overview 4 comments
We've tested eight Astro headsets. While this brand was bought out by Logitech in 2017, and they don't make many products, they ensure they're well-built, comfortable, and sound well-balanced. These headphones are gaming-oriented and are very popular in the console world. Pick the right variant for your preferred platform when choosing your headset, as most of their products are available for Xbox One, PS4, or PC. Unfortunately, as they have a good reputation as a household name, their products can be very expensive for some. Their pads also don't block out much ambient noise, so they're better suited for a quiet gaming environment.
Updates
- 03/15/2024 Astro A50 X Wireless reviewed
- 02/02/2024 Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 updated
- 01/24/2024 Astro A10 Gen 2 updated
- 01/15/2024 Astro A30 Wireless updated
- 11/30/2023 Astro A20 Gen 2 Wireless updated
Best Astro Headphones
-
Best Astro Headset
Astro A50 X Wireless 34
Neutral Sound
8.1
Commute/Travel
6.2
Sports/Fitness
7.0
Office
6.9
Wireless Gaming
8.1
Wired Gaming
6.4
Phone Calls
6.9
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
The best Astro headset we've tested is the Astro A50 X Wireless. These top-of-the-line cans are thesuccessor of the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 and come with a wide suite of features to make the most out of them. The included base stationsupports HDMI 2.1 passthrough and acts asa charging dock for the headphones when not in use. Latency is also very low using the base station, so you won't miss a beat during the heat of multiplayer games. If that's not enough, these headphones support Bluetooth, and while this in itself isn't anything impressive, you'll be able to stay connected to your console and another device like your smartphone simultaneously for team chat via Discord.
ThePLAYSYNC feature allows you to easily switch between three different systems, making this pick a fantastic choice for multi-console gamers. While these headphones have a fairly neutral and flat sound profile out of the box, which helps ensure that dialogue and instruments sound natural and present, you can finetune them to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They're also compatiblewith Dolby Atmos, PS5 3D Audio, and Windows Spatial Audio to help create a more immersive audio experience.
If you're a shot caller or like to game with friends, you'll appreciate the mic's excellent recording quality. You'll have no trouble being heard clearly by teammates and enemies alike. The mic has some trouble separating speech from background noise, but it won'tbe so much of an issue if you're gaming in a quiet place. With over 26 hours of continuous playback time, these comfortable cans will last through long dungeon crawls, and if you need even more battery life, you can use them while charging with their USB cable.
See our review
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Astro Headset
Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019 3
Neutral Sound
8.1
Commute/Travel
4.3
Sports/Fitness
5.5
Office
5.7
Wireless Gaming
6.2
Wired Gaming
8.2
Phone Calls
7.0
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Open-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
If you don't mind a wired design, you'll want to check out the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019. They're similar to the Astro A50 X Wireless in looks but have an open-back design, which helps create a great, spacious soundstage to immerse you in your audio. They're also wired-only, but this connection also allows you to use the MixAmp, an in-line set of powerful controls that let you select different EQ presets and adjust the levels of audio that you hear on the fly. That said, you can purchase these headphones without the pre-amp altogether, or if you're looking for a portable pre-amp, you can check out the Astro MixAmp M80 bundle. This more affordable pre-amp is compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series consoles and plugs directly into your controller.
They have a well-balanced sound profile, with a bit of extra boom that will emphasize sound effects in action games. Their detachable boom mic has great recording quality, so you won't have any issues being understood by your teammates. Because of their open-back design, they leak lots of audio and don't block any background noise, meaning they're better suited for use in a quiet environment. They're bulky, like many over-ear gaming headphones, but you can use them without the MixAmp, making them a little more portable. If you want something more portable, consider the Astro A30 Wireless instead. They're Bluetooth headphones with USB dongle support and have a detachable boom mic and an integrated mic for more casual use. They're not as comfortable, and their soundstage isn't as immersive.
See our review
-
Best Mid-Range Astro Headset
Neutral Sound
7.3
Commute/Travel
5.0
Sports/Fitness
6.1
Office
6.0
Wireless Gaming
7.2
Wired Gaming
5.6
Phone Calls
6.1
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
For something less pricy, look at the Astro A20 Gen 2 Wireless, the best Astro headset we've tested at this price point. These headphones are the next generation of the Astro A20 Wireless. Although they don't support companion software like the previous model or higher-end products like the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019, you can still expect a low latency gaming experience, thanks to their USB dongle. They also have over 19 hours of continuous playback time and have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use. They're wireless-only headphones, and you can't use them wired at all.
These decently comfortable over-ears have an excited sound, which adds thump and rumble to the gameplay while dialogue and instruments are bright. That said, if you don't like their sound, they have three EQ presets built-in. They also have a decent soundstage for closed-back headphones that feel spacious and wide. Their boom mic can separate your voice from background noise, so you're heard clearly, even if a lot is happening around you. Unfortunately, the mic's recording quality is mediocre, and speech sounds thin and muffled.
See our review
-
Best Budget Astro Headset
Astro A10 1
Neutral Sound
7.2
Commute/Travel
4.3
Sports/Fitness
5.6
Office
5.6
Wireless Gaming
5.3
Wired Gaming
7.3
Phone Calls
6.9
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic
Noise Cancelling No
Mic Yes
See all our test results
Although they don't offer the same level of features or customizability as more expensive picks on this list, the Astro A10 are a solid choice for anyone looking for budget-friendly Astro headphones. They're wired, so you can connect to most consoles via analog and don't need to worry about latency. Their boom mic has great performance, so your voice sounds clear and understandable when gaming with friends, even with some noise in the background. Even though they aren't as well-built as the more expensive headsets listed here, they feel sturdy and have a flexible design and a detachable cable that you can replace if damaged.
Their sound profile adds some extra body and boom to the bass range, which can help make action-packed games seem more immersive. However, it's somewhat uneven otherwise, so instruments and vocals lack some presence and detail. Unfortunately, they aren't compatible with the Astro Command Center software and lack sound customization features. They're also less comfortable than some other Astro headsets. The newest generation of these headphones, the Astro A10 Gen 2, have a looser, more comfortable fit. Their sound profile is more neutral, but they cost more and have a worse mic performance.
See our review
Compared To Other Brands
- Well-built designs.
Astro usually makes solid and durable products, especially their high-end headsets. Even their budget options have a good build quality with sturdy materials. - Comfortable.
The padding on most Astro headphones is very comfortable and fairly breathable. They use fabric-like suede, which feels nice on the skin and is comfortable for long gaming sessions. - Great microphone performance.
Astro headphones have very good microphone performance, and people you play with won't have trouble understanding you. Their recording quality is great, and your voice sounds full-bodied and clear.
- Expensive.
Due to their high notoriety in the gaming industry, their headphones are pricey; you can find better-performing products at a lower price, especially when looking at cheaper Astro headsets. On the upside, you still get a good product with Astro. - Bulky, gamer-centric designs.
Since Astro makes gaming over-ear headsets with boom microphones, they aren't the most versatile as they aren't for day-to-day use. They can be hard to bring with you during your commute.
Astro vs SteelSeries
Astro and SteelSeries are often together in the same gaming lists, as both have comprehensive lineups at different price points. That said, the best SteelSeries headsetshavefeatures like active noise cancelling, which is a bit unusual for gaming headphones, and some of their high-end models even have Bluetooth support. Their mics tend to have a better recording quality, which is important if you like to game with others. However, only Astro offers an open-back model if you want an immersive audio experience. Some of their headsets are wired only.
Astro vs Razer
Although Razer is often compared to Astro for gaming headphones, they also offer hybrid headphones designed for casual and gaming use. These headphones usually have noise cancelling and support Bluetooth. However, if you're looking for strictly gaming headphones, you'll find unique features like customizable RGB lighting and haptic bass from Razer. In comparison, Astro has headsets that include features like the MixAmp to customize your settings on the fly and an open-back design, which helps make your audio more immersive. If you want to check out more products from this manufacturer, check out our picks for the best Razer headsets.
Astro vs Logitech
Logitech bought out Astro in 2017, but you can find Astro-brand headsetsthrough Logitech'sstorefront. The two brands offer both wireless and wired gaming headsets at different price points, but one of the key differences between them is that Astro offers more cross-platform compatibility, which is good if you want to game on Xbox or PlayStation consoles. Logitech focuses moreon PC gaming. Some of the best Logitech headsetsalsohave longer continuous battery lives and mics with better recording quality. Conversely, Astro offers the MixAmp Pro TR for wired headsets, which puts controls like chatmixingat your fingertips. Theyeven have an open-back model for a more immersive sound experience.
Overall,Astro headsetsare sturdy and reliable. They perform well, and most people will be more than satisfied with their microphone quality. The cups are also very comfortable, and you won't feel uncomfortable playing games for a few hours. Due to their great reputation, their products might be slightly more expensive than those of the competition.
Lineup
Astro offers several main over-ear models and one in-ear model under a straightforward naming convention. On the lowest end of the lineup is the Astro A10, which are budget-friendly, wired over-ears with a simple overall design. As you climb up in number, you'll find over-ear models with more features at higher price points. At the top of the line are the Astro A50X Wireless andA50 Gen 4 Wireless, which have wireless docks and app support. The only in-ear model is the Astro A03 In-Ear Monitor.
Each model is also available in Xbox, PlayStation, and PC/Mac variants, so it's important to ensure you get the right one for your console. Some, like the Astro A10, also come in several color variants.
Recent Updates
-
Jun 17, 2024: We've replaced the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 with the Astro A50X Wireless as the A50X have more connectivity options for different consoles and have a longer continuous battery life.
-
Feb 20, 2024: We've updated our article to let you know we've purchased the Astro A50X Wireless and will update this review as soon as they're tested. We've also added a comparison between Astro and Logitech.
-
Oct 25, 2023: We've checked to ensure that the products are in stock and added a mention of the Astro MixAmp M80 Preamp to our 'Best Upper Mid-Range Astro Headset' pick.
-
Jun 28, 2023: We've added a note to the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 regarding using issues with companion software.
-
Mar 01, 2023: We've renamed the pick categories and added the Astro A20 Gen 2 Wireless as 'Best Mid-Range Astro Headset'. We've also added brand comparisons with SteelSeries and Razer as well as added information regarding Astro's current lineup.
Conclusion
Astro is a gaming-oriented company that makes a lot of quality products, and their headsets are no exception. They have a good reputation across the community thanks to their comfortable design and great-sounding microphone, and they sound well-balanced. Their higher-end products are often noticeably better than their entry-level headsets, which are often too expensive compared to competing brands. Nevertheless, Astro makes great gaming headphones, and you'll find something that suits your needs if you're dead set on that specific brand.
