The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless is a multi-platform gaming headset designed for people who want solid performance without the fuss. It’s wireless, works with PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile, and packs in both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity with an easy toggle system for switching between devices.
It’s built for long sessions, with a very comfortable design, great directional audio, and some of the best battery life you’ll find in a gaming headset. So whether you’re upgrading from something older or looking to get into wireless headsets for the first time, this is an option that prioritises the essentials and does them very well.
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Design
The Cloud III S boasts a relatively familiar design. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a HyperX gaming headset. It’s not overloaded with flashy “gamer” features like RGB lights, instead sporting a relatively clean, professional look. Other than the logo on the earcups, these could quite easily pass for a pair of audio over-ear headphones.
The headset comes in two colour schemes, Black and Red and Plain Black. The black and red version is the flashier of the two, standing out a bit more, but I appreciate having the more subtle option as well. You can also customise the headset with magnetic attachments that go on the earcups, a nice touch for a bit of extra personalisation.
It’s lightweight and comfortable, I was able to wear it for prolonged gaming sessions without any issues. It has an aluminium frame, memory foam padding with synthetic leather coverings, a nicely padded headband and a matte plastic shell. It feels sturdy and more importantly it’s very comfortable. I was a bit disappointed that the earcups don’t rotate, swivel or fold though, making it not the most travel-friendly headset on the market.
There’s a full set of onboard controls for volume, mic mute, Bluetooth playback, and switching between modes, all easily accessible and simple to use.
Audio
There’s 53mm drivers inside the earcups and they’re very good. Out of the box, the sound profile is a tad bassy, but you’re easily able to distinguish high and mid frequencies without the mix sounding muddy or overwhelming. Good for gaming, listening to music and watching movies or videos.
If you’re looking for a headset that will help you distinguish directional audio in games, you won’t be disappointed. The stereo separation here is impressive on its own, but you can further enhance the directional audio queues using DTS Headphone: X Spatial Sound. The headphones come with a lifetime licence, no need to buy this separately.
DTS simulates 3D audio making in-game sounds like footsteps, gunfire, or ambient effects feel like they're coming from specific directions, essentially enhancing spatial awareness. This isn’t the first or only gaming headset to do this, so it's not a groundbreaking new feature, but It works well. PLaying Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was significantly better with sounds coming from a 360° range. However it’s important to know that you will need to download the HyperX Ngenuity software to enable it, more on that below.
Microphone
The headset has three microphones, a detachable boom mic and two built-in secondary mics. The boom is what you’ll use most of the time, it’s directional, clear, is 10mm’s long and does a good job cutting out background noise. Your voice comes through clean, and it has a mute light on it so you’re not guessing if people can hear you. It’s a detachable microphone which is fine, but personally I like it when the microphone folds up, like the JBL Quantum 810, the detachable mic is just another thing to lose.
The internal mics are ok, but they’re more for calls or quick Bluetooth chats. It picks up background noise, but it’s usable, and if you ever forget to pack the boom microphone, you’re still covered, just don’t expect your teammates to be happy with you.
Compatibility & Connectivity
You get two wireless connectivity options here, 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.3.
The main connection is through the USB-A, 2.4 GHz dongle, which delivers low-latency, high-quality audio perfect for gaming. Plug it into a PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch dock, or even a Mac, and you're good to go. Then there’s Bluetooth, ideal for mobile devices, tablets, laptops, or using the headset on the go. The Cloud III S supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, which offers better efficiency and audio quality.
There’s a physical toggle switch on the right earcup that lets you switch between Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless. It makes jumping between devices easy, you could be gaming or listening to music on your PC, then flip the switch to instantly take a call on your phone. As long as both connections are already paired, switching is seamless and only takes a second.
There are a few limitations here though, there’s no Xbox support. Xbox doesn’t support USB audio or third-party Bluetooth headsets, and the Cloud III S doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack for wired connections. So if you're on Xbox, unfortunately, this one’s a no-go.
On PC, you’ll get full access to HyperX’s NGENUITY software, where you can tweak EQ settings, mic gain, sidetone, and enable DTS Headphone:X. But that’s about it, and unfortunately even though it’s a tad limited, NGENUITY isn’t available on console or mobile, meaning you can’t access those software-based customisations at all.
Battery
HyperX claims the battery lasts up to 120 hours over 2.4 GHz and up to 200 hours over Bluetooth. I found those claims to be true. It’s very impressive, you barely have to worry about charging the headset and when you need to you just use the USB-C charging port.
There’s no quick charge here, so it does take a few hours to top up once it’s drained, but honestly, you’ll hardly ever need to charge it. Excellent for a wireless headset.
Verdict
The Cloud III S Wireless nails the basics: it’s comfortable, sounds great, and lasts ages on a single charge.
The dual wireless modes and multi-platform support make it flexible and appealing to a large audience. The audio performance holds up across games, music, and calls, and it’s easy to set up and use.
As is the case with a lot of multi-platform gaming headsets, it’s at its best when used on a PC, where you can access the NGENUITY software, it’s not ideal for Xbox users, and the lack of wired fallback or a swivel design may put off some, but if you’re gaming on PC or PlayStation and want a fuss-free, all-day wireless headset with spatial audio features and a clean aesthetic, this is a great option.
The HyperX Cloud III S will release in NZ later this year.
