It is still a wired 3.5mm gaming headset, and it still uses a rechargeable battery to power a bass boost mode for Xbox and PlayStation platforms. The headset features a nearly identical plastic frame with a steel band running through the headband. There’s still the same two-piece hinge system that allows the headphones to be rotated to lie flat, and allows for a small amount of tilt to accommodate different head shapes – but it’s not much, so people with large heads might find the headset a bit tight. The Recon 200 Gen 2’s ear pads feature a new mesh covering that is comfortable and provides a good seal around the ear. The ear pads are grooved on the front to reduce pressure from wearing glasses, so this should be a relatively comfortable option even for gamers with glasses. The switch to mesh keeps heat buildup to a minimum, but it doesn’t do the isolation performance any favors, and likewise it struggles to contain sound even at moderate volumes, so people sitting near you will quickly figure out what you’re listening to. Performing a battery test is an odd thing to do with the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2. Again, this is a wired 3.5mm gaming headset that does not require a battery to function. Once the battery dies, the sound changes, but it doesn’t stop. Turtle Beach claims that the battery has enough juice to boost bass for 12 hours, but in our test we found that it exceeded that number. With a constant output of 75 dB(SPL), the Turtle Beach Recon 200 Gen 2 lasted 14 hours and 31 minutes on a single charge. That’s not the best result on the market, but it’s nothing to scoff at. The fact that you can just keep playing when the battery dies without having to change anything when you’re in the middle of a session mitigates the situation considerably. The headset now has an updated USB-C input for charging.
