Corsair HS65 SURROUND CA-9011270-NA

The Corsair HS65 SURROUND delivers shockingly good sound for a budget gaming headset, landing in the 93rd percentile. The mic is solid and it's very comfortable, but the build quality is cheap and there's no ANC. If you can snag it for around $60 from Newegg, it's a killer deal for wired gaming audio.

Sound is the star here, no question. It's one of the best on the market for pure audio fidelity in a gaming headset. The mic quality is also a strong point, coming in well above average, so your squad will hear you loud and clear. Comfort is solid for long sessions thanks to the lightweight 282g build and memory foam pads. But the build quality is a weak spot, falling behind most of the competition. The mostly plastic construction doesn't feel as premium as the audio sounds, and the lack of any ANC means you'll hear your surroundings.

Stacked against the Sony ULT WEAR or Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, the Corsair is in a different league. Those are wireless, ANC-equipped lifestyle headphones that cost significantly more. The HS65 is a wired, no-frills gaming headset. It destroys the budget-focused Soundcore Life Q20 in sound quality but gets completely outclassed in build and features. If you need wireless freedom and noise cancelling for a commute, the JBL Live 770NC is a much smarter buy. The Corsair's only real advantage is its superb wired audio and mic for a stationary gaming setup.

Pricing on this headset is all over the map, with a wild spread from $60 to $851 across vendors. At the lower end of that range, the HS65 SURROUND is an absolute steal for the sound quality you're getting. You'd be hard-pressed to find better audio for sixty bucks. But if you're seeing it priced anywhere near the triple digits, you should absolutely look elsewhere. Newegg currently has the best deal, so that's where you want to buy it to get your money's worth.

The Corsair HS65 SURROUND is a wired gaming headset that punches way above its weight in sound quality. Seriously, the audio on these things is a standout, landing in the 93rd percentile of our database. If you're hunting for footsteps in a shooter or just want your single-player worlds to sound rich and immersive, these 50mm neodymium drivers deliver the goods, especially with Dolby Atmos enabled on PC.

Anyone who needs a headset for travel or commuting should skip this. The complete lack of ANC and a wireless connection makes it a non-starter for noisy environments. If build quality is a top priority and you want something that feels durable, look elsewhere, because the plasticky construction here is disappointing.

Buy this if you're a PC or console gamer on a tight budget who cares most about sound quality and mic clarity. You're getting top-tier audio in a lightweight, comfortable package. Just don't expect a premium feel or any fancy wireless features. It's a simple, wired workhorse that sounds fantastic, and at the right price, that's more than enough.