Astro A10 Gaming Headset Review

If you’re setting money aside for the best upcoming games for 2020, chances are your headset budget is fairly low. The thing is, most budget-friendly headsets aren’t friendly on the ears—but today, that’s all about to change. We usually advise gamers not to compromise when it comes to certain gaming peripherals, albeit, the Astro A10 gaming headset is a worthy contender.

This specific version of the Astro A10 gaming headset is designed for the PlayStation 4, however, don’t go away just yet. As it features a handy 3.5mm audio jack which makes it work with any device that has a 3.5mm audio port. This way, you can get the most out of this $23 Astro gaming headset. So, without further ado, let’s see how it compares to the best budget gaming headsets on the market.

Astro A10 Performance

Despite being an entry-level headset, the audio performance on the Astro A10 is pretty impressive. Now, as this is a headset in the sub $25 range, things are kept simple with stereo sound. Therefore, the Astro A10 lacks 7.1 surround sound as seen on some pricier, high-grade headsets. Although the audio is slightly less immersive than our best choice gaming headset, the sound is splendid for its price point.

When gaming on the PlayStation 4, you will be able to pinpoint enemy footsteps with ease during intense Overwatch battles. What’s more, you can clearly communicate with your friends and teammates, and when you aren’t using the mic, the flip-to-mute feature is as handy as ever.

During solo games, dialogue and soundtracks sound crisp, while every gunshot will roar through your ears throughout the manic conflict you’re involved in. As this is a budget-friendly headset, certain tones sound quite muddy. Nonetheless, given the price, the performance is spectacular.

Astro A10 Design

In spite of the fact that the Astro A10 gaming headset is affordable, the design surprisingly doesn’t look cheap. Unlike some of the other budget-friendly headsets on the market, the earcups are nicely padded, just like the top of the headband. If you’re fairly clumsy or you don’t own a stylish gaming headset stand, you won’t need to worry about easily destroying the A10 headset either.

The headband is actually made out of steel with a rubberized cover, making the Astro A10 a very flexible headset that won’t break with ease. Rather than the standard circular shape you’d see on many cans nowadays, the rounded rectangular design is a very nice touch. Sure, the design is simple, but it gets the job done.

When it comes to fitting it to the shape and size or your head, you can slide each earphone down around an inch. This way, the headset will stay in place during even the most intense Forza races, without squeezing the brain out of your skull. Our chosen version even features a sleek blue Astro A10 logo on the side of the earphones to match the PlayStation 4—but there are other color options if you dislike blue.

Attached to the left earcup is a handy flip-to-mute mic that is permanently attached. As this is a budget headset option, there are no buttons on the headset itself. Rather, the detachable cable has a very handy in-line volume dial for quick adjustments while in-game. Considering it uses a 3.5mm jack, you don’t just have to use the A10 on a PlayStation 4. In fact, you can use it on an Xbox One X or S controller, PC, mobile, or even the Nintendo Switch.

Astro A10 Pricing & Alternatives

There’s no denying that the Astro A10 is a fantastic headset, but when we saw the price tag, we were shocked. We couldn’t believe that you could buy such a superb headset for a mere $23—even less than the price of a brand new game in 2020.

Considering the headset boasts great sound, sturdy design, and a solid microphone, we think that the Astro A10 is a fantastic value-for-money gaming headset. Plus, given how cosy these cans are, you can game for hours without getting sore ears. But what if your budget is a little different?

Sometimes, it’s worth forking out a little more so that you can get the best headset with the best sound quality for gaming. If you’re willing to splash the cash, why not take a look at the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset? Unlike the Astro A10, it boasts 7.1 surround sound and is arguably more comfortable due to the memory foam ear cushions.

Astro A10 Gaming Headset: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some important frequently asked questions regarding the Astro A10 gaming headset.

Is the Astro A10 Gaming Headset Wireless?

Unfortunately—unlike some of the other headsets we have reviewed—the Astro A10 gaming headset is not wireless. If you’re after a wireless headset in order to cut down on messy cables, why not take a look at our guide to the best wireless headsets on the market? After all, nobody likes it when a lengthy headset or headphone cable gets tangled up.

Is the Astro A10 Bluetooth?

As we have mentioned above, the Astro A10 headset is wired and therefore not Bluetooth. Considering many Bluetooth headsets can’t handle higher quality audio as well as wired headsets can, this shouldn’t necessarily be seen as an issue. If you’re still not convinced, refer to the link above for the best wireless headsets for 2020.

Does Astro A10 Have Surround Sound?

As the Astro A10 is a 3.5mm stereo gaming headset, it only delivers audio via a left and right channel. Therefore, unless you have a device capable of processing and sending a surround sound signal, the Astro A10 won’t deliver 7.1 surround sound. Nevertheless, the A10 is still one of the best-sounding headsets for gaming in the sub-$25 range.

Is the Astro A10 Mic Removable?

The mic on the Astro A10 gaming headset is not removable, although it is foldable and bendy. Instead of removing the mic, you can tuck it away beside the headset when you’re not using it. However, you must note that when do you flip the mic up, it will automatically mute itself. So, don’t go thinking your microphone is broken when your friends can’t hear you during a match.

Is Astro A10 Compatible with PS4?

Yes, the Astro A10 gaming headset is compatible with the PS4. In fact, this A10 headset was designed for the PlayStation 4 to ensure that you can hear your teammates and the position of your enemies with ease. In order to use the Astro A10 gaming headset for PlayStation 4 gaming, you just have to:

• Power on your PS4 and go to Settings > Devices
• Click on Audio Devices
• Plug the 3.5mm audio jack into your DualShock 4 controller
• Select Output Device on your PS4
• Select Headset Connected to Controller
• Go to Output to Headphones under Audio Devices
• Select All Audio

In order to adjust the mic settings, go to Adjust Microphone Level and change the Input Volume and Microphone Level to your personal preferences.

Does the Astro A10 Work on Xbox?

As the Astro A10 gaming headset comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, you can use the headset on Xbox One. In fact, you can use the A10 headset on any device that utilizes a 3.5mm audio port in order to get the most out of the Astro A10. Just like the PlayStation 4, this headset plugs right into the latest Xbox One controllers. If you own an older Xbox controller, you will require an adapter to use a 3.5mm headset.

Final Verdict

When it comes to headsets or even a pair of quality gaming headphones, it’s pretty difficult to find a high-quality pair under $50. Anything less than $30 can even make you feel like you’re making compromises. Surprisingly, the $23 Astro A10 headset for PlayStation 4 gaming is not a compromise whatsoever.

In fact, we’d go as far as saying it beats other cans in the same price range owing to the cushy ear cups and the sturdy build quality. If your budget is a little higher and you want to eliminate the sound of your significant other telling you to turn off your PS4, why not invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones? This way, you’ll be able to game without external distractions.

Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Even though the Astro A10 headset is so cheap, footsteps are clear, engines roar loudly, and soundtracks sound great.

Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We couldn’t ask for a better design and build quality from a $23 gaming headset by Astro gaming.

Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s no denying that the price of the Astro A10 is fantastic—a price that will fit into almost any budget.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Astro A10 is a superb gaming headset that offers premium features at a premium price point. Of course, there are some downsides when it comes to certain tones—albeit, you can’t go wrong for $23.