The HyperX Cloud Earbuds III S take a somewhat different approach to gaming audio than the increasingly common wireless headsets and earbuds. Rather than chasing maximum versatility, HyperX has designed these wired earbuds primarily around gaming, with a USB-C connection, integrated controls, a microphone and virtual surround sound built into a compact package. That focus makes sense, especially for players who want something lighter and easier to carry than a traditional headset, although it also means there are some compromises that become more apparent outside of gaming.
One of the biggest advantages is the combination of portability and comfort. The Cloud Earbuds III S come with four different sizes of silicone ear tips, making it easier to find a reasonably secure fit, and the overall design remains considerably less cumbersome than a full-sized headset. The supplied hard-shell carrying case is another welcome addition for anyone regularly moving between a PC, handheld or console. Previous HyperX earbuds have received praise for their ergonomics and ability to remain comfortable over longer periods, although there have also been complaints about the buds slipping out for some users. That makes the selection of ear tips particularly important here, since the fit can have a significant impact on both comfort and sound.
The physical design is also fairly practical. The black finish is understated, while the 90-degree USB-C connector is useful for reducing strain on the cable and preventing it from sticking awkwardly out of a handheld device. The cable itself is lightweight, and the integrated control module puts volume, muting and other functions within easy reach. That is a clear improvement over some of the older HyperX earbuds, where the lack of proper volume controls was a recurring criticism. At the same time, the remote is relatively substantial for something attached to a pair of earbuds, adding some weight to the setup and making the product feel less discreet than ordinary wired earphones.
Audio is where the Cloud Earbuds III S make the strongest case for their gaming credentials. Their 14mm drivers produce a spacious presentation, while the integrated virtual surround processing is intended to make positional information easier to interpret. For games where identifying footsteps, gunfire or other environmental cues matters, this can be more useful than simply producing a large amount of bass. We’re generally positive about the clarity and positional qualities of the earbuds, but the ear tips we mentioned earlier are worth keeping in mind here, as the way the earbuds seal in an individual user’s ears can have a noticeable effect on bass response and how effective the surround sound is.
The microphone is another particularly successful part of the package. The omnidirectional MEMS microphone is designed for voice communication rather than simply being an afterthought, and our tests suggest that it can produce clear speech without excessive background noise. The integrated mute control is especially useful during multiplayer gaming, where being able to silence the microphone without reaching for software controls is genuinely convenient. This is one area where the gaming-first design pays off, and it helps distinguish the III S from ordinary wired earbuds that happen to include a microphone.
The USB-C connection also keeps things straightforward. There are no batteries to charge, wireless pairing to configure or latency concerns to worry about, so connecting the earbuds and getting into a game is essentially all that is required. Compatibility does need a little more attention, however. The III S are designed for PC, Nintendo Switch and compatible console controllers, but the USB-C implementation can create problems for other users on different systems.
There is also a fairly obvious omission from the box that is worth mentioning. Unlike the regular HyperX Earbuds III, the III S do not come with a standard analogue audio cable, meaning that anyone who wants to use a conventional 3.5mm connection will need an appropriate converter. For a product whose appeal partly lies in its flexibility and portability, that feels like an unnecessary restriction. The USB-C-to-A extension cable is useful, but it does not solve the problem for devices that rely on a traditional headphone jack. The lack of active noise cancellation is another limitation, although that is less problematic for a gaming product where awareness of the surrounding environment can sometimes be desirable.
For music, the III S are consequently harder to recommend without qualification. They can certainly handle music and general calls, and the underlying clarity is good, but their feature set is heavily weighted towards gaming. There is no battery-powered wireless functionality, no active noise cancellation and no broader collection of music-oriented features that some competing earbuds now offer. The integrated controls and positional audio are much more valuable when playing games than when listening to an album, while the somewhat bulky control module can also make them feel less elegant than ordinary earbuds.
Ultimately, the HyperX Cloud Earbuds III S work best when judged on their own terms. They are not trying to replace premium wireless earbuds, and they do not have the feature set to do so anyway. Instead, they offer a lightweight wired alternative to a gaming headset, combining a comfortable fit, useful onboard controls, a capable microphone and sound designed around positional awareness. The lack of a standard audio cable and the somewhat chunky control module prevent them from being as universally useful as they could have been, while the sound profile may not satisfy listeners looking for particularly powerful bass. For PC and compatible console or handheld players who primarily want a compact gaming solution, however, the Cloud Earbuds III S make a convincing case for keeping the traditional wired gaming earbud alive.