HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall Gaming Headset | Best Open Back Gaming Headset | Best Wireless Gaming Headset | Best on a Tight Budget | |
Price | $200 List $142.99 at Amazon | $130 List $74.99 at Amazon | $179 List $87.00 at Amazon | $150 List $89.99 at Amazon | $50 List $39.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
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... | Kraken V3 HyperSense | EPOS H6 Pro | Corsair HS80 RGB Wi... | Kingston HyperX Clo... |
Comfort (40%) | |||||
Audio (30%) | |||||
Microphone (20%) | |||||
Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
Specs | HyperX Cloud Alpha... | Kraken V3 HyperSense | EPOS H6 Pro | Corsair HS80 RGB Wi... | Kingston HyperX Clo... |
Connection Type | USB | USB | 3.5mm | USB | 3.5mm |
Measure Max Cordlength | 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.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The comfort metric is the most important aspect of our headset review and the first thing a potential consumer should consider before purchasing. 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.
Audio
Following the comfort metric in importance is 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? We also look at sound blocking and music quality. When all these assessments are added up, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless received a slightly above-average audio performance.
We use several practical tests to rate a headset's positional sound quality. The first is a test that the gaming hardware company Razor developed wherein one plays a video of a helicopter circling overhead. If the headset is of high quality, the wearer can easily identify where the chopper is — right, left, front, or behind. The HyperX manages this task with ease and accuracy. We also use Counter Strike: Global Offensive to run a similar test, but this time with gunfire and footsteps. Again, the HyperX performed quite well. As for coms with fellow players, the clarity of others' voices was slightly above average — what we'd define as acceptable for serious gameplay.
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.
Microphone
The microphone metric is quite simple but an important assessment of a key component of a gaming headset. We look at the quality of the audio that the mic delivers, the amount of background noise that the mic picks up, and whether or not the muted mic produces static or buzzing. Happily, the HyperX delivered an above-average score in this assessment.
After recording a simple audio file, we compared the sound quality to the other devices in the review. The HyperX's microphone delivers reasonably clear audio, though there are some harsh sibilants. As for muting, the effect was complete. Finally, the background noise picked up by the mic was minimal to nonexistent. But overall, the audio sounds pretty good.
Ease of Use
We tend to assess the ease of use on all technical devices simply because it's no fun to unwrap a new purchase only to spend an hour or two setting it up. Our gaming headset ease of use assessment focuses on the onboard controls, mic adjustment, and software. Surprisingly, the HyperX garnered a below-average rating.
We do not want to give the impression the HyperX is difficult to operate. Quite the contrary, the headset is plug-and-play. 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.
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.