Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset Review: The Budget Champion with a Critical Flaw

In the world of gaming peripherals, there’s a constant, nagging dilemma. You need a headset that delivers clear, immersive audio to pinpoint enemy footsteps, a microphone that ensures your teammates hear your callouts without a wall of static, and comfort that can withstand marathon gaming sessions. Yet, venturing into the high-end market can feel like taking out a small loan. This often forces gamers, especially those starting out or on a tighter budget, into a frustrating compromise. We’ve all been there: buying a cheap, no-name headset only to have it feel like a vice on our head after 30 minutes, sound like a pair of tin cans, or have the microphone die within a month. The search for that elusive sweet spot—a headset that is affordable without feeling “cheap”—is a journey many of us know all too well. It’s a quest for value, where every pound spent must translate directly into tangible in-game advantage and real-world comfort.

What to Consider Before Buying a Gaming Headset

A gaming headset is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for immersion, communication, and competitive advantage. It plunges you into the game world, blocking out distractions and delivering audio cues that are critical for survival and success. For multiplayer games, it’s the vital link to your team, turning a group of individuals into a coordinated unit. The main benefits are clear: enhanced spatial awareness, crystal-clear team chat, and the ability to play for hours without disturbing others. A good headset transforms the gaming experience from a simple pastime into a deeply engaging sensory event.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of finding high-quality audio and communication on a budget. This includes new PC builders, console gamers looking for an upgrade from the included earbuds, students, or anyone who wants a reliable, multi-platform solution without breaking the bank. It’s for the player who values practical performance over flashy features like RGB lighting or complex software suites. Conversely, this type of entry-level wired headset might not be suitable for those who demand the freedom of a wireless connection, require tournament-grade noise cancellation, or are audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound for music and media consumption. For them, premium wireless models or dedicated studio headphones might be a better, albeit more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Audio Drivers & Sound Profile: The heart of any headset is its drivers. Look for driver size, typically measured in millimetres (mm); larger drivers, like the 50mm ones found in many quality headsets, can often produce a richer, more powerful sound with better bass response. Pay attention to the sound profile—is it tuned for competitive gaming with emphasized highs for footsteps, or is it a more balanced profile for immersive single-player experiences?
• Comfort & Ergonomics: You’ll be wearing this for hours. Key factors include the headset’s weight, the clamping force of the headband, and the material of the ear pads. Memory foam and breathable fabric are excellent for long sessions, preventing heat build-up and pressure points. An adjustable headband and pivoting earcups are crucial for a personalized fit.
• Materials & Durability: This is a major consideration, especially in budget-friendly models. Headsets can be made from all-plastic, or they can incorporate metal into the headband or yokes for added strength. While plastic keeps the weight down, it can be a point of failure. Check user feedback on long-term durability, as this is where many budget headsets cut corners.
• Microphone Quality & Features: Your voice needs to be heard clearly. Look for features like noise cancellation to filter out background sounds. A detachable or retractable microphone adds versatility, allowing you to use the headset as regular headphones. The microphone’s pickup pattern (e.g., omni-directional vs. cardioid) also matters; cardioid is generally better at isolating your voice.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and see the current pricing here.

While the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset is an excellent choice for its category, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially if you also need features for a work-from-home setup, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: Sleek, Simple, and Surprisingly Light

The Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset arrives in Corsair’s signature black-and-yellow packaging, which immediately gives a sense of quality that belies its budget price point. Inside, the headset is securely clipped in place. The unboxing is straightforward, revealing the headset itself, a detachable omni-directional microphone, and a Y-splitter cable for PCs that have separate microphone and headphone jacks. The “Carbon” colour scheme is a sleek, matte jet black, with the only accents being the subtle Corsair logos on each earcup and the silver glint of the metal headband adjusters. There’s no RGB lighting, which we appreciate for its clean, understated aesthetic that fits any setup.

Picking it up for the first time, the most striking feature is its weight. At just 250 grams, it feels incredibly light. The construction is primarily plastic, which contributes to this lightness but also raises initial questions about long-term durability. The earcups are cushioned with a soft, breathable fabric, and the floating headband design promises to distribute pressure evenly. The on-ear controls—a volume wheel and a push-in mute button—are intuitively placed on the left earcup. The microphone plugs in firmly, and we particularly liked the small rubber plug that protects the port when the mic is detached. It’s a small but thoughtful detail. Our initial impression is of a well-designed, no-frills headset that prioritizes comfort and universal functionality above all else.

A Deep Dive into the Corsair HS35 v2’s Performance

A headset’s true worth is only revealed after hours of intense gameplay, team communication, and media consumption. We put the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset through its paces across a variety of platforms—PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch—to see if its real-world performance lives up to its on-paper specifications. We focused on the core pillars of a gaming headset: audio quality, comfort and build, microphone clarity, and overall usability.

Audio Performance: Punching Well Above Its Weight

At this price point, audio performance is often the first casualty. We went in with measured expectations and came away genuinely impressed. The custom-tuned 50mm dynamic drivers are the star of the show here. In competitive shooters like Apex Legends and Valorant, the soundstage was surprisingly effective. The headset delivers a crisp, clear audio profile that excels in the mid and high frequencies. This tuning means that crucial audio cues like enemy footsteps, reloads, and character abilities cut through the chaos of battle with remarkable clarity. We never felt at an audio disadvantage, which is the highest praise you can give a budget-friendly headset. The 114dB sensitivity ensures it can get plenty loud without distortion, easily driven by a console controller or motherboard audio jack.

This sentiment is echoed by many users who praise the “decent sound” and “very crisp” quality. One user noted the audio is “simply exceptional,” with “crystal clear” highs. When switching to more cinematic single-player games like The Witcher 3, the headset still performed admirably. Dialogue was clean, and environmental sounds were well-represented. However, this is where the main audio trade-off becomes apparent. As some users have noted, the bass “could be better.” While explosions and dramatic musical scores have presence, they lack the deep, rumbling impact that you’d get from a premium headset. It’s not anemic, but it’s certainly a more balanced, treble-focused sound. For pure gaming, this is arguably a strength, but if you’re looking for a bass-heavy headset for music and movies, you may find it a bit lean. For its intended purpose and price, however, the audio is a decisive win.

All-Day Comfort vs. Long-Term Durability: The Great Trade-Off

This is the most critical and complex aspect of the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset. Let’s start with the overwhelmingly positive: the comfort. This is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve tested in this price bracket. The combination of its feather-light 250g weight, the soft fabric ear pads, and the floating headband design is a recipe for success. During a 6-hour gaming session, we experienced no significant pressure points on the crown of our head, nor any uncomfortable clamping force on our ears. The fabric material breathes much better than cheap pleather, minimizing heat and sweat build-up. As one user aptly put it, “You actually forget they are on.” For marathon gamers, this is a massive selling point.

However, this lightweight comfort comes at a severe cost: long-term durability. This headset’s Achilles’ heel is its all-plastic headband construction. While it feels perfectly fine out of the box, we found a concerning number of user reports that cannot be ignored. Multiple users describe the exact same failure mode: after about a year of regular use, cracks begin to appear on the plastic headband, typically near the adjustment sliders, eventually leading to a complete snap. One user stated, “the plastic headband… has failed completely after 2 years,” while another noted, “the headband snapped after a year or so of casual use.” This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a clear pattern. It appears to be a trade-off Corsair made to hit the price point. The headset is comfortable and performs well, but it seems to have a predictable lifespan. This makes it a fantastic option for someone who needs a great headset for a year or two, but a risky investment for anyone seeking a “buy it for life” product.

Universal Connectivity and On-the-Fly Controls

In an ecosystem of proprietary connectors and platform-specific peripherals, the simple elegance of a universal 3.5mm jack is a breath of fresh air. This is where the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset truly shines, offering unparalleled versatility. We seamlessly switched from our PC to a PS5 controller, then plugged it into a Nintendo Switch for a handheld session, and finally into a smartphone for a quick call. The audio and microphone worked flawlessly on every single device, with no setup required. The included Y-splitter is a necessary and welcome addition for PC gamers with traditional dual audio ports. This plug-and-play simplicity makes it an ideal “one headset to rule them all” for gamers who own multiple systems.

The on-ear controls further enhance the user-friendly design. The volume wheel is located on the back of the left earcup, making it easy to find and adjust with your thumb without taking your hand off the keyboard or controller. It has a smooth, tactile feel, allowing for precise volume changes mid-game. Directly below it is the push-button microphone mute. It provides a satisfying click when pressed, giving you immediate, unambiguous feedback on your mute status. These physical controls are, in our opinion, far superior to fumbling with in-line controls on a cable or navigating software menus. Everything you need is within easy reach, keeping you focused on the game. For those who want a simple, effective, and incredibly versatile audio solution, the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset delivers in spades.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user feedback paints a very consistent picture that aligns perfectly with our findings. The general sentiment is that the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset offers fantastic value, but with a significant caveat. Many users, like one who bought it for around £40, praise it as “good value for money with decent sound and microphone quality.” Another happy customer, a self-professed “massive Corsair fan,” found the build quality to feel “perfect,” the fit ideal, and the sound “very crisp and clear with a nice amount of bass, not too much, just perfect.” The comfort is another recurring point of praise, with one reviewer stating they are “very comfortable” and that the earcups “don’t start to ache after a few hours play like most.”

However, the praise is consistently tempered by the critical issue of durability. The negative feedback is almost laser-focused on one component: the plastic headband. We saw numerous reports mirroring this one: “bought this in june 2022, performed pretty well, up to last night when the plastic deteriorated and started cracking so now one of the headphones is almost completely detached.” Another user from Germany had their headset break after 13 months, describing the failure points as “completely foreseeable” and seemingly “planned.” This feedback is crucial for potential buyers; it suggests that while you’re getting excellent short-term performance for your money, you should be prepared for a potential failure after about a year of use.

How Does the Corsair HS35 v2 Compare to the Alternatives?

The Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset operates in a fiercely competitive space. While it excels in the wired, entry-level category, it’s important to understand what you gain by stepping up in price or features. We’ve compared it against three popular alternatives to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs.

1. Razer Kaira Pro Wireless Headset

The Razer Kaira Pro represents a significant step up, primarily by cutting the cord. It offers seamless wireless connectivity for Xbox and mobile devices via Bluetooth. Its TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers are known for a more powerful and nuanced sound signature, especially in the low end. If your gaming is primarily on Xbox and you absolutely cannot stand being tethered by a wire, the Kaira Pro is a superior choice. However, this freedom comes at a much higher price, and its connectivity is less universal than the HS35 v2’s simple 3.5mm jack. The HS35 v2 remains the better pick for multi-platform gamers on a strict budget.

2. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Gaming Headset

Comparing the Arctis Nova Pro to the HS35 v2 is like comparing a family sedan to a Formula 1 car. The Nova Pro is a premium, audiophile-grade gaming headset designed for users who want the absolute best and are willing to pay for it. With features like a GameDAC Gen2, ESS Sabre Quad-DAC, and support for Hi-Res Audio, its sound fidelity is in a completely different league. It’s built for competitive esports professionals and audio purists. The Corsair HS35 v2 is not trying to compete in this arena. It’s for the everyday gamer. If you want a simple, effective tool for gaming, the HS35 v2 is the pragmatic choice; if you want a high-end audio system for your ears, the Arctis Nova Pro is the target.

3. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Gaming Headset

The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is perhaps the most direct competitor, offering a taste of wireless freedom at a more accessible price point than the Kaira Pro. It uses a clever USB-C dongle for low-latency wireless audio across PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Android, making it incredibly versatile. It shares the same comfortable design language as its more expensive siblings. The primary reason to choose the Corsair HS35 v2 over the Arctis 1 Wireless is price. The HS35 v2 is significantly more affordable, and its wired connection guarantees zero latency and no need to worry about battery life. If your budget is the top priority and you don’t mind a cable, the HS35 v2 holds its ground as the better value proposition.

Our Final Verdict: A Champion with an Expiration Date

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion on the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset is clear: it is a phenomenal entry-level headset that gets almost everything right for its price, but it is held back by one major, predictable flaw. Its audio is crisp and clear, making it a fantastic tool for competitive gaming. Its comfort is top-tier, allowing for hours of use without fatigue. Its universal connectivity makes it a versatile companion for any and all of your gaming systems. The on-ear controls are simple and effective, and the microphone is more than capable for team chat.

However, the pervasive reports of the plastic headband cracking after a year or so of use cannot be overlooked. This headset represents a calculated trade-off. You are getting performance and comfort that punches far above its weight, but you are sacrificing long-term durability to get it. We would recommend the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset wholeheartedly to casual gamers, those on a very tight budget who need great performance now, or anyone looking for a high-quality “temporary” headset. If you are gentle with your gear and accept the potential longevity risk, you will be rewarded with incredible value. For those seeking a rugged, long-term daily driver, it might be wise to invest a bit more in a model with a more robust build.

If you’ve decided the outstanding value and performance of the Corsair HS35 v2 Wired Gaming Headset is the right fit for your gaming needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.