Glorious headset uses backup battery to keep audio on during swaps
The $229.99 GHS InfinitePlay pairs swappable battery packs with a fallback cell that keeps the headset running during changes.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Glorious’ GHS InfinitePlay wireless gaming headset keeps playing audio while its main battery is being replaced, The Verge reported in a hands-on review. The design matters for players who want long wireless sessions without the disconnects that can come with swappable-battery headsets.
The $229.99 headset uses a small fallback battery that The Verge said can power it for up to three hours while the main pack is out. Cameron Faulkner of The Verge reported that rival models including the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni and Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2 lose connection as soon as their batteries are removed.
A cartridge-style battery slot
The InfinitePlay’s main battery slides into an open slot on the right ear cup, according to The Verge. Faulkner said the pack can be inserted with the branding facing either direction, while a grippy edge helps guide the battery into place and makes it easy to feel without looking away from a screen.
Glorious includes two battery packs with the headset, and The Verge reported that each is rated for up to 85 hours of use. The review said the headset’s base station keeps a spare battery charged, reducing the need to stop playing when the battery in the headset runs low.
The base station also stores a USB-C 2.4GHz transmitter, according to The Verge. Faulkner said he used the headset mostly with a PC, but the same transmitter could be moved to a PlayStation 5 or Steam Deck.
Controls, comfort and sound
The headset has notched metal knobs on the rear side of each ear cup, The Verge reported. Those controls can adjust volume and game-chat balance, and they can also handle phone calls and music playback when the headset is connected to a phone over Bluetooth.
Faulkner described the audio as better than expected from Glorious, a company The Verge characterized as fairly new to audio products. The review cited bass, clarity and soundstage as strengths, while also saying buyers focused mainly on sound quality can find stronger options at the same price, including Fractal’s Scape headset.
The Verge reported that the InfinitePlay’s ear cups rotate nearly 180 degrees and did not pinch during testing, including while worn with glasses. The headset also uses a bungee-style headband and adjustable side arms, which the review said should help many users find a comfortable fit.
Missing features
The Verge also noted several trade-offs. The headset lacks active noise cancellation and does not include a hard case, and Faulkner said its built-in microphone performed poorly compared with the detachable boom mic.
Glorious offers a companion app, though The Verge described it as serviceable and said a browser-based version would make settings easier to adjust. The review also noted that the black model showed scuffs and scratches more than the white version, and that headset and base station colors are matched in the box rather than mixed.
Even with those limits, The Verge’s assessment centered on the battery system. Faulkner wrote that the InfinitePlay’s no-look, no-downtime battery swap gives the $229.99 headset an advantage over some more expensive wireless gaming models.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.