HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 Gaming Headset review

Your current headset breaks, or you have some buddies coming over for a weekend of goofing and playing Call of Duty all night. Either way, you need to get a new gaming headset, and you’re already spending money on food and drinks for the weekend. Many of us have been there. You want to grab a headset that will get you through the weekend without spending an arm and a leg. Thankfully, the new HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 gaming headset will get you what you want and still be a solid headset while you wait for a few more paychecks to upgrade. Even then, hey, maybe you don’t need to upgrade.

Typically, your entry-level gaming headsets come with very little in the way of bells or whistles. Heck, some barely ship as a minimum viable product. With the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3, you’re getting that entry-level product with a few extra hugs. For example, many are all-plastic construction. This can make for flimsy, easy-to-break headsets that quickly fail. While much of the headset is molded plastic, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 has built-in metal sliders for extra durability. For any level headset, I consider that a necessity. It’s nice to see HyperX taking that step to care for its consumers.

On top of the metal sliders, the Cloud Stinger 3 features a knob on the right headset so you can control the overall volume easily. The headband and ear cushions, which are made of leather, memory foam, and *checks notes*, erm, protein, feel comfortable enough and block outside sound surprisingly well, considering they have no active noise cancellation. The headset has a nice, long cable so you have some maneuverability while you play, too. Side note: Despite the spec sheet mentioning protein in the earcups, I wouldn’t recommend using these as a sustainable food source in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

As a headset focused on the gaming experience, it’s nice to see a built-in microphone as well. Every gamer wants the option to jump in and start trash-talking, whether you’re playing Halo or FIFA. The microphone folds up to stay out of the way, keeping itself muted. When you fold it down, it’ll unmute, and you’re ready to sling hatred with the most vitriol you can muster. That’s right, that guy’s mom definitely deserved to be slandered, and you’re equipped to do it.

While the Cloud Stinger 3 comes with a microphone at the ready, it’s worth noting that, in this case, you get what you pay for. The quality of the microphone is definitely on the lower end. The recordings I made sounded a bit like I was talking into a box. You all know what I’m talking about. It’s the same quality those old barebones Xbox headset microphones had, kind of like a cheap rotary phone. If you don’t know what that sounds like, don’t worry about it. Just know the lobby won’t mistake you for MrDapperSam.

Though the microphone’s quality reflects the headset’s price point, the audio quality is otherwise surprisingly good. The Cloud Stinger 3 features 50mm drivers that power the experience. Whether you’re playing games or just enjoying YouTube or some music, everything is crisp and clear. The bass isn’t going to blow you away; this headset definitely lives more comfortably in the mid-to-high range, but you won’t feel like you’re completely missing those deep notes. Big, deep thumps just won’t have the same impact you’d expect from a higher quality headset. I’m quite happy with the experience I’ve had here, though, especially for the price.

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive, entry-level gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 has easily earned my recommendation. The headset has some problems, sure, but for $50, this is still a fantastic option. The microphone won’t sound like an Elgato Wave 3, but what you’ll hear wearing them sounds excellent. The headset has a nice, long cable, and it’s comfortable for long play sessions, even on a big head (which is not as common as you’d expect). While it doesn’t have a lot of the features of high-priced competitors, I would consider the HyperX Cloud Stinger 3 one of the heaviest hitters in its weight division. Entry-level headsets used to be something you’d quickly want to upgrade. With the Cloud Stinger 3, you’ll have a great headset to use while you build your savings a bit.