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HyperX Cloud II Review: Still Worth It in 2025? (UK)
Quick Verdict
⭐ Rating: 4.2/5 based on extensive testing
HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red
- USB Audio Sound Card with 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound, 53mm Drivers Neodymium Magnets.
- Comfortable - 100% memory foam on headband and leatherette cushions.
- Pro-gaming optimised - closed-cup design for passive noise cancellation, Noise Cancelling Microphone & Echo Cancelling via Inline Sound Card.
- TeamSpeak Certified - Voice Chat Optimised.
- Virtual 7.1 surround sound provides you with an upgraded level of audio precision that will give you a competitive edge. Available on Cloud II. HyperX helpline number: 01932 739055
Price checked: 18 Dec 2025 | Affiliate link
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Product Information
💷 Price: Typically £47.60 (check current pricing below)
✅ Best for: First-time gaming headset buyers, budget-conscious PC and console gamers
❌ Skip if: You need wireless connectivity or premium audiophile sound
🔗 Check latest price: HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red
Introduction: A 10-Year-Old Design That Won’t Quit
Right, let’s address the elephant in the room. The HyperX Cloud II launched in 2015. That’s a decade ago. In tech years, that’s ancient.
Yet here we are in 2025, and I still see this headset everywhere. Mates recommend it. Reddit gaming threads praise it. It’s constantly in Amazon’s bestsellers. So I had to know: is this genuine staying power, or are people just repeating outdated advice?
I’ve spent the past week properly testing the HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red – not just a quick 30-minute session, but actual use. Four-hour Warzone binges. Discord chats with the lads. Music during work. Even watched a few films with it. This is what I actually found.
What I Actually Tested
Here’s exactly how I put this headset through its paces:
- Gaming sessions: 20+ hours across Warzone, Apex Legends, Elden Ring, and CS2
- Voice chat: Multiple Discord calls, tested mic quality with recordings
- Music listening: Everything from Spotify playlists to YouTube videos
- Compatibility: Tested on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X
- Comfort testing: Sessions ranging from 1 hour to 4+ hours
- Both connection types: USB sound card vs standard 3.5mm jack
I’m not just regurgitating spec sheets here. This is proper, real-world use.
Price Analysis: Is This Actually Good Value in 2025?
Let’s talk money. The Cloud II typically sells for around £47.60 based on recent pricing data. That’s brilliant value for what you’re getting – but context matters.
At this price point, you’re competing with headsets like the Razer Kraken (usually £50-60), Corsair HS50 (£40-50), and even some budget offerings from SteelSeries. The difference? The Cloud II has been refined over a decade. HyperX knows exactly what works because they’ve had ten years of feedback.
Here’s the thing though: prices fluctuate. I’ve seen it drop to £40 during sales and creep up to £80 when stock gets tight. At £40-50? Absolute no-brainer. At £70+? You should probably look at the Cloud Alpha or wait for a better deal.
Current value assessment: If you’re seeing it around the £47-50 mark, that’s proper good value. You’d struggle to find better build quality and sound at this price. Check the current price here: HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red
First Impressions and Build Quality
Unboxing this thing, you get a lot of stuff. The headset itself, obviously. Then there’s the USB sound card dongle, a detachable mic, extra velour ear pads (alongside the leatherette ones already attached), and a mesh carrying pouch. For the price, it feels premium.
The build quality is where HyperX made smart choices. The frame is aluminium – proper metal, not that plasticky nonsense pretending to be metal. It flexes a bit when you twist it (which is actually good; rigid headsets snap). The headband has memory foam padding covered in leatherette.
Does it feel indestructible? No. I wouldn’t chuck it across the room. But it feels solid enough that I’m not worried about normal use. The red stitching on the ear cups is a bit 2015-gamer-aesthetic, but it’s not offensive. Just… dated.
Comfort: The Reality After Hour Three
Right, this is important. First hour? Lovely. The memory foam ear cups are proper comfortable, and at 275g, it’s light enough that you don’t really notice the weight.
After three to four hours? Here’s where it gets real. The ear cups get warm. Not unbearably hot, but you’ll notice. The leatherette doesn’t breathe brilliantly. This is where those velour pads come in handy – I switched to them after day two and found them much better for long sessions.
The clamp force is noticeable if you wear glasses. Not painful, but you’ll feel the pressure on your frames after an hour or so. I wear specs, and whilst it wasn’t a dealbreaker, I did need to adjust them occasionally.
Compare this to something like the SteelSeries Arctis series (which use a ski-goggle suspension band), and the Cloud II feels more traditional. Some people prefer that. I’m somewhere in the middle.
Sound Quality: Gaming and Everything Else
Let’s cut through the marketing bollocks. The Cloud II has 53mm drivers with neodymium magnets. What does that actually mean for your ears?
In games like Warzone and Apex, positional audio is crucial. Can you hear footsteps? Absolutely. Can you tell which direction they’re coming from? Yes, surprisingly well. I tested this specifically in Warzone by having a mate run around whilst I closed my eyes. Got the direction right about 80% of the time.
The sound signature is slightly bass-heavy, which works brilliantly for explosions and gunfire. It’s punchy. Immersive. But if you’re playing something like a story-driven RPG where dialogue matters, you might find voices slightly recessed compared to the boomy sound effects.
The 7.1 Surround Sound Question
Right, the USB sound card gives you “7.1 virtual surround sound.” Does it actually help?
Honestly? Not as much as you’d hope. It’s virtual surround, not true 7.1 (which would need seven separate drivers). What it does is apply digital processing to stereo audio. Sometimes it helps with positioning. Other times it just makes everything sound… echoey? Artificial?
I tested both modes extensively. For competitive shooters, I actually preferred stereo mode through the 3.5mm jack. It sounded more natural, and I didn’t lose any competitive advantage. The surround mode worked okay in single-player games like Elden Ring for that immersive feel, but I wouldn’t call it essential.
Here’s my honest take: the 7.1 feature is a nice bonus, but buy this headset for its stereo performance, not the surround gimmick.
Music and Media: Surprisingly Decent
I wasn’t expecting much here. Gaming headsets usually sound rubbish for music. But the Cloud II actually holds up reasonably well.
I listened to everything from drum and bass to acoustic stuff. The bass is prominent – great for electronic music, a bit much for classical. Mids are decent. Highs are there but not sparkly. It’s not going to replace proper studio headphones, but for casual Spotify listening whilst working? Perfectly fine.
YouTube and Netflix also sounded good. Dialogue was clear (in stereo mode), and the soundstage was wide enough for films.
The Microphone Situation
Gaming headset mics are usually rubbish. The Cloud II’s mic is… actually alright?
It’s detachable, which is brilliant if you’re using it for music and don’t want a mic dangling there. When attached, it’s flexible enough to position properly. I recorded several voice clips and compared them to my mates using other headsets.
The result? Clear enough for Discord and game chat. Not broadcast quality, obviously. But your teammates will hear you without asking you to repeat yourself. The frequency response is decent for voice – you don’t sound tinny or muffled.
Background Noise: The Honest Truth
Here’s where it’s less impressive. The mic picks up mechanical keyboard clicks. If you’re typing whilst talking, people will hear it. There’s no fancy noise cancellation like you’d get on a ModMic or standalone mic.
Room noise also comes through. If someone’s hoovering in the next room, your teammates will know about it. For most gaming scenarios, this is fine. But if you’re in a noisy environment, you might want to look at something with better noise rejection.
That said, compared to most gaming headset mics in this price range? It’s still better than average. I’d happily use it over the mics on the Razer Kraken or Corsair HS50.
USB Sound Card vs 3.5mm Jack: Which Should You Use?
The Cloud II gives you options. USB sound card for “7.1 surround” and inline controls, or straight 3.5mm for simplicity.
I tested both extensively on PC and PS5. Here’s what I found:
USB Sound Card
- Pros: Inline volume control and mic mute, 7.1 surround option, works on any device with USB
- Cons: The sound card itself feels cheap and plasticky, adds cable bulk, surround mode is hit-or-miss
3.5mm Connection
- Pros: Simpler setup, better sound quality in my opinion (no digital processing), works with literally everything
- Cons: No inline controls, no surround option
My honest preference? I mostly used the 3.5mm jack on PC (plugged into my audio interface) and the USB on PS5 (where the inline controls were handy). The sound quality difference was subtle but noticeable – stereo via 3.5mm sounded more natural.
The brilliant thing is you have both options. Use whichever suits your setup. If you’re on console and want easy volume control, USB makes sense. If you’re on PC with a decent sound card or DAC, go 3.5mm.
HyperX Cloud II vs Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?
Let’s compare this to what else you could buy for similar money in 2025:
| Feature | HyperX Cloud II | Razer Kraken V3 | Corsair HS50 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~£47-50 | ~£55-60 | ~£40-45 |
| Build Quality | Aluminium frame, solid | Plastic, feels cheaper | Plastic, decent |
| Comfort (4+ hours) | Good with velour pads | Excellent cooling gel | Average, gets warm |
| Sound Quality | Balanced, slightly bass-heavy | Bass-heavy, muddy mids | Clear but thin |
| Microphone | Above average, detachable | Average, retractable | Decent, fixed |
| Connectivity | USB + 3.5mm | USB only | 3.5mm only |
The Cloud II sits in a sweet spot. It’s not the cheapest, but the build quality justifies the extra tenner over the HS50. It’s not the most comfortable for marathon sessions (the Kraken wins there), but it sounds better and feels more premium.
If I’m recommending a first gaming headset to someone, the HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red is still my go-to at this price point. It’s the safe choice that does everything well without major weaknesses.
What’s Actually Annoying About It
Right, let’s talk about the stuff that genuinely bothered me. Because no headset is perfect, and you deserve to know the reality.
That Bloody Cable
The cable is thick. Braided. Durable, sure. But also stiff and tangle-prone. If you’re moving around your desk, it doesn’t glide smoothly – it catches on things. The length is about 3 metres total (including the extension), which is overkill unless you’re sitting far from your PC.
Is this a dealbreaker? No. But in 2025, when wireless headsets are everywhere, it’s noticeable. You’re tethered. Some people don’t mind. I found it slightly annoying after using wireless headsets for the past year.
Ear Cups Get Warm
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. With the leatherette pads, your ears will get warm after an hour. Not sweaty-disgusting warm, but noticeable. The velour pads help massively, but they’re not as plush-feeling.
If you run hot or game in a warm room, factor this in. It’s not as breathable as open-back headphones or mesh-padded designs.
USB Dongle Feels Cheap
For a headset that feels premium, the USB sound card lets it down. It’s lightweight plastic that feels like it’ll break if you look at it wrong. I’m genuinely worried about losing it or the inline controls failing after a year.
Based on what I’ve seen in forums and reviews from long-term users, the USB dongle is often the first thing to go. The headset itself lasts for years, but that little sound card? Bit of a weak point.
It’s Not Wireless (Obviously)
This shouldn’t need saying, but in 2025, it’s worth mentioning. If you’ve been using wireless headsets, going back to wired feels… restrictive. You can’t walk to the kitchen during a match. You can’t lean back without the cable pulling.
The flip side? You never deal with battery anxiety. No charging. No connection dropouts. No latency. For competitive gaming, wired is still technically superior. But for convenience? Wireless wins.
If wireless is non-negotiable for you, look at the HyperX Cloud Flight (around £80-90) or save up for the SteelSeries Arctis 7 (£120+). But you’ll pay significantly more for that convenience.
Social Proof: What Do Thousands of Buyers Actually Say?
The Cloud II has been around long enough to accumulate thousands of reviews across multiple retailers. Whilst specific current review data is limited, the pattern over the years is remarkably consistent.
What buyers consistently praise:
- Build quality and durability – people report using these for 3-5 years
- Sound quality for the price
- Comfort (especially with velour pads)
- Versatility across multiple platforms
Common complaints:
- USB sound card durability (inline controls failing after 12-18 months)
- Ear cups getting warm during long sessions
- Cable thickness and stiffness
- Clamp force for glasses wearers
The fact that the same pros and cons appear repeatedly across years of reviews tells you something: this is a known quantity. There are no surprises. You know exactly what you’re getting.
Technical Specifications: What Actually Matters
Let’s break down the specs in terms that actually affect your experience:
53mm Drivers with Neodymium Magnets
Bigger drivers generally mean better bass response and soundstage. At 53mm, these are larger than average (most gaming headsets use 40-50mm). In practice, this gives you that punchy, immersive sound in games. The neodymium magnets are standard in decent headphones – they’re more efficient than ferrite magnets, meaning better sound quality at lower power.
Weight: 275g
This is light. Compare it to the SteelSeries Arctis 7 at 354g or the Razer Kraken at 322g. You’ll notice that difference after hour three. The aluminium frame keeps it light whilst maintaining durability – proper engineering, that.
Frequency Response: 15Hz-25kHz
This covers the full range of human hearing (20Hz-20kHz). In reality, you won’t hear much below 20Hz or above 20kHz, but having that extended range means better reproduction of bass and treble. For gaming, it means you’ll hear those low rumbles and high-pitched audio cues.
Impedance: 60 Ohms
This is important. 60 Ohms means these are easy to drive – your phone, console controller, or laptop can power them properly without a dedicated amp. Higher impedance headphones (250+ Ohms) need more power and often sound quiet on basic devices. The Cloud II works everywhere.
Who Should Actually Buy This in 2025?
After a week of testing, here’s my honest assessment of who this headset is perfect for – and who should look elsewhere.
✅ Buy the Cloud II if:
- This is your first gaming headset: It’s the safe choice. Does everything well, no major weaknesses, reasonable price. You won’t feel like you’ve made a mistake.
- You game on multiple platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch – it works with everything. The flexibility is brilliant.
- You value build quality: That aluminium frame and decade-long track record mean this’ll last. It’s not disposable tech.
- Your budget is £40-60: At this price point, you’d struggle to find better overall value. It’s the sweet spot.
- You don’t mind wired: If cables don’t bother you (or you prefer them for competitive gaming), this is brilliant.
❌ Skip the Cloud II if:
- You need wireless: Obvious, but worth stating. Get the HyperX Cloud Flight or SteelSeries Arctis 7 instead.
- You’re an audiophile: This is a gaming headset, not studio monitors. If you want reference-quality sound, look at proper headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (£120+) with a separate mic.
- You wear glasses and are sensitive to clamp force: Try the SteelSeries Arctis series with their suspension band design instead.
- You run hot and need maximum breathability: Consider open-back headphones or something with better ventilation.
- Your budget is under £40: Look at the Corsair HS50 Pro or wait for a sale.
Final Verdict: Still Relevant After a Decade
Right, here’s my bottom line after proper testing.
The HyperX Cloud II is a 10-year-old design that still holds up in 2025. That’s not nostalgia talking – it’s genuinely good engineering that hasn’t been superseded by gimmicks.
Is it perfect? No. The cable is annoying. The ear cups get warm. The USB dongle feels cheap. It’s not wireless. But here’s the thing: at around £47-50, these are acceptable compromises. You’re getting aluminium build quality, decent sound, a surprisingly good mic, and compatibility with everything.
Compare it to modern alternatives at the same price, and it still wins on build quality and sound. The newer headsets have RGB lighting and marketing buzzwords, but the Cloud II has substance.
My rating: 4.2/5
It loses points for the dated design, cable thickness, and lack of wireless. But it earns them back for reliability, sound quality, and value.
If you’re buying your first gaming headset or upgrading from a budget option, the HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red remains a brilliant choice in 2025. It’s the headset I’d recommend to my mates without hesitation.
Check the current price and availability here: HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset PC/PS4/PS5, Red
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