HyperX Cloud Stinger Core Wireless + 7.1 Gaming Headset Review

Performance

The most important aspects of any headset are comfort and sound quality, beyond that I couldn’t care what it looked like either. Fortunately, this headset does look pretty clean and stylish, and it’s nicely made. It feels comfortable and surprisingly lightweight to wear, with just enough flex to prevent hotspots from the headband or ear cups. I would have liked rotating ear cups, but honestly, they fit really well regardless. The soft memory foam padding does a good job of distributing the weight and it’s breathable too, so you don’t get the dreaded sweaty/hot ear.

The drivers are pretty punchy and can really drive some big volume should you need it. At 40mm the drivers aren’t enormous, but they still manage to push a good low-end bass sound that’s not too overpowering. It’s not quite as bass-heavy as a larger driver with leather ear cups would be, but it’s more than enough to give a good kick to explosions and plenty of bass your music. For gaming, it’s certainly the headsets biggest focus with a good mid-range push and bright and clear treble. It’s easy to hear footsteps and environment details.

The surround processing is certainly competitive too, as that’s a market that really got its business together years ago. I use my headsets with either SXFI processing or Dolby Atmos Headphone, but I suspect most gamers would be more than happy with the 7.1 on offer here, it works great for movies and games.

The battery life is pretty decent too, offering up to 17 hours at 50% volume. I got around 12-13 out of it, which is LOADS. Even in lockdown, I don’t play THAT much per day. It charges really quickly too thanks to the USB C port, and you can charge while you play.

The microphone is very easy to use too, just fold it down and you’ll hear a “click” from the ear cup, as there must be a mechanical switch that auto-mutes the microphone when folded. The boom is super flexible, so you can easily find a good speaking position too. It’s perfect for a bit of Discord while gaming.