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, and neither for a Mac. The Cloud II comes with a USB control box for a PC, with the mute on it, at $79.99; the Cloud Alpha keeps mute and volume on its cable and has a splitter cable for a PC, at $99.99.
| HyperX Cloud II | HyperX Cloud Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it for | a USB connection on a PC | mute on the cable everywhere |
| Maker price | $79.99 · checked November 2 | $99.99 · checked November 2 |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Mute on the mic | Mute switch on the USB control box | Mic mute on the cable |
| Hear yourself | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
Choice A
Its USB control box plugs into a PC, so it doesn't depend on the PC's own jacks, and the box has the mute switch and volume. On Xbox and Switch it plugs into the 3.5 mm jack instead, where the box's mute doesn't come along. Maker price $79.99.
Choice B
Mute and volume sit on its detachable cable, so they work on a controller, a phone and a PC alike. A 2 m extension cable splits it into headphone and mic plugs for a PC with separate jacks. Maker price $99.99.
From the makers
4 of 10 setup details differ.
| Setup detail | HyperX Cloud II | HyperX Cloud Alpha |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone connection | Detachable boom microphone | Detachable boom microphone |
| Connectors (differs) | 3.5 mm · USB audio control box | 3.5 mm (4-pole) · PC extension cable (separate headphone and mic plugs) |
| Mute on the mic (differs) | Mute switch on the USB control box | Mic mute on the cable |
| Hear yourself | Not listed by the maker | Not listed by the maker |
| Works with (per the maker) (differs) | PC · PlayStation 5 · PlayStation 4 · Xbox Series X|S · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch · Mobile | PC · PlayStation · Xbox · Switch · Mobile |
| Included parts (differs) | Cloud II headset · USB audio control box · Detachable mic · Velour ear cushions · Quick start guide | Cloud Alpha headset · Detachable headset cable · Detachable mic · PC extension cable · 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 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 a Mac or the Switch 2. HyperX lists no sidetone for either.
The Cloud II's mute switch is on its USB control box, so it works when the headset is plugged into a PC through the box. On a controller, plugged in by 3.5 mm, the box isn't in the path: mute in the console's menu or the chat app. The Cloud Alpha's mute is on its cable, so it works wherever the headset is plugged in.
The Cloud II has 53 mm drivers and weighs 318 g, as HyperX lists it. The Cloud Alpha has 50 mm dual-chamber drivers and weighs 298 g, or 336 g with the mic.
Plug the headset into the USB control box and the box into the PC, pick the Cloud II in Windows and in Discord, and test the box's mute while you watch Discord's input meter.
Plug the 3.5 mm cable into the Xbox controller and check the mic in a party. An older Xbox One controller without a jack needs the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter, sold separately.
Connections and controls come from these model-specific documents. Manufacturer claims about sound are not independent tests.