Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Audeze Maxwell
Best Audiophile PickTurtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
Best BudgetPrice
$299-$349
$70-$100
Summary
Planar magnetic drivers deliver a level of audio fidelity no other gaming headset can touch. Reddit's audiophile-leaning communities consistently push this as the endgame gaming headset.
The best sub-$100 gaming headset tested by RTINGS, with an incredible 85-hour battery life and comfortable fit. Punches well above its price class for casual and competitive gamers.
Pros
- Planar magnetic drivers produce exceptional detail and soundstage
- Won the most head-to-head categories in Tom's Guide high-end headset test
- Works wirelessly on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
- Lossless 2.4GHz wireless with very low latency
- Built-in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
- 85-hour battery life — best in class at any price
- Comfortable over-ear design for long sessions
- Wireless at under $100 — rare at this price point
- Works on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC
- Consistently top-rated in budget category by RTINGS
Cons
- Very expensive, often $300+
- Heavy due to planar magnetic driver design
- Battery life shorter than competitors at around 80 hours (still solid, but planar drivers are power-hungry)
- Sound quality doesn't match premium headsets
- Mic is functional but not impressive
- Build feels plasticky compared to pricier options
Our take
If you care about sound above everything else, nothing in the gaming headset category comes close. The Maxwell makes other headsets sound flat.
Don't spend $200+ until you've tried this. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 makes a genuinely strong case that you don't need to.
Buy
