Quick take
The HyperX Cloud II is one of the most popular wired headsets ever produced and it has the necessary comfort to meet the rigorous demands of hardcore gamers who play for hours on end. One of the first things that stand out is the exceptional ergonomics. The headset is lightweight, with spacious ear cups and a well-padded headband. Large 53mm drivers produce precise audio that allows players to differentiate between sounds. The Cloud II’s default sound mix is incredible at isolating specific audio cues like footsteps, which is vital for competitive gaming. The HyperX Cloud II is built to last, with a flexible metal frame and easily replaceable ear cushions. I would have preferred HyperX to include a detachable audio cable, like on the Cloud Alpha, but the Cloud II’s cable is braided, which should help it stand up to wear and tear.
- Comfortable fit
- Crisp, clear sound
- Easy to use
- No software included
- Virtual 7.1 surround sound is only available via USB 2.0
Table of Contents
Headset specs
- Connectivity: Wired
- Design: Closed-back
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Mobile
- Drivers: 53mm
- Weight: 267 grams
- Frequency Response: 10-23,000 Hz (wired)
- Microphone: Detachable boom
- Battery life: n/a
Alternative headsets
Logitech G Pro X
The Logitech G Pro X is an esports-ready headset with an excellent sound mix powered by 50mm drivers. The G Pro X is slightly more durable than the Cloud II because of its detachable audio cable, but the Cloud II has a more comfortable fit.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has a similar design, sound quality, and comfortable fit to the Cloud II. Although the Cloud Alpha Wireless is more expensive, it has wireless functionality and a remarkable 300-hour battery life.
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 is a budget alternative to the Cloud II, with powerful 50mm drivers and leatherette padding. The Cloud Stinger 2 has stellar sound quality for the price, making it an option for competitive games like Valorant and Apex Legends.
Ergonomics
Ear cups
The Cloud II’s oval-shaped closed-back ear cups are made from hard plastic with the HyperX logo on each side. The ear cups are the perfect shape to snugly fit over my ears without touching the sides and causing irritation. HyperX also includes a thin layer of memory foam over the drivers to further prevent any rubbing.
HyperX includes two sets of ear cushions with the Cloud II, leatherette and velour. The leatherette ear cups are good for reducing background noise, while the velour pads create a more spacious sound stage and minimize heat buildup. Both sets of pads are filled with a generous amount of memory foam that makes them soft to the touch.
Headband
The Cloud II’s headband is metal, with metal arms holding each ear cup in place. The metal headband is wrapped with memory foam and soft leatherette, with exposed stitching bringing both sides of the headband together.
The top of the Cloud II’s headband uses a more firm leatherette stamped with the HyperX logo, while the bottom that contacts the head is made from a softer leatherette that makes the headset feel like a “cloud” on the head.
HyperX makes it easy to adjust the length of the Cloud II’s headband by simply placing the headset on and pulling down each ear cup. Notches on the arms give a more tactile feel while adjusting and help to hold each arm in place.
Clamping Force
The Cloud II has an ideal clamping force that makes it suitable for all-day wearing without putting too much pressure on the head. The headset doesn’t clamp tight enough to stay put during physical activity, so you’ll want to avoid bringing these to the gym.
Audio
| Driver Size (mm) | Wired Frequency Range (Hz) | Wireless Frequency Range (Hz) | Nominal Impedance (ohms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 10-23,000 | n/a | 60 |
Gaming
The Cloud II has incredible sound for gaming thanks to large 50mm drivers and a broad 10-23,000 Hz frequency range. The headset produces precise audio cues with a soundstage that makes it easy to determine the distance and direction of sounds.
I love the Cloud II’s default sound mix that enhances sounds like footsteps while reducing the volume of background noise. This makes it easy to focus on the game sounds that actually matter and makes the Cloud II one of the best headsets for Escape From Tarkov.
Music
Music with the Cloud II sounds crisp and clear, with distinct notes and a full range of sounds. The headset won’t blow you away with rumbling bass, but you could do a lot worse when it comes to gaming headsets in this price range. The Cloud II isn’t the best option for listening on the go because the headset doesn’t feature Bluetooth or ANC, and the 3.5mm AUX cable is short when not plugged into the USB control box.
Features
Tech
The Cloud II features some useful tech features available at your fingertips with the USB control box. The control box has dual-channel audio mixing, where users can individually balance the volume of game and chat audio. This feature is convenient for quickly finding the perfect audio mix or turning down the volume of teammates so you can focus on the game.
The HyperX headset also features a toggle button for virtual 7.1 surround sound. The 7.1 surround sound virtually splits the audio into different channels to simulate a multi-speaker setup. Still, during testing, we noticed no significant improvement in our ability to locate audio cues.
Pro tip
The Cloud II is one of the best wired headsets for Valorant. Check out our Valorant audio settings guide to see how to maximize the headset’s sound in-game.
Software
The HyperX Cloud II does not include companion software and isn’t compatible with HyperX NGENUITY.
Carrying case
HyperX does not include a carry case or drawstring pouch with the Cloud II.
Controls
The Cloud II’s essential functions are controlled via the in-line control box attached to the USB audio cable. The control box features a mute toggle switch, a 7.1 surround sound button, and separate volume buttons for mixing game and chat audio. The control box’s features are only available with the USB cable plugged in, so you won’t be able to use them with devices over AUX.
Connectivity
Connections
| 3.5mm (wired) | USB (wired) | Bluetooth (wireless) | 2.4 GHz (wireless) | Dual Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
The Cloud II is a wired-only headset with a non-detachable 3.5mm audio cable that plugs into a USB control box adapter. The attached 3.5mm audio cable is only about 1m long, which is relatively short to plug into a desktop computer and still use comfortably. Unless you’re plugging the Cloud II into a game controller, you’ll probably want to use the 2m USB adapter to extend the length of the cable.
Compatibility
| PC | Mac | PS4 | PS5 | Xbox One | Xbox Series X/S | Switch | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Cloud II is compatible with a wide range of devices, but features like 7.1 surround sound, channel mixing, volume, and mute aren’t available on Xbox or mobile devices that don’t have a compatible USB port. Check out the Razer Blackshark V2 if you want a similarly priced wired gaming headset with controls that work on Xbox.
Microphone
The HyperX Cloud II uses an exceptionally-clear detachable boom microphone that does a great job replicating voice without background static. The unidirectional boom microphone also has built-in noise canceling to help reduce ambient noise, and HyperX includes a foam pop filter for extra noise suppression.
Overall, the Cloud II’s microphone is a solid option for communicating with teammates in-game or taking calls. My friends on Discord even commented on how clear my voice sounded, saying the mic was a noticeable upgrade from other headsets I’ve used. Listen to the voice recording below and hear the Cloud II’s mic quality for yourself.
In the box
- Gaming Headset
- USB advanced audio control box
- Detachable mic
- Velour Ear Cushions
- Quick Start Guide
