For years, HyperX has been making some of the most dependable – and durable – gaming headsets out there. But it hasn’t really dabbled too much into wireless territory, as most of their models have been of the “stay connected” variety. That, however, will change with the HyperX Wireless Cloud II Gaming Headset when it launches on November 20th.
It’s the latest in their Cloud line-up, which has been a best-seller for the group. But some people were concerned that it could maintain its comfort and sound levels without the need for wiring. Fortunately, after testing out a unit that was sent to us for review, we can happily say that this is easily one of HyperX’s best headsets to date. In fact, the real difficulty is going back to any of its earlier models after testing this out.
Sound You Can Believe In
First off, the Cloud II Gaming Headset fully supports virtual 7.1 surround sound across 53mm drivers, which allow you to hear pretty much whatever game experiences you wish with very little effort. We did a little rampaging through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (with team tactics in mind, of course) and found the surround sound to be rather enriched. Not once did we miss out on any sort of sound quality, as we could hear everything that was going on.
Even in smaller games, the headset delivered. We gave The Pinball Arcade (we’re big fans) a go with a few tables, and were surprised how well it handled even the smallest of effects. It was almost like we were standing in front of a machine and enjoying it for a few hours.
With broadcasting ability up to 2.4GHz, the Cloud II doesn’t hamper on quality in the least. And what’s more, it can last for a good while. A single charge enables users to enjoy the headset for up to 30 hours (depending on game experience), with a wireless range of about 20 meters. That means you can go to the fridge (if you’re in a smaller house) and talk with your friends without missing any of the lobby action.
That said, it is a slight bummer that there’s not any sort of set-up where you can manually adjust the levels between chat and game audio. It still balances pretty well, but we know some of the more advanced headsets out there let you tweak that. Perhaps something that could be introduced with the next Cloud…?
Comfort That Matters
Now, with sturdy, metallic headsets like these, there might be concerns that comfort would be an issue, since the framing could very well pressurize against your skull. But the Cloud II
Wireless Gaming Headset doesn’t feel like that. In fact, it’s probably one of the comfiest headsets we’ve ever tested out.
It does have a durable aluminum frame that goes around your neck with ease, but you can also adjust the headband so that it doesn’t get too tight around your head. What’s more, its plush memory foam is probably the most comfortable included with a HyperX headset. Not once did it feel like anything was pressuring against me. And the earcups are comfortable as well, with barely any sort of moisture building inside of them. It’s like these things were made to breathe.
There’s also controls built within the earcups, making it easy to adjust things like volume levels and muting. Again, the chat/game mixture doesn’t have a dedicated feature, but everything else you can think of is built in and works with very little trouble. And you can charge it via USB-C with no trouble, in case it ever does get low on juice.
A High Price, But Worth Paying
Finally, considering the wireless tech that went into the Cloud II, it’s easily among the most expensive headsets that HyperX sells. It goes for $149.99, which may be higher for those that are seeking out something a little more modest for their buck. But considering its quality, that’s a terrific price to pay, especially considering other headsets that have skyrocketed into the $200 range. This isn’t a bad price to pay at all, though you will need to save up a bit to invest in it. Worth it, we say.
A small feature here and there aside, the Cloud II Wireless Gaming Headset is a good get for the money. It connects easily to your PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles with no problem, it charges rather quickly, and its comfort is through the roof when it comes to long- term gaming sessions. We’ll be damned to find a better gaming headset this holiday season. Save up that cash and invest with ease.
Want to order your own this November? Keep tabs on this product page for more information.
(A big thanks to HyperX for providing us with a review unit!)