REVIEW – Since purchasing my PS5, I’ve been using a wired gaming headset that I reviewed back in 2020 (the EKSA E900 Pro). The comfort and audio quality were solid, but I wanted to get away from being tethered to the controller. Luckily, I was recently asked to review the Cloud Stinger Core wireless headset from HyperX. Let’s see if this budget-friendly wireless headset is worth cutting the cord.
What is it?
The HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless is a lightweight, durable gaming headset that is ready to play on PS4, PS5, and PCs. The headset connects wirelessly using a USB adaptor.
What’s in the box?
- HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless gaming headset
- USB wireless adaptor
- USB charging cable
- Quick start guide
Specs
Headphones
- Driver: Dynamic, 40mm with Neodymium magnets
- Type: Closed-back
- Frequency response: 20-20kHz
- Impedance: 16 ohms
- Battery life: Up to 17 hours
- Wireless range: 2.4Ghz – Up to 12 meters (Open Field)
Microphone
- Element: Electret condenser microphone
- Polar pattern: Uni-directional, Noise-cancelling
- Frequency response: 50Hz-18kHz
- Sensitivity: -40dBV (1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Design and features
This headset has a clean design that complements the PS5, from the all-white coloring to the electric blue piping around the ear cushions.
A gray HyperX logo is prominently displayed on both of the ear cups.
The headset is made entirely of plastic except for the metal sliders. The metal sliders make it easy to adjust the fit and provide durability.
The ear cushions and headband are soft and covered with a breathable mesh-like material.
The left ear has a power button, USB-C charging port, and onboard audio controls. This is also where the flexible, swivel-to-mute, noise-canceling mic is located.
The headset charges via USB-C and has a battery life of up to 17 hours.
Fit and comfort
The headset is incredibly lightweight. In fact, they might be the lightest I have ever used. The headset is a little stiff but is easily adjustable (with the metal sliders) so, the fit should not be a problem for most gamers. The comfort of this headset for me was exceptional. The breathable mesh-covered ear cushions and headband are soft and don’t get too hot. The combo of a lightweight plastic design and soft ear cushions make the Cloud Stinger a headset I can wear for multiple hours of gaming without fatigue or discomfort.
Connection
The headset uses a USB adaptor to wirelessly connect to your PS4, PS5, or PC. The adaptor, about the size of a thumb drive, plugs into the system’s USB port. Once plugged in, the indicator light on the adaptor will flash red. To connect the headset, push and hold its power button until you hear a beep. A solid red light on the adaptor indicates that the headset is connected. I found the 2.4GHz gaming-grade wireless connection to be fast and reliable.
The audio quality was very good for me. In fact, the HyperX wireless headset sounded better than the wired headset I regularly use. The 40mm drivers provided a surprisingly good amount of bass, and I was impressed by the range of sound on both the high and low ends. And the ear cushions created a good seal around my ears, keeping out ambient noise. Overall, the audio experience was immersive, especially when playing atmospheric games like Resident Evil Village and Spiderman Miles Morales. The onboard controls made it easy to adjust the volume. Unfortunately, there is no way to fine-tune the sound. It would be nice to have an app to allow you to adjust the audio settings. The swivel-to-mute microphone worked well too. I don’t do much online gaming, but I did test the microphone during a video call. The person on the other end said my voice was crisp and clear like I was in the same room. And the swivel-to-mute feature made it convenient and easy to mute the mic. The only issue is there are no onboard controls to adjust the volume. This can only be done in the PS5’s audio settings, but probably not a deal-breaker for most.
What I like
- Lightweight
- Comfort
- Audio quality
- Up to 17-hour battery life
What I’d change
- No onboard volume controls for the microphone
- Inability to fine-tune audio
Final thoughts
I enjoyed reviewing the HyperX Cloud Stinger wireless gaming headset. The comfort, audio quality, and battery life definitely make them worth cutting the cord, especially for under $80.
Price: $79.99 currently marked down to $69.99 on HyperX.com
Where to buy: HyperX.com and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by HyperX.
