Corsair HS55 Wireless Headset Review: Balanced but Flawed
Lightweight in build but not in controversy, the CORSAIR HS55 WIRELESS Gaming Headset lands at a solid 7.5/10 in community consensus. Across Amazon, Best Buy, Reddit, and tech press, users describe it as “comfortable, versatile, but not without its quirks,” with sound quality that “fits the budget bracket” yet leaves bass lovers wanting more.
Quick Verdict: Conditional
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions | Bass-heavy or thin audio depending on connection |
| Dual wireless (2.4GHz + Bluetooth) connectivity | No wired mode; no 3.5mm jack |
| Good battery life; fast charging | Mic quality inconsistent; sidetone too quiet |
| Solid USB wireless range | Firmware/software support lacking |
| Compatible with PC, PS5/PS4, mobile | Bluetooth limited when combined with USB wireless |
Claims vs Reality
Corsair advertises the HS55 as delivering “low-latency wireless connectivity up to 50 ft” with “crystal-clear communication” and “50 mm custom-tuned drivers for excellent sound.” While marketing touts the clean audio and immersive experience, Reddit feedback and tech reviews reveal trade-offs.
The claimed audio quality is a point of divergence. Tom’s Hardware reported the headset’s “bloated bass” and “treble roll-off,” making high-frequency detail harder to catch. A verified Best Buy buyer echoed this softer top end: “Sound quality is good… surround effect was impressive, but I wish the bass was stronger.” Conversely, another buyer praised its tone balance for gaming, saying “I can hear footsteps perfectly… gave me an edge.”
Corsair also pushes the “crystal-clear communication” line, pointing to Discord certification. Yet mic detail falls short for some. On Corsair’s own forum, one user posted that sidetone was “literally useless unless I put the mic in my mouth” and returned the product after no fix emerged over a year. Others called mic audio “a little awkward” or “randomly causing static” on Discord.
Battery life claims of “up to 24 hours” hold up for some but falter for others. Tom’s Guide measured closer to 16–20 hours in mixed use, while a Best Buy customer found “battery life is pretty solid” and another enjoyed the “fast charge — 15 mins for 6 hours play.”
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Comfort stands out as the most consistent praise across platforms. Tom’s Guide found it “very comfortable… even for long periods, and while wearing glasses.” Best Buy reviews repeatedly mention “lightweight, comfortable, and sounds good,” with one buyer saying their daughter “loved the size, weight, and feel of the ear cups” after switching from multiple broken wired sets. Gamers with long workdays also noticed minimal fatigue — ideal for streamers or remote workers.
Dual wireless compatibility impacts versatility more than specs alone suggest. Best Buy buyers like the “added benefit of connecting to her phone to listen to music” while gaming, and Tom’s Hardware noted the ability to swap between devices with a button press as a rare treat at this price. For laptop gamers who roam between rooms, the Wireless dongle’s range proved “never spotty… comfortable even after long hours.”
Battery management remains a highlight when it works as advertised. Multiple Best Buy users praised charging speed: “Battery lasts a couple days… great for my son,” and the 15-minute top-up impressed commuters who grab quick charges before leaving.
Common Complaints
No wired fallback became a sticking point for PC and console users. Tom’s Guide called out “no option for wired audio of any kind,” meaning the USB-C port is strictly for charging. Best Buy reviewers who ran into dongle connection cuts found Bluetooth “disconnecting far less frequently, but still annoying.” This inflexibility frustrates buyers expecting headset-as-backup modes.
Audio profile division often came down to connection type and software use. Without Corsair’s iCUE, Tom’s Guide heard “thin bass” and less impact; with it, processing improved low-end fullness. Still, Tom’s Hardware criticized bass boost EQ as “so muddy it sounds underwater” and lamented absent surround modes unless using iCUE on PC/Mac.
Microphone reliability is another sore spot. Stories range from Discord static to position discomfort — “mic stays curved when rotated up… tapping forehead in up position” — to awkward placement far from the mouth making volume low. Corsair’s flip-to-mute is praised for tactile feedback, but sidetone implementation drew persistent complaints, particularly for gamers who rely on self-monitoring.
Divisive Features
Dual wireless is both blessing and limitation. Some call it “pretty sweet… swaps flawlessly” between dongle and Bluetooth; others balk at Bluetooth being “limited to phone calls only when also using USB wireless.” This affects multitaskers who want media and chat simultaneously. Similarly, visual minimalism — no RGB, matte finish — earns praise from buyers preferring understated designs, while more style-driven gamers find it “plain” for the price.
One unusual split: ambient noise handling. Lightweight build means less seal and muffling. A Best Buy buyer noted, “it doesn’t muffle ambient noises as well as some… lightweight, but back-draw is less isolation.” For open-office or noisy households, this could be a disadvantage.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term trust took a hit from unresolved sidetone threads on Corsair’s forums. The lack of fix after “over a year” prompted one advanced user to return the headset outright. Best Buy buyers also cited firmware update failures — “had to return… couldn’t update dongle” — as deal-breakers despite liking comfort and weight.
Durability, however, seems adequate. Neither Reddit nor retail reviews raise major structural failures; plastic build feels sturdy enough without creaks. After months, users still describe it as “light and comfortable enough” and surviving regular desk-to-console swapping.
Alternatives
In community comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the named premium upgrade for true simultaneous audio mixing — albeit at a much higher cost. For a lateral move, Corsair’s HS70 Bluetooth allows wired plus wireless at the same price, and Tom’s Hardware noted “better sound quality… connect to phone at the same time.” Creative SXFI Air popped up in Reddit analysis as delivering spatial audio over USB for similar pricing.
Price & Value
Market prices swing widely: eBay listings hit as low as $20–$41 new or refurb, while official Corsair and retail stores hover around $79.99–$99.99. Deals at $50 drew “great buy” praise from Best Buy shoppers. Given dual wireless rarity in sub-$100 models, community advice focuses on sale-sniping rather than full MSRP purchases.
Resale is modest; used units list under $30, often missing original packaging. Buyers suggest confirming dongle inclusion before second-hand purchases since it’s essential for 2.4GHz mode.
FAQ
Q: Can you use the HS55 WIRELESS while charging?
A: Yes, but only in wireless mode — the USB-C port does not transmit audio. Users report charging during gaming without interruption.
Q: Does it support Dolby Audio surround sound on consoles?
A: Dolby Audio 7.1 is only available via iCUE software on PC/Mac. On PlayStation, you get stereo output unless the game provides its own spatial audio.
Q: Can Bluetooth stream music while gaming over USB wireless?
A: Not with this model — dual mode limits Bluetooth to phone calls only when USB wireless is active, per Tom’s Guide.
Q: How reliable is the microphone for streaming?
A: For casual chat it’s fine — Discord-certified — but tech reviewers found it compressed and nasally, so it’s not ideal for high-quality streaming.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a gamer who values light weight, comfort, and dual wireless flexibility over maximal audio detail, and you work primarily on PC/PS5 or mobile. Avoid if you need wired fallback, simultaneous game+media streams, or flawless mic monitoring. Pro tip from the community: wait for a sale — at $50–$70, its shortcomings are far easier to forgive.
