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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired headset that makes you look and sound like a streamer the moment you plug it in, choose Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty; if you need one headset that just works on every console and handheld you own, choose Corsair HS35.
• Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty — biggest strength: a USB wired headset built around stream presence, with kitty-ear styling, earcup lighting that reacts to emotes and alerts, a cardioid mic, 40 mm Triforce drivers and Windows-only 7.1 surround sound.
• Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty — biggest trade-off: it's a USB Type A connection, so it's effectively a PC/desktop headset, 7.1 surround only works on Windows 10 64-bit, and it arrives as a renewed unit carrying a 90-day limited warranty.
• Corsair HS35 — biggest strength: a universal 3.5 mm plug that goes straight into PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch and more, plus a floating headband and fabric earpads for long sessions.
• Corsair HS35 — biggest trade-off: no lighting, no virtual surround, and a plain omnidirectional mic rather than a noise-focused cardioid design.
• Who each pick is for: the Kraken Kitty is for the streamer or PC player who wants personality on camera; the HS35 is for the multi-platform player who wants one headset for everything.
This headset is designed around being seen. The kitty ears sit on top of an over-ear, classic black plastic frame, and the earcups carry lighting that reacts to emotes, alerts and other stream events, adjustable across a huge color range. If your setup is on camera, that's the whole point: it's a piece of equipment that doubles as part of your on-screen look. The hybrid fabric-and-leatherette cushions are there for long streaming sessions, and the passive noise isolation helps keep you locked into the audio instead of the room around you.
On the audio side, the 40 mm Triforce drivers use a three-part design meant to separate highs, mids and lows so nothing turns to mush, with a 20 Hz–20 kHz range and 32 ohm impedance. The HyperClear cardioid mic is tuned to reject sound coming from the sides and behind, which is exactly what you want if a fan, a keyboard or a second person is sitting next to you. Then there's 7.1 surround sound for positional awareness — with the important caveat that it's only available on Windows 10 64-bit.
Corsair HS35: Who It's For
The HS35 v3 is the opposite philosophy: one headset, every device. The universal 3.5 mm connector plugs into PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and more, so you're not juggling a second pair when you move from desk to couch. At 8.16 ounces with a floating adjustable headband and soft fabric earpads, the comfort story is aimed squarely at long sessions — the kind where you lose track of time and only notice a headset when it starts to hurt.
Audio comes from custom-tuned 50 mm neodymium drivers, with 32 ohm impedance, a 20 kHz frequency response and 113 dB sensitivity. Bigger drivers don't automatically mean better sound, but in my reading of the specs, 50 mm neodymium units are the classic recipe for fuller, more detailed game audio at this tier. The mic is omnidirectional, which picks up your voice from all around rather than focusing forward — great for party chat and co-op, less specialised than a cardioid design if your room is noisy.
Controls live on the earcup: volume and mic mute, both push-button, so you're not alt-tabbing into a menu mid-match. What you don't get is lighting, surround processing, or any noise cancellation — noise control is listed as none. Who should buy it: multi-platform players, console and Switch owners, and anyone who wants comfort and a working mic without extra software. Who should skip it: streamers who want visual flair, and PC players who specifically want virtual 7.1 positional audio. The white colourway is also the only one listed here, so if you're matching a black setup, that's a consideration.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for stream presence and on-camera style → Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty. Kitty ears plus reactive lighting are the reason this headset exists.
• Best for voice clarity in a noisy room → Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty. A cardioid mic rejects off-axis noise; the HS35's mic is omnidirectional.
• Best for positional game awareness → Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty, but only on Windows 10 64-bit. Outside that, the HS35's straightforward stereo is the safer expectation.
• Best for marathon comfort → Corsair HS35. Floating headband plus fabric earpads and a lighter 8.16-ounce build read as the more forgiving long-session design; the Kraken Kitty counters with hybrid fabric-and-leatherette cushions and stronger isolation.
• Best for bigger drivers → Corsair HS35. 50 mm neodymium versus the Kraken Kitty's 40 mm Triforce units.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → Corsair HS35. Two-year manufacturer warranty versus 90 days limited on the renewed Razer.
• Best for in-headset controls → Corsair HS35. Earcup volume and mic mute buttons beat reaching for a remote.
If I were buying for myself and I played mostly on a PC, streamed, and wanted a headset that does something visually, I'd take the Amazon Renewed Razer Kraken Kitty — the cardioid mic, reactive lighting and 7.1 positional audio are a coherent package for that specific job, and the 90-day warranty is the price of entry. But for most people reading this, I'd buy the Corsair HS35. One 3.5 mm plug, every platform you own, 50 mm drivers, earcup controls, a two-year warranty, and no software caveats. It's the headset you stop thinking about. The Kitty is the one you show off.
how to buy a gaming headset
Start with the connection: USB Type A (like the Kraken Kitty) suits a desktop PC, while 3.5 mm (like the HS35) travels across PC, Mac, PlayStation and Switch. Then match the mic to your room, the drivers and comfort to your session length, and check the warranty — 90 days limited on the renewed Razer versus two years on the Corsair.
how to test gaming headset
Check the things the specs promise. Confirm your platform actually supports the connection and any surround feature — the Kraken Kitty's 7.1 only works on Windows 10 64-bit. Test mic pickup in a call, listen for whether highs, mids and lows stay separated, and wear it long enough to judge the headband and earpads.
what is gaming headset
A gaming headset is a pair of over-ear headphones with an integrated microphone, built for game audio and voice chat at the same time. Both headsets here fit that definition: the Kraken Kitty pairs 40 mm drivers and a cardioid mic with USB and reactive lighting; the HS35 pairs 50 mm drivers and an omnidirectional mic with a universal 3.5 mm plug.
what is best gaming headset
There's no single answer, and I'd be suspicious of anyone who claims one. In my opinion, the HS35 is the better all-round pick for multi-platform players who want comfort, controls and a two-year warranty, while the Kraken Kitty is the better pick for PC streamers who want a cardioid mic and lighting that reacts on camera. Decide which of those two players you are.
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