Reviews You Can Rely On

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review

A so-so wireless headset that isn't particularly comfortable, but if you are looking for prolonged battery, this device won't disappoint
gearlab tested logo
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review
Credit: HyperX
Price:  $200 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   HyperX
By Nick Miley, Austin Palmer, and Matt Spencer  ⋅  Aug 25, 2022
64
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 6.0
  • Audio - 30% 7.2
  • Microphone - 20% 6.7
  • Ease of Use - 10% 5.3

Our Verdict

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a ho-hum headset that doesn't match our favorite gaming headsets. It does not excel in any area and is about average in our evaluation of comfort, audio, microphone, and ease of use. We will say that we were caught off guard by the device's prolonged battery life — a great feature for a wireless headset. In the end, however, this device is quite pricey, and, for the money, one can get a lot more, especially if they go with a wired device.
REASONS TO BUY
Extended battery life
Removable mic
REASONS TO AVOID
Thin ear cups
Thin headband padding

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Gaming Headset
Top Pick Award
Best Open Back Gaming Headset
Editors' Choice Award
Best Wireless Gaming Headset
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
Price $200 List
$144.00 at Amazon
$130 List
$129.99 at Amazon
$179 List
$114.80 at Amazon
$150 List
$99.99 at Amazon
$50 List
$29.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
64
83
83
75
67
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A mediocre wireless headset that is lacking somewhat where comfort is concerned yet has a great batteryThis headset offers great audio, superior comfort, and a fantastic microphone –- the only knock against it is that it is cordedThis is a fantastic gaming headset, but its open back design does not block external noises, making it ideal for quiet spaces and in-person gameplayAn across the board good performing wireless headset that gets the job done at a price that is below average for the classThis 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%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Audio (30%)
7.2
8.6
8.2
7.1
6.9
Microphone (20%)
6.7
8.3
8.0
7.4
7.7
Ease of Use (10%)
5.3
4.9
6.2
6.5
7.1
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


hyperx cloud alpha wireless - our tests proved the hyperx cloud alpha wireless to be a ho-hum...
Our tests proved the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless to be a ho-hum device with a hefty price tag.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

hyperx cloud alpha wireless - the ear cup material on the hyperx provided to have a little too...
The ear cup material on the HyperX provided to have a little too much insulation for log-term comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

hyperx cloud alpha wireless - the hyperx offers users great positional sound - pin-pointing the...
The HyperX offers users great positional sound - pin-pointing the location of sound was a breeze.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

hyperx cloud alpha wireless - surprisingly, the hyperx's closed back design did not do well at...
Surprisingly, the HyperX's closed back design did not do well at blocking background noise.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

hyperx cloud alpha wireless - the mic on the hyperx delivers reasonably good sound, though it...
The mic on the HyperX delivers reasonably good sound, though it emphasizes harsh 'S' sounds.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

hyperx cloud alpha wireless - we would have liked to see the hyperx have a detachable mic and a...
We would have liked to see the HyperX have a detachable mic and a longer cord. Although, it is still a user-friendly device.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

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.

Nick Miley, Austin Palmer, and Matt Spencer