Gaming
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
57Average
$150
Full review dataASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) vs Razer BlackShark V3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Razer BlackShark V3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 91. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Razer BlackShark V3 - Outstanding overall at around $125.
Gaming
Razer BlackShark V3
91Outstanding
$120
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Razer BlackShark V3 leads on 6 of 6 measures.
- ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
- Razer BlackShark V3
HearWiki score
57
91
Sound
7.1
9.2
Battery
5.0
8.6
Calls
6.5
8.8
Value
-
9.2
Price (USD)
$150
$120
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Razer BlackShark V3 (2025) against ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) (2017). The Razer BlackShark V3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec AAC against SBC. It also adds Multipoint pairing.
- A50 (Gen 3)2017
- BlackShark V320258 yr newer
What differsA50 (Gen 3)BlackShark V3
- Top codec
- SBC
- AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
A50 (Gen 3)BlackShark V3
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $150
- $120
- HearWiki score
- 57
- 91
- Released
- 2017
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 12 Hz - 28 kHz
- Impedance
- 48 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 106 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Latency
- -
- 10 ms
- Wireless range
- 9 m
- -
- Battery life
- 15 h
- 70 h
- Full charge time
- 60 min
- -
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 380 g
- 270 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- USB-C
- -
- Yes
- Microphones
- 1
- 1
What reviewers said
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
The Astro Gaming A50 (Gen 3) is a premium wireless gaming headset known for its comfortable fit, rich virtual surround sound, and a convenient charging base. While it excels in gaming performance and build quality, its single microphone is merely average, and the lack of modern codecs or noise cancellation limits its versatility outside of gaming. It offers a solid 15-hour battery life and a 9-meter wireless range, making it a dependable choice for dedicated gamers.
- Pro:Comfortable over-ear design for long sessions
- Pro:Convenient charging base station
- Pro:Rich, immersive virtual surround sound
- Con:Average microphone performance
- Con:Only supports the SBC codec
- Con:No active noise cancellation
Razer BlackShark V3
The Razer BlackShark V3 is a wireless gaming headset that emphasizes long-lasting performance with a 70-hour battery and 50mm drivers for robust audio. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codecs, plus multipoint connectivity for versatile use, though it omits active noise cancellation. The headset also features a noise-canceling microphone and a low-latency 10ms mode, making it a solid choice for gamers seeking extended play sessions.
- Pro:Exceptional 70-hour battery life
- Pro:Comfortable 270g lightweight build
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for multi-device use
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Lacks wireless charging support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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