When you are looking to game on a budget, few companies can provide a better array of budget-friendly gaming accessories than HyperX. Across keyboards, mice, and headsets, HyperX has options for everyone. Whether you are just diving into games for the first time or are a more dedicated gamer, headsets like the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless don’t fail. Taking an already familiar design within the HyperX family and making it even better, HyperX has said goodbye to the cords and hello to virtual 7.1 surround sound.
Everything from comfort to durability to gaming-grade wireless helps make the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless a terrific option for anyone looking to pick up a wireless headset for less than $100. Throw in 17 hours of battery life and you can game all day and all night without feeling guilty. Well, maybe only game all day on the weekends so you don’t miss work, but there’s definitely a lot to like about this HyperX headset.
Let’s dive into what you need to know.
Best Deal Today
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless (NewEgg) – $86.38
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless (Best Buy) – $79.99
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless (Amazon) – $79.00
- Fast wireless
- Spatial Audio from DTX
- Comfortable and Lightweight
- Steel sliders that are both durable and adjustable
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless Overview
Release Date and Price
HyperX released the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless to the world in September 2021 and has maintained its $79.99 price point ever since. However, the headset does receive discounts through the HyperX website or through the likes of Amazon and has recently dropped as low as $59.99 during the holiday 2022 period.
For the price, you get a deep selection of features that rivals far more expensive headsets albeit with shorter battery life.
Different Models
There are a number of headsets in the HyperX lineup bearing the Cloud Stinger Core name including a few models designed specifically for different gaming consoles.
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core for PS5/PS4 consoles
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless for PS5/PS4 consoles
- Fast wireless
- Spatial Audio from DTX
- Comfortable and Lightweight
- Steel sliders that are both durable and adjustable
- DTS Headphone X Spatial Audio - Experience your games in a whole new way with the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core's DTS Headphone X Spatial Audio. This feature enhances the audio quality, making it more...
- Adjustable Steel Sliders - The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core comes with adjustable steel sliders, ensuring a perfect fit for any user. This feature allows you to customize the headset for your comfort,...
- Noise-Cancelling Mic - Communicate clearly with your team with the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core's noise-cancelling mic. This feature reduces background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly, even...
- Immersive In-Game Audio - With the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core, you can fully immerse yourself in your game. The headset provides high-quality audio, allowing you to hear every detail in your game.
- Compatibility - The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is compatible with multiple platforms including PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. This feature gives you the flexibility to...
- The product is compatible with Xbox One and Nintendo Switch
- Optimized for comfort and convenience. Circumaural closed back type
- PC and Laptop compatibility may require a 4-pole Y-Splitter (Not Included)
- Headset connection is 3.5 millimeter plug 4 pole. Cable length is 51.18 inch headset
- Gaming-grade wireless: Provides freedom from cords with its solid 2.4GHz gaming-grade wireless connection.
- Lightweight comfort: Game longer with this lightweight headset and its soft, breathable ear cushions.
- Immersive in-game audio: The closed-cup design will help block out distractions while the 40 millimeter drivers and enhanced bass keep you immersed in your game.
- Adjustable steel sliders: Built durably with sturdy steel sliders that adjust to provide a comfortable fit.
- Onboard audio controls: Convenient onboard audio controls so you can adjust volume without having to dig into system menus.
Features
When it comes to features, the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless is full of options that will please gamers of all types. Everything starts with the wireless functionality allowing a range of up to 20 meters from the USB source thanks to a 2.4GHz connection. HyperX labels it as gaming-grade wireless but no matter what you call it, it’s proven to work well.
Second to the importance of wireless functionality is another notable feature of the headset with 7.1 virtual surround sound. Powered by DTS Headphone:X spatial audio, you get both a 3D and immersive sound that is hard to beat at this price.
Also important is that the overall headset is lightweight thanks to HyperX’s signature memory foam adjustable durable steel sliders. Adding to the already impressive feature set is HyperX’s signature swivel-to-mute noise-canceling microphone or you can mute via the conveniently placed onboard audio controls.
Specifications
| Weight | 0.53 pounds or 240 grams |
| Form Factor | Over-ear, closed back |
| Battery Life | Up to 17 hours |
| Recharge Time | 3 hours |
| Wireless Range | Up to 20 meters |
| Sound Modes | Virtual 7.1 surround sound, DTS Headphone: Spatial Audio (3D) |
| Drivers | Dynamic, 40mm with neodymium magnets |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz – 21kHz |
| Ear Cushions | Soft foam and fabric |
| Audio Format | Stereo |
| Microphone | Noise-canceling |
| Connections | 2.4Ghz |
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless Review
Design
After a while, all-black gaming headsets start to look alike but HyperX continues to try and find a design of its own, especially with a bright HyperX logo right there on the left earcup. Whether you go with the all-white version for the PlayStation 5/PS4 or the more general black version, you get a design that looks and feels good.
There’s definitely some plastic in use with the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless and it shows, though not in a bad way. However, you can immediately tell this is not a premium material headset. Of course, being all plastic isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it helps to keep costs down which keeps the headset firmly in the budget-friendly ultra-competitive space. The look of the white version definitely feels nicer overall and stands out a bit from the all-black headset albeit with the same functionality so it’s definitely a personal preference.
Even with the plastic, HyperX still includes its signature memory foam and soft leatherette ear cups which are quite comfortable. At 240 grams, the headset is firmly in the middle of the pack in terms of weight as the more expensive HyperX Cloud Core Wireless weighs in at a heftier 294 grams. Even with the weight, there’s unlikely to be any fatigue as you can adjust the steel sliders so you can find the right fit over your head as well.
Performance
The biggest highlight of the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless is the inclusion of 7.1 virtual surround sound, at least if you buy the all-black version. As the PS4 and PS5 cannot support the DTS Headphone:X spatial audio to create that 3D sound, you have to sticker with the all-black model to get the best out of this product. Should you stick with all black, the spatial audio hits you with sound the moment you put the headset on and while it won’t replace a dedicated home theater system, it’s very much the next best thing.
Audio comes through clear, crisp, and natural and that’s especially true with in-game dialog or hearing your friends or teammates during online gameplay. Using the 40mm drivers, there is definitely enough bass to keep you moving and while you can’t tweak the equalizer using the HyperX NGENUITY app, it’s got enough punch for the price. What helps offset this lack of features is the inclusion of the swivel-to-mute noise-canceling mic, which is such a welcomed feature.
The biggest downside of the performance of this headset is that you cannot tweak any settings beyond what’s provided out of the box. Given the features already available, if you could tweak the equalizer to your liking, HyperX would have a massive hit on its hands. Even without these extra capabilities, you can still expect plenty of volume and you’ll have no issue with highs or mids as long as your expectations are in line with a $79 headset.
©Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com
Battery Life
According to HyperX, buyers of the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless will receive up to 17 hours on a single charge. It’s a bit on the low end of the HyperX lineup as the Cloud Core Wireless works for up to 20 hours, or the more premium HyperX Cloud Alpha which powers through 300 hours of battery life on a single charge. Of course, it charges almost three times longer than the Stinger so it has positives and negatives. Even so, gamers should find plenty of opportunity with the 17 hours of battery life for all-day and all-night game sessions. At the end of the day, you need only three hours to fully juice the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless backup using a micro-USB connection.
Compatibility
HyperX doesn’t provide specific details on its website about compatibility but as this is a 2.4GHz connection through a USB 2.0 plug, you can surmise what consoles and devices it will work with. To that point, anyone using a PC, PlayStation 5, or PlayStation 4 should be in good shape as far as immediate compatibility right out of the box. That’s true for both the more generic black version of the headset and the all-white PlayStation-ready version. Unfortunately, HyperX did not include Bluetooth technology which makes it unable to work with mobile devices or Xbox consoles.
Comfort
Thanks to the use of memory foam, soft leatherette, and adjustable steel sliders, HyperX has made the Cloud Stinger Core Wireless headset as comfortable as you can get at this price point. Backed by a two-year warranty, the memory foam feels like it’s going to last and is comfortable for long gaming sessions. The overall weight of 248 grams could allow for some fatigue after a few hours but as you are able to adjust the sliders while playing, you can likely push past that time limit. The closed-ear cup design is definitely a personal preference as some people might prefer a different headset style but for those that do enjoy a closed-ear cup, the HyperX certainly meets the criteria for better-than-average comfort.
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless Pros and Cons
In a market filled with competition, there are bound to be both positives and negatives with any gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless is no exception.
Pros
- Great 7.1 virtual surround sound with 40mm drivers
- Well-placed onboard controls for adjusting volume
- Good microphone with an easy mute toggle
- Comfortable
Cons
- Sub-par battery life against similarly priced wireless competition
- No ability to adjust audio through PC software
- Only the PS5/PS4 edition offers 12 meters of range against 30 feet of the regular version
- Doesn’t work with Xbox consoles
HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless
Buy It if…
- You’re looking for an inexpensive way to jump into the wireless gaming headset world with just enough features like virtual surround sound, PC and PlayStation compatibility, etc.
- You want a comfortable and relatively lightweight gaming headset at an affordable price with a solid two-year warranty in case you need to replace any material.
- You want a solid sound quality that pairs well with its 40mm drivers which sit parallel to your ear so you feel completely immersed while gaming.
Don’t Buy it if…
- You are concerned about the overall battery life. At 20 hours of max battery life, the Cloud Stinger Wireless Core does lean toward the shorter end as far as battery life.
- You’re an Xbox console owner. You should look elsewhere as the wireless connection is only made through a 2.4GHz USB 2.0 connection which means no Xbox compatibility.
- You are interested in being able to play with audio tweaks like an equalizer as there is no ability to do that through HyperX’s NGENUITY software.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Sushiman.
