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HyperX is one of the top brands when it comes to gaming peripherals, with such a wide range of products from keyboards to streaming microphones, one of their strongest categories has always been the lineup of gaming headsets. The most well-known of this lineup is of course the HyperX Cloud which was released a whopping 8 years ago!
The HyperX Cloud series is probably the headset we've seen more of at LANs than any other, I'd attribute this to an easily recognisable timeless clean design and great feature set at the price point. Recently launched is the third rendition, the HyperX Cloud 3. In this article we want to take an in-depth look at this most recent offering from HyperX and compare it to its predecessor the HyperX Cloud 2, to see how the headset has evolved and improved as one of the premier wired headsets on the market.
HyperX Cloud III what's stayed the same from the HyperX Cloud II?
If it's not broken don't fix it, right? That sentiment is most certainly applicable to this new model as there is much of the Cloud 2's DNA maintained in the Cloud 3, for good reason, as the Cloud 2 was already a fantastic headset and the HyperX Cloud 3 builds on this.
Both headsets are compatible with all platforms that use 3.5mm jack connections and a USB connector. The Cloud III however also has a USB-C connector which the Cloud II did not. Both headsets are compatible with mobiles, PCs, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S | X consoles.
When it comes to general design the headsets are also very similar. Both feature a flexible metal durable frame with the ability to adjust to many head sizes.
Both the HyperX Cloud II and Cloud III come with detachable mics.
Both headsets come in 2 main colourways, either all black or the HyperX classic black and red.
The USB dongle for extra buttons and functionality is still present in the HyperX Cloud III.
Both headsets use a 53mm audio driver however the Cloud III has had some improvements in this area but more on that later.
How has the HyperX Cloud III improved from the Hyper X Cloud II?
With the similarities out of the way let's get into how HyperX has pushed the revered HyperX Cloud to the next level. When it comes to design and comfort the Cloud II pretty much had these nailed, so when it comes to how HyperX has redesigned this headset it's more about the technical aspects than the aesthetics and honestly, these are the most important when it comes to getting a great gaming headset. So let's get into these improvements.
Vastly upgraded microphone with incredibly clear voice chat. The new mic really is fantastic and does a great job of cutting out background noise, partly thanks to its built-in mesh filter. This really is a considerable step when compared to the microphone in the Cloud II, an impressive step when you factor in the price point of the headset.
Whilst the 53mm audio drivers were also used in the Cloud II they've been tweaked for the Cloud III, improving how they handle bass to improve the audio experience when gaming.
Quick controls are now on the headset itself, making it easy to mute or adjust the volume on the fly. There's also an LED mute indicator on the microphone which is a neat touch, handy to spot if you forget that you're muted, yes we've all been there.
DTS® Headphone:X® Spatial Audio lifetime activation is included with the HyperX Cloud III. This technology pushes the boundaries of spatial audio so you can pinpoint sounds with great accuracy, improving immersion across the board whilst giving you the competitive edge in online shooters like Call of Duty or Escape from Tarkov where audio could not be more important.
USB-A, USB-C and 3.5mm connectors are all included with the Cloud III and as mentioned in the similarities this means it is compatible with all gaming platforms that support these connectors (which is pretty much all of them)
The HyperX Cloud III, a worthy successor
With the improvements and new features, we truly believe the HyperX Cloud III evolves in all the right ways, if you're after an affordable wired headset the HyperX Cloud III should be at the top of your considerations to purchase.
Currently, the UK RRP of the HyperX Cloud III is £109.99 / $99. As of writing this article, Currys have a fantastic offer available that bundles both the headset as well as a free £20 Steam voucher. Even without this £20 voucher, we think the RRP is more than worth it for a great audio experience and one of the clearest mics on a gaming headset, you'd struggle to beat it by spending the same money on other competing headsets.
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HyperX Cloud III Wired Gaming Headset - Black
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What is the manufacturer warranty on the HyperX Cloud III
2 Years.
How heavy is the HyperX Cloud III?
303g without the microphone, 317.5g with the microphone attached.
How long is the Hyper X Cloud III cable?
The headset cable is ~1.2M in length and the USB dongle cable is ~1.3M.
What platforms is the HyperX Cloud III compatible with?
Mobile, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.
When did the Hyper X Cloud III release?
May 30th 2023.
How much is the HyperX Cloud III headset?
Currently, the UK RRP is £109.99 and the US RRP is $99.99
How does the HyperX Cloud II compare?
The HyperX Cloud II is still a great headset and the biggest selling point compared to the Hyper X Cloud III would be that it's available at a cheaper price of £60.98 direct from HyperX at the time of writing. The Cloud II also has a wireless version (you can grab the Cloud II wireless for £99.99 directly from HyperX) while the Cloud III currently does not. Whilst the Cloud III and Cloud II share the same durability, build structure and multi-platform capabilities we believe it's definitely worth shelling out for the new and improved model due to the improvements listed above. The microphone clarity alone for the Cloud III makes it well worth the extra cash. This considered we just wanted to point out that the Cloud II is still a great budget headset but yes the HyperX Cloud III supersedes it entirely as the better gaming headset.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, our roundup of all the new features and capabilities of the HyperX Cloud III compared to the HyperX Cloud II. We think the new Cloud III model is a great headset that really builds on the fundamentals that made the HyperX Cloud II so popular in the first place.
If you're in the market for a new wired headset you can't go wrong buying the HyperX Cloud III thanks to its crystal clear microphone, improved audio drivers and solid built quality. The HyperX Cloud II still stands as a solid budget option, but if you love having the latest cutting-edge tech there's no reason not to opt for its new and improved big brother.
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