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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a USB-wired over-ear headset that isolates outside noise with big 50mm drivers and simulated 7.1 surround for PC, choose hp USB PC Gaming; if you need pocketable in-ear buds with a 3.5mm plug, four eartip sizes, and a hard case for streaming and gaming on the go, choose HyperX Cloud Earbuds II.
• hp USB PC Gaming — biggest strength: over-ear cups with memory foam and sound-isolation noise control, driven by 50mm dynamic drivers and virtual 7.1 surround that helps you place footsteps and directional cues.
• hp USB PC Gaming — biggest trade-off: it's wired USB only, weighs 380g, and won't plug into a phone, tablet, or handheld console.
• HyperX Cloud Earbuds II — biggest strength: genuinely portable in-ear design with 14mm drivers, four eartip sizes, and a hard-shell case that protects them in a bag.
• HyperX Cloud Earbuds II — biggest trade-off: no active noise control and no over-ear cup seal, so isolation depends entirely on how well the tips fit your ears.
• Who each pick is for: the HP for a desk-bound PC or laptop player who wants an immersive, isolated over-ear setup; the HyperX for someone who moves between PC, phone, and Switch and wants one small pair of buds for streaming and gaming everywhere.
The HP headset is built around one idea: keep you locked into the screen. The over-ear cups use soft memory foam with a protein-cushion coat and a self-adjusting padded headband, and HP pairs that with sound-isolation noise control rather than active processing. In practice that means the physical seal of the cups does the work — you hear less of the room and more of the game. Combined with 50mm dynamic drivers covering 20 Hz to 20 kHz, an impedance of 16 Ω, and 117 dB sensitivity, this is a headset tuned to run loud and full off a simple USB connection.
The 7.1 surround mode is the headline feature for anyone playing shooters or watching a streamed broadcast where direction matters. HP's own framing is that the responsive drivers help you judge where sound is coming from — footsteps, gunfire, scenario cues. That's exactly the kind of positional information a competitive player wants. The RGB lighting on the earcups and microphone is cosmetic, but it does dress up a desk setup when the headset is plugged in.
Buy it if you play on a PC or laptop, want an over-ear fit for long sessions, and like having a detachable mic plus an in-line controller for volume, mic mute, and LED on/off. The 2.2m cable and 380g weight tell you the honest trade-off: this is a stay-at-home headset. Skip it if you game on a phone, a Switch, or anything without a USB input — there's no 3.5mm option here, and no Bluetooth. It's a wired, desk-anchored tool.
The Cloud Earbuds II go the opposite direction. These are in-ear buds with 14mm dynamic drivers, a 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, 65 ohm impedance, and 105 dB sensitivity — numbers that suggest a slightly harder-to-drive, more controlled sound than the HP's high-sensitivity tuning. The real story, though, is fit and portability. HyperX ships four eartip sizes from large down to extra small, and that matters enormously for in-ear isolation: a proper seal is what blocks outside noise. Get the tip right and you'll notice far less of the room.
The design details read like someone actually thought about wired-bud annoyances. There's a low-profile 90° plug and a flat, tangle-resistant cable, plus a hard-shell carrying case in red to match the buds. A built-in microphone and a multifunction media button let you take calls or pause playback without reaching for your phone. HyperX lists compatibility with PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and any mobile device with a 3.5mm jack — that's a much wider net than the HP's USB-only connection.
Buy these if you split your time between devices, want one pair of buds for streaming, calls, and handheld gaming, or simply can't stand a heavy headset on your head for hours. The 20g weight makes them disappear. Skip them if you want a full over-ear seal, active noise cancellation, or the broad soundstage that big 50mm cups provide. And note the spec sheet lists Bluetooth 5 while the connection is a 3.5mm wired jack — the practical takeaway is that this is a wired pair first and foremost.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise isolation at a desk → hp USB PC Gaming. The over-ear memory-foam cups and sound-isolation control physically block room noise; the HyperX relies on tip fit instead.
• Best for positional audio in shooters → hp USB PC Gaming. Simulated 7.1 surround with 50mm drivers is designed for directional cues.
• Best for mixed-device use → HyperX Cloud Earbuds II. A 3.5mm plug reaches PC, Steam Deck, Switch, and mobile; the HP is USB only.
• Best for long desk sessions → hp USB PC Gaming. Self-adjusting headband and breathable, all-cover ear cups built for extended wear.
• Best for streaming on the move → HyperX Cloud Earbuds II. Lightweight buds, an inline mic, and a media button suit handheld streaming and calls.
• Best for a roomy, bass-forward sound → hp USB PC Gaming. 50mm drivers and 117 dB sensitivity push more air than 14mm buds.
• Best for a compact travel kit → HyperX Cloud Earbuds II. The flat, tangle-resistant cable and low-profile plug travel far better.
If I were buying for a PC desk setup focused on streaming, I'd take the hp USB PC Gaming headset. The over-ear seal, 50mm drivers, and simulated 7.1 surround give you the isolation and directional sound that a streamer or competitive player actually feels, and the detachable mic plus in-line controls keep the desk tidy. I'd pick the HyperX Cloud Earbuds II instead if portability and multi-device use matter more than immersion — for handheld streaming or hopping between a phone and a Switch, the four eartip sizes and hard case win. In my opinion, buy for the setup you actually game in, not the one you wish you had. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
what is noise isolation headphones
Noise isolation means blocking outside sound passively — through a physical seal rather than electronics. The HP headset does this with over-ear memory-foam cups and a sound-isolation noise control setting, while the Cloud Earbuds II isolate only as well as their eartip fit allows.
are noise cancelling headphones good for gaming
Neither of these two headsets uses active noise cancellation; both rely on passive isolation. For gaming, that's often fine — a good cup seal or eartip seal cuts room noise without the pressure some active systems add, and it keeps latency low on a wired connection.
what are the best noise cancelling gaming headphones
I can't crown a universal winner, but between these two the HP USB PC Gaming headset isolates more effectively for desk play because its over-ear cups seal around your ears. The HyperX Cloud Earbuds II isolate less but travel far better. Which is "best" depends on whether you game at a desk or on the move.
are there noise cancelling gaming headphones
Yes, though "noise cancelling" is often used loosely. Neither product here has active cancellation — the HP uses sound isolation via its cups, and the HyperX relies on four eartip sizes for a sealing fit. If you specifically need active cancellation, look for a headset that lists it explicitly.
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