HyperX Cloud Stinger vs SteelSeries Arctis 1: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

HyperX Cloud Stinger

SteelSeries Arctis 1

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 27, 2025 08:27 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 28, 2025 01:14 PM

HyperX Cloud Stinger Picture

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

Our Verdict

HyperX Cloud Stinger

SteelSeries Arctis 1

The HyperX Cloud Stinger are marginally better than the SteelSeries Arctis 1. The HyperX are slightly more comfortable, and are better-built than the Arctis 1 as materials don’t feel as cheap. That said, they perform quite similarly across our tests and most people won’t notice a big difference in sound. However, the SteelSeries have a detachable mic, which gives them a more outdoor-friendly look if you want to use them with your phone.

Variants

Cloud Stinger (Black)

Arctis 1 (Black)
Arctis 1 (Destiny Edition)

Review

See HyperX Cloud Stinger Review

See SteelSeries Arctis 1 Review

Check Price

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Arctis 1

Black

Cloud Stinger

Destiny Edition

Arctis 1

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Cloud Stinger

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

HyperX Cloud Stinger Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

N/A

W

N/A

N/A

H

N/A

N/A

Volume

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

HyperX Cloud Stinger Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

HyperX Cloud Stinger Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

HyperX Cloud Stinger Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

HyperX Cloud Stinger Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

HyperX Cloud Stinger Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

HyperX Cloud Stinger Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

HyperX Cloud Stinger Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

HyperX Cloud Stinger Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

HyperX Cloud Stinger Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

HyperX Cloud Stinger Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

HyperX Cloud Stinger Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

HyperX Cloud Stinger PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

HyperX Cloud Stinger Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

HyperX Cloud Stinger Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

HyperX Cloud Stinger Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

HyperX Cloud Stinger Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

HyperX Cloud Stinger Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

Lock

Lock

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

HyperX Cloud Stinger SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

N/A

Android Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

HyperX Cloud Stinger Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Arctis 1

Black

Cloud Stinger

Destiny Edition

Arctis 1

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Cloud Stinger

Black

Cloud Stinger

HyperX Cloud Stinger

SteelSeries Arctis 1

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

HyperX Cloud Stinger vs SteelSeries Arctis 1: Main Discussion

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