Over-Ear
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
82Great
$60
Full review dataASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) vs Mpow H12: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) - Great overall at around $60.
Over-Ear
Mpow H12
72Good
$42
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
Sound8.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Mpow H12
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery7.5
Calls5.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) | Mpow H12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $60 | $42 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 72 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2017 | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz - 20,000Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 110 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth version | none | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | 9.1 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15 h | 40 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 minutes = 3 hours |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | both |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 380 g | 8 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 1 |
| Call noise reduction | - | CVC 6.0 |
What reviewers said
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
The ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) is a premium wireless headset designed for immersive gaming, delivering crisp virtual surround sound and a comfortable over-ear fit. Its standout feature is the convenient charging base, which also acts as a hub for connectivity, though the detachable microphone and software experience are less impressive than the hardware itself.
- Pro:Immersive virtual 7.1 surround sound
- Pro:Comfortable for long gaming sessions
- Pro:Convenient charging base and dock
- Con:Microphone quality is only average
- Con:Companion software is clunky
- Con:No Bluetooth or multipoint support
Mpow H12
The Mpow H12 is a budget-friendly over-ear headphone that delivers surprisingly solid performance for its price, featuring hybrid active noise cancellation and a warm, bass-oriented sound signature. Its standout trait is the long battery life, which remains respectable even with ANC engaged, making it a practical pick for cost-conscious listeners seeking wireless convenience and effective noise blocking.
- Pro:Very affordable price point
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the cost
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Con:Only supports basic SBC Bluetooth codec
- Con:No app support or custom EQ options
- Con:Lacks USB-C charging and multipoint connectivity
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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