Review: HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2 checks the boxes for earbuds but is limited

HyperX has made a name for itself with its over-the-ear headsets that offer solid sound with exceptional comfort, but earbuds are quickly becoming the form factor that wireless fans desire. They’ve become ubiquitous thanks to Apple, and other companies including HyperX have taken notice, releasing their own earbud offerings.

The latest in this line is the HyperX Cloud Mix Buds 2. The $149.99 device mimics what the Apple AirPods do but with an eye toward gaming. It features 9mm drivers, touch controls and hybrid active noise cancellation. It comes with a charging case that adds an additional 19 hours of juice, according to HyperX. It also works with a HyperX Ngenuity app.

Doing what’s expected

The device checks all the boxes expected of earbuds. The differences lie in how well those elements perform and the Mix Buds 2 do a serviceable job. They fit comfortably in the ear and stay snuggly in place, creating a seal. I used them while jogging and they performed fine.

When it comes to the ANC, it does a decent job. It masks outside sound so that distracting noises like chatter or the rumble of cars passing by are eliminated but louder sounds like a door shutting or shouting will break through. The transparency mode has comparable performance. It lets some noise through, so players can hear certain voices and sounds peek through the audio, but the strength of the transparency depends on the volume of what users are listening to.

Both of these elements feel a step below the AirPod Pros. Players can switch between ANC and Transparency by holding the left earbud touch button, but unfortunately, there’s no voice prompt to tell you which mode you’re entering. At times, it can be hard to tell. The best way you can figure it out is by using the app to switch.

Sound quality and features

As for the sound quality, the Mix Buds 2 are again good and get the job done if you want immersive sound, but but it won’t impress audiophiles. The device works well with the PlayStation 5 and the 3-D audio came through so that players receive that sense of space and directionality. Meanwhile, the bass has a decent oomph to it, but it won’t overwhelm players. It doesn’t thrum or boom in the ears. In addition, players will miss some of the audio details that show up in higher-quality headsets.

What’s notable about the earbuds is that it prioritizes the dongle that allows the device to have a stable ultra low-latency 2.4ghz connection. If users are on Bluetooth 5.3 LE, it works well but the connection does drop or fritz out on rare occasions. Meanwhile, the microphones are fine and if you’re playing with friends or taking calls, they’ll hear you clearly.

The earbuds have touch controls, which aren’t as good as physical buttons. They are too touchy and sensitive. Users can accidentally skip a track, pause the music or go back to a previous one by mistake. Long presses that activate ANC or transparency mode and a voice assistant are more reliably activated.

A disappointing part about the Mix Buds 2 is that the Ngenuity app is barebones compared to its rivals. This is the gaming aspect of the device that is supposed to separate it from AirPods. The app lets users control ANC and Transparency, but unfortunately, it only has five audio presets: Music, Gaming, Bass, Chill and Voice. That’s spare compared to other device such as the Arctis Gamebuds and its Arctis Companion App, which has dozens of sound profiles tailored to individual games and situations.

The other issue I had with the earbuds is the battery life. HyperX rates them for seven hours of listening time under certain conditions. In normal use with some ANC and transparency on, the Mix Buds 2 lasted about six hours. The device would be fine for some marathon sessions, but as a daily driver it would fall short if it couldn’t last through a work day. That makes it hard to recommend for a device selling for $149.99.

HyperX Mix Buds 2

Two stars out of four

Platforms: iOS, Android, PlayStation 5, PC

Price: $149.99