A30 is another gaming headset that aims to be your one-stop shop–a do-all headset for all platforms and purposes. This is a great pursuit that could help gamers a lot. It could be a top set even at $250/£230 – and that’s before you factor in the awesome Astro audio pedigree. Following a few weeks with the headset, I’m pleased with the results. Perhaps one of the best wireless gaming headsets money can buy this year(opens in new tab).
Feature Set
By looking at its design and build, it’s evident the Astro A30 Wireless is designed for all kinds of scenarios and also reflects a change in aesthetics. Astro A50 and other earlier phones had spiky, hard-edge, rectilinear, and gamer-y aesthetics. Softened and curved corners make the headset feel like a headphone. Although this is still an Astro device, the aesthetic has changed. This stylish headband would look great on your head on a train, at your PC, or while you’re slouching on the couch. In each of those settings, you could wear the A30 effortlessly for hours; it is robust and sturdy while still being relatively lightweight.
Details
Design: Over-ear, closed back
Type: 2.4Ghz Lightspeed wireless (USB); Bluetooth; wired 3.5mm
Drivers: 40mm
Microphone: Dual mics: boom and built-in
Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile
Connectivity: 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth, 3.5mm aux
Impedance: 32 ohm
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Tested on PC, PS5, and mobile.
Almost all of the onboard controls are there, but housed differently. There are just three buttons on the right cup: the power button, Bluetooth button, and mic mute button. It gets interesting. On the right cup, a joystick controls the rest. With the Bluetooth connection engaged, the same button is then used to control music and calls, as well as volume up/down, game/chat audio balance. It all works well and is neat.
Two microphones are on board as well; a detachable boom mic and an integrated microphone. Flexibility is excellent and enhances headset versatility. In addition, each cup’s side plates are magnetically attached and removable. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro offers an ingenious battery solution, but that costs more. Instead, these plates allow you to customize and personalize your A30. Quite nice.
Quality
A30 Wireless offers some of the best gaming audio around, but is that lost in its attempt to be a multi-purpose headset? No. Not at all. With its rich gaming audio and compatibility with all platforms, this headset can truly turn a lot of heads.
Despite being sold as a PC and PS5 headset, the A30 can be used across any platform. With its bird sounds, rivers, and distant gunfire, Red Dead 2’s environments were as beautiful as I’d ever ‘heard’ them. However, the dialogue and barking of units in Total War: Troy and Dawn of War III were clear and crisp.
Is it worth buying?
Obviously, I’m a big fan of the Astro A30. Audio is excellent across all media. Wireless with incredible functionality and versatility? Perfect. Stylish, robust, with customisation options, and useful companion app. The house is full.
As an aside, I find it hard to pin down precisely which platform this headset is most suited to in practice. Across the board, it excels. As a PC gaming headset, it loses some of its USP by switching away from Astro Command Center software – but not its performance or pedigree. In exchange for not having a ‘home platform’, it can just be an ‘any platform’ headset, which is great. Fortunately, the Astro A30 Wireless has stepped up. In addition, it’s cheaper. Probably the best all-round wireless gaming headset I’ve reviewed in 2022, and an incredible headset that does it all.
Wireless Astro A30 Testing
For several weeks, I used the Astro A30 Wireless for play and work.
While playing Middle Earth: Shadow of War and A Plague Tale: Requiem on PlayStation 5, I also played Rainbow Six: Extraction for many hours. By trying these, I was able to experience a wide range of audio profiles and game types, and also gain feedback from my friends on the microphone. I tried it out for strategy games like Total War: Troy, futuristic action games like Dawn of War III, and Red Dead 2 and Apex Legends.
- Apart from games, I used the A30 for meetings at work, and to listen to background music while writing. In addition, I tested Bluetooth and both microphones.
- Our full Hardware Policy explains how we test gaming headsets and make our recommendations.
- Acer Predator X38 monitor and Razer Blade 15 laptop (opens in new tab) were used.
- It can also be used as a Nintendo Switch headset, so check out those guides.
