The bold basslines were reproduced clearly but werent as powerful as what you get with other headsets, like the Razer Kraken X3 X. That said, while the Turtle Beach's mic doesn't handle noise quite as well as the Hyper X's, it sounds better in perfectly quiet environments. While they're fairly comfortable for long listening sessions, their noise isolation performance is disappointing and you'll be able to hear a lot of what's going on around you. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are decent budget gaming headphones compared to the Razer BlackShark V2 X. However, the JBL offer a bit of extra flair in the form of RGB lighting, not to mention a more customizable listening experience courtesy of their dedicated companion software. They're more comfortable and have a better overall mic performance. You'll be able to receive audio and use your microphone. However, the Turtle Beach have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. The HyperX are for wired gaming. The new pink shade available with the HyperX Cloud Stinger turns a fine pair of entry-level cans into something that can steal the show on your next Twitch stream. Bass is decent, and mid-tones and highs come through appropriately as well. You can also check out our recommendations for the best wireless gaming headsets. TheAlpha have a better-balanced sound profile, leak a lot less audio, and have a detachable mic and audio cable, which can easily be replaced if damaged. Still, I gamed for 5 hours at a time without my ears getting hot or experiencing any discomfort. When I tried the Cloud Stinger with Batman: Arkham Knight. All prices listed in USD unless otherwise specified. Still, if you're looking for affordable gaming headphones, they're a solid option. But if you want that extra flair, pink is the way to go. The headset connects through your devices headphone jack (or split mic/headphone jacks) and theres no software or additional featuresits just a comfortable pair of headphones with a microphone attached. The HyperX Cloud Stinger has a chunkier look to them, and although they lack RGB lighting, the new baby pink color adds some pizazz. The Cloud Stinger line of gaming headsets has a lot of products in it, this one looks pretty much exactly like the others. It sounds pretty good, it has a decent microphone, its comfortable, and it works everywhere. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are comfortable headphones. They dont have the most thump to them, meaning bass isnt very powerful. Both microphones sound very similar, though the Stinger scores better in our tests. On the downside, as they don't have a tight fit, they can produce sound inconsistently, particularly in the bass and treble, and even on the same person. Your voice should be heard clearly and understandably to whoever is on the other end, but it might slightly lack brilliance and airiness. Their microphones perform similarly, but the Kraken Xs can make speech sound a bit fuller and deeper, which is great. The Cloud II is better-built and is one of the most comfortable gaming headsets weve reviewed so far. The slider under the right ear cup is the only control and it allows you to adjust for volume. The company originally released its Cloud Stinger in 2016, draped in black. They also have an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. put them under the same test bench, The HyperX Cloud 2/CloudII is a slightly better and more complete gaming headset than the HyperXCloud Stinger. We spent two weeks with the HyperX Cloud Stinger to understand its strengths and weaknesses. Their microphone also performs much better asyour voice sounds more full-bodied and natural, and is easier to hear in noisy environments. TheHyperX Cloud Stinger and theLogitech G333 are wired gaming headphones with different designs, and you may prefer either one depending on your preferences. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Well, HyperX just threw us a bone. They even have customizable RGB lighting on each ear cup. They don't block out almost any low sounds like bus or plane engines. The Corsair does have a more casual design, which some may prefer, but for gaming you're better off with the HyperX. If youre looking for something wireless, the Razer Barracuda X only costs around $20 USD more, and its USB-C dongle means its wirelessly compatible with almost as many devices as the HyperX Cloud Stingers 3.5mm connection. On the other hand, the Astro have a better build quality. If you want to spend even less money, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is only $39 USD but can go on sale for even less. It's not exactly high performance, but it's a competitive option for the price and it's easy to usefor $50 USD how much more could you really ask for? Similar to other HyperX headphones such as the HyperX Cloud Revolver and the HyperX Cloud2/Cloud II, these headphones create a seal around your ears that can trap heat. The single TRRS input makes this more of a console option than a PC gaming headset, but theres a split mic/headphone extender cord, so youll be fine either way. Songs that dont feature as extensive a low-end complement sound great, though. You also have access to a few level sliders for your volume and microphone. There's a dip between the low and mid-treble that can reduce the detail and presence of lead instruments. The mic also picked up my voices deep timbre. Otherwise, the headset handles game sounds quite nicely, and the PlayStation 5s built-in spatial audio feature works well. If you think a mic-mute switch and volume controls are a necessity, go with the Stinger. Thanks to their wired design, they're compatible with PCs and both thePS4 and Xbox One. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are slightly better gaming headphones than the Astro A10 Gen 2. The HyperX are noticeably better built even if they are made of plastic. The boom mic has excellent noise handling. While their microphones perform similarly in quiet environments, the HyperX has better noise handling too. Despite their fairly comfortable design, they'll still trap some heat around your ears. On the right earcup, you find the volume wheel, while the left earcup holds the microphone (more on that in the dedicated section below), as well the headsets 4.2-foot-long 3.5mm cable, which is shorter than the average 6 feet were used to but wasnt an issue for me. Another peak starting in the high-mid continuing into low-treble can make sounds in these ranges harsh and honky. Editors note: this HyperX Cloud Stinger review was updated on July 11, 2022, to add the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core as an alternative, and add in-line FAQs. The HyperX Cloud Stinger and Logitech G335 each have their own strengths, so one may suit you better than the other depending on your preferences. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's imaging is superb. If you're looking for similar gaming headphones with a virtual soundstage feature, check out the HyperX Cloud Stinger S. The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. The HyperX Cloud Stinger is a simple gaming headset that doesn't break the bank. These headphones don't have a carrying case. The HyperX have a more bass-heavy sound profile, block out more ambient noise, leak less audio, and offer better overall mic performance. These headphones are wired-only. However, they don't come with any carrying case. However, these results are only valid for our unit and yours may perform differently. There was a problem. The Cloud Stingers mostly pink plastic with grey earcups and grey HyperX logo ensure these entry-level cans are able to stand out in a crowd. However, if you're working near an A/C unit, you'll be able to block out a good amount of its high-pitched whine. Theres a noticeable, albeit slight, lack of low-end soundvoices come through a little tinnybut everything is clear and intelligible, and there arent any significant volume issues. But despite its lightweight, this is a bulky set of cans. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are much better wired gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Battle Buds. For comparison, the Kraken V3 Xs mic is specced for 100-10,000 Hz, so the Cloud Stingers mic has a broader range, despite its cheaper price. There are tons of great gaming headsets for under $100 USD, and a lot of them will cover the same bases as the Cloud Stinger. New York, Additionally, the sound that comes from the headset out of the box is really good. Its comfortable, and at 276g its also pretty lightweight. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 100. The HyperX are slightly more comfortable, have a more neutral and better-balanced sound profile, and also have alonger audio cable. However, the HyperX are significantly more comfortable. More importantly, although they look a little bulky, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They don't reduce almost any noise in the bass range, which means that you'll hear all the rumble and thump of vehicle engines. Rubble crumbling around Ant-Man, War Machine, and the Hulk came through crisp and clear through all the madness. The memory foam padding is quite comfortable, however, theyre not as soft or plush as those on some higher-end gaming headphones, such as the Asus ROG Delta S and the Epos H3. The HyperX have a less bass-heavy default sound profile and have less distortion. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are wired-only and can't be used wirelessly. The Turtle Beach have a slightly more neutral mid-range. We purchase our own headphones and The Cloud Stinger line has been around for a while, and HyperX has a handful of entries for different needs. While the Cloud Stingers microphone isnt detachable, it is easy enough to get it out of the way, thanks to its swivel-to-mute feature. These headphones have a decent build. By We often complain here at Toms Hardware about the lack of color selection in todays tech. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's passive soundstage isn't bad. Its flip-to-mute function is simple and easy to use. If youre on the hunt for something reliable and easy, thats really all you need to know. They aren't intended for sports or fitness use, though. At the absolute bottom end of the price spectrum, the JBL Quantum 50 is a $30 USD pair of gaming earbuds and it sounds really good, though its microphone is just so-so. The volume slider is the only control option you get here (aside from the mic flipping up to mute). The boom microphone also picks up speech clearly, whether you're gaming at home or a tournament. But to be honest, it doesnt really need to be. Prices may change over time, and vary by region. Objects like voices or footsteps are accurately placed. They feel better built, and have an ANC system that can block out more passive ambient noise. The HyperX have a much better-balanced sound profile, are much more comfortable thanks to their over-ear design, and have a better microphone. The Razer Kraken V3 offer a more customizable gaming experience, but if you're looking for headphones that you can just plug in and play, the HyperX Cloud Stinger offer a solid performance out of the box. Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. However, the HyperX are better-built. Both of these options also work with every gaming headset on the market. Thankfully, the earcups are far enough apart for most gamers, so there was no added pressure there. Since they're bulky, they need to be stored in a bag. The HyperX Cloud Stinger gives you solid audio performance at an affordable price point. If you want to disable the microphone, you can move it into an upright position. On the other hand, the Kraken Pro V2 feel slightly more durable, but thats about it. The earcups themselves feel solid, but the hinges feel a bit flimsy. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are decent for wired gaming. The microphone of the HyperX offers a better recording quality. Other than that, both are equally comfortable and feel decent durable, but the Corsair have a slightly better-balanced sound profile that's more consistent among various users and reseats. The photos have been fixed and the review now reflects these changes. If you exercise while wearing them, you might find that your ears become warm quickly. Unlike the companys Cloud Alpha Wireless, theres really not much to this gaming headset, and thats a good thing. On the other hand, the Cloud Stinger might have a slightly better sound quality, especially in the treble range, but thats about it. Unlike more gamer-centric designs such as the RUNMUS RGB K1 Gaming Headset, the HyperX Cloud Stinger has a less flashy and more understated look thanks to its all-black plastic design and subtle red accents. The Cloud Stingers attached microphone will mute when you flip it up into its vertical position, and the headset also features a volume slider on the bottom of the right headphone. They also have a more neutral sound profile than the Cloud Stinger. The Razer have more robust virtual soundstage features and have companion software that offers a graphic EQ plus presets and mic customization features. If youre willing to pay a little more, you can now get it in pink. However, as this peak dips between the low-treble and mid-treble, sibilants lose their brightness and become lispy. On the other hand, the HyperX headset has a noticeably better microphone recording quality, which may be important for some for online games. The PlayStation 5 also has its own 3D audio solution. It has a superior microphone that will transmit a clearer and full-bodied speech to your online teammates. This is a solid entry-level option. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's boom mic has great recording quality. The Cloud Stinger cant quite compete with the best gaming headsets on the market, but what it lacks in flash, it makes up for with affordability. The padding is also comfortable, although it isn't as soft or plush as other gaming headphones we've reviewed so far. Their fit isn't very tight and they could slide off your head if you're working out while wearing them. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. Its also very lightweight and comfortable. No cherry-picked units sent by brands. The Astro is slightly better designed though and feels better built. The HyperX Cloud Stinger doesnt come with a built-in or software-based surround sound feature, but these days thats no huge barrier. The HyperX are comfortable over-ear headphones. The headsets loud volume and ability to pick up the different layers of sound going on during intense action scenes with a lot going on made for a solid experience. published 2 July 21. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. Theyre both decent gaming headsets, but the Astro are usually more expensive than the HyperX. The HyperX also feels better made and more comfortable. Those earcups are comprised of HyperXs homebrewed memory foam and topped off with luscious leatherette. If youre not excited about paying premium headphone prices for something youre only going to use for gaming, the HyperX Cloud Stinger might be just the ticket. On the other hand, the control scheme of the Turtle Beach is more complete and useful, and some will like the sidetone feature. For example, when I shot out a barrel filled with explosives, I enjoyed a nice, mid-to-low rumble. This will handle the chatter of television in another room or the clatter of dishes quite nicely, but dont expect much more than that. However, the noise picked up was very faint, and when you take into consideration the entry-level price, its a win. However, they're optimized for gaming. The Razer Kraken also comes in pink, but is a bit bass-heavy for our liking and $30 more (opens in new tab) than our review focus. Nearly five years later, HyperX has upped the ante, making the Cloud Stinger, one of the PC-focused headsets in the brands extensive Stinger lineup, also available in pink. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are somewhat better gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Recon 500. Both headphones are similarly comfortable and have full wired compatibility with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. While both headphones have impressive microphones, the HyperX have a much better-balanced sound profile. The latter was bombastically reproduced with a rich explosive sound, as it launched me through streets at blazing speeds. On the other hand, the JBL have an easier-to-use control scheme that provides a little more feedback as well as a detachable boom microphone that makes them a little less bulky. Both headsets are easy to use, requiring nothing more than plugging in to play. The HyperX are more comfortable to wear during long gaming sessions, feel far more well-built, and provide a better-balanced listening experience, not to mention vastly superior noise isolation performance. They also don't fit very tightly on your head and can fall off with moderate movement. These wired headphones don't have a battery and instead use passive playback. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better wired gaming headphones than the Corsair HS60 PRO SURROUND. The HyperX Cloud Stinger is just about as simple as it gets. Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $200, Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds For Running, Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Under $50, Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100, Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Under $100, Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Review, Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 Test Results, Having trouble deciding between two headphones? This tool will clearly show you the differences, Use our data and table to find the best headphones for your needs, Want to see us review a specific headphones? The audio reproduction is slightly more accurate on the Corsair, and they feel better-built. They have a wireless design, are better-built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. They have a somewhat balanced sound profile, even though the bass is slightly overemphasized and the treble is uneven. The HyperX Cloud Stinger S are very similar gaming headphones to the HyperX Cloud Stinger, but they come with more features. The unit provides loud, clear audio but I wouldnt refer to them as thumpy or having powerful deep bass. Its boom microphone has a significantly better recording quality than that of the Corsair and it sounds a bit better-balanced too. They feel comfortable enough to wear for longer gaming sessions and theirboom microphone performs impressively, even in loud environments. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are poor for commuting. The more uneven, underemphasized high-treble in comparison will make mixes dull. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are decent for neutral listening. The HyperX Cloud Stinger have poor, limited controls. Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more. Really not much to write home about here, since virtually all frequencies below 1kHz will make it through the headset. On the other hand, the Corsair have a virtual surround feature, feel much more durable, and have dedicated companion software to make changes to their EQ. The Corsair HS50 is a slightly better gaming headset than the HyperX Cloud Stinger. On the other hand, if you have a bit of ambient noise in your gaming area, the Cloud Stingers fit will do a better job of blocking it out. With music, audio output like this should be fine for most genres, but vocals can get a little lost on tracks with a lot of lower midrange instrumentals. However, if you're using these headphones for gaming, their breathability shouldn't be too much of a problem. This means getting it set up on your platform of choice is easy, whether youre a dyed-in-the-wool PC gamer or a couch-bound console gamer, and theres nothing like battery capacity or comfort issues to get in the way of long sessions. Sometimes cheap and easy is all you need. The 3.5mm connection method means this is a strictly plug-and-play affairthere are no extra features or a software companion app to speak of. The HyperX Cloud Alpha has been one of the top-tier budget gaming headsets for years, but sometimes $99 USD is still too much money. I wouldnt call the audio immersive, but it does come through clearly enough that youll have the awareness to avoid getting blown up. The Logitech G430 Gaming Headsetand HyperX Cloud Stinger are similarly performing gaming headphones, and each have their strength. While playing Borderlands 2, the units bass performance was solid enough and gave the sounds of varying guns a nice amount of pop. When one of the games grotesque-looking giants stomps its feet near you, the ensuing boom can definitely drown out other environmental sounds. The HyperX Cloud Stinger offers about as straightforward a gaming experience as you can get with a gaming headset. The HyperX Cloud Stinger doesnt keep terribly close to our in-house target curve on the low end, but its not outside the norm for the average gaming headset. The split 3.5mm mic/headphone extension cord makes this friendly to most computers. The HyperX soundbetter, but are prone to inconsistencies in the bass and treble delivery among wearers, whereas the Astro doesnt have this problem. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better wired gaming headphones than the JBL Quantum 400. Still, it isn't fully casual-looking as the mic can't be removed like the SteelSeries Arctis 1. Tom's Hardware is supported by its audience. Inconsistent bass and treble delivery that significantly varies across users. The HyperX Cloud Stinger has disappointing noise isolation. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. Yes! Most of the leakage is concentrated in the mid-range, which is also where lead instruments and vocals lay. Their control scheme is also more complete and is noticeably easier to use. The HyperX Cloud Stinger uses a pair of 50mm neodymium drivers with a frequency response of 18 - 23,000 Hz, a bit wider than the 20-20,000 Hz many gaming headsets, especially in this price range, carry. The frequencies fall within good limits, which should result in clear and pure audio reproduction. That said, the Cloud Stinger have slightly lower latency, though you shouldn't notice any delay with both. The new, glossy pink Cloud Stingers will make its sibling the HyperX Cloud Alpha, very jealous. Just flip the mic up, and it wont only be out of your face, but youll be silenced too. If you like to crank up the volume, people may be able to hear some of it, even in a louder setting such as an office or cafe. And if you want a pair of cans in pink, you now have another quality option at an attainable price. The Logitech G430 have a nice companion app that lets you EQ the sound to your liking and enable surround sound. They also have companion software that gives you access to EQ settings, while the HyperX has no software. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's peaks and dips performance is alright. It also has channel mixing and quick access to their surround sound setting. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's bass accuracy performance is decent. The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better-wired gaming headphones than the Cooler Master MH630. The HyperX are wired gaming headphones, and they have a boom mic that offers great overall performance. While the Stinger are slightly better-built headphones, the G432 have a more neutral sound profile and their USB dongle gives you access to the G HUBapp, which allows you to EQ them easily. On top of having noticeably better audio reproduction, they also have a slightly better microphone, but also have a good app that allows customization options like an EQ, presets, and surround sound, which the Cloud Stinger are lacking. Thanks to their wired design, lag is negligible. While they have a small degree of flexibility, they're bulky and aren't meant to fold up, making them hard to transport. However, their microphone isnt fully detachable like the G433s boom mic. The swivel-to-mute microphone is a standout here, with a swivel-to-mute function and decent noise cancellation, especially for the price. These are wired headphones that don't offer a Bluetooth connection. Even in loud environments like a gaming tournament or train station, this headset will be able to capture your voice. A small overemphasis in the high mid will bring out a touch more intensity to your mixes, but it shouldn't be too overwhelming. The HyperX Cloud Stinger (cyan) doesnt stick too close to our house curve (pink). But overall, the Cloud Stinger is a very clear and loud headset without any detectable distortion. This wired gaming headset connects to your device of choice via the 3.5mm headphone jack, and it comes with a cable extension that splits the mic and headphone output, so it basically works everywhere. The Stealth 600 Gen 2 does under-emphasize sub-bass a lot, while the HyperX Cloud Stinger has a bass boost. It's more comfortable and isolates noise better than the Astro. Both headphones feel decently well-built and feel just as comfortable. The HyperX Cloud Stinger's treble accuracy performance is decent. If youre not committed to pink and want something similar and in the same price range as the Cloud Stinger but with more bass, take a look at the Razer Kraken V3 X. NY 10036. Although there's a dip in the low-mid that'll thin out some lead instruments and vocals, the rest of the range is fairly even.