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HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed Dec 08, 2022 at 10:55 am
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Picture
7.4
Neutral Sound
4.7
Commute/Travel
5.4
Sports/Fitness
6.0
Office
5.3
Wireless Gaming
7.3
Wired Gaming
6.9
Phone Calls

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Stinger. These affordable gaming headphones have a sleeker design than their bulky predecessor and have a flexible boom mic for better positioning closer to your mouth. They're wired-only, with a 1/8" TRRS cable with audio and mic support for any console with an AUX port. These are a decent option for anyone looking for budget gaming headphones.

Our Verdict

7.4 Neutral Sound

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 aren't designed for neutral sound. They have an excited, V-shaped sound profile that's more suitable for gaming due to their boomy bass. While sibilants like cymbals are bright and present in mixes, dialogue and instruments are a bit veiled and lacking detail. Depending on factors like your head shape and if you wear glasses, these over-ears also struggle to deliver consistent audio reproduction each time you use them.

Pros
  • Flexible boom mic with great recording quality.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery that varies between users. Sensitive to glasses.
4.7 Commute/Travel

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 aren't intended for commuting and travel. While they're lightweight and comfortable, the boom mic can't be detached, meaning they're bulky to travel with. They also do a poor job blocking out background noise, so your music can be drowned out by chatter on a crowded subway car or the rumble of bus and plane engines. They don't come with a carrying case either, and they could get damaged while moving around in your bag.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Can fall off your head while you're moving.
  • Poor noise isolation.
5.4 Sports/Fitness

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 aren't designed for sports and fitness. They're gaming headphones with a non-detachable boom mic, and they can easily fall off during a workout, especially if the connection cable gets snagged or stuck on something.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Can fall off your head while you're moving.
  • Poor noise isolation.
6.0 Office

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are mediocre for office use. They're gaming headphones, so if you're okay with their design, they're a passable choice. The built-in AUX cable means you won't have to worry about batteries dying during a shift, and they're comfortable enough to wear all day. However, they don't block out much background noise, meaning you'll still hear a good amount of ambient chatter. People may also hear your audio if you crank these headphones to max volume.

Pros
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery that varies between users. Sensitive to glasses.
5.3 Wireless Gaming

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are wired headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.

7.3 Wired Gaming

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are decent for wired gaming. These comfortable over-ears have full audio and mic compatibility with consoles that have an AUX port. They also have an excited sound profile. The extra bass helps emphasize sound effects like footsteps while the bump in treble keeps sibilants like cymbals present. The mic is flexible and poseable, and its recording quality is great, so your voice sounds clear. The mic does a decent job of separating your voice from moderate background noise. However, they lack sound customization features like an EQ.

Pros
  • Flexible boom mic with great recording quality.
  • Comfortable and well-built.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery that varies between users. Sensitive to glasses.
  • Poor noise isolation.
6.9 Phone Calls

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are mediocre for phone calls. They're comfortable enough for a long call, and the boom mic's recording quality is great. The mic also does a decent job of separating your voice from background noise when you're speaking, so you sound clear and understandable on the other end of the line. Unfortunately, the headphones do a poor job of isolating you from outside ambient noise, meaning you may struggle to hear the call in a busy environment.

Pros
  • Flexible boom mic with great recording quality.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation.
  • 7.4 Neutral Sound
  • 4.7 Commute/Travel
  • 5.4 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.0 Office
  • 5.3 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.3 Wired Gaming
  • 6.9 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Dec 08, 2022: Review published.
  2. Updated Nov 28, 2022: Early access published.
  3. Updated Nov 18, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Sep 15, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Sep 09, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Stinger, offering a slimmer build and a more flexible built-in microphone. They only come in one color: 'Black' and you can see our model's label here. There's another related model to these headphones called the HyperX Cloud Stinger S, which come with a USB dongle and support 7.1 surround sound.

If you come across another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 are the next generation of the HyperX Cloud Stinger budget wired gaming headphones. They're lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for long gaming sessions. They also have a great mic that performs better than some other budget-friendly wired models from this manufacturer, like the HyperX Cloud Stinger S. While the Cloud Stinger 2 are less bulky than their predecessor, they suffer from the same cheap build quality, and don't feel as well-built as other headphones in the Hyper X Cloud lineup either, like the HyperX Cloud Alpha and the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II.

If you're looking for more gaming headphones, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets under 100$, and the best HyperX gaming headsets.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 and the HyperX Cloud Stinger are very similarly performing gaming headphones, but the original Cloud Stinger are slightly better. Both headphones have great mics, but the original Cloud Stinger has better overall mic performance. The original Cloud Stinger also have a more balanced sound profile, with more low-bass for rumbly sound effects. However, the Cloud Stinger 2 are less bulky and have more accurate controls.

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II

The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II are slightly better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. The Cloud 2 are better built, feel more premium, and have an in-line remote cable that lets you independently control the mic and headphone volume. The Cloud Stinger 2 only feature a volume control wheel. The Cloud 2 also have a better mic with better noise handling, so teammates will hear you more clearly.

HyperX Cloud Alpha

The HyperX Cloud Alpha are slightly better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. The Cloud Stinger 2's mic has slightly better recording quality, but the Cloud Alpha's mic do a significantly better job isolating your voice from the background. The Cloud Alpha also have a much better build quality, with a premium feel that makes them more comfortable to wear for longer. They also have a more neutral sound profile than the Cloud Stinger 2, which some users may prefer.

HyperX Cloud Flight

The HyperX Cloud Flight are better headphones than the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2. The Cloud Flight are more versatile since they're wireless. The mic also has better noise handling than the Cloud Stinger 2's mic, ensuring more separation between your voice and background noise during a call or match. However, if you're looking for a wired connection, the Cloud Stinger 2 are still a solid choice.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic

They have an understated design with the manufacturer's logo on the ear cups. They're also slightly thinner-looking than the HyperX Cloud Stinger, opting for smaller hinges that make the headphones appear more casual. These headphones only come in one color: 'Black'.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.6 lbs
Clamping Force
0.5 lbs

These headphones are comfortable. While lightweight, they're a little small and a bit stiff, meaning they may fit tight on larger heads. The foam and faux-leather earpads are plush but aren't as comfortable as other headphones, like the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II, but are still suitable for long gaming sessions.

5.7
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
No
Additional Controls No

These headphones have sub-par controls. The only physical control is a volume adjustment wheel on the bottom of the right ear cup that stops when you've reached the minimum or maximum volume. To activate the mic is as simple as flipping it downwards, and there's a tone to let you know when it's on.

5.5
Design
Portability
L 7.8" (19.9 cm)
W 10.8" (27.5 cm)
H 2.0" (5.2 cm)
Volume 174.19 in³ (2,854.50 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

These headphones aren't very portable. They don't fold from their default position, and only the earcups rotate to lay flat. Gaming headphones typically aren't very portable, but this won't be a problem since they're more likely to stay on your desk near your PC or console. They also lack a carrying case to protect them on the go.

0
Design
Case
Type No case
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A
7.0
Design
Build Quality

These headphones have a decent build quality. They're mostly made of cheap-feeling plastic and have a thin metal plate in the headband, which is very similar to the HyperX Cloud Stinger and HyperX Cloud Stinger S. However, the headband on the Cloud Stinger 2 is better-padded and wider. These headphones also improve on the original Cloud Stinger's rigid mic design, now featuring a flexible build for better positioning relative to your mouth.

6.5
Design
Stability

These headphones are reasonably stable. They aren't intended for sports and fitness and will fall off your head during intense movement. Overall, they're better suited for gaming at your desk or on the couch, especially since the non-detachable cable could snag on something or get tangled.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 headphones
  • Boom mic filter
  • 1/8" TRRS audio cable
  • Y-splitter cable
  • DTS Headphone:X activation code
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
0.22 dB
Treble Amount
-1.76 dB

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 have an excited, V-shaped sound profile. While not as thumpy and rumbly as the original HyperX Cloud Stinger, gamers can still enjoy the warmth and boom of gunshots and explosions, thanks to a bump in the high-bass. The rest of the mix is detailed and clear with bright sibilants like cymbals. These headphones also have inconsistent audio delivery, meaning your experience may vary depending on how they fit your head. They also lack sound customization features like an EQ to help you customize their performance.

6.1
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.9 dB

These headphones have mediocre frequency response consistency. Depending on the shape of your head, if you wear glasses, and how the headphones are positioned on your head, you may have difficulty achieving a proper fit and seal each time you use them, resulting in inconsistent audio delivery.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
7.7
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.41 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
26.31 Hz
Low-Bass
-1.45 dB
Mid-Bass
2.94 dB
High-Bass
5.29 dB

These headphones have good bass accuracy. The low-bass is underemphasized, meaning your gameplay lacks a bit of thump and rumble. However, there's an overemphasis across the mid and high-bass, so while the mix sounds warm and full-bodied, it's also boomy, which can help accentuate sound effects like footsteps.

8.3
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.27 dB
Low-Mid
0.14 dB
Mid-Mid
-1.75 dB
High-Mid
-0.05 dB

The mid-accuracy on these headphones is impressive. The mid range is somewhat flat, but there's a slight underemphasis in the mid-mid that pushes vocals and instruments to the back of the mix. That said, in songs like 10% by Kaytranada, the vocals and lead instruments still sound present and clear.

7.6
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.66 dB
Low-Treble
-2.01 dB
Mid-Treble
1.67 dB
High-Treble
-8.38 dB

These headphones have good treble accuracy. The low-treble is slightly underemphasized, resulting in a loss of detail and presence in vocals and lead instruments. There's a slight overemphasis in the mid-treble, but sibilants like cymbals sound bright and present rather than piercing.

6.5
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.44 dB
Dips
1.51 dB

These headphones have an adequate peaks and dips performance. There's a peak in the high-bass and a dip in the low-mid. It makes the mix boomy and thins out lead instruments and vocals. A dip in the low-treble veils the details of vocals and instruments, which is more audible in the left driver due to a slight mismatch. There's also a big peak in the mid-treble, which makes sibilants painful and piercing.

6.5
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.23
Weighted Phase Mismatch
4.63
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
3.43
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
4.58

These headphones have fair imaging. Generally, HyperX's headphones have decent quality control and ergonomics. Unfortunately, our unit's L/R drivers are mismatched in both amplitude and frequency response, resulting in an unbalanced sound and causing holes in the stereo image. Voices and sound effects, like footsteps, aren't placed accurately in the stereo image. The L/R drivers are well-matched in group delay, which results in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction.

5.9
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
3.92 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
5.89 dB
PRTF Distance
10.55 dB
Openness
5.7
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.9

These headphones have a sub-par passive soundstage. While they can create a wide-feeling soundstage, they don't feel as open, spacious, or immersive as open-back headphones or other HyperX models like the HyperX Cloud Flight or the HyperX Cloud Stinger S.

2.0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
DTS Headphones: X Spatial Audio

Our model comes with an activation code for two years of DTS Headphone:X. It's a spatial audio app that you can use to generate a 3D soundscape for a more immersive gaming experience. This software only works with Windows 10 and Xbox.

7.6
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.233
WHD @ 100
0.163

These headphones have a good weighted harmonic distortion performance. There's a wide peak between the mid-mid and mid-treble, but it isn't audible with real-life content. Overall, all frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in a clean and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
No Firmware
Power
Passive
Connection
Wired
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
No EQ
ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Boom

We tested the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 using these settings. Our results are only valid with these settings.

Isolation
4.2
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-11.75 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.14 dB
Mid
-8.15 dB
Treble
-27.87 dB

These headphones have poor noise isolation. They don't reduce noise in the bass range, meaning you'll hear passing traffic from an open window. They aren't great for blocking out ambient chatter either, but they do a solid job of cutting down the hum of a PC fan.

6.6
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
41.95 dB

These headphones have an adequate leakage performance. Escaping audio is mostly concentrated in the mid-to-treble range. If you like to crank your audio up during a match, people around will likely hear the vocals and lead instruments.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-Line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
8.4
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
85.99 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.79 dB
HFE
8,010.97 Hz
Weighted THD
0.122
Gain
23.35 dB

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2's boom mic has great recording quality. Your voice sounds full, detailed, and understandable to teammates. However, due to the mic's flexible design, keep in mind that its performance will depend on how you adjust and position it relative to your mouth.

7.2
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
29.85 dB
Noise Gate
Always On
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
7.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The boom mic has decent noise handling. Moderate background noise at home won't drown your voice out, but louder environments like a gaming tournament can make it trickier for teammates to hear you clearly.

Active Features
0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
No Battery
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
N/A
Charge Time
N/A
Power-Saving Feature
No
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Passive Headphone
Charging Port None
0
Active Features
App Support
App Name No App
iOS No
Android No
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
No
ANC Control
No
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
No
Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
PC Latency (SBC)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
N/A
Android Latency
N/A
0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
9.0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length 6.89 ft (2.10 m)
Connection
1/8" TRRS
Analog/USB Audio Latency
0 ms

These headphones have an attached 1/8" TRRS cable and a Y-splitter cable for PC gaming.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No

These headphones have full mic and audio compatibility on PCs via their 1/8" TRRS cable.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No

You can plug in the headphones' 1/8" TRRS cable into your PS4 or PS5 controller's AUX port for full audio and mic compatibility.

Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No

You can plug in the headphones' 1/8" TRRS cable into your Xbox's controller for full audio and mic compatibility.

0
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
No Base/Dock
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
No Base/Dock