HyperX has a strong momentum in putting together some great hardware for a good price. In the past we've reviewed HyperX headsets, keyboards, and mice. All of them exceeded expectations and the Cloud Stinger Core wireless 7.1 lives up to it.
The Cloud Stinger Core is built with plastic. But I found the design to be aesthetically pleasing and sturdy. The earmuffs are comfortable, leaving a lot of space for the ears.
On the rear left earmuff are the USB-C port, power button, and the volume dial. Those latter two are large enough for easy reach. The headset also automatically switches off when no audio is playing.
The Cloud Stinger Core is plug-and-play with the USB Adapter. And battery lasts up to 17 hours on a single charge.
I found the audio quality superb. It leans on to having more bass for some extra thump and depth. Personally, I've been using the Cloud II for almost four years now, and no, the Cloud Stinger Core doesn't match the audio quality of the Cloud II, but it's close enough to give you excellent sounds while gaming.
During my test with this, I've been playing Remedy Games' Control, a game that requires good audio to really experience. And the Cloud Stinger Core did its job well to deliver the quiet eeriness, the powerful vibrating cosmic sounds, and the high-octane action from Control.
The 7.1 surround sound that comes with the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core is excellent, especially for its price range. I could hear enemy footsteps and the direction where characters are speaking. I just wish I was able to test the headset with other competitive games like Fortnite and Valorant (my internet is really not good) but from what I've experienced with Control, I believe the Cloud Stinger Core will not disappoint.
I found the microphone that comes with the Cloud Stinger Core to be satisfying. It captured my voice well with as little as background noise as possible. Though in my environment, the only other sound around was the fan a few feet on my side. The microphone was capable enough to filter the popping sounds that usually happens when someone speaks close to a mic. I've also played around with the mic using Anchor, a podcast platform, and the microphone serves well.
Personally, the HyperX Cloud Stinger Core wireless 7.1 is a great budget headset. The sounds great and the microphone is a lot better than expected. If you need a quick replacement or need something to use while you save up for something bigger later, the Cloud Stinger Core is definitely worth checking out.