The HyperX Cloud III Wireless headset recently launched as a wireless iteration of its wired sibling, which came out a few months earlier. As expected, it comes with a price bump, but this uptick in cost is accompanied by the liberation from cables. The headset’s marquee feature is its excellent 120-hour battery life, though that falls shy of the mind-blowing 300-hour battery life of HyperX’s Cloud Alpha Wireless. Retaining the design DNA of other headsets in the HyperX family, the Cloud III Wireless boasts a sturdy build with metal-backed, gracefully curved earcups, and a plush faux leather-covered headband.
The clamping force in the Cloud III Wireless strikes a delicate balance, offering a secure fit without inducing discomfort during prolonged gaming sessions. When you consider how lightweight and easy to wear the headset it, it feels like quite a feat that HyperX has managed to squeeze this much battery life into the headset, which feels good even during extended wear.
A notable shift is the introduction of a USB-C transmitter for connectivity to gaming PCs and consoles (though Xbox isn’t supported). The absence of a wireless base station or a discreet dongle might disappoint some users who are used that type of setup, but the simplicity of the new design adds to the headset’s durability because there are fewer parts that can break. The detachable boom-style microphone is quite flexible and features a red mute indicator light for ease of use. Voice prompts keep users in the loop about the headset’s (battery) status, and a convenient volume dial on the right earcup ensures hassle-free volume control.
The Ngenuity software for Windows allows for some customization when playing with a PC, enabling users to tweak settings such as microphone monitoring and equalizer presets. However, advanced features like the DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio enhancements are predominantly geared towards Windows users, leaving PS5 gamers with Tempest 3D instead.
In terms of gaming performance, the 53mm drivers deliver ample volume, and like many gaming-focused headsets the sound tends to lean towards a bass-heavy profile. This can lead to some in muddiness when listening to music or quieter soundscapes, but the virtual surround sound proves very effective in FPS games, providing sharp positional audio for a competitive edge with more than enough oomph for those gunshots and explosions around you.
The microphone works well in wireless mode, though in terms of vocals we were most impressed with the clear voice prompts you receive. These indicate things like your connection status and battery life, giving the headset a premium feel in terms of user experience, not too unlike the excellent Sennheiser PXC 550-II that we reviewed earlier. But despite these positive aspects, the price point for the HyperX Cloud III Wireless make it face some stiff competition in the gaming space.
In summary, the HyperX Cloud III Wireless delivers a robust performance, emphasizing exceptional battery life and a comfortable design. However, it’s in a challenging market where it may struggle to make a lasting impression in the crowded wireless gaming headset arena. But for those who’ve been with HyperX for a while, it certainly doesn’t disappoint, and it’s an especially good choice for PC gamers thanks to the Ngenuity suite.
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