Astro A40 vs A50, Astro Gaming Headsets Reviews

Gaming has always been our passion. Whether it’s online gaming, console gaming, or device gaming, our focus is all about getting the best experience. One way to take gaming to a different level is to use a dependable, high-quality gaming headset. Join us as we review and compare the two most popular Astro headsets: the Astro A40 wired vs A50 wireless headset.

The Products Specs

Astro A40 wired Headset Specs

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• Dimensions: 3.75 x 7.75 x 3.75 inches, 12.8 ounces
• Material: plastic, synthetic leather
• Sound Quality: Astro Audio V2 
• Connectivity: wired connectivity
• Special Features: ear cushions, swappable boom mic, speaker tags, Mod Kit ready 

Astro A50 wireless Headset Specs

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• Dimensions: 7.28 x 3.48 x 7.17 inches, 1.49 pounds
• Material: plastic, synthetic leather 
• Sound Quality: Astro Audio V2 immersive audio 
• Connectivity: RF
• Compatible Gaming Platforms: PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox, PC, and Mac 
• Special Features: 15+ hours battery life, EQ modes, flip-to-mute microphone, built-in mix amplifier, gaming and voice balance, Astro Command Center software, Mod Kit ready
• Accessories: base station

Astro A40 Review

The Astro A40 is a wired gaming headset that gives high-quality gaming audio. It is lightweight and comfortable to use even during long hours of online gaming. The A40 comes with a stunning finish that clearly gives users the edge. It’s customizable and Mod Kit ready.

One look and you can see that Astro is serious about gaming. The headset has a durable design with large plastic and metal headband which won’t easily move as you play. This may seem heavy and bulky but we can assure you that the headset is comfortable and easy to use. It comes with an ergonomic design with a soft foam cushion.

The earpads are huge compared to other wired gaming headsets but these are designed to cover the ears and block any kind of external noise. The earpads are also padded using faux leather which is soft, comfortable, and easy to clean.

When it comes to audio quality, you can compare the Astro A40 with some of the high-end gaming headsets in the market. It can cancel all external noises thanks to its design. The microphone also has noise-canceling features that keep your voice crystal clear.

Enjoy high-quality sound with the Astro Audio V2. You can use this for online gaming and console gaming and will work with almost all popular console brands (PlayStation and Xbox).

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The Benefits and Drawbacks of Astro A40

You won’t have to worry about running out of batteries with a wired A40 headset. You can confidently take on long gaming tournaments and join competitions using this very durable, good-quality wired headset.

Pros

• Wired headset so battery life is never a problem.
• Made with very strong and durable materials.
• Works with almost all gaming consoles and personal computers.
• Comes with the Astro Audio V2 for impressive sound quality
• With a good fit, easy to adjust and use.
• Connects to a microphone port and will work with almost all devices and gaming equipment.
• With a swappable and removable microphone.
• Will block out noise and cancel out any unnecessary audio.
• With customizable speaker tags.
• Ready for customization using special Mod Kits.

Cons

• You’re limited to the length of the headset wire.
• The Mod Kits must be purchased separately from the headset.
• People who have smaller head sizes may find the A40 too large.
• You can’t convert this to a wireless headset. 

Astro A50 Review

The Astro A50 is a wireless gaming headset that’s developed for popular gaming platforms, Mac and PCs. It is ranked as one of the most popular wireless gaming headsets because of its ability to isolate sound and deliver immersive audio.

At first glance, you’ll instantly notice how sleek and modern the Astro A50 design is. The style will surely fit most gamers. The headset is large and may look heavy but we guarantee that it’s comfortable to wear thanks to its padded headband. It is completely adjustable from the left or right earpad which ensures that you’re comfortable even when you use it for longer hours.

Just like the A40, the A50 has huge ear pads designed to keep all external noises out. The earpads are also made of synthetic leather which is soft and won’t easily lose its shape or form. The pads are also removable, customizable using specialized Mod Kits. These are sold separately from the A50 unit. The microphone is well-designed to block all external sounds. You can also customize this using available Mod Kits.

The A50 is heavier than the A40 because of its rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Charging is easier and faster thanks to its base station and charging dock. When you’re done gaming or you would like to pause for a bit, place the A50 gaming headset back to its dock to fully recover.

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The Benefits and Drawbacks of Astro A50

The A50 has a longer battery life of up to 15 hours but will still need to charge to full before use. However, this wireless headset offers EQ controls, mix amp features, and gaming and voice balance which are not found in a wired A40 headset.

Pros

• Comes with the Astro V2 Audio feature for clearer music, dialogue, and gaming sounds.
• Compatible with Dolby Audio for cinematic and HD gaming audio.
• With a longer battery life at 15+ hours in a single charge.
• With voice balance for easy mixing of gaming sounds and audio.
• Comes with a free Astro Command Center software for easy control.
• Comes with USB sound card functions. You can use your sound card to control the game, voice balance, voice streaming, and more. No need to use optical cables to access this feature.
• Open for customization using special Mod Kits.
• Comes with a wireless base station that is compatible with PS5, PS4, Mac, and PCs.

Cons

• Battery power may not be adequate for hard-core players.
• There’s no way to adapt to a wired connection.
• The base station is not compatible with an Xbox gaming console.
• The headset is heavy weighing 1.49 pounds.
• Mod Kits are not included in your purchase.
• Only one battery pack is included with your purchase. 

Astro A40 vs A50

No matter what platform you use for gaming, you need to focus on the play. The Astro A40 wired headset lets you play non-stop, with no need to worry about battery life and connectivity. But if you want freedom from wires, to play comfortably anywhere, the A50 wireless gaming headset may be the best one for you.

Diving deeper into each product’s features and making a comparison will help you figure out which headset will work best for your type of gaming.

Features

The Astro A40 and the A50 have almost the same features. Both headsets come with the ASTRO Audio V2 technology which means you’ll get professional quality audio that’s best for gamers. These headsets are also great for live streaming as well as all types of competitive gaming.

The A40 comes with a swappable, detachable microphone which means you can position this on any side of the headset. The mic is unidirectional, very sensitive, and helps reduce background noises. The A50 microphone is also capable of reducing background noises and has a unique flip-to-mute feature. There’s no need to press any button to mute the mic.

Aesthetics

The A40 features a rugged design and finish. The headset is very prominent but comfortable to use. The earpads are large to prevent any background noise from disrupting your game. The headsets are easy to adjust with just a few clicks on each side. The microphone slides smoothly and flips to the back or front.

The A50 wireless headset also has a rugged design but nonetheless comfortable even with prolonged use. The boom mic flips smoothly to mute and returns to the front without any worries. The headset sits on a charging dock so you don’t need to plug it on an outlet to recharge.

Performance

The A40 is compatible with PC and Mac computers and is easy to install. It also works with gaming platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox X, and S through the 3.5 mm port found on the PS and Xbox controllers.

The A50 with the Base Station works with the PlayStation 4 and 5 as well as PC and Mac computers. Installation is done in just a few minutes and battery life can last up to 15 hours in one full charge. This wireless headset works using RF signals which means you can enjoy wider signal ranges up to 30 yards. Compared to Bluetooth technology, RF is not secure and is susceptible to interference.

These Astro gaming headsets let you rule over games and voice streaming through the Command Center Software. This free software allows users to control audio through voice communication and via the game audio setting. Players can access this through Windows 10 and Mac computers and on the Xbox 1 gaming console.

Both gaming headsets are Mod Kit ready which means these are open for added customization. You may swap a regular headband with faux leather headbands. The ear cushions may also swap with a better and more comfortable pair to improve noise isolation.

Gaming Platforms

Both the Astro A40 and A50 work with personal computers running on Windows and Mac operating systems. You need drivers for the A40 and A50 to work with your PC. It only takes a few minutes to install Astro drivers.

You may also use these headsets on the latest PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles. The A40 wired headset fits on all headphone jacks even on updated PS and Xbox gaming controllers. Meanwhile, the A50 connects using the latest RF technology and has additional features when used with the Xbox 1, Windows 10, and Mac.

Materials

Astro is known for its good choice of high-quality materials. These headsets are a combination of strong plastics, metal, and soft synthetic leather. These headsets have strong and durable headbands that will never change shape even when used in long gaming and tournaments.

Stainless steel metal is used for the A50 and A40 adjustment systems. These are also durable and will never bend or break even if you constantly make adjustments. The earpads are soft, made of durable and high-quality faux leather.

Warranty

Most Astro products are covered with a one-year warranty on any defective parts and faulty workmanship. This warranty plus all the best features make Astro headsets a good value for your money.

Cost

The Astro A40 wired headset is around $115 online while the wireless A50 headset costs almost $300 online. Your purchase does not include Mod Kits which enhances the headset’s noise-canceling features, padded headbands, speaker tags, and voice-isolating microphones.

Why a wired headset is better

A wired headset is better than a wireless headset because you don’t need to bother with charging and recharging your headset. You can play anytime and participate in longer tournaments and games. Also, you can connect a wired headset to all devices and gaming equipment with a headset jack.

Why a wireless headset is better

A wireless headset is better if you prefer to play without having to deal with wires. You can move about freely, no worries about your distance from the console or computer as long as you are within the RF range. A wireless headset like the A50 is easy to charge because of its convenient base station. It may not be compatible with all gaming consoles but it works with major gaming and computer platforms.

Conclusion 

When comparing Astro A40 vs A50, the choice depends on your preference. Both headsets have almost the same features and specs however, the A40 is a wired headset and the A50 is a wireless headset. Both are enhanced with the Astro Audio V2 which delivers the best quality audio for all types of gamers and for people who engage in live streaming.

The two headsets offer comfortable fits, rugged styles, and finishes and are lightweight. These are recommended for professional gamers, online content creators, and those who want to appreciate great audio online. We recommend the A40 for people who prefer a wired gaming headset and the A50 for those who want freedom from wires.