The Corsair HS35 Stereo is one of the least expensive brand-name gaming headsets currently on the market. As an analogue multi-platform headset, it can easily be connected to your PC, consoles, and mobile devices with a 3.5-millimeter 4-pole TRRS plug or the supplied dual 3-pole TRS adapter. For a mere $40, you get a gaming headset that feels fairly plasticky, but shows no sings of creaking or any other issue related to its build quality.

It's quite flexible, and the all-plastic construction gives it another welcome feature: it's extremely lightweight and fantastically comfortable on the head. Thick padding on the inner side of the headband, as well as the memory-foam-filled ear cushions covered in plush fabric, further add to its wearing comfort. No matter whether your gaming sessions are short or last for more hours than you'd be willing to admit, the Corsair HS35 Stereo won't ever cause any pain or discomfort to your ears or head.

On the performance front, the built-in 50-millimeter dynamic drivers deliver a very bassy sound without any noteworthy harshness in the high-end, and the mid-range is decently informative, which means you'll be able to tell where your enemies are coming or shooting you from. Although it sounds very far from natural, it fares well in games of different genres. Only dialogue-heavy games, especially those with an epic soundtrack, can sound a bit over the top due to the bass being so massive and pronounced. The same goes for music—it does well with EDM, rap, and similar genres, but don't expect it to please you if you're into more complex genres where details and finesse are more important than a pounding, in-your-face bass.

The microphone is good for what it is, although I strongly suggest you buy a windscreen for it to get rid of the occasional popping when certain speech sounds hit the capsule. On the other hand, if you'll only use it for short in-game conversations with your teammates, you'll be just fine without the windscreen.

All in all, I have no trouble recommending the Corsair HS35 Stereo to gamers on a tight budget. It offers good value for the money and some peace of mind compared to similarly priced no-name headsets, which can go from working fine to being an oddly-shaped paperweight in a blink of an eye.