HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset
I have tested and tried out more gaming headsets than I can count. I’ve enjoyed many of them, while many others have fallen flat for any number of reasons—shoddy software and drivers, uncomfortable fits, lousy sound.
Before I got my hands on the HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless gaming headset, my personal favorite was the HyperX Cloud II wireless gaming headset. While I use the official PS5 headset when playing PlayStation 5 games, and the official Xbox Series X headset when playing games on Microsoft’s console, when it came to PC the Cloud II was my go-to headset and has been for the past couple years.
That has all changed with the release of the HyperX Cloud Alpha. For one thing, the headset fits my large noggin a lot better. I thought the Cloud II was comfortable, but it was a little tighter and ran a little hotter than ideal. The Cloud Alpha is a bit roomier and cooler and just feels better on my ears and skull for longer periods of time. Comfort is huge when it comes to gaming headsets and the Cloud Alpha is extremely comfy. The aluminum frame and memory foam /leatherette ear cushions make it stylish and cozy—I often forget I have it on!
When it comes to sound and mic performance, these hew very closely to the Cloud II, which is to say both are fantastic but I’d be hard-pressed to really tell you one sounds better than the other. Certainly I have no problems picking up the precise sound of enemy footsteps while playing Call Of Duty: Warzone. I often feel like I can hear the direction someone is coming from much better than some of my teammates, and I don’t chock that up to better hearing—just better surround sound thanks to the headset’s 3D spatial audio technology.
The headset is simple and elegantly designed, with a detachable mic that you can mute with the press of a button. A red LED light glows when the mic is muted, so it’s easy to tell if you’ve done this by mistake. A simple volume control wheel rests on the right, with power and mute on the left.
HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless gaming headset
What I find truly remarkable about this headset, however, is its battery life. I’ve been testing the Alpha out for around ten days now, playing all my games with it and spending many, many hours either gaming, watching shows or listening to music and the battery level hasn’t dropped a single percentage point.
When you turn the headset on, a voice tells you ‘Headset on, battery level is XYZ.’ Well, since the very first time I turned mine on the battery level has been at 80%. I keep waiting for the voice to tell me that it’s dropped to 79% but it remains stubbornly lodged at 80, no matter how much I use it. Apparently you can get over 300 hours on a single charge. I haven’t used it for 300 hours but given my usage, this comes as no surprise.
At $199.99 this is not a cheap headset, though it’s certainly not the most expensive out there.
Frankly, if you do a lot of gaming and want something that’s comfortable, stylish and sounds great—not to mention the super easy plug-and-play setup—you won’t be disappointed with the Cloud Alpha. It’s my new go-to gaming headset and I suspect it will be for the foreseeable future.
My recommendation: If you’re in the market for a new gaming headset and have the cash, this is a great buy.
HyperX Cloud Alpha specs
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