Logitech G435 Lightspeed vs HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
Quick take: The Logitech G435 Lightspeed costs $5 less.
Which one to buy
There's only $5 between these two budget headsets ($40 vs $45), but they have very different weak points. The G435 has a weak mic by design, since it has no boom. The Cloud Stinger 2's mic is better, but individual units are less reliable.
When it works, the Stinger 2's swivel-to-mute boom is the most intuitive mute in budget gaming, owners say: flip it up to mute and down to talk. It's clear on Discord when it behaves. Owners also report crackling within weeks, static that changes with boom position, mics Windows never detects, and low mic volume that needs maximum gain plus boost. The G435 avoids all of that by using fixed earcup mics with no boom to fail, though they sound distant to teammates.
On everything else the G435 trades features for convenience. It's wireless over a Lightspeed dongle or Bluetooth, weighs 165g against the Stinger 2's 275g, and its battery tests beyond the 18 hours it's rated for. It doesn't work with Xbox and stops when the battery dies. The Stinger 2 is a plain 3.5mm headset that works with PS5, Xbox and Switch controllers despite being marketed for PC, and on PC it includes a DTS Headphone:X license that owners say positions sound well.
Logitech G435 Lightspeed
Worth it when wireless play, light weight for a smaller head and reliability matter more to you than how your voice sounds to teammates.
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
If you need a real boom mic with an instant mute, play on Xbox, or want wired simplicity, and you can return a defective unit easily.
| Spec | Logitech G435 Lightspeed | HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$40 | ~$45 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gaming Headsets | Gaming Headsets |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | 18 hrs | — |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | — |
| Codecs | Lightspeed 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth | 3.5mm wired |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 50 mm |
| Weight | 165 g | 275 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Logitech G435 Lightspeed
- ✓165g — you genuinely forget you're wearing it
- ✓Both Lightspeed 2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth in a sub-$50 headset
- ✓Works on PC, PS5/PS4, Switch (dongle) and mobile (Bluetooth)
- ✓Dolby Atmos compatible on supported platforms
- ✓Fit and colorways are ideal for kids and teens
- ✓Frequently on sale around $35
- ✓88% recycled plastic build that survives being tossed in a backpack
- ✗No Xbox compatibility at all — dongle and Bluetooth both fail
- ✗No boom mic — built-in mics are mediocre for anything beyond casual chat
- ✗No G HUB or app support, so no EQ or firmware tweaks
- ✗18-hour battery is modest by current standards
- ✗Sized for smaller heads — large heads find it tight
- ✗Materials feel cheap; sound is safe but flat
HyperX Cloud Stinger 2
- ✓Comfortable, light 275g fit for long sessions
- ✓Swivel-to-mute mic is genuinely convenient
- ✓50mm drivers punch above the price for games
- ✓DTS Headphone:X spatial audio included on PC
- ✓3.5mm plug works on PS5, Xbox, Switch, and mobile
- ✓Often discounted to around $30
- ✗All-plastic build feels flimsy; cracked cups reported after rough use
- ✗Mic is average and non-detachable
- ✗Fixed cable, no software EQ or customization
- ✗Leatherette pads run warm
- ✗Worth stretching to the Cloud III if you can
Logitech G435 Lightspeed vs HyperX Cloud Stinger 2: common questions
Is the Cloud Stinger 2's mic really unreliable?▾
Not every unit has problems, and plenty of owners are happy. But the complaints cluster around the mic: crackling, static that varies with boom position, low volume and occasionally no detection at all. Buy from a retailer with easy returns.
Which one is better on a Nintendo Switch?▾
Both work. The G435 connects wirelessly through its Lightspeed dongle, so no cable runs to the console, which suits couch play. The Stinger 2 plugs into the 3.5mm jack and never needs charging.