- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Headphones
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've tested 12 pairs of HyperX headphones. They make mostly mid-range gaming headsets with a couple of higher-end models. They’re known for their great microphones and good overall audio reproduction, but they’re generally somewhat lacking in active features and customization options.
Updates
- 02/10/2021 HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1 reviewed
- 01/15/2021 HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless reviewed
- 09/25/2020 HyperX Cloud Stinger S reviewed
- 06/30/2020 HyperX Cloud Alpha updated
- 06/05/2020 HyperX Cloud Alpha S reviewed
Best HyperX Headphones
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Best Wireless HyperX Headset
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best HyperX headset with a wireless connection that we've tested is the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless. These well-built headphones have a comfortable fit and a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that helps emphasize sound effects in action-packed games. Their boom mic can detach for a more casual look, and it has an impressive recording quality, so your voice sounds clear and full when you're talking to your teammates. It's decent at isolating your voice from background noise, so whoever you're talking to can hear you even when you're gaming in a relatively noisy environment. They work with companion software that allows you to adjust the mic level and turn on the 7.1 surround sound feature, and their wireless USB dongle gives them very low latency. Their continuous battery life of roughly 30 hours is great, and you can even use them to receive audio while they're charging.
Unfortunately, their software doesn't include any customization features like a graphic EQ or presets. Also, they have a poor passive noise isolation performance and leak some sound, so they aren't ideal for listening to music on the go since you may be distracted by background sound or bother people nearby if you turn the volume up. Also, their sound delivery can vary depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head, which may be particularly noticeable if you have thick hair or wear glasses. Otherwise, if you're looking for a wireless gaming headset with a solid mic performance, these are worth considering.
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Best Wired HyperX Headset
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe HyperX Cloud Alpha S is the best HyperX headset with a wired connection that we've tested. These wired gaming headphones are incredibly well-built, with a flexible aluminum frame, a braided audio cable, and a boom mic that can be detached when you want a more casual look. They're lightweight, comfortable, and they come with a choice of leather earcup padding or cloth earcup padding, so you can pick what material you prefer. The earcups have bass sliders that you can turn up for a warm, boomy sound that emphasizes sound effects in action-packed games. Their mic offers good overall performance, so your voice should sound quite clear and full-bodied, even if you're gaming in a noisy place.
Unfortunately, aside from the bass sliders, they don't offer any customization features since the HyperX NGENUITY companion software doesn't have an EQ or presets. Their sound delivery also varies quite a bit depending on their fit, seal, and positioning, so you may need to take some time to adjust them to get the same sound each time. Otherwise, if you want a wired gaming headset that's compatible with both analog and USB audio, this is a good choice.
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Best Budget HyperX Headset
Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best HyperX headphones in the budget category that we've tested are the HyperX Cloud Stinger. These entry-level gaming headphones are decently built and have a comfortable, lightweight fit that's suitable for long gaming marathons. Their wired design virtually eliminates worries about battery life and audio latency. Their 1/8" TRRS cable also makes them fully compatible with PC, PS4, and PS5 consoles, which is great if you like to game on different platforms. They have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump and boom to your audio. Their boom mic does a great job of recording your voice, even in noisy environments, so you're heard clearly by your teammates.
Unfortunately, they have simple controls, as you can only adjust the volume and mute the mic by flipping it upright. Like many gaming headphones, they're also prone to inconsistent bass and treble delivery. They aren't compatible with HyperX's NGENUITY software either, so they lack customization features like an EQ or mic control. If you're looking for gaming headphones with slightly more robust features, the HyperX Cloud Stinger S offer similar performance with the added benefit of a 7.1 virtual surround feature. However, if you're on a budget, the original Stinger have a no-frills design that delivers a decent price-to-performance ratio.
Compared to other brands
- Durable build quality. HyperX makes sturdy headphones that feel durable enough to withstand constant and repeated use. Even their lower-end models feel like they’ll survive getting dropped a couple of times.
- Versatile gaming designs. HyperX headsets are good not only for gaming, but most also have a detachable microphone for more casual use with your mobile devices on the go. None of the models we’ve tested have an in-line mic for taking calls on your phone, but some have a detachable cable, so any in-line remote should do.
- Great microphone quality. The microphone quality of most of the HyperX headphones we've tested is excellent. They reproduce your voice accurately and separate noise from speech well enough to use at competitions and in louder environments.
- Lack active features. Although HyperX has some wireless headsets and a couple of models that support some extra features like surround sound or wireless charging, they don’t have any headphones that do it all, like some competing brands offer.
- Few customization options. Unfortunately, these headphones don’t have many customization options, especially compared to gaming headsets from other brands like SteelSeries, Razer, or Logitech.
Overall, HyperX makes durable and sturdy gaming headsets at an affordable price with excellent noise filtering microphones. Most of their headsets are wired, which is great if you prefer to plug-and-play without having to worry about latency. Their headsets tend to lack features compared to other popular headsets like the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, or the Logitech G933 Wireless Gaming Headset. That said, their lineup is worth taking a look at if you prefer simpler yet still well-rounded designs.
Recent Updates
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Jul 12, 2021: Checked that picks still represent the best recommendations and that the products are available.
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Apr 13, 2021: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.
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Feb 12, 2021: Replaced the HyperX Cloud Flight S with the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless as the Cloud 2 Wireless offer a better value to most users.
Conclusion
HyperX makes mostly wired gaming headsets, with excellent microphones and sturdy build quality. They're decently affordable, tend to sound moderately well-balanced, and their wired models offer a great low-latency gaming experience. Not everyone finds a wired design as convenient, though, and their headsets also lack customization options compared to other brands.
Check out our recommendations for the best gaming headphones, the best wireless gaming headphones, or the best budget gaming headphones.