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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize audio fidelity and are willing to pay more, the Grado GT220 may be best since they are known for their sound quality. However, for gaming or situations where a microphone is important, the Steelseries TUSQ with its removable boom mic would be more suitable. Remember, the GT220s are pricier with potentially better sound, but the TUSQ offers a microphone for communication, beneficial for interactive use like gaming at a typically lower cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.2
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
4.7
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Build Quality
8.8
8.0
The Grado GT220 and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality, though the Grado GT220 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the Steelseries TUSQ
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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