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HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review
Like many who work here, I was a PC Gamer reader long before I saw my own words posted on the site. What I often hold back a little is the team’s love for a particular headset. The HyperX Cloud range of cans is probably the most acclaimed thing on this site, which makes me very jealous. But gosh, I have to wonder now, HyperX vape? Because damn they made some serious clouds.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is the latest device in this royal lineage, and it seems to be filling those giant shoes forcefully. The biggest draw of this headset is the new huge battery. This provides up to 300 hours of battery life in wireless mode, while still keeping the headset relatively light and comfortable. That’s quite a feat, and I think HyperX has actually managed it.
Out of the box this unit reported about 80% charge, so I decided to leave it there and see how it performed. I spent a work day listening to music and checking the battery again. I swear it still says 80%. I’ve been using this thing to play games and listen to music for the past week and we’re not even at 50% yet. I haven’t charged the earbuds once since I got them, and it feels like a trick. I’m going to have to plug it in to test charging before I can actually charge it, which is crazy.
The Cloud series has always touted comfort, and despite the heavy battery, it definitely fits the bill. I’m someone who struggles with wearing too heavy or too tight, and I’m very sensitive to uncomfortable headphones. The top band is thick with soft padding underneath. Combined with the same soft ear cups, it makes for a very comfortable experience and does an excellent job of isolating it. There’s no active noise cancellation, but the cup’s seal is pretty dangerous. They also don’t squeeze the sides of my head or restrict my ears. I did find the Alpha a little tiresome with extended wear, but it’s still one of the more comfortable headphones I’ve owned and easily lasted a workday.
Above: Listen to the recording above to hear the sound of the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless microphone, and the quote from the game taken out of context.
Cloud Alpha Wireless Specifications
connect: wireless, 2.4
type: closed
Frequency response: 15Hz–21kHz
driver: Dynamic, 50mm, with neodymium magnets
Connector: USB Type-C
microphone: Bidirectional Noise Cancelling Capacitor
weight: 322–335g with microphone
price: USD 200 / AUD 229 / £190
Impressive battery life is certainly a best-case scenario. A lot of this has to do with the volume at which you’re running the headphones, which is probably my only real complaint. It’s definitely loud enough, but I can listen at full volume and still be reasonably comfortable. Its levels are clean, crisp and very clear, but not the 100% loudness you’d expect either. The difference between about 50% and 100% is definitely significant, but it doesn’t feel like the huge gap that is usually there. Most of the other headphones I can’t set to these levels and still wear them, and while I still prefer the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless to sit at most 70-80%, it seems like a bug not being able to blow my eardrums off when I turn it on of.
But the sound quality is truly incredible. Music sounds great. It’s always fun to listen to some of my favorite sound-heavy songs on a good pair of cans and try to pick out a different instrument or bite to use. They do a great job and are definitely one of the better gaming headsets I’ve used for listening to music. They’re comparable to the Epos H3Pro Hybrid I reviewed earlier this year, but don’t have the added features of Bluetooth or noise-canceling that a pure PC gaming headset really doesn’t need.
Directional sound is also very good when playing games. I was able to easily find the hidden battery with the directional beeps in Deep Rock Galactic, and had a great time bouncing around with Shadow Warrior 3’s tense rhythm. I loaded up some Doom Eternal and freaked out right away. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a Cacodemon pop up and whisper something sweet in your left ear, these definitely do. The footsteps are nice and clear to the creatures that have them, and the spatial sounds are an absolute treat.
They even work really well with my PS5, which is always a bonus. A+ will make my soul leave my body again.
Sadly, the mic is pretty standard stuff for you, and while it’s fine for in-game chat, it’s pretty basic and uninspired when it comes to sound quality.
A+ will make my soul leave my body again.
However, Cloud Alpha is far less low-key than Epos. While the microphones are detachable, they are aesthetically chic for many gamers. The red trim is a lovely vibrant metallic color that looks better in person than in the photos. The HyperX brand is out and proud, so while they’re great for listening to music on the train, they’re also pretty high-profile. There’s no gamer cred hiding these bad boys over your head.
It’s hard for me to imagine a customer who would be dissatisfied with these wireless gaming headsets. They’re expensive, but within their specs, they certainly offer everything you need to play games and listen to music on your PC.