Corsair’s HS80 USB headset is $30 off, great for budget PC gamers

If you value good sound quality and a decent microphone when gaming, you don’t necessarily have to opt for a high-priced wireless headset. The Corsair HS80 RGB USB uses a wired USB connection and combines it with high-resolution audio, virtual surround sound, and a comparatively extensive range of features for its price tier.

The Black edition is currently on sale for $79.99 at Amazon, down from its normal street price of $109.99. This 27 percent discount is worth jumping on if you’re still on a crappy pair of cans and want to upgrade to something nice while staying below the $100 mark.

50mm drivers, Dolby 7.1, and a good microphone with auto-mute

The Corsair HS80 RGB USB features 50mm neodymium drivers with a frequency range of 20Hz to 40kHz. Via the USB connection, the headset supports audio at up to 24-bit and 96kHz, as well as virtual Dolby 7.1 surround sound. For gaming, this spatial audio can help you better pinpoint footsteps, gunshots, and other 3D sounds.

For voice chat, the HS80 features an omnidirectional microphone, which Corsair classifies as broadcast-quality. When the microphone arm is folded up, the microphone is automatically muted with an LED indicating its status. The headset is also Discord-certified, and for longer gaming sessions, its fabric-covered memory foam ear pads and floating headband keep it as comfortable as possible to wear.

Corsair’s iCUE software allows you to adjust equalizer settings, various sound profiles, and RGB lighting. The microphone and volume, on the other hand, can be controlled directly on the headset. The USB cable is 6 feet long and the headset weighs around 0.82 pounds.

Is this Amazon deal worth it?

Amazon is currently selling the Corsair HS80 RGB USB in Black for just $79.99, down from $109.99. While that isn’t its best-ever price, it’s still a great deal—it has occasionally dropped down to $69.99 and even $64.99 during big sales events, but if you don’t want to wait around to save a few more bucks, the HS80 for $79.99 is a good value.

The Corsair HS80 RGB USB is particularly suited for PC gamers who prefer a stable wired connection and value surround sound, a decent microphone, and a high level of comfort for long sessions. For a classic gaming PC, the HS80 RGB USB is a solid all-round package.

There’s one thing to bear in mind before buying: the HS80 RGB USB is wired and designed primarily for PC use. It doesn’t feature Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz wireless connection, so if you’re in the market for a headset that can be used on the sofa or easily switched between multiple consoles, you’d be better off with a wireless model.