternatives

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller	Xbox Wireless Core Controller	BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller
4.0	4.5	3.5
$79.95	$59.99$54.00	$99.99
Check Availability	Check Availability	Check Availability

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller

4.0

$79.95

Check Availability

Xbox Wireless Core Controller

4.5

$59.99$54.00

Check Availability

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller

3.5

$99.99

Check Availability

Final Verdict

If your intent is to use this controller as a quick way to play games away from your desk or TV, the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud is perfectly fine and capable of doing just that.

If you were hoping for something more, I recommend checking out the alternatives we mentioned earlier.

For people who travel, there are more travel-capable Android-compatible controllers. If you were hoping to get your Recon wireless to your PC to replace your wired one, don’t bother.

The Recon Cloud had the potential to be a versatile one-stop-shop for your controller needs. It, unfortunately, leaned too hard in one direction and left its original audience behind.

For the $79.99 price tag, you could just design yourself an official Xbox controller on their Design Lab. Or, you could consider any other controller offering, such as the Atom Mobile controller, for the same price.

For people who need a real controller in their hands and have a thin case on their phone, the Recon Cloud excels in that aspect.

It just doesn’t excel much anywhere else.

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Wired Gaming Controller

3.5

$79.95 $59.95

The Recon Cloud takes the award-winning line into an identity crisis with wireless Android compatibility.

See at Amazon See at Turtle Beach

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 09:11 am GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Sonos Move 2: sonic leap forward or just another portable speaker?
• Review: XGIMI Horizon Ultra projector
• Review: Turtle Beach Atom Controller for Android
• The best Steam Deck accessories

The post Review: Turtle Beach Recon Cloud appeared first on KnowTechie.

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller

4.0

$79.95

This surprisingly well-made controller for your phone can play Halo… on your phone.

Quick Verdict: While it isn’t perfect by any stretch, the Atom Mobile controller is comfortable in your hands and incredibly easy to take on-the-go. If you’re used to a normal Xbox controller, you’re going to have to relearn all of your muscle memory. But, it plays Xbox Game Pass Cloud games on Bluetooth without a single hitch.

Pros:

• Compact and easy to store in a bag
• Super lightweight and doesn’t feel clunky
• Bluetooth connection works like a charm
• Makes your phone feel like a Nintendo Switch Lite
• Comes in multiple colors

Cons:

• A bit expensive for a mobile controller
• Android versions don’t include the iOS version’s rubber pad accessory
• Doesn’t work with phones that have chunky cases
• Plastic feels cheap
• Can’t charge your phone while in use

Check Availability See at Turtle Beach

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/26/2024 09:47 am GMT

We’re in a new era of gaming, where you can play your games at home on your console or PC and then play the same exact games on your phone as well. But mobile games have come a long way since the era of Snake on your old Nokia brick phone.

Nowadays, games like Genshin Impact run nearly identically on your PC as it does on your mobile device, giving you a full adventure RPG anywhere you want to play.

With cloud services like Microsoft’s Game Pass, the options then become exponentially higher. Gaming on your phone is kind of clunky, though, with touchscreens not being optimal.

Enter the Atom mobile controller from Turtle Beach. This well-made, comfortable controller comes in versions for Android (and soon, iOS) and adds physical controls to optimize your gameplay.

Who is the Atom controller for?

Honestly, the Turtle Beach Atom Controller is for people who are constantly on the go and want to play games and not lug around bulky consoles in their carry-on luggage.

Now that mobile games have gotten to the point of being as in-depth as some major console and PC games, it’s designed with the traveling gamer in mind.

For those who are playing at home with it, it’s a great option for those who get tired of using their Pop Socket to hold their phone horizontally. 

The controller even bundles itself up into a “travel mode”, which clips itself into a small frame for sticking in a bag, which it also comes with.

If you’re looking to play full-blown games that require a controller on your PC, such as those that stream from Geforce Now and Xbox Game Pass, the Atom is made specifically for you.

Turtle Beach Atom Controller Features and Specifications

Technical details

The Turtle Beach Atom controllers for Android, as you can expect, are designed to work for phones running Android 8.0 and later.

Utilizing low-latency Bluetooth 4.2 or later, they connect and can immediately be used on your Home screen and in some apps, as well as controller-capable games.

The system itself weighs in at 0.18 kilos or 0.4 pounds. That puts it around 6.4 oz. 

Putting my Google Pixel 6a in adds 6.3 additional oz, making the total similar weight to a Nintendo Switch Lite. I’ll go into more detail later on about this.

Games that focus on touching the screen don’t work. We tried it, for instance, with several gacha-style games to no avail. 

Specs

Design and Colors

If you’re on the go, people are going to see your gadgets, so style is everything. The Atom controller comes in a few flavors for specific needs and preferences. 

The other Atom controller, for instance, only runs on iOS-based devices. While that one is iOS all around, in theory, they’re designed to slot an iPhone in, which I don’t have.

Luckily, this newer lineup is entirely Android-based for my Google Pixel 6a.

It comes in three options: Red/Black is mostly red and follows Turtle Beach’s usual red motif. The Black/Teal model looks straight out of Tron. But the Black/Yellow model is definitely my favorite and looks like it should be kin to Bumblebee from Transformers. 

For the sake of review, we got our hands on both the Black/Teal and Black/Yellow models. Both models are essentially the same but offer a couple of small (but noticeable) differences.

The Red/Black and Black/Teal models are definitely meant to be generic Xbox-style controllers. However, the Black/Yellow model is clearly partnered with Microsoft for some slight changes.

While the other models offer the basics, the Black/Yellow has a full Xbox logo dome button like a normal Xbox controller in lieu of the Turtle Beach logo button on the others. In addition, the left ellipsis button has been replaced by Xbox’s usual “View” button.

Technically speaking, you could Bluetooth this controller straight to your PC or Xbox. We don’t recommend it, but it’s technically just an Xbox controller in a weird shape.

The Black/Yellow model also includes a full free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The usual $16.99 value gets you full access of their games available on console, PC, and the cloud.

Button layout

As mentioned, the Atom controller is a glorified Xbox controller in a different shape, no matter which version you decide to buy. However, if you’re an Xbox elitist, throw your entire muscle memory out the door.

While the layout is incredibly similar by design, buttons are designed to be slightly more compact for the travel option. As someone with fat sausage fingers, old age, and carpal tunnel, learning the controls was like learning how to tie your shoes for the first time again.

Also, everything is smaller and buttons are shifted slightly to fit into the frame of the device. The directional pad, for instance, is now directly under the left joystick, while the right joystick is directly under the A button.

Someone younger, with smaller hands, could easily get the hang of this. But, if you’re attuned to your own ways, you’re going to have trouble. I’m not going to dock it points for personal preference like this, but it’s definitely something you should be aware of.

Physical Compatibility Experience

The Atom controller allows anyone to slide any size phone into it with a sturdy design that doesn’t feel flimsy when everything is connected. It uses a well-designed clamp pulley system to hold it in place.

A major downside to the Atom controller is that if you have a slightly chunkier case on your phone, it will not stay in those clamp holders at all. If you’re rocking a super slim case, it shouldn’t be a problem. 

But, if you’re like me, with much thicker protection, you have to remove it from the case entirely.

If you’re the type actually to need a thicker case, like an Otterbox, you might have second thoughts about leaving your phone naked just to play a game in the open air.

For comparison, the original iOS model of the controller came with additional rubber pads to allow for different-sized cases. The Android models all removed this additional accessory, and it hampers its potential.

Once out of the case, my phone fits super nice and snug right into it, locked in with the clamps. I don’t necessarily feel like it’s going to fall out at any time without a case on it, but if you have anxiety like me, it’ll be in the back of your mind the entire time.

Battery

According to Turtle Beach’s listing for the Atom controller, it boasts a 20-hour battery life. After testing, the rating holds up pretty well.

Based on my experience, I was losing battery much faster on my phone itself as opposed to the controller. But, to be fair, it’s a Google Pixel 6a.

Luckily, the Atom controller also offers a USB-C port for charging, which can also fast charge. From nearly dead, it only needed a couple of hours to charge back up when I tried it.

Comfort and weight

As mentioned earlier, I have carpal tunnel. So, holding a controller needs a little weight to balance my shakes out. I may be in the minority by saying that I miss the original Xbox Duke controller.

With that said, the controller without a phone in it is super lightweight. But putting a phone between them gives it just enough heft that it feels comfortable to hold for prolonged play. 

Depending on your phone, the total weight places it somewhere between a Nintendo Switch and a Switch Lite, making it surprisingly comfortable for a traveling or mobile gamer as well.

The one thing to note about the physical casing of the Atom controller is that it feels like it’s not made from quality plastic. It lends itself to its weightlessness but also feels really cheap to the touch.

If you’re a Turtle Beach headset user of yesteryear, it feels like the same plastic used for the hinges of older models of headsets that used to crack and break over time. While this controller isn’t going on your head and likely won’t flex nearly as much, it’s important to note here.

Atom App on Google Play

Oh boy! The official Turtle Beach Atom app is where things get a little dodgy. As per normal, the hardware itself is really good. But, the software is where you see Turtle Beach’s weaknesses. 

I’ve been a tried and true fan of the company for years, but the firmware updaters for various products have been pretty touch and go from product to product. The Atom controller app from the Google Play Store is no different.

The app itself is designed pretty basic, and doesn’t feel like there is much polish to it in UI or design. It’s definitely for utility and doesn’t look like it was made by a multimillion-dollar company.

But, alas. Maybe I’m just being nitpicky. What can you do in the app?

In the app itself starts you on an overview screen, which offers some basic information about your Battery Power Level, Dead Zones, and Response. 

In the menu, you have the same offerings, as well as a “Game Discovery” screen and a “Firmware Update” option. 

Game Discovery is just a ton of icons of various games and services with zero context or titles. If you don’t know the game from the Google Play Store icon, you have to manually click on it, which will just take you to its official Google Play page. 

The Response and Dead Zone menu items offer some customizability, but it is pretty basic in comparison to other non-mobile Turtle Beach offerings.

I do wish there were options for button mapping or some additional customization with the Response settings. But it’s not a dealbreaker for me.

Firmware Updates From Hell

Let’s talk about firmware updates now. I have quite a bit to say.

I paired my Black/Yellow Atom controller to my phone and attempted firmware updates from the app. The system starts with version 1.0.1.0, out of the box, which is great to get going in games immediately.

Then, they introduced a new term to me that doesn’t appear in any paper manuals or on the box, which is called “Travel mode” during the update. 

Based on the image, I figured out that that just meant that it has to be closed up, like if you’re not playing with it. But, for less technical people, this could be confusing as this is the only place that the term is used at all.

I attempted the firmware update, which said it was successful. But, it didn’t change the version on any screen. I rebooted the app and tried again and again. Nothing. 

It said that the newest version was 1.0.6.0, but I still had the base version installed according to the app. I gave up and moved on since it still played games like a gem.

I opted to pair my wife’s phone, also a Google Pixel 6a, to the Black/Blue Atom controller. Doing the firmware update worked on the first try with no issues whatsoever. It immediately reflected the update, and we were good.

I decided to try it again with my phone, but I didn’t need to. When I came back to the app the next day, it had the new version ready to go.

Version 1.0.6.0 is from at least January 2023, but it works perfectly fine as-is.

Xbox Game Pass and other cloud services

I mentioned Join%20Xbox%20Game%20Pass%20Ultimate%20-%20Ultimate%201%20Month” data-lasso-id=”442223″>Xbox Game Pass app from Google Play, I dove into my options. While the obvious choices are PC and console experiences, mobile phones utilize the Cloud option. 

The app runs smoothly as well, honestly, on good Wi-Fi. But how does the Atom controller stack up during play?

I jumped into Halo Infinite on my phone, all suited up with my Atom controller. And, aside from my sausage finger problem previously noted, it was really smooth. 

Similarly, I pulled up the more recent iteration of Battletoads and played several levels with no issues.

What I’ve started to understand is that if you’re playing more fast-paced games like Halo or Forza, you need to tinker with the basic Response settings in the Atom app.

If you’re more diverse with your mobile gaming, GeForce Now, Steam Link, and Amazon Luna, if you so wish, as well as a multitude of Android games on Google Play.

Alternative mobile gaming controllers

If this particular model just isn’t your cup of tea, there are some great alternatives out there from other brands and companies.

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Gaming Controller	BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller	Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller
3.5	3.5	5.0
$79.95$59.95	$99.99	$59.95
See at Amazon	Check Availability	See at Amazon

Turtle Beach Recon Cloud Gaming Controller

3.5

$79.95$59.95

See at Amazon

BACKBONE One Mobile Gaming Controller

3.5

$99.99

Check Availability

Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller

5.0

$59.95

See at Amazon

The good news here is that literally any Bluetooth-compatible controller would work with your phone. If you have a modern Xbox controller lying around, you can connect it and move on.

Final Verdict

The Atom controller, as a piece of hardware, works really well. Getting it paired on Bluetooth is a snap, and you can start playing games with it pretty much right out of the box. 

If you’re looking for a good controller that works well with most Android phones, the Atom controller is definitely a solid option. Aside from some minor issues and personal preferences, it’s one of the better third-party controllers I’ve used.

But it is just a little pricey for my taste, even if it’s in line with other like-minded controllers out there. If you’re on a budget and don’t care about the clamp experience, you can do well with a normal Xbox controller for a bit cheaper.

Even with its flaws in software and prejudice against thicc phone cases, I do highly recommend the Turtle Beach Atom Controller.

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller

4.0

$79.95

This surprisingly well-made controller for your phone can play Halo… on your phone.

Check Availability See at Turtle Beach

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01/26/2024 09:47 am GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best Steam Deck accessories
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Razer Leviathan V2: Multi-Driver PC Gaming Soundbar with Subwoofer	SAMSUNG HW-B650 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby 5.1 DTS	Bose Smart Soundbar 300	Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2	Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer	Klipsch Cinema 600 Sound Bar 3.1 Home Theater System	VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar	Sonos Playbar - Sound Bar
4.3	4.5	4.3	3.9	4.1	4.3	4.6	4.6
$249.99	$397.99$199.99	$449.00$309.13	$247.79	$109.99$99.99	$549.00$377.51	$119.99$96.95	$599.00$443.00
Check Availability	Check Availability	See at Amazon	See at Amazon	See at Amazon	See at Amazon	See at Amazon	See at Amazon

Razer Leviathan V2: Multi-Driver PC Gaming Soundbar with Subwoofer

4.3

$249.99

Check Availability

SAMSUNG HW-B650 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby 5.1 DTS

4.5

$397.99$199.99

Check Availability

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

4.3

$449.00$309.13

See at Amazon

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

3.9

$247.79

See at Amazon

Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer

4.1

$109.99$99.99

See at Amazon

Klipsch Cinema 600 Sound Bar 3.1 Home Theater System

4.3

$549.00$377.51

See at Amazon

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar

4.6

$119.99$96.95

See at Amazon

Sonos Playbar - Sound Bar

4.6

$599.00$443.00

See at Amazon

It’s expensive to be a high-end gamer in 2024. You have to buy a console, your yearly subscription, expensive games, and all of the accessories.

But that only gets you the basic requirements. Once you start talking TVs and audio, you’re getting in over your head.

We’re here to help alleviate a small portion of that right now. We’ve compiled the best affordable soundbars for your Xbox Series X that you can buy today.

Why should I get an affordable soundbar?

Most sound systems are bulky and don’t leave space for anything else. Soundbars are a fantastic way to upgrade your TV’s audio without taking up much room.

Not only will it enhance any shows or movies that you want to watch, the built-in audio on TVs for gaming just kind of sucks to begin with. It’s time to hear what the game developers really intended for you to hear.

To keep your bank account from being angry, we’re looking at nothing over $499.99. That might seem like a lot, but soundbars can get way more expensive than that.

Don’t worry, though. We’re keeping your budget in mind here with more affordable soundbars than not. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Razer Leviathan V2

The Razer Leviathan line shows up on these types of lists nearly every time. We’re including it because of its versatility with both PC and mobile devices and the rad RGB Chroma lighting.

It also works great for the Xbox Series X, even though it isn’t actually designed for console gaming. It’s actually designed for a PC.

Utilizing this soundbar for your Xbox would mean plugging it through whatever monitor or TV you’re using to play on, just like most options on this list.

It has THX Spatial Audio, offering 7.1 surround sound, which the Xbox can take advantage of. But, as mentioned, you’re not directly connecting to the console itself.

The original Leviathan model rated 4.3 on Best Buy’s website. The newer V2 model sits at the same 4.3 ratings, making this a solid option. It’s a great “bang for your buck” system.

Razer Leviathan V2: Multi-Driver PC Gaming Soundbar with Subwoofer

4.3

$249.99

Experience audio excellence with the Razer Leviathan V2 Multi-Driver PC Gaming Soundbar and Subwoofer. Equipped with 2 full-range drivers and a down-firing subwoofer, it delivers high-fidelity sound.

What We Like:

• Impressive Audio Performance: Equipped with full-range drivers and a powerful subwoofer, delivering rich and full-range sound for an immersive gaming and entertainment experience.
• THX Spatial Audio: Enjoy advanced 7.1 surround sound that provides pinpoint accuracy, enhancing realism and immersion in movies, games, and music.
• Compact Design: Fits neatly under your monitor, minimizing clutter on your desktop while providing clear, unobstructed audio.
• Bluetooth 5.2 Connectivity: Seamlessly switch between devices with low-latency Bluetooth connection, and manage multiple pairings easily through the Razer Audio App.
• Dynamic Lighting: Powered by Razer Chroma, featuring 18 customizable lighting zones that synchronize with your gaming setup for a captivating visual experience.

Check Availability See at Best Buy

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01/24/2024 07:26 pm GMT

Samsung – HW-B650/ZA

For better or worse, Samsung generally makes notable tech pieces. Their soundbars tend to be hit-or-miss. But, the moderately priced HW-B650/ZA is sitting at a 4.6-star rating on the Samsung website with well over 1,000 reviews.

Since the Xbox Series X offers Dolby Digital 5.1, this Samsung soundbar feels like it was designed with modern consoles more in mind. With a “Game Mode” built-in, this affordable soundbar may be one of your best options on this list.

SAMSUNG HW-B650 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby 5.1 DTS

4.5

$397.99 $199.99

The SAMSUNG HW-B650 3.1ch Soundbar enriches your audio experience with Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X, immersing you in multi-directional sound. Elevate dialogue clarity with the built-in center speaker and intensify your entertainment with the included subwoofer's powerful bass.

What We Like:

• Captivating Multi-Directional Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X immerse you in a dynamic audio experience.
• Enhanced Dialogue Clarity: The built-in center speaker ensures clear and impactful dialogue.
• Powerful Bass Boost: Elevate your entertainment with a touch of a button for intensified bass.
• Cinematic Intensity: The included subwoofer adds depth and vibrancy to action-packed scenes.
• Optimized Audio: Adaptive Sound Lite technology delivers enhanced voice clarity for favorite video content.

Check Availability See at Samsung

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01/24/2024 07:37 pm GMT

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 brings the quality that Bose is known for along with it. If you ask any audiophile, Bose will be on their list.

This soundbar may be higher on our pricing. But it’s sleek and can also be mounted on a wall. Like most others, it also offers Spotify and Apple AirPlay 2 connection.

If you want to connect it through the television, you can, with the optical cable. But it also offers HDMI connectivity as well.

The great part about this one is that it’s compatible to hook up with the Bose Bass Module 500 and 700, the Bose Surround Speakers, and the Bose Surround Speakers 700.

Seriously, it’s like the sexiest audio Megazord you can put together. Or it works as a stand-alone beast too. It sits at 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with over 2,000 reviews, which totally makes sense.

Bose Smart Soundbar 300

4.3

$449.00 $309.13

The Bose Smart Soundbar 300 redefines your entertainment experience. Delivering spacious sound, rich bass, and exceptional clarity through 5 full-range drivers, it's perfect for TV, movies, and games. With built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, hands-free control is seamless.

What We Like:

• Exceptional Audio Quality: Spacious sound, clear dialogue, and rich bass create an immersive experience.
• Enhanced TV Control: Bose Voice for Video technology expands Alexa capabilities, managing soundbar and devices.
• Versatile Connectivity: Stream wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect.
• Sleek Design: Slim profile and flexible placement enhance any space.
• Expandable Ecosystem: Pair with other Bose products for multiroom listening or add-ons.
• Easy Setup: Guided installation through the Bose Music app.
• Voice Pickup Technology: Noise-rejecting microphones capture clear voice commands.

See at Amazon See at Lenovo

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01/25/2024 04:19 pm GMT

Panasonic SoundSlayer

This 2.1-channel Panasonic SoundSlayer was designed with gaming in mind.

Panasonic partnered with Square Enix as part of their “features” to make a speaker optimized for both games and movies.

A discontinued version of this affordable soundbar even has the Final Fantasy XIV logo plastered all over it. Three gaming modes come equipped with the robust lineup of modes it already packs.

These include RPG mode, First Person Shooter mode, and Voice mode. Considering it was built with Final Fantasy in mind, these modes make sense. This Panasonic sits at a nice 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon and seems to go on sale occasionally.

Panasonic SoundSlayer Dolby Atmos Soundbar

4.5

$297.00

The Panasonic SoundSlayer Dolby Atmos Soundbar redefines home audio. Experience cinematic 3D sound realism through Dolby Atmos and DTS technology, immersing you in a world of detail and depth. Enjoy high-definition 4K content without image quality loss and optimize your experience with customizable sound settings.

What We Like:

• Cinematic Realism: Revolutionary Dolby Atmos and DTS technology deliver 3D sound with astonishing detail and depth, enhancing movies and TV shows.
• Mind-Blowing Sound: Compact design partnered with Final Fantasy XIV (FFIXV) Online sound team for immersive audio in movies, music, and games.
• Preserved Image Quality: High-definition 4K content with zero loss in image quality through 2.1 Channel 3-Way Speaker System and 4K HDR passthrough.
• Customizable Sound: Tailor your experience with dedicated modes for movies, music, and gaming genres, enhancing intensity and realism.
• Seamless Connectivity: Connect to TV, Blu-ray player, PC, USB hard disk, or smart devices via HDMI and Bluetooth. Included remote for easy control.
• Elevated Gaming: Experience RPG, FPS, or Voice Mode for different game styles, immersing you further into the virtual world.

See at Amazon See at BestBuy

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01/24/2024 07:46 pm GMT

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

Creative Sound looked at the Razer Leviathan on this list and said, “bet.” This 5.1 channel surround sound, Dolby Audio, RGB lit soundbar is designed for gamers, through and through.

This one is one of the only soundbars on this list to boast being able to connect to all of the current generation consoles.

The Katana V2 also offers enhanced sound with your headphones, specifically for gaming. The “Super X-Fi” options are for action games that require listening to gunshots and footsteps.

And yes, the Katana has fully customizable RGB lighting with programmable settings. This affordable soundbar is rocking a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, making it one of the highest rated on this entire list.

Compared to the Razer Leviathan, it is slightly bulkier and only offers 5.1 surround sound, unlike the Razer’s 7.1 surround sound.

However, the Katana has more connectivity options and is designed for consoles, including our Xbox Series X via HDMI.

Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

3.9

$247.79

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X offers powerful audio in a compact package. With tri-amplified amps and a proprietary DSP chip, it delivers stunning clarity. The discreet subwoofer, 40% smaller than the Katana V2, suits smaller rooms without compromising quality. Experience immersive 5.1 channel playback, up to 180W peak power, and Dolby Audio certification.

What We Like:

• Powerful Audio: Tri-amplified amps and proprietary DSP chip deliver clarity.
• Compact Subwoofer: 40% smaller than Katana V2, ideal for smaller rooms.
• Immersive Playback: 5.1 channel with up to 180W peak power, Dolby Audio certification.
• Super X-Fi Technology: Personalize headphone experience for realism.
• SXFI Battle Mode: Accurately pinpoint enemy locations in FPS games.
• Versatile Connectivity: USB, HDMI ARC, optical port, wireless Bluetooth 5.0.
• Built-in Microphone: Conduct calls directly from the soundbar.
• Customizable Controls: Access functions through remote buttons, fine-tune audio with Sound Blaster's technologies, RGB presets, and EQ settings.

See at Amazon See at Best Buy

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01/24/2024 07:46 pm GMT

Creative Stage V2 ($109.99)

Coming in at a 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the Creative Stage V2 is a cheap option for anyone looking to stay on a hardcore budget while enjoying the audio of their TV. Running a 2.1 system, you get what you pay for.

It’s not designed with gaming as the priority, but it rates well among gamers. You’ll just have to plug it into the TV instead of the Xbox.

In any case, it’s the most affordable soundbar on this list and isn’t half bad. Also, it comes with a remote. There are soundbars on this list that are double to triple this price that doesn’t even come with a remote.

Creative Stage V2 2.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer

4.1

$109.99 $99.99

Experience enhanced vocal clarity and immersive surround sound with Clear Dialog and Surround technologies powered by Sound Blaster expertise. Creative Stage V2's 2.1 speaker system boasts custom-tuned mid-range drivers and a powerful subwoofer for captivating audio.

What We Like:

• Enhanced Audio Experience: Clear Dialog and Surround technologies provide improved vocal intelligibility and wider surround sound, delivering a cinematic experience at home.
• Immersive Sound: Custom-tuned mid-range drivers and a powerful subwoofer create captivating, room-filling audio with deep bass.
• Versatile Connectivity: TV ARC, optical, AUX, Bluetooth, and USB audio options make it a comprehensive audio entertainment system for various devices.
• Convenient Controls: The included remote allows easy playback control, treble and bass adjustment, audio mode selection, and input switching.
• - Sleek Design: Minimalist and wall-mountable, the Creative Stage V2 complements your TV and interior design seamlessly, enhancing your entertainment without distraction.

See at Amazon See at B&H

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01/24/2024 08:00 pm GMT

Klipsch Cinema 600 ($549)

This Klipsch Cinema is the priciest soundbar on this list. But, as mentioned, they get a heck of a lot more expensive than this. This beast is at a 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 2,600 reviews, so you know it’ll be good.

Honestly, you’re paying for the length of this thing. It’s the longest piece of tech on this list at 45 inches long. That’s nearly four feet for those bad at math.

It may only have a 3.1 system built in, but it virtualizes as 5.1. It also blasts with a 600W peak power.

The top question about it on Amazon is, “How do you unpack this product?” The answer given is “Like a kid on Christmas morning.” If you want power, you have to pay for power. This Klipsch will do the trick.

Klipsch Cinema 600 Sound Bar 3.1 Home Theater System

4.3

$549.00 $377.51

The Klipsch Cinema 600 3.1 Sound Bar offers a cinematic experience. With a wireless 10" subwoofer, dedicated center channel speaker for enhanced vocals, and horn-loaded tweeters, it delivers dynamic power and clarity. Enjoy easy setup, custom-tuned dialog modes, and a motion-sensing remote for immersive sound.

What We Like:

• Cinematic Audio: Wireless 10" subwoofer, dedicated center channel, and horn-loaded tweeters provide dynamic power and clarity, reminiscent of legendary cinema speakers.
• Effortless Setup: Plug-and-play with included HDMI cable (or optical), HDMI-ARC for single remote control, and easy connection to the wireless subwoofer.
• Enhanced Dialog: Custom-tuned dialog modes optimize EQ settings for crisp, clear, and intelligible sound, ensuring every word is heard.
• Intuitive Control: Motion-sensing remote adjusts subwoofer level, surround level, and sound mode for a personalized listening experience.
• Powerful Subwoofer: The largest in its class, the 10" wireless subwoofer delivers impactful sound with minimal latency, perfect for any location.
• Dolby Audio®: Built-in Dolby Audio® enhances your audio experience, bringing cinematic quality to your home entertainment.

See at Amazon See at Best Buy

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01/24/2024 08:36 pm GMT

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 ($119.99)

We promised some cheaper alternatives than the pricier superpowers from Klipsch and Bose. Enter: VIZIO V-Series 2.0.

For being one of the cheapest soundbars that work, it’s running with a 4.5 out of 5 on Best Buy. If you aren’t looking for a 45-inch baseball bat like the one from Klipsch, you’re in luck here.

The VIZIO doesn’t have a subwoofer, only offering a 2.0 channel system using DTS Virtual: X. But, if you’re looking for something that works without breaking the bank, the V-Series will get you gaming on a budget.

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar

4.6

$119.99 $96.95

The VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar delivers enhanced audio with its sleek design and DTS Virtual:X technology, providing room-filling virtualized sound. Full-range speakers, wide frequency response, and impressive loudness ensure coherent, clear, and dynamic audio.

What We Like:

• Sleek and Versatile Design: The compact all-black finish with an easy-to-clean textured surface complements small to medium-sized rooms.
• Immersive Sound: DTS Virtual:X technology delivers room-filling, floor-to-ceiling virtualized sound.
• Clear and Coherent Audio: 2 full-range speakers provide brilliant clarity and coherent sound for an immersive experience.
• Wide Frequency Response: A natural 70Hz – 20kHz frequency response captures the artist's intended audio details.
• Remarkable Loudness: With 95dB loudness, experience dynamic, room-shaking sound with minimal distortion or compression.

See at Amazon See at Best Buy

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01/24/2024 09:20 pm GMT

Sonos Playbar ($489.99)

Sonos is another brand that shows up on every list of audiophiles. This soundbar, like the Bose, hooks up with your other Sonos equipment like a melodic Voltron.

It sounds great as a stand-alone, but the more you add, such as the separate subwoofer, the higher quality you get.

The Sonos Playbar can be mounted and will tune itself based on necessity. They also boast that Oscar-winning sound engineers helped tune the system. So, that’s cool too.

Of course, it’s a 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with nearly 2,000 ratings. If you’re looking for some of the highest quality sounds without spending a grand on a single item, Sonos is the way to go.

If you want to spend a grand, the good news is that they have many options to help you do that.

Sonos Playbar - Sound Bar

4.6

$599.00 $443.00

The Sonos Playbar, a mountable soundbar, enriches your TV, movie, and music experience. Crisp dialogue and impressive bass span the room. Control via Sonos app, remote, and more. Whether wall-mounted or on a stand, Playbar self-tunes for optimal sound. It's tuned by Oscar-winning engineers to emphasize human voices, ensuring an engaging storytelling experience.

What We Like:

• Versatile Sound Enhancement: The Sonos Playbar elevates TV, movie, and music experiences with its mountable design and impressive bass.
• Intuitive Control: Manage Playbar effortlessly through the Sonos app, remote control, and more, offering convenience and flexibility.
• Adaptive Sound: Whether wall-mounted or on a stand, Playbar automatically optimizes its audio for the best possible sound in any setup.
• Enhanced Dialogue: Tuned by Oscar-winning sound engineers, Playbar emphasizes human voices, ensuring captivating storytelling.
• Whole-Home Sound System: Seamlessly connect Sonos speakers across different rooms via WiFi, creating a unified home sound system that brings everyone together.

See at Amazon See at Sonos

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01/24/2024 10:21 pm GMT

Final thoughts

Once you get your soundbar, you need to know the best way to hook it up to your Xbox Series X. The newest systems don’t have optical ports, so you must buy accordingly and know what your TV offers.

If you’re looking for more options, you can see our slightly older thoughts about soundbars for gaming here. You might find something you like there if you’re looking for something a little more substantial.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Budget-friendly expandable storage cards are coming to Xbox
• How to connect a soundbar to your Xbox Series X
• The best Xbox controllers
• The best JBL speakers

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The post The best soundbars for Xbox Series X under $500 (2024) appeared first on KnowTechie.