The Astro A10 gaming headset is the company’s first foray into an entry-level piece of hardware. Was the attempt successful? If you’re looking for a basic headset, look no further.
Astro is known in the gaming world for its flashy and iconic A40 and A50 headsets. These can be found on streamers and pro gamers alike, and are known to feature some of the best quality in terms of build and audio output. However, these headsets are also known for their hefty price tags, putting them out of reach for many gamers looking to buy a headset without taking out a loan.
That’s where the A10s come in. Priced at only $60, these headsets are my new recommendation for lower-end price point gaming accessories. While the reduced price comes with a significant reduction in the number of features, the A10s still provide some exceptionally high-quality audio. Sure, they aren’t as good as the A50s, and you can’t go into the minutiae of creating EQ profiles and customizing every little detail. But for basic plug-and-play use, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better quality in the price range.
While the loss in high-end features are a bummer, this actually makes the A10s much more accessible. While the A50s are locked to specific consoles due to Microsoft and Sony chat codecs and technical mumbo jumbo (unless you spend even more money on additional accessories), the A10s only use a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. This means you can use one headset on your PC, PS4, Xbox One, anything else with a 3.5mm jack, and even make calls on your phone if you want to.
Other common Astro headset features have also been cut to help keep prices down. This means you can’t change the padding around the ears, remove the microphone arm or add customization items. There’s also no included MixAmp, with an exception we’ll mention later. The headset’s design also doesn’t feature the sturdy metal frame that the other top headsets have.
If you aren’t looking for anything fancy, all this is just fine. The ear padding and padding at the top of the headband are quite comfortable and still felt fine after a number of hours of continuous use. The headphones didn’t make my ears warm either, which is impressive seeing how easily I can start sweating. The headset is also designed with both the glasses wearer, and even the VR headset wearer in mind. Right above the ear cups, the headset juts outward a bit to allow for more space for frames to fit in.
The microphone arm can be raised up to mute it, and gives a subtle click when it’s in place. I wish this click was a little more pronounced, but other than that the mic works just fine. My friend did mention I sounded a little quiet when compared to other headsets, but that can be adjusted on your console’s settings. The mic is also made of a flexible material, allowing you to bend it into the right place.
The Astro A10 comes in three different colors, with the only difference between the three being the color of the inside of the ear cup and a small splash of color on the outside. If you are an Xbox One gamer, you can also get the A10 bundled with a MixAmp M60 for $100. If you’ve used a headset on the Xbox One before the controller redesign, then you know what to expect. This box can be plugged into the bottom of any Xbox One controller to mute, adjust game and mic volume all with the push of a few buttons.
If you’ve always wanted some quality Astro headphones and didn’t want to spend the big bucks, or if you just want a great headset for a reasonable price, look no further than the A10. These headsets are the best I’ve used at the price point and combined with the comfort and ability to use them with any device, they’re better than some more expensive headsets as well.
So what do you think? Will you be looking to pick up some A10s for yourself? What other gaming accessories are you interested in? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
