REASONS TO BUY
Good performance in speaker benchmark tests
Multiple color options
REASONS TO AVOID
Below average positional audio
Shorter cable than most
Uncomfortable
Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 Review
This affordable headset performed well in audio tests, but may disappoint those seeking superior comfort and advanced features
Credit: Astro
RELATED: Best Gaming Headset of 2024
Our Verdict
The Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 headset may be budget-friendly, but regrettably, it reflects the adage of “you get what you pay for.” While it performed well in our audio benchmark tests, it significantly lagged behind in nearly every other aspect, especially when it comes to comfort. Despite its appealing affordability, it's difficult for us to recommend this headset. While we acknowledge its audio quality, it remains barebones offering from Astro, and our review of the top gaming headsets showcases a wide array of superior alternatives that surpass its capabilities.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Gaming Headset |  Best on a Tight Budget | |||
| Price | $60 List $49.99 at Amazon | $130 List $74.99 at Amazon | $100 List $57.00 at Amazon | $50 List $39.99 at Amazon | $60 List $49.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Despite its affordable price, lacks comfort and features, leaving much to be desired | This headset offers great audio, superior comfort, and a fantastic microphone –- the only knock against it is that it is corded | If you want a great headset that does well across the board and won't blow your budget, look no further than the Cloud II | This headset is a great bargain option, holding its own with the top models while costing considerably less | Despite some shortcomings, this headset still delivers above average audio quality |
| Rating Categories | Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 | Kraken V3 HyperSense | Kingston HyperX Clo... | Kingston HyperX Clo... | SteelSeries Arctis... |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Audio (30%) | |||||
| Microphone (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 | Kraken V3 HyperSense | Kingston HyperX Clo... | Kingston HyperX Clo... | SteelSeries Arctis... |
| Connection Type | 3.5mm | USB | USB or 3.5mm | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Measure Max Cordlength | 7 ft | 6.4 ft | 10.6 ft | 10.5 ft | 9.1 ft |
| Wireless or Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| How to Mute | Lift mic | Button | Switch | Lift mic | Button |
| Detachable Microphone | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Mute and Volume Control Location | Mute: Headphone Volume: Inline |
Headphone | Inline (USB only) | Headphone | Headphone |
| Measured weight (cable hanging) | 9.4 oz | 13 oz | 10.9 oz | 9.5 oz | 8.8 oz |
| Measured Inner Ear Cup Opening | 1-3/16" X 1-3/4" | 1-1/2" X 2-1/2" | 1-1/2" X 2-9/16" | 1-5/8" X 2-9/16" | 1-3/4" X 2-1/4" |
| Ear Cup Shape | Rectangle | Oval | Oval | Oval | Oval |
| Ear Cup Fabric Type | Fabric mesh | Memory foam, leatherette, cooling mesh | Leatherette Velour included |
Leatherette | Fabric mesh |
| Downloadable Software | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Surround/Spacial Audio | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Manufacturer Stated Platform Compatibility | PC, Mac, PS5, Switch, Xbox (Series X and S) | PC, PlayStation, Switch (docked mode) | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One (older version controllers may require an adapter) | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One (older version controllers may require an adapter) | PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox (Series X, S, and One), Mobile |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 is a mixed bag. The audio quality stood out as a strong point, offering crisp sound and a flip-to-mute mic. However, the headset fell short in other key areas. The build quality is somewhat lacking, with a plastic construction that could compromise durability. Additionally, the comfort level is relatively low, as the padding and fit could have been more ergonomic. In other words, long gaming or multimedia sessions could be strenuous.
Performance Comparison
The Astro includes adjustable notches.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
At first glance, the headset appears plush and flexible. But, during our testing we encountered discomfort after wearing them for merely two hours, necessitating breaks to rest our ears. While your experience may differ, we believe the issue lies in the poor quality headband and size of the ear cups. Even though we admired the sleek design and the incorporation of the breathable mesh and fabric materials, the actual comfort level proved inadequate in practice.
The ear cups are quite small for most people.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Audio
Here is where the Astro A10 hits some above-average marks, with some caveats. We put each headset through a gauntlet of different benchmark tests, and the Astro A10 scored well. The overall audio is pretty crisp but falters a bit when it comes to positional audio. Not to say that you can't discern some directionality with things like enemy footsteps, but it might not be on the level you're hoping for. You might want to consider this if you're playing competitive online games.
The Astro headset does not excel at effectively blocking out external sounds, which may or may not pose an issue depending on individual preferences. While some gamers prioritize immersion, others prefer to hear what's happening around them.
The Astro A10 Gen 2 has an adjustable mic.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Microphone
In terms of communication quality, it delivers crisp and clear audio, satisfying the needs of most gamers. If you frequently game in a noisy external environment, you may notice that some ambient sounds seep through; however, we didn't find it too overwhelming. Your gaming buddies won't have much to complain about here.
The A10 has a good but not great mic.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Fortunately, this headset is plug-and-play right out of the box; no additional software required. The flip-to-mute mic is often an underrated feature when purchasing a new headset, but you're covered here. While having a noticeable click or tactile feedback when the mic is muted would have been preferable, it's easy enough to get accustomed to.
The volume control, located on the cable, functions perfectly fine. We would have preferred a longer cable length, as it measures only 7 feet for consoles and 6.5 feet for PC. Depending on your setup, this could be an important factor to consider. This cord is detachable, which comes in handy when packing the headset down for travel.
Volume adjustment is located on the cable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2?
Probably not. There's much room for improvement, even considering the price point. This headset doesn't stack up against the competition. Even its strong points are pretty much standard in most other headset brands these days. It feels like Astro took some shortcuts with this model.
Sit back and relax. But not too much, because this headset isn't super comfy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Gaming Headsets Should You Consider?
For those on a tighter budget, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 is worth considering as it outperforms the A10 in every aspect. SteelSeries is renowned for producing some of the finest gaming headsets available. However, if you're willing to spend quite a bit more, the Kraken V3 HyperSense is incredibly comfortable and delivers exceptional audio quality.
—
Austin Palmer and Ryan White
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