# Audeze Maxwell 2

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/audeze-maxwell-2
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/gaming-headsets
- Placement: #1 of 27 in Gaming Headsets, S tier
- Brand: Audeze
- LP on this board: 1100
- Last researched: 2026-09-10T05:01:11.576Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Dataset: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22062813 - every board at once, one dated snapshot per release, same licence, prices and photographs left out
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

RTINGS' number one across three current guides plus Crutchfield's best all-around, on a build platform designed to be serviced rather than discarded. The safest long-term ownership bet in the category.

## For

- Named best gaming headset overall, best wireless, and best PC gaming headset by RTINGS in their current guides
- Robust suspension bands and replaceable parts make the headset serviceable rather than disposable
- Planar drivers do not rely on fragile tensioned film
- Crutchfield's 2026 guide names it their best all-around gaming headset
- Audiophile-grade planar sound combined with gaming features

## Against

- One of the priciest headsets in its class
- Sits at the top of the market on price

## Evidence

Consolidated from 71 cited sources across 51 outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RTINGS | - | B | https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/wireless-gaming-headsets | fetched and confirmed |
| RTINGS | - | - | https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/pc-gaming-headsets | fetched and confirmed |
| r/Audeze | u/m_wallani | C | https://www.reddit.com/r/Audeze/comments/1t5mtd2/looking_for_honest_and_brutal_opinion_on_the/ | fetched and confirmed |
| r/Audeze | u/Cosmic-Cats-2001 | C | https://www.reddit.com/r/Audeze/comments/1qje2bz/my_review_of_the_maxwell_2_after_10_days/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Stream Tech Reviews by BadIntent | BadIntent | C | https://www.streamtechreviews.com/blog/maxwell2 | fetched and confirmed |
| Basic Tutorials | basic-tutorials.com | B | https://basic-tutorials.com/news/audeze-maxwell-2-the-new-flagship-headset-for-audiophile-gamers/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Yahoo Tech | Jeff Dunn | B | https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/article/best-gaming-headset-120000185.html | fetched and confirmed |
| Crutchfield | - | B | https://www.crutchfield.com/learn/best-gaming-headsets.html | outlet blocks automated checks |
| RTINGS | - | B | https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/by-usage/gaming | fetched and confirmed |
| Audio Science Review | - | B | https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/best-gaming-headset-expert-choice.68301/ | fetched and confirmed |
| IGN | Michael Higham | B | https://www.ign.com/articles/best-gaming-headset | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | D | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQIYys_SGGQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Yahoo Tech | Mack Ashworth | B | https://tech.yahoo.com/gaming/articles/audeze-maxwell-2-anc-gaming-203033413.html | fetched and confirmed |
| TechteamGB | Andrew McDonald | D | https://techteamgb.co.uk/2026/01/16/audeze-maxwell-2-review-utter-disappointment/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Audio46 Headphone Store | Delaney Czernikowski | B | https://audio46.com/blogs/headphones/audeze-maxwell-2-review-your-next-gaming-headset-upgrade | fetched and confirmed |
| Major HiFi | Alex Schiffer | C | https://majorhifi.com/audeze-maxwell-2-review-audiophile-sound-meets-wireless-gaming/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Headfonia | NanoTechnos | A | https://www.headfonia.com/audeze-maxwell-2-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | Jhaycee Calvez | B | https://www.soundguys.com/audeze-maxwell-2-review-152758/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tom's Hardware | tomshardware.com | C | https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-headsets/audeze-maxwell-2-review | fetched and confirmed |
| PC Gamer | pcgamer.com | A | https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-headsets/audeze-maxwell-2-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Poc Network // Tech | pocnetwork.net | C | https://www.pocnetwork.net/product-reviews/audeze-maxwell-2-wireless-planar-magnetic-gaming-headset/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Crutchfield | crutchfield.com | B | https://www.crutchfield.com/learn/audeze-maxwell-2-review.html | fetched and confirmed |
| Major HiFi | Alex Schiffer | C | https://majorhifi.com/audeze-maxwell-vs-maxwell-2-is-the-upgrade-worth-it/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Rapid Reviews UK | rapidreviewsuk.com | C | https://www.rapidreviewsuk.com/audeze-maxwell-2-the-rapid-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| RTINGS Audio | RTINGS Audio | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-m_SS9C0as | fetched and confirmed |
| IGN | IGN | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bmUj3zN3kM | fetched and confirmed |
| Dave Taylor | Dave Taylor | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7e115YxckY | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo3gfsiKS4c | fetched and confirmed |
| Gamer Heaven | Gamer Heaven | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKtVonY5gFA | fetched and confirmed |
| GadgetryTech | GadgetryTech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYcUDUkLUUI | fetched and confirmed |
| EBPMAN Tech Reviews | EBPMAN Tech Reviews | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Y7Bnkc5GE | fetched and confirmed |
| avrona | avrona | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrtRIMMPP0 | fetched and confirmed |
| GearUP with Aaron | GearUP with Aaron | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZymk9Cu768 | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDksVBVOc9I | fetched and confirmed |
| SoundGuys | SoundGuys | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YL6tmKMVJ0 | fetched and confirmed |
| Stream Tech Reviews | Stream Tech Reviews | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgiOyjiIHxg | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs5s5Saa7RQ | fetched and confirmed |
| JuanBagnell | JuanBagnell | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_0ztrve-cY | fetched and confirmed |
| I-Got-DIBS | I-Got-DIBS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVIiF4hMrt8 | fetched and confirmed |
| CHIGABYTE | CHIGABYTE | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV-2-HQK4xo | fetched and confirmed |
| Dan’s Tech House | Dan’s Tech House | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXsMd6s9aVU | fetched and confirmed |
| EBPMAN Tech Reviews | EBPMAN Tech Reviews | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1PdRYAl2xY | fetched and confirmed |
| Stream Tech Reviews | Stream Tech Reviews | D | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26QUIlZZLAo | fetched and confirmed |
| TECHATOP | TECHATOP | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIjO-o1xjZA | fetched and confirmed |
| GadgetryTech | GadgetryTech | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8ULkBHxIOs | fetched and confirmed |
| HiFi AV Tech | HiFi AV Tech | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEKtNahpXAg | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | D | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PCi9CWEI_o | fetched and confirmed |
| FragWatch | FragWatch | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKu1uzMOfDY | fetched and confirmed |
| Wicked Cushions | Wicked Cushions | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-H1QwphwYg | fetched and confirmed |
| Which is Better | Which is Better | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lJk-meEcI | fetched and confirmed |
| Headphones Pro Review | Headphones Pro Review | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYh2wctVWGo | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dxOSeirME8 | fetched and confirmed |
| LATE KNIGHT TALKS | LATE KNIGHT TALKS | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzx2fri7zg8 | fetched and confirmed |
| Sweetwater Home Audio | Sweetwater Home Audio | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS4MnWWBPIA | fetched and confirmed |
| AV Atmos | AV Atmos | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADAxHm3PTwo | fetched and confirmed |
| Poc Network // Tech | Poc Network // Tech | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we2yPDEpsFQ | fetched and confirmed |
| TECH VERR | TECH VERR | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFTc8xGovoU | fetched and confirmed |
| Byte Sized Reviews | Byte Sized Reviews | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRIV2KC3-A8 | fetched and confirmed |
| Emma Explains AI | Emma Explains AI | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhOfV2v9SpE | fetched and confirmed |
| Magnetic Magazine | magneticmag.com | B | https://magneticmag.com/2026/02/audeze-maxwell-2-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| AOL.com | AOL | C | https://www.aol.com/articles/audeze-maxwell-2-anc-gaming-203033000.html | fetched and confirmed |
| PC Gamer | pcgamer.com | C | https://www.pcgamer.com/best-gaming-headset/ | fetched and confirmed |
| GamesRadar+ | gamesradar.com | C | https://www.gamesradar.com/best-gaming-headsets/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tom's Guide | tomsguide.com | B | https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/gaming-peripherals/i-tested-reddits-favorite-high-end-gaming-headsets-and-theres-a-clear-winner-but-its-not-the-one-i-expected | fetched and confirmed |
| Tom's Guide | tomsguide.com | B | https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/gaming-peripherals/audeze-maxwell-2-review | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Insider | - | B | https://tech-insider.org/a50x-vs-nova-pro-omni-vs-audeze-maxwell-2-2026/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Audio Advice | Audio Advice | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLO_gZu66-o | fetched and confirmed |
| Android Central | androidcentral.com | B | https://www.androidcentral.com/accessories/audio/audeze-maxwell-2-is-a-headset-like-no-other | fetched and confirmed |
| GGChrono | GGChrono | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1MUUHDURAI | fetched and confirmed |
| GRAMOPHONE | GRAMOPHONE | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_tgVJwSlJg | fetched and confirmed |
| Mic And Cam | Mic And Cam | C | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCNTN-y8lWU | fetched and confirmed |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 | HyperX Cloud III | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/hyperx-cloud-iii |
| 3 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-wireless |
| 4 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (Gen 2) | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/steelseries-arctis-nova-7-wireless-gen-2 |
| 5 | HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/hyperx-cloud-alpha-wireless |
| 6 | Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay | B | https://stierproducts.com/products/glorious-ghs-wireless-infiniteplay |
| 23 | Corsair Virtuoso Max | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/corsair-virtuoso-max |
| 24 | Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/turtle-beach-stealth-600-gen-3 |
| 25 | Logitech G Astro A50 X | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/logitech-g-astro-a50-x |
| 26 | Sony InZone H9 II | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/sony-inzone-h9-ii |
| 27 | Razer Kraken V4 Pro | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/razer-kraken-v4-pro |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/gaming-headsets.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is the Audeze Maxwell 2 for?

Anyone who wants the best gaming headset and is prepared to pay the top of the market for it. It is the only S tier product on our board, called the best gaming headset tested by RTINGS and backed by IGN and Crutchfield, and it combines audiophile planar sound with gaming features on a build made to last. If that price is too much, the wired HyperX Cloud III in A tier is the next best buy and the closest thing to a forever headset. If you are cross-shopping it against the Corsair Virtuoso Max, the research says the Audeze Maxwell 2 is the better headset at the same money.

### How long does the Audeze Maxwell 2 last?

Longer than almost any wireless headset on our board. The heavy metal-and-steel construction is built to last, the planar drivers have none of the fragile suspension a dynamic driver uses, and the battery of more than 80 hours degrades slowly relative to its capacity because it needs so few charge cycles. The research describes it as the complete ownership package, which is a longevity verdict as much as a sound one.

### What are planar drivers on the Audeze Maxwell 2?

A planar magnetic driver moves a thin flat film suspended between magnets instead of a cone on a flexible surround. The film is driven evenly across its whole surface, which gives lower distortion and faster response than a typical dynamic driver. It also has no delicate surround to fatigue or tear, which is why the research credits the Audeze Maxwell 2 with drivers that age gracefully. Planar drivers are heavier, which is part of why this headset weighs more than most.

### Does the Audeze Maxwell 2 have ANC?

Our research does not list active noise cancelling among its features, and it does not rank on that basis. The closed-back design and thick pads block a fair amount of room noise passively, which is enough for most desk setups. If cancelling noise is your overriding priority, check the maker's current specifications before buying, because the board ranks it on sound, build and battery rather than on ANC.

### How do I look after the Audeze Maxwell 2 battery?

Charge it when it runs low rather than topping it up every session, and do not store it flat for weeks. A battery this large goes through few charge cycles a year, which is already the main reason it degrades slowly. Keep it away from heat, and if you will not use it for a long stretch, leave it around half charged. Use the wired connection at the desk if you want to spare the battery entirely.

## What this tier means

- S: Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stspimgdevmfyk46r5vwkay.blob.core.windows.net/images/products/audeze-maxwell-2.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.