Audeze Maxwell 2 Wireless Gaming Headset vs Sony PlayStation PULSE Elite
Get the Audeze Maxwell 2. Unless you play on PS5 only and want planar sound for less than half the price — then the Sony PULSE Elite.
Audeze Maxwell 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
The best-sounding gaming headset: big planar magnetic drivers, about 80 hours of battery and an excellent mic. It's heavy and expensive.
Sony PlayStation PULSE Elite
Sony's own PS5 headset: rich, detailed planar sound, a clear retractable mic and a battery that lasted over 50 hours in testing.
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Both use planar magnetic drivers. The Maxwell 2 sounds better, lasts longer, has an excellent mic and works with a cable and on Xbox (Xbox version); the PULSE Elite is far cheaper and made for PS5 and the PlayStation Portal, with a clear retractable mic, but it's bulky and the connection can drop.
- —You want the best sound there is.
- —You play on Xbox or PC as well.
- —You want the longest battery.
- —You play on PS5 or PlayStation Portal.
- —You want planar sound for much less.
- —You like a mic that tucks away.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Planar magnetic sound, the best in a gaming headset
- +About 80 hours of battery
- +Dongle, Bluetooth and cable
- −Heavy, so it can tire you over long sessions.
- −Can't play the dongle and Bluetooth at the same time.
- −Blocks little outside noise, with no noise cancelling.
- −The bass drops if the seal breaks, for example with glasses.
- +Rich, detailed planar sound
- +Clear retractable mic
- +PS5, PlayStation Portal and phone at once
- −Bulky and a little heavy.
- −It blocks little outside noise.
- −Some owners had the connection or dongle drop out.
- Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 worth it?
- Is the PULSE Elite worth it?
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, Tom's Hardware, PC Gamer, manufacturer specifications.