HyperX Cloud Stinger 2  Headphones Review

Reviewed Dec 08, 2022 at 10:55am
Tested using Methodology v1.5 
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2

Track

0.0
Neutral Sound 
0.0
Commute/Travel 
0.0
Sports/Fitness 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Wireless Gaming 
0.0
Wired Gaming 
0.0
Phone Calls 

Track

 1
  1. Recommended in:
  2. HyperX

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

0.0
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.
0.0
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.
0.0
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.
0.0
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.
0.0
Wireless Gaming 

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

0.0
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.
0.0
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.
  • 0.0
    Neutral Sound
  • 0.0
    Commute/Travel
  • 0.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Wireless Gaming
  • 0.0
    Wired Gaming
  • 0.0
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    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.

    Check Price

    BlackCloud Stinger 2
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    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.

    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    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 Alpha

    Track

    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 Stinger

    Track

    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

    Track

    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 Flight

    Track

    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.

    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!
    How We Test Headphones: Over 800 And Counting!

    Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.

    You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeLockedOver-ear
    EnclosureLockedClosed-Back
    WirelessLockedNo
    TransducerLockedDynamic

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    0.0
    Comfort
    WeightLockedLock lbs
    Clamping Force
    LockedLock lbs

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    0.0
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    LockedLocked
    Ease Of UseLockedLocked
    FeedbackLockedLocked
    Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
    Volume ControlLockedLocked
    Microphone ControlLockedLocked
    Channel Mixing
    LockedLocked
    Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
    Talk-Through
    LockedLocked
    Additional ControlsLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Portability
    LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Case
    TypeLockedLocked
    LLockedN/A
    WLockedN/A
    HLockedN/A
    VolumeLockedN/A
    0.0
    Build Quality

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    0.0
    Stability

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    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
    Top
    In The Box

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    Sound
    Sound Profile
    Bass Amount
    LockedLock dB
    Treble Amount
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Frequency Response Consistency
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    LockedLock dB

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    Raw Frequency Response
    0.0
    Bass Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    Low-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Bass
    LockedLock dB
    High-Bass
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Mid Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Mid
    LockedLock dB
    High-Mid
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Treble Accuracy
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    Mid-Treble
    LockedLock dB
    High-Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Peaks/Dips
    Peaks
    LockedLock dB
    Dips
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Imaging
    Weighted Group Delay
    LockedLock
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    LockedLock
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Passive Soundstage
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    LockedLock dB
    PRTF Distance
    LockedLock dB
    Openness
    Locked
    0.0
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    Locked
    0.0

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    0.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Speaker Modeling
    LockedLocked
    Room Ambience
    LockedLocked
    Head Tracking
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    WHD @ 90
    LockedLock
    WHD @ 100
    LockedLock

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    Test Settings
    Firmware
    LockedLocked
    Power
    LockedLocked
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Codec
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    ANC
    LockedLocked
    Tip/Pad
    LockedLocked
    Microphone
    LockedLocked

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    Isolation
    0.0
    Noise Isolation
    Isolation Audio
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    Overall Attenuation
    LockedLock dB
    Noise CancellingLockedNo
    Bass
    LockedLock dB
    Mid
    LockedLock dB
    Treble
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Leakage
    Leakage Audio
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    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    LockedLock dB

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    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    LockedLocked
    In-Line
    LockedLocked
    Boom
    LockedLocked
    Detachable Boom
    LockedLocked
    MicLockedYes
    0.0
    Recording Quality
    Recorded Speech
    JOIN NOWto hear audio samples
    LFE
    LockedLock Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    LockedLock dB
    HFE
    LockedLock Hz
    Weighted THD
    LockedLock
    Gain
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Noise Handling
    SpNR
    LockedLock dB
    Noise Gate
    LockedLocked
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
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    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    Locked
    0.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
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    Active Features
    0.0
    Battery
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked
    Continuous Battery Life
    LockedN/A
    Additional Charges
    LockedN/A
    Total Battery Life
    LockedN/A
    Charge Time
    LockedN/A
    Power-Saving Feature
    LockedLocked
    Audio While Charging
    LockedLocked
    Passive Playback
    LockedLocked
    Charging PortLockedLocked
    0.0
    App Support
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    macOSLockedLocked
    WindowsLockedLocked
    Equalizer
    LockedLocked
    ANC Control
    LockedLocked
    Mic ControlLockedLocked
    Room Effects
    LockedLocked
    Playback Control
    LockedLocked
    Button MappingLockedLocked
    Surround Support
    LockedLocked
    Connectivity
    0.0
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Version
    LockedLocked
    Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    NFC Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (SBC)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX HD)
    LockedN/A
    PC Latency (aptX-LL)
    LockedN/A
    iOS Latency
    LockedN/A
    Android Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
    LockedN/A
    Non-BT Latency
    LockedN/A
    0.0
    Wired
    Analog Audio
    LockedLocked
    USB Audio
    LockedLocked
    DetachableLockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connection
    LockedLocked
    Analog/USB Audio Latency
    LockedLock ms

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    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Analog
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    LockedLocked
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Base/Dock
    Type
    LockedLocked
    USB Input
    LockedLocked
    Line In
    LockedLocked
    Line Out
    LockedLocked
    Optical Input
    LockedLocked
    RCA Input
    LockedLocked
    Dock Charging
    LockedLocked
    Power Supply
    LockedLocked