Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset Review - An Affordable Winner

TweakTown Rating: 85%

Our Verdict

The Corsair HS35 v3 is a new affordable wireless gaming headset that delivers immersive sound, with added Dolby Atmos goodness on PC, in a comfortable lightweight build that also features a surprisingly decent microphone. Even better? The $79.99 price.

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable build
• Impressive sound quality for the price
• Dolby Atmos on PC adds to the immersion
• Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth support
• Fantastic value

Cons

• No dedicated software support for tuning the sound across all devices
• Hard to tell if the plastic build will go the distance
• Microphone is prone to pick up background noise

Should you buy it?

AvoidConsiderShortlistBuy

View price at Amazon

View price at Amazon

View price at Amazon

View price at Amazon

Introduction & Specification Details and Close-up

For the price, it's hard to think of a more impressive, affordable wireless gaming audio solution in 2026 than the new Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset. Whether it's the overall sound quality, comfort, lightweight build, versatility, or chat quality, it's the sort of budget audio solution that you want to see, especially from a brand as renowned in the PC gaming landscape as Corsair. Of course, when it comes to audio, a budget option like the Corsair HS35 v3 will never be best-in-class when it comes to these key aspects, and it's not without fault. Still, in an increasingly saturated market, it's refreshing to put on an $80 wireless headset and not be let down, whether that's from subpar tuning and sound quality, a lackluster microphone, or comfort that falls short.

Like many companies with a line-up of gaming headsets, Corsair has a broad range of options to suit various budgets, with the more premium options sporting robust builds, high-fidelity audio, and microphones that can cross over into broadcast-quality territory. Naturally, with a wide range of designs and features, that doesn't mean a company can create a great premium headset and translate it into a more budget-friendly option. In fact, audio is one of those segments where pricing can often directly translate to quality, so it's not uncommon for a budget-oriented gaming headset to deliver an audio experience that feels decidedly less than.

Thankfully, the Corsair HS35 v3 manages to hit the three key areas that are the most important when it comes to a gaming headset, wireless or wired. The first is sound quality and clarity that's not only suitable for a wide range of games, but also delivers immersion that can elevate a game. The second is a microphone that delivers clear and detailed voice for both multiplayer gaming and jumping into a group chat. The third is comfort, with the big thing here being minimal fatigue across multiple hours. For many gamers, sessions are often measured in hours as opposed to minutes.

Specifications & Close Up

19

Best Deals: Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset with Mic White

Today7 days ago30 days agoBuy

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Newegg

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Amazon

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at Newegg

Check Price

-

-

CheckCheck Price at PC Case Gear

Kosta's Test System Specifications

Design & Software Support

Design

Weighing in at 250 grams, the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset is one of the lightest gaming headsets on the market. Even though a lightweight build doesn't necessarily translate to comfort, when you pair the 250-gram weight with the soft fabric cushions and the floating skiband-style headband that minimizes downward pressure on your head, the Corsair HS35 v3 is one of those headsets that you can slip on and wear for a few hours without any issues, which is what we did when firing up Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced and 007 First Light on PC.

19

As a value-oriented release, the Corsair HS35 v3's build is made up almost entirely of lightweight plastic, from the outer headband to the hinges to the ear cup shells. The plastic itself is flexible, and after a few weeks of regular use, we made sure to twist and bend the headset after each session to see how it held up. The good news is that the Corsair HS35 v3 felt the same on day 10 as it did on day 1, but it's impossible to tell how the overall build would fare after several months or a couple of years. Outside of the materials, the physical design itself is quite stylish. Available in black or white, the Corsair HS35 v3 sports a minimal lifestyle-meets-gaming look that includes a thick outer headband and an embossed Corsair logo on both earcups.

For a budget offering, the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset is surprisingly versatile, though not at the level you'd find on more premium options. With tri-mode connectivity covering low-latency wireless, Bluetooth, and wired, you can only switch between 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth modes while the wired audio option is delivered over USB. Not having simultaneous audio across 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless, or an additional analog 3.5mm wired input, is understandable, and it's the sort of concession that makes sense when you're trying to hit a specific price point. That said, the Corsair HS35 v3 ships with an impressive adapter with dual USB-A and USB-C connectivity options.

19

The microphone is also detachable, which isn't guaranteed in a budget wireless audio solution, and the overall chat quality punches above its weight. Vocal clarity, although not broadcast quality, is far more detailed than the "tinny" sound you often find on more affordable headsets. From what we can tell, Corsair opted for quality here as opposed to adding features like noise cancellation, with the Corsair HS35 v3's omnidirectional mic definitely picking up background noise like keyboard presses, mouse clicks, and even louder distant sounds. When it comes to the overall sound quality and tuning, it's a similar "punches above its weight" scenario. The 50mm Neodymium drivers deliver a suitably punchy low-end with a crisp mid-range and high-end frequency response.

The default tuning definitely feels cinematic and tailor-made for gaming, while also being great for listening to pop or electronic music. Where it falls short is the overall soundstage and spatial awareness, with the sound not being quite as wide or enveloping as you'd like. At least until you connect the Corsair HS35 v3 to a PC and pair it with its native support for Dolby Atmos. With Dolby Atmos being one of the best, non-intrusive spatial audio solutions, it definitely adds a new dimension to the overall sound. Unfortunately, this is one of those PC exclusive deals, as you're stuck with the less impressive default tuning when connected to a PlayStation, Switch, or smartphone.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this review using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. All answers are generated from TweakTown content and not outside sources. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below related to this content.

Question #1

How long is the HS35 v3's battery life and under what conditions is the 'up to 30 hours' rating measured?

Click to reveal answer

Question #2

Does the HS35 v3 support Dolby Atmos and on which platforms is that feature available?

Click to reveal answer

Question #3

Can I use the HS35 v3 on Xbox Series X|S and will I get spatial audio there?

Click to reveal answer

Question #4

How does the detachable omnidirectional microphone perform for multiplayer chat and does it include noise cancellation?

Click to reveal answer

Have a question about this content not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it.

Your questionAsk

Answering your question×

TweakBot is analyzing your question…

Could not get an answer

TweakBot is generating an answer

Read More

Was TweakBot helpful?Thanks for the feedback!

Software Support

As a more budget offering, the Corsair HS35 v3 lacks official software support, whether that's via Corsair's dedicated iCUE app or its new Web Hub interface for customization. For the most part, this means you're stuck with the default tuning for both sound and the microphone, and you'll need to use various third-party apps or things like Sony's Tempest 3D Audio when connected to a PS5. Thankfully, when connected to a PC, you do have the option of installing Dolby Atmos as the Corsair HS35 v3 includes native support for the spatial audio technology. The good news here is that you aren't limited to Dolby's presets, as you can also use the Dolby Atmos app to create your own custom sound profile using its built-in 10-band equalizer, with or without spatial audio enabled.

The Dolby Atmos app is relatively simple in its interface and options, as you can only really change the sound profile. There are various preset options for Games, Movies, and Music, with the Game mode including a Performance option for when you're playing competitive games and positional audio is handy. No matter the preset, Dolby Atmos's subtle way of expanding the soundstage is a boon for the Corsair HS35 v3, adding depth and immersion when connected to a PC. Although Dolby Atmos is available on Xbox, the Corsair HS35 v3's wireless compatibility doesn't extend to the Xbox Series X|S.

Performance & Microphone Quality

Performance

The default stereo tuning of the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset is balanced and warm, with punchy bass, crisp and detailed highs, and decent mid-range detail for the price point. There's also no audible clipping or issues with the wireless sound delivery, though the range (around 20 meters) is a little shorter than some. On-ear controls are simple, though Bluetooth pairing switching is a little cumbersome without a dedicated Bluetooth button - here you need to hold down the volume wheel to start pairing and then double-tap the power button to switch between low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth modes.

19

As with all headsets we review, our initial test included playing a variety of music to gauge the soundstage, tuning, and overall clarity. To our surprise, the Corsair HS35 v3's sound was more impressive than headsets that cost substantially more, with the warmth and crispness carrying through. Mid-range detail for certain instruments and even voices does fall short when stacked up against a more premium offering, but not to a level that significantly affects the listening experience. This shortcoming doesn't really carry over to gaming, as Corsair's tuning sounds great when paired with Forza Horizon 6, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, Diablo 4, and Cyberpunk 2077. After all, this is what it was created for.

On PC, support for Dolby Atmos helps elevate the Corsair HS35 v3's immersive qualities by adding better channel separation and more space to the various audio elements in a game, from weapons firing off in the distance to a car closing in on your position in a race. On PlayStation 5, Sony's Tempest 3D Audio delivers a similar but not quite as impressive result, while connecting the Corsair HS35 v3 to a Nintendo Switch limits you to a more closed-in stereo sound. Again, the Corsair HS35 v3's sound doesn't match what you'd find on a premium high-end headset, but what you're getting for $80 makes it, in some ways, more impressive than spending three or four times that amount on a headset. Battery life is also decent, with up to 30 hours between charges.

Microphone Quality

Corsair's microphone quality across its headsets over the years has varied, which is why it's fantastic to see the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset deliver when it comes to vocal clarity and detail. There is an almost compressed quality to the sound, but it's a far cry from the flat and lifeless sound you normally find on a budget headset. The only real drawback is the lack of any built-in noise cancellation, and the lack of a removable pop filter makes certain letters sound a little harsher than they should. Ultimately, the Corsair HS35 v3 delivers clear and detailed chat, but it's the sort of headset that can and does pick up some unwanted background noise.

Final Thoughts

The Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset is a budget gaming audio solution that lives up to its promise, delivering a fantastic for-the-price experience across multiple devices. That said, the sound quality is improved when connected to a PC, as Dolby Atmos support helps add a more immersive layer to the audio, with or without spatial or surround sound. Weighing in at around 250 grams, it's also impressively light, and with comfortable cushions and a fabric floating headband, it's the sort of headset you can wear comfortably for a few hours with little or no fatigue.

19

Throw in a decent microphone, 30 hours of battery life, and both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth wireless support, and the Corsair HS35 v3 Wireless Gaming Headset is a clear value winner. Now, is it the best-sounding headset on the market with the most versatile features? No, not by a long shot. But with its $79.99 price tag, you'd be hard-pressed to find something better without crossing over into triple-digit territory. For gamers on a budget, looking for a wireless gaming headset to pair with a PC or PlayStation, the Corsair HS35 v3 delivers immersive sound and all-day comfort.