JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones vs HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset
Buy the JBL Live 680NC if you want active noise cancelling, Bluetooth for phone and laptop, and a lower price. Buy the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless if you mostly game on a PC and want 300 hours of battery per charge. The JBL is $79.95 at Dell as of October 28, 2026, half off a $159.95 list. The HyperX is about $108 at Best Buy as of the same date, 46% off $199.99.
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JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
4.5Choose the JBL Live 680NC if you want active noise cancelling and Bluetooth for calls, travel and mixed phone and laptop use.
Pros
- Active noise cancelling at a budget price
- Bluetooth works with phones and laptops
- Half off the $159.95 list at Dell
- 4.5 out of 5 from 139 ratings
Cons
- On-ear pads press on the ears and can get sore
- No battery figure given
- No boom mic for game chat
- No spatial audio or PC dongle
What separates them
| JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones | HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | On-ear, 8 x 8 x 2 inches | Over-ear with memory foam pads |
| Noise cancelling | Active noise cancelling | Passive isolation only |
| Connection | Bluetooth | 2.4 GHz RF dongle |
| Battery life | Not stated in the listing | Up to 300 hours, 4.5-hour recharge |
| Devices | Phones, tablets, laptops | PC only |
| Microphone | Built-in mic for calls | Detachable boom mic |
| Drivers | Not stated in the listing | 50 mm, 15 Hz to 21 kHz |
| Price | $79.95 at Dell as of October 28, 2026 |
Price history
$108.99$79.95
- JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones: lowest $79.95 on Oct 28 at Best Buy; $79.95 on Oct 30.
- HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset: lowest $108.99 on Oct 29.
Prices at every store
JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
- JBLCheck price at JBL
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- TargetCheck price at Target
Specs compared
| Spec | JBL Live 680NC On Ear Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones | HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth | RF |
| Noise Canceling | Yes | — |
| With Microphone | Yes | — |
| Style | On-ear | — |
| Height | 8″ tall | — |
| Width | 8″ wide | — |
| Depth | 2″ deep | — |
| Headphone Cup Type | — | Over-ear |
| Body Part Use | — | Head |
| Noise Cancellation Type | — | Passive |
| Max Battery Life |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for commuting?
- The JBL. Active noise cancelling and Bluetooth matter more on a train or plane than a 300-hour battery. The HyperX needs a USB dongle and a PC.
- Which has better battery life?
- The HyperX by far. It runs up to 300 hours per charge and takes 4.5 hours to recharge. JBL does not publish a battery figure for the Live 680NC.
- Is the HyperX worth about $28 more?
- Only if you game on a PC. You get 300-hour battery, a boom mic and spatial audio. For phone and travel use, the JBL's noise cancelling is worth more.
- Can I use the HyperX with a phone?
- Not wirelessly. It connects over a 2.4 GHz dongle and is listed as PC compatible. The JBL pairs over Bluetooth with phones and tablets.
- Which is more comfortable for long sessions?
- The HyperX. Its over-ear memory foam pads sit around the ear. The JBL is on-ear, which presses on the ear and can ache after a few hours.
- Which has the better microphone?
- The HyperX for voice chat. Its boom mic is detachable and sits near the mouth. The JBL's built-in mic is fine for calls but picks up more room noise.
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