HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Review: The Return of Excellence

The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless represents the natural evolution of the Cloud III Wireless, retaining the beloved qualities of its predecessor whilst introducing meaningful improvements. Two years after the wired Cloud III's debut, this "S" variant delivers dual wireless connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced functionality—a welcome redemption following the somewhat underwhelming performance of the wired model.

At £150, the Cloud III S Wireless positions itself as a versatile wireless gaming headset that doesn't compromise on the fundamentals: comfort, audio quality, and battery endurance. With support for both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, alongside a staggering 120-hour battery life (200 hours in Bluetooth mode), this headset promises freedom without frequent charging interruptions.

Design and Ergonomics

Familiar Excellence, Refined

HyperX has wisely retained the design language established by the wired Cloud III, bringing gentle curves and a more contemporary aesthetic compared to the angular Cloud II lineage. The headset maintains the brand's signature construction quality, featuring an aluminium frame covered in soft synthetic material with an embossed HyperX logo atop the headband.

The flexible frame adapts comfortably to different head shapes, whilst the notched adjustment mechanism allows precise sizing. However, users with particularly large heads may find the maximum extension slightly restrictive—a recurring limitation across the Cloud III range.

The oval-shaped earcups mount on generously articulated metal forks, providing excellent freedom of movement. Generously padded with plush synthetic leatherette cushions, the earcups seal comfortably around the ears. Whilst they can become slightly warm during marathon sessions, the trade-off delivers commendable passive noise isolation.

These characteristics combine to deliver consistently comfortable wear, even during extended gaming sessions. Only the limited size adjustment and occasional warmth from the synthetic materials temper what is otherwise an exemplary comfort experience. The headset's weight remains modest at 340g—impressive given the wireless hardware inside.

Wireless-Specific Controls

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The most noticeable departure from the wired model appears in the control scheme, necessitated by the wireless functionality. The left earcup houses the power button (which also indicates battery level) and the microphone mute button. The right earcup features the volume wheel alongside a dedicated media/call button and a mode switcher for toggling between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity.

The detachable boom microphone remains physically identical to the wired version, connecting via a dedicated 3.5mm jack. The flexible memory-foam boom ensures ideal positioning and stability, whilst the microphone capsule base integrates the familiar LED mute indicator. Notably, the Cloud III S Wireless also incorporates a second, internal microphone specifically for Bluetooth calls—a practical addition for mobile use.

One delightful new feature: the outer earcup shells attach magnetically and can be removed, suggesting forthcoming customisation options. This gambit mirrors similar offerings from competitors like SteelSeries, though only time will tell whether HyperX will expand this customisation ecosystem.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Wireless Freedom Without Compromise

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The Cloud III S Wireless operates exclusively in wireless mode, offering two connection methods: dedicated 2.4GHz via the included USB dongle, or traditional Bluetooth for broader device compatibility. The headset functions on PlayStation consoles but lacks Xbox compatibility. Helpfully, HyperX includes both USB-C and USB-A dongles, with the USB-A adapter being remarkably compact.

The 2.4GHz wireless connection proved rock-solid throughout testing. We experienced zero dropouts, and the connection maintained stability even when venturing into adjacent rooms—a testament to the robust wireless implementation. The dedicated mode switcher simplifies connectivity management, though its presence betrays a slight disappointment: the Cloud III S Wireless doesn't support simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio. You must choose one or the other, preventing scenarios like monitoring Discord on mobile whilst gaming on PC.

Exceptional Endurance

HyperX's battery life claims prove conservative if anything. The manufacturer promises 120 hours via 2.4GHz and up to 200 hours in Bluetooth mode—figures that our testing validated with ease. During continuous use at moderate volume, the headset lost barely more than one percent charge per two hours of operation.

This translates to genuinely extraordinary endurance. The Cloud III S Wireless can easily operate for days or even weeks between charges, eliminating the anxiety of mid-session battery death that plagues lesser wireless headsets. It's a liberating experience that fundamentally changes how you interact with the device.

Audio Performance

The Wireless Advantage

Whereas we found the wired Cloud III somewhat disappointing—lacking bass presence and suffering from imbalanced treble—the Cloud III S Wireless corrects these shortcomings admirably. The wireless variant delivers a markedly more convincing and balanced audio presentation straight out of the box, requiring no equalisation adjustments to sound excellent.

HyperX has clearly positioned the Cloud III S Wireless as an all-purpose headset, equally capable in gaming scenarios and music listening. This ambition succeeds. The balanced frequency response and impressive definition make music playback genuinely enjoyable, whilst gamers benefit from solid stereo imaging and a sufficiently wide soundstage for effective immersion.

The 53mm angled drivers deliver excellent clarity across the frequency spectrum. Gaming reveals precise positional audio cues—footsteps, gunfire, and environmental sounds all register with satisfying accuracy. The soundstage feels appropriately expansive without becoming artificially wide, maintaining coherence and focus during intense action sequences.

For competitive gaming in titles like Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, or Rainbow Six Siege, the Cloud III S Wireless provides all the audio precision you require. Casual gaming and content consumption benefit equally from the well-tuned sound signature.

Microphone: A Minor Compromise

The detachable boom microphone represents the sole aspect where wireless technology exacts a small toll. Whilst the microphone capsule appears identical to the wired version, voice recordings reveal noticeable compression that affects voice naturalness. The capture remains perfectly serviceable for gaming communication and voice calls, but some competitors deliver superior vocal clarity.

That said, the compression doesn't render communication unintelligible or particularly unpleasant—it simply lacks the crispness achieved by the best wireless gaming headset microphones. For the vast majority of users, this microphone will prove more than adequate.

The internal microphone for Bluetooth use delivers considerably more limited performance, as expected. It's perfectly functional for taking calls whilst out and about, but isn't something you'd want to rely upon for important conference calls or content creation. It exists primarily as a convenience feature, which it fulfils adequately.

Software and Functionality

NGENUITY: Functional but Limited

HyperX continues to rely on the ageing NGENUITY software for headset configuration, and it remains decidedly basic. Beyond volume adjustment, microphone gain control, and microphone monitoring activation, the application offers little. The equaliser and DTS:X spatial audio activation represent the extent of its capabilities.

However, NGENUITY introduces one significant improvement: equaliser settings now save to the headset's onboard memory. Once configured, your EQ persists without NGENUITY running, and travels with the headset across all connected devices—PC, console, or mobile. This represents a meaningful quality-of-life enhancement, even if it would be more convenient to configure these settings via a mobile application.

The DTS:X Headphone:X spatial audio, available on PC via NGENUITY, adds virtual 3D positioning to compatible content. Whilst not revolutionary, it provides a subtle enhancement to immersion and can marginally improve positional awareness in supported games.

During our testing, we discovered that HyperX is developing a completely redesigned NGENUITY interface, currently in beta. The new version features a comprehensive interface overhaul and potentially expanded functionality. We'll reserve judgement until testing future HyperX products with the production release, but initial impressions suggest welcome progress.

Value Proposition and Alternatives

Competitive Positioning

At £150, the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless occupies the mid-tier wireless gaming headset segment. This pricing reflects considerable value given the feature set and performance on offer.

Direct competitors include:

Corsair Void Wireless v2 (£100): More affordable but with significantly shorter battery life and less refined audio performance.

Marshall Major V (£129): Superior for music listening with excellent battery life, but less gaming-focused and lacking the microphone quality gamers require.

Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed (£109): Competitive gaming performance with good wireless implementation, though with shorter battery endurance.

The Cloud III S Wireless distinguishes itself through the combination of extreme battery life, dual wireless connectivity, comfortable design, and balanced audio performance. The £150 price point delivers strong value proposition for this feature constellation.

Who Should Buy This Headset?

The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless suits:

• Gamers prioritising comfort and battery endurance above all else
• Users seeking versatility across PC, console, and mobile devices
• Those who value balanced audio suitable for both gaming and music
• Anyone frustrated by frequent charging requirements of typical wireless headsets
• Gamers who appreciate the convenience of onboard EQ memory
• Users wanting reliable wireless performance without complexity

The headset proves less ideal for:

• Competitive streamers demanding pristine microphone quality
• Users requiring simultaneous multi-device audio (2.4GHz + Bluetooth)
• Those seeking extensive software customisation and RGB lighting
• Anyone prioritising the absolute pinnacle of audio fidelity over versatility

Conclusion

The HyperX Cloud III S Wireless succeeds where the wired Cloud III stumbled, delivering precisely the headset many hoped the original would be. With outstanding battery life, comfortable design, balanced audio performance, and dual wireless connectivity, it ticks the essential boxes with confidence.

Whilst the NGENUITY software remains disappointingly basic and the microphone suffers slight wireless-induced compression, these compromises pale against the headset's considerable strengths. The addition of onboard EQ memory and the internal microphone for mobile use demonstrate thoughtful design evolution.

For gamers seeking a wireless headset that simply works—comfortably, reliably, and for days on end without charging—the Cloud III S Wireless represents an excellent choice. It doesn't chase gimmicks or needless complexity. Instead, it focuses on fundamental excellence: comfort, sound quality, and battery endurance.

At £150, the Cloud III S Wireless establishes itself as one of the most recommendable wireless gaming headsets in this price category. HyperX need only address the software limitations to bring the Cloud range closer to perfection. For now, the Cloud III S Wireless stands as a thoroughly impressive evolution of a gaming headset legend.