Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless Headset Review

How Much Does it Cost?

It will likely come as no surprise that this is a more expensive headset. It’s going to be around £139.99 Inc. VAT here in the UK, 149.99 EUR Inc. TAX in the EU, and $149.99 Exc. TAX in the US. This puts it alongside the SteelSeries Arctis 7, which uses DTS:X Headphone for surround, and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, which uses THX 7.1 processing. However, Corsair has better drivers on their headset, and one of the best microphones out there, giving them the edge in both features and price, if only by a small margin.

Overview

I won’t deny that my favourite headset is the Creative SXFI Theater, which has been my daily headset for two years now. However, the Corsair HS80 is the first headset that I would happily replace it with. Its ergonomics and comfort are superb, and it certainly lends itself well to my work and entertainment habits. I use my headset during the day for some music, a little on an evening while gaming, and then I’ll watch one or two movies on an evening, so I need a headset that can do it all. With around 20 hours of battery life and all that memory foam padding, I won’t be in a rush to take the headset off before I’m through with my daily entertainment.

Furthermore, while the wireless performance is utterly flawless, the time I spend at my desk listening to music while I write benefits from the USB wired mode. Plug the cable in, and it’ll play back higher-resolution audio. This may not be an advantage to everyone, but if you’ve got some media that can take advantage of it, it’s a welcome addition.

I really love the microphone too, and it’s one of the best I’ve ever used. I’d normally use a Streamdeck desktop microphone, but this microphone is all that I need for my daily banter about work and my gaming. Plus, it does a great job of ignoring background noise, considering my kids were in the garden right next to my desk, and someone was cutting their grass; this is impressive.

The Dolby Atmos Headphone processing is pretty impressive. I actually paid for my licence on it ages ago, as you can use it on any stereo headphones. However, it comes included with the HS80, which is a nice bonus. You can turn the processing off if you wish, but honestly, once you hear the impact it has on everything from music to movies, you’ll never go back. Throw in the powerful EQ modes, and you’ll be amazed at the sound you can get from these drivers.

Should I Buy One?

There’s no getting away from the premium price tag. However, looking at rival headsets, Corsair is actually pretty competitive with their prices right now. They’re equally priced or a little cheaper than similarly equipped rivals, but even then, Corsair has the edge with their SLIPSTREAM wireless, high-resolution audio support, extended-range drivers, a truly fantastic microphone, and their class-leading iCUE software suite. From competitive gaming to music lovers, the HS80 really ticks all the right boxes.