Asus ROG Strix Fusion 500 in 2026: still worth buying, and for how much

What the ROG Strix Fusion 500 was

Asus launched the ROG Strix Fusion 500 in early 2018 as a step up from the Fusion 300, at a US list price of $179.99, according to Tech Advisor's review. It is a wired USB gaming headset with its own audio hardware built into the ear cups.

The published specifications list:

• An ESS 9018 DAC paired with an ESS 9601 amplifier, rated for 24-bit/96kHz playback.
• 50 mm Asus Essence drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 20 to 20,000 Hz frequency response.
• Virtual 7.1 surround processing.
• A digital boom microphone with a 50 to 10,000 Hz range.
• Touch controls on the outer ear cups for volume and media, and RGB lighting that syncs with other Aura Sync products.
• USB connection with a 2 m cable, listed for PC, Mac and PS4.

Tech Advisor noted that the swipe controls do not work on PS4, so volume has to be set elsewhere on that console.

Is the Fusion 500 still sold new

No. At the time of checking (October 2026), the former US product page on rog.asus.com returned a not-found error, and European retailers such as LDLC and Alza mark the headset as no longer on sale or discontinued. Asus has not published a formal end-of-life notice that PickedBox could find.

Any listing that calls a Fusion 500 new is most likely old stock from a third-party seller. Check the seller's return terms before buying, because an eight-year-old sealed box may still have aged ear pads and no manufacturer warranty left.

What a used Fusion 500 is worth in 2026

There is no steady new price to compare against any more. For reference, Tech Advisor reported US retail prices of $158.99 at Amazon and Walmart and $179.99 at Best Buy while it was still on shelves.

Used prices are now far lower. A search snapshot showed a used unit without accessories on eBay Germany at 49.99 euros in mid-2025. PickedBox could not load eBay US or Newegg listings directly, so no confirmed US used price is given here.

A practical ceiling: because the newer Fusion II 500 has been listed as low as $129.99 in past sales and wired headsets with USB sound cards start around $60 new, a used Fusion 500 is hard to justify above roughly $50 to $60 unless it comes with fresh ear pads and a return window.

What to check before buying one used

• Ear pads and headband. The leatherette pads flake with age. Ask for close photos, and price in replacement pads.
• Touch controls. Ask the seller to confirm that swipe volume and mute work on a PC.
• Microphone. The boom mic is built in; a short voice recording from the seller is worth asking for.
• Cable and USB port. The headset runs on USB only, so a damaged cable or port means no sound at all.
• Software. RGB and surround settings rely on Asus software. Check the Asus support site for a current download before you buy, since support for older peripherals can lapse.
• Return terms. Prefer sellers that accept returns for at least 14 days, or refurbished listings with a stated warranty.

Newer headsets to consider instead

The closest replacement is the ROG Fusion II 500. The ROG page lists an ESS 9280 Quad DAC, 50 mm Essence drivers, virtual 7.1 surround and hidden AI beamforming microphones instead of a boom mic. It connects by USB-C, USB-A or 3.5 mm, which adds PS5, Switch, Xbox and phone support. Its list price at launch was $179.99, and deal coverage has shown it at $129.99.

Prices on brand sites change often. PickedBox lists offers for Razer and SteelSeries.

Where gaming headsets cost less

For a current model, the large electronics stores usually match each other on list price, so the saving comes from timing and condition.

• Newegg lists open-box and refurbished headsets alongside new stock. See current offers on the Newegg coupon page.
• Best Buy sells open-box units with a condition grade and runs headset markdowns around Black Friday. See the Best Buy coupon page.
• Sale timing. Gaming peripherals are most often discounted around late November and in summer retail events.

Who the old Fusion 500 is for: a PC player who finds a clean unit with good pads for well under $60 and does not need console chat support. Everyone else is better served by a current model with a warranty.

How we checked this

In October 2026, PickedBox checked the ROG United States site, where the former Strix Fusion 500 page returned a not-found error and the ROG Fusion II 500 page and its specifications loaded. Launch price, specifications and past US prices come from Tech Advisor's review. Discontinued status comes from retailer listings at LDLC and Alza seen in search results. Alternative prices were read from razer.com and steelseries.com on Oct 18, 2026. eBay and Newegg returned access errors, so used prices rely on a search snapshot. No headsets were bought or used for this guide.

• Tech Advisor: ROG Strix Fusion 500 review
• LDLC: ROG Strix Fusion 500 listing (no longer on sale)
• ROG Fusion II 500 product page
• ROG Fusion II 500 specifications
• Notebookcheck: Fusion II 500 discount coverage
• Razer BlackShark V2 X product page
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless product page

How we test codes and what the labels mean: How we verify coupons.