With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles now out in the wild, it’s safe to say that many gamers are looking to upgrade their accessories as well. While PS5 owners who game exclusively on PlayStation may opt for the Pulse 3D wireless headset, others may be looking for a more traditional wireless gaming headset that they can also use on Xbox. For those looking with something with a bit more versatility, the Astro A20 wireless headset is one that they may want to consider.
However, it should be noted that the Astro A20 wireless headset doesn’t have compatibility with both Xbox and PlayStation out of the box. There’s a black and green one made specifically for Xbox, and a white and blue one made specifically for PlayStation, with Game Rant testing the PlayStation version for this review. Those interested in using their Astro A20 wireless headset with both consoles will have to pay an extra $20 for a special USB dongle that makes the PlayStation version of the Astro A20 compatible with Xbox. While this isn’t super convenient, it beats paying full price for an entirely separate headset.
While there are some extra steps to take if one wants to use it on Xbox, communicating through PS5 party chat with the Astro A20 wireless headset is simple and easy. All players have to do is plug the USB dongle into the PS5 and the headset will pair automatically with their DualSense controller. Voice chat sounds crisp and clear, and the headset has some built-in features for ease of use. Astro A20 users can easily adjust the voice chat volume with a wheel on the side of the headphones, and they can mute themselves by simply flipping the microphone up.
If for some reason Astro A20 users don’t trust that their microphone is properly muted this way, they can also mute everything easily with the PS5 DualSense controller. The PS5 DualSense will glow yellow when muted, and players can even hold the button in to mute everything entirely – voice chat, game audio, everything.
Features like this are unique to the PlayStation 5, but it’s worth pointing out that the Astro A20 wireless headset works with more than Sony’s new console. In fact, the Astro A20 is compatible with the PlayStation 4 as well, so those who have yet to upgrade to a next-gen console can still use it with their older system. And since it works great with PS5, the Astro A20 wireless headset is a future-proof purchase for PS4 users who plan on upgrading in the future. PC and Mac users can also get some use out of the Astro A20. Having tested the headset with all of the listed compatible platforms, we noticed no dip in the audio quality whatsoever.
The Astro A20 is a solid headset for voice chat and it’s also ideal for those who want a headset so they can better-immerse themselves in their games. The PlayStation 5’s 3D audio capabilities are represented well with the Astro A20, with games like the Demon’s Souls remake not only sounding better with the headset on, but the argument could be made that it will even help people play better. Demon’s Souls 3D audio can clue players in to enemy locations more precisely, which can go a long way in avoiding cheap hits and deaths. Players should notice benefits in other games that utilize 3D audio as well.
The Astro A20 sound quality is topnotch, but even the best-sounding headset wouldn’t be worth much if it wasn’t comfortable to wear. Luckily, the Astro A20 wireless headset also happens to be very comfortable, with players able to use it for hours on end without any issues. The blocky design may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing, but it fits well and that’s far more important than how it looks.
Players should be able to use the Astro A20 wireless gaming headset for hours without any discomfort, but like with any wireless headset, the question is whether or not the battery life will allow it. The Astro A20 wireless headset boasts up to 15 hours of battery life, and that about lines up with what we were able to get out of it in our testing. As long as players charge it when it’s not being used, there shouldn’t ever really be a scenario where a low battery life comes into play.
The Astro A20 wireless headset has a great battery life, it’s comfortable to wear, and the sound quality is superb. Anyone picking it up for their PlayStation 5 really can’t go wrong, but there is something else that any potential consumers will want to consider before taking the plunge: the price.
At $120, the Astro A20 wireless gaming headset isn’t the most expensive headset on the market, but it’s still slightly more expensive than the PS5 Pulse 3D headset and some others that would also get the job done. Throw in the extra dongle so that it can work on Xbox Series X as well, and the Astro A20 investment is pushing $140. Those that game exclusively on PlayStation may want to consider going for a different headset that’s not quite as expensive, but those who want a decent wireless headset that can be made compatible with both systems will definitely want to give the Astro A20 a look.
Astro A20 Wireless is available now. Game Rant tested the PlayStation-compatible headset for this review.
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