We've tested 14 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
- 12/08/2022 HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 reviewed
- 05/09/2022 HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless reviewed
- 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
Best HyperX Headphones
-
Best HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel5.7Sports/Fitness6.0Office6.9Wireless Gaming7.6Wired Gaming5.9Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesThe best HyperX headset we've tested is the ΗyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless. These sturdy headphones are the wireless version of the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II, which you'll also find on our list. Although you can't use them wired, they have over 30 hours of continuous playtime, and their wireless dongle ensures a low-latency gaming experience. If you like to game with others, the boom mic does a great job of capturing your voice so that you sound clear and understandable. It can also separate speech from background sound decently well, which is handy if you game in a noisy environment.
They have a very comfortable fit with thick padding to keep fatigue at bay during long dungeon crawls. Their bass-heavy sound also ensures sound effects like footsteps pop into gameplay without drowning out dialogue and instruments. Unfortunately, the headphones are prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, especially if you wear glasses or have thick hair, so it's important to take the time to ensure a good fit each time you use them. Even though they have companion software, it lacks an EQ. You can access the 7.1 surround feature, which can help make your audio sound more immersive.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.2Commute/Travel4.9Sports/Fitness5.6Office6.2Wireless Gaming5.7Wired Gaming7.6Phone Calls6.8Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesThe HyperX Cloud Alpha S is the best HyperX headset with a wired connection we've tested. You might prefer a wired headset if you don't want to worry about battery life or latency. Unlike the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless, these comfortable and sturdy headphones have bass sliders on either ear cup so that you can adjust the amount of bass in each ear cup separately. With the sliders turned all the way up, they have a warm, boomy sound profile that can help emphasize sound effects like footsteps and explosions in games. They also come with leather or cloth ear cup padding, so you can choose which is more comfortable.
The boom mic has a good performance, so you'll sound natural and easy to understand when gaming with friends, and moderate background noise won't drown out your voice. They're fully compatible with most consoles via analog connection but also come with a USB dongle that provides a low latency connection with PCs and PlayStation consoles. The dongle has physical buttons for volume control, channel mixing, mic mute, and surround sound, so you have some controls within easy reach when gaming. The headphones are compatible with HyperX NGENUITY software, which offers surround sound and microphone level controls but is otherwise simple in design.
-
Best Mid-Range HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.4Commute/Travel5.1Sports/Fitness5.6Office6.4Wireless Gaming5.6Wired Gaming7.6Phone Calls7.4Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesCheck out the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II if you want something more affordable. These wired headphones were released in 2015 and are still among the brand's better-known offerings. They're just as comfortable and well-built as the HyperX Cloud Alpha S and offer a better microphone performance. Their boom mic makes your voice sound clear and natural and has better noise handling than our previous pick, so your voice won't be drowned out by moderate noise like people talking in the same room or traffic outside your window.
Their sound profile adds boom to your audio, which can help make action-packed games feel more immersive. Instruments and voices are present in the mix but lack some detail. Unlike the pricier headsets listed here, they don't come with sound customization features like an EQ or onboard sliders and don't have app support. However, the included USΒ dongle provides a low latency connection with PCs and PlayStation consoles. It includes controls for adjusting chat and game audio levels and activating a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature. These headphones are also compatible with most consoles via an analog connection.
-
Best Budget HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel4.8Sports/Fitness5.4Office6.1Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming7.4Phone Calls7.3Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesThe HyperX Cloud Stinger are the best HyperX headphones in the budget category we've tested. These cheaper headphones aren't as well-built or comfortable as the previous picks but offer a solid overall performance for gaming. Their boom mic makes your voice a little less bright and open than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II's mic but performs similarly overall, so they're a good choice if you play many online games. The ear cup padding doesn't feel as plush as some other headsets, but they still have a comfortable fit suitable for long gaming sessions. Their wired design makes them compatible with PCs and PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Their bass-heavy sound profile lends extra rumble, punch, and boom to your audio. They may sound a little muddy, but elements like voices are still clear and present. Like most ΗyperX headsets we've tested, their sound is dependent on the headphones' fit and positioning on your head, so you need to adjust them to get the same sound every time you wear them. They don't work with an app or have sound customization features, so you can't tweak their sound to your preferences. If you're looking for headphones that provide a more customizable listening experience, the HyperX Cloud Stinger S are slightly more expensive and support virtual surround sound. However, their mic has more trouble separating your voice from ambient sound.
Compared to other brands
- Durable build quality. HyperX makes sturdy headphones 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 will 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 extra features like surround sound or wireless charging, they don’t have 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.
HyperX vs Logitech
Logitech and HyperX make similarly priced gaming headsets, although HyperX generally produces better-built products. Some are even Xbox compatible, and their mics have better recording quality too. However, thanks to their companion software support, Logitech's headsets are much more customizable. Some also support Bluetooth, which is uncommon in HyperX headsets, so it's worth considering Logitech's best headsets.
HyperX vs Razer
Razer offers a more diverse lineup of headphones than HyperX, and some of their products are even designed for hybrid casual and gaming use. Some of Razer's best headsets also have features like noise cancelling, haptic bass, or customizable RGB lighting. You can generally expect robust sound customization features too. Conversely, HyperX may be more barebones regarding extra features, but they produce strictly gaming headphones that are more comfortable and have a better build quality.
HyperX vs Corsair
Corsair and HyperX make many similarly performing headsets at different price points. HyperX headsets tend to be more comfortable, and some of their headphones even come with a second pair of ear cup padding. In comparison, many Corsair headsets have companion app support, which makes them more customizable. A couple of models also support Bluetooth, which is good if you want to stay connected to your console and smartphone simultaneously.
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 worrying about latency. They lack features compared to popular headsets like the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, or the Logitech G933 Wireless Gaming Headset. Their lineup is worth looking at if you prefer simpler yet well-rounded designs.
Lineup
HyperX offers a few different lineups at different price points and with wired and wireless designs. It can be confusing to sort through all of their products, as they all start with 'Cloud', and many look nearly identical. There's also a distinct 'Cloud' lineup:
- Cloud = A lineup of well-known gaming headsets at different price points. They have an aluminum hinge design and flexible boom mic. Some also come with a USB card.
- Stinger = Mid to budget-range headsets.
- Flight = Wireless upper mid-range headsets.
- Alpha = High-end headsets.
Recent Updates
-
May 24, 2023: We've replaced the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless with the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless as the Alpha Wireless have higher latency. Several users have also experienced issues using the companion app.
-
Feb 17, 2023: We've added more information regarding HyperX's lineup and brands that they're often compared to.
-
Nov 21, 2022: Reorganized article to help you find the product you're looking for. Added the Cloud II as the 'Best Mid-Range' headset.
-
Jun 09, 2022: Replaced the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless with the ΗyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless as the 'Best HyperX Headphones'.
-
Mar 10, 2022: Checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
Conclusion
HyperX makes mostly wired gaming headsets with excellent microphones and sturdy build quality. They're 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. Their headsets also lack customization options compared to other brands.