HyperX Cloud III
The HyperX Cloud III is a wired gaming headset featuring retuned 53mm angled drivers, an upgraded 10mm detachable microphone, and signature HyperX comfort with memory foam cushions.
- Wired
- 53mm Dynamic Drivers
- Detachable Boom Mic
- 308g
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Community Evaluation
Performance Tiers
Community consensus based on aggregated review data.
Fit Recommendation
Optimized for ergonomic comfort over long sessions.
Based on long-term clamping force, headband expansion, and cup depth volume.
Review Consensus
Aggregated from 12719+ verified sources.
Technical Specifications
Audio
Connectivity
Microphone
Build & Features
Overview
Released in May 2023 at $99.99, the HyperX Cloud III represents the long-awaited successor to the legendary Cloud II. Built with a full aluminum frame and featuring redesigned 53mm angled drivers, this wired headset prioritizes comfort and audio quality. At 308 grams, it’s lighter than most competitors while including USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm connections for universal platform compatibility.
Key Features
Angled 53mm Drivers: Custom-tuned dynamic drivers positioned at an optimal angle deliver enhanced audio positioning and a wider frequency response range of 10Hz-21kHz, providing detailed sound for gaming and media.
DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio: Lifetime activation of DTS spatial audio technology on PC creates precise 3D sound localization, giving competitive gamers an edge in hearing directional audio cues.
Upgraded 10mm Microphone: The detachable boom mic features noise cancellation and an internal mesh pop filter, capturing clear voice chat with reduced background noise and an LED mute indicator.
Premium Comfort Design: HyperX signature memory foam ear cushions wrapped in soft leatherette combined with extra headband padding deliver all-day comfort for extended gaming sessions.
Universal Compatibility: Includes USB-A audio control box, USB-C adapter, and 3.5mm cable, ensuring compatibility with PC, all major consoles, mobile devices, and VR headsets.
Audio Quality
The Cloud III’s redesigned 53mm drivers represent a meaningful upgrade over the Cloud II, with improved clarity across the frequency spectrum. The angled driver positioning directs audio more optimally into the ear canal, creating a more natural soundstage. Bass response is controlled and impactful without overwhelming mids, while highs are crisp without harshness. The 10Hz-21kHz range captures subtle audio details that enhance immersion in games and music.
HyperX’s custom tuning emphasizes gaming audio, making footsteps, gunshots, and environmental cues distinct and easy to locate. The DTS Headphone:X spatial audio on PC further enhances positional accuracy with virtual 3D sound staging, though the headset performs admirably in stereo mode across all platforms.
Comfort & Build
The Cloud III’s aluminum frame with steel headband provides durability while keeping weight to a manageable 308 grams. The curved aluminum forks flex slightly for different head sizes without excessive clamping pressure. Memory foam ear cushions covered in premium leatherette create an effective seal for passive noise isolation while remaining breathable for multi-hour sessions.
The redesigned aesthetic drops the contrast stitching of previous Cloud models for a more refined look available in black or black/red colorways. On-ear volume and mute controls provide quick adjustments without software, and the detachable microphone attaches securely via a standard connection.
Verdict
The HyperX Cloud III succeeds as a worthy update to the Cloud II’s eight-year legacy. At $99.99, it delivers exceptional value with premium materials, refined comfort, improved audio quality, and versatile connectivity. The lightweight build and plush cushioning make it one of the most comfortable headsets available, while the upgraded drivers and microphone meet modern gaming standards.
For gamers seeking a reliable wired headset that works across all platforms without breaking the bank, the Cloud III is an excellent choice. Those needing wireless connectivity should consider the Cloud III Wireless or Cloud III S, but for pure wired performance and value, the standard Cloud III remains hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on community census data and common user queries, these are the most frequently discussed topics for this headset.
How is the Cloud III different from the Cloud II?
The Cloud III moves to 53mm angled drivers and a 10mm boom, from the Cloud II's 6mm mic. Owners who switched describe a clearer voice and less bass, with footsteps in CS2 easier to separate once the Cloud II curve is out of your head. The side yokes are metal, so the plastic hinge clamp that cracks on the Cloud II is not the part you are buying. The ear-cup wheel sets the headset's own volume, not Windows, and a bumped wheel makes a match go quiet while the system slider still reads 100%.
Why is the microphone so quiet on PC?
The quiet mic is the USB sound card, not the 3.5mm plug. A June 4, 2026 buyer with Windows and NGENUITY at 100% could only get a usable level by turning on Discord automatic gain control. On August 7, 2026 another owner saw the Windows test meter at 2% and had the same Discord-only workaround. Set the format to 48000 Hz if the device is sitting on 16000 Hz, and disable enhancements and exclusive mode.
Do I need the USB sound card?
The 3.5mm cable is enough for a controller, a PC jack, or a Switch in handheld mode. The USB-C sound card, plus the USB-A adapter in the box, is what enables DTS Headphone:X and the NGENUITY 10-band EQ, and that app is Windows-only. One Cloud II owner on PC stayed quiet at max headset volume until DTS Sound Unbound from the Microsoft Store was installed. TechRadar's listen put the DTS effect at a small widening, not a different headset.
Why does it sound thin next to a Cloud Alpha?
SoundGuys' January 29, 2025 measurement shows a sub-bass gap and peaks through the highs, and the review score is 6.2/10. Hi-hats on music come out hissy. In a shooter the same curve keeps footsteps from sitting under the bass the way they do on a Cloud Alpha. The USB dongle trims the low mids and some treble by a few dB, and console players do not get the NGENUITY EQ at all.
Will the hinges break the way my Cloud II did?
The Cloud II break is the plastic clamp where the yoke meets the cup. Cloud III owners comparing a failed Cloud II say those pieces are metal, and sets a year old are still in one piece. A late-2024 post describes a plastic hinge dying in months, and that report sits alone against the rest of the thread. HyperX does not sell Cloud III yoke spares the way it does for the Cloud II, so a cracked frame goes to warranty.
Why would it be quiet on PS5?
A PS5 buyer in a Cloud III thread returned the set the same day because volume stayed low on the 3.5mm jack and on USB, with no setting fixing it. Other owners on the same console do not report that, so raise the controller headphone volume before you assume a bad driver. Xbox Series and Switch handheld both take the 3.5mm plug, and the USB-C sound card also plugs into a Switch. NGENUITY EQ does not run on any of those consoles.
Series Progression
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