The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are high-end gaming headphones released in 2022. They're the wireless variant of the HyperX Cloud Alpha, a basic pair of over-ears released in 2017, and are compatible with PCs and PlayStation consoles. The manufacturer advertises that they're the first gaming headphones with over 300 hours of battery life—that's over 12 days of continuous playtime, which is practically unheard of for any wireless headphones. They're also compatible with HyperX's Ngenuity software, which offers customization features like a graphic EQ and presets that are unique to this model. However, users have reported high latency when using the app's features, and you can read more about it here.
Our Verdict
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are very good for neutral sound. Out of the box, these headphones have a slightly v-shaped sound profile that delivers a touch of extra bass while sibilants like cymbals are bright. That said, vocals and lead instruments are accurately reproduced, thanks to their neutral mid range. Unfortunately, they're prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so it's important to take the time to adjust their fit, positioning, and seal on your head each time you use them.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are unremarkable for commute and travel. Unfortunately, they're gaming headphones and aren't designed for this purpose. They don't support Bluetooth, so if you want to use them with your phone, you'll most likely need a USB-A adapter to use their wireless dongle. They also don't block out bass range noise, like the low rumble of bus and plane engines, which can be frustrating if you want to listen to only your audio. While they don't come with a carrying case to help protect the headphones when you're on the go, they have a comfortable and well-built design. They also have an outstandingly long continuous battery life that'll easily last through long trips.
- Exceptionally long battery life.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- No Bluetooth.
- Don't block out bass range noise.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are mediocre for sports and fitness, especially as they're not designed for this usage. They have a bulky design and can fall off your head with moderate head movements. They also don't support Bluetooth, so you need to use a device with a USB-A port or purchase an adapter separately if you want to use them with your smartphone. On the upside, they have a comfortable and well-built design. Since they don't have an audio cable, you don't have to worry about something snagging them off your head while moving.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- No Bluetooth.
- Can fall off your head with moderate movement.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are decent for office use. Although they don't support Bluetooth, and you can't use them wired, you can connect them to your PC using their USB-A wireless dongle with low latency. They have a comfortable and great build quality, and you can even remove their boom mic if you want a more casual look. They also have a long-lasting continuous battery life, so you don't need to worry about having to constantly recharge them. Although they have a disappointing overall noise isolation performance, they can still block out a decent amount of mid-range noise like ambient chatter.
- Exceptionally long battery life.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- No Bluetooth.
- Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are good for wireless gaming, although they have a couple of big caveats. They have a comfortable fit, and their long battery life easily lasts through multiple days of gaming. Although you can customize their v-shaped sound profile using their companion software, users have experienced high latency when using the app, which is a deal-breaker if you game competitively. On the upside, their boom mic has a very good overall performance, so your voice sounds clear, even in moderately noisy environments.
- Very good boom mic performance.
- Exceptionally long battery life.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- No Bluetooth.
- Prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery.
- Many user issues experienced when using the companion app.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are wireless-only headphones, and you can't use them wired.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are satisfactory for phone calls. Unfortunately, they don't support Bluetooth, so if you want to connect them to your phone, you'll need a USB-A adapter to use their wireless dongle. That said, you can use their dongle on PCs if you have a lot of virtual meetings. Their detachable boom mic has a very good overall performance, ensuring you're heard clearly, even in a moderately noisy environment like a busy office. However, the headphones struggle to block out ambient noise, making it harder to hear your conversations.
- Very good boom mic performance.
- Comfortable and well-built.
- Don't block out bass range noise.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Apr 17, 2023: Added a comparison to the Wyze Wireless Gaming Headset in the Non-Bluetooth Wirelessbox.
- Updated Mar 29, 2023: We've received user reports regarding latency and sound issues when using the companion app, and we've updated App Support and Non-Bluetooth Wireless. We've also retested Sound using the default sound profile instead of the 'Balanced' EQ, which is only accessible using the app.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless come in one color variant: 'Black/Red' and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussion section below and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are the wireless variant of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Like most headphones in this manufacturer's lineup, they have a comfortable and well-built design with simple controls. However, one thing makes them stand out from the crowd: they deliver over 300 hours of continuous battery life, which is significantly longer than other wireless headphones on the market, like the Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset and the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless. You can't use them wired, and they don't support Bluetooth, limiting their versatility. While they're also compatible with HyperX's Ngenuity software, users have reported very high latency when using it.
Check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best wireless gaming headsets, and the best headsets for PS5.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless have one of the best battery life performances of all the wireless gaming headphones we've tested. Still, the HyperX Cloud III Wireless are a better overall choice for gaming. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Cloud Alpha Wireless struggles with high latency when connected to the NGENUITY app. This can mean that you'll sacrifice your competitive edge as the audio content of your game struggles to keep up with the visuals.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless and the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless have different strengths. While both headphones are comfortable, well-built, and have similar overall mic performances, the Cloud Alpha have a more neutral default sound profile that you can customize to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ or presets, although users have reported that using the app's features introduces very high latency. Their passive soundstage feels wider, and they have a significantly longer continuous battery life. However, the Cloud 2's mic has a better recording quality, and their wired design avoids the issue of latency altogether.
The Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset are better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the Logitech headphones have a more robust companion software and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have lower latency. Conversely, the HyperX are better built, and their battery life is significantly longer. Unfortunately, some users have reported that they have very high latency when using their companion app's features.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless are more versatile gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. While both headsets are well-built, the SteelSeries can be used wired and wirelessly. They have an ANC system to help block out a fair amount of ambient noise, support Bluetooth, and their wireless dock puts a lot of controls, like channel mixing and EQs, at your fingertips. Their boom mic offers better overall performance, and their app has many more customization features. The HyperX are still worth checking out if you value a significantly longer continuous battery life. They're also more comfortable. On the downside, users have reported that using the companion app's features adds high latency to your gameplay.
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