HyperX Cloud III Wired Gaming Headset review

The HyperX Cloud III Wired is a wired gaming headset announced at COMPUTEX on 30 May 2023. It comes in black (727A8AA) or black-red (727A9AA). It connects by 3.5mm or USB. HyperX lists PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and mobile as supported platforms. There is no wireless link and no battery to charge.

The drivers are 53mm and angled, with a stated response of 10Hz-21kHz. Those are manufacturer figures, and they say little about how the headset is tuned. Owner reports are less enthusiastic. They describe the sound as unremarkable or weaker than expected.

The research includes no measurements or detailed notes on bass, mids or treble, so it is not possible to say where the sound falls short. Anyone who puts audio quality first should treat that owner theme as a warning and read a full review before buying.

The microphone is a detachable 10mm electret condenser. It is uni-directional and noise-cancelling, with a stated range of 50Hz-17kHz. Owners describe it as clear and crisp. With a uni-directional, noise-cancelling mic and that owner feedback on clarity, it suits voice chat and calls.

The noise cancelling applies to the microphone only. Because the mic is detachable, you can remove it when you only want to listen.

HyperX specifies memory foam ear cushions and a headband with extra padding, both covered in premium leatherette. Owners call the headset comfortable and well built.

One owner theme pulls the other way. The leatherette limits comfort over long sessions. With that covering on both the cushions and the headband, it makes sense to treat the comfort praise as strongest for short and medium sessions, and to be cautious if you wear a headset for hours at a time.

The ear cups do not swivel to lie flat. Check that against how you store the headset or wear it around your neck.

The headset has a 3.5mm connection with 4-pole CTIA wiring, plus USB 2.0. HyperX also lists USB-C and USB-A via adapter. Together with the long platform list, that gives you one headset for a PC, a console, a Mac and a phone.

Being wired, it needs no charging and has no battery life to track. The research lists no wireless option for this model, no dongle and no multipoint Bluetooth. If you want to move around without a cable, this is the wrong product.

The specifications state that there is no active noise cancelling. Only the microphone has noise cancelling. If you need to block out a noisy room, this headset gives you no electronic help with that.

With a microphone owners call clear and crisp, and comfort that owners praise, the Cloud III Wired suits voice chat and multiplayer gaming across several platforms. The reports of unremarkable sound and the long-session limit from the leatherette mean it is less convincing for music, single-player games with detailed audio, or marathon sessions.