After more than four years with my HyperX Cloud II, I felt it was time for an upgrade. I have now been using the wired HyperX Cloud III for three months, and two things stand out: it feels comfortable around my ears and head, and the microphone quality is really good.
There is one annoyance worth mentioning, though. Sometimes when I plug the headset into my Xbox controller, the microphone starts muted. It does not happen every time, but it is something I want other Xbox users to know about.
This review covers my black/red wired model. You can read about the headset I used before it in my HyperX Cloud II review after four years of use.
HyperX Cloud III Review: The Quick Take
- What I like: The fit around both my ears and my head.
- Another highlight: Really good microphone quality.
- What bothers me: The microphone sometimes starts muted when I connect it to my Xbox controller.
- My experience so far: Three months with the wired black/red model.
Why I Moved On From the Cloud II
The Cloud II had been part of my setup for years. Moving to the Cloud III was about feeling ready for an upgrade after that time. Having lived with the older headset for so long, comfort was always going to matter to me.
Three months gives me a useful starting point for sharing what I like about the Cloud III. It is still much earlier in my ownership than the four-plus years behind my Cloud II review, so long-term durability is something I will have to judge further down the road.
Comfort Around My Ears and Head
Comfort is the clearest positive for me. I like how the Cloud III feels around my ears, and the headband is comfortable on my head too. Both parts of the fit matter: comfortable ear cushions would not be enough if the top of the headset were unpleasant to wear.
HyperX lists memory foam cushioning with a leatherette covering in its official Cloud III specifications. My own takeaway is straightforward: the fit has been one of the reasons I have enjoyed using this headset.
The Microphone Quality Has Been Really Good
The microphone is another part of the Cloud III that I like. In my use, the mic quality has been really good. That is one of the main positives I would point to when talking about this upgrade.
The wired Cloud III has a detachable 10mm microphone. The photo below gives you a closer look at the microphone on my headset.
My Xbox Annoyance: The Microphone Sometimes Starts Muted
Sometimes when I plug the Cloud III into my Xbox controller, it automatically mutes the microphone. That is the frustrating part of my experience so far: the mic quality itself is good, but occasionally it starts out muted when I connect it.
I have not established why this happens. This is an observation from my setup, rather than a diagnosis of a fault with every Cloud III or Xbox controller.
HyperX’s official microphone-control guide explains that the headset’s mute button toggles the microphone on and off. That explains the control, but it does not establish the cause of the occasional muting I have experienced when connecting to Xbox.
For more of my experience with Xbox gear, see my Xbox Elite Series 2 controller review.
Wired Cloud III Features and Connections
| Detail | Wired Cloud III |
|---|---|
| Version reviewed | Wired HyperX Cloud III, black/red |
| Time used | Three months |
| Headphone drivers | Angled 53mm dynamic drivers |
| Microphone | Detachable 10mm microphone |
| Cushioning | Memory foam with leatherette covering |
| Connections | 3.5mm, USB-C and USB-A options |
| Controls | Earcup volume wheel and microphone mute button |
| Xbox connection discussed here | 3.5mm headset connection to the controller |
The package includes the headset, detachable microphone, USB dongle, USB-C to USB-A adapter and quick-start guide. Connection options vary by device; the Xbox experience described above is through the controller’s headset jack.
HyperX Cloud III Pros and Cons
What Works Well
- Comfort where it matters. The cushioning around my ears and across the top of my head has been a highlight during my three months of use. The metal frame also gives the headset a more substantial construction than an all-plastic design.
- A good microphone that can come off when you do not need it. I have been happy with the microphone quality. Its detachable design is useful if you want to use the headset just for listening or already have a separate microphone.
- Flexible wired connections. The included 3.5mm, USB-C and USB-A options make it easier to fit the headset into different setups. Xbox uses the controller’s 3.5mm jack, while compatible PCs and other devices can use USB.
What to Keep in Mind
- The main cable is permanently attached. The microphone detaches, but the headset’s 3.5mm lead does not. If that lead gets damaged, replacing it is more involved than plugging in a new cable.
- It is not designed to silence a noisy room. The Cloud III has no active noise cancellation. Its closed-back earcups provide some isolation, but a quieter space is a better fit if surrounding noise distracts you. Microphone noise reduction is a separate feature; it does not cancel the sounds reaching your ears.
- USB sound adjustments do not carry over to Xbox’s analog connection. NGENUITY adjustments applied through the USB dongle are not available when the headset is connected directly to an Xbox controller by 3.5mm. Buyers using both PC and Xbox should keep that distinction in mind.
- My Xbox microphone sometimes starts muted. This has happened occasionally when I plug the headset into my controller. I like the microphone quality, but this connection quirk is the part of my experience I would like to see resolved.
My Verdict After Three Months
My strongest positives with the HyperX Cloud III are its comfort and microphone quality. After feeling ready to move on from my Cloud II, those are the parts of the new headset that have stood out to me.
The occasional microphone muting when I connect to an Xbox controller is the drawback I would want readers to keep in mind. It belongs in the review alongside the things I like, especially for anyone considering the wired Cloud III for Xbox.
Where to Buy the HyperX Cloud III
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Check the current HyperX Cloud III wired headset price on Amazon.
Check the selected color, seller and current price before ordering. This review covers the wired Cloud III in black/red.