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.
We earn a commission from these links.
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.
For the curious
A deeper look at full specs.
Both planar
Both use planar magnetic drivers.
Battery
Over 80 hours on the Maxwell 2; up to 30 on the Pulse Elite.
Weight
560 g against about 400 g.
Technical specifications
| Audeze Maxwell 2 | PULSE Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Versions | PlayStation/PC or Xbox/PC | — |
| Drivers | 90 mm planar magnetic, 10 Hz–50 kHz | Planar magnetic |
| Type | Over-ear, closed back | — |
| Mic | Detachable hypercardioid boom with AI noise removal, plus internal mic | — |
| Wireless | USB-C dongle (ultra-low latency, up to 24-bit/96 kHz) and Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC, LC3, Auracast and multipoint | — |
| Wired | USB-C and 3.5 mm | — |
| Battery | Over 80 hours; 25% in 20 minutes, full in 2 hours | Up to 30 hours; 10 minutes' charge gives up to 2 hours |
| Spatial audio | Dolby Atmos, Tempest 3D | — |
| Weight | 560 g | About 0.4 kg |
| Connection | — | PlayStation Link USB adapter (PS5, PC, Mac, PlayStation Portal) and Bluetooth, both at once |
| Microphone | — | Retractable boom with AI noise rejection |
| In the box | — | USB adapter, charging hanger, mounting plate, carrying case, USB cable |
From the maker's spec sheet for the Audeze Maxwell 2 (Audeze Maxwell 2 (US)) and the PULSE Elite (PULSE Elite wireless headset), checked October 2026. Versions sold in other countries can differ slightly.
- Is the Audeze Maxwell 2 worth it?
- Is the PULSE Elite worth it?
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 vs Logitech G Pro X 2
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 vs HyperX Cloud III S Wireless
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
- Best gaming headsets
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.