PRODUCT REVIEW: A20 Wireless Gen 2 Gaming Headset Nails Comfort and Audio

With a new console comes the need for new accessories. In September, ASTRO Gaming announced the A20 Wireless Gen 2 Gaming Headset. As the second generation of the already successful A20 Gaming Headset, the A20 Gen 2 feature the same premium quality design with matching comfort, wireless connectivity, and price-point that isn’t your firstborn child.

Now, the important thing for a lot of tech heads is the A20 Gen 2’s specs. This generation of the A20 wireless headset has improved audio, wireless range, battery life, Flip to Mute mic,  and EQ presets. For audio, it’s designed to produce detailed, true-to-life game audio. The ASTRO Audio V2 provides a natural, smooth sound through an extended frequency range. Tuned for Gaming to deliver non-fatiguing highs, clear mids, and distortion-free bass. The A20  Gen 2 also features 2.4GHz technology that provides secure wireless connectivity, up to 15m (50 ft) of wireless range, and offers up 15+ hours of battery life. Thankfully, they can be recharged using the included USB-C to USB-A cable, meaning you can use just about any current-gen charging cord for most household products like Android phones and more.

Additionally, in the realm of audio specs, it comes with three EQ mode presets are available, including ASTRO which is tuned with precise bass for general gaming; PRO is tuned for precise mid and high detail for streaming and pro gaming;  STUDIO is neutral for accuracy and best for movies and music. This allows users to tailor their experience depending on their activity and makes this process accessible to people who may not understand the nitty-gritty of adjusting sound settings – myself included.

But the two most impressive features of the A20 Gen 2 wireless headset are the mic and the comfort. Now, the headset has a highly precise boom mic that comes in as clear as my normal podcasting mic. That said, the fact that this version of the A20 offers a Flip to Mute functionality will save everyone from the embarrassing background noise that happens when you walk away for a break – you know the one. We have all had a friend who has accidentally left the mic on mute between matches. Now, with this Flip to Mute feature, ASTRO notes an already common movement done when people try to go off mic and uses it to help users preemptively catch themselves. This means that when you flip up the mic, all of its voice output is muted.

Finally, the A20 Gen 2 is all about comfort. According to ASTRO Gaming, the headset is engineered for marathon gaming sessions, making it comfortable, durable, lightweight, and easily adjustable. After a week of use for both work and personal life at the computer and console, I can attest that all of the claims are true. Now, it’s important to point out that while the cushioning used plays a large part in comfort, the element that a lot of people may not think of is size. For me, I’ve found that most gaming equipment is designed with men in mind. This comes from the gendering of gaming that has been happing for decades. This means controllers, headsets, chairs, and just about anything impacted by their size is often geared towards men who are typically expected to need larger products. This is why the A20 Gen 2 is the first new headset I’ve gotten in nearly five years. I had one that could be put on the smallest setting and every other headset I tried at conventions just didn’t fit the bill.

Thankfully, the A20 not only adjusts well, but its small framing means it looks smaller than most headsets, and it when adjusted to its smallest setting, accommodates an even smaller-framed individual. When compared to my old Turtle Beach 420X  or my husband’s Hyper X Cloud Flight, the A20 Gen 2 offers comfortability not only in its size adjustment but in its padding at both the top and around the ears. While I traditionally have to adjust headsets to the smallest size, my A20s are set somewhere in the middle. While this is a big issue to me because gender-inclusive designs of products are still somewhat rare, the ability to adjust the size of the headset this much can also accommodate younger gamers as well. This means that the headset can be used by children to adults with relative ease and may help you decide if you should make the purchase for your family.

In addition to the A20 Gaming Headset, ASTRO Gaming is introducing the A20 Wireless Gen 2 USB Transmitter designed for Xbox consoles and PlayStation. One USB transmitter for Xbox consoles or PlayStation is included with each A20 Headset. For multi-platform A20 gamers, adding a second USB Transmitter allows for the pairing of a single headset with multiple consoles, a feature that is only natural as we move towards a more cross-platform driven ecosystem of play. The A20 Gen 2 can also be used cross-platform for the Playstation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC with the addition of the USB Transmitter specific to the console. That said, the Xbox specific version of the headset can be used between the console and PC without any extra transmitter needed and features on-device audio balancing between voice chat and game audio. 

Overall, the ASTRO A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 is a great purchase. After multiple 10 hour days with it on for work and gaming, I can say they’re the most comfortable headset I’ve worn for such an extended period of time. Additionally, the ability to seamlessly move between PC to Xbox Series X takes note of how I game, between both. And finally, the sizing option is unbeaten and takes into consideration gamers with smaller frames.

The ASTRO A20 Gaming Headset Gen 2 is available for $119.99 USD and the ASTRO A20 Gen 2 USB Transmitter is available for $19.99 USD.