An excellent gaming headset at a low price
The second-generation Astro Gaming A10 is an even better-feeling, better-sounding budget gaming headset than its already strong predecessor, and it doesn't cost a cent more.
The Astro Gaming A10 has long been a strong pick for budget wired gaming headsets, but it’s gotten long in the tooth with the rise of stiff competition in the sub-$100 range. Now, five years later, Astro Gaming has completely overhauled the A10. The A10 Gen 2 feels and sounds better than the previous model, while keeping its $59.99 price. You can find features like a USB sound card with software tweaks (Razer Blackshark V2) or wireless connectivity (Razer Barracuda X) if you can spend closer to $100, but you won’t find a better headset for $60. The Astro Gaming A10 Gen 2 is excellent and affordable, so it easily earns our Editors’ Choice award for budget gaming headsets.
The new A10 (available in black, white, gray, lilac, and mint versions) still has an all-plastic frame, but it takes several design cues from the A40 and A50 to improve the fit and look sleeker than its predecessor. The earcups are now two-piece constructions, with rounded, rectangular plastic rings that hold the earpads against similarly shaped backs. The earcup backs integrate vertical arms that attach to the headband, and slide up and down for achieve a better fit, just like the A40 and A50. The wide, lightweight headband capably distributes the headset’s weight and pressure.
The floating earcups and vertically sliding struts give the A10 a secure fit that’s even more comfortable than the previous A10 thanks to material upgrades. The earpads are now wrapped in a soft, breathable fabric instead of felt, with generous and soft memory foam under it. Wide padding under the headband matches the material, and ensures that the headset never feels too tight on the head.
The boom mic is mounted on the left earcup’s back, and features a long, flexible rubber arm. A 3.5mm port sits on the earcup’s bottom edge for connecting the headset to the included 6.6-foot cable. The cable features an inline remote with a volume wheel, and it terminates in a four-pole, 3.5mm plug. A 3.5mm splitter adapter is also included for use if your PC has separate headphone and mic ports.
The earpads, headband, and mic are all permanently attached, so you still can’t swap them out with mod kits as you can with the A40 and A50.
The Astro A10 is a wired, analog gaming headset, which means it works with every major game console (through the controllers on the PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Series, and the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode), PC or Mac, and any phone with a headphone jack. As a result, the A10 lacks simulated surround sound technology. That said, the audio tech is built into PlayStation 5, and you can add it to PC and Xbox.
The boom mic is nicely clear, important for any gaming headset. The test recordings sounded clean, and picked up no stray fan sounds from my notebook or its cooler. It’s a solid mic for the headset’s budget price, and works well for voice chat and casual recording and streaming. If you’re serious about podcasting or general content creation, we recommend getting a dedicated USB microphone.
For music, the A10 offers strong low-frequency response. The bass synth notes and kick drum hits in our bass test track, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” sounded full and fairly deep, and didn’t distort even at maximum volume. It isn’t quite palpable, head-shaking sub-bass sound, but it has thump.
Yes’ “Roundabout” sounds as good on the A10 as I’ve heard it on any sub-$100 headset. The opening acoustic guitar plucks have plenty of resonance, and while the highest frequencies roll off a bit, they do so above a high enough point that the strings’ textures deliver a good sense of realism. When the track properly kicks in, the A10 properly balances the mix’s many elements, with the bassline settling just slightly in the back to give the guitar, drums, and vocals plenty of space.
The Crystal Method’s “Born Too Slow” demonstrates how the A10’s sound is sculpted. The driving backbeat receives bass that reaches almost deep enough to feel, and the synth riffs come through well at the high-mids. The screeching vocals’ highest frequencies sit a bit back against those elements; they’re present, but they don’t cut through the mix.
With the A10 connected to my PC as a stereo headset, Fortnite sounded full and detailed. Gunshots were loud and punchy, and footsteps came through clearly. The stereo mix offered little directionality, so you won’t gain a tactical advantage.
Using a USB sound card capable of 7.1-channel sound or a software-based simulated surround system like DTS Headphone:X or THX Spatial Audio delivers better results. With the A10 plugged into the headphone jack of an LG UltraGear GP9 speaker providing a DTS Headphone:X audio mix, Fortnite had much more accurate directional panning. The A10’s well-balanced sound signature means properly mixed simulated surround audio gives a good sense of directionality, which came through in the game.
The PlayStation 5 offers simulated spatial audio for any headset connected to a DualSense controller, and that includes the A10. Elden Ring sounded excellent, with every telltale growl, rustle, and twinkle coming through clearly. The system’s 3D audio mixing and panning offers good directionality that let me pick up a dragon as it began chasing me, as well as the grunts from a nearby troll who tossed magic bombs my way.
The Astro Gaming A10 (Gen 2) improves upon its predecessor’s sound and comfort, while keeping its $60 price. The earpad’s improved padding and soft fabric enable lengthy, comfortable gaming sessions, and the strong audio balance works well for both games and music. For its performance and value, the Astro Gaming A10 is our new Editors’ Choice pick for budget, wired gaming headsets.
If you can spend a bit more money, the $99.99 Razer Blackshark V2 has an even better microphone, and includes a USB sound card that enables THX Spatial Audio and many other convenient options. On the wireless side, the $99.99 Razer Barracuda X is a strong choice that features a USB-C transmitter for use with PCs, the Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 4/5.
The second-generation Astro Gaming A10 is an even better-feeling, better-sounding budget gaming headset than its already strong predecessor, and it doesn't cost a cent more.
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Will Greenwald has been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over a decade, specializing in TVs, media streaming devices, headphones, game consoles, game accessories, and virtual reality. He’s reviewed well over 1,000 consumer electronics products and has written dozens of extensive guides to products in his fields.
His particular expertise is in TV and home entertainment technology. Will is a certified ISF Level III TV calibrator and THX Level I home theater installer, which ensures the thoroughness and accuracy of his TV reviews. In addition, he has also tested and reviewed every major game console and consumer VR headset of the last three system generations.
Will has been covering consumer technology for over 15 years. In addition to PCMag, his work and analysis has been seen in CNET, GamePro, Geek.com, Maximum PC, Sound & Vision, and other publications. He also enjoys fiction writing, photography, and building Gunpla model kits.
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