HyperX – Putting the X in Excellent
Overtime gaming has increased exponentially in popularity to become a mainstream form of entertainment. Consoles and games have always fluctuated in price, but as technology advances so has the cost of gaming. Gaming is no longer accessible by just purchasing a console and game, players need to tackle subscriptions, internet access, and peripherals. Throw in the lack of backwards compatibility in many games, it often means re-buying games you already own when a new console is released. Simply put, gaming can be a costly hobby. For many gamers, the potential investment required to start gaming is intimidating. I still struggle with that mindset myself, because what do you mean I have to spend eighty quid for that cool looking mouse in the store?
In this review, we’re looking at those seemingly costly peripherals. Like moths to the flame, many flock to the dazzling RGB-laden products. Others look for exclusivity in high-tech specifications. The range of preferences has birthed tiers of products based on cost and specification. Luckily, there are many companies out their catering to the varied demand in gaming products. One such company is HyperX, owned and operated by HP Inc.
HyperX have been in the game for over 20 years and claims to be the choice for everyday gamers. With their tagline of “WE’RE ALL GAMERS”, they market their brand as accessible and reliable. For the new or everyday gamer, though, selecting from the wide ranges of available brands is a nightmare. Having confidence in your knowledge to pick a product can be daunting when there’s hundreds of pounds at play, even for a reputable brand. That’s where I come in!
I’ve had the fortune of receiving four HyperX products to review and I decided to go for the full range of peripherals. Keyboard, mouse, headset, and mic – what I like to call the ‘streamer setup’. This past week, I’ve been putting these products to the test. Not as a pro gamer or a tech enthusiast, but as an everyday gamer. Join me and see how these HyperX products perform against the expectations of everyday gamers like myself.
Strap in readers, this is going to be a beast of a review.
“Today we design and manufacture award winning gaming headsets, keyboards, mics for content creators, mice and accessories for every type of gamer be that PC, console or mobile”
Daniel Kelley – Global Head of Marketing (2022), now VP of Corporate Marketing
HyperX Pulsefire Fuse Wireless Mouse
First impressions, I was worried the Pulsefire Fuse would not mould to my hand well. It’s much thinner than the mice I typically use, so I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The slimmer shape of the mouse means that my hand fully encompasses it, giving a firm grip and more control. It also means my index and middle finger rest snugly in the finger indents on the primary buttons. The side buttons were also in reach for my thumb, whereas with my previous mouse I would have to adjust my positioning to press them.
The Pulsefire Fuse DPI goes to a higher setting than my previous mice, with four pre-set intervals and a maximum DPI of 12,000. I comfortably use it at 1,600 for standard computer use and gaming. Once past the adjustment period that comes with changing mouse, I found no problems or difficulties using this mouse in-game. Mouse connectivity is via Bluetooth or USB-A dongle, with a polling rate of 1,000Hz. I use the dongle for gaming and Bluetooth for my work laptop – the switch between the two is seamless with only a couple seconds delay. Great for those horrible days when I need to de-stress as soon as the clock hits 5pm.
As with most gaming peripherals, the Pulsfire Fuse includes RGB lighting. Now, I’m fairly apathetic towards RGB lighting, seeing excess light displays as a waste of electricity. However, the RGBs on this mouse are minimal, limited to the scroll wheel and opening edge of the battery cover. The lighting can be adjusted in the HyperX NGENUITY software, where I chose a simply colour cycle at a lowered brightness. Few options are available, but those that are can be customised in colours, speed, and brightness. This is a clear point where HyperX focus on performance over aesthetics, which I am a big fan of. Other customisations include button mapping and polling rate.
The main downside to this mouse is that its battery powered. It only uses one AA battery, however I would expect a mouse of this calibre to be rechargeable. It’s a small point, but one worth noting. Otherwise, a magnetic cover encloses the battery, making it easy to access. The battery cover is flush to the rest of the mouse, making it secure with magnets alone.
RRP: £49.99
HyperX Cloud III S Wireless Headset
My first impression of the Cloud III S Wireless headset was “finally, no RGBs”. I see no point in RGBs on headsets because I cannot see my own ears, so this was excellent. The headset is fairly light and appears high quality. The all-black style gives it a slick and professional look, however the earcup plates are removeable allowing for customisation. I absolutely love that in addition to the official earcups for purchase, HP provides a guide for 3D printing your own, including costs and materials.
Sound quality on this headset is impressive. The optional dtsX Spatial Sound really adds depth to the sound that makes the standard mode seem flat in comparison. Using in voice chat, voices are really crisp and clear. In game, the proximity sound is much more accurate than using other gaming headsets I’ve owned. The headset is also very loud, I rarely use it at 100% volume. Despite the volume potential, there is little bleed through the ear pads making it worry free for using on the go or around other people. The sound cancelling is also quite good, blocking out a good amount of background noise. This is great for people like me who share an office with another gamer – simply stick this headset on and up the volume and it’s like they’re not even there.
I was sceptical of the detachable mic, unsure of how this would affect the input sound quality. Surprisingly, the mic quality was excellent. Both in Discord and in-game chat, the feedback was the same. My voice was nice and clear, crisper than my previous headset. Again, my concern was for background noise from my (rather noisy) partner. However, there was little to no background noise identified by players in game. We also tested this with a simple voice recording and found minimal background noise again. The mic monitoring feature was a key contribution to this, as it allows me (and the noisy boy) to hear ourselves, so we are aware of our volume instead of yelling into the void. For those more audio-proficient gamers, there is an equaliser option to adjust sound to your exact tastes. I’m pretty basic, so settled with the standard spatial sound.
Practicality wise, the headset is sturdy but light. I have a big ol’ head and a lot of hair, yet the headset fit me comfortably with plenty room for big bad hair days. I was not a fan of the voice prompts, but you can turn this off in the HyperX NGENUITY software so it was not an issue for long. Connectivity wise, there is the choice between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz USB-A dongle – I use the dongle for my PC and Bluetooth for my phone. The switch between the two is seamless, allowing me switch devices with ease. Great for those who are easily distracted and change tasks on a whim.
If the headset is left on without any connected devices, there is a white flashing ID, subtle but enough to have saved my battery on more than one occasion. Similarly, when the mic is mute a red LED is visible on the mic itself, making it easier to identify mic status. The least practical feature for myself is the volume wheel being on the right ear of the headset. I’m right-handed, so I have to take my hand away from the mouse/keyboard to adjust volume. This is an incredibly small and petty detail, I’m used to the volume wheel being on the left, so it took some time to adapt.
Otherwise, the headset is rechargeable via USB-C, boasting an up to 120-hour battery life. Using the Cloud III S Wireless headset for more than two hours each day, I went from 80% battery on the first day to 70% a week later. Pressing the power button once, the headset reads the current battery level – a useful feature but not really essential. At this current stage, I’m more than impressed with the battery life, however I cannot say if this will degrade over time.
RRP: £129.99
HyperX Quadcast 2 S Microphone
I was most excited to test out the Quadcast 2 S microphone. I think we all have dreams of becoming a streamer, YouTuber, podcaster, etc. at one point or another – this was great to fuel that fantasy. Now, I’m no audio expert, so I will speak about this mic at an entry level to assess its accessibility. First impressions, this mic is very pretty. It has RGB lights, which are somewhat hypnotising as they move 360 degrees around the mic. Call me a hypocrite, but I like these RGBs as they’re a clear indication that the mic is on and doing its job. The mic itself is light yet feels firm and sturdy, the main contributor to the overall weight is the shock mount.
As with the mouse, you can adjust the lighting in the HyperX NGENUITY software. A wide variety of lighting options are available, including screen mirror and volume meter. I was impressed by the screen mirror as I’ve never seen that before. This may be because I have limited exposure to brands, I couldn’t say for certain.
The microphone comes with a shock mount that includes a gap in the stand to feed the USB-C power cable into. There is some movement back and forth from the mic, but its controlled and stable. Muting the mic during recording did not produce any sound or distortion, which is great. The mic is also very easy to dismount, meaning I wasn’t worried about breaking a snazzy piece of equipment during disassembly. The mount is adjustable in one direction only, but other mounts are available for purchase.
LEDs encompass the entire top face of the mic, which doubles as the mute button. This serves two functions – firstly for aesthetic, secondly to indicate microphone status. The button is quite sensitive, working as a touch sensor rather than a physical button. Muting the mic turns off all LEDs, making the status obvious. The volume knob is easy to turn, with clear increments being felt in the motion. You can plug a headset directly into the mic using an audio jack. This should allow you to control headphone volume and monitor mix from the volume adjuster. I sadly do not have an audio jack available to test with, so I cannot comment on its performance.
The Quadcast 2 S mic has four distinct modes: cardioid, omnidirectional, bi-directional, stereo. Newbies fear not, it also includes a guide for what each of these means. You can quick switch between modes by holding the volume knob. The change is indicated by the positioning of red LEDs around the mute, which also give a hint to the intended sound direction. I did my due diligence and tested each mode with good ol’ voice recorder. Playing around with these modes was a lot of fun, testing how positioning affecting volume and quality of the sound. The manual also includes a guide for typical usage of each sound mode as a starting point.
As for sound quality, the mic was crisp and clear. I found 50% mic volume perfect for my speaking level. There was some background noise, that very light buzz that exists for no reason, however it was very minimal and non-existent when a voice was speaking. Overall, as an entry-level dunce I am incredibly happy with the quality of this product.
RRP: £169.99
HyperX Alloy Rise 75 Wireless Keyboard
The Alloy Rise 75 wireless keyboard was difficult to review, purely down to my own bias. A 3/4 style keyboard just does not work for me; I need my number pad to survive. To accommodate the compact size, normal keys double as media buttons using the function key. The mapped media keys are visible on the front face of the key cap in a simple white text, standing out against the RGB backed keys. The media is still easy to control, even if not quite as convenient as individual media keys. The volume control remains the sole separate media button, controlled by a dial. The dial is smooth to turn and you can feel the distinct intervals, making it satisfying to use.
Excuse my lack of technical jargon, but the keys are the perfect amount of clacky. The switches used make a satisfying sound without needing excess force to press. The compact keys may cause issue for players with big hands, or who use their keyboards to type frequently. However, if you position one hand at the keyboard and the other on the mouse to game, this is an optimal size. Keys are backlit with RGBs. At risk of sounding like a broken record, lighting is customisable in the HyperX NGENUITY software. There were some unique effects I’ve not seen elsewhere yet, including flame which mimics a rising flame from the pressed key.
There is a small magnetic piece at the side of the keyboard. You can purchase customised replacements for this plate online. It’s a pretty cool feature, however it serves absolutely no function and is not really visible from the user’s perspective. I can’t argue with good marketing though and know there are many people that would be dying to customise their little magnetic tag.
RRP: £199.99
Packaging
It may seem strange to dedicate a section to packaging, but it deserves an honourable mention! HyperX’s packaging of all products was amazing. All materials are fully recyclable, and packages are sized to the product, making for a satisfying opening. More uniquely shaped products are surrounded in cardboard moulded to their shape, meaning they are snug and secure to minimise shipping damage. The headset comes with a little drawstring bag for protection, as does the keyboard. And my favourite detail… They printed the warranty details of the mouse on the inside of the packaging to reduce waste!
Pricing
For gamers of all levels and calibres, price is a big contributor to the decision product. Looking at the RRP of each product vs the quality and experience, I believe they are worth the cost. HOWEVER, this does not mean I recommend it for everyone. The products are great but there are a lot of unnecessary or accessory features which improve the experience but are not essential to gaming. Gamers who have the funds to spare and enjoy customisability in their products, I recommend they try these HyperX products.
To those who are new to the scene or with restricted funds, these products are excellent but you can also achieve great quality in more budget-friendly lines. It will be at the cost of some additional features, but most will not impact your performance. The products reviewed in this article do not come in a gaming bundle, however there are various other bundles that can save you some pennies in the long run. HyperX offers older or more budget friendly lines which can get you started on the right track.
In Conclusion
With over twenty years in the game, HyperX has made its name as a reliable brand. After testing these products, I can confidently say that they meet this expectation. These products are sturdy and high quality, performing at an excellent level. Though prices can be high for some products, this is reflected in the improved specifications and additional features to tweak performance to the user’s preferences.
Of the reviewed products, the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless headset and the HyperX Pulsefire Fuse wireless mouse are my must haves. After integrating these into my everyday use, I would not willingly go back to my previous products. The headset has a level of comfort and sound quality that is optimal for my lifestyle, and the mouse provides the perfect grip for my current gaming style. Though not to my tastes, the HyperX Alloy Rise 75 wireless keyboard did perform well. Similarly, the HyperX Quadcast 2 S microphone performed brilliantly but is definitely not essential to the everyday gamer. However, for any content creators looking to up their game, I would recommend they try out this specific HyperX product.
The review units in this article were provided by Edelman UK
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Author: 360 Technology Group
