Key Points
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless follows in the footsteps of the wired HyperX Cloud Alpha. Sound quality is superb, the mic is clear, and the battery is industry-leading.
- Massive 300-hour battery life.
- Pinpoint sound accuracy.
- Clear mic, but not the best out there.
- Exceptional comfort.
- Sturdy design.
- Wireless adaptor is easy to lose.
How is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Sound Quality?
Much like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless understands the importance of smaller audio cues. It’s one thing to replicate loud sounds like explosions, but gaming headsets need to be able to reproduce smaller sounds if they’re going to warrant a purchase.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless does a stellar job of capturing smaller sounds. Floorboard creaks, doors opening, the pitter-patter of footsteps directly above the player or those further away – the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless doesn’t miss a beat.
It’s the same result across different genres, from Fortnite to The Last of Us, all the way to hearing a Creeper hiss in Minecraft. Anything you throw at the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless results in a transformative sound experience when compared with cheaper, sub $100 headsets.
Is it Comfortable?
Gaming headsets are always up against it when I review them. I’ve got five piercings in my left ear and three in the right. That means, for me, headsets need to be light enough to not crush my piercings but also tight enough to avoid sound leakage.
I’ve said this before as well, but HyperX has got the comfort side of things down to a T. The memory foam ear cushions offer up enough resistance that they fit around the ear rather than crushing into it. And the size of the ear cushions also helps to cover the main ear entry, meaning leakage isn’t a major issue at normal, safe volumes.
A Near-indestructible Design
There’s a lot I love about HyperX headsets, but one of the key points for me is just how durable they are. The aluminum frame can withstand a lot of punishment, which includes being dropped, sat on, and intentional bending (yes, I tried all those things).
For daily use, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is easy to recommend. It’s sturdy, and to break it would take some serious force.
Battery Life
Back in the day, wireless headsets couldn’t match the audio quality of a wired version. But thanks to technological advancements, we’re now at a point where telling the difference isn’t easy. I’d wager now, most owners couldn’t tell the difference.
The biggest problem facing wireless headsets now, however, is battery life. The SteelSeries Nova 7 comes in at 40 hours, which is a lot, but that still requires frequent charging.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless solves this problem by including a frankly staggering battery that’s capable of up to 300 hours. 300!
During my testing, that claim holds weight. I used the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless as both a gaming headset and as a set of headphones during my work day and was able to listen to music for hours at a time without the charge percentage changing. I’ve reviewed a lot of headsets during my time and I genuinely can’t think of any other headset that’s able to pull this off. Even high-end headphones I’ve tested don’t come close to this.
If you want something that rarely needs to be charged, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is the current industry leader in that regard.
Setup and Ease of Use
Setting up the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is a nice and simple process. The detachable mic plugs into an obvious socket, and the wireless USB dongle plugs into a USB port. It couldn’t get any easier than this.
Something else I really need to stress is just how intuitive the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is to use. Buttons are placed on the main ear cup and can be easily found by the hand. SteelSeries decided to go with weird placements on the Nova 7, so it’s good to see HyperX isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here. Just whack everything you need on the back of the ear cup and owners can access what they need when they need it. It’s not that hard.
Of course, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless doesn’t feature a contractable design, meaning they’ll always stay in the open headset position. While being able to fold them would be nice, it’s not a deal-breaker by any means. Plus if I’m being real, if the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless were foldable, that would surely affect how sturdy the overall design is. I think I’d rather have a gaming headset that can remain durable over something that takes up less space, but feel free to make up your own mind on that point.
Mic Quality
If there’s one area the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless faulters in, it’s the mic quality. This isn’t quite as clear-cut as it’s bad, though. In terms of quality, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless mic is clear and concise, but it lacks the warmth of other leading brands.
It’s a great mic, but at this price point, there are better options out there.
Does that matter? Not really. When I purchase gaming headsets my main concern is sound quality, which the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless nails. How I sound to other people is way down my list of wants. So long as people can hear me clearly and without any crackling or major background noise, I’m good.
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless vs. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless
Both headsets excel at different things. The Arctis Nova 7 has the better mic, while the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has the better design in terms of durability and button placement.
For audio quality and comfort, there isn’t much in it. I prefer the ear cushions on the HyperX headset, but comfort is very specific to the individual and their head shape. For style, I’ve got to give it to the SteelSeries offering, though both headsets look great.
Overall, both headsets are exceptional and whichever you choose, you’ll come away happy. For me, I’ve got to go with the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, though. The overall design fits my head shape effortlessly and despite the extra weight, it feels more comfortable after long gaming sessions. That, and the 300-hour battery life is perfect for people who tire of constantly needing to charge different devices.
Verdict
It’s safe to say, I love the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. I’m a massive audiophile who wants comfort, clean sound, and responsive audio. I’m also the type of person that is sick of charging devices. My phone, Chromebook, controller, speakers, iPad, Apple Pencil – the list of items the modern gamer needs to charge keeps growing and it’s not slowing down. That’s why I normally prefer wired headsets. It’s one less thing to charge.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless’ 300-hour battery is enough of a reason to pick it up. It lasts for literal days and a five-minute charge can keep you going for hours. It’s a massive jump forward in terms of tech. Pair that with luscious audio and extreme comfort and the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is currently one of the leading gaming headsets to beat.
All photos caputed by Wesley Copeland. Review unit provided by HyperX.
