In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), restricted battery power, balanced energy consumption, and collaborative data processing are considered as key challenges that need to be handled with utmost care. Clustering in WSNs is an optimal methodology for conserving energy of sensor nodes and attaining efficient data processing that attributes toward the maximization of network lifetime. An efficient cluster head (CH) selection scheme is essential for achieving superior collaborative data processing in WSNs. Swarm intelligent metaheuristic algorithm‐based CH selection approaches are identified to be better for designing energy‐efficient schemes that select optimal CHs from nodes in a fair way. In this paper, Hybrid Grasshopper and Differential Evolution‐based Optimization Algorithm (HGDEOA) is proposed for targeting on the objective of attaining energy stability and prolonging network lifetime. This HGDEOA incorporates an adaptive strategy into differential evolution (DE) for improving the global searching capability during the process of optimization. It is proposed for improving the convergence efficiency and maintaining population diversity. It also possesses the capability of enhancing the degree of convergence speed and precision in calculation. This integration of GOA into DE prevents the premature convergence of the algorithm, since the deviation amid the scaling individuals induces the population to be more randomly distributed, targeting at the retention of population diversity. The simulation results confirm that the proposed HGDEOA sustains residual energy by 19.32%, improves throughput by 16.21%, prolongs network lifetime by 18.76%, and maintains stability by18.94% when compared to the benchmarked approaches used for investigation.