HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset review

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a wireless gaming headset released in April 2022. It connects over 2.4 GHz through a USB 2.0 dongle, with stereo output at 48 kHz / 24-bit. The only listed platform is PC, so console and phone users should look elsewhere.

Amazon UK lists a newer model, the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 Wireless. Check that listing before you buy.

HyperX rates the battery at up to 300 hours, with a 4.5-hour charge time. That figure is at 50% headphone volume, so treat it as a best case. RTINGS says the battery life is one of the best among the wireless gaming headphones it covers. For someone who forgets to charge, that is the main reason to consider this headset.

Connectivity is narrower. The specifications list only the 2.4 GHz dongle. They don't list Bluetooth, a latency figure or the charging connector type. Owner feedback includes criticism of limited connectivity. If you want one headset for a PC and a phone, the listed connection options don't cover that.

The headset uses dual-chamber 50 mm drivers. HyperX says the mids and highs are tuned separately from the bass-heavy lows. DTS Headphone:X is included.

With lows described as bass-heavy, expect some emphasis on bass rather than a neutral response. The specifications list a USB 2.4 GHz dongle connection and no codecs.

The headset weighs 322 g, or 335 g with the microphone attached. Owner and reviewer reports on comfort are positive. Tom's Guide lists a comfortable fit as a pro. HotHardware says it does not feel heavy after long use. Together with the battery, that points to a headset aimed at long sessions.

The microphone is detachable. It is an electret condenser, bi-directional and noise-cancelling, with a 50 Hz to 7.2 kHz range and a sensitivity of -15 dBFS/Pa.

Owner and reviewer reports are the weak point. Descriptions range from a little lacklustre, to poor with crackly audio, to clear but not the best. With that spread, it suits casual game chat better than regular calls or streaming where voice quality matters.

Software draws criticism. Reports describe it as convoluted, with little additional software. If you want detailed tuning controls, the spec sheet gives no sign of them beyond the included DTS Headphone:X.

The specifications list no active noise cancelling. The noise cancelling mentioned is on the microphone only. Value therefore rests on battery life and comfort, set against a PC-only connection and a weak microphone. The existence of a newer model also gives buyers a second option to price up.

This is a headset built around endurance and long-session comfort. Those two strengths come from the battery rating and consistent owner reports. The microphone, limited connectivity and software are where it loses ground. Buy it for PC gaming where battery life matters most, and look at other options if voice quality or multi-device use is the priority.