The SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset ranks amongst a number of the greatest gaming earbuds proper now due to its excellent removable growth microphone. This presents clear communication in multiplayer video games and whereas utilizing on-line chat providers like Discord with a helpful secondary microphone for those who favor a extra covert look. The headset’s total sound high quality impresses, too, with crisp and clear audio appropriate for prime titles like Name of Responsibility: Trendy Warfare 3 and Counter-Strike 2.
Its extensive compatibility makes the SteelSeries Tusq straightforward to suggest regardless of your alternative of gaming platform, although the lackluster efficiency when watching motion pictures or listening to music implies that it falls in need of being a greater all-rounder.
There’s additionally the matter of the general design, which could be very compact and comfy to put on however feels noticeably cheaper than different SteelSeries merchandise total. That is possible in an try to make sure that the headset stays a cushty weight, nevertheless it’s nonetheless just a little disappointing given the model’s excellent fame and the product’s comparatively excessive asking value.
Value and availability
The SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset prices $39.99 / £44.99 / round AU$74.99. This value is larger than competing merchandise just like the Turtle Seashore Battle Buds, that are priced at $29.95 / £24.99 / round AU$44.99, however considerably cheaper than premium wi-fi choices.
In comparison with the Turtle Seashore Battle Buds, you’re getting much better audio high quality, a extra streamlined design, and an improved microphone that makes the extra price fairly a compelling prospect if in case you have the price range.
The headset is that can be purchased through the SteelSeries web site or at third-party retailers like Amazon within the US, UK, and Australia.
Design and options
With regards to gaming earbuds, the SteelSeries Tusq boasts a really understated design. The earbuds themselves are on the bigger aspect however relaxation comfortably and securely within the ears due to a inflexible part cable that doubles as an over-ear hook. This may be formed to your liking with a small quantity of strain for a tighter or looser match. This, alongside a set of alternate bigger and smaller ear suggestions which can be included within the package deal, ensures that they keep snug over prolonged durations of use.
Though the earbuds are plain, black plastic, the perimeters have a small shiny plate adorned with a SteelSeries emblem which helps elevate the general aesthetic. Sadly, this plate can also be plastic moderately than steel and leaves the earbuds feeling rather less premium within the arms than they could in any other case look.
The left earbud has a small jack on its entrance that means that you can connect the miniature growth microphone. Whereas I by no means skilled the growth mic changing into indifferent or falling out of place whereas enjoying, its bodily connection feels considerably weak and will stand to be safer. Fortunately, the design of the microphone itself is significantly better because it’s constructed of a versatile wire which implies it may be simply adjusted and positioned as you play.
Along with a mute change and pause button, the SteelSeries Tusq has a second built-in microphone for if you don’t have the growth mic connected. Though the standard of your voice will undergo with the growth mic eliminated, this vastly enhances the earbuds’ portability. Enjoying on the go together with the growth microphone will be fairly awkward, particularly for those who don’t wish to stand out from the gang on public transport, so the choice to take away it whereas nonetheless with the ability to chat is welcome.
The package deal additionally features a fundamental black carrying bag: a strong bonus that makes it simpler to retailer the headset in a pocket with out the danger of dropping any components.
Efficiency
The SteelSeries Tusq performs effectively throughout the board for gaming. The three.5mm jack ensures plug-and-play compatibility with all main consoles along with PC, and I discovered that the sunshine weight made them a really nice various to conventional wired gaming headsets.
The audio high quality is excessive, delivering strong sound throughout a number of genres. Key audio cues like footsteps and voice communication are clear in first-person shooter (FPS) titles however there’s additionally greater than sufficient bass for sound results like explosions and gunfire to really feel suitably punchy.
Because of the safe match, the passive noise cancellation was efficient and will block out a lot of the commotion after I examined them with the likes of Fireplace Emblem Interact and Pokémon Shining Pearl on the Nintendo Swap Lite throughout my commute.
It’s solely if you try to make use of the SteelSeries Tusq for purposes exterior of gaming that any audio points develop into obvious. Whereas listening to music, the audio has nearly sharp high quality due to some very harsh midrange frequencies. This isn’t an unusual configuration in audio merchandise geared closely in the direction of gaming (because it permits sure sounds in video games to be heard extra simply) nevertheless it does negatively have an effect on the expertise for those who intend to make use of the headphones for extra normal listening too.
The place the SteelSeries Tusq actually cements its place forward of the pack is when it comes to microphone high quality. With the growth mic connected, your voice is loud and clear with little background interference. It’s not flawless, nevertheless it’s simply similar to a full-size gaming headset in the identical value vary (such because the Nacon RIG 300 Professional HX wired headset) which is a powerful achievement for such a small kind issue. It’s additionally a considerable enchancment on the crackly DualSense microphone, making this a really worthwhile improve for gamers who’re presently counting on it.
On PC or cell, it’s best for voice calls, and the all-black aesthetic implies that it received’t look too misplaced in a piece assembly. The built-in microphone of the SteelSeries Tusq is much less spectacular, nevertheless, because it’s a lot quieter on the entire and doesn’t present near the identical degree of readability. It’s an extremely helpful backup possibility, however there are higher all-in-one alternate options just like the HyperX Cloud Earbuds for those who don’t intend to utilize the growth mic more often than not.
Ought to I purchase the SteelSeries Tusq?
The SteelSeries Tusq is a improbable alternative for those who’re looking for a pair of wired gaming earbuds. It is moveable, broadly suitable, and comfy to put on. The growth mic gives excellent audio high quality contemplating the tiny measurement too, which greater than makes up for some complaints relating to the construct.
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
How we reviewed the SteelSeries Tusq
I used the SteelSeries Tusq as my fundamental pair of earbuds for over every week. Along with attending conferences and taking calls with mates, this included loads of gaming throughout consoles such because the Xbox Sequence S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Swap the place I used to be cautious to check compatibility.
I additionally used the headphones with my iPhone 13 Mini and a Lightning to three.5mm headphone jack adapter, enjoying cell titles like PUBG Cellular and League of Legends: Wild Rift. I took the earbuds out and about with me on a number of events to check their efficiency in numerous public settings utilizing each my telephone and a Nintendo Swap Lite console.
For different gaming audio suggestions, see our opinions of the Sony Inzone H5 or the JBL Quantum 360X Wi-fi Headset.
