HyperX CloudX Stinger Core Wireless Review
A solid wireless headset for any Xbox Series X / S owner
Verdict
The HyperX CloudX Stinger Core Wireless gaming headset is comfortable to wear and sounds great. But its lack of support for Bluetooth and a wired connection means it’s restricted to play on an Xbox. You’re best off looking elsewhere if you want more versatility.
Pros
- Seamless Xbox compatibility
- Good sound quality
- Sturdy build
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Doesn’t work with non-Xbox devices
- Takes 3 hours to charge
- Low 15m range
Availability
- UKRRP: £89.99
- USARRP: $99.99
Key Features
- Wireless Xbox Compatibility:Seamless pairing using the Connect button
Introduction
The HyperX CloudX Stinger Core is the company’s latest gaming headset to be officially licensed by Xbox.
I’ve spent the week playing games, music and apps using it on my Xbox Series X console. Here’s what I found.
Design
- Simple design
- Comfortable fit
- Plastic finish with leatherette memory foam cushions
Given the CloudX Stinger Core Wireless’s aggressive price point, it’s not surprising it boasts a rather simple design.
The light grey plastic is boring and basic, with only a small green trim to lighten things up and denote its official Xbox accessory status. The only other item in the box is a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge up using your console — there are no carry cases, charging docks or swappable batteries here.
However, this simplicity is actually a good thing on a headset this price. There’s nothing to lose or forget like a detachable microphone, battery pack or charging cradle, and it’s sturdy enough to throw into a bag without needing a case. And even if you do forget the included charging cable, USB-C is common enough that you should be able find a replacement cable in a bind.
In terms of build, the CloudX Stinger Core Wireless may feel sturdy and strong, but at 275g it’s also light enough to be comfortable during long gaming sessions.
The steel slider in the headband expands to fit a wide range of head sizes, the memory foam is comfortable and distributes weight evenly across your skull, and the leatherette cushions don’t cause any sweat. Sure, it’s not quite as comfortable as a premium headset costing £200+, but you certainly won’t be uncomfortable wearing them for long periods of time.
That said, there are limits to the CloudX Stinger Core Wireless. The boom microphone isn’t detachable, and instead twists up by the headband when you don’t need it. The headset doesn’t fold up to become more compact for storage or transportation. And if you’ve been using a top-of-the-line SteelSeries or Razer headset, you will notice a difference in comfort. But that’s to be expected.
I also felt particularly assured by the two year warranty included by HyperX, given the beating these headsets can sometimes take from some players.
Features
- Xbox Wireless compatibility
- Simple push-button connectivity
- USB-C charging
The HyperX CloudX Stinger Core is an officially licensed Xbox wireless headset, which means that it’s incredibly simple to set up on Microsoft’s consoles. When you hit the Connect button on your headset and the same on your console, the two devices pair in seconds and you’re ready to play.
However, this simplicity comes at the cost of compatibility, as every other gaming device that isn’t an Xbox is shut out of the party. I’m used to most gaming headsets having at least a headphone port or a Bluetooth module so that you can connect up to your phone, but not so here. There’s no 3.5mm connector, and when I connected it to my Windows 10 PC using the USB-C cable, the computer recognised it, but wouldn’t output audio to it.
For Xbox fans who only game on Microsoft’s consoles, this won’t matter and they’ll welcome the simplicity of using this headset. However, Microsoft is making Xbox Game Pass more and more of a priority, and with it the ability to play your games across PC and mobile via streaming. So I do think this is something that Game Pass subscribers will want to bear in mind.
HyperX claims a wireless range of 20m, but this really was the limit of its wireless connectivity in my tests. My gaming setup resides in a converted garage, and once I stepped outside this room and went a few metres into the garden, the audio cut out. Frustratingly, my Xbox Series X console asked me to reassign the headset to a user whenever I returned, which is annoying if you keep the headset on when going to a different room.
Thankfully, battery life did live up to HyperX’s claims of 17 hours, and I was able to get to just over 18 hours from our initial full charge. Realistically, most players will be able to have many sessions without having to worry about recharging.
This is good, because sadly the 3-hour recharge time is quite long and there’s no option for fast charging. Annoyingly, there’s also no way of monitoring the battery level either on the headset or through the console, so you really need to remember to charge it after every session if you don’t want to be caught short.
Sound quality and microphone
- Good audio quality
- Clear microphone capture
- Physical wheel to balance between game and chat
As I’ve come to expect from HyperX, audio quality is a big reason why you should buy these headphones. They produce rich, detailed sound, with punchy bass that doesn’t distort, even at high volumes.
The 40mm drivers are particularly suited to gaming, although they did also provide a pleasant music and movie listening experience. These are open back headphones, so bear in mind there is some audio leak that may be noticeable to those around you, and there’s no noise cancellation.
Likewise, the microphone is one of the clearest I’ve experienced on a headset at this price. Listening to my friend use these on a game of Call of Duty Warzone, I could clearly hear them during party chat in the lobby, as well as during the bombastic nature of the game itself. When using the headset, it also helps that you can hear yourself in your headset to monitor how you sound to others.
There’s also a wheel to balance the level of the game and chat audio, so you can give one a boost if needed. Another bonus is that HyperX has incorporated its own noise-cancelling technology into the microphone to cut out background noise.
I also liked that the mic turns off automatically when you tuck it away thanks to HyperX’s Swivel-to-mute feature. When connected to my Xbox Series X, the headset defaults to using Windows Sonic for Headphones which provide a simulated surround sound presentation, but you can change to Stereo in the console’s settings if this is your preference.
The headset also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X, if you want to pay the necessary licenses for them.
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Should you buy it?
You want a good wireless Xbox headset:
This is a great value wireless gaming headset for Xbox gamers, with good sound quality, comfortable design and simple connectivity.
You game across various platforms:
If you also game on PC, PlayStation, Switch or mobile, then opt for a headset with a wider range of compatibility.
Final Thoughts
Despite its sleek look and comfortable design, the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core Wireless headset falls a little short, mostly due to the audio and microphone issues I experienced early on. The lack of Bluetooth is also a shame, while the omission of a 3.5mm cable is odd at such as high price. It’s not an bad headset by any means, but it’s outshined by other headsets with a similar price.
How we test
We use every headset we test for at least a week. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of games, as well as playing music in order to get the full experience.
We also check each headset’s software (if applicable) to see how easy it is to customise and set up.
Used as main gaming headset for a week and a half.
Use with Call of Duty Warzone, Forza Horizon 4 and Tetris Effect: Connected to test audio.
Also test the audio with Spotify music playback.
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FAQs
No, the HyperX Cloud Flight does not have Bluetooth.
No, the microphone is not detachable, but it swivels upwards and out of the way when required and auto-mutes in this position.
No, the HyperX CloudX Stinger Core Wireless only supports Xbox consoles and cannot connect to any other devices.
Full specs
Jargon buster
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is an object-based audio format. It expands on 5.1 and 7.1 soundtracks by adding overhead channels. Sounds are referred to as “audio objects”, of which there can be up to 128 audio channels, and these ‘objects’ can be accurately positioned within a 3D soundscape. This allows soundtracks that support the technology to place sounds above and around the listener with compatible kit.DTS:X
DTS:X is an object-based audio format created in 2015 for the home. The premise is similar to Dolby Atmos in that it creates a hemisphere of sound that’s more lifelike and natural in its presentation.Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a method of wireless transmission that allows for the exchange of data between devices over short distances.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
