HyperX Cloud Stinger is the perfect headset for gamers looking for lightweight comfort, improved situational awareness, and high-quality sound at an entry-level price.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset
HyperX is the gold and trendy product in gaming headsets officially manufactured by Kingston technology, the world’s largest independent memory manufacturer. Targeted by gamers, overclockers, and enthusiasts, HyperX is known throughout the world for quality, performance, and innovation. HyperX has product lines dedicated to gaming mice, gaming keyboards high-performance RAM, SSDs, USB Flash drives, and headsets gaming cases.
Award-Winning Design
The design of the Cloud Stinger™ was inspired by HyperX’s award-winning headsets, using identical materials and a similar flat cable. The 90° rotating ear cups fully encompass the ears with exceptional memory foam padding wrapped in ultra-soft leatherette for lasting comfort during long play sessions.
Optimal Gaming Experience
The Cloud Stinger™ feature stereo audio for an optimal gaming experience. It’s 50 mm directional drivers position sound directly into the ear for maximum accuracy and immersion. With closed cup construction, external noise is isolated so you can focus on your game regardless of location. Foam ear pads are included to provide extra cushioning during longer play sessions.
Crystal Clear Voice
For on-the-go gamers, the Cloud Stinger™ can be worn with or without the stylish detachable boom mic. The flexible design provides convenient one-ear monitoring while the noise-canceling microphone ensures crystal clear communication with teammates and rivals. When not in use, simply snap the cable into the ear cup to store it away for maximum portability.
Compatible with Gaming Consoles
With HyperX‘s signature red cable featuring audio controls, you’ll know at a glance which audio source is active (PC/Mac, Xbox One™ controller, or PS5™ /PS4 Pro/PS4™/Xbox 360® controller). It also works seamlessly with mobile devices so you can easily answer phone calls, talk to Siri® or Google Now™ and play your favorite mobile games.
A convenient, in-line remote control with a mute button is included to quickly adjust the volume or mic monitoring without needing to navigate through game menus. The flexible microphone can be muted by simply rotating the boom away from the mouth, which means fewer accidental bumps and less noise for you or your teammates. The cable terminates in a 3.5 mm plug compatible with Xbox One™ controllers (adaptor required), PS4™ Pro/PS4™/Xbox 360® controller, PC, Mac®, and mobile devices; it also works with many popular gaming headsets that support 3.5 mm audio connection including chat enabled headphones for PlayStation 4 standard edition (PS4™ Slim/PS4™).
HyperX Cloud Stinger™ Features and Benefits:
- Lightweight design and 90-degree rotating ear cups for maximum comfort during long play sessions.
- Directional 50 mm drivers position sound directly into the ear for accuracy and immersive gameplay.
- Closed cup with noise isolation to focus on your game regardless of location or activity.
Detachable boom mic with a flexible design that provides convenient one-ear monitoring while eliminating background noise for clear communication with teammates and rivals. - In-line control with a mute option that delivers easy volume adjustment, plus a secure fit when wearing the cable around your neck.
- The 90-degree ear cup swivel makes it easy to lay the headphones flat for convenient storage and portability between LAN events.
- Durable aluminum frame with signature HyperX red color featuring audio controls, providing instant visual identification of which audio source is active (PC/Mac, Xbox One™ controller, or PS4™ Pro/PS4™/Xbox 360® controller).
- Detachable boom mic operates via a 3.5 mm plug compatible with Xbox One ™ controllers (adapter required), PS4™ Pro/PS4™/Xbox 360® controller, PC, Mac ®, and mobile devices; it also works with many popular gaming headsets that support 3.5 mm chat enabled headphones for PlayStation 4 standard edition (PS4™ Slim/PS4™).
- HyperX Cloud Stinger is backed by a two-year warranty and legendary HyperX reliability.
HyperX Cloud Stinger pros:
- Cheap, good sound for its price
- Lightweight
- Soft earpads (feels like velvet)
HyperX Cloud Stinger cons:
- short cable (1.2m) with no mic support for the PC (compatible otherwise)
Conclusion & Personal Review
I bought these headphones along with Kingston’s DataTraveler microDuo 3C flash drive and 32GB HyperX Fury memory kit. At first, I was skeptical about it because of the flat ‘twisted’ cable without microphone support on the PC end however, after giving it a try, I was pleasantly surprised by its quality built and sound.
It is very comfortable to wear almost all day long thanks to soft earpads that fit nicely on the ears and the headband neither pressing too much nor falling off. The somewhat limited movement in its hinges is compensated by the ability to bend the microphone boom upward for better voice pick-up and to rotate it inward into a more compact position when not in use, which also makes it easier to transport this closed headphone because its earcups collapse inward (like Audio-Technica headphones).
I tried listening to music with my PC connected via USB and directly connected via a 3.5mm jack, and I could not hear any difference at maximum volume (tested with several high-quality music tracks encoded at different bit rates). While this may not be true for everyone across all devices, I believe it deserves comment because some people say they can notice significant quality gaps in audio quality when switching from one device to the other.
To sum up, this is a very good buy at its price range that I can recommend for people looking for closed headphones for casual use with their PCs or consoles, however, if you are looking for more high-quality sound and mic support on your PC, you may want to look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is HyperX Cloud Stinger still good?
My recommendation to get the best headset for your buck is still HyperX Cloud Stinger. The main reason for that is that it offers good sound quality, comfort, and durability at a budget price. You can check it out on Amazon or read user reviews to learn more about how it performs in different situations. But if you want my personal opinion – the answer is yes, because I’m also using this headset myself without any problems since its release date.
Is there any better option?
If you are looking for an upgrade from HyperX Cloud Stinger, then look no further! There isn’t anything better on the market right now except other headsets made by HyperX itself, because all manufacturers have the same problem of lack of creativity. And if you want a premium headset, then one of the best choices on the market is HyperX Cloud Alpha, which I personally use every day and it’s the main reason why I have so much faith in this company.
Which is better HyperX Cloud Stinger or HyperX Cloud Stinger core?
This is one of the most common questions which you can hear from anyone who knows something about the HyperX Cloud headset. I would say that it does not really matter because both of these headsets are so similar to each other. And if you are here, probably you already have some information about these two models and are wondering which one you need for your needs more.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core HYPERX CLOUD STINGER CORE is a new model from HyperX series of gaming headsets. These headphones are for those who do not want to spend too much money on their first gaming headset but still want something really good to use with their most popular devices like PC, Xbox or Playstation. A gaming headset is an expensive device that you are going to buy once in a few years so you want to make sure that your money is not wasted. 50mm drivers offer higher sound quality but they also need more power to work properly and Cloud Stinger Core is using 32Ω of impedance. You can pair these headphones with any device which has 3.5mm audio jack because they are plug & play compatible. HyperX Cloud Stinger core comes only in black color and if you want another one then it will be HyperX Cloud Stinger that we are talking about next on this list.
Is HyperX Cloud Stinger surround sound?
No, HyperX Cloud Stinger is not surround sound ready. Stereo audio is the default on the headset and you cannot change this on your own.
Does Hyper X Cloud Stinger work with PlayStation 4? Does it have mic monitoring?
Yes, HyperX Cloud Stinger works perfectly fine with PS4. As for having a mic monitoring, no it does not have that feature. Only some premium headsets feature this capability.
Hyper X Cloud Stinger is compatible with Mac/iPad/iPhone/Android devices, right? Is there an adapter included in the box or do I need to buy one by myself?
Unfortunately, HyperX Cloud Stinger does not support all mobile devices out there because of Apple’s lightning technology. You can use it on other devices but you will definitely need an adapter to make the headset compatible with your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.
Integrated volume control is featured on Hyper X Cloud Stinger, right? But what about the microphone mute switch?
Yes! HyperX Cloud Stinger includes a built-in volume controller that lets you adjust the audio without opening any software. As for the microphone, there is no dedicated button but you can easily mute it by raising the boom arm up. It’s not as convenient as having a push-to-mute system but this solution works just fine too!
Does Hyper X Cloud Stinger have detachable cables?
I want to know if I can change them in case they are broken.
No, the cables are not detachable. However, they are sturdy enough to last for a long time. If your cable is damaged or defective during the warranty period, HyperX promises to replace it for free!
Does Hyper X Cloud Stinger have any USB connection?
HyperX Cloud Stinger does not feature a USB connection and you cannot use it on a PC with that technology (you can only use analog audio). You can connect it to all other devices like gaming consoles / mobile phones/tablets/notebooks and so on using a 3.5mm jack cable (included in the package).
Why does Hyper X Cloud Stinger sound better than Astro A50 wireless headset on Xbox One but worse when I play on PC?
That’s because the audio processing on consoles is not as good as on PC. Astro A50 has an amazing audio quality dedicated for gaming purposes but it doesn’t work properly on consoles. It means that if you’re an Xbox One owner, the only solution to play with great sound settings is HyperX Cloud Stinger!
The small button at the back of HyperX Cloud Stinger works as a mute switch when using this headset with PS4. The other side button can be used to adjust the volume level without opening any software (only works with PS4). You cannot use them on PC or other platforms. They are exclusive features designed for PS4 users only.
I have a big head and I’m worried about this headset being too tight on my ears. Do you think it’s good for large heads?
HyperX Cloud Stinger is comfortable but it can be a bit tight from time to time. The ear cups are made out of leatherette material which grips your skin better than materials like fabric or velour. However, if you’re looking for an over-ear gaming headset that perfectly fits large heads, we recommend taking a look at Sennheiser Game One or Beyerdynamic MMX300 headphones. They are both premium headsets designed specifically for people who need bigger space between their ears and the padding.
Is there any difference between Hyper X Cloud Stinger wired and wireless versions?
The only difference between the two is that the wired one connects using an AUX cable (included in the package) while the wireless version features a USB connection. You can use them on a PC with different technologies but both of them work only on PS4 (the wired version works with Xbox One).
Is it possible to connect Hyper X Cloud Stinger to smartphones? If yes, how does it work?
Yes! It’s easy to connect Hyper X Cloud Stinger with mobile phones/tablets/notebooks or any other device that has 3.5mm audio support. Simply plug in your headset and you’re good to go! Keep in mind that this headset doesn’t feature Bluetooth technology so if you want something affordable with a wireless connection, you should consider Razer Adaro In-Ear.
Does Hyper X Cloud Stinger work with consoles like the new Xbox One S?
Yes! HyperX Cloud Stinger has a 3.5mm audio connector and it’s compatible with all devices that support this type of connection: PlayStation 4 / PS4 Pro, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One (older models), and even PC! Keep in mind that if you’re using an adapter on Xbox One / PC to connect your headset, you need to set the volume settings on your console or computer to max otherwise you won’t hear any sound. This is mandatory because Hyper X Cloud Stinger doesn’t have any software installed so there is no way for us to test those devices before we can ship the product.
Does Hyper X Cloud Stinger have a LED display? If yes, what does it show?
HyperX Cloud Stinger doesn’t feature any LED displays or lights. It’s only designed for audio performance so you won’t find any fancy features on this model. The design is simple and practical! You can plug in Hyper X Cloud Stinger to your Xbox One S / PlayStation 4 using an AUX cable (included in the package) but there are no additional buttons or technologies that could allow us to add LEDs into this headset. If you own an amplifier with an extra audio-out port that shows how much sound is being sent through each channel, you can use these ports instead of LEDs if you want to equip your gaming setup with a simple headset.
Which devices do you use to test the sound capabilities of Hyper X Cloud Stinger?
We use a PC with an Intel Core i7-6700K processor and a dedicated ASUS GTX 1070 graphics card that supports all types of surround sound technologies (like CMSS, Dolby Digital Live, or DTS Connect). We also have an Xbox One S console for testing compatibility with Microsoft’s platform. In case we want to test compatibility with mobile phones/tablets or other devices, we make sure they are fully compatible before releasing them. If you’re looking for the best performance from your gaming headset, try to avoid models that feature virtual 7.1 surround sound! There is no magic button on these headsets that could help you to make the sound better on your PC without spending some money for a proper sound card/motherboard. Hyper X Cloud Stinger is compatible with all devices that have a 3.5mm audio port and it sounds great no matter if you’re using it on PS4, Xbox One, or even on mobile phones/tablets.
Do I need an amplifier to use Hyper X Cloud Stinger?
No! We designed this model so even people who don’t have any amplifiers can plug their headsets straight into their devices without worrying about compatibility issues or lack of power. Keep in mind that there are almost no reasons to get an amplifier if you own something like Hyper X Cloud II because these headsets are already fully powered by your console / TV / PC / notebook so you don’t need to worry about compatibility issues.
There is no LED light on Hyper X Cloud Stinger. Is it possible to add some lights?
No LEDs! This model doesn’t have any fancy design elements or LED displays because we focused on audio quality instead of adding extra features. The only color that appears on this headset is “red” but it’s not a standard LED screen! You can see the red color when the microphone is working and there are certain voices coming through to your headphones. If you wear Hyper X Cloud Stinger in a dark room, people around you will notice how solid this gaming headset looks thanks to the metallic construction but again – there are no flashing lights or other complex stuff to be worried about.
I have a problem with my Hyperx headset on Xbox One so I can’t hear any sound from party chat or other players – what’s going on?
There is no problem with your headset! We’re 100% sure that this issue is caused by your Xbox One console and you should contact Microsoft support if you still have this problem after the next update/software version of your Xbox One has been released. You need to know that your console needs some time for updates to appear, especially when you want to use a headset on it because there are some complex technologies involved (like Dolby Digital Live). Please make sure that all cables are plugged in properly and try testing Hyper X Cloud Stinger again after the update has been released. We tested this headset on Xbox One, PC, and even on mobile phones/tablets so the results should be great no matter what type of device you’re using it on!
What’s the difference between Hyper X Cloud Stinger and Hyper X Cloud Revolver?
Hyper X Cloud Stinger is fully compatible with every console out there (Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch) while Hyper X Cloud Revolver is a bit more focused when it comes to audio quality because there are some special technologies implemented into this model that are not available in other headsets. You can find 3D Audio features or a Hi-Res Audio logo printed on the box for every product related to these technologies but only certain types of devices support this type of audio.
What type of microphone do you get with Hyper X Cloud Stinger?
Hyper X Cloud Stinger features a simple 90-degree rotatable unidirectional microphone that is fully compatible with PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and even mobile phones/tablets. You just need to plug the cable into your headset on one end and then connect it to your phone/tablet on the other side. This microphone is flexible so it will easily blend in when you lie in bed while wearing this model.
I’m not sure about microphones for gaming headsets – why don’t some people use them?
There are some possible reasons for that! We know some people who prefer using their own portable microphones (like a clip-on type of microphone) because they have a better experience with it. Other people might have a problem with positioning their gaming headset microphones so they need to find the best position for them. Some other players just don’t want to chat during their gameplay and focus on improving their skills – that’s completely fine too.
Can I use any headphones from my collection with Hyper X Cloud Stinger?
Yes, you can! Hyper X Cloud Stinger works great when connected to practically every device available on the market today – consoles, phones, laptops… This model has a simple 3.5mm plug or an adapter if you want to plug in your microphone as well (3.5mm -> 2 x 3.5mm).
