Image: Michael Crider/Foundry
I use a HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless as my personal PC headset, specifically because its battery life is bonkers at 300 hours. But it’s a bit barebones otherwise. It’s only 2.4GHz with a bulky dongle, not exactly cutting-edge, and it doesn’t work with my phone. The new Cloud III S brings that incredible longevity with a more premium design.
Before I continue, I should say that the Cloud III S isn’t quite as amazing in terms of battery life—it “only” lasts 120 hours in 2.4GHz mode with a dongle or 200 hours on Bluetooth. That’s still five-to-ten times longer than anything else out there, though, and more than long enough for a week-long trip without also needing to pack the charger.
Michael Crider / Foundry
That small compromise gives it a lot more flexibility in the figurative sense than the Cloud Alpha Wireless. Take Bluetooth, for a start. Not only is the Cloud III S ready to work with your phone, tablet, ironically retro handheld, what have you, but it’s packing an integrated low-profile mic in addition to the boom mic. That makes it an ideal convergence device, one headset that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it… with the notable exception of active noise canceling. But with big around-the-ear cans and 53mm drivers, that probably won’t be a problem unless you end up in a very unlucky plane or bus seat.
The Cloud III S is also an evolution of the existing Cloud III design, which means it’s a little smaller and easier to stow than a standard PC gaming headset. And it’s crazy flexible in the literal sense! The demonstration of the band twisting back on itself was impressive.
Michael Crider / Foundry
You get a little more in terms of customization, too, with magnetic external plates that can be replaced with 3D-printed extras. (I suppose that’ll be fun for the Twitch crowd.) For something less flamboyant, you’ll be able to get it in all-black, all-white, and HyperX’s usual red-on-black colorways.
I’m more interested in the connection options. On top of 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth, it can pair directly to some HP Omen gaming laptops with Instant Pair for low-latency connections without taking up a USB port.
The HyperX Cloud III S is coming to stores… sometime… for some price. We don’t know yet. To set your expectations, the Cloud III Wireless goes for $150 and the super-long-lasting Cloud Alpha Wireless goes for $200 at their suggested retail prices.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.
