Over-Ear
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
82Great
$60
Full review dataASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) vs Mpow HC5: 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 HC5
62Average
$40
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 HC5
Sound5.5
Battery7.0
Calls6.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) | Mpow HC5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $60 | $40 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 62 / 100 · Average |
| Released | 2017 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz - 20,000Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 126 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | - | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth version | none | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 9.1 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15 h | 22 h |
| Battery incl. case | - | 22 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 15 min = 2 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| ANC type | - | none |
| Transparency mode | - | No |
| Companion app | - | No |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | - | No |
| Controls | - | buttons |
| Voice assistant | - | voice assistant |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 380 g | 340 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | - | Yes |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | cVc 8.0 noise canceling microphone |
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 HC5
The Mpow HC5 is a budget-friendly over-ear headset designed primarily for voice calls and office use, offering both wireless Bluetooth and wired 3.5mm connectivity. It features a long 22-hour battery life, comfortable ergonomics, and a lightweight build, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing communication over premium audio. While it lacks advanced features like active noise cancellation or app support, it delivers solid value for its price point.
- Pro:Long 22-hour battery life
- Pro:Dual wireless and wired connectivity
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Con:No active noise cancellation despite the name
- Con:Only supports basic SBC Bluetooth codec
- Con:No companion app or custom EQ options
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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