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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a console-first wired headset with a retractable mic and cooling gel cushions that won't cook your ears during long sessions, choose Razer Kraken Gaming Headset; if you need a lightweight PC headset with spatial audio software and a flip-to-mute boom mic, choose Corsair HS65.
• Razer Kraken biggest strength: Retractable cardioid mic plus cooling gel-infused oval cushions and a flexible bauxite aluminum frame built for marathon console sessions.
• Razer Kraken biggest trade-off: Software surround sound only works on Windows 10 64-bit, so PC spatial audio is limited outside that setup, and the mic retracts into the cup rather than flipping out of the way.
• Corsair HS65 biggest strength: Dolby Atmos spatial audio on PC, SonarWorks SoundID personalization, and a lean 282g aluminum-reinforced frame with leatherette memory foam cups.
• Corsair HS65 biggest trade-off: Its mic is omni-directional rather than noise-isolating, so it picks up more of the room around you.
• Who should pick the Kraken: Console players on PS4, PS5, Switch or Xbox who want a retractable mic and heat-managing cushions.
• Who should pick the HS65: PC and Mac players who want software-tuned spatial sound and a headset they can wear for hours without noticing the weight.
The Kraken is built around comfort and communication. The oval ear cushions are infused with cooling gel, which is Razer's answer to the sweaty-ear problem that plagues long sessions. The frame is bauxite aluminum, which keeps it flexible and resistant to the kind of twisting that kills cheaper plastic headsets. At 11.36 ounces it's not the lightest option here, but the thicker headband padding distributes that weight reasonably well.
The microphone is the headline for anyone who plays in a squad. It's a retractable unidirectional (cardioid) design, which means you pull it out of the ear cup when you need it and push it back in when you don't. Cardioid pickup patterns reject sound coming from behind and to the sides, so it's tuned to focus on your voice rather than your keyboard, fan or roommate. The in-line control module gives you an analog volume wheel and a mic mute switch, which is simple and works regardless of what platform you're on.
Audio-wise you get custom-tuned 50mm dynamic drivers with a 12 Hz–28,000 Hz frequency range, 32 ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity. That's an easy load for a controller or phone to drive, and the low-end extension suggests the punchy bass Razer tunes for. The 7.1 surround feature is software-enabled and only on Windows 10 64-bit — on consoles you're getting straight stereo through the 3.5mm jack. Buy this if you mainly game on console or want a no-fuss wired headset with a mic you can hide. Skip it if you're a PC player who wants spatial audio on Mac or Windows 11 without workarounds.
The HS65 is the more software-forward of the two. On PC you get Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which stages sounds around you in three dimensions rather than just left and right, and SonarWorks SoundID, which tailors the headset's tuning to your personal hearing preferences on PC and Mac. If you play shooters and want to pinpoint footsteps or gunfire direction, that combination is genuinely useful.
Comfort is where Corsair clearly focused. The headset weighs just 282g — noticeably lighter than the Kraken — and pairs leatherette memory foam ear cups with a soft fabric contact layer and a mesh grill on the cup exterior. That mesh helps with airflow, which matters when you're wearing something for four hours straight. The headband is aluminum-reinforced for durability without adding bulk.
The mic here is omni-directional and flips up to mute. Omni mics capture sound from all directions, so they pick up your voice reliably no matter how you position the boom, but they also pick up more background noise than a cardioid design. The flip-to-mute gesture is fast and intuitive — you just raise the boom.
Inside you get custom-tuned 50mm neodymium drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 114 dB sensitivity and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range. On PS5 it supports Sony's Tempest 3D audio. Buy this if you're primarily on PC or Mac and want software-tuned spatial sound in a light, breathable frame. Skip it if your priority is a mic that isolates your voice from the room, or if you want the retractable design for on-the-go use.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for console gaming → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Cross-platform 3.5mm compatibility with PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X & S, and no software required.
• Best for PC spatial audio → Corsair HS65. Dolby Atmos on PC plus SonarWorks SoundID personalization on PC and Mac.
• Best for lightweight comfort → Corsair HS65. At 282g with mesh grills and memory foam, it's the easier wear over long stretches.
• Best for hot rooms and long sessions → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Cooling gel-infused cushions are specifically built to reduce heat buildup.
• Best mic convenience → Corsair HS65. Flip-to-mute is faster than finding an in-line mute switch mid-fight.
• Best for on-the-go or travel → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. A retractable mic means nothing sticking out when you pack it or wear it outside.
• Best for mobile and handheld → Either. Both terminate in a 3.5mm jack, so both work with phones, tablets and the Switch in handheld mode.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: PC-first or console-first? If you're a console player who wants a durable, cool-running headset with a mic you can tuck away, I'd buy the Razer Kraken Gaming Headset — the cardioid retractable mic and cooling gel cushions are the features you'll actually feel and hear every session. If you game mainly on PC or Mac and want spatial audio software plus a genuinely light frame, I'd buy the Corsair HS65. The HS65's Dolby Atmos and SoundID support are hard to walk away from on desktop, and 282g is a real difference over a long night.
how to use headphones with mic on pc
Plug the 3.5mm jack into your PC's headphone/mic combo port, or use a splitter if your case has separate jacks. Then open your sound settings, set the headset as both the output and input device, and check the mic level in your chat app. Both headsets here work this way; the HS65 also supports USB connection.
how to connect headphones with mic on pc
For a wired 3.5mm headset, connecting is just plugging in — no pairing needed. If your PC has separate green and pink ports, use a TRRS-to-dual-3.5mm splitter. Once connected, confirm the device appears under your OS sound settings and select it as the default input and output.
how to use headphones with mic on phone
Use a phone with a 3.5mm jack and plug the headset straight in, or use a USB-C or Lightning adapter if your phone lacks one. The phone should detect the mic automatically and route calls through the headset. Both the Kraken and HS65 use a standard 3.5mm connection, so the same approach applies.
how to test headphones with mic
Play audio to confirm both earcups output sound, then open a voice recorder or a call test in your chat app and speak normally while watching the input meter. If the level is too low or silent, check that the correct input device is selected and that the mic isn't muted — the Kraken mutes via the in-line switch, the HS65 via flipping the boom up.
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