Both are wired HyperX headsets with a detachable mic and a 3.5 mm plug for a controller, listed for PC, PS5, Xbox and Switch. The Cloud Alpha keeps mute and volume on its cable and comes with a PC splitter cable, at $99.99; the Cloud III puts them on the earcup, adds a USB dongle for a computer and lists a Mac, at $99.99.
| HyperX Cloud Alpha | HyperX Cloud III | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it for | a plain 3.5 mm headset with mute on the cable | mute on the earcup, a USB dongle and a Mac |
| Maker price | $99.99 · checked November 2 | $99.99 · checked November 2 |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Mute on the mic | Mic mute on the cable | Mute button on the earcup, with an LED that shows when you're muted |
| Hear yourself | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
Choice A
Everything goes through the 3.5 mm plug: into a controller, a phone, or a PC through the 2 m extension cable that splits headphones and mic. Mute and volume sit on the cable. It weighs 336 g with the mic. Maker price $99.99.
Choice B
Mute and volume are on the earcup, with an LED that shows when you're muted. Its USB dongle on a cable plugs into a computer, and HyperX lists Mac, which it doesn't for the Cloud Alpha. It weighs 318 g with the mic. Maker price $99.99.
From the makers
4 of 10 setup details differ.
| Setup detail | HyperX Cloud Alpha | HyperX Cloud III |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone connection | Detachable boom microphone | Detachable boom microphone |
| Connectors (differs) | 3.5 mm (4-pole) · PC extension cable (separate headphone and mic plugs) | 3.5 mm · USB audio adapter on a USB-C cable · USB-C to USB-A adapter |
| Mute on the mic (differs) | Mic mute on the cable | Mute button on the earcup, with an LED that shows when you're muted |
| Hear yourself | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
| Works with (per the maker) (differs) | PC · PlayStation · Xbox · Switch · Mobile | PC · PS5 · PS4 · Xbox Series X|S · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch · Mac · Mobile |
| Included parts (differs) | Cloud Alpha headset · Detachable headset cable · Detachable mic · PC extension cable · Quick start guide | Cloud III headset · Detachable mic · USB dongle · USB-C to USB-A adapter · Quick start guide |
| Also needs | Depends on how you connect and mount it | Depends on how you connect and mount it |
| Mount or thread | ||
| Dimensions | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
| Software needed | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
Both are wired, with a detachable noise-cancelling mic and a 3.5 mm plug for a controller or a phone. HyperX lists both for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, and neither for Switch 2.
The Cloud Alpha has mute and volume on its detachable cable. The Cloud III has them on the earcup, with an LED that lights when you're muted, so you can check without opening a menu.
The Cloud Alpha reaches a PC by 3.5 mm: plug it straight into a combined jack, or use its 2 m extension cable, which splits into headphone and mic plugs for a PC with separate jacks. The Cloud III plugs in through its USB dongle instead, so it doesn't depend on the PC's own jacks. HyperX lists Mac for the Cloud III, not for the Cloud Alpha.
HyperX says an Xbox One controller without a 3.5 mm jack needs the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter, sold separately. Xbox Series controllers have the jack built in, so both headsets plug straight in.
Plug the 3.5 mm cable into the DualSense controller, then choose the headset in Settings, Sound, Microphone and check the level.
Plug the USB dongle into the PC, pick the Cloud III in Windows and in Discord, and press the earcup mute while you watch Discord's input meter.
Connections and controls come from these model-specific documents. Manufacturer claims about sound are not independent tests.