Finding a mid-range gaming headset with decent features is a tough job, but to save some time I’m going to be testing the Corsair HS35 Stereo headset today. We’ll be putting the HS35 through its paces to see if it’s good enough to satisfy a gamer’s need for good voice chat, sound quality, and ease of use.

I consider the Corsair HS35 as an affordable mid-range gaming headset, why midrange because there is no wireless support and the price tag is not exaggerated. The Corsair HS35 is a 3.5mm wired audio device and is decent enough to justify itself under the category of Important Gaming Accessories. Keep in mind that I do not want to push it into the ultra range, where surround sound, special software for audio control, RGB lighting, high bass, etc. are all preferred. Instead, the HS35 is a well-balanced headphone between good sound and good voice chat. The Corsair HS35 does not promise high features, but it saves time and can be ideal for any beginner to pro gamer who does not want to invest a lot in premium models or wants to avoid unknown cheaper brands.

Corsair HS35 is a no-nonsense model, with only rubber pads on the adjustable headband, HS35 seems very durable. I found the cable a bit short if your PC is far from your seating area, while connecting directly to the controller was never a problem. Given the PC platform as our main test platform, we tried out Wolfestine Youngblood, Control and Gears 5 and I was satisfied with the HS35 audio. I want to emphasize that HS35 is not unnecessarily loud, it delivers optimized audio with deeper bass, but it is wrong to compare it to a premium model where the bass is mainly great. That makes them an ideal model for home entertainment and gaming. Corsair HS35 on the other hand is a serious gaming headset, with a dedicated volume control it is a device-free model and easy to manage. You can mute the microphone with a button on the right earcup.

HS35 has a plastic body and comes in four different colors: Green, Carbon, Red and Blue. The microphone is detachable and in the box is a Y-Splitter which can be used on a PC if you want to use a microphone. Out of the box the headset works well with audio, no additional optimization is needed, Corsair HS35 focuses on minimal design and maximum output.