Our verdict: The best gaming headset in 2026 is the HyperX Cloud II. It tops our ranking with 9.1 out of 10.
HyperX Cloud II
9.1/10Best Choice
The HyperX Cloud II is a wired, closed-back gaming headset with 53mm drivers, a detachable mic and a USB control box. It suits players who want one headset for PC and consoles and don't want a battery.
53mm neodymium drivers with a USB box for virtual 7.1 surround
Memory foam ear cups and an aluminium frame
Detachable noise-cancelling mic
Wired 3.5mm connection works on every platform, with no battery to charge
Keep in mind
Wired only, so you trail a cable
320g with leatherette cups that can run warm in long sessions
On Xbox it connects by 3.5mm only, so the USB control box and its 7.1 mode are unavailable
Why the HyperX Cloud II scores 9.1
Each bar shows where it places among the 10 gaming headsets in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
How happy owners are1st of 10
How many rated it1st of 10
How new it is10th of 10
Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The HyperX Cloud II (9.1) beats the Razer BlackShark V2 X (8.7) because it leaves owners clearly happier.
About the HyperX Cloud II
The Cloud II is an over-ear, closed-back headset with 53mm dynamic drivers using neodymium magnets. HyperX lists a frequency response of 10Hz to 23kHz, 60 Ω impedance and a weight of 320 g. The frame is aluminium and the ear cups use memory foam.
The mic is a detachable electret condenser, uni-directional and noise-cancelling. A USB audio control box (USB 2.0, 16-bit) sits on the cable and switches virtual 7.1 surround on or off. The surround output is a two-channel stereo signal, so it works with ordinary stereo headphones. The box works with PC, PS4, PS5 and macOS.
Without the box, the headset connects by 3.5mm, which is how it works on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One (through the controller's aux port), on Nintendo Switch and on phones. On Xbox that means no control box and no 7.1 mode. The box contains the headset, the USB control box, the detachable mic, velour ear cushions and a quick start guide. HyperX gives a 2 year warranty.
What owners report about the HyperX Cloud II
We found only a small amount of owner feedback for this exact model. What there is points the same way: owners find the Cloud II comfortable for long sessions, and one forum poster says it suits larger heads. Sound gets a positive response too, described as good if not remarkable, and the mic is called dependable.
Longevity is the main theme. One owner reports a pair still working after more than eight years, and another got around five years of use. The weak spots mentioned are small parts: the pop filter on the mic broke on one pair, and the thin rubber lip that holds the ear pads on can stretch over time, leaving the cups loose.
The closed back blocks outside noise well, which one owner notes can make it hard for people in the room to get your attention. Owners also talk about swapping ear pads for other materials, which changes how the headset feels and sounds.
Who the HyperX Cloud II suits
The Cloud II suits anyone who wants a wired headset that works on PC and consoles without charging. It is a good fit for long sessions at a desk, and for PC or PlayStation players who want the USB box and its 7.1 mode.
Look elsewhere if you want to move around freely: the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless or Logitech G733 Lightspeed drop the cable. Xbox players lose the USB box, so a wireless headset such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a better fit there. At 320 g with leatherette cups, it can also run warm for people who dislike heavier headsets.
Questions about the HyperX Cloud II
Is the HyperX Cloud II wireless?
No. The HyperX Cloud II is wired. It connects by 3.5mm, or through the USB audio control box on PC, PS4, PS5 and macOS.
Does the HyperX Cloud II work on Xbox?
Yes, through the 3.5mm aux port on the controller. The USB control box does not work on Xbox, so virtual 7.1 is unavailable there.
Does the HyperX Cloud II have surround sound?
Yes. The USB control box turns virtual 7.1 surround on or off. The output is a two-channel stereo signal, so it works with stereo headphones.
Is the HyperX Cloud II mic detachable?
Yes. The mic is a detachable, noise-cancelling electret condenser, so you can remove it when you only want to listen.
How long is the HyperX Cloud II warranty?
HyperX lists a 2 year warranty for the Cloud II.
How much does the HyperX Cloud II weigh?
The HyperX Cloud II weighs 320 g, according to the weight HyperX lists for the headset.
Other gaming headset picks
The other badge winners in our gaming headsets ranking.
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. We haven't read the review sites for this guide yet, so for now it is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 17 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in November 2026.
