The HyperX Cloud Flight aims to free gamers from the tyranny of cables while retaining audio excellence. But does this wireless gaming headset deliver on its promises?
In this comprehensive review, we‘ll examine every aspect of the HyperX Cloud Flight to see if it merits its $139 price tag. You‘ll get the full rundown on features, sound quality, battery life, comfort, and everything else that matters.
So whether you want to cut the cord or are just looking for a new pair of wireless cans, read on to discover if the Cloud Flight is the right audio solution for your gaming needs.
Overview of the HyperX Cloud Flight
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details, let‘s quickly summarize the Cloud Flight‘s key characteristics:
Release Date: January 2018
Price: $139.99
Connection: Proprietary 2.4GHz wireless, up to 20m range
Battery Life: 30 hours (LEDs off), 18 hours (breathing), 13 hours (solid)
Drivers: 50mm neodymium drivers
Sound Output: Stereo
Microphone: Detachable bi-directional noise-canceling mic
Weight: 0.66 lbs (299 grams)
Compatibility: PC, PS5, PS4
Special Features: 90-degree ear cup rotation, LED lighting effects, steel slider for adjustment
Now let‘s analyze each of those aspects more closely.
Design – Style Meets Substance
The Cloud Flight bucks the typical gaming headset aesthetic. Instead of flashy colors and aggressive angles, HyperX opted for an understated all-black oval shape.
But don‘t mistake the conservative design for lack of innovation. The Cloud Flight‘s clever touches enhance both form and function.
The oval ear cups swivel 90 degrees to rest comfortably around your neck during breaks. Steel sliders allow you to find the perfect fit for enhanced passives noise isolation. And tasteful LED strips add personality without going overboard like some RGB-crazed models.
Build quality also impresses thanks to liberal use of steel and high-quality leatherette. The Cloud Flight conveys durability lacking in all-plastic constructions. Everything from the extendable headband to the detachable microphone exudes refinement.
All told, the Cloud Flight is a gaming headset you‘d proudly wear on the bus or at the coffee shop, not just hidden in your bedroom. The cohesive aesthetics blend gaming utility with subtle everyday style.
Audio Performance – Immersive Gameplay Without Surround Sound
The Cloud Flight‘s 50mm neodymium drivers deliver excellent sound anchored by thumping bass and sparkling highs.
Explosions rumble with satisfying power. Sniper shots crack through the air with crisp precision. Engine roars embed you inside speeding vehicles.
While many headsets in this price tier offer virtual 7.1 surround sound, the Cloud Flight sticks to basic stereo output. Yet the wide soundstage and accurate separation still provide an immersive experience.
The Cloud Flight shines best with bombastic action games or atmospheric adventures where audio plays a starring role. For competitive multiplayer titles like CS:GO that hinge on precise audio cues, surround sound headsets may hold some advantage.
Music also sounds perfectly pleasing for casual listening thanks to extended frequency response up to 21kHz. Just don‘t expect the Cloud Flight to replace your audiophile headphones.
To sum up the audio – the Cloud Flight delivers excellent immersive sound for gaming and media even without virtual surround. But hardcore competitive gamers may want to look at pricier models with surround built-in.
Microphone – Clear Comms that Get the Job Done
The Cloud Flight‘s noise-canceling microphone cleanly captures speech while eliminating unwanted background sounds. Teammates hear you loud and clear without annoying hiss or static.
Yet raw microphone quality falls slightly behind more expensive wireless models from Astro, SteelSeries, and others. So if broadcast-quality clarity is paramount, you may want to upgrade.
But for everyday gaming chat and Discord discussions, the Cloud Flight‘s mic gets the job done admirably. Just don‘t expect to cut any professional podcasts or gameplay commentary with it!
Battery Life – All Day Play Time
The Cloud Flight lives up to its endurance claims by delivering a whopping 30 hours of continuous gaming with LEDs disabled. That tops most of its wireless competition.
If you enable the LED light strips, battery life understandably dips but still reaches respectable levels. 18 hours with breathing effects or 13 hours with solid lighting keeps you covered for even the longest marathon sessions.
Recharging the battery via included USB cable takes 3 hours from empty. That means you‘ll be up and running again well before the next day if you plug in before bed.
For comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 tops out at 24 hours while the Astro A50 manages only 15. So the Cloud Flight crushes other wireless options to earn its name.
Gamers who depend on uninterrupted wireless connectivity rest assured – short of a 48 hour charity stream, the Cloud Flight has you covered.
Comfort and Conveniences
Given HyperX‘s pedigree for supremely cozy headsets, expectations stayed high for the Cloud Flight model. Happily, the reality did not disappoint.
Signature memory foam ear cushions encapsulate your head in pillow-like comfort. Even large ears fit nicely inside the spacious oval cups. Those with glasses can game for hours without undue pressure thanks to clever clamping force distribution across the steel headband and slider arms.
The premium leatherette stays cool against the skin unlike leather and fuzzy velour options that absorb heat. You‘ll forget you‘re even wearing headphones after a short while.
Smart conveniences like audio controls integrated into the ear cups and 90 degree rotation make using the Cloud Flight a breeze. The intuitive design means you won‘t need to memorize any complex button sequences. Just flip, twist, and slide to suit your needs.
Add it all up and you have a supremely comfortable headset perfect for those all night gaming binges.
Software Integration – One Weak Link
The Cloud Flight plays nice out of the box on PC and PlayStation devices. But those hoping for software customization options face disappointment.
HyperX‘s NGENUITY software only enables volume adjustment and sidetone tweaking for the Cloud Flight. Missing is any sort of equalizer to customize audio profiles.
That means you‘re stuck with the default sound curve rather than personalizing bass, mid, and treble levels to match your taste.
Considering the large drivers and extended frequency response of the Cloud Flight, this feels like a missed opportunity. An equalizer could really help tune the already great audio into something transcendent.
Unfortunately, it seems even premium HyperX models lack robust software tweaks reserved for the elite tier of gaming audio. Just be aware you‘re getting zero customization beyond volumes.
HyperX Cloud Flight – Who Should (and Shouldn‘t) Buy
So where does this in-depth inspection of the HyperX Cloud Flight wireless gaming headset leave us? Let‘s summarize everything in simple pros vs cons lists.
Reasons to Buy the HyperX Cloud Flight Gaming Headset:
- Excellent audio drivers provide rich, immersive sound
- 30 hours of battery life is class-leading
- Supreme comfort from memory foam and premium materials
- Understated style stands out from garish alternatives
- 90 degree ear cup rotation enables convenient wearing positions
- Great overall value compared to the competition
Why You May Want to Consider Other Options:
- Music lovers will notice lack of equalizer options
- Competitive multiplayer gamers may want full surround sound
- Xbox users lose wireless functionality (must use 3.5mm cable)
- Microphone quality can‘t match more expensive mics
- NGENUITY software lacks all but basic controls
As you can see, the Cloud Flight gets way more right than wrong thanks to exceeding comfort, impressive battery duration, and huge sound. For around $140, you‘ll struggle to find a wireless headset that checks as many boxes.
So if you want to escape cable clutter and get lost in games for hours on end, grab the HyperX Cloud Flight with confidence. Its smart design provides the convenience of wireless connectivity without compromising your gaming experience. Thumbs firmly up!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cloud Flight
Here are answers to some common questions for additional details not covered above:
What‘s the difference between the main Cloud Flight model and PlayStation version?
The PlayStation-licensed Cloud Flight substitutes blue highlights for red but is otherwise nearly identical in all respects. The only notable change is the PS version lacks steel sliders for size adjustment.
Can you use the Cloud Flight wired on Xbox consoles?
Yes! The headset ships with a 3.5mm audio cable for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One compatibility. Note you will lose wireless functionality and must connect via headphone jack.
How long does it take to fully charge the Cloud Flight from empty?
Fully charging the battery from 0% to 100% takes right around 3 hours. You get roughly 5% of charge for every 10 minutes plugged in.
Does the Cloud Flight work with other HyperX headsets?
Unfortunately, multi-headset synchronization is not possible on the Cloud Flight. Some higher-end SteelSeries models do permit pairing multiple headsets to one wireless adapter but that feature is absent here.
In Conclusion
The HyperX Cloud Flight delivers exactly what most wireless gamers need – convenience without compromise. It jettisons wires without losing sound quality, comfort, or endurance.
While audiophiles and competitive esports players may clamor for higher-end features like surround sound and equalization, the average user will cherish the Cloud Flight‘s winning combination of freedom and function.
So if you‘re still tethered by cables, the time has come to join the wireless revolution. The Cloud Flight provides the trusted travel companion you need. Game on!
