The Astro A10 (Gen 2) is here to fix some of the original model’s flaws with a new, lighter design and better sound quality. But does this budget-friendly, wired-only headset stack up? I spent some time with it to bring you this review.

Editor’s note: this is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) gaming headset has pretty good construction and quality materials for the price. It’s very light, with thick cloth padding along the headband and breathable ear cups, and it never caused any heat buildup during my use. However, it didn’t clamp very tightly to my head either, which made getting a good seal more difficult.

The headset is crafted from durable hard plastic and includes a detachable audio cable. It feels robust enough to handle the occasional drop on the floor or even a less-than-gentle toss aside after a fit of gamer rage. Of course, treating it with care will ensure it lasts even longer.

The ear cups are squarish and a tad small, just barely fitting around my ears, and the headband has a limited range — I had to expand it to the full length to fit my head, and I could have used more length. The boom mic is bendable and sits at a comfortable distance from my mouth. However, I wouldn’t play with it too much after finding the correct position, as it’s hard to straighten out again after bending it at any point.

There’s no carrying case included and the headset can’t fold at all, making it not very portable. It doesn’t have an IP rating either, so keep away from water. But, if you do spill something on the cloth earcups, you can remove them to wash or replace them.

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) has straightforward controls. There’s an in-line volume wheel built into the cable, and to mute the mic, you flip it up. That’s it. The volume dial has a limit to how much you can turn it, but you can’t specify a volume setting and have to adjust it by ear. Each time you boot up a game, the headset automatically starts at a low volume to help prevent any sudden loud noises that could damage your hearing in case the dial turned up since you last used it.

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) is a wired-only gaming headset without Bluetooth connectivity. You can plug it into any device with a 3.5mm output using the included 3.5mm TRRS cable, such as an Xbox Series X/S or PS5 controller. There’s also a Y-splitter if your computer has separate audio input and output sockets. The cables are detachable from the headset so that you can interchange them.

The passive acoustic  isolation isn’t very good: there’s little isolation from low-end or mid-range noises, such as outside traffic or nearby conversations. It’s better at reducing high-pitched sounds, like whines from an AC unit.

How does the Astro A10 (Gen 2) sound?

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) emphasizes the low and mid-bass region, accentuating in-game sound effects. Dialogue and instruments are clear but can lack detail.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the Astro A10 (Gen 2) headset was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

Across the board, the MDAQS results are respectable for a gaming headset, meaning most people should like how the Astro A10 (Gen 2) sounds.

Reviewer’s notes

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) sounds okay, but a hefty low-end emphasis can take you by surprise if you have the volume dialed too high.

For music, this can lend itself well to genres like EDM, hip-hop, or rap. But for others, it can be overwhelming. For instance, when listening to Take Five by Dave Brubeck, the overemphasis in the mid-bass to low-mids makes the bass line too forward, intruding on the space of the saxophone and piano. Thankfully, that treble range is all very pleasing.

Any sudden sound effects like explosions and gunshots are incredibly pronounced for gaming. While playing Starfield, many of the chaotic hijinks that happen while exploring the galaxy jump out with a force that may have you dropping the controller and reaching to dial down the volume. Dialogue from NPCs is clear, and the positional accuracy is also immersive; as your character moves around, you can hear voices shift from one ear to the other with a convincing sense of space.

Objective Measurements

As you can see from the chart above, the Astro A10 (Gen 2)’s frequency response only lines up closely with our preference curve above 1kHz but deviates below. The primary deviation is the lack of sub-bass, which starts to rise around 50Hz and then is strongly emphasized through the mids up to 500Hz. Unfortunately, there are no customization features to modify the sound to suit your tastes.

The microphone on the Astro A10 (Gen 2) provides decent recording quality, so long as you have it positioned at a close distance from your mouth. Your voice comes through sounding crisp and is understandable. As you can hear from the office conditions samples below, noise rejection could be better, and many background noises will be heard, but they aren’t enough to detract from your voice; people will still be able to hear what you are saying.

Astro A10 (Gen 2) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

The Astro A10 (Gen 2) delivers a solid, no-frills experience with a durable build and decent sound quality. It’s particularly suited as a first gaming headset for young gamers, thanks to its simple, sturdy design, replaceable padding, and the comfort it offers to smaller heads. The emphasized low-end will make in-game effects and bass-heavy music more pronounced, though it may overshadow midrange detail.

However, this headset might not be the best fit for everyone. Those with larger heads may find it too snug, and those looking for high-end features like wireless connectivity, active noise cancelation, or customizable sound profiles should consider other options. The Astro A10 (Gen 2) is wired-only without bells and whistles. Still, it’s affordably priced and effective at what it does — providing passable audio and microphone quality for everyday gaming.

If you’re stepping into the gaming world or seeking a budget-friendly headset for a young gamer, the Astro A10 (Gen 2) is a worthwhile choice. A higher-end model might be a better investment for anyone seeking more advanced features.

If you are looking for a wireless headset in the Astro Gaming lineup, consider the Astro A20 (Gen 2) ($119 at Amazon). It’s a bit bigger with fabric earpads, has good battery life, and has a more balanced sound quality. Just make sure to buy the correct variant for Xbox or PS5. On the higher end of the Astro lineup is the Astro A40 TR ($149 at Amazon), which is a wired headset with a semi-open design. It has a better microphone and sound quality and has seen a price drop since its initial release.

Outside of Astro, the HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 ($36 at Amazon)is another budget-friendly wired headset. It has a simple construction with leatherette ear cups if you prefer the feel over fabric, surprisingly decent sound, and a quality boom mic. The Logitech G433 ($65 at Amazon) is another wired gaming headset that is slightly more expensive, primarily because it comes with several accessories, such as swappable ear pads, cables, and a carrying bag. See our list of the best gaming headsets under $100 for more affordable options.