CORSAIR HS55 Wireless Headset Review: Strong But Flawed
When you glance at early reviews for the CORSAIR HS55 Wireless Gaming Headset, a pattern emerges: it’s a mid-tier headset that nails wireless flexibility but can stumble on sound refinement. Across platforms, it hovers around a solid 7.8/10 – “great for the price” as one Best Buy reviewer summed it up – but a few flaws keep it from glory.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy – Excellent for multi-platform casual gamers, less ideal for audio purists or streamers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions | Bass can sound boomy and lacks clarity |
| Dual wireless (2.4GHz + Bluetooth) | No simultaneous full audio from both sources |
| Solid battery life with fast charging | Sidetone (mic monitoring) too quiet for many |
| Good range, even through walls | Plastic build prone to hinge cracks for some |
| Clear enough mic for chat | No wired mode or 3.5mm jack |
| Easy flip-to-mute mic | iCUE software offers limited sound customization |
Claims vs Reality
CORSAIR positions the HS55 as “lightweight yet durable for hours of comfortable gaming” with “24 hours of battery life” and “great sound with 50mm custom drivers.”
The comfort claim rings true for many. A verified Best Buy buyer explained: “Very lightweight as promoted, and comfortable for hours… sound quality about the same as the HS70.” Even glasses wearers often reported a secure but non-painful fit, though one buyer countered: “Too tight to comfortably wear with my glasses.”
Battery life also matches marketing for moderate use. Tom’s Hardware confirmed close to 24 hours at 50% volume, and reviewers praised the fast charge: “15 minutes gives me 6 hours,” reported one PC gamer. However, some users found mysterious drain – “Used for 5 hours, next day at 10% battery even though I powered them off.”
Sound is the most contested claim. CORSAIR promotes “excellent sound… hear everything on the battlefield”, but Tom’s Guide described it as “a little thin” without EQ, and Tom’s Hardware noted “booming, bloated bass… treble roll-off… not very open.” Competitive players did confirm directional audio works well for footsteps, but music lovers wanting clarity may be underwhelmed.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
The HS55’s weight and comfort consistently top the positives list. At just 266g, even extended sessions remain tolerable. A PC and PS5 user wrote: “Played Witcher 3 for hours… still on high battery… comfortable to boot.” Memory foam earcups with faux leather trim seal around the ears, blocking moderate noise without excessive clamping.
Wireless versatility also earns glowing feedback. Dual connectivity means swapping between consoles, PCs, and phones quickly. One parent shared: “My daughter loved the size, weight, and feel of the ear cups… the added benefit of connecting to her phone to listen to music and the flip-up mic are also noted.”
Range impresses too. A reviewer explained: “Can walk over 30ft away with drywall walls in-between” while maintaining stable audio, making it handy for pacing during calls or grabbing a drink mid-match.
Battery performance – when it meets spec – was called “great” and “more than sufficient”, especially with the 15-minute fast-charge perk. For multi-taskers, one office worker highlighted a pleasant surprise: “Use it on work meetings, gaming, and PS5… versatility is amazing.”
Common Complaints
Sound quality leaves some unsatisfied, particularly for non-gaming use. Tom’s Hardware blasted the “muddy bass boost” setting, and a streamer noted a “lack in the bass department” for movies. This tuning favors competitive play over music fidelity.
The sidetone function gets near-universal criticism. A Corsair Community poster vented: “Sidetone too quiet… have to shove the mic into my mouth.” Even after tweaking settings, many couldn’t achieve usable self-monitoring for streaming or vocal work.
Build durability has sporadic failure reports. One owner warned: “Hinges where the speakers turn… snap so easily. Literally ruins the headset.” The mostly plastic frame saves weight but sacrifices some resilience; heavy daily use risks cracks over time.
And for power users, lack of simultaneous full audio across Bluetooth and 2.4GHz is frustrating. While calls can interrupt gameplay audio, you can’t blend music from your phone with game sound – a limitation some rivals overcome.
Divisive Features
Mic quality divides opinion. Casual Discord users described it as “clear enough” with “good background noise filtering”. But others bemoaned “random static” or “mic a little awkward”, with one reviewer stating “wouldn’t use it to stream to Twitch”.
Design minimalism strikes some as clean and non-flashy – “Understated, no RGB, looks good,” wrote one buyer – but others find it too plain for gaming gear, especially without customization beyond basic iCUE EQ profiles.
Trust & Reliability
On Trustpilot-sourced reviews and forums, there’s no significant hint of scams for HS55, but isolated durability failures concern long-term buyers. A user reported: “Ear cups snapped from headband after less than 2 months of light use”, while longer-term feedback varies from “ owned for 1.5 years… still solid” to “firmware wouldn’t update, had to return.”
iCUE software’s limited feature set for HS55 also hurts trust in “customization” claims. Tom’s Hardware labeled it “no reason to use more than once beyond firmware updates”, leading experienced users to bypass it entirely after the initial setup.
Alternatives
Users often compare the HS55 to CORSAIR’s own HS70 Bluetooth, which at the same $100 can connect to phone and console simultaneously with better sound. Tom’s Hardware also floated the Creative SXFI Air for spatial audio at a similar price, though without CORSAIR’s ecosystem tie-in. For those willing to spend more, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro offers true simultaneous audio but at a significantly higher cost.
Price & Value
At around $99.99 new – with refurb finds on eBay as low as $29 – HS55 presents strong value for budget-conscious buyers wanting cross-platform wireless. Retail fluctuations hit $79.99 during sales, prompting buyers to note “Great buy for $50”. Resale holds moderately if in good condition, but hinge or mic issues diminish second-hand appeal.
Thrifty tip from the community: if you’re considering refurbished, ensure battery life tests at above 80% and that the dongle is included – as 2.4GHz mode is where the headset shines.
FAQ
Q: Can the HS55 play audio from Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless at the same time?
A: No, it cannot mix full audio. It will pause 2.4GHz game audio to take Bluetooth calls, but you can’t blend music and game sound together.
Q: How long does the battery really last?
A: While rated for 24 hours at moderate volume, many users see 16–20 hours in real-world use. Heavy volume or sidetone can reduce this further.
Q: Does the sidetone feature work well?
A: Many say no – even at maximum it’s quiet. Some advanced users tried software workarounds, but success is mixed.
Q: Is the mic detachable?
A: No, it’s fixed but has a flip-to-mute function. Some find its position slightly awkward.
Q: Does it work wired via USB or 3.5mm?
A: No, the USB-C port is for charging only. There’s no analog cable option.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a casual to mid-tier gamer who values comfort, wireless flexibility, and solid range over pinpoint audio fidelity. Avoid if you need strong sidetone for streaming, pristine sound for music, or plan heavy daily wear in rugged conditions. Pro tip: keep it in the 2.4GHz mode for lowest latency and pair with custom EQ tweaks in iCUE to tame the bass bloat.
