Kingston’s HyperX introduces a sub-$50 gaming headset and its first ever keyboard

One of the dominant companies in PC hardware has spent the last few years establishing its presence in the peripheral markets, and now it’s ready to expand on that effort.

Above: HyperX Cloud Stinger aims to do for the sub-$50 category what the original Cloud did for sub-$100 headsets.

Image Credit: HyperX

HyperX wants to reach more gamers than ever, and it wants to accomplish that with a headset at a mass-market price and a new gaming keyboard. HyperX’s Cloud Stinger is a $50 wired headset that comes packed with features October 3. The Alloy FPS, meanwhile, is a $100 mechanical gaming keyboard with Cherry MX switches and a rugged chassis that debuts October 24. This is the first time that HyperX is venturing outside of headsets, and it is an early indicator of the company’s plans to offer a spectrum of high-quality gaming equipment.

Kingston, the leading manufacturer of computer memory, started HyperX in 2002 as its gaming-focused sub-brand. Until 2014, that only ever meant memory targeted at gamers and esports sponsorships, but the company moved into headsets with the excellent Cloud in 2014. Since then, it has introduce a number of other Cloud headsets for a variety of price points. HyperX is now ready to continue that evolution.

For the Cloud Stinger, HyperX is looking to bring premium features to the mass-market. Most notably, the company wants to provide a comfortable fit and high-end sound quality. That means the Stinger features a lightweight design and the company’s own blend of memory foam for the ear pads and cups that swivel 90 degrees so they can rest on your shoulders. For the sound, this device comes with 50mm directional drivers that aim sound directly against your ear for precise reproduction. The microphone also has intelligent features like noise-cancellation and automatic muting when you put it in the upright position.

“If you don’t have comfort, no one is going to where that headset for six-to-eight hours,” HyperX senior technology manager Mark Tekunoff told GamesBeat. “And it’s designed as a multiplatform product — PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and mobile applications. It pretty much works on everything out of the box except for iPhone 7 at this point.”

When it comes to the Alloy, the company wanted to bring a lot of the thinking that informed its headsets to making a keyboard. That means things like comfort, but it is also built with quality in mind. The Cherry MX mechanical key switches are well known for their long-lasting durability, and HyperX is matching that with a steel frame, replaceable keys, and a detachable cord.

It also features a minimalist design that is ideal for shooter games.

“This is initially for the FPS and Counter-Strike: GO market,” Tekunoff said.

When you’re playing something like CS:GO, you can turn the small Alloy away from your body in a way that doesn’t take up a lot of space while remaining comfortable.

And CS: GO is exactly where customers will start seeing these products soon. HyperX will have sponsored players use the keyboard soon, so CS:GO esports fans will see both Cloud headsets and the Alloy when the camera cuts to shots of the pros. And if that inspires you to pick up HyperX products of your own, the company is right there with the Stinger at $50 to get you started.