HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review
A so-so wireless headset that isn't particularly comfortable, but if you are looking for prolonged battery, this device won't disappoint
Credit: HyperX
By Nick Miley ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ August 25, 2022
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: The Best Gaming Headset
Our Verdict
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a ho-hum headset that doesn't match our favorite gaming headsets. It does not excel in any area and is about average in our evaluation of comfort, audio, microphone, and ease of use. We will say that we were caught off guard by the device's prolonged battery life — a great feature for a wireless headset. In the end, however, this device is quite pricey, and, for the money, one can get a lot more, especially if they go with a wired device.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Gaming Headset |  Best Open Back Gaming Headset | Best Wireless Gaming Headset |  Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $200 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $130 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $120 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $160 List Check Price at Amazon | $50 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A mediocre wireless headset that is lacking somewhat where comfort is concerned yet has a great battery | This headset offers great audio, superior comfort, and a fantastic microphone –- the only knock against it is that it is corded | This is a fantastic gaming headset, but its open back design does not block external noises, making it ideal for quiet spaces and in-person gameplay | An across the board good performing wireless headset that gets the job done at a price that is below average for the class | This headset is a great bargain option, holding its own with the top models while costing considerably less |
| Rating Categories | HyperX Cloud Alpha W... | Kraken V3 HyperSense | EPOS H6 Pro | Corsair HS80 RGB Wir... | Kingston HyperX Clou... |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Audio (25%) | |||||
| Microphone (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | HyperX Cloud Alpha W... | Kraken V3 HyperSense | EPOS H6 Pro | Corsair HS80 RGB Wir... | Kingston HyperX Clou... |
| Connection Type | USB | USB | 3.5mm | USB | 3.5mm |
| Measured Max Cord Length | Charging cable: 3.1 ft | 6.4 ft | PC: 8 ft Console: 4.4 ft |
Charging cable: 6ft | 10.5 ft |
| Wireless or Wired | Wireless | Wired | Wired | Wireless | Wired |
| How to Mute | Button | Button | Lift mic | Lift | Lift mic |
| Detachable Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Mute and Volume Control Location | Headphone | Headphone | Headphone | Headphone | Headphone |
| Measured weight (cable hanging) | 11.8 oz | 13 oz | 11.4 oz | 12.8 oz | 9.5 oz |
| Measured Inner Ear Cup Opening | 1-5/8" X 2-1/2" | 1-1/2" X 2-1/2" | 1-1/2" X 2-3/4" | 1-1/2" X 2-1/4" | 1-5/8" X 2-9/16" |
| Ear Cup Shape | Oval | Oval | Asymmetric oval | Asymmetric oval | Oval |
| Ear Cup Fabric Type | Memory foam, leatherette | Memory foam, leatherette, cooling mesh | Microfiber fabric | Microfiber fabric | Leatherette |
| Downloadable Software | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Surround/Spacial Audio | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Manufacturer Stated Platform Compatibility | PC | PC, PlayStation, Switch (docked mode) | PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch, Tablet | PC. Mac, PS4, PS5 | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One (older version controllers may require an adapter) |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Our evaluation of the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless showed it to be an average wireless device with a hefty price tag. We recommend looking at other products in our review before settling on this product.
Our tests proved the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless to be a ho-hum device with a hefty price tag. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless received below-average marks in this assessment primarily because of its squishy ear cup padding and thin headband cushion. However, testers could still wear the device for up to 8 hours before discomfort set in.
The ear cups and headband are the biggest contributors to comfort. The HyperX's ear cups are fairly spacious, but some tester's ears came in contact with the interior, which caused a little irritation after a while. Additionally, the leatherette-covered padding tends to trap more heat than other models we've tested, thus decreasing the comfort slightly when worn for long periods. That said, the headset has marks on the headband to make sure the adjustments are even, and it is on the lighter side at 11.8 ounces, so you won't feel like you have a weight clipped to your head.
The ear cup material on the HyperX provided to have a little too much insulation for log-term comfort. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Audio
Our audio assessment focuses on positional sound. In this metric, we ask ourselves — are the headset's speakers good enough for the wearer to identify the direction from which sound emanated? When listening to gaming SFX through the HyperX, our testers were able to identify where the sounds were coming from with ease and accuracy — right, left, front, or behind, it was fine in all directions. As for coms with fellow players, the clarity of others' voices was slightly above average — what we'd define as acceptable for serious gameplay.
The HyperX offers users great positional sound - pin-pointing the location of sound was a breeze. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Music quality was average as well — the bass bumps but the mid-level and treble are so-so. Taken as a whole, the HyperX's music quality is clear and crisp. However, the noise blocking capability is marginal at best. This is somewhat surprising considering that the HyperX has a closed back design.
Surprisingly, the HyperX's closed back design did not do well at blocking background noise. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Microphone
The HyperX's microphone delivers reasonably clear audio, though there are some harsh sibilants. The muting effect was complete. Finally, the background noise picked up by the mic was minimal to nonexistent. Overall, the audio sounds pretty good.
The mic on the HyperX delivers reasonably good sound, though it emphasizes harsh 'S' sounds. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Surprisingly, the HyperX garnered a below-average rating. The headset is plug-and-play, so there is virtually no setup. However, the charging cable is fairly short, and the microphone isn't detachable. The lack of these features lowered the unit's ease-of-use performance.
We would have liked to see the HyperX have a detachable mic and a longer cord. Although, it is still a user-friendly device. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless?
While the Hyper isn't a terrible gaming headset, it is one of the lowest ranked devices in the class, and yet, it's also one of the more expensive. As such, we do not recommend it.
What Other Gaming Headsets Should You Consider?
If you want a wireless gaming headset, we recommend that you have a look at the Corsair HS80 RGB. It's less expensive and performs at a far higher level. If you want to save even more money and also want the highest possible level of performance, have a look at the Kraken V3 HyperSense — it won't disappoint.
—Nick Miley, Austin Palmer
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