Cover image via Syazwan Bahri/SAYS
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A good headset is an important piece of hardware in any gaming setup
While it isn't as crucial as a mouse or a keyboard, the humble headset connects you to the virtual battlefield and immerses you in it, allowing you to pinpoint sounds with utmost precision.
And that's where the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless gaming headset excels.
We tested the Cloud III S for a week across multiple games, and here's what we think
Pulling the HyperX Cloud III Wireless out of the box is a very straightforward, no-fuss experience.
All you get are the essentials: the headset, a charging cable, a detachable mic, and a USB-C dongle (which thankfully comes with a Type-A adapter).
Honestly, this headset is all about utility, and we appreciate that. It forgoes the silly RGB lighting and dubious features that plague other gaming headsets. Instead, HyperX clearly focuses on what matters most: comfort.
The earcups are fairly deep, housing angled drivers, and are wrapped in a soft, leather-like material with very pliant padding. This is a huge win for anyone who wears their headset all day. And as is typical with a HyperX headset, the headband feels both flexible and reassuringly sturdy.
The band also uses a smooth friction slider for adjustment, reducing the risk of getting your hair caught in the bindings. While people with extremely fine hair might still feel a pinch in the yoke, I didn't have that problem at all.
As someone upgrading from the classic HyperX Cloud II, the Cloud III Wireless feels like a subtle yet significant upgrade. The headset rested comfortably on my head, immediately providing that familiar, worn-in feeling that the Cloud II is famous for.
When it comes to on-headphone controls, the HyperX Cloud III Wireless keeps things refreshingly simple
Let's be real: most of your important controls are going to be on your computer anyway, so we don't mind missing out on a bunch of tiny knobs and dials for some obscure, esoteric setting.
In fact, we prefer this minimalist approach. It means you won't be fumbling around trying to find the right switch in the middle of a game. Everything you need is conveniently placed on the left earcup: you'll find a circular mic mute button, the power/pair button, a simple volume wheel, and a bindable circular button on the right side. That's it, and we're perfectly okay with that.
In terms of audio, the HyperX Cloud III shines in gaming
For just kicking back and listening to music, the Cloud III S Wireless isn't quite top-tier. It has a really nice, deep bass response, and the highs are perfectly clear, but the mids feel a bit restrained.
However, for gaming, it's a completely different story. This headset is brilliant. The details in the audio aren't just present; they are properly discernible, which is crucial. The Scarlet Forest in Monster Hunter Wilds felt more alive, while fights in Dota 2 carried more gravitas thanks to the headset's aural depth.
It also does a cracking job with directional sound in games like Battlefield 6, and that's before you even touch the DTS Spatial Sound.
Speaking of which, the DTS Headphone:X virtual surround sound that comes included with the headset does add some extra depth to the directional audio, but it's definitely not a make-or-break feature.
There were some audio issues during our testing, such as interference, though they rarely occurred.
The built-in microphone works well, but it's nothing special
The boom mic is the same mic found on the Cloud III Wireless, and it sounds… well, exactly the same.
It gets the job done — vocals are clear and reasonably full-sounding — but it's not going to win any awards. The main drawback is its low recording volume, which remains on the quiet side even with the gain pushed all the way up in HyperX's companion software.
In practice, my Battlefield 6 squad members had no issues hearing or understanding me, but they weren't exactly praising my audio quality either. It's perfectly functional, just not impressive.
Battery life is equally impressive
The headset boasts exceptional battery life, offering up to 120 hours of gaming when connected via the dongle, or nearly 200 hours if you switch to Bluetooth. This is still relatively longer than most competing devices and more than sufficient for a long trip without needing to pack the charger.
So, is it a good gaming headset?
It's clear this is a fantastic gaming headset. While the RM769 price tag might seem relatively steep, considering its full suite of features and excellent sound quality, it remains a worthwhile purchase for anyone looking to seriously upgrade their gaming setup.
