HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review: ‘Beastly Battery Life With No Big Compromises’

HYPERX CLOUD ALPHA WIRELESS REVIEW FOR PC.

Right out of the gate, let me acknowledge that the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is an impressive achievement, somehow providing a huge bump in battery life with no perceivable increase in weight. It takes everything that the Cloud Alpha does so well and combines it with the freedom of wireless. However, as you might expect, you’ve gotta pay to play for this innovative tech, which may be too much to ask for some gamers. This is the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless review.

The HyperX way

The HyperX unboxing experience is as good as ever. The company combines no-nonsense packaging with everything you could need included inside of the box. There’s a manual, pop filter, detachable microphone, USB charging cable, USB wireless adapter, and the headset itself.

Though you won’t be charging it often, it’s fantastic to see USB-C here. If you’re offering a flagship wireless audio product in 2022, USB-C is now a must-have and a serious blow if it’s missing.

A quality touch

As is usual for a “HyperX Cloud” branded product, the Alpha Wireless is both light and durable. The headband and yokes feel like they can take on many years of passionate gaming, while the earcups ooze comfort thanks to the memory foam and breathable leatherette ear cushions that HyperX continues to depend on in an “if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it” way.

Setting up the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless is as easy as ever. The NGENUITY software remains a little lacking in the aesthetics department, but works fine and as intended. Users can fiddle around with EQ settings, check the battery life, and more with this lightweight app.

VSS is here, for those who want it

Like many other flagship gaming headsets, support for virtual surround sound is present. While I’m still not convinced enough to make the switch from stereo myself, especially in the competitive shooters I spend most of my time playing, I know a lot of gamers swear by VSS. Happily, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless checks that box with support for DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio.

How does it sound?

In my testing of the battery life claims, I played a hell of a lot of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Elden Ring, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. The former was a true test for pinpointing positional audio for footstep noise, while the latter tested voice chat compatibility in more of a social setting.

As expected the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless sounds fantastic in all aspects. The closed-back design leads to some rumbly bass, but it doesn’t overpower the mids and highs. It’s a great balance that HyperX has mastered in its headsets. I’d still say SteelSeries Pro Wireless takes the top spot, with an “airiness” that goes unmatched, but HyperX is getting closer and closer (and without bumping the price up to the Pro Wireless’ steep level).

Still got that Cloud comfort?

Comfort is also worthy of praise as, throughout my marathon testing sessions, I could go two hours without thinking about them. Following that, as it gets hotter in my office during these spring months, I’d feel the need to take the headset off to allow my ears to breathe. However, given that I stand up every hour or so to stretch my legs or visit the bathroom, that’s a non-issue. As closed-back headsets go, this is one of the slowest in building up heat in the ear area.

300 hours? Really?!

Let’s talk about this 300 hours of battery life, then. Now, HyperX does state that this is at 50% volume, which I suppose is a sensible listening volume. However, for those of us who are silly enough to crank it that bit louder to better hear footsteps or appreciate the boom of a grenade exploding, 70-80% is more realistic. Despite this, I’ve easily exceeded 130 hours while using this headset without charging it. That’s for gaming, movie-watching, and music-listening, in an attempt to kill it before this review. (I have failed!)

Honestly, I initially thought “300 hours” was some sort of marketing fluff, where there had to be a huge compromise like “keeping the battery at 1% with the headset within 10 cm of the dongle at all time.” But no, this thing goes on forever and sounds great while doing it.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Review: Is it worth buying?

At $199.99, there’s certainly a premium in place for the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless’s ability to last up to 300 hours. However, I absolutely think it’s worth it for anyone worried about making the switch to wireless due to battery life anxiety concerns.

Boasting fantastic audio quality, industry-leading comfort, and beastly battery life, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless leads the charge in brilliant new gaming headsets for 2022.

Cloud Alpha Wireless review unit was provided by HyperX.