Short answer: the HyperX Cloud III. It ranks #168 of 231 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $57.99. The HyperX Cloud II ranks #177, rated 2.9/5, at $47.48, $10.51 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the HyperX Cloud II: A built-in microphone and a closed-back design make it a ready-made gaming headset, and the 60 ohm impedance with 98 dB sensitivity means it runs easily from a PC or console. The tradeoff: A deep dip of roughly 15 dB near 4.2 kHz hollows out presence, so voices and the attack of instruments sound recessed, while a peak of about 9 dB near 8.6 kHz adds a sharp, sizzly edge to cymbals and sibilance.
Why pick the HyperX Cloud III: Bass runs about 3 dB above target in a squig.link measurement, giving games and music a warm, punchy low end. Watch for: A 9.1 dB dip near 11.5 kHz and air about 3.6 dB below target dull the sparkle of cymbals and the sense of space, while a 3.9 dB presence shortfall pushes voices back.
Buy the HyperX Cloud III. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10.51 you would save on the HyperX Cloud II does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HyperX Cloud II | HyperX Cloud III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $47.48 | $57.99 |
| Ranked | #177 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones | #168 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 60 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.60 dB standard deviation | 3.12 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 60 ohms | 64 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW | - |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | - | 0.7 lbs (308 g) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HyperX Cloud III compares with other leading options:
- HyperX Cloud III vs Logitech G733
- HyperX Cloud Alpha vs HyperX Cloud III
- Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless vs HyperX Cloud III
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs HyperX Cloud II
- Sony WH-CH510 vs HyperX Cloud II
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
HyperX Cloud II: $47.48 Amazon $47.48 eBay
Pros: A built-in microphone and a closed-back design make it a ready-made gaming headset, and the 60 ohm impedance with 98 dB sensitivity means it runs easily from a PC or console. The large 53mm driver delivers bass about 4 dB above the Harman target, which suits listeners who want punchy explosions and a warm, bass-forward presentation. Sub-bass and the lower midrange sit close to target, so the low end is fuller without being muddy.
Cons: A deep dip of roughly 15 dB near 4.2 kHz hollows out presence, so voices and the attack of instruments sound recessed, while a peak of about 9 dB near 8.6 kHz adds a sharp, sizzly edge to cymbals and sibilance. Treble above 6 kHz runs about 4 to 5 dB hot, which can become fatiguing at higher volumes. The HyperX Cloud Alpha has a higher rating at a lower price.
Full HyperX Cloud II review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.60 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 60 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.74 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 170 Hz | -7.0 dB | 1.06 |
| Peak | 271 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.58 |
| Peak | 3,828 Hz | +5.4 dB | 3.60 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.58 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,085 Hz | -3.0 dB | 3.98 |
| Peak | 2,378 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.78 |
| Peak | 3,700 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.71 |
| Peak | 1,123 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.29 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HyperX Cloud III: $57.99 Amazon $57.99 eBay
Pros: Bass runs about 3 dB above target in a squig.link measurement, giving games and music a warm, punchy low end. The closed back keeps sound in and outside noise out, and the built-in microphone covers voice chat. A 64 ohm load is still easy for a PC, console controller or phone to drive.
Cons: A 9.1 dB dip near 11.5 kHz and air about 3.6 dB below target dull the sparkle of cymbals and the sense of space, while a 3.9 dB presence shortfall pushes voices back. Sub-bass also sits 3.6 dB under target, so the deepest rumble is soft. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x rates higher at nearly the same price.
Full HyperX Cloud III review and specifications →
| Released | May 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.12 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 21kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 60 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 64 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.92 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (308 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons