Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC review: an excellent, though not essential, upgrade for the best-sounding gaming headset I’ve ever used

TechRadar Verdict My favorite gaming headset of the last few years gets an excellent, though not essential, upgrade that makes it an even better proposition. ANC and planar-magnetic drivers combine for the first time, and the results are spectacular — the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is simply superb and a must-consider for anybody chasing the best in gaming audio and for whom ANC is a top priority. Reasons to buy +World-class game audio +Excellent feature set +Strong noise cancellation +Great design and build quality +Has all the same excellence as the non-ANC model Reasons to avoid -ANC might not be enough for existing Maxwell 2 owners to upgrade -Battery life takes a big hit -Head tracking feature still feels a little niche -A price jump up from the non-ANC version Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. Jump To: One-minute review Price and availability Specs Design & features Performance Should I buy? Also consider... How I tested Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: one-minute reviewThe Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is simply a fantastic version of an already world-beating wireless gaming headset. While it shares an awful lot with the ‘original’ Audeze Maxwell 2 that launched earlier this year, the addition of genuinely excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) means that it offers an enhanced experience compared to its brethren.The design and build remain very similar to that older model, with the big, weighty earcups sitting comfortably over your ears while the leather headstrap keeps things secure. Controls are also nearly identical, bar the addition of the ANC button on the front of the left cup. It’s a sturdy and robust build which gives great confidence, but if you’re in any way wary of weighty sets, then the Maxwell 2 ANC might be a bit much for you — it’s a chonker at 19.75oz / 560g.However, the heft is unequivocally worth it in my opinion: when it comes to performance, the Maxwell 2 is absolutely fantastic. The non-ANC Maxwell 2 is my pick for the best-sounding gaming headset money can buy right now, and the ANC variant sounds just as brilliant in all scenarios across different platforms.Latest Videos FromTechRadarThe ANC itself is a welcome addition and a genuinely impressive one, blocking out all exterior noise in my testing, as well as offering a transparency mode. The quality of the ANC makes it perfect for busy environments, or just achieving maximal immersion in your games.This is up there with the absolute best in the premium ANC business — like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni and Nova Elite I tested in recent months — and I can’t recommend it more if it fits in your budget. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Price and availabilityList price: $429 / £429 / AU$699Chunky increase in price over the non-ANC modelPriced alongside competitors from the likes of SteelSeries, but above other wireless contendersThe Maxwell 2 ANC is more expensive than its ‘regular’ counterpart: it’s $100 / £90 / AU$130 more. With only a few features that are different from its non-ANC brother, its value proposition will be called into question.For that price, it’s above the likes of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni (a direct competitor to the Maxwell 2), which is a headset with excellent ANC and one I really would recommend as well.Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxSign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.More broadly, you can still get models such as the brilliant Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2 headset for comfortably less, and other planar magnetic driver gaming headsets like the wired Asus ROG Kithara are cheaper still (though aren’t quite like-for-like).As a result, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is a premium headset package, and the combination of its awesome planar magnetic driver audio and the great ANC makes it a sizable investment in the gaming headset market — though still much less than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. If the best gaming audio and ANC are both must-have features for you, then the Maxwell 2 ANC will still offer what you want and earn its price tag. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Price $429 / £429 / AU$699 Weight 19.75oz / 560g Drivers 90mm Planar Magnetic Compatibility PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile Connection type Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint) Battery life ANC off: 40 hours; ANC on: 35 hours Features “Aviation-grade” ANC with dual dedicated 1.4W amplifiers, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox) Software Audeze App (PC & mobile) Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: Design & featuresRobust build with a great feature set that builds on predecessorA little heavier than the non-ANC headsetWeaker battery lifeThe Maxwell 2 ANC gives great confidence with its build. It feels robust, solid, and able to withstand a knock or a drop (something I can attest to), and a lot of that comes from its weightiness. Some folks might immediately associate ‘heavy gaming headset’ with ‘bad,’ but I really think that is a grave misconception and something drilled into us by the marketing of other brands.In reality, the design and build are so nicely done that it offsets the weight, and the comfort too — largely down to its new memory foam cushions and ventilated leather head strap — means that I’ve never really noticed wearing the Maxwell 2 ANC for even the longest sessions.In terms of on-board controls, the left cup houses the volume dial, the game-chat mix dial, an audio jack, a USB-C port, a mic port, and the new ANC button. The right cup has the mic mute switch and the power button, which also doubles up as the Bluetooth pairing button. Simple. The dual microphone is very welcome, and means you can deploy the Maxwell 2 ANC for entertainment and music, and still rely on something for comms, without plugging in the detachable boom mic. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Small improvements are also present and welcome. One of which is that the wireless dongle is much shorter than the lollipop stick found with the non-ANC model, and makes for a much tidier look on the front of a PS5 or PC. The head tracking features provided by Embody Immerse Gaming Hive and Dolby Atmos Rendered compatibility are fun and a novelty, though they still feel a little niche for me.The most notable thing in the features of the Maxwell 2 ANC, however, sadly, is that the battery life has taken a dive compared to the regular Maxwell 2. While the non-ANC version could get you 80-odd hours of use, the ANC version is limited to about half of that with ANC off, and 35 hours with ANC on.It’s perfectly serviceable and still provides you with comfortably more than a full day, but it is a shame the difference is so massive. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC: PerformanceIncredible audio quality across all gamesExcellent ANC performance that doesn’t kill bassComfortable to wear, plus a really solid micThe Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is simply fantastic when put to the test. The gaming audio it provides is every bit as good as the audio I love from the regular Maxwell 2.No matter what I’ve been playing, the Maxwell 2 ANC provides thumping combat sounds, beautifully crisp environmental audio, and rich, rounded soundtracks. It’s a joy to use as a media and entertainment pair of headphones too, with music singing clearly into my ears. Planar magnetic driver audio really is something else.Backing this up is the microphone combo, which ensures I’m clear and crisp with my teammates even in the most frantic of online multiplayer battles.Key to the audio sounding so good all the time is that the main USP of the headset, the ANC, doesn’t kill bass like almost every other ANC I’ve tried in my years of testing.This means that you really are getting uncompromising audio, and some very effective ANC too; it’s excellent for immersion, and even in a busy household with a few people, I’ve been unbothered by external noise. This is undoubtedly aided by Audeze’s SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) tech, which is proven to assist in bass performance. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)The weight of the headset doesn’t impact the performance of the Maxwell 2 ANC from a comfort perspective either. It might be heavier than other headsets, sure, but it’s never been uncomfortable on my head, even in the longest of sessions. I've almost come to prefer it over lightweight models you totally forget you’re wearing.Elsewhere, I will say that by default the Maxwell 2 ANC can be quite quiet, which was a mild annoyance, though easily solved on PC or PS5 by manually adjusting the volume. The companion Audeze app on desktop and mobile has also been handy, facilitating firmware updates and allowing for EQ tinkering.All in all, the Maxwell 2 ANC has all that is great about the non-ANC variant and adds excellent ANC. If you have to have the latter and are eyeing up the best version of the best-sounding headset, then this is the one to get. (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Should I buy the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC?Buy it if...You want the best version of the best-sounding gaming headset goingIf you’re on the hunt for the best-sounding gaming headset money can buy right now, and want to make sure you get the most up-to-date variant, then the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC is the one for you.You need excellent ANC in a gaming headsetIf ANC is at the top of your desired feature list, then what’s on offer here in the Maxwell 2 ANC - combined with its sheer audio quality and prowess - is certainly something to take notice of.You’re an audiophile gamer chasing the best in audio from specialist driversIf you’re someone who really, really cares about your gaming audio and wants something extra special that’s geared toward audio lovers, then the Maxwell 2 ANC’s planar magnetic drivers, in conjunction with its ANC and other features, are perfect for you.You’re on one, maybe two, platforms onlyWhile it can’t connect to lots of devices simultaneously like some of the competition, if you’re looking for one of the best gaming headsets money can buy for a small number of platforms, then this version of the Audeze Maxwell 2 needs to be considered.Don't buy it if...You’re wary of weighty headsetsPersonally, I think this is a grossly overstated ‘con’ of gaming headsets, but the fact remains: if you’ve grown used to lightweight headsets, then the Maxwell 2 ANC won’t be for you.You already have a Maxwell 2As great as the ANC is on this new version of the Maxwell 2, if it’s a feature you can do without, then I’d recommend the normal version of the Maxwell 2 to save some cash but still get that supreme audio experience. Also consider...If the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC doesn’t feel like it’s going to hit the mark for you, then these are the two alternatives I’d look to right now. Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0 Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC Audeze Maxwell 2 SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni Price $429 / £429 / AU$699 $329 / £339 / AU$569 $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799 Weight 19.75oz / 560g 17.3oz / 490g 11.95oz / 339g Drivers 90mm Planar Magnetic 90mm Planar Magnetic Custom 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic (Hi-Res) Compatibility PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile, Meta Quest 2/3 Connection type Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint) Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint) Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 + LE Audio (SBC with MultiPoint support for up to 10 devices; LC3, LC3+ for LE Audio) Battery life ANC off: 40 hours; ANC on: 35 hours 80+ hours Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System Features “Aviation-grade” ANC with dual dedicated 1.4W amplifiers, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox) 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox) Simultaneous four-source audio via Omni GameHub; certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), ClearCast Pro - Retractable Boom Microphone with onboard AI Noise Rejection, ANC, Arctis Companion App compatibility Software Audeze App (PC & mobile) Audeze App (PC & mobile) SteelSeries GG/Sonar, SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android) (Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)How I tested the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANCTested over the course of a few monthsCompared with other headsets, including the non-ANC versionUsed across PS5 and PC games, on mobile, and for music, work, and entertainmentI’ve used the Audeze Maxwell 2 ANC as my go-to PS5 headset for a few months now, playing the likes of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Tom Clancy's The Division 2 and Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 with friends online, as well as regularly using it on my PC when not using my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset — a competing headset that has been great for comparison.On my Acer Predator Orion 5000 gaming PC (supplied by Acer), I’ve tested the Maxwell 2 ANC not only with everyday usage like work calls, music, and TV, but also with games like Cyberpunk 2077, Frostpunk 2, Crusader Kings 3, and a preview of a game or two under embargo.First reviewed July-October 2026Read more about how we test Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming and Streaming Rob is the Managing Editor of TechRadar Gaming and Streaming, a video games journalist, critic, editor, and writer, and has years of experience gained from multiple publications. Prior to being TechRadar Gaming's Managing Editor, he was TRG's Deputy Editor, and a longstanding member of GamesRadar+, being the Commissioning Editor for Hardware there for years, while also squeezing in a short stint as Gaming Editor at WePC just before joining TechRadar Gaming. He is also a writer on tech, gaming hardware, and video games but also gardens and landscapes, and has written about the virtual landscapes of games for years. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.