Looking at gaming headsets can easily take you down a path of too many options with too many features and varying degrees of price. For many gamers, the answer to their gaming headset needs is often far simpler than spending hours on end researching and looking up reviews. In fact, for many gamers looking for a strong balance of features and price, the HyperX Cloud Flight is a fantastic choice, especially if you want to make the move from wired to wireless. Compatible with PC, PS5, and PS4, the wireless features of the HyperX make it a very attractive option that can last more than 30 hours on one charge. 

© Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com

Like the rest of the HyperX lineup, the Cloud Flight is complete with the company’s signature memory foam and premium leatherette. Add to that immersive in-game audio, Discord certification, and ear cups that rotate 90 degrees to rest around your neck when not in use, and you can easily see why the Cloud Flight is at the top end of the HyperX gaming headset lineup. 

Best Deal Today

HyperX Cloud Flight Overview

Release Date and Price

Released in 2018, the HyperX Cloud Flight first hit the market in early January at a price of $159.99. Today, HyperX has dropped the price down to a more permanent $139.99 though prices can vary on the HyperX website or through various third-party retailers. If you’d prefer to buy from HyperX directly and it’s your first time making a purchase with them, you can pick up a 15% coupon right from their website by subscribing to their email list. 

  • Gaming grade 2.4GHz wireless connection, with up to 30 hours of battery lifeSignature HyperX comfort and immersive in game audioDurable, adjustable steel sliderPC, PS4, and PS4 Pro ready90° rotating ear cups with LED lighting effects

Different Models

Within the HyperX lineup of gaming headsets, there are only a few models that carry the Cloud Flight name. 

  • HyperX Cloud FlightHyperX Cloud Flight Wireless – PS5/PS4 EditionHyperX Cloud Flight S

While the Cloud Flight S is a different gaming headset entirely, the Cloud Flight Wireless PS5/PS4 edition is far more similar. What this headset lacks is compatibility with PC computers and adjustable steel sliders otherwise it’s relatively similar to the standard Cloud Flight Wireless albeit with blue accents over the standard red. 

Features

When it comes to features, the HyperX Cloud Flight is full of strong reasons to buy. Perhaps the most important reason to look at this headset is if you want a wireless option and have decided to move away from cords. If so, you are rewarded with up to 30 hours of battery life over a 2.4GHz connection. That battery life is more than good enough to power through even the longest single-day gaming sessions and likely into the second day. You have the ability to monitor the charge level through the brand’s NGENUITY software app which is a small but helpful perk. 

  • Frequency response 10Hz–20kHz.Headphones fit type:Over-EarGaming-grade 2.4 GHz wireless connectivityLong lasting battery life - up to 30 hoursQi Certified for wireless chargingHyperX custom-tuned 7.1 surround sound.Polar Pattern: Bi-directional, Noise-canceling type

Battery life aside, there are some other standout benefits that are worth noting including the option of turning the earcups 90 degrees to the side to rest around your neck when not in use. When the headset is in use, you are rewarded with HyperX’s signature memory foam and soft leatherette that has won praise for years. One expected feature on any headset in this price range is that you can adjust the steel slider for even more comfort and the Cloud Flight is no exception. 

Specifications

HyperX Cloud Flight Review

Design

Overall, it’s easy to dismiss the HyperX Cloud Flight as just another black headset with a detachable microphone. However, the design itself feels somewhat sleeker than most of the other headsets in the HyperX lineup thanks to a more oval-shaped ear cup design as opposed to the more rounded look of HyperX’s lower-priced models.

On the outside of each ear cup, you have a bit of LED lighting which adds a little bit of flair to the look and feel of the Cloud Flight. Speaking of earcups, on the left earcup you’ll have a few extras including the detachable microphone placement, audio jack for using cables to connect to consoles like the Xbox Series X/S as well as the on/off switch. The right earcup is dedicated solely as a volume roller which moves in either direction turning the volume up or down as needed. 

The steel sliders pair well with the headset to be hidden from view when not in use but can extend or retract depending on how tight of a fit you want. It’s these steel sliders plus the more premium leatherette HyperX incorporated with the Cloud Flight that helps make the case for the increased price. Everything about the Cloud Flight just feels more durable than other headsets in the HyperX lineup. 

The last big aspect of the design that is worth noting is the ability of the Cloud Flight to turn its earcups 90 degrees when not in use. This design choice allows Cloud Flight owners to either lay the headset down comfortably on a desk without scratching or place them around their neck when not in use. How you wear them when not in use is completely subjective but you have the option of rotating the ear cups which is a nice addition to the headset. 

Performance

What makes the Cloud Flight special in the HyperX lineup is the inclusion of the 50mm neodymium drivers which are only found on higher-end headset models. Delivering an immersive audio experience, the lack of 7.1 virtual surround sound is notable but there is still an immersive feel with the drivers parallel to your ears. Surround sound or not, you still have strong lows for a good amount of bass and excellent sound in the mid-range which is where most games live. What this means in practical use is that you will find a clear and crisp sound that works great for a variety of different game genres. The response range is a little low for a more musical-focused listening experience but for the majority of people who will use the Cloud Flight as a dedicated gaming headset, the sound won’t disappoint.  

The detachable microphone is also another standout with better-than-expected noise cancellation. Understandably, the microphone can’t compare to a dedicated microphone that stands up on a desk but it doesn’t have to. Instead, it delivers just enough clarity from your voice to make sure your teammates or friends can hear you loud and clear. For anyone who prefers detaching their microphone as a mute feature rather than flipping the microphone up close to the ear cups to mute, it’s a big feature win. Again, there’s no reason to think you’ll use the microphone for professional recordings but for long or short gaming sessions, it’s more than good enough. 

One disappointment about performance that seems to be true across many HyperX headsets is that even the price tag of the Cloud Flight does not enable additional functionality in the company’s NGENUITY software suite. You have the ability to adjust the mic and output volume but the lack of equalizer settings is something you should come to expect at a $139 price point. 

Battery Life

Out of the box, HyperX claims the Cloud Flight can achieve a maximum battery life of 30 hours on a single charge. However, that’s only part of the story as overall battery life can vary depending on use. As a more premium headset in the HyperX lineup, they added LED lighting to the outside of both ear cups, and when in use, it impacts battery life.

Given that, HyperX claims that the 30 hours is with the LED lighting off completely whereas you can only expect to receive up to 13 hours if the LED lighting is on all the time. 

There is a happy medium where you can receive up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge if the LED lighting is breathing or quickly pulsating on and off while the headset is in use. Regardless of which LED setting you choose, the overall recharge time is around three hours max via the included micro-USB cable. 

Compatibility 

For those buying the HyperX headset for its wireless compatibility, you will receive immediate support for PC gaming as well as the PlayStation 4 and 5 via the included USB 2.0 connection. However, there is a small bonus as the headset also includes support for a wired 3.5mm connection which means you can utilize the headset for connecting to an Xbox Series S or X though it’s not immediately noted by HyperX anywhere on their support pages. 

There are more dedicated options for Xbox fans so anyone looking for wireless compatibility should really stick to the ideal use cases for PlayStation and computers. Unfortunately, as is the case with the rest of the HyperX lineup, there is no Bluetooth connection as the 2.4GHz connection reduces overall lag to 1ms or less. 

Comfort

For the premium price inside the HyperX lineup, you can expect the Cloud Flight to be among the most comfortable headset they offer. Between the more premium leatherette used which feels far more comfortable against your ear versus the additional padding covering the steel slider, it’s definitely a comfortable headset to use for long (or short) gaming periods. 

The vaunted HyperX memory foam is covered by the premium leatherette and it continues to feel very good against your ears and helps prevent the fatigue that could be a side effect of a less expensive or poorly manufactured headset. While not a specific comfort issue, you can quickly access LED effects, volume, or power directly from the ear cups which adds a little bit of comfort as you don’t have to reach far to make any adjustments. 

HyperX Cloud Flight Pros and Cons

Even with tough competition at this price point, the HyperX Cloud Flight is able to stand out thanks to its combination of features, performance, and comfort. 

Pros

  • Wireless connectivity over a 2.4GHz connectionEarcups that twist 90 degrees for resting around your neck30-hour battery life for all-day gamingEasy-to-use controls on the ear cups

Cons

  • Microphone performance isn’t as good as the competition at this price pointNo equalizer controls via NGENUITY softwareOnly works with PlayStation and PC gaming consolesNo Bluetooth connectivity

HyperX Cloud Flight: is it a Buy?

Buy it if…

  • You want a dedicated wireless gaming headset that, for the most part, punches well above its price point and stands tall against more expensive competition. You are looking for a wireless headset that offers excellent comfort and ear cups that twist 90 degrees for resting around your neck or on a desk. You want excellent mid-range sound quality that helps bring in-game audio to life thanks to the 50mm neodymium drivers.

Don’t Buy it if…

  • You are a dedicated Xbox Series X or S console gamer (or older) as there is no immediate support listed for these consoles. If you want best-in-class battery life as the Cloud Flight’s 30 hours of battery is good but there are similarly priced options that last longer. You are hoping to be able to make personalized audio tweaks via an equalizer setup through the NGENUITY software. Unfortunately, HyperX does not enable this functionality.