If you want a sturdy, comfort-focused wired headset for gaming, choose HyperX Cloud III; if you need adjustable fit and retractable-mic convenience, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. For jogging, though, neither is a wireless jogging headset: both are over-ear gaming models with wired connections.
HyperX Cloud III vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P at a Glance
• HyperX Cloud III strength: Memory foam, a full metal frame, angled 53mm drivers, and included USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm connections. Trade-off: It is wired, and its microphone detaches rather than retracting into an earcup.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P strength: Rotating, height-adjustable earcups, a stretchy fit band, a retractable mic, and customizable EQ. Trade-off: It connects through a 3.5mm jack, and its listed cable is 4 feet long.
• Choose Cloud III if comfort, frame durability, and flexible wired connections matter most.
• Choose Nova 1P if you want more fit adjustment, a mic that tucks away, and software-based sound tuning.
• For jogging: Neither has the wireless design suggested by searches for the best wireless earbuds for jogging; these are over-ear gaming headsets with wired connections.
The Cloud III is the more straightforward pick for someone who wants a wired headset with a comfort-first design. Its memory foam headband and ear cushions are wrapped in leatherette, while the aluminum frame adds a sturdier backbone. HyperX lists angled 53mm drivers and DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio, which are aimed at an immersive gaming experience rather than a workout-focused design.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Its connections are a practical strength. The package includes 3.5mm, USB-A, and USB-C options, and the headset is listed as compatible with PC, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and mobile devices. A detachable noise-cancelling microphone has a built-in mesh filter and a mute indicator, while controls on the earcup handle volume and mic muting.
I’d choose the Cloud III for long gaming sessions, especially if I value the metal frame and want several ways to connect. I’d skip it if I specifically need Bluetooth or a mic that disappears into the earcup. It is wired, and despite its comfort-oriented design, it is not described as a jogging headset.
The Nova 1P puts adjustability and sound controls at the center of its design. Its earcups rotate and adjust in height, and a stretchy band helps distribute the fit. AirWeave memory cushions provide the contact surface, while the listed weight is 236g in the product description. For buyers who find fit adjustment important, those details make the SteelSeries option appealing.
Its ClearCast Gen 2 microphone retracts fully into an earcup, so it can be put away when voice chat is not needed. SteelSeries says the bidirectional mic can reduce background noise by up to 25dB. The headset connects through a 3.5mm jack and is listed for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, Switch, Mac, and mobile use. Sonar software offers a 10-band parametric EQ, and the headset supports 360-degree spatial audio, including compatibility with Tempest 3D Audio for PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound.
I’d favor the Nova 1P if I wanted a more adjustable fit, software-based sound customization, and a microphone that retracts instead of detaching. I’d look elsewhere if I needed a wireless headset for jogging or wanted USB connection options included like those listed for the Cloud III. The provided cable length is 4 feet, a detail worth considering when your setup puts the headset jack farther away.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for several included wired connection options → HyperX Cloud III. It includes 3.5mm, USB-A, and USB-C connectors; the Nova 1P uses a 3.5mm jack.
• Best if you want a retractable microphone → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. The mic folds fully into the earcup.
• Best if you prefer a detachable microphone → HyperX Cloud III. Its mic detaches and includes a mute indicator.
• Best for a metal frame → HyperX Cloud III. Its frame is described as aluminum, while the Nova 1P’s listed design emphasizes its adjustable fit and lightweight form.
• Best for onboard volume and mute controls → Either. Both offer headset controls for volume and microphone muting.
• Best for customizing EQ with software → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1P. Sonar offers a 10-band parametric EQ.
• Best for jogging → Neither. Both are wired, over-ear gaming headsets; neither is presented as a Bluetooth headset or as an alternative to wireless earbuds.
That last point matters if your search began with “best wireless earbuds for jogging.” A wired over-ear headset has a different purpose and wearing setup from wireless earbuds. The same applies to the query “rotatable ear cups bluetooth headset for jogging”: the Nova 1P does have rotating earcups, but its connection is through a 3.5mm jack, not Bluetooth. And while someone may search for the best transparency mode headband headphones for jogging, neither product’s listed features include a transparency mode.
For gaming, the Nova 1P’s adjustability and customizable EQ are meaningful advantages, while the Cloud III’s connection choices and metal frame are compelling practical strengths. Neither should be mistaken for a workout-specific wireless product simply because it might be considered for use outside a gaming setup.
My Verdict
I’d choose the HyperX Cloud III for gaming because its memory-foam fit, aluminum frame, and included USB-A, USB-C, and 3.5mm connections make it the more versatile wired package for my priorities. The Nova 1P is the better fit if adjustable earcups, a retractable mic, and EQ customization matter more. For jogging, I would choose neither: both are wired over-ear headsets, not wireless workout earbuds.
No. The Cloud III is a wired headset with 3.5mm, USB-A, and USB-C connection options. Its listed features do not describe Bluetooth connectivity.
The Nova 1P is described as connecting through a 3.5mm jack. Although Bluetooth appears in its product information, the supplied feature details do not establish Bluetooth as a connection method for this headset, so I would not buy it expecting Bluetooth use.
The Arctis Nova 1P has height-adjustable, rotating earcups and a stretchy band. The Cloud III is described with memory-foam cushions and a flexible metal frame, but its listed features do not provide the same fit-adjustment details.
Neither is designed in the supplied details as a wireless jogging headset. Both are over-ear wired gaming headsets, so someone specifically seeking wireless earbuds or headphones for jogging should look for a product with features suited to that use.
• TOPOINT Sleep Mask vs Tsnam Transmitter Receiver
• MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones vs VQ Laura Ashley Rosalind
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.