HyperX and Logitech are synonymous names in the gaming industry. You can find their gaming headsets being used in almost many countries. Gamers have gained their trust and reliability. Hence, gamers tend to use their brand units.
This comparison review has decided to choose two budget models from their lineup—the HyperX Cloud Stinger vs Logitech G331. Now the G331 is an old model, unlike the Cloud Stinger.
However, it is still popular among several users worldwide. The Cloud Stinger is a budget unit that comes with exceptional features infused in them. The headset comes with large ear cups, an aluminum frame, drivers that perform, and a functional microphone.
Besides, it cost under $50, making it relatively affordable. Few of the priced models in the same range include Plantronics Rig 400, ROCCAT Cross, and the Turtle Beach Recon 50. It is a wired headset coming with a sublime design.
The build quality is also good and can last for years. The tones used in the Cloud Stinger are quite phenomenal for the price. The red-colored logo comes in the sides of the earcups, and the black color is wholly found on the headset.
Its audio performance is quite good for the offer price. We cannot call it the best, but it is acceptable with the exceptional bass. The lows and mids were quite good. Its earcups come with leather coating foam.
The Logitech G series has gained prominence among its users. They are well suited for gaming and, since their inception, have been able to compete successfully against a wide range of headsets.
The G331 is quite similar to the likes of the recent G432 that comes with outstanding features infused in it. Users have found the Logitech is more comfortable than most units in the market. It is adjustable, and since the material used is similar to premium models, you should not have any issues wearing the G331 for lengthy hours.
Both the units are suitable for the price, and we put them through the scanner to find out which one is better than the other model.
HYPERX CLOUD STINGER | LOGITECH G331 |
BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
PROS | PROS |
They are lightweight and easy on the head. It is exceptionally comfortable to wear for lengthy hours. The audio quality is good for the money. It comes with an exceptional microphone. It is a cheap gaming headphone. | Users love the stereo mix on the unit. The cushions were nicely designed and comfortable. It’s easy to use as all you need to do is plug it in. Its design is exceptionally comfortable, and cushioning is exceptional. The headset is priced low, under $50. |
CONS | CONS |
It does not have a detachable microphone. | Few users complained that it is tight around the head. |
SPECIFICATIONS | HYPERX CLOUD STINGER | LOGITECH G331 |
---|---|---|
Product Name | Cloud Stinger Wired Stereo Gaming Headset | Logitech G331 Gaming Headset |
Brand | HyperX | Logitech |
Sound Mode | Stereo | Stereo |
Connection Type | Wired | Wired |
Water Resistant | No | |
Built-In Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Fit | Over-the-Ear | Over-the-Ear |
Adjustable Headband | Yes | Yes |
Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
DESIGN & COMFORT
The design & comfort of HyperX Cloud Stinger is genuinely one of the best in the market. Instantly you get to see the use of the plastic material. We do not blame them because it is an under $50 unit; you cannot expect to see steel and metal used here.
Of course, the metal headband comes made from solid steel. The Cloud Stinger does not look or feel inadequate because of the usage of molded plastic. The maker has done a decent job in doing it.
If HyperX was known for something besides exceptional audio quality, it is the sublime design of their products. The surfaces come in black, and you can also find the red HyperX logo on the sides of the earcups.
The less than 300 grams is heavier than several models sold in the market. Few of them include the Turtle Beach Recon 50 and the ROCCAT Cross. You can find added padding on the headband and the earcups as well.
For a budget unit, we thought that the padding on the headband was outstanding. It allowed ample breathing capabilities too. The Logitech G331 is good also is more than G-style packaging coming with a color box and a blue tone in the front of the unit.
Its earcups allow you to move it 90 degrees on the hinges. You can also fold the earcups effortlessly if you want. The volume wheel was slightly smaller than what we thought it should have been done.
We also liked the faux leather pads present on the removable headband. You can find the use of fabric lining along with the stitching on the headband. There is also an adjustment setting that comes with a click once you are done setting the unit.
BUILD QUALITY
HyperX models are known for their extreme build quality. It comes with a good build, and the plastic body does not look poorly done at all. We felt that the earcups feel a bit cheap as the hinges feel as if they can give away.
Of course, this is an affordable unit, but these small things could have been done better. You will want to know that the cable cannot be replaced. We may not recommend them for sports and other fitness activities because they cannot manage or support your activities.
The fitting was quite tight and, at times, may come off your head when working out. We liked the rotating features of the earcups that ensures it is comfortable. You can wear them and take them off without any issue.
The only other gaming headset that comes with the rotating feature is the Turtle Beach Recon 50. The Logitech G331 gaming headset is quite simplistic. We admire the manner in which they have come up with the features on the unit.
The G331 build quality is acceptable and is not what you can see on most of their product lineup. Surprisingly the build was light and entirely strewn with plastic all around. At times we felt that the body is frail and weak.
The extension of the headband is made from metal and was quite strong. It does not move when you wear it, but if you keep moving your head around for whatever reason, the headset can fall off. As we have mentioned, this is a light unit meaning there is plenty of comfort for you.
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
We did a few tests on the HyperX Cloud Stinger to find out its performance. This is what few learned. We played Battlefield on the PC, and the sound was terrific. You could clearly hear everything, and the bombs sounded right.
Though you cannot compare it with a par to the Cloud 2 model, it was quite good. The budget unit also did well in low frequencies. The bass response comes alive when you find yourself in a minefield.
Few games were played on the gaming consoles too, and we were quite satisfied with the results. Though it was not convincing, it was good. We even used a smartphone to hear the audio powers and were stunned by the audio output.
It is a gaming unit, but we want to be honest with all of you. The Logitech G331 comes with stunning audio quality, and we preferred the boom experienced in the bass aspect of it. Please note that this is a budget device and not even a $200 range product.
The audio levels were quite excellent and spatial. We could hear everything quite clearly. You can note the shots and the bombs around you very well. However, we did feel that the sound was slightly low when it came to footsteps or somebody behind you.
That hampered the audio levels of an otherwise good headset. We selected the medium volume, and it worked like a charm. It is suitable for gaming unless you are keen on listening to music or entertainment use.
You can increase the volume in the G331 by using the digital volume that can be found on the devices. Increase it to the maximum or medium, depending on your choice. Then you can increase the digital volume according to your needs without using the analog volume to decrease the sound noise adjustment.
MICROPHONE PERFORMANCE
The HyperX Cloud Stinger comes with exceptional microphone performance capabilities. The microphone on the Cloud Stinger is found on the left side of the earcups. There is a rubber boom microphone that is flexible.
For muting it, you need to swivel it. The cable is close to 5 feet that should be sufficient for your sound needs. You can work on it with your PC, laptop, Xbox One, and smartphone efficiently. We did not notice any issues with the sound quality.
The maker also provides you with a 3.5 feet cable for using the PC for headphones. Unfortunately, it does not come with any inline controls. There is a volume wheel on the right side of the earcups, which you will need to adjust since there is no mute button.
The thing is, you will notice a 50mm driver, which most units in this price range do not provide you with, except for the ROCCAT Cross. They come with the inferior 40mm drivers. The 50mm driver provides you with powerful sound and more power.
The Logitech G331 microphone comes with a flip mode and quite similar to the one we get to see in the G430. You can fold the microphone when you do not intend to use it. That is a good thing as it saves you immense power.
We liked the design of the microphone as it is flexible thanks to a rubber design on it. You can effortlessly adjust it when taking on the microphone and decrease the chance of damage. Unfortunately, it comes with no mute switch, and when you raise the microphone, it usually gets mute.
So, when you want to mute the microphone, all you need to fold the microphone. There is no need to search for the button to do so. We found this relatively easy to do, unlike in most models. Of course, the detachable units are far easier to operate and use.
But this is a budget model, so it should be okay with users. You can adjust the volume using the dialing button present at the back of the left side of the earcup. It is analogous, meaning that you should control your volume quickly to position it immediately using your thumb when playing high-intensity games and action sequences.
COMPATIBILITY
Does the compatibility of the Cloud Stinger and the G331 come up to decent levels? Let us find out. The HyperX Cloud Stinger offers you with proper compatibility. Firstly, they are wired headsets meaning; they do not come with Bluetooth connectivity.
We have already mentioned this pointer at the beginning of our review itself. However, the Stinger model comes with a 1/8″ TRRS audio cable, which helps you listen to your teammates’ sound when gaming on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
We highly recommend using the Xbox One, if you do, because the sound performance was outstanding. It comes with Y-cable for close to 6 feet of space. You can plug them into the audio jack of your PC, laptop, and the PS4 if you want for microphone and audio usage.
The compatibility of the G331 was outstanding. It is a wired gaming headset like the Cloud Stinger and comes with a 2 meters cord. The cord has a thin cable that has no feature sleeving. Besides, the unit also has a Y-splitter as the main cable is a TRRS type for smartphones.
You can work exceptionally well using it on your PC, laptop, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch as well. We did not notice it came with any audio or sound profile issues on any of the devices or the gaming consoles.
PRICE
As mentioned at the beginning of the comparison review, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is one of their budget models. It is priced less than $50 making it extremely cheap. However, is it really worth that amount when you compare it to the G331?
If you look at it, you can get a barrage of models in the same price category as the Plantronics Rig 400, Astro A10, and Turtle Beach Recon 50. These are pretty good units as we have already done a review on them.
The Logitech G331 is quite similar to the previous models from the maker. They provide you with decent sound quality and are priced likewise. The G331 will set you back by $50, which is acceptable for the feature infused in the gaming headset.
Verdict
This is it we have ended our review on HyperX Cloud Stinger vs Logitech G331 gaming units. These budget headsets have managed to make us more than happy. It was quite evident from their specifications.
Cloud Stinger has a decent sound performance, and they excel nicely during loud environments and work very well. However, we did not find them ideal for usage on public transport or a noisy office environment.
Sadly, they also come with a loose fit for those with average heads. They can slip off at times if you are not careful. The sound profile was exceptionally well-balanced. You can use their microphone for making phone calls, and it was able to capture the voice well.
Its plastic frame can be slightly heavy, but that is a good thing because it provides durability. Likewise, the Logitech G331 is another decent option we reviewed in the post. The unit is quite nicely designed and is popular among gamers.
They come with a decent sound profile, and the build quality is exceptional. Besides, the brand value factor is there. The mids and the lows were quite good for a budget headphone. Overall, this is a good gaming headset to consider for $50.
Our winner in the comparison review between HyperX Cloud Stinger vs Logitech G331 is the Cloud Stinger. Both the budget units showed immense strength and audio quality. But we felt that the Cloud Stinger displayed the edge with the better build quality, more sound profile, and exceptional microphone powers.
These features made us choose the Cloud Stinger. Having mentioned that, we do not imply that the Logitech G331 is inferior in any way. When you want a sturdy, decent, yet powerful gaming headset with a 2-year warranty, then you might want to try the G331.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.