HyperX headset
It seems like there’s an endless selection of ultra-cheap, generic gaming headsets from no-name companies that are understandably hard to put your trust in. In contrast to all those sketchy choices, HyperX offers a line of high-quality gaming headsets with something for just about every price range. They also do a great job of updating and replacing their lineup with refined models that perform even better than their predecessors.
Their most recent offering is the HyperX Cloud II Wireless, which boasts their most refined internal design yet in addition to 2.4GHz wireless connectivity that promises to work with zero noticeable lag. Whether you’re looking for something wired, wireless, noise-cancelling or merely just affordable, HyperX has something for you.
The most important gaming headset features
Are HyperX headsets comfortable?
The way it feels on your head is one of the most important parts of a gaming headset. The size of the ear pads is an obvious place to start, and most HyperX headsets are suitable even for those with large ears. They also use soft yet durable foam, unlike many no-name brands.
Weight is another simple but meaningful aspect. A heavy headset can be distracting from the start, and after a multi-hour gaming session, a weighty model can easily prove uncomfortable or even painful. Again, HyperX strikes a great balance here across their lineup, with their low-end models among the lightest options on the market.
Heat retention is a well-known issue with closed-back headphones and headsets, which make up the majority of the market. Unfortunately, HyperX doesn’t currently offer any open-back models and it doesn’t look like they have any plans to do so. That’s true of most gaming headset manufacturers, so you don’t have a ton of choices for high-airflow models, although there are a few good choices like the Sennheiser PC37X.
HyperX headset connectivity
All gaming headsets offer traditional wired, stereo connectivity. Lots of modern headphones allow for Bluetooth connections. HyperX makes only a single Bluetooth headset called the Cloud Mix, and it’s meant to serve double duty as a gaming headset and normal headphones. Unlike many wireless headsets, the Cloud Mix can utilize the aptX Low Latency codec, although you will need a Bluetooth adapter like this Avantree dongle or, for more advanced entertainment-related features, a USB receiver/transmitter like the Avantree Audikast Plus.
However, the nature of Bluetooth connectivity is one reason why most people don’t use their everyday headphones for wireless gaming, as the base-level Bluetooth codecs can introduce significant lag and a lot of Windows computers don’t support advanced compression standards. With that said, if you do a lot of gaming on your phone, the Cloud Mix is an especially convenient and versatile choice.
On the other hand, console gamers will appreciate that there’s a decent selection of dedicated wireless solutions made specifically for the PlayStation and Xbox. For those models, HyperX uses 2.4GHz RF wireless technology. Each 2.4GHz wireless headset will come with its own mated dongle, and you can be sure that this RF wireless technology won’t introduce any lag, no matter what your Windows hardware and driver situation looks like — all you need is a single free USB port.
HyperX headset sound quality
Audiophiles regularly pore over normal headphones, debating their low-end presence, high-end roll-off, consistent frequency response and other, almost esoteric, aspects. Gaming headsets aren’t usually put through that kind of ringer, largely because there isn’t a ton of audiophile-grade competition in the field. That is changing somewhat, and you can find premium gaming headsets from well-known manufacturers that claim to have high-resolution output. If you’re focused on HyperX headsets, rest assured that sound quality won’t be an issue, especially if you stick to their most recent releases.
HyperX microphone quality
One of the biggest reasons to avoid cheap, generic headsets is that their microphone’s quality and noise-canceling ability are usually pretty poor. There are some well-known budget headsets out there that are known specifically for high-quality mics, for example, the Razer BlackShark V2. Thankfully, you really don’t have to look outside of HyperX for high-quality sound and unbeatable comfort at an affordable price.
HyperX surround sound headsets
Many of HyperX’s offerings utilize 7.1 surround sound, even some of the cheaper models. Be sure to keep an eye out for headsets that offer “true” 7.1 (or even 5.1) surround sound versus “simulated” or “virtual” surround sound. All three of these surround sound varieties will provide quality sound that adds directional spatial awareness to your game, but a standard virtual surround sound headset is using only two drivers and special algorithms to simulate what a 5.1 or 7.1-surround headset does with several drivers in each ear cup. To be clear, virtual surround sound headsets will still provide high-quality, immersive sound, and many people prefer them as they provide essentially the same effect as 5.1 or 7.1 surround but at a much cheaper price. Be aware, though, that some games don’t implement surround sound correctly and in some cases, the algorithm used by virtual surround sound headsets can noticeably hurt sound quality. Fortunately, if your headset supports surround sound but the game you’re playing right now doesn’t, the headset will almost always let you disable the feature with a press of a button.
Top HyperX gaming headsets
HyperX Cloud Alpha S: available at Amazon This is a refresh of their award-winning Cloud Alpha model and sports an advanced dual-chamber design to maximize audio quality across the whole spectrum. It features not only adjustable bass levels but also an independent chat mixer to help you balance in-game sounds and your teammates’ and opponents’ voices.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless: available at Amazon Wide ear cups and pads, durable construction and moderate weight make this one of the best-feeling headsets in existence. The sound quality and frequency consistency are basically second to none.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core: available at Amazon We’re pretty sure it’s not possible to get a more affordable headset that’s also this dependable. Sure, it’s made mostly from plastic and won’t satisfy any audiophiles, but it’s reasonably comfortable for those with small to moderate-size heads and should last for a long time as long as you’re careful with it.
HyperX Cloud Orbit S: available at Amazon This novel headset is among the extremely rare ones to use planar magnetic technology instead of the far more common dynamic drivers, which is why it costs so much. They use authentic planar drivers from audiophile giant Audeze and, if you can afford the investment, can help you hear sounds you might have been missing, even in your most-played games.
Other great HyperX products
If you want to sound good while playing, look good on a stream and demonstrate your fast reaction time in a first-person shooter, HyperX makes a range of products aside from their headphones that avid gamers should consider.
HyperX Amp USB Sound Card: available at Amazon It’s easy to criticize the quality of the sound cards integrated into many motherboards, especially if your PC is a few years old. Adding this to your gaming rig will not only eliminate any distortion or other audio issues, it will also ensure that your headset’s simulated surround sound works as well as possible with as many games as support it.
HyperX QuadCast Microphone: available at Amazon Pro streamers and dedicated podcast hosts would be well-served by this high-end standalone mic. It offers independent gain adjustment and lets you select cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional or stereo pickup patterns to accommodate whoever’s in the studio with you.
HyperX SoloCast Microphone: available at Amazon If you already have a great pair of headphones, adding this reasonably priced yet high-performing mic to your setup can eliminate the need for a gaming headset entirely. It has a condenser pattern, tap-to-mute sensor and the ability to accept a threaded mic stand or boom arm.
HyperX Pulsefire Core Mouse: available at Amazon As a whole, the company is known for its effective and no-nonsense designs, and this gaming mouse is no exception. It doesn’t have a ton of buttons, but it’s especially lightweight and costs very little.
HyperX Pulsefire Dart Mouse: available at Amazon Some mid-range wireless gaming mice suffer from inconsistent connections and short battery lives, but not this one. It stays alive for up to 50 hours between charges and includes a highly dependable 2.4GHz dongle. It also includes a cable and works just fine in wired mode, in case you forget to charge it before sitting down to play.
Chris Thomas is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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