Last month my 2nd pair of Razer Headphones broke within 6 months of buying it. I spend about 6 hours a day with headphones on my head so I needed something that’s comfortable and fits my big ears. I also need a reliable headset that I don’t have to return every few months. My options where:
- Corsair HS70
- SteelSeries Arctis 7
- Logitech G935
The first one I crossed off my list was the G935, it was a bit too flashy for my liking and felt a little flimsy. The lack of noise cancelling microphone was also an issue for me as I use my headset for meetings at work a lot.
The Arctis 7 was a great contender but not currently available in my local store. I needed the set right away so I couldn’t wait for an order. So the final decision was the Corsair HS70.
I am using the headset for more than 3 months now and this is my real-life use feedback.
Fit and Feel
The HS70 has a very comfortable feel when sitting on your ears and head. The ear space is large which is great for my slightly above average sized ears. They feel firm on your head but not to a point that bothers or hurts.
The headstrap is lined with a soft layer of fabric that you can hardly feel after a few minutes.
All in all, my fit and feel rating is high. This is a strongpoint of this headset.
Build Quality
So far, so good. As I already mentioned I use my headset a LOT. There are no sign of wear and tear even after daily use. The fabric is as it was the first day, no breaks or cracks. I can see this headset outlasting my Razer.
The buttons feel sturdy and the volume wheel is smooth. The removable microphone has a metallic bendable stem. It also feels secure in place and does not wiggle or move.
Battery Life
This is another strong point of the HS70. Corsair advertises up to 16 Hours of battery life and I can confirm that this is NOT a lie. I sometimes forget to charge the headset. Thankfully the kind voice in the headset reminds you when the battery is low.
Features & Functions
From a hardware perspective, the HS70 has a volume wheel, a mute button and power button. Each function triggers a voice response in the headset. So when you press mute, a voice will tell you the microphone is muted. This applies to power on and off as well.
The notification voice also warns you when the battery is low or if you lose/establish connection. This brings me to the connectivity distance. I tested walking around my house with the headset on and I am impressed with the wireless distance. The headset kept its connection and transmission quality through two walls. This was at a distance of apx 12 meters.
Another great feature is the impressive 7.1 Surround. This is only available on PC and doesn’t work on the Playstation. You also need to install the Cue Application to enable it. Once on it is very impressive especially in immersive games.
I was also surprised when I connected the USB dongle to my Galaxy S9+ and found out I can use them on my phone. You can listen to music and use it for calls. The only downside is the massive dongle sticking out of the phone along with the USB adaptor.
The not-so-good stuff
While the HS70 is a fantastic wireless headset, here are some minor things that annoyed me a little. Again, it’s worth the purchase but these are some small cons I found using it.
- Auto Shutdown is sometimes triggered even when i’m listening to audio. Its supposed to detect inactivity but its not very efficient doing it. Although the auto shutdown notification gets triggered, it also cancelled itself. Could need a firmware update.
- USB Cable is not well secured. Its ok for charging but if you run out of battery while using the headphones and need to charge. It doesn’t sit well in the plug. I guess this is a downside of USB Micro A. Still its not great when it falls out during a meeting or game.
- The Cue app is PC only, this is not a “big” problem for me but if you own a Mac you won’t be able to get full control.
Summary
For the price paid, the HS70 is the perfect fit for me and my needs. Long battery life, high quality audio. Noise cancelling microphone and a comfortable fit for long hours of use. The Corsair HS70 gets high marks with very few downsides.
I hope this review helped you choose a headset that works great for you. If I have missed anything or you need more information, please let me know in the comments. I will get back and update the review with any useful information.
Corsair HS70
91.99 USD
Pros
- Built Quality
- Sound Quality
- Look & Feel
- Noise Reduction Microphone
- 7.1 Surround
Cons
- App is PC Only
- USB Micro A Connector
- Small Software Bugs
