I find the HyperX Cloud Mix 2 to be quite appealing since it is the type of headset I can use whenever and wherever I choose. Why? Because, despite its superior sound, on-ear controls, and Active Noise Cancellation, it is small and light, and its headphone design looks fantastic in any setting. In addition to having great connectivity, the Mix 2 is quite comfy. This headset is unmatched for portability and versatility, but gamers seeking deep features, such as a dedicated boom mic and game chat mixing wheel, will not find it here. This headset is ideal if you are a casual gamer and need something that fits your hectic schedule.
Design and build
If there was ever a gaming headset that could be used for almost any type of listening, this is it. The Mix 2’s design lacks any overt gaming features, such as a boom microphone or RGB lights. Rather, these cans include an on-ear microphone flush with the earcup’s outside rim and distinct black-on-black logos. The construction of the headset is robust and flexible. It has an adjustable headband, swiveling cups, and a sturdy metal frame. The top padding maintains a high level of comfort, and the soft leatherette coverings are precisely the proper thickness to avoid overheating.
With a top-to-bottom measurement of only 8 inches, the Cloud Mix 2 is small. Additionally, the earcups are tiny—at their longest, they are only 3.5 inches long. Because of its small size, it may fit inside a thin hard case that barely fits in a backpack. One piece of advice, though, is to keep it cased when not in use to avoid severing the exposed wires next to the yokes. In addition to its versatility, the Mix 2 offers an equally impressive level of comfort. The black leatherette earcup coverings are the perfect thickness to keep your ears from overheating.
With the ideal amount of grip, the Mix 2 also excels under clamp pressure. You may wear this headset for long hours without experiencing the discomfort that some large headsets can cause. Therefore, you may stay put for extended gaming marathons or work through lengthy playlists!
Compatibility, connectivity, and controls
There is good cross-platform communication with the Cloud Mix 2. If you do not have an Xbox, you can use it as your only headset because it links to PCs, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switches, Steam Decks, and mobile devices. Bluetooth or low-latency 2.4GHz Wi-Fi are the two options for connectivity. The case of the headset includes everything you need, including a USB extension adapter, a USB-C to USB-A connection for charging, and a Wi-Fi dongle. You can also connect a traditional analog cable using a 3.5mm cable.
The controls on the Cloud Mix 2 are positioned equally in the left and right earcups. The 3.5mm jack, USB-C port, power button, and mute button are on the left. The multifunction button, ANC button, and volume wheel are located on the right. The latter enables you to manage your media or quickly answer and finish phone calls. Once I learned the various press combinations that triggered features like hybrid listening mode or media controls like play, pause, or skip tracks, I found the controls to be rather simple.
HyperX Cloud II – Gaming Headset, 7.1 Surround Sound, Memory Foam Ear Pads, Durable Aluminum Frame
Performance
Despite having tiny earcups, the Cloud Mix 2 boasts a powerful sonic presence. During my testing, I was struck by how powerful the game’s music and effects were, beaming into my ears with chimes, pops, pings, and rings. The audio seemed to be at the ideal distance—neither too near nor too far. Additionally, the sound quality was excellent. The type of distortion I occasionally hear when switching from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth mode was noticeably absent. Indeed, this headset produced great, sharp audio when playing a variety of media.
I paid great attention to how the frequencies played out, and the Cloud Mix 2 was at its strongest in the treble and mids when it was in default mode. Although lower tones did take a backseat to higher tones, it also reduced bass quite well. That was perfect for me because it highlighted my favorite games, which were full of medium-to-higher tones. For example, Black Myth: Wukong’s action was much more frenzied due to the genuine sword and stave swipes and slashes and the furious swarm of the music.
The music was just as good. Vocals took up more of the center ground and sounded natural and unforced, while treble-zone instruments hovered above the rest of the music. However, the microphone’s sound quality was not as good. It occasionally had a veiled quality that may have been avoided with a specialized boom microphone. The ANC also did a good job of blocking out noise, but it was more effective at blocking distant sources than nearby ones. The sound of a leaf blower outside my house was muffled, but not the sound of my coffee cup hitting my table.
The headset offers a hybrid listening mode in addition to ANC, which lets me hear background noise like family members conversing. Although I did find that the headset’s algorithm took a moment to drop out the audio source in the earcup nearest to the direction the sound was coming from, this generally functioned effectively. As a result, I partially forgot the first part of what was being spoken.
The Cloud Mix 2’s mobility was my favorite feature. Compared to other headphone-like headsets like the Razer Barracuda Pro, it is much smaller and more portable, making it easy to pack away and transport. As a result, it became an indispensable part of my commute from work to home, where I used it effectively for podcasts, music, and games. It was so covert that people on my morning bus commute would never have guessed that I had just finished playing Black Myth: Wukong and was now browsing my music library.
Additionally, the battery life is outstanding. According to HyperX, you should anticipate playing for about 110 hours between charges. In my playtesting, I did not empty the battery, but it was still functioning well after 27 hours of sporadic use, which is encouraging.
Conclusion
The HyperX Cloud Mix 2 is a fantastic headset for casual gamers because of its clean and sophisticated sound, superb controls, and a wide range of connecting choices. This headset is not for you if you need a boom microphone and mixing wheel for gaming. However, the Cloud Mix 2 is the perfect headset if all you want is a ton of comfort and control in a device that is so headphone-like that you can use it anywhere, at any time.