- 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
- 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
- 06/30/2020 HyperX Cloud Alpha updated
Best HyperX Headphones
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Best Wireless HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel5.7Sports/Fitness6.0Office6.9Wireless Gaming7.6Wired Gaming5.9Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe best HyperX headset with a wireless connection we've tested is the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless. These headphones come with a USB wireless dongle which ensures low audio lag. They also have a very comfortable and well-built design. Their slightly bass-heavy sound profile can help emphasize sound effects like footsteps while gaming. Although they don't have any sound customization features, their 7.1 surround sound feature can help give you a more immersive audio experience. They have over 30 hours of continuous playback time, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them. If you like to chat with others while you game, their detachable boom mic also offers good overall performance, ensuring you're heard clearly, even if you're talking in a moderately noisy environment.
Unfortunately, these headphones lack robust controls like channel mixing, and their companion software doesn't offer many customization features. They're more prone to inconsistencies in bass and treble delivery, and you may especially notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses. That said, if you're looking for the best HyperX headset for PC or consoles with a wireless design, they deliver a solid overall performance that should please most users.
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Best Wired HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.2Commute/Travel4.9Sports/Fitness5.6Office6.2Wireless Gaming5.7Wired Gaming7.6Phone Calls6.8Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicThe HyperX Cloud Alpha S is the best HyperX gaming headset with a wired connection we've tested. These over-ears have a bass slider on each ear cup that lets you independently adjust the amount of bass each cup receives. With both sliders turned up, they have a boomy sound profile with extra thump, punch, and warmth that can help emphasize sound effects like footsteps in gameplay. They have a comfortable fit, great build quality, and come with two different pairs of swappable ear cups: one made from cloth and another pair made from leather. If you like to game with others, their boom mic also offers good overall performance. Your voice sounds clear, natural, and full-bodied, even if you're talking in a moderately noisy environment.
While they're compatible with HyperX NGENUITY companion software, it doesn't offer additional customization features like an EQ or presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Unfortunately, the headphones are also prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, and you may especially notice a drop in bass if you have thick hair or wear glasses. That said, these well-built over-ears are worth considering if you're looking for wired headphones, thanks to their analog and USB connection support.
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Best Budget HyperX Headset
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel4.8Sports/Fitness5.4Office6.1Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming7.4Phone Calls7.3Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackNoise Cancelling NoMic YesTransducer DynamicWireless NoThe HyperX Cloud Stinger are the best HyperX headphones in the budget category we've tested. These wallet-friendly over-ears have a comfortable, breathable, and spacious fit suitable for long hours of gaming. Their bass-heavy sound profile delivers extra thump, rumble, and boom, which can help emphasize sound effects in your gameplay. If you like to chat with others while you're gaming, their boom mic also offers great performance. As a result, your voice sounds clear and understandable, even if you're talking in a moderately noisy environment. Since they use a 1/8" TRRS cable, they're fully compatible with PCs as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Unfortunately, their controls are very limited, and you can only control the volume and mute their mic. They also lack customization features like an EQ, so you can't tweak their sound to your preferences, and unlike the HyperX Cloud Stinger S, they lack a 7.1 virtual surround feature. They're very prone to inconsistencies in bass and treble delivery too, and you may need to adjust their fit, positioning, and seal to achieve a more consistent fit each time you use them. However, if you don't mind their simple, no-frills design, they offer a decent gaming performance.
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 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 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 looking at if you prefer simpler yet still well-rounded designs.
Recent Updates
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Mar 10, 2022: Checked our picks for accuracy and product availability. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Dec 10, 2021: We've checked our picks for product availability and accuracy. There hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
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Oct 08, 2021: Checked our picks for product availability and accuracy. However, there hasn't been a change in our picks.
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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.
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.
