Corsair HS80 Headset review – Effortlessly comfortable, precisely on pitch

The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is the latest headset vying for that coveted spot on your head. It promises immersive, quality sound while comfortably cupping your ears. But its impressive range is what will tune out everything else and grab your attention.

The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless headset comes in at $149.99 USD. That’s $50 USD more than the previous high-end HS70 Pro Wireless. So, let’s see what the extra cash and 10 extra points in the model range gets you.

A new look inspired by an icon

The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless headset looks a lot different from the previous models in the HS range. Where they had round earcups and flimsy detachable microphones, the HS80s have a more modern-looking square-shaped earcup and a mic that flips up and down. If you’re a fan of Corsair headsets, you may recognize the design from the iconic Corsair Void series, which the HS80 is modeled on.

A new feature that you won’t find on any other Corsair headset is the floating headband. It secures with Velcro, which is easy to adjust if somewhat unsophisticated. The headband perches the HS80 on your head in just the right spot and takes all the pressure off the already lightweight 367g headset.

I was told this might be the most comfortable Corsair headset ever. And, while I haven’t worn every Corsair headset ever, I could wear the HS80 for the rest of my life. I kept them on for about seven hours straight without any hint of headache or ear pain. During that time, I moved throughout my entire apartment, and thanks to the impressive 60ft wireless range and SLIPSTREAM Wireless technology, the headset never dropped a beat.

The plush fabric ear cups do a superb job of minimizing background noise. I live in New York. It’s loud all the time. With the Corsair HS80 Headset on, I only heard the loudest planes and sirens wailing in the background. I enjoy competitive multiplayer games where audio cues are essential to tracking enemies and surviving. So, crisp audio and no distractions from outside are high priorities for me. The Corsair HS80 delivered on both counts.

When you go cable-free, Corsair’s SLIPSTREAM technology uses hyper-fast, low-latency wireless to deliver 24-bit/48kHz audio resolution. You can dial that up to 24-bit/96kHz if you plug in with the USB cable. Add to that the 20Hz-40,000Hz frequency range and you’ll never miss a footstep in-game or a note if you’re listening to music.

I played a lot of Apex Legends and Naraka: Bladepoint while using the Corsair HS80 and I found myself able to track the movement of enemies with the utmost precision. I could sit on a rooftop or behind cover and, without being able to see them, keep my crosshair on the enemy as they moved around. If you’re a competitive gamer, I don’t need to tell you how much I appreciated that.

I found the headset didn’t last quite as long as the promised 20 hours, but I got to around 13 or 14 before it warned me the battery was getting low. That was still plenty long enough for me in practicality.

Take control

There’s an additional reason for you to choose the Corsair HS80 if you’re on PC. Dolby Atmos spatial sound. You may have heard it before at the cinema. It uses three-dimensional audio to place sounds all around you. To take advantage of this added perk, you’ll need to download the Dolby Access app. It’s very easy to use and has presets for those who don’t want to fiddle. If you don’t like to have extra apps running in the background, this might be a little annoying. But I highly suggest trying it before you knock it.

The essential piece of software you will want to install for your HS80 headset is Corsair iCUE. Much like the Dolby Atmos app, it will let you adjust your audio settings to suit your needs. There was an FPS Competition option that worked beautifully for me. Plus, iCUE lets you monitor the status of your headset, change the colors of the RGB elements, and a bunch more.

My main concern with a headset mic is always that it will snap off or come loose. The mic on the Corsair HS 80 headset feels like it was made to last. It’s sturdy and the pivot point is well secured. I thought the LED light that lets you know if the mic is muted or not was a nice touch. Plus, the people I was playing with couldn’t hear any of the city noise coming through the Omni-directional broadcast-grade mic. My only issue with it is that the mic clips the headband when it’s flipped up and you rotate the earcups. It’s a little annoying, but you can bend the mic arm to eliminate the problem entirely.

A new level

Simply put, the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless headset is a winner. And if you play games where audio cues matter, the headset will help you be a winner too thanks to its impressive audio range. It’s not overly flashy like some RGB peripherals can be. And the new headband and plush material earcups make the headset incredibly comfortable.

The HS80 is made of sturdy stuff that will last, and that’s good, because you’ll be using it for a long time. At $149.99 USD, you’ll get your money’s worth and then some. Plus, if you own a PlayStation 4 or 5, the HS80 will work with that too.

I don’t need anything more than what the Corsair HS80 offers. However, if you have more cash to spend and you’re looking for the best gaming headset Corsair has, take a look at our review for the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT headset. It has a few extra features that the HS80 doesn’t have – like being able to connect to two devices at once.