We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a headset built around comfort, a beefier driver and a detachable mic that's certified for the chat apps most people actually use, choose HyperX Cloud II Gaming; if you need the lightest possible headset on your head for marathon sessions, with an inline control right on the ear cup and a bendable mic, choose Razer Kraken X Ultralight.
• HyperX Cloud II Gaming — biggest strength: Large 53mm dynamic drivers, memory foam ear pads in both leatherette and velour, a detachable noise-cancelling mic, and a USB control box that adds 7.1 virtual surround on PC and Mac.
• HyperX Cloud II Gaming — biggest trade-off: It's the heavier, bulkier of the two (11.29 ounces) and it's a wired-only design, so it's less of a toss-in-your-bag headset.
• Razer Kraken X Ultralight — biggest strength: At 250 grams it's built to disappear on your head, with a flexible aluminum frame, bendable cardioid mic and in-headset volume wheel plus mute switch.
• Razer Kraken X Ultralight — biggest trade-off: Smaller 40mm drivers, and its 7.1 surround is software-enabled on PC only, so console players get stereo.
• Who each pick is for: Pick the Cloud II if you want the fuller, more feature-loaded wired setup for PC and console; pick the Kraken X if weight and all-day wearability are your top priority.
The Cloud II is the headset you buy when you want the audio hardware to do the heavy lifting. Its 53mm dynamic drivers are the largest part of its identity here, and the spec sheet backs that up: a 10 Hz to 23 kHz frequency range, 60 ohm impedance and 98 dB sensitivity. In plain terms, that's a headset designed to render both the low rumble of explosions and the mid-range detail of footsteps and voice chat without straining. The 7.1 virtual surround is hardware-driven through the included USB control box, which also unlocks noise cancellation, automatic gain control and echo cancellation on the mic side.
Comfort is the other half of the pitch, and it's unusually well covered. You get memory foam ear cushions and a padded leatherette headband, plus two sets of interchangeable ear cups — leatherette and velour — so you can pick the texture and sound profile you prefer. The closed ear cup design provides passive noise cancellation, which is a real benefit if you game near a TV, a fan or a noisy household. The solid aluminum frame is there to survive daily use rather than feel precious.
The mic is detachable and noise-cancelling, and it's certified for TeamSpeak and Discord, so your callouts are meant to come through clearly in the two places most PC players actually talk. Connectivity is wired over USB, and the box includes an airplane headphone adapter, a mesh bag and a two-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should skip it: If you want the lightest headset you can find, or you mostly game on the move with a 3.5mm jack, this isn't the one. And if you only ever play on console, you're paying for 7.1 hardware you won't get to use.
Razer Kraken X Ultralight: Who It's For
The Kraken X's entire reason for existing is written in its name: it's the lightest Kraken Razer has made, at 250 grams — roughly 40 percent lighter than the competition, per Razer's own framing. If you've ever taken a headset off after four hours and felt relief rather than just fatigue, that number is the one that matters. The oval leatherette ear cups are shaped for a plush fit, and there are hidden indented channels for glasses wearers, which is a small detail that makes a big difference if you wear frames all day.
Audio-wise, it uses custom-tuned 40mm dynamic drivers with a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range. The tuning leans toward punchy bass with enough clarity to simulate a wide soundscape — subtle footsteps up to explosions. The 7.1 surround is software-enabled and PC-only; you'll find a download code slip in the box. On PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and mobile, you're getting stereo over the 3.5mm jack.
The mic is a bendable cardioid design, which means it picks up sound from a tighter angle in front of your mouth and rejects noise from the sides and back — a genuinely useful trait in a room with a fan, a keyboard or other people talking. Controls live on the headset itself: an analog volume wheel and a mic mute switch, so you never have to alt-tab to fix your levels. The aluminum frame is designed to twist and bend without breaking, and an extension splitter cable gives you separate audio and mic access on devices with split ports.
Who should buy it: Anyone who wears a headset for very long stretches — students, remote workers who also game, people who wear glasses, and travelers who want something light in a bag. Console and multi-device players will appreciate the universal 3.5mm jack.
Who should skip it: If you play on PC and want hardware-driven surround with a control box and a detachable mic, or you want swappable ear pads and a larger driver, the Kraken X trades those away for weight savings.
• Best for long-session comfort → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. 250 grams and glasses-friendly channels are hard to argue with over a multi-hour session.
• Best for richer audio hardware → HyperX Cloud II Gaming. 53mm drivers and a 10 Hz–23 kHz range give it more headroom than the 40mm, 20 Hz–20 kHz setup on the Kraken X.
• Best for PC virtual surround → HyperX Cloud II Gaming. Hardware-driven 7.1 through the USB control box, versus software-enabled PC-only surround on the Kraken X.
• Best for console and multi-device use → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. A straight 3.5mm jack across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and mobile, with a splitter cable included.
• Best for mic flexibility → HyperX Cloud II Gaming. A detachable, noise-cancelling mic that's certified for TeamSpeak and Discord.
• Best for on-headset controls → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. Volume wheel and mute switch right on the ear cup.
• Best for swapping sound profiles → HyperX Cloud II Gaming. Two sets of memory foam ear cups — leatherette and velour.
• Best for a lighter travel bag → Razer Kraken X Ultralight. 8.8 ounces versus 11.29 ounces is a real difference when you're packing.
In my opinion, the HyperX Cloud II Gaming is the better buy for most people who game primarily at a desk on PC. The bigger drivers, the hardware-driven 7.1 surround, the detachable Discord- and TeamSpeak-certified mic, and the two sets of memory foam ear cups simply give you more headset for the money. I'd only steer you to the Razer Kraken X Ultralight if weight is your number one complaint — it's the one I'd hand to a glasses wearer, a console-first player, or anyone who genuinely notices a headset after hour three. If you're still unsure, check the current price on Amazon for both and let your budget break the tie.
FAQ
The Kraken X is noticeably lighter at 250 grams (8.8 ounces) versus 11.29 ounces for the Cloud II. If you wear a headset for hours and weight is what bothers you, the Kraken X is the one to look at.
Yes. It connects over a 3.5mm jack and is listed for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and mobile, with an extension splitter cable for devices that separate audio and mic ports. Just note the 7.1 surround is PC-only; consoles get stereo.
Yes, the mic is detachable and noise-cancelling, and it's certified for TeamSpeak and Discord. That's a meaningful advantage if you sometimes use the headset for music or single-player games and don't want a boom in front of your face.
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