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OXS Storm G2: two-minute review
The OXS Storm G2 is a wireless gaming headset compatible with PlayStation and Nintendo consoles, as well as PC and mobile, thanks to its various connectivity modes. It looks sleek and quite understated, although there are a few flourishes that mark it out as a gaming peripheral, and these are its least attractive aspects. However, the RGB lighting does add some tasteful vibrancy to proceedings.
The buttons operate solidly and smoothly, and are well located to make for easy access. The volume wheel is placed underneath rather than behind the left driver, which prevents miscrolls when leaning back in a chair. However, it’s a shame that it’s awkward to use, owing to its low profile and rough notching.
It’s also pleasingly light and not as bulky as some of its rivals. However, it doesn’t feel as premium as the best wireless gaming headsets out there, with the plastics letting the side down somewhat. The fit and finish in certain areas is admirable, while it’s wanting in others.
The hooks for the drivers feel reassuringly solid, although their height adjustment mechanism is quite poor, as it’s difficult to move them smoothly. Still, at least they offer plenty of security.
The Storm G2’s earcups fail to provide as much cushioning as you might expect based on their thickness: the inside of the drivers touched my ears, it felt as if the lower portion of my ears weren’t cupped sufficiently by the padding.
They also exerted a little too much pressure against the sides of my head. Admittedly, this is a problem I experience with many headsets, and the effect wasn’t too problematic here. However, the issue was made worse when wearing glasses, as the drivers pushed the arms of my frames into my head slightly too much. I found the Storm G2 comfortable for short and medium sessions, but for anything longer, I would experience fatigue.
Despite the lack of software, there are three EQ modes selectable via a dedicated button. These offer meaningful differences to audio quality, with Music and Surround modes being the highlights, as both provide enough fidelity and low end for an enjoyable experience, regardless of the kind of content being consumed. I was also pleasantly surprised by the microphone quality, which is clear and free from distortion.
What’s most impressive about the Storm G2, though, is its low price. There aren’t many gaming headsets with multiple wireless connectivity modes this cheap, still less those that perform as strongly.
There are better sounding gaming headsets out there with budget prices, but they’re still more expensive than the Storm G2 – although some offer software for accessing additional features and tweaks. But at this price point, the Storm G2 is a strong choice for those on the hunt for a decent and affordable gaming headset.
OXS Storm G2 review: price and availability
- $79 / £62 (about AU$123)
- Available now in black and white finishes
- Very good price for a wireless gaming headset
The Storm G2 costs $79 / £62 (about AU$123) and is available now in black and white colorways. It comes with a detachable microphone, carrying bag, USB charging cable, USB-C dongle (with USB-A adapter), and a 3.5mm AUX cable.
This is a very low price for a wireless gaming headset, especially one that supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz standards. If you’re looking for a similarly budget-friendly wireless headset, the Corsair HS55 Wireless is a great alternative, as we think it’s the best PC gaming headset in this category.
It’s still more expensive than the Storm G2, but it can be customized using the iCue software, while the Storm G2 lacks any such tool. It also has good sound, if lacking low-end response somewhat.
If you’re looking to save even more money and don’t mind being tethered, the Epos H3 is one of the best wired gaming headsets around in our view. It boasts superb sound and comfort levels, but like the Storm G2, it lacks software.
OXS Storm G2 review: Specs
|
Price |
$79 / £62 (about AU$123) |
|
Weight |
9.9oz / 282g |
|
Compatibility |
PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS |
|
Connection type |
Wired (USB-A), Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth) |
|
Battery life |
Up to 40 hours |
|
Features |
Three EQ modes, detachable mic |
|
Software |
None |
OXS Storm G2 review: design and features
- Sleek-ish looks
- Passable build quality
- No software
The Storm G2 has a mixed appearance, with sleek elements that are somewhat undermined by the gaming-oriented flourishes, such as a nondescript symbol and contoured drivers. The RGB lighting does inject some attractive dazzle, though.
It feels quite light, and the build quality appears durable enough. However, the plastics aren’t the most premium, and some of the panels and their joins feel a little sharp and unrefined.
The stitching around the headband is more impressive, with its tight and precise execution, and the hooks for the drivers are reassuringly solid. Making height adjustments, though, isn’t the smoothest process, as they tend to grab when sliding them back and forth, but at least remain secure once in place.
The drivers themselves are pleasingly slim, with less bulk than those adorning some other gaming headsets. And while the buttons on the left driver don’t look particularly elegant, their simple layout makes for easy and intuitive operation when wearing the Storm G2.
I was also pleased to see the volume wheel located at the bottom of the driver rather than at the back, as this prevents it from accidentally jogging when leaning back in a chair or sofa – an issue I’ve experienced with other gaming headsets. However, I wish it protruded a little further, as it can be awkward to use at times.
On the issue of comfort, the Storm G2 is again somewhat inconsistent. Despite appearances, the earcup padding isn’t the plushest, which means it fails to buffer the pressure of the drivers pressing inwards, especially around the tops of the ears. This is especially bad news for glasses wearers, as I found the lack of cushioning pushed the arms of my frames into my head with more pressure than I would’ve liked.
The effect isn’t as egregious as some other gaming headsets I’ve tried, and I was comfortable wearing the Storm G2 for an hour or so, but for anything longer, I would start to experience some mild aching and fatigue.
Curiously, the drivers didn’t feel as secure around the bottom of my ears as I was expecting; coupled with the fact that the inside of the drivers made contact with my ears, this made the Storm G2 feel more like an on-ear rather than an over-ear headset.
Thankfully, the headband has a better design; the outer material feels premium, although it still lacks cushioning. Again, this meant I would start to experience aching after long sessions, although I should say it wasn’t to the same degree as I’ve experienced with other gaming headsets.
The detachable microphone has a flexible gooseneck design, which I always welcome, although it doesn’t feel as stable as others I’ve tried. However, it remained in position during use, and it’s very easy to wrangle into the ideal position.
Unfortunately, there’s no customization software for the Storm G2, so those looking for extra features and tweaks will be disappointed. There’s also no way to check the battery level, which is another inconvenience.
OXS Storm G2 review: Performance
- Crisp and punchy sound
- Useful EQ profiles
- Good connectivity
The overall sound of the Storm G2 is quite admirable, with crisply rendered mids and highs without much distortion, although fidelity isn’t up there with headphones dedicated to audio playback. Still, in this sector, the Storm G2 acquits itself well enough for a pleasurable listening experience.
The various listening modes make a meaningful difference to sound as well. Music mode offers the most impact thanks to its punchy bass response, although sub frequencies aren’t as deep or sonorous as those of the best sounding headsets.
Meanwhile, Surround mode lives up to its name and imparts a greater sense of space, which I found helpful when trying to locate footsteps more precisely in Counter-Strike 2, for example. What’s more, this mode also retains the fuller sound of Music mode.
Game mode, however, is perhaps the weakest of the three modes, and only seems to take away fidelity and low-end, with no real benefit to balance this out.
No matter what connectivity mode you use, audio response is fast, and the audio quality is consistent. However, I seemed to detect a slight lag when using Bluetooth. Also, it’s a shame that in wired mode, the various EQ modes, the microphone, and the volume wheel all cease to function. It does seem to default to Music mode, though, which is something I welcomed.
The Storm G2 connected easily to the various platforms I tried it on via both Bluetooth and the 2.4GHz dongle, and is level with the best Nintendo Switch headsets in terms of setup with the console. Battery life is hard to discern, since there’s no indicator, although I can say that it at least lasted a whole day’s worth of testing.
Should I buy the OXS Storm G2?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
OXS Storm G2 review: Also consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
OXS Storm G2 |
Corsair HS55 Wireless |
Epos H3 |
|
Price |
$79 / £62 (about AU$123) |
$119.99 / £119.99 / $229 |
$119 / £109 / AU$179 |
|
Weight |
9.9oz / 282g |
9.4oz / 266g |
10.5oz / 298g |
|
Compatibility |
PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
PlayStation, PC, Mac |
Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile |
|
Connection type |
Wired (USB-A), Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth) |
Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth) |
2 x 3.5mm jack / 1 x 3.5mm jack (GSA 30 PC Cable/GSA 30 Console Cable) |
|
Battery life |
40 hours |
24 hours |
N/A |
|
Features |
Three EQ modes, detachable mic |
Omnidirectional boom mic, Dolby Audio 7.1 |
Lift-to-mute mic, EPOS BrainAdapt Technology |
|
Software |
None |
iCue |
None |
How I tested the OXS Storm G2
- Tested for a full day
- Used with various platforms
- Plentiful gaming experience
I tested the Storm G2 for a day, during which time I used it for gaming, listening to music, and watching video content. I connected to multiple devices via its various connectivity modes.
I played Counter-Strike 2, which is ideal for testing surround sound qualities and response times. I also played Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch, which both offer different kinds of sonic experiences as they focus on different frequency ranges.
I have been gaming for over two decades, and during that time, I have experienced numerous headsets. I have also reviewed a number of them across a range of brands, varying in their price points, features, and form factors.
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lewis.maddison@futurenet.com (Lewis Maddison)
