HyperX Cloud II Wireless vs Cloud III Wireless
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This comparison is very similar to my breakdown of the wired versions of the Cloud II and Cloud III, but there are even more noteworthy changes between the wireless versions.
Differences Summary
Here are the key differences between the Cloud II Wireless and Cloud III Wireless:
Connectivity. The Cloud II Wireless dongle is USB-A, and the Cloud III Wireless dongle is USB-C with a USB-C to USB-A adapter included.
Battery Life. The Cloud II Wireless battery lasts up to 30 hours, and the Cloud III Wireless battery can go up to 120 hours.
Comfort. The Cloud III Wireless has thicker padding, but it’s also heavier at 329 grams compared to the 299 grams of the Cloud II Wireless.
Headphone Audio. The Cloud III Wireless has angled drivers and it has less bass and treble than the Cloud II Wireless. The Cloud III Wireless is even better for FPS games, but the Cloud II Wireless shines more for immersive games - especially with EQ. The Cloud III Wireless also has far less self-noise. The Cloud II Wireless has a constant subtle hiss sound.
Microphone Audio. The Cloud III Wireless has a far superior mic with better clarity and more natural tonality.
Software. The Cloud III Wireless gains more functionality in the HyperX NGENITY software such as a full 10-band EQ with customizable presets.
| Attribute | Cloud II Wireless | Cloud III Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless dongle | USB-A | USB-C with USB-A Adapter |
| Weight | 299 grams | 329 grams |
| Battery Life | 30 hours | 120 hours |
| Drivers | 53 mm dynamic | 53 mm dynamic (angled) |
| Mic Capsule | 6 mm condenser | 10 mm condenser |
The older Kingston model of the Cloud II Wireless does not use DTS:X for its virtual surround sound.
Cloud III Wireless in NGENUITY.
Similarities
Other than the main differences listed above, these headsets have a lot in common:
Build Quality. Aside from the Cloud III Wireless having slightly thicker padding on the ear cushions and a different shape on the aluminum forks, the builds don’t deviate much from each other. They both use pleather and have detachable microphones.
Controls. Both headsets have an infinite scroll volume wheel and a mic mute button which activates a red light on the microphone.
Detailed Sound. While I find the Cloud III Wireless to be even better in terms of sound separation, both headsets are well tuned for competitive gaming due to their crisp detail and subdued bass.
Mic mute light on the Cloud II Wireless.
Mic mute light on the Cloud III Wireless.
Verdict
The Cloud III Wireless is a better headset than the Cloud II Wireless in almost every way. The extra padding makes it even more comfortable, the mic is much better, the battery last 4 times as long, and it gets more features in NGENUITY. However, the Cloud II Wireless has more bass. When both devices are EQ’d, the Cloud III just can’t match up in that department.
Out of these two devices, I recommend the HyperX Cloud III Wireless. If you’re a basshead, I would actually look to a different headset entirely like the Astro A50. However, if you’re set on HyperX, the Cloud II Wireless is a better choice for immersive games with bass-heavy environments.
