HyperX Cloud III Wireless  Headphones Review

Reviewed Oct 10, 2023 at 08:20am
Writing modified Apr 25, 2025 at 11:14am
Tested using Methodology v2.0 
HyperX Cloud III Wireless

Track

0.0
Sports And Fitness 
0.0
Travel 
0.0
Office Work 
0.0
Wireless Gaming (In Development) 
0.0
Wired Gaming (In Development) 
0.0
Audio Reproduction Accuracy 
0.0
Noise Isolation 
0.0
Microphone (In Development) 

Track

 20
  1. Recommended in:
  2. HyperX

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless are comfortable and well-built gaming headphones. The manufacturer advertises a continuous battery life of 120 hours, which is impressive compared to wireless gaming headsets from other manufacturers. They offer low-latency wireless performance via a USB dongle and feature the same sturdy and comfortable design as their wired counterpart, the HyperX Cloud III. Extra features are accessible through the HyperX NGENUITY companion software to tweak the sound profile with a graphic EQ and activate the DTS:X Spatial Sound for a multi-dimensional audio experience.

Our Verdict

0.0
Sports And Fitness 

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless aren't designed for fitness use. Although they have a wireless design, they're bulky and aren't designed with stability in mind. You'll struggle to keep these headphones on your head even during moderate-intensity exercise. Their faux leather earpads will also trap moisture around your ears. They lack an IP rating for protection against water and dust, but that's normal for over-ear gaming headphones.

Pros
  • Well-built and comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Travel 

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless are a passable choice for commuting and traveling. They're bulky and lack a proper carrying case, so you'll struggle to bring them on trips or commutes. They also lack ANC and will do little to isolate your audio against loud, lower-frequency noises, like engine rumble. That said, they're comfortable, have a sturdy design, and their battery life will last you through the longest of journeys. You can also detach the boom mic for a more casual look.

Pros
  • Exceptional battery life performance.
  • Well-built and comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Office Work 

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless are acceptable for office use. They have an impressive 120-hour battery life that will get you through the entire workweek without needing to charge. They're also comfortable enough to wear throughout the day and have a good microphone. However, they don't provide much isolation against ambient noise, so you'll get distracted by conversations around you. They also leak a fair bit of audio, meaning others around you can hear what you're listening to. If you're used to listening to audio from your smartphone, you'll likely miss the lack of Bluetooth connectivity and NFC pairing, as wireless audio is only available through the included USB dongle.

Pros
  • Exceptional battery life performance.
  • Well-built and comfortable.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation performance.
  • Bulky design.
0.0
Wireless Gaming (In Development) 

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless are a good choice for wireless gaming. They're well-built and comfortable enough for marathon gaming sessions, and their exceptional battery life performance will get you through a few of these without the need to charge. They offer low latency via the USB dongle that'll ensure you stay competitive during even the most intense firefights, and the boom mic will transmit your voice clearly so you can communicate with teammates effectively. You can also adjust their warm sound profile via the graphic EQ and presets in the HyperX NGENUITY app. You can only use changes made in the app on PCs and can't transfer them to a console. Unfortunately, their poor frequency response consistency means people with larger heads or longer hair may find achieving a consistent sound between wears difficult.

Pros
  • Exceptional battery life performance.
  • Well-built and comfortable.
  • Graphic EQ and presets available.
  • Low latency via wireless dongle.
Cons
  • Inconsistent audio delivery.
  • Incompatible with Xbox consoles.
0.0
Wired Gaming (In Development) 

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless are wireless gaming headphones; you can only use them with non-Bluetooth wireless.

0.0
Audio Reproduction Accuracy 

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless have very good audio reproduction accuracy. They have a warm sound by default, which makes your audio feel smooth. If you prefer a brighter sound, you can always tweak it using the companion app's EQ. These headphones have good peaks and dips performance, meaning they don't deviate much from their warm sound profile, and their great group delay performance ensures transparent treble reproduction, with just a little flabbiness in the low bass. If you're an astute listener, you may notice that higher-pitched sounds like hi-hats sound slightly off-center because the left and right drivers are a little mismatched in terms of amplitude in the treble region.

0.0
Noise Isolation 

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless have bad noise isolation. They block out hardly any noise and leak a fair bit of audio, so anyone around you can hear your content if you're listening at a moderate volume.

0.0
Microphone (In Development) 

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless have a good microphone. The mic accurately captures your voice through the mid-range, although you don't sound airy. It also does a good job separating your voice from any noise around you, so even if you're gaming next to an open window, you'll still be comprehensible to whoever you're talking to.

0.0
Frequency Response Consistency 

The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless have poor frequency response consistency. In particular, people who wear glasses could experience significantly less bass than we measured, while people with larger heads could experience more. In both cases, the difference is due to the thick earpads these headphones come with, which can make achieving a consistent seal with each wear challenging.

  • 0.0
    Sports And Fitness
  • 0.0
    Travel
  • 0.0
    Office Work
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming (In Development)
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming (In Development)

  • Performance Usages

  • 0.0
    Audio Reproduction Accuracy
  • 0.0
    Noise Isolation
  • 0.0
    Microphone (In Development)
  • 0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Apr 25, 2025: 

      This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.0, which adds the following tests: Stereo Mismatch, Group Delay, Cumulative Spectral Decay, PRTF, Harmonic Distortion, and Electrical Aspects. We've added new performance usages and updated the text throughout the Sound tests and side-by-sides.

    2.  Updated Apr 25, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1, which features minor updates to our sound tests.
    3.  Updated Oct 30, 2024: 

      The following test groups have been updated after Test Bench 1.8: Sound Profile, Raw Frequency Response, Bass Profile: Target Compliance, Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance, Treble Profile: Target Compliance, and Peaks/Dips. Associated text changes have been made to match results from Test Bench 1.7 to Noise Isolation - Full Range and Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios. Text changes have also been made throughout the review to match these results.

    4.  Updated Oct 28, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.

    Check Price

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless are the wireless variant of the HyperX Cloud III. We tested the 'Black-Red' version, but there's also a monochrome 'Black' colorway available. You can see the label of our unit. If you come across another variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    While the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless don't quite have their wireless sibling, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless', exceptional 300-hour-plus battery life, the 120-hour battery performance is still fantastic. This battery performance is also an improvement on the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless, which can go for 30 hours between charges. Both the Cloud II and III Wireless offer great, low-latency wireless performance and integrate well with the HyperX NGENUITY software. Still, the second-gen provide a more bass-heavy sound out of the box. If you're looking for wireless gaming headphones that you can use with a wired connection, it's worth checking out the Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. They can connect to Xbox series consoles via a wired connection, which isn't possible on the HyperX, and have an impressive 97-hour battery life. And if you're looking to save a little money, the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 (Gen 3) have 85 hours of battery life and a better mic than the HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless.

    Check out our recommendations for the best wireless gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets, and the best HyperX headsets.

    HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless

    Track

    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.

    HyperX Cloud Alpha

    Track

    If you're looking for wireless gaming headphones, you'll want to check out the HyperX Cloud III Wireless, but if you're looking for wired, plug-and-play headphones, then the HyperX Cloud Alpha will be up your alley. While both pairs are equally comfortable, the wireless Cloud III have companion app support, so you can customize their sound to your liking and access a virtual soundstage feature for a more immersive audio experience. They also have low enough latency that your audio and visuals stay in sync while gaming. Conversely, the wired Cloud Alpha are better built, and their boom microphone offers a better overall performance.

    Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless

    Track

    The Logitech G PRO X 2 LIGHTSPEED Wireless and HyperX Cloud III Wireless are similarly performing wireless gaming headphones. Depending on your preferences, you might prefer one over the other. The Logitech headphones support a wired connection, meaning you can connect to Xbox Series consoles, which isn't possible with the HyperX. The HyperX have a longer battery life, and the boom mic sounds more natural compared to the Logitech's boomy, bass-heavy recording quality.

    SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

    Track

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless headphones are better for console gaming than the HyperX Cloud III Wireless. The SteelSeries come in three variants for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. They support Bluetooth and multi-device pairing, and they're the natural choice for Xbox owners, as the HyperX lack Xbox compatibility. While the SteelSeries have a great battery life, at 33 hours of continuous use, the HyperX are a better choice if you want to go longer without recharging.

    Show more 
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
    Sort:
    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Normalization Frequency
    LockedLock Hz
    Bass Amount
    LockedSlightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)
    Treble Amount
    LockedSlightly Underemphasized (-3 dB)
    Sound Signature
    LockedWarm

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Profile: Target Compliance
    RMS Deviation From Target
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
    RMS Deviation From Target
    LockedLock dB
    Low Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Profile: Target Compliance
    RMS Deviation From Target
    LockedLock dB
    Low Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Mismatch
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock dB
    Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
    LockedLock dB
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Group Delay
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock ms

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    Cumulative Spectral Decay
    0.0
    PRTF
    PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 94 dB SPL
    LockedLock%
    WHD @ 104 dB SPL
    LockedLock%

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    Electrical Aspects
    Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
    LockedN/A
    Bluetooth Max SPL
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    Test InstrumentLockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedYes
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation - Full Range
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
    Airplane Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
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    Office Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Office Noise Isolation Audio
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    Street Noise Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Street Noise Isolation Audio
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    Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
    Female Voice 1
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    Male Voice 1
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    Female Voice 2
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    Male Voice 2
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    ANC Wind Handling
    ANC Wind Noise
    N/A
    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
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    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Additional Charges
    LockedN/A
    Total Battery Life
    LockedLock hrs
    Charge Time
    LockedLock hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked

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    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    0.0
    Wired Connection
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    Detachable
    LockedLocked
    Length
    LockedN/A
    Connector
    LockedLocked
    Latency - Analog
    LockedN/A
    Latency - USB
    LockedN/A
    Recorded Latency
    N/A
    Recorded Latency ConnectionLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Bluetooth Connection
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Quick Pair (Android)
    LockedLocked
    Quick Pair (iOS)
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Latency - SBC
    LockedN/A
    Latency - aptX
    LockedN/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
    LockedN/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
    LockedN/A
    Latency - LDAC
    LockedN/A
    Recorded Latency
    N/A
    Recorded Latency CodecLockedLocked
    AAC Support
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Latency - Dongle
    LockedLock ms
    Recorded Latency
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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked

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