HP Cloud III S - Gaming Headset (Black/Blue)

HP Cloud III S - Gaming Headset (Black/Blue)

By HP · Gaming Headsets · Audio & Electronics

  • 53mm angled drivers
  • 2.4GHz wireless + Bluetooth
  • Up to 120 hours battery (2.4GHz), 200 hours (Bluetooth)
  • 10mm detachable boom mic + built-in mic
  • Weight: 341.5g (without mic)

Lowest price seen
$179.99
from $179.99 at Micro Center · Checked Oct 8, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A dual-wireless gaming headset that pairs over 2.4GHz or Bluetooth 5.3, with very long battery life and a detachable boom mic. Check your platform first: there is no Xbox wireless support and no 3.5mm wired fallback.

Strengths

  • Long battery: rated 120 hours on 2.4GHz and 200 on Bluetooth, so you rarely need to plug in.
  • Dual wireless makes it easy to jump between PC gaming and a phone call.
  • Comfort holds up over long sessions, helped by memory foam cushions and a steel frame.
  • The detachable boom mic and the built-in mics are both clear.
  • One headset covers PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile.
  • Magnetic earcup plates let you swap the look in the models and regions that support it.

Weaknesses

  • No Xbox wireless support and no 3.5mm wired jack, so there is no analog fallback.
  • NGENUITY is Windows-only, so EQ and firmware updates are out on Mac, Android and Linux.
  • Some owners report NGENUITY firmware updates failing, and some Cloud III Wireless users say an update bricked the wireless connection.
  • Intermittent 2.4GHz disconnects are reported, sometimes helped by moving the dongle or reinstalling the software.
  • A full charge can take up to 5 hours, with no quick charge.
  • Earcups get hot in long sessions, and the headset does not fold flat.

Verified specifications

ModelHyperX Cloud III S Wireless Gaming Headset; Black/Blue is an HP US store colorway.
Drivers53mm angled dynamic with neodymium magnets.
Frequency response10 Hz – 21,000 Hz; impedance 64 Ω.
Batteryup to 120 hours on 2.4GHz and 200 hours on Bluetooth at 50% volume; charge time up to 5 hours, no fast charge.
Wireless2.4GHz USB dongle and Bluetooth 5.3; range up to 20 m (65 ft).
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AAC-LC.
Microphonedetachable 10mm uni-directional boom mic plus built-in omnidirectional MEMS mics; built-in mic 100 Hz to 10 kHz, -40 dB at 1 kHz.
AudioDTS Headphone:X spatial audio, activated for life through NGENUITY on Windows.
SoftwareNGENUITY for Windows 10 and newer only.
Frame and cushionsstainless steel frame, aluminum forks, memory foam leatherette ear cushions.
Controlsvolume wheel, multifunction button, mic mute and mic monitoring.
Weight341.5 g (12.05 oz) without mic; 353.5 g (12.4 oz) with mic.
CompatibilityPC, Mac, PS5, PS4, Switch, mobile and Bluetooth devices; no Xbox wireless and no 3.5mm jack.
Includedheadset, detachable mic, USB-C dongle with USB-A adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, quick-start guide, carrying case.
Warranty2 years.
Full research notes and sources

Battery life

HyperX rates the headset at up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz and 200 hours on Bluetooth, tested at 50% volume. SoundGuys measured 113 hours 27 minutes on 2.4GHz, close to the claim. There is no fast charging, and a full charge can take up to 5 hours; you can use the headset while it charges, but there is no USB-C audio passthrough. One quirk worth knowing: fully draining the battery has left some units unable to power back on, a fault SoundGuys says has shown up across several HyperX models.

Connectivity and software

You get two wireless paths: a 2.4GHz USB dongle and Bluetooth 5.3, with a range of up to 20 m (65 ft) and SBC/AAC-LC codecs. There is no multipoint, so it connects to one device at a time. The dongle is USB-C with a USB-A adapter, and some users report periodic disconnects that they fix by moving it to an extender or reinstalling NGENUITY. NGENUITY runs only on Windows 10 and newer; Mac, Android and Linux users cannot adjust EQ or apply firmware updates. Firmware update failures are a recurring theme, with reports of the update stalling partway through.

Sound, comfort and fit

Three reviewers tested closely related colorways. SoundGuys scored it 6.5/10 and measured an MDAQS overall of 3.9, up from 2.7 for the Cloud III Wireless; it found the tuning lacks ear gain in the 2–3 kHz region but rolls off less in the highs than the predecessor. Tom’s Guide called the sound immersive with the 53mm drivers, while Tom’s Hardware said the boom and built-in mics are loud and clear. Some owners still prefer the bass-heavier Cloud II for rumble. Comfort is a repeated strength, though Tom’s Guide notes the earcups get hot, and one owner describes a sauna effect with shallow cups.

Is it worth it?

HyperX lists the headset at $179.99, and Tom’s Hardware reported the same $179.99 launch price. At that figure the value is fair at best: SoundGuys calls it a little overpriced and suggests waiting for a sale, and Tom’s Guide flags the price. Around $119.99, the figure Tom’s Guide saw for the Black colorway at Best Buy, it becomes a strong pick for anyone on PC, PlayStation, Switch or mobile. Between about $140 and $160 it is fair, and buyers who need Xbox support, a 3.5mm jack or active noise cancelling should look at alternatives like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 or the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, both listed at $199.99. There is no subscription, and DTS Headphone:X is a lifetime activation.

Which model this is

This page covers the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless in Black/Blue, the colorway sold on the HP US store. SoundGuys gives the model number as A59YZAA, which Tom’s Hardware lists for the Black variant; the Black-Red variant is A59Z0AA. The Cloud III S adds Bluetooth and built-in mics to the Cloud III Wireless and should not be confused with the wired Cloud III or the Cloud Alpha Wireless. There is no evidence the Black/Blue colorway differs inside, and the colorways are presumed identical.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

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