Audeze Maxwell 2 Review: A Brilliant Gaming Headset That Makes Music Fans Listen Twice

By Editorial Team | April 2026

The best thing about the Audeze Maxwell 2 is simple: it sounds better than a gaming headset has any right to. If you want one wireless headset for Xbox or PC that can handle games, music, and calls without sounding like a compromise, this is the one to beat. The catch is obvious too: it’s heavy, and you will feel that.

Our pick: Audeze Maxwell 2

Audeze Maxwell 2 — £369.00

This is the wireless gaming headset to buy if sound quality matters more to you than shaving grams off the headband. Our score is 8.3/10, and that lines up with the experience: the 90mm planar magnetic drivers give it a bigger, cleaner, more controlled sound than most gaming headsets, while the 80+ hour battery life means charging stops being part of your routine.

Why it works:

• The 90mm planar magnetic drivers are the whole story here. They deliver a wider, more resolved sound than the usual gaming-headset tuning, so games feel less flat and music actually holds up.
• 80+ hours of battery life is not a spec-sheet flex. It means you can use this for days of work, gaming, and commuting between sessions without hunting for a cable.
• The 20-minute fast charge is genuinely useful. If you forget to charge it, a short plug-in gets you back in the game fast enough to matter.
• The detachable boom mic with AI noise reduction keeps voice chat clear enough for noisy rooms and mechanical keyboards, which is exactly where most gaming headsets fall apart.

The honest trade-off: at 560g, it is heavy, and comfort is the price you pay for that big battery and planar audio. Buy the Audeze Maxwell 2 if you want the best-sounding wireless gaming headset and can live with the weight.

Best upgrade: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite — about £570

If you want a pricier headset that pushes harder on luxury and connectivity, this is the step up. It’s the kind of buy that makes sense if you care about the whole package — premium features, more flexible switching, and a more polished everyday experience — rather than purely chasing the best audio-per-pound ratio.

Worth it if: you want the premium headset route and are happy paying for convenience and flexibility as much as sound.

Best budget pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless — about £229

This is the sensible lower-cost alternative if you want wireless gaming headset basics done well without spending Maxwell money. It gives you multi-system support and strong all-round gaming performance, but you give up the Maxwell 2’s planar sound and monster battery life.

Worth it if: you want a premium-feeling wireless headset and care more about saving money than chasing the best audio quality.

How we chose

We looked at what matters most for a wireless gaming headset: sound quality, battery life, microphone clarity, platform flexibility, and comfort over long sessions. For this pick, the decisive factor was whether it could do more than game well — and the Maxwell 2 clears that bar better than most rivals.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 good for music as well as gaming?
Yes. That’s one of its biggest strengths, and the planar magnetic drivers are the reason it sounds more like a serious pair of headphones than a typical gaming headset.

Why is it so expensive?
You’re paying for high-end drivers, huge battery life, and a headset that’s trying to replace both your gaming cans and your everyday wireless headphones.

Does the microphone perform well in noisy rooms?
Yes, mostly — the AI noise reduction helps, but it’s good rather than class-leading, so don’t buy it expecting broadcast-level voice quality.

Should you worry about the weight?
Yes, if you wear headsets for hours at a time. The 560g build is the Maxwell 2’s biggest flaw, and it’s the main reason some buyers should skip it.