Being a frequent traveler, I’m a big fan of wireless peripherals. Since I have to move my gaming equipment a lot, I can frequently be found carrying around a big backpack filled with equipment, including my gaming rig, mouse, controller, and of course either headphones or a headset, and sometimes more than one. The upshot is that I do absolutely everything possible to avoid fiddling around with cables.

I’vebeen looking forward to using the Corsair HS65 Wireless after falling for its wired counterpart, so the first thing I did after opening the box was to put the wired and wireless versions to the test to compare their sound quality. My overall takeaway is that the wired version delivers better balanced sound, while the wireless version has fairly strong lows and rather disappointingly-dull highs. The reason for such a noticeable difference in sound quality is unclear.

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Despite this, the HS65 Wireless remains a good gaming headset with an impressive 10-band EQ on the iCue application, something that makes it worth considering for the price. You always pay more for wireless, but this particular unit still hits the sweet spot when it comes to cost.

The HS65 Wireless features a 2.4GHz interface with a dongle in addition to Bluetooth connectivity and is fully compatible with Xbox Series S|X, PS5, and PC. It boasts an omnidirectional boom microphone, Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound, and weighs only about half a pound, making the unit both portable and practical.

It’s definitely an improvement over its wired counterpart, perhaps not in terms of design, but at least when it comes to features.. The build quality is good, featuring a strong and sturdy frame, but isn’t quite of the highest order when compared to similar devices.

The biggest difference between the wired and wireless versions is the buttons, the former featuring a microphone mute, Bluetooth, and power buttons alongside a volume control wheel. These are easy enough to use, but would benefit from better tactile references, being easy to mistake for each other. My only misgiving is the foldable boom microphone which remains in your peripheral vision even while in the upright stowed position, which can be distracting.

The iCue application offers a lot of customization and control options. While the headset can be used right out of the box, iCue allows you to change various aspects of the sound. I recommend making maximum use of the 10-band EQ to adjust the audio balance, but if you just want to plug and play, there’s a default set of options available through the SoundID feature.

The sound quality of the HS65 Wireless fell slightly short of expectations, notably in comparison to its wired counterpart. It comes with a very powerful bass range which I’m sure that some will appreciate, but this comes at the cost of its midrange and treble, something which tends to get drowned out. The lows, on the other hand, are sometimes incredibly impressive, with a powerful bass response that really makes you feel the power of explosions.. It also features a high volume capacity along with a wonderful soundstage, similar to its wired counterpart. I admit to being blown away by the quality of the surround sound.

With 24 hours of battery life, it’s hard to complain. I picked up the HS65 Wireless after a couple of days worth of normal use to find the battery fully discharged, so you may want to consider plugging it in from time to time.

The boom microphone is a mixed bag. While you come through loud and clear in voice chats with minimal background noise, I would prefer to have a boom microphone which folds up into the ear cup or can at least be removed. It’s not a deal breaker for me, but whenever I turn my head to the left, I wind up getting distracted by the boom protruding into my peripheral vision.

I would recommend the HS65 Wireless to anyone looking for an affordable gaming headset with immersive surround sound and personalized sound profiles. I also have to underscore the convenience of being able to carry the headset around, weighing in at roughly half a pound and folding up completely flat. You also don’t have to fiddle with cables. The dongle is your best bet if you have a lot of other wireless peripherals, but for even more versatility, the headset can be used at the push of a button using Bluetooth. You can’t get much more convenient than that.

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Justin is a news editor at TheGamer. He specializes in labor relations, intellectual property law, and game development. You can find his work in EGM, Vice, Unwinnable, Heterotopias, and more.