We've tested eight Astro headsets. While this brand doesn'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. When choosing your headset, pick the right variant for your preferred platform, 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
- 12/16/2022 Astro A30 Wireless reviewed
- 04/13/2022 Astro A10 Gen 2 reviewed
- 12/13/2021 Astro A10 updated
- 04/15/2021 Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2019 updated
- 03/11/2021 Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 updated
Best Astro Headphones
-
Best Astro Headset
Neutral Sound8.1Commute/Travel5.1Sports/Fitness6.1Office6.5Wireless Gaming8.3Wired Gaming6.6Phone Calls7.1Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesThe best Astro headset we've tested is the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019. These comfortable headphones come with a wireless dock that provides a very low latency connection and doubles as a charging station. Their boom mic has an impressive overall performance, so your voice sounds clear and natural, even if you're gaming in a noisy place. Out of the box, their sound profile is well-balanced, with a bit of extra boom in the bass range that can help bring out sound effects in action-packed games. They also work with the Astro Command Center software, which offers a graphic EQ for sound customization and a few other features, like different noise gate settings for the mic.
Unfortunately, they don't support Βluetooth, which is disappointing if you want to stream music from your phone and hear your game audio simultaneously. Also, like most gaming headsets, they don't isolate you from ambient sound, meaning you may be distracted by traffic outside your window or people chatting nearby. They also leak quite a bit of sound, which isn't ideal if you game in a shared space. Otherwise, they're a solid choice if you're looking for a wireless gaming headset.
-
Best Upper Mid-Range Astro Headset
Neutral Sound8.1Commute/Travel4.3Sports/Fitness5.5Office5.7Wireless Gaming6.2Wired Gaming8.2Phone Calls7.0Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf 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 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 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. 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're looking for 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.
-
Best Mid-Range Astro Headset
Neutral Sound7.3Commute/Travel5.0Sports/Fitness6.1Office6.0Wireless Gaming7.2Wired Gaming5.6Phone Calls6.1Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesFor 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 such as 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 can add thump and rumble to gameplay while dialogue and instruments are bright. That said, if you don't like their sound, they have three EQ presets built-in to help you adjust them to your liking. They also have a decent soundstage for closed-back headphones that feels 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.
-
Best Budget Astro Headset
Neutral Sound7.2Commute/Travel4.3Sports/Fitness5.6Office5.6Wireless Gaming5.3Wired Gaming7.3Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesAlthough 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 mixes, which can help make action-packed games seem more immersive. However, it's somewhat uneven otherwise, so instruments and vocals are missing some presence and detail. Unfortunately, they aren't compatible with the Astro Command Center software and lack sound customization features. They're also not as comfortable as 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.
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 if you go 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, SteelSeries offers a headset with features 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're looking for 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.
Overall, Astro headsets are 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. Their products might be a bit more expensive than the competition due to their great reputation.
Lineup
Astro offers five 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 A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019, which have a wireless dock 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
-
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.
-
Nov 14, 2022: Updated text and checked that the products are easy to find in stock.
-
Apr 14, 2022: Checked that picks represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
-
Dec 15, 2021: Made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock. There hasn't been a change to our recommendations.
-
Aug 17, 2021: No changes in product picks after verifying their accuracy and availability.
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.