Verdict

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Excellent audio quality for the money
• Great value

Cons

• So-so build quality
• Non-detachable microphone
• Analogue connection quality varies by device

What is the HyperX Cloud Stinger?

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The Cloud Stinger is HyperX’s newest addition to its headset line, priced at the rather cheap £49.99. The Stinger fuses an attractive design with easy-to-use adjustment features, and is super-comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.

In addition, audio quality is excellent for such a well-priced headset, and although the analogue connection may compromise some devices, the overall package is very enticing indeed.

HyperX Cloud Stinger – Design, Build and Features

The Cloud Stinger is a wired stereo headset, and features a jet-black design with a large red HyperX logo on each ear cup.

The overall design works well, and from a distance it looks like a high-end piece of kit. Inspect the Stinger a little more closely and it becomes apparent that this is a budget headset.

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While the Stinger has a reasonable textured finish, the majority of the headset is made from scratchy plastic. It does at least feel relatively strong, not that I would encourage dropping it on the floor repeatedly.

As an analogue headset, the Stinger is universally compatible with anything that houses a standard 3.5mm port. The first metre of the cord terminates with a single 3.5mm jack, and can connect to mobile devices and games consoles (older Xbox One controllers will require an adapter, which isn’t provided). For use on a PC, the included extension cable ends with two 3.5mm jacks – one for audio, one for the microphone. Unlike on other HyperX headsets, the cables aren’t braided, which means they’re a little easier to tangle and look less fancy.

The upper section of the headset features HyperX text engraved on the headband, with a reasonable amount of padding underneath; it comes covered in faux leather. The headband is adjustable to fit any size of head, with a good degree of adjustment available.

Moving down the headset, you’ll find the large noise-cancelling microphone attached to the left ear cup. Sadly, it isn’t detachable, but it does offer some flexibility.

The ear cups rotate 90 degrees, and come in a decent amount of faux leather-coated foam. A volume slider is present on the underside of the right cup, which allows for easy adjustment of audio volume.

The Stinger weighs 275g, and feels surprisingly lightweight. The headband never feels like it’s compressing against your head, while at the same time doesn’t slip when moving erratically.

It’s a very well balanced headset that proved comfortable to wear for very long gaming sessions. The padding used throughout the headset provided a nice, soft feel, and I wasn’t having to constantly vent my ears from excess heat.

HyperX Cloud Stinger – Audio Quality

The sound quality aboard the Stinger is impressive given its price. From the moment I began using the headset, I was genuinely surprised at the level of punch that’s delivered from a £50 unit.
My testing began with music from Spotify, and it was immediately apparent that the of the headset is very well balanced. A headset of this calibre is never going to rival a pair of luxury headphones, but the Stinger wasn’t as far off as you’d imagine. The bass was never overpowering, and while the clarity of the vocals couldn’t quite match the more expensive Cloud II, it provides an excellent listening experience.
The headset is also well calibrated for gaming, and delivers a strong performance regardless of whether playing a turn-based strategy game or first-person shooter. In two weeks of use, I’ve enjoyed listening to around 20 hours of the excellent soundtrack of Civilization VI, as well as many tense games of Gears Of War 4. Both are handled excellently, with plenty of detail and sufficient bass response – shredding an enemy into a thousand pieces is sadistically satisfying.  Note that this is a stereo headset, though, so those wanting virtual surround sound will need to look elsewhere.
The microphone found on the Stinger is also an area of strength, with a noise-cancelling microphone that performs respectably. My voice recordings from the headset offered plenty of volume and excellent voice separation from the background – even in noisy environments.
While the recording does have a slight nasally quality, it compares quite well to the likes of the Corsair Void RGB. As an analogue headset, however, it can pick up a fair amount of background static from the connected device. Those using onboard motherboard audio chips should take note.

Should I buy the HyperX Cloud Stinger?

After the disappointing Cloud Revolver, it’s safe to say that HyperX is back on form with the Cloud Stinger. For a headset costing £50, it’s great to see that all the important elements of a headset have been implemented so well.
The Stinger is immensely comfortable to wear for long periods, and the sound quality is marvellous at this price point. I’d have preferred to have a detachable microphone, but otherwise all the bases have been covered well.
If you’re after a budget gaming headset for your console or gaming PC, the HyperX Cloud Stinger should be at the top of your list.

Verdict

A fantastic budget headset that delivers great audio quality and a comfortable design.

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