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Quick Answer: The Corsair HS65 Surround wins on hardware Dolby Atmos surround sound that works on PS5 without any software. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P wins on battery life, microphone quality, simultaneous Bluetooth, glasses-friendly comfort, and multi-platform flexibility. Choose HS65 for PS5 surround sound; choose Nova 3P for everything else.
Introduction
The Corsair HS65 Surround and SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P are two of the most-recommended wireless gaming headsets in the $100–$120 range — particularly among glasses-wearing gamers who need comfort engineered for frames. They’re close in price, both offer 2.4GHz wireless, both have solid microphones, and both work on PS5. But they make very different trade-offs: the HS65 bets on hardware surround sound, the Nova 3P bets on battery life, multi-platform flexibility, and glasses comfort. Here’s the full breakdown.
Quick Comparison
| Corsair HS65 Surround | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P | |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | 2.4GHz USB-A | 2.4GHz + Bluetooth (simultaneous) ✅ |
| Battery | 24 hours | 38 hours ✅ |
| Surround Sound | Hardware Dolby Atmos ✅ | Virtual (software, PC only) |
| Microphone | Omnidirectional (flip-to-mute) | ClearCast Gen 2 (retractable) ✅ |
| Glasses Comfort | Standard headband | Ski-goggle suspension band ✅ |
| PS5 Compatibility | USB-A dongle | USB-C dongle ✅ |
| Switch Wireless | No | Docked (USB-C) ✅ |
| Bluetooth Phone Pairing | No | Yes ✅ |
| Price | ~$120 | ~$100 ✅ |
| Warranty | 2 years ✅ | 1 year |
Surround Sound — HS65 vs Nova 3P
The Corsair HS65 Surround has hardware-accelerated Dolby Atmos processing inside the USB dongle. Plug it into your PS5 and surround sound is active immediately — no app download, no driver install, no platform setting changes. The processing happens in the dongle hardware, and the headset receives processed audio. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P’s Sonar Virtual Surround Sound is software-based and Windows PC exclusive — it doesn’t work on PS5 or Switch without additional Dolby/DTS license software.
For PS5 gamers who prioritize spatial audio, the HS65 Surround is the better choice. For PC-primary gamers, the Nova 3P’s Sonar software surround is competitive, and both headsets get the job done.
Winner: Corsair HS65 Surround — hardware Dolby Atmos that works on PS5 out of the box, no software required.
Battery Life — HS65 vs Nova 3P
24 hours vs 38 hours — the Nova 3P advantage is substantial. That’s 14 additional hours per charge. If you game heavily across multiple days without charging, or if you frequently forget to charge overnight, the Nova 3P’s battery gives you significantly more runway. The HS65’s 24 hours is adequate for most daily gaming sessions but requires more frequent attention.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — 38 hours vs 24 hours is a meaningful real-world difference.
Glasses Comfort — HS65 vs Nova 3P
This is the biggest differentiator for the target audience. The Arctis Nova 3P uses SteelSeries’ ski-goggle suspension headband: a floating fabric band between two padded arches that distributes clamping force across the top of the skull rather than pressing against the temples. Glasses frames don’t interact with the clamping force because the force goes up, not sideways. The HS65 uses a conventional steel slider headband that presses the ear cushions against the sides of your head — and against your glasses frames where they cross your temples. For sessions under 2 hours, the HS65 is fine. For 3+ hour sessions, glasses wearers will feel it.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — the ski-goggle band is purpose-engineered for glasses comfort and it works.
Microphone — HS65 vs Nova 3P
The HS65’s omnidirectional flip-to-mute mic is clear in quiet environments but picks up background noise in noisy rooms. The Nova 3P’s ClearCast Gen 2 is a retractable bi-directional mic with a noise-cancelling pattern that does a better job isolating your voice from ambient sounds. For streaming, the Nova 3P’s mic is noticeably cleaner in less-than-perfect recording conditions. For game chat, both are functional — the HS65’s flip-to-mute mechanism is convenient even if the audio quality trails slightly.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — ClearCast Gen 2 delivers better background noise rejection and voice clarity.
Multi-Platform Flexibility — HS65 vs Nova 3P
The Nova 3P connects via USB-C dongle (works natively in PS5’s front port) and simultaneously maintains a Bluetooth connection to your phone. The HS65 is USB-A only (PS5 rear port or adapter required) and has no Bluetooth — no phone pairing. The Nova 3P also works wirelessly on the Nintendo Switch dock via the USB-C dongle. The HS65 offers no Switch wireless support. For pure multi-platform gamers, the Nova 3P is clearly the more versatile option.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — simultaneous dual wireless, USB-C native, and Switch dock support.
Value — HS65 vs Nova 3P
At ~$100, the Nova 3P undercuts the HS65 Surround by about $20 while delivering more battery life, better glasses comfort, simultaneous Bluetooth, and superior mic quality. The HS65 commands a premium specifically for the hardware Dolby Atmos capability. If you’re going to pay $120 for the HS65, you should really need that PS5 hardware surround sound — otherwise the Nova 3P is better value at $100.
Winner: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P — $20 less with more features across the board except hardware surround.
Use Case Breakdown
Buy the Corsair HS65 Surround if:
- You primarily game on PS5 and hardware Dolby Atmos surround is your top priority
- You want 2-year warranty coverage vs 1-year on the Nova 3P
- Sessions are typically under 2 hours (where headband comfort gap narrows)
- You don’t need to pair your phone simultaneously
- Budget is flexible up to $120
Buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P if:
- You wear glasses and care about comfort during 3+ hour gaming sessions
- Battery life matters — 38 hours vs 24 hours is a real difference in daily use
- You game across PS5, Switch, and mobile/phone simultaneously
- Microphone quality for streaming or clear voice chat is important
- You want to save $20 and get a better all-around headset
Verdict
For glasses-wearing gamers, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P wins this comparison on nearly every dimension: glasses comfort, battery life, microphone quality, multi-platform versatility, and price. The Corsair HS65 Surround’s one genuine advantage — hardware Dolby Atmos on PS5 without software — is meaningful if that’s your primary use case. But for the majority of buyers who want the best all-around wireless gaming headset in this price range, the Nova 3P is the stronger pick.
Where to Buy
Check the Corsair HS65 Surround at Walmart — $119.68.
See the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P In-Depth Review for the comparison headset details.
FAQ
Does the Corsair HS65 Surround work on Nintendo Switch?
The 2.4GHz USB-A dongle does not fit the Switch dock’s USB-A ports easily in most dock configurations, and Corsair doesn’t officially support Switch wireless. You can use the HS65 with Switch in handheld mode via the 3.5mm jack — audio and mic both work, but you lose wireless functionality. The Nova 3P is a better choice if Switch wireless matters.
Is the Corsair HS65 Surround better for glasses wearers than the HS55?
Both use the same standard adjustable headband design, so neither is meaningfully better than the other for glasses wearers. The HS65 adds hardware Dolby Atmos surround; the HS55 saves you money. If glasses comfort is your primary concern, the SteelSeries Arctis line with its ski-goggle suspension band is a better starting point than either HS model.
Can the Corsair HS65 Surround connect to PC and PS5 simultaneously?
No. The HS65 uses a single USB-A dongle that connects to one device at a time. To switch between PS5 and PC, unplug the dongle and replug. The Nova 3P’s simultaneous 2.4GHz + Bluetooth means you can maintain two active connections at once — a genuine advantage for multi-device setups.
