Don’t Buy HyperX Cloud Headphones Until You Read This

For gamers, finding the right pair of headphones is a key part of the experience. Often, a person’s choice in gaming headset can be as vital as the actual gaming hardware itself. If this sounds like a very important choice, it’s because it is. Throughout the 2010s and into the 2020s, HyperX has been one of the leading names in gaming headsets. Their Cloud Headphones line remains remarkably popular nearly ten years after its launch. But, nevertheless, there are some things you need to know before you buy HyperX Cloud Headphones. Don’t purchase a pair until you review this guide.

HyperX: The Basics

HyperX Cloud Headphones Specs

Our Pick

HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 - Wireless Gaming Headset – Compatible with PC. Noise-cancelling Swivel-to-mute Microphone, Comfortable Memory Foam, UP to 20 hours of battery life

$89.49

• DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio
• 20 hours of battery life
• Capable of up to 300 hours of use on a single charge
• 10Hz – 20.2kHz frequency response
• 50mm dynamic drivers with Neodymium magnets
• Bi-directional noise-canceling microphone

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09/28/2023 03:02 am GMT

History of HyperX Cloud Headphones

HyperX Cloud Headphones are a popular line of gaming headsets from HyperX (formerly a division of Kingston Technology Corporation, but now a part of HP). The HyperX brand was first created back in 2002. At first, HyperX was primarily known for its high-performance memory modules for the computer gaming industry. However, in the years that followed, HyperX went on to expand into other gaming hardware such as keyboards, mice, and — of course — headsets. These headsets, dubbed the HyperX Cloud Headphones, were first released in 2014.

The HyperX Cloud Headphones quickly gained popularity with gamers because of their incredibly comfortable design and their excellent sound quality. From the start, the headphones were designed with compatibility in mind. This remains a key part of their appeal. HyperX Cloud Headphones are compatible with a number of different gaming devices, ranging from PCs to consoles to mobile devices and beyond. This has made them a very popular choice for gamers of all types, regardless of their preferred gaming style.

As we said, one of the most appealing features of the HyperX Cloud Headphones is their next-level audio quality. These HyperX headphones come equipped with 53mm drivers that put out clear and sharp sound. This allows gamers to hear all the vital details in the sound design of their games — footsteps, environmental sounds, weapons being discharged, you name it. All sound loud and clear in the HyperX Cloud Headphones. They also have a built-in noise-canceling microphone that can be removed or replaced as needed for crystal-clear communication during multiplayer games.

HyperX Cloud Headphones Over The Years

Over the years, HyperX has gone on to update and improve the design of their Cloud Headphones. In 2016, two years after the first launch, they released the HyperX Cloud II. This second generation added a USB sound card for enhanced audio performance in addition to 7.1 virtual surround sound. The HyperX Cloud II Headphones also introduced memory foam earpads for even greater comfort than they already offered. With this release, an already popular headphones choice for gamers became even more highly coveted.

Then, in 2019, HyperX released the Cloud Alpha Headphones. These third-generation headphones featured a dual pair of chamber drivers for even greater audio quality. They also came with a detachable audio cable for added convenience — giving gamers the option to listen wirelessly or through this traditional wired option. The HyperX Cloud Alpha Headphones also came with a sleeker, more refined design that made them look even more modern than before. It seems all these upgrades made that three-year wait time worth it.

A year later, in 2020, HyperX launched the Cloud Flight S: a fully wireless version of the Cloud Headphones. Offering up to 30 hours of battery life and a Bluetooth range of up to 65 feet, the HyperX Cloud Flight S Headphones immediately competed with the best of the best on the market. Like many other computer gaming products, the Cloud Flight S Headphones also came with customizable RGB lighting. All in all, another popular choice for gamers looking for excellent audio quality, comfortable over-ear design, and broad compatibility with a number of gaming devices.

What’s Included When You Buy HyperX Cloud Headphones

Now that we know a bit more about HyperX itself, let’s dive a little deeper into the specs surrounding their latest major release: The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones. Officially released in November of 2022, these latest wireless headphones from HyperX mark the second generation of their Cloud Stinger line. What do the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones look like on a physical level? How do they sound on an audial level? Let’s take a look at all the specs surrounding the headphones, including what comes in the box when you buy HyperX Cloud Headphones.

Physical Specs

With their relatively small size and lightweight mass, it’s not hard to see why the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones have been so popular since their launch last November. They offer that comfortable memory foam and premium leatherette ear cushioning that we’ve come to expect from the brand, but they’re so much more than just comfy. They offer 20 hours of battery life, a charge time of just three and a half hours, and a range of over 65 feet in all. And, at just $99.99, they’re definitely on the more affordable end of the gaming headphones spectrum.

Audio Specs

While physical specs like size, weight, price, and battery certainly matter quite a bit when choosing a gaming headset, there’s just as much significance placed on the actual audio quality of the headphones themselves. Thankfully, this has never been an issue for HyperX products. Boasting DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio and state-of-the-art 3D audio spatialization and localization, the Cloud Stinger 2s sound truly great — especially for wireless headphones that cost less than a hundred dollars. (That bi-directional noise-canceling microphone is pretty nice, too.)

What’s In The Box?

When you purchase a pair of HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones, you’ll see more than just a gaming headset inside the box. The product also comes with a USB charging cable that plugs into the desktop or other USB 2.0 charging port. It also comes with a USB wireless adapter that makes these wireless headphones even more versatile than they might’ve initially seemed. Plus, HyperX includes a quick start guide in the box to make the setup and first use go as smoothly as possible. Ultimately, it’s everything you might need and more.

HyperX Cloud Headphones Reviews

Generally speaking, HyperX Cloud Headphones tend to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews. While the noise cancellation or the battery life might not be comparable to that of wireless headphones for sale at twice the price, most HyperX headphones users tend to know what they’re getting into when they purchase a pair. In other words, HyperX headphones are typically seen as excellent mid-range wireless gaming headsets. Critics and consumers alike make note of this often: They don’t cost hundreds of dollars, but they sure do sound great for their price point.

Of course, this lower price point does come with its fair share of common complaints. As we mentioned, the noise cancellation quality is not the best the market has to offer. This applies to the noise-cancellation capabilities of both the ear cushions and the microphone alike. Now that HP owns HyperX, it will be interesting to see how these compliments and complaints may change in the years to come. Will HP make substantiative changes that negatively impact the popularity of HyperX? Or will they make major improvements to an already great product line? Only time will tell.

What’s New From HyperX?

Since HP’s acquisition of HyperX in June of 2021, the gaming headset brand has gone on to release three major new releases. The latest of these is, of course, the Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones. First shipped in November of 2022, the Cloud Stinger 2s are now available in both wired and wireless options. At $99.99, the wireless versions are more than twice the $39.99 price of the wired-only option, but this makes sense: The Wireless Cloud Stinger 2s can function as both wired and wireless headphones.

In April of 2022, HyperX began shipping the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Headphones: the world’s first gaming headset capable of up to 300 hours of use on a single charge. Equipped with a massive battery, custom Dual Chamber Driver Technology, and that signature DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio that HyperX has become known for, the Cloud Alphas were launched with a price point of $199.99. All in all, a pretty affordable cost for 300 hours of play time. For all that the HyperX line lacks, this 300-hour battery life all but makes up for it.

Best Battery Life

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless

$150.50

• A single charge lasts up to 300 hours
• Feature a groundbreaking dual-chamber driver system
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Made with a durable aluminum frame

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09/28/2023 11:58 pm GMT

November of 2021 saw the release of the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Headphones. The earliest instance of DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio implemented into a pair of HyperX Headphones since the company’s acquisition by HP, these Cloud Cores offered 20 hours of battery life and a range of around 65 feet. They, too, were priced at $99.99 — Offering that same great affordable pricing that HyperX offers to gamers of all types. While subsequent releases have phased out this release, it showed the world that the new bosses were just as committed to HyperX as the previous ones.

HyperX Cloud Core – Wireless Gaming Headset for PC, DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio, Memory Foam Ear Pads, Durable Aluminum Frame, Detachable Noise Cancelling Microphone

$24.92

• DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio
• 3D audio spatialization and localization
• Up to 20 hours of battery life
• Memory foam earcups
• Sturdy aluminum frame
• Detachable noise-canceling microphone

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09/28/2023 03:02 am GMT

Should You Buy HyperX Cloud Headphones?

So, should you buy HyperX Cloud Headphones? The answer ultimately depends on the kind of gaming headset you’re searching for. If affordability matters to you, then HyperX Cloud Headphones absolutely seem like a good bet. The same goes for those that value good wireless battery life. Most HyperX releases offer excellent battery life per charge, especially for their reasonable price point. While they might not compete on the same level as some of those more high-end gaming headsets, HyperX Cloud Headphones are nonetheless remarkable for their cost.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sergiy Palamarchuk/Shutterstock.com.