HyperX Cloud III Wireless review

The HyperX Cloud III Wireless offer a more affordable alternative to the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless we recommend as the best wireless gaming headset. For many PC gamers, that's likely to be a tantalising offer. However, the Cloud III and Cloud Alpha are very different headsets, and I'm not entirely convinced by this cheaper unit.

Let's start with the positives. The Cloud III Wireless offers a sturdy build that is yet to creak, bend, or break during my usage over the past two weeks. The headset's earcups are held in place by a tell-tale metal frame bathed in red and the surrounds are all plastic. The ear and head cushioning is a comfy and uniform leatherette. All together, it's a pretty standard gaming headset, and while the slightly hollow feeling earcups aren't my favourite, it's similar in styling to the Cloud line-up we've come to know so well.

A volume wheel with a smooth, slightly tactile action sits on the right earcup. On the left, a microphone mute button, power button and a USB Type-C charging port. The removable microphone extends out from the left earcup, connected via a slotted 3.5mm jack. 

My personal preference for a boom arm microphone is a flip-to-mute, simply for ease of muting it and moving it aside when it's not needed, though HyperX has employed a removable microphone for a long time and it remains a popular choice. This particular microphone comes with a small red light on the tip of the boom arm to indicate when it's muted—enough to give a quick visual cue to when the mic's disabled, and a good way to avoid accidentally talking to myself.

Connection: 2.4 GHz wireless (via USB Type-C dongle with Type-A adapter)
Type: Closed back
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 21 kHz
Drivers: Dynamic, 53mm with neodymium magnets
Connector: USB Type-C
Microphone: Electret condenser microphone
Weight: 340 g (with mic)
Price: $150/£170/€150 (MSRP) | $116 | £119 (on sale at time of writing)

A mic's tone and profile are its most important qualities. The one included on the