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HP Cloud III - Gaming Headset (Black/Lavender)

HP Cloud III - Gaming Headset (Black/Lavender)

By HP · Gaming Headsets · Audio & Electronics · More from HP

  • Dynamic 53mm drivers with Neodymium magnets
  • Frequency response 10Hz-21kHz
  • Sensitivity 100dBSPL/mW at 1kHz
  • Total harmonic distortion <2%
  • Weight 0.67lb (0.70lb with mic)

Lowest price seen
$99.99
from $99.99 at HyperX · Checked Oct 27, 2026

New
Used, refurbished, open-box

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Summary

A wired over-ear gaming headset for PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch, with a detachable boom mic and a choice of 3.5 mm analog or USB-C connection. Check the cable before you buy: the headset-side lead is fixed and not user-replaceable, and the USB adapter is where most owner complaints land.

Strengths

  • Comfortable and sturdy for long sessions; RTINGS, SoundGuys and TechRadar all praise extended-wear comfort.
  • Detachable boom mic with very good recording quality and noise handling in independent tests.
  • Low-latency wired play: plug straight into an Xbox or PlayStation controller, or use the USB adapter on PC.
  • On-cup mute button with a red LED and a physical volume wheel are easy to find mid-game.
  • Metal frame feels sturdier than all-plastic headsets at similar prices.
  • Black/Lavender (DF7F0AA) is an official HP colorway, not a reseller paint job.

Weaknesses

  • The USB adapter is the weak point in owner reports: crackle under PC load, mic dropouts and low mic level, while the analog path keeps working.
  • The headset-side cable is fixed; a broken lead or dongle has no verified OEM replacement part or price.
  • Deep bass is lean and soundstage is narrow; passive isolation is poor, so outside noise leaks in.
  • Ear cushions are leatherette wear items; no OEM spare part number or replacement interval is published.
  • No wireless, Bluetooth or active noise cancellation; the attached cable can snag.
  • The lavender color routinely costs more than the Black/Red sibling.

Verified specifications

ProductHyperX Cloud III Wired, Black/Lavender, HP product number DF7F0AA; over-ear circumaural closed-back design.
Drivers53 mm angled dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets.
Impedance and sensitivity64 ohms; 100 dB SPL/mW at 1 kHz.
Frequency response (manufacturer)10 Hz to 21 kHz; under 2% THD claimed.
Microphonedetachable 10 mm electret condenser boom, unidirectional with noise reduction, 50 Hz to 17 kHz, -42 dBV/Pa at 1 kHz; red LED shows mute.
Connectionsfixed 1.2 m (3.93 ft) cable with 3.5 mm CTIA four-pole plug; included 1.3 m (4.26 ft) USB-C inline audio adapter; USB-C to USB-A adapter included.
Combined reachabout 2.5 m (8.20 ft) from headset to USB-C host; 1.2 m (3.93 ft) to an analog controller.
USB audioUSB 2.0 stereo, 16- or 24-bit, 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz.
Controlsmute button on the left cup, volume wheel on the right cup.
Buildmetal/aluminum frame with memory-foam leatherette cushions.
Weightabout 308 g (0.67 lb) without mic, 320 g (0.70 lb) with mic.
Dimensions155 × 86.7 × 190 mm.
CompatibilityWindows PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series and One, Nintendo Switch, supported mobile; full software features are Windows-only.
In the boxheadset, detachable boom mic, USB-C audio adapter, USB-C-to-A converter, quick-start instructions. No spare cable, travel case, extra pads or wireless receiver.
Powerno battery or charging; draws host power only through the USB adapter.
Warrantytwo years for new units bought through authorized channels.
Full research notes and sources

Comfort and build

Independent reviewers agree the Cloud III is comfortable for long sessions. RTINGS calls it comfortable and sturdy, SoundGuys praised generous memory foam and an adjustable fit after hours of wear, and TechRadar noted softness and light weight. Fit still varies with head width, glasses and ear seal. The frame uses metal (aluminum, with some maker descriptions saying steel/aluminum) and the headset weighs about 308 g without the mic and 320 g with it. Memory-foam leatherette cushions seal reasonably well but are a wear item; no controlled time-to-peeling data exists.

Microphone and voice chat

A red LED shows mute. Owners report a different story on the USB path: quiet mic even at 100% Windows gain, automatic gain changes after months of use, and complete loss of recording after about five months. In each case the same boom mic worked normally over direct 3.5 mm, which points to the USB audio path or host rather than the capsule. No published failure rate exists.

Connection, USB adapter and platforms

The fixed 1.2 m lead ends in a 3.5 mm CTIA plug, so it works in most controllers and laptops without the adapter. The included 1.3 m USB-C dongle adds EQ, mic monitoring and DTS Headphone:X through Windows NGENUITY, plus 16- or 24-bit audio at up to 96 kHz. That adapter is where owner complaints cluster: crackle under PC load that disappears on direct analog, mic dropouts mid-session cured by replugging the USB-C end, and adapters that went quiet after about six months. Test both paths during the return window. NGENUITY is Windows-only, and the bundled DTS license does not work on Xbox, where the analog cable through the controller is the path. The headset needs no charging.

Sound quality

RTINGS found accurate, clear mids but weak rumble and punch, a limited soundstage and notable leakage with weak noise blocking. SoundGuys measured an uneven response short on sub-bass by its preference curve. TechRadar disagreed, praising gaming imaging and the mic. EQ can shift tonal balance but cannot turn a closed-back passive design into an open one or add active noise cancellation. Expect outside noise and some heat from the leatherette pads.

Running costs, parts and repairs

There are no batteries, subscriptions, filters or mandatory consumables; NGENUITY is free. Wear items are the ear pads and, if it breaks, the fixed cable or USB dongle. Third-party Cloud III-compatible pads are listed from about $25.99 to $29.95 a pair, with cooling-gel styles near $31.99, before shipping. A third-party compatible boom mic is listed at about $12.76. No verified OEM spare ear-cushion part number, standalone mic SKU or USB dongle is published, and one September 2026 owner reported support would not replace or sell a damaged dongle. If the fixed 3.5 mm lead fails at the earcup, repair is not a documented owner procedure. Budget for replacement rather than repair.

Warranty coverage runs two years for new units from authorized sellers, covering material and workmanship defects with proof of purchase; accidental damage and used units are excluded. HyperX direct purchases carry a 30-day return window; other retailers set their own terms.

Is it worth it?

Value depends on color and price. The Black/Red sibling (727A9AA) was seen at $57.99, while the Black/Lavender DF7F0AA was listed at $69.99 sold and shipped by HP Inc. at Best Buy and $69.99 at Walmart Business, with another Best Buy listing at $99.99 and sold out. HyperX’s reference MSRP for the family is $99.99. HP’s own product page showed a $0.00 placeholder, which is not a real price. If you need a replaceable cable, the HyperX Cloud Alpha at about $59.99 on promotion has a detachable lead but no USB adapter or bundled DTS.

Which model this is

This page covers the wired HyperX Cloud III in Black/Lavender, HP product number DF7F0AA, an over-ear closed-back headset with a fixed 3.5 mm lead and an included USB-C audio adapter. It is not the Cloud III Wireless, Cloud III S Wireless, Cloud Flight 2 Lavender or Cloud Mini Lavender, and not the 2023 Black/Red (727A9AA) or Black (727A8AA), which share the platform but are different color SKUs. Retailer model numbers and listings vary; match on DF7F0AA and the Black/Lavender color before buying.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

Buying guides for this category

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