HyperX Cloud III Gaming headset
Feature
Comfort and Performance
Style and Comfort
I'll get this out of the way right from the start…the team at HyperX won't win many awards for innovative style. If you have any of the previous versions of the Cloud series of headsets, then the Cloud III will have a familiar look. That's not to say that is a bad thing, as if something works, then there is little need to change things. The HyperX Cloud III retains the signature HyperX black and red styling, with a lightweight red metal frame and black padding.
The lightweight metal frame gives the impression of a solid device, but this is somewhat reduced by the plastic earcups. Yes, the plastic is quite solid, but combined with the built-in volume control wheel – housed within the right earcup - gives off a cheaper feel. The HyperX Cloud II has a mid-range price point, so the build quality feels about right, but the Cloud III could have used the stitching style design of the Cloud II Wireless to give it a more premium look.
The metal frame starts in a position that would fit comfortably on the smaller heads of younger gamers but extends enough to accommodate larger head sizes. The headband is covered with a leather-look material and is flexible enough to be almost flattened out without any noticeable stress on the device. The lightweight frame does allow the headset to remain comfortable for long gaming sessions, with the padded headband ensuring that the metal frame does not impact the top of the head.
The Cloud III also features memory foam earcups covered in a leather-look material. The earcups fit snuggly around the ears and continue the comfort provided by the lightweight headband. When looking down, the headset stays firmly in place, even if you're someone who wears glasses. The memory foam of the earcups seems to be thicker than previous models and this further enhances the comfort of the headset. Indeed. It is one of the most comfortable headsets that I have evaluated.
The HyperX Cloud III is a wired only headset, so players will be tethered to their PC (or other devices). The Cloud III comes with a rather short, premium red and black braided cable with a 3.5mm audio jack. But although the braided cable is of a shorter length, it can be extended with the included 3.5mm to USB Type-C braided connection cable. Also included is a USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, so players can connect to most devices.
Although the headset needs to be plugged in at all times, the microphone does not. The flexible boom mic can be attached or removed depending on your needs. The 3.5mm jack slots comfortably into position and is secure in place – it won't accidentally fall out if bumped. The flex cable allows gamers to position the mic into the optimal location for picking up voice chat. The left earcup also houses a microphone mute button which is easy to access.
Performance
Having a nicely fitting comfortable headset is great, but it is all for nothing if the audio quality is poor. The HyperX Cloud III has no such issues though. The headset, even with the volume dial at a lower level was clear. The headset uses 53mm directional drivers and these worked superbly when playing games such as Battlefield 2042. The surround sound enables gamers to pick out the direction of combat so that they can make more of an impact in the battle. The same goes for racing titles such as Dirt Rally 2.0, with the surround sound immersing players inside their vehicles with the revving of the engine and the sounds of the countryside as you zoom past.
As well as gaming on a PC, the 3.5mm audio jack and various connectivity options also means that the Cloud III can be used in several other scenarios – whether it is gaming on consoles such as the PlayStation and Xbox variants, or for more portable devices such as the Nintendo Switch or Mobile phone gaming.
And of course, the headset can be used to watch you favourite movies and TV series whilst sitting in front of your fixed device or on the go. Users can simply remove the flexible boom microphone so that it isn't distracting. With the 3.5mm audio jack, users can simply plug it into any standard audio jack either on the mobile device or even on a flight. The headset performs well when watching videos, with actors' voices being clear, background music surrounding ears when necessary and action sequences getting the DTS treatment.
If the Cloud III has one downside, it would be that the bass is a little on the underpowered. It does pick up the bass into for Massive Attack's Angel or The Prodigy's Diesel Power reasonably well but doesn't feel as deep as other headsets. The Cloud III uses the HyperX Ngenuity software, which can be used to adjust some of the sound settings such as the Bass and Treble, but they didn’t seem to alter the performance much at all. Having said that, my testing was completed prior to release of the headset, so the full array of features may not have been available at the time.
One feature that was not a letdown was the detachable boom mic. It gave one of the clearest performances of a headset microphone that I have tested. It doesn't compete with a standalone mic such as the EPOS B20 Desktop Microphone, but for a headset mic, particularly one that is detachable, it outperforms most. Whether you are chatting with your in-game squad or conversing with colleagues and customers over a conference call, the microphone on the HyperX Cloud III provides for crisp conversations.
Verdict
The HyperX Cloud III gaming headset is one of the better all-rounders. The audio is crisp and clear even at lower levels and the directional drivers mean that, within a game, the sound goes to exactly where it in intended. The microphone also does a superb job when conversing with your squad in game or with your colleagues during your Teams or Zoom calls. The ability to remove the mic allows the headset to be used as a standard set of headphones in just about any situation, whether it is at home listening to music or commuting and watching an episode of your favourite show. And although it looks much like previous incarnations of the Cloud series of headphones, the lightweight steel frame gives the impression of a sturdy device, while the memory foam padding ensures that the headset remains comfortable for long gaming sessions.
In the Box
HyperX Cloud III Gaming Headset
Detachable Microphone
USB Dongle
USB-C to USB-A Adapter
Quick Start Guide
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