Nauman Siddique

At Tech4Gamers, I take on the role of Hardware Reviewer with pride. My responsibilities involve a thorough examination of essential hardware components like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, and CPU coolers, among others, focusing on their complexities and functionalities.

 

 

 

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Abdul Hannan

I’ve been the Journalist & Editorial Writer at Tech4Gamers since July 2022. I spearhead our hardware coverage, including overclocking GPUs, benchmarking CPUs, reviewing peripherals, and fine-tuning custom PC builds for every budget. Daily, I report on breaking gaming news, from major launches and studio updates to the latest industry trends, ensuring our community stays informed. Beyond news briefs, I write in-depth feature articles on gaming culture and emerging technologies. And by collaborating closely with the editorial team on content planning, SEO strategy, and our publishing calendar, I help us consistently hit our traffic and engagement targets.

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In this review, I’ll test and break down what makes the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 stand out—from its compact and stylish design to its responsive switches and user-friendly software. If you’re in the market for a new keyboard that combines form and function, this one might just be what you’re looking for. I’ll share my firsthand experience to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your gaming needs.

Key Takeaways

• The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a compact and space-saving gaming keyboard designed for gamers and enthusiasts who prioritize performance and a minimalist aesthetic. This 65% form factor keyboard offers a streamlined design with essential gaming features.
• The things I like about the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 are its compact and space-saving, solid build quality, HyperX key switches, responsive gaming, and satisfying keycaps.
• The things I do not like about the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 are its limited onboard memory profiles, basic software comparatively, and no wireless or Bluetooth.

Take a look at the specifications:

Box Contents

1. HyperX Alloy Origins 65
2. Detachable USB Cable
3. HyperX Keycap Puller
4. 1x HyperX-designed ESC Keycap
5. 1x HyperX-designed Spacebar
6. Quick Start Guide

First Impressions

In short, the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a solid keyboard that manages to pack a lot into a small footprint. Built with a lightweight aluminum frame and featuring impressive RGB lighting, it’s got a clean, sturdy design that feels good to use. The HyperX key switches are responsive, and the software is straightforward, offering just what you need without any unnecessary extras.

As the slightly larger follow-up to the HyperX Alloy Origins 60, this 65% keyboard clearly targets gamers with its compact design and gaming-focused features. While the Fn key bindings are clearly marked on the keycaps, which is helpful, the layout might not be ideal if your main focus is productivity. However, its portability and durable build make it a great option if you need a keyboard that can travel with you.

Design

The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 might not be flashy at first glance, but its simple design actually works in its favor. It has a solid, understated look that fits well in both gaming and professional setups. The keyboard’s compact design is highlighted by per-key RGB lighting that really pops against the matte black surface, giving it a sleek and stylish appearance.

The RGB lighting doesn’t just look good—it’s also practical. The double-shot PBT keycaps are durable and let the lighting shine through clearly, even in low-light settings. If you’re into customizing your setup, you can easily remove the keycaps to reveal the vibrant lighting beneath the switches.

As a 65% keyboard, the Alloy Origins 65 is compact but still manages to pack in essential features. HyperX cleverly placed additional controls on the sides of the keycaps, keeping the keyboard small while still providing easy access to necessary functions. The keyboard measures 1.4 by 12.4 by 4.15 inches, making it just slightly slimmer than other 65% keyboards, which gives it a bit more space for important features.

One of the most noticeable benefits is the inclusion of arrow keys, which are often missing on compact keyboards. These keys are well-positioned and don’t get in the way of mouse movements, making the keyboard more user-friendly for both gaming and work without the need for constant key reassignments. Overall, the Alloy Origins 65 offers a balanced mix of durability, functionality, and style.

Backside

Design

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When you flip over the HyperX Alloy Origins 65, you’ll see that the underside is just as well thought out as the rest of the keyboard. It offers three adjustable positions and has four rubber grips in each corner to keep it steady on your desk. The sturdy plastic feet and solid hinge work together to ensure that this keyboard stays put, no matter where or how you position it. Although it doesn’t come with a wrist rest, the two adjustable angles help reduce wrist strain during long sessions.

The stability is further improved by a rubber strip on the inclined feet, which keeps the keyboard firmly in place. At the top, there’s a USB Type-C port, which pairs nicely with the included 6-foot braided USB-C to USB-A cable. The fact that the cable is detachable makes the keyboard more portable and helps avoid annoying tangles when you’re setting it up. The braided design of the cable also adds to its durability and overall quality.

One key drawback of the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is that it doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so if you’re looking for a wireless keyboard, this one won’t fit the bill. That said, the keyboard does excel in its design, particularly on the underside, where it offers great adjustability, stability, and convenience. The USB Type-C port and detachable braided cable make it practical and portable, but it’s important to remember that this is still a wired keyboard.

PBT Keycaps

Design

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The PBT keycaps not only feel great but also promise long-lasting durability. Despite the keyboard’s compact size, the keys are well-organized and easy to get used to. However, the arrow keys and navigational cluster are positioned closer to the alphanumeric keys than on larger keyboards like TKL or full-size models. This layout includes the directional keys but results in a slightly smaller right-shift key. For those who enjoy customizing their setup, the keyboard comes with a set of space-themed keycaps and a plastic (ABS) spacebar, allowing you to add a pop of color to the otherwise black keycaps.

There is some minor key wobble, but it’s not enough to affect usability. The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is slightly longer than its predecessor and sits lower on the desk when adjusted to its maximum height, yet it still maintains a compact profile. Even without a wrist rest, the reduced height ensures comfortable use during both short typing sessions and longer gaming sessions. The inclusion of a keycap puller is a nice touch, making it easier to customize and maintain the keyboard.

Switches

When looking closely at the switches on the HyperX Alloy Origins 65, it’s clear that HyperX has chosen to use its own brand of switches instead of the more common Cherry switches. The unit I tested came with HyperX Red linear switches, and I was impressed by their quality, especially compared to other MX Red clones. These switches are fast and responsive, making them great for both work and gaming. If you prefer tactile feedback, the keyboard also offers Aqua switches as an alternative.

The HyperX switches are compatible with keycaps designed for Cherry MX-style stems, as they share a similar design and feel to Cherry MX and Kailh switches. What sets HyperX switches apart is their shorter actuation distance of 1.8mm, compared to the 2mm of Cherry MX Reds, and their durability, rated at 80 million keystrokes versus Cherry’s 60 million. While I can’t verify that lifespan claim firsthand, the HyperX Red switches feel just as sturdy as Cherry MX ones. The shorter actuation distance doesn’t noticeably change the feel, especially with linear switches like these, where you tend to bottom out the keys anyway. This difference might be more apparent with tactile switches, where feedback is key.

The HyperX Red switches have no tactile feedback and a light actuation force, making them easy to press. They offer a fast and smooth typing experience, though their lack of a tactile bump might lead to more typing errors if you’re not used to linear switches. In my testing, I hit around 80–85 words per minute on a typing test, which is a bit slower than with tactile keys, but that’s more about my preference for tactile feedback than a fault of the switches themselves. The choice between linear and tactile switches really comes down to personal preference.

These HyperX Red switches have an actuation force of 45g, the same as Cherry Reds, but with a shorter actuation point at 1.8mm and a total travel distance of 3.8mm. Despite the slightly longer pre-travel distance compared to some other reds, the light actuation force makes them very responsive, which is great for gaming. I tried the keyboard out in games like CS:GO and Valorant, and its quick response times really shined, enhancing my performance in these fast-paced titles.

HyperX Ngenuity

Software

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HyperX continues to use its Ngenuity software for customizing the Alloy Origins 65, and while it’s not the flashiest program out there, it’s come a long way in terms of features and ease of use. With Ngenuity, you can remap keys, adjust RGB lighting, and tweak various settings to your liking. The keyboard offers seven different lighting effects, including Breathing, Swipe, Confetti, Twilight, Solid, Sun, and Wave, giving you plenty of options to personalize your setup.

You can also fine-tune the lighting’s opacity, speed, and key assignments. A standout feature of the Alloy Origins 65 is its “triggered” effects like Flame, Fade, and Explosion, which respond to your typing, adding an interactive element to your lighting. The keyboard supports up to three profiles, which is handy if you like to switch between different setups for different games. Although the number of onboard profiles is limited, Ngenuity makes it easy to map macros and set up your RGB preferences.

You can assign macros to any key and manage everything through Ngenuity’s straightforward interface. If you’re not into extensive customization, you can download pre-made profiles from HyperX’s website and import them directly. These profiles often include setups inspired by popular games or eSports teams. While Ngenuity has seen significant improvements over time, there’s still some room for growth, particularly when it comes to the flexibility of lighting effects.

Performance

After using the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 extensively for both work and gaming over three weeks, I can confidently say it’s one of the best gaming keyboards in its size category. It even replaced my previous compact keyboard, the Ducky One 3 Mini, on my desk. As you’d expect from a high-performance keyboard with linear switches, the Alloy Origins 65 excels in gaming, and it’s also a pleasure to type on.

The new model feels more spacious and comfortable compared to its predecessor, with better key spacing and a deeper sense of switch activation. I didn’t experience the hypersensitivity issues that I had with my previous 60% keyboard. The HyperX Red switches, in particular, stood out for their responsiveness, especially for “double-tapping,” as they don’t require the mechanism to reset after each keypress like tactile switches do.

Even though I usually prefer a full-sized keyboard, I had no issues with the Alloy Origins 65 in any of the games I tested. Its low latency allowed for precise movements in fast-paced games like Valorant, and it performed equally well in slower-paced action games. In titles like Fortnite and League of Legends, the wider key spacing and responsive switches made for a comfortable and precise gaming experience, especially during intense moments like quick-time events.

Here is the typing experience of HyperX Alloy Origins 65:

Should You Buy It?

Buy It If

✅You want a compact form factor keyboard: The 65% layout strikes the perfect balance between space saving and usability, making it one of the most sought-after keyboard form factors.

✅You prefer a premium build quality: The keycaps, frame, and overall feel of the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is very durable and premium.

✅You want good performance: I tested the HyperX Red linear switches, and they are very responsive with great tactile feedback.

Don’t Buy It If

❌You want wireless connectivity: With only wired connectivity, the lack of wireless and Bluetooth options may be disappointing to some.

My Thoughts

The 65% version of the HyperX Alloy Origins keyboard is priced at $70, but the extra keys make it a worthwhile upgrade. While HyperX’s proprietary switches are similar to Cherry MX, the shorter actuation distance doesn’t make a significant difference in performance. Still, with its durable design, fast response times, and vibrant RGB lighting, the Alloy Origins 65 is a solid, compact keyboard that delivers the essentials well.

Though it lacks wireless connectivity and some advanced features found in pricier models, the Alloy Origins 65 excels in what it offers, making it an excellent choice for gamers looking to save desk space without compromising on quality. Despite its niche appeal, this keyboard strikes a great balance between performance and practicality, making it a top pick for those who prioritize a streamlined setup.

See full bio

Abdul Hannan

I’ve been the Journalist & Editorial Writer at Tech4Gamers since July 2022. I spearhead our hardware coverage, including overclocking GPUs, benchmarking CPUs, reviewing peripherals, and fine-tuning custom PC builds for every budget. Daily, I report on breaking gaming news, from major launches and studio updates to the latest industry trends, ensuring our community stays informed. Beyond news briefs, I write in-depth feature articles on gaming culture and emerging technologies. And by collaborating closely with the editorial team on content planning, SEO strategy, and our publishing calendar, I help us consistently hit our traffic and engagement targets.

See full bio

Historically speaking, the HyperX Cloud series keeps its word in terms of audio quality, design, and comfort, unlike other headset manufacturers that make empty promises. Therefore, the Cloud Core Wireless is a no-frills gaming product as it prioritizes gamers’ needs without bothering about specific software.

However, it may be a little disappointing for the EQ tweakers out there. It takes design elements from its predecessors, but that does not diminish the fact that it offers so much value for the money that it’s impossible to overlook it. Let’s review the features that can make this headset so appealing to users.

Key Takeaways

• The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless combines durability, comfort, and impressive audio quality. Its sturdy aluminum frame and memory foam ear cushions ensure a comfortable fit for long gaming sessions.
• You should buy the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless if you value durability and comfort, want exceptional audio quality, and need multi-platform compatibility.
• You should not buy the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless if you require extensive audio customization, demand a strong wireless range, and prefer RGB lighting and visual customization. 

Here are the specifications:

How Is The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless Different?

Compared to its predecessor, it maintains a similar design but opts for a more minimalist aesthetic with fewer flashy elements. Moreover, it sacrifices some customizable features, such as software compatibility for equalizer settings, to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. When compared to competitors, the Cloud Core Wireless stands out with its impressive build quality and lightweight design. Many often prioritize either build quality or comfort, but rarely both to this extent.

Design

When new versions seem just like old ones, it’s typically a positive indicator. For instance, the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless headset is almost indistinguishable in appearance from the HyperX Cloud 2 Wireless, not including the latter’s multicolored headband and flashy red earcup holders. Conversely, it has the standard all-black design that HyperX products are known for.

When comparing the two headsets, I find that the Cloud Core Wireless is more appealing due to its sleeker design and mainly black appearance. The only color accents are the red HyperX branding on each earcup. In addition, the Cloud Core Wireless’s more subdued design allows them to be used as headphones as well without any noticeable appearance, with the removable boom mic removed.

Moreover, HyperX has done an excellent job of keeping the dimensions compact, even though the sizes of conventional over-the-ear gaming headsets are gradually increasing. It’s built with such precision that when the headband is tucked in, the whole thing just measures 7.5 inches from bottom to top.

Comfort

Heavy and bulky headsets are a common cause of discomfort and distress for gamers. Nevertheless, the HyperX Cloud Core is lightweight and won’t put unnecessary stress on your ears or head. Upon first glance, it’s clear that it’s very lightweight compared to others in its category. The lightweight aluminum frame is responsible for the unit’s extremely light weight of 10.4 ounces.

If your ears have become used to the finest padding, they will be delighted by this as well. The earcups of the Cloud Core Wireless are very smooth and have a doughy texture. Nonetheless, with the exception of the biggest ears, they will fit snugly. Notably, leatherette padding under the top band ensures a comfortable fit all the way around,

It’s an extra thoughtful aspect that becomes useful during long gaming sessions. During long hours of usage, it won’t bother your ears.  Even though it could become heated, it won’t be an issue while playing. In my opinion, the design and fitting of the headset are top-notch. Nevertheless, some may find them to be somewhat too tight.

Build Quality

The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless is comparable to the other headsets in the Cloud series in terms of built quality. The headband has round metal earcup holders that extend over the ears and provide great horizontal mobility for the cups. The aluminum frame is both strong and flexible, making it ideal for the headband and hinges.

You should not worry about damaging it by extending it too far. The product’s metal frame ensures that it stays in place. It has a solid, substantial feel throughout, more so than the majority of headbands available. The earcups are thick and sturdy, so they shouldn’t be too damaged if dropped by mistake.

Control Scheme

All the essential buttons are present on the headset. Onboard controls can be found on the left earcup, with subtle buttons on the side. A detachable noise-canceling microphone audio-in port, a volume knob, a USB Type-C charging connector, an on/off button with a corresponding LED, and a microphone mute button rounds up the control scheme. 

Connectivity

The Cloud Core Wireless is compatible with PC, Switch, and PlayStation 5. This is convenient since it prevents the need to buy several headsets for your various gaming platforms. A reliable 2.4GHz wireless dongle ensures a constant connection that is unaffected by any interference within a close range. There are no unnecessary steps to go through, just pure simplicity with plug-and-play.

On the downside, the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless’s signal strength isn’t very impressive. The signal would occasionally go away even if I walked a few meters from my room to the other room. Because of this, whenever I have to step away from my computer, I simply remove it. However, if you’re not more than a few feet away or in the same room as the wireless dongle, then it shouldn’t be an issue.

Software

Normally, I would go into tremendous detail about the headset’s software features, but unfortunately, we tinkerers don’t have access to such luxury with this headset. The Cloud Core Wireless isn’t compatible with HyperX’s Ngenuity software, so you can’t use it to adjust the volume manually or equalize the sound.

 Does this matter? Considering the lack of RGB lighting and the seemingly outstanding sound balance, the answer is no. Thankfully, when it comes to the immersive listening experience and surround sound, it uses DTS Headphone: X. This is managed through the third-party DTS Sound Unbound app. The Sound Unbound app was simple to use and gave me two options for spatial audio profiles.

The first one is the default Balanced Mode, which made the music seem the most natural, and the second one is Spacious Mode, which made it seem like the sounds were coming from far away. The good news is that when you get the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless, you can use DTS Sound for free for two years. When the offer period ends, you will have to make a one-time payment of $29.95 if you want to continue using it.

Battery Life

According to HyperX, the battery life can go up to 20 hours. Obviously, this is going to differ from person to person based on how they use it. With just one charge for a week’s worth of use, I streamed various media, including music and movies, and played various games. I see no reason to doubt that claim. During my testing, I was able to prolong it to 25 hours. I don’t know whether it was luck or what, but the outcome is very impressive.

Of course, this extra battery life is only possible without RGB lighting and extravagant features. Charging the headset takes around 2-3 hours. Regarding use, while charging, the headset is indeed usable when plugged in, so you don’t have to worry about having any downtime in case the battery gets low while you’re playing competitive games.   

Audio Performance

The sound quality is uncompromised. Thanks to the 53 mm drivers that are involved in the Cloud Core Wireless speaker system, which are responsible for its clear, authentic, and strong sound. Even though the headset sounded a little bass-heavy, I really liked listening to music on it. When the bass becomes a little too intense, it might overpower other elements in a song.

Still, this is the preferred sound for others, particularly while listening to electronic or hip-hop music. This headset excels at providing an immersive experience. Paying great attention to the audio’s tonal spectrum shows that the bass notes were deep and powerful, albeit they didn’t quite descend to the low level.

Moreover, both the mids and the highs were spot on. In general, the HyperX Cloud Core has quite remarkable wireless audio quality. The most fascinating part was that I could hear a wide variety of clear sounds without messing with sound effects, presets, or any of the other settings I usually use to achieve the same quality. 

Gaming Performance

I really like that it incorporates DTS Headphone X Spacial Audio and that you can take advantage of its features without using any other software. By limiting distortion to a minimum, DTS provided positioning for immersive sound. Thanks to the 360-degree sound effects of footfalls, explosions, and falling debris, it seemed like the action was happening all around me.

When I use it in FPS titles, where the placement of the sound is essential, the headset goes from fantastic to outstanding. Everyone says it gives you an advantage in competitive titles, and it came true when I tested it in Valorant, Overwatch, and Warzone. With these headphones, I can hear every footfall, no matter how far up or from which direction they’re approaching.

Microphone

With the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless condenser mic, I had no trouble maintaining a clear and undistorted voice in my Discord conversations. In addition to being very flexible, the mic has a big boom that helps to reduce ambient noise. It snaps in and out with little effort. HyperX claims that its microphone features noise-canceling technology, and I must admit that I have never had any problems with background noise when playing games. Additionally, a button on the left earcup made it easy to mute the microphone. 

Should You Buy It Or Not?

Buy it if

✅ You Value Durability and Comfort: The HyperX Cloud Core Wireless features a robust aluminum frame and comfortable memory foam ear cushions.

✅ You Want Exceptional Audio Quality: With 53mm drivers, the Cloud Core Wireless delivers clear and powerful sound.

✅ You Need Multi-Platform Compatibility: This headset works seamlessly with PC, Switch, and PlayStation 5, making it a versatile choice for gamers with multiple platforms.

Don’t Buy it if

❌ You Require Extensive Audio Customization: The Cloud Core Wireless lacks software support for manual audio adjustments and equalizer settings.

❌ You Demand a Strong Wireless Range: The signal strength can be limited, especially if you move a few meters away from the dongle.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a gaming headset with premium sound quality but on a tighter budget, you don’t need to look further than the HyperX Cloud Core Wireless. It’s not only long-lasting and comfy, but it also folds into a little compact size. Arguably offering the most accurate surround sound experience while gaming, the supported spatial audio performs like nothing else. Not only that, it works with most of your gaming platforms, so you won’t need to buy extra headsets.

Coming Next: Logitech G733 Lightspeed Review