HyperX Cloud II Review (2026): Still Worth It?

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Why a Ten-Year-Old Headset Is Still Recommended

Most gaming headsets are forgotten within two product cycles. The Cloud II is still sold, still stocked, and still recommended because it got one thing right that has not been improved on: it is comfortable for hours, and comfort is what decides whether a headset gets worn or left on the desk.

Everything else about it has aged — some of it gracefully, some of it not. Here is which is which.

Comfort, and why it survived

Memory-foam pads and a light aluminium frame. That combination is why owners describe six-hour sessions without taking it off, and why it keeps appearing in recommendations a decade after release. The clamping force is moderate rather than tight, which suits larger heads better than most budget headsets do.

The pads wear out — they are the first part to go — but replacements are still made and cost a fraction of a new headset. That serviceability is unusual in this category and is a real part of the value.

The microphone

Detachable, clear, and good enough that a team will not mention it. For party chat and hobby streaming it does the job. Against the newer Cloud III it is a step behind: the III's is noticeably cleaner on consonants and rejects room noise better.

If you record or broadcast seriously, neither is the answer — a standalone microphone is.

Sound

A warm, slightly bass-forward tuning that suits games and films more than it suits critical listening. Positional cues are present but not emphasised; competitive players usually prefer something flatter. The 53 mm drivers have plenty of headroom and never sound strained.

The USB sound card, and why to ignore it

The box includes a USB dongle offering virtual 7.1. It is a processing effect applied to a stereo signal, not extra information, and most players localise more accurately without it. Use the plain 3.5 mm connection — it works on any controller and needs no software.

Treat the dongle as a bonus you will not use rather than a feature you are buying.

What has aged badly

The cable arrangement is bulky and semi-permanent. There is no USB-C anywhere on the product. And the packaging still emphasises the surround processing, which was a selling point in 2015 and is noise now.

The Cloud III Question

The HyperX Cloud III is the direct successor and the better-engineered product: a clearer microphone, angled drivers, USB-C. If both cost the same, buy it.

They do not always cost the same, and that is the whole decision. Verified today, the Cloud II is around $60 and the Cloud III around $65 — so the older one is currently cheaper, with a far deeper owner history behind it. A week ago those numbers were reversed and this page recommended the III.

The rule that survives either way: check both prices, buy whichever is cheaper, and lean toward the Cloud II when they are level. Our best gaming headsets guide covers the wider field, and best gaming headset under $100 covers this price bracket specifically.

Who Should Still Buy It

Buy it if comfort is your priority. Nothing near this price is more wearable over a long session, and pads are replaceable.

Buy it if it is cheaper than the Cloud III. Today it is.

Skip it if you stream. The III's microphone is a real improvement, and a standalone mic beats both.

Skip it if you play competitively. Its warm tuning is not built for hearing footsteps first.

Skip it if you want wireless. It is wired only — see our best wireless gaming headset guide.

FAQ

Is the HyperX Cloud II still good in 2026? Yes. Comfort, build and microphone quality remain competitive, and pads are still available. What it lacks is USB-C and the newer model's cleaner microphone.

Cloud II or Cloud III? Whichever is cheaper. Today that is the Cloud II. If they are level, take the III for the better microphone and USB-C.

Does the USB sound card matter? Not really. It provides virtual 7.1, which is processing applied to stereo. Most players get better positional accuracy from the plain 3.5 mm connection.

Will it work on PS5 and Xbox? Yes, through the controller's 3.5 mm jack, like any wired headset. The USB card is for PC only.

Is the microphone good enough for streaming? For hobby streaming, yes. For anything serious, a standalone microphone is a bigger upgrade than any headset.

How long will it last? The pads wear out before the drivers do, and replacements are available. Ten-year-old units are still in service, which is unusual in this category.

Verdict

Our score: 8.4/10. The HyperX Cloud II earns its decade-long recommendation on comfort and serviceability rather than on specifications. It is still one of the few headsets people wear for a whole evening without noticing, and the pads that eventually fail can be replaced rather than binned.

Its microphone and connector have been bettered by its own successor, so the sensible instruction is not a product but a habit: check both prices before you buy. Today the Cloud II is the cheaper of the two, which makes it the one to get.