HyperX Cloud II Wired Gaming Headset

Ask a room of PC players which headset they wore for years and the Cloud II comes up a lot. It’s been around a long time because it gets the fundamentals right: memory foam ear cushions, a padded leatherette headband and a solid aluminum frame that holds up to being tossed on a desk every night.

The 53mm drivers are on the large side for a gaming headset, which gives games a full sound with plenty of low end. On PC and Mac you also get hardware-driven virtual 7.1 surround, which some players like for placing footsteps in battle royales. On PS4, Xbox One, Switch and phones, it runs in plain stereo.

The mic detaches when you just want to listen to music, and it’s certified by TeamSpeak and Discord, so your callouts come through clearly enough for most squads. The closed earcups also block a fair amount of room noise. It’s wired only, and the leatherette pads can get warm in a hot room during long sessions. Virtual surround is hit or miss depending on the game, so try it both ways. For a durable, comfortable headset that has stood the test of time, it’s still an easy pick.