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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Rode NTH-100M headphones offer superior mic quality, making them ideal for calls and meetings, as well as gaming, with a natural sound for music and podcasts. Although they're more expensive and less portable, they provide a high build quality. On the other hand, the Steelseries TUSQ earbuds are more budget-friendly, lightweight, and portable, with good sound quality for gaming and music. If you seek an immersive home experience and don't mind the price, go for the Rode. If you prefer affordability and portability for active use, the Steelseries may be the better choice. 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 Rode NTH-100M
- Very good for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.6
The Rode NTH-100M is very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Phone Calls
9.5
5.2
The Rode NTH-100M is best in class for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
4.7
The Rode NTH-100M is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100M is poor.
Cost
$189
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Rode NTH-100M has a price of $189 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
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Key similarities
Gaming
8.9
8.5
The Rode NTH-100M and Steelseries TUSQ are both very good for gaming.
TV and Video
7.7
7.3
The Rode NTH-100M and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Rode NTH-100M and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100M and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100M | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$189 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 9.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Boom | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100M
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
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 Rode NTH-100M or the Steelseries TUSQ
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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Why trust us
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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