Review: Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot game controller – Now we’re rolling it

I’m of the mindset that comfortable controllers are a necessary evil for anyone who games, from console players to even the PC master race who claims to never need them. So, when I tell you that I need versatility and something in my hands to play a game, I look for the best possible comfort. Turtle Beach has always had my back, and their new Stealth Pivot controller is pretty damn good.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is the newest controller in their outstanding line of gaming input devices. But, how does it hold up when compared to their own options, and is it a long-term choice? Let’s find out together.

What’s in the box?

In the box, new owners of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot will be treated to, well, not a lot. You get the controller, of course. You also get an 8-foot USB-A to USB-C cable and a wireless transmitter. 

Aside from the black-and-white Quick Start guide, Turtle Beach is pretty utilitarian when it comes to what you get in the box. I didn’t even get the classic Turtle Beach logo sticker. 

I know it isn’t a big deal. But, when compared to other brands that make opening a box feel like a treat and celebration, Turtle Beach is always bland by comparison.

The Tech in the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot game controller

I’ve been a big fan of Turtle Beach’s Recon line of controllers for as long as they’ve existed. Earlier this year, Turtle Beach decided to step up its controller game with the profoundly solid Stealth Ultra controller, an evolution of their Recon line. I got one and reviewed it over on KnowTechie, giving it high marks.

But, that’s a $200 controller. What about the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot, sitting at $130? For what it’s offering, the technology doesn’t actually change too much when it comes to what’s in the controller.

While the battery life does suffer when compared, they’re still clocking in at 20 hours of playtime on a single charge. That’s plenty of time for most gamers out there. Plus, you can play while it’s charging on the long cable included.

Like the Stealth Ultra, the Stealth Pivot also rocks an LCD screen in the center of the controller, above the Xbox button, which works pretty similarly to its predecessor. This does mean that it includes the same social notifications feature that I still can’t get to work properly.

All in all, the screen gives you options for profile selection. You can also do button and D-pad mapping right from the LCD screen, as well as mapping for the tiny mechanical slider in the center (which is for volume by default, likely when you have an audio jack headset plugged into it).

One other big deal is that, while the Stealth Ultra calls their thumbstick technology “AntiDrift”, they never said it was hall effect technology anywhere on their website. As for the Stealth Pivot, they say it multiple times. I’m unsure if the tech is actually different, but it’s noticeable in their wording.

For those who don’t know, Xbox (and more notoriously Nintendo Switch) controllers can often develop a drifting effect when they aren’t being pressed, causing you to slowly move to the side. Hall Effect technology prevents that and anything claiming to have it will have long-term heavy-duty technology in their thumbsticks for years of use without worry.

Customization is Turtle Beach’s newest focus

I recently reviewed the PDP Victrix Pro BFG controller as well, leaving that entire article incredibly impressed by the substantial customization. PDP, like ROCCAT before it, is now owned by Turtle Beach. So, it’s hard not to make comparisons between not-too-different controllers owned by the same company that came out within months of each other. 

Now that we got those details out of the way, let’s talk about the rotating elephant in the room: the customization functions. 

I’m a big fan of giving gamers the option to play their games how they want but I have a habit of losing extra parts and special tools. So, it’s really fascinating how much customization you can actually do to the Stealth Pivot without needing to pull out a tool and extra components.

As I mentioned, there’s a rotating mechanical component to the inputs. On each of the left and right sides, you can unlock and roll what they call the “Pivot A” and “Pivot B” modules. While you can opt for a pretty standard Xbox controller design, you can also bring out the big guns to play fighting games or classic pre-thumbstick era games.

The setup designed for fighting games removes all thumbsticks and is very reminiscent of the Victrix Pro BFG’s alternate modules. But, as mentioned, it also definitely works amazingly well for people playing old-school-style games or on emulators.

In addition to the Pivot modules, you can also choose your trigger height with simple switch Trigger Stops, as well as two programmable back buttons. In the alternate Pivot mode, you also get two more programmable buttons on the right side, Pivot B.

Honestly, my only qualm with the customization is that I worry that all of these moving parts could eventually have something break if used heartily. But, that’s more of a “time will tell” situation. 

Connecting the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot

The initial attempt to connect it to my wife’s Windows 11 computer had some issues, but I’m going to chalk that up to user error on my part as connecting the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot to my (also) Windows 11 computer was an absolute breeze just moments later.

Like the Stealth Ultra before it, you have options on how to connect. While the wireless dongle is going to be your most direct signal, you can also use Bluetooth on most devices that aren’t a PlayStation. It is, first and foremost, an officially licensed Xbox controller after all.

My usual issues with Turtle Beach software are slowly becoming a thing of the past when it comes to most of their software. But, where a lot of their devices can now just be updated and customized from their Turtle Beach Swarm 2 app, previously part of their ROCCAT accessories, this one does require its own application entirely separate, called the Turtle Beach Control Center 2.

I’m unsure why they can’t have all of their products on a single application for customization, editing, and firmware updates. But, it’s really noticeable that I have to try to remember which product goes with which app.

Is the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot controller cozy?

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot is designed to be comfortable in your hands. As someone with carpal tunnel and shakes, I need something solid to hold when I play games. The Stealth Pivot is just a comfy weight that I have no notes on.

I played a few different games to test out the functionality and coziness. Of note, I really enjoyed playing Brawlhalla on it and tried out the different Pivot modes across several matches. I still need to get used to a fight pad controller, but that’s more of a “me problem” than anything wrong with the controller itself. 

Then, I played Fortnite on PC for multiple matches, using the normal Xbox configuration, feeling just as comfortable as its Stealth Ultra counterpart that I use on my Xbox. 

Finally, I played the new Indiana Jones and the Great Circle through my PC Game Pass. After 3 or 4 hours of straight gameplay, I’m happy to report that the controller didn’t make my hands feel tired or achy. 

To be perfectly honest, if this review was about comfort alone, it’d be a solid 10 for me. I have nothing negative to say about how it feels in my hands. And that’s saying a lot because I complain about a lot of things when it comes to my hands.

Needless to say, if you’re looking for a super lightweight controller, this one does offer that bit of heft that I adore due to all of the built-in components. But, this might not be for you.

Final Verdict

It’s not perfect by any stretch, but the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot impressed the hell out of me from start to finish. 

Not only does it offer a ton of customization with zero cleanup, but the controller is just a perfect weight for long-term use. The LCD screen, while imperfect, does offer a lot of quick functionality and profile swapping on the go.

The Turtle Beach software, as usual, is to be desired, but it isn’t bad. I just wish they unified all of their applications so I can remember which one I need for each of their accessories.

If you’re looking for a good, customizable controller and don’t want to spend $180 on the PDP Victrix Pro BFG or $200 on the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, the Stealth Pivot might be just right for you. You can get it from Turtle Beach’s website for $129.99. 

If you liked this review of gaming hardware, you should check out some of my reviews of GUNNAR gaming glasses, such as my more recent gushing of their Strata collection. They’re really good.