As a seasoned tech reviewer who has tested countless earbuds and gaming headsets over the years, I can confidently say that the HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2 are a solid choice for gamers on a budget. Having personally reviewed these earbuds, I can vouch for their quality and versatility.
Similar to many of you, I often bring along a portable gaming device when embarking on a journey. Yet, I strive to avoid being the individual who plays games with loud audio in public spaces. To ensure others are not disturbed by my entertainment, I always pack headphones or earbuds as part of my travel essentials.
These noise-cancelling earbuds, while not top-tier in quality, deliver an excellent mobile listening experience. After testing them for two weeks, here are my findings.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2: Price and availability
HyperX is HP’s line of gaming accessories that primarily specializes in high-quality gaming headsets and earbuds, although it does offer other products as well. Generally speaking, the brand is known for producing reliable audio devices, but it’s important to note that quality can vary among different models of headsets and earbuds.
When considering the market as a whole, affordable earbuds usually fall within the price range of $30 to $99. However, their quality may not always be consistent, and they often lack some conveniences compared to pricier options. As you move up in price, mid-range earbuds typically cost between $100 and $200, providing better sound quality, touch controls, active noise cancelation, and other useful features. Lastly, premium earbuds can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, boasting advanced features such as hi-res support, enhanced touch controls, superior audio, and exceptional comfort.
As an analyst, I’d say these ANC HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2 fall squarely within the affordable mid-tier segment of the market. They retail for $149.99 on Amazon and can be purchased at the same price from the HyperX website. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 LE, touch controls, a dongle, and an adapter, these earbuds can effortlessly connect to PCs, gaming handhelds like Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, PlayStation consoles, and Android phones. This combination of price point and features positions them as a solid choice for those seeking value in the mid-range category.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2 – What’s in the box?
Upon unboxing the Hyper X Cloud MIX Buds 2, I discovered the charging case housing the earbuds, three alternative ear tips, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, an instruction manual, and a dongle and adapter combination. Essentially, these items equip you to establish your earbuds with multiple devices. To maximize control over the Cloud MIX Buds 2, simply download the free HyperX NGenuity App onto your smartphone, computer, or gaming console for an enhanced user experience.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2: What I like
Over the past fortnight while I’ve been trialing the Cloud MIX Buds 2, I’ve utilized them across my gaming laptop, primary work PC, ROG Ally X gaming handheld, and Pixel 8 smartphone. There were a few minor issues, which I’ll delve into later in this review; however, connecting with my phone was straightforward – simply access the Bluetooth settings and establish the connection. On the other hand, using the earbuds with my Windows devices necessitated utilizing the dongle or adapter. Interestingly, there’s a removable adhesive strip at the base of the adapter if you wish to affix it permanently to your gaming setup for convenience.
Essentially, the latest Cloud MIX Buds 2 model shares a common design with many other earbuds currently available, including its predecessor, the initial HyperX Cloud MIX Buds. This updated earbud variant boasts a streamlined, understated design and offers three sets of silicone ear tips for personalized comfort. For me, the default size feels comfortable and convenient for extended music or gaming periods.
As a tech enthusiast, I can confidently say that the portable charging case included feels both compact and robust, giving me peace of mind when I casually throw it into my bag and carry it on a plane journey. And let’s face it, these cases not only provide security but also extend battery life – a win-win situation!
With a battery life that outperforms many other gaming earbuds by up to 26 hours, you’ll typically need to recharge the MIX Buds 2 every seven hours or so.
On the Cloud MIX Buds 2, touch controls are straightforward yet efficient. To control your music playback, simply tap either earbud once for pause/play, twice to move to the next track, and thrice to go back. A gentle click from the speaker confirms each interaction with the touch control zone. By holding a single tap, you can toggle between Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Ambient Mode, allowing you to pick the best option depending on your environment. For example, during my flight, I would long hold an earbud to switch to a more transparent listening mode so I could hear the pilot’s announcements clearly before resuming noise cancellation.
Regarding calls, here’s how I handle them: A simple tap answers an incoming call, while a double-tap declines it. While talking, a single tap can mute/unmute the call and a double-tap ends it. The option to switch between ambient mode and ANC is accessible if you long press a single tap when on a call. Additionally, the earbud automatically pauses any music when removed from your ear due to the in-ear detection feature, so I don’t have to manually adjust my phone, PC, or handheld when someone starts talking. However, it might take a second or two for the music to pause instead of happening instantly.
Generally speaking, these controls function exceptionally and have never failed to react as expected. However, similar to most touch-based controls, there’s a chance of unintended taps on the earbud, causing it to issue commands unwittingly while I’m merely trying to adjust them.
Decent sounds quality for your gaming, music, or phone call needs
The HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2 may not deliver extraordinary sound quality, but they provide a well-balanced listening experience. I noted that they produce acceptable treble and mid-range notes. As expected from earbuds, they lack the deep bass impact found in higher-end headsets, but this is typical for their design. However, they can get quite loud and can also reduce volume to a level that’s helpful without being too quiet or hard to hear.
These less expensive headphones may not match the performance of pricier models, yet they effectively diminish ambient distractions, allowing me to concentrate more on my audio. In phone conversations, they also ensured that my voice was transmitted clearly to the person on the other end.
A free companion app for Windows or Android
As a dedicated fan, I opted to enhance my experience with these earbuds by downloading the user-friendly HyperX NGenuity app, which may not offer as many features as some other audio apps, but it stands out for its intuitive design, making it ideal for those preferring non-touch controls. With this application, I effortlessly adjust speaker and microphone volumes, switch between noise-canceling settings, and experiment with various Audio Presets. It’s essential to mention that my Windows devices (PC, laptop, ROG Ally X) failed to detect the earbuds within NGenuity unless the dongle and/or adapter were in use.
HyperX NGenuity software allows you to change the RGB lighting on compatible devices. Unfortunately, the Cloud Mix Buds 2 do not feature customizable lighting options.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2: What I don’t like
Each day, I give my canine companion an hour-long stroll or visit to the dog park, using these moments either to enjoy music or listen to audiobooks. Consequently, during the week I spent testing the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2 at home, I managed to utilize them extensively. Generally, the experience was positive, but occasionally, while connected to my phone, I encountered some connectivity problems.
Initially, I visited a dog park, and throughout my stay, the earbuds offered an inconsistent audio quality, frequently interrupting dialogue after a few words. I tried restarting my phone to resolve the issue, but unfortunately, the problem remained unchanged. On other occasions, this issue occurred as well, though not for as long, and it wasn’t constant across all outings.
On another occasion, I took my earbuds out for a long walk, but they wouldn’t connect to my phone properly. After some time, I tried to fix the issue, but my phone notified me that I needed to restart the earbuds to repair the connection. However, since I was away from home without my charging case, I couldn’t do that. As a result, I had to finish my walk without any music or calls. It’s worth mentioning that this issue hasn’t occurred again since then.
It’s unclear if these problems are typical for this model or an unusual occurrence specific to my case. Regardless, I thought it would be helpful to bring them up.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2: Competition
A brief look at various online marketplaces reveals an abundance of earbuds, including gaming ones, but not every set is equally impressive. If you’re seeking top-notch budget gaming earbuds, I recommend reading my colleague Jennifer Young’s review of the PrismXR Vega T1 wireless gaming earbuds. According to her, their overall performance and affordability make them a standout choice, one she now enjoys using regularly. You can purchase the PrismXR Vega T1 for $69.99 on Amazon.
According to Jez Corden’s EPOS GTW 270 review, these earbuds are a suitable option for gaming, although they’re somewhat older and offer Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity with a maximum battery life of 20 hours when fully charged, including the case. Additionally, the sound quality is satisfactory initially, but the treble and mid-tones may require minor adjustments. These earbuds are available for purchase at Amazon for $85.25.
If you’re looking for a top-tier gaming headset, check out our SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro review. While it’s pricier than the earbuds I mentioned earlier, it offers additional features like a hot-swap dual battery system, the ability to use both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless audio simultaneously, and an OLED base station. You can find it at Best Buy for $349.99, and it comes in black or white.
HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2: Should you buy it?
✅ You should buy this if…
- You want a well-priced pair of earbuds.
- You’re looking for something with a decent audio profile.
- You’d prefer gaming earbuds with long battery life.
❌ You should not buy this if…
- You’re looking for a premium audio experience.
- You’d be better served by a gaming headset rather than earbuds.
As someone who has reviewed numerous earbuds and gaming headsets throughout my career, I can confidently say I’ve encountered a wide variety – from top-notch products to budget options that aren’t worth your time. In this specific case, the ANC HyperX Cloud MIX Buds 2 are an acceptable choice for gaming, particularly for handheld devices and mobile gaming via Xbox Game Pass xCloud. They can also be used effectively for PC gaming if you utilize the included dongle and adapter. I discovered the silicone ear tips to be comfortable for extended wear, and the audio quality is satisfactory for earbuds, providing a reasonable treble and high notes, as well as being able to reach a decent volume level. While bass might not be its strongest suit, this is quite common among earbuds.
Absolutely, over-ear gaming headsets can provide a more immersive audio experience, particularly high-resolution ones. Should you find that a headset is a better fit for your requirements, feel free to explore HyperX’s selection of headsets on their official website at HyperX.com.
Regarding additional features, the MIX Buds 2 touch controls make it incredibly simple to manage incoming calls or modify settings while listening to music. What I particularly enjoy about them is the in-ear detection function, which eliminates the need for me to manually pause my audio when I unexpectedly remove an earbud. While there are other non-gaming earbuds with longer battery life, the Cloud MIX Buds 2’s capacity to last up to 7 hours independently and up to 26 hours combined with their charging case is quite impressive.
If you want a well-priced pair of gaming earbuds, then these are definitely ones to consider.
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2024-10-28 19:39