Corsair HS55 Wireless Review: Comfort Meets Dual Mode
Few budget gaming headsets offer both dual wireless connectivity and strong comfort, but the CORSAIR HS55 WIRELESS Gaming Headset manages that combo—albeit with compromises. Across hundreds of user reviews, ratings settle around 4.2/5, translating to a solid 8/10 overall: praised for comfort and versatile wireless modes, knocked down for inconsistent mic performance and sound tuning that feels more “adequate” than exceptional.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — best for casual gamers who want Bluetooth + 2.4GHz wireless in one headset, but not for audiophiles or those needing flawless mic capture.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very comfortable, even for long sessions | Mic mute and sidetone functions underperform |
| Dual-mode wireless (2.4GHz + Bluetooth) | Bass can be overpowering, treble lacks clarity |
| Good battery life (real-world ~16–20 hours) | No wired option at all |
| Lightweight (266g) design | Build is mostly plastic |
| Fast charge: ~6 hours on 15 min | Bluetooth can be finicky with some devices |
| Solid USB wireless range | Ear cups get warm in hotter climates |
Claims vs Reality
Corsair’s marketing promises “all-day wireless comfort” and “crystal-clear communication.” The comfort claim holds up almost universally; the second less so. A verified Best Buy buyer commented: “Lightweight, comfortable, and sounds good. Would recommend,” and another said they “wore them for 6-8 hour gaming sessions without sweating.” For long sessions, even glasses wearers sometimes found them “snug but not painful,” as noted by Tom’s Hardware, although one Best Buy user warned they were “too tight to comfortably wear my glasses.”
On “crystal-clear communication,” however, Reddit and Twitter users point to issues. A Corsair community post detailed: “I literally have to shove the mic into my mouth in order to hear myself” when using sidetone. Best Buy reviews repeatedly noted mic quirks—muting not working properly, or friends on Discord unable to hear until rejoining the call. Tom’s Guide called mic quality “good enough” but “nothing to write home about” and criticized limited Bluetooth audio mixing.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Reddit threads and retail feedback, comfort dominates the praise. The 266g weight is consistently cited as “great for hours of use,” with Best Buy customers saying their kids loved the fit and “plush ear cups.” Tom’s Guide confirmed it’s “very comfortable, even for long periods of time… while wearing glasses.” For stationary PC and PlayStation gamers, the USB dongle’s range is another win—Tom’s Guide tested audio stability “even a few rooms over” without dropouts. Bluetooth, though less impressive in range, worked fine for adjacent rooms.
Travel gamers benefit from its battery and portability. Fast charging is a standout: “15 minutes charging gives me almost a full evening of play,” one Best Buy reviewer stated. And switching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz at the touch of a button makes it easy to jump from console gaming to taking calls.
Common Complaints
Mic performance comes up repeatedly. Several Best Buy buyers mentioned friends couldn’t hear them on Discord until calls were restarted. On Corsair’s forum, sidetone was reported “too quiet to be useful.” Tom’s Hardware found environmental noise cancellation compressed voices, making them sound “nasally.” This affects streamers and competitive players relying on clear comms.
Audio tuning is another sticking point. Tom’s Guide described sound without Corsair’s iCUE software as “a little thin... more notably at the bass end,” while Tom’s Hardware criticized “bloated bass” and a treble roll-off dulling detail. Without virtual surround unless on PC/Mac via iCUE, the spatial audio experience is limited compared to competitors.
Lack of a wired option frustrates some. As Tom’s Guide put it: “Corsair didn’t just remove the fixed audio cable, they didn’t leave a 3.5mm jack in its place.” This limits flexibility in scenarios where Bluetooth or USB wireless isn’t ideal.
Divisive Features
Dual wireless connectivity is loved by some—Best Buy buyers called it “perfect for laptop gamers who need to walk away from their setup.” Tom’s Hardware praised range but noted the inability to listen to both sources simultaneously. Audio signature divides opinion: casual users say it’s “great lows and crisp highs” (Best Buy), while reviewers noted the bass boost EQ “muddies the sound so much it sounds underwater.”
Trust & Reliability
Long-term owners on Reddit haven’t flagged widespread durability issues, but construction is mostly plastic with limited metal reinforcements, which some fear may not endure years of stress. Tom’s Hardware reassured that “no worrying creaks” were present during testing.
Software reliability is less certain. A Best Buy customer reported returning the headset after “fighting with iCUE for a few days after it failed to update the firmware on the dongle.” Corsair’s brand response suggested contacting support sooner, but threads about unresolved sidetone issues dent confidence.
Alternatives
Two in-house alternatives come up in discussions. The HS70 Bluetooth allows simultaneous phone and console audio via 3.5mm aux, offering better sound quality at the same price. Tom’s Hardware also suggested the Creative SXFI Air, which adds spatial audio over USB. SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro earns mention for true simultaneous wireless audio, albeit at a much higher cost.
Tom’s Guide hinted that stripping Bluetooth could drop the HS55’s price by $20, making it a stronger pure-gaming pick in the crowded sub-$100 segment.
Price & Value
Corsair’s MSRP sits at $99.99, with frequent sales dropping it to ~$79.99 or even $50, according to Best Buy buyers who felt it was “a great buy for $50.” On eBay, refurbished units (“Revival Series”) sell for as low as $24.99, and new listings from third-party sellers dip to $41.00. Resale values seem solid thanks to demand for dual-mode wireless in budget headsets.
Community advice: buy during seasonal sales or clearance events, and ensure you understand Bluetooth’s limitations before purchase. Given multiple reports of battery life closer to 16–20 hours vs. the rated 24, adjust expectations.
FAQ
Q: Can the HS55 Wireless connect to two devices at once?
A: Yes—via 2.4GHz USB wireless and Bluetooth—but you can’t listen to both simultaneously. Bluetooth will interrupt game audio for calls, then resume afterward.
Q: Does it work with Xbox consoles?
A: No official Xbox compatibility. Works with PC, PS4, PS5 via USB wireless, and mobile devices via Bluetooth.
Q: How long does the battery actually last?
A: Real-world use averages 16–20 hours depending on volume; Corsair’s “up to 24 hours” rating is under optimal conditions.
Q: Is the microphone detachable?
A: No, it’s fixed but flips up to mute. Several users mentioned wishing for a detachable design.
Q: Does it have surround sound?
A: Dolby 7.1 is available only on PC/Mac via iCUE software; otherwise, stereo output.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re a casual gamer or multi-device user who values comfort, reliable wireless range, and quick device switching. Avoid if you need pristine mic quality, accurate treble response, or wired fallback. A seasoned Best Buy buyer summed it up: “Great headset for the price. Very comfortable. Just wish the mic was better.” Pro tip from the community: skip “bass boost” mode in EQ to preserve clarity, and keep firmware updated via iCUE—when it works.
