What RTINGS picked
The guide sorts headsets by price tier and need instead of crowning one winner for everyone. The six picks, as RTINGS lays them out:
| Category | Pick |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Audeze Maxwell 2 (Xbox variant) |
| Best upper mid-range | Razer BlackShark V3 Pro |
| Best mid-range | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless |
| Best lower mid-range | Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) |
| Best budget | Logitech G432 |
| Best open-back | Turtle Beach Atlas Air |
RTINGS says it has bought and tested 932 headphones, which is a reasonable base for comparing products. The guide also says its picks weigh price, reader feedback and availability. Those factors go beyond lab measurements.
The winner: Audeze Maxwell 2
Variants matter here. RTINGS describes the Maxwell 2 as premium over-ear wireless gaming headphones sold in PlayStation and Xbox variants. Buy the Xbox version for an Xbox. A mismatched variant is the sort of mistake that turns a premium purchase into an expensive paperweight.
Other details from RTINGS's coverage:
- Microphone: RTINGS's own review says the Maxwell 2 has an amazing microphone.
- Noise isolation: The same review calls its noise isolation disappointing.
- Versus the original Maxwell: RTINGS says it is slightly better than the first-generation model, with a small caveat.
- Battery: RTINGS's guide reports 77 hours of battery life. That is the tested figure, and it sits below Audeze's 80-plus-hour rating. Third-party coverage of the test makes the same comparison.
For anyone who wants to hop between Xbox and PC at the press of a button, the guide mentions the Astro A50 X as an alternative. RTINGS says it is lighter but measured 17.5 hours of battery life per charge (Logitech claims up to 26 hours).
The rest of the lineup
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro (upper mid-range). RTINGS describes an energetic, V-shaped sound and a boom mic that handles background chatter well, though it rates the Audeze's mic better. The mic is detachable and there is no built-in one, so calls need the boom attached. RTINGS also reports no Bluetooth multipoint support.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless (mid-range). RTINGS calls it the best wireless Xbox headset it has tested at this price. Its battery life is shorter than the two tiers above it, and the mic doesn't come off. RTINGS also notes that it has not tested the newer Arctis Nova 7 (2nd Gen), whose maker claims better battery life. Don't assume the second-generation model matches RTINGS's findings for the original.
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) (lower mid-range). This is the pick for buyers who put cost ahead of build quality. RTINGS reports 85 hours per charge. The trade-off it describes is a somewhat plasticky build. It also can't be used while plugged in once the battery is drained.
Logitech G432 (budget). It is wired-only and built with PCs in mind. RTINGS says its customization features don't work on Xbox, which matters if you're expecting software-driven tuning. It also calls the build plasticky.
Turtle Beach Atlas Air (open-back). The open design gives a roomier soundstage but leaks a lot of sound and offers little isolation, so it suits a quiet room better than a shared one. RTINGS says it connects to Xbox through the controller's analog jack, which means no wireless audio on the console.
Practical notes for Xbox owners
- Match the variant to the platform. Xbox and PlayStation editions of the same headset are not interchangeable.
- Check what the wireless link actually is. Some headsets use a dongle, some use Xbox's own wireless standard, and some only connect by wire. RTINGS's notes show the same headset can behave differently on Xbox than on PC.
- Don't count on companion-app features on console. The Logitech G432 case shows that features available on a PC may not carry over to Xbox.
- Treat battery figures as tested numbers. RTINGS's 77 hours for the Maxwell 2 is a measured result, while the manufacturer's rating is higher.
- Compare mics, not just drivers. Several of RTINGS's comparisons hinge on how well a mic separates your voice from room noise, and that matters more for team chat than headline sound quality.
How to read the ranking
This is a consumer recommendation page, and it carries retailer links. RTINGS says it may earn an affiliate commission on purchases through its site, and it is also funded by memberships. That doesn't make the testing wrong, but it is a reason to read the picks as RTINGS's judgment rather than a universal consensus. The page text I could inspect gives no prices, and I'm not stating any here. Check current pricing yourself, because tiers like "mid-range" shift with discounts.
The "2026" in the title reflects the page's year, not a claim that every product launched this year. Also remember that listening preferences are personal. A bright, bass-heavy or V-shaped tuning that RTINGS describes neutrally may be exactly what you want, or exactly what you don't.
Bottom line
The picks stayed the same after RTINGS's November 4 check. The Maxwell 2 Xbox edition stays on top, with the Razer, SteelSeries, Turtle Beach and Logitech models covering the lower price tiers. The most useful parts of the guide are the compatibility and trade-off notes: the Xbox-specific variant, the wired-only limits, the analog-only Atlas Air, and the untested Nova 7 second generation.
Correction (November 5, 2026): The Astro A50 X battery figure originally said RTINGS reported about 26 hours per charge. RTINGS measured 17.5 hours; 26 hours is Logitech's claimed figure.