Gaming
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
57Average
$150
Full review dataASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 - Outstanding overall at around $130.
Gaming
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
86Outstanding
$130
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 leads on 6 of 6 measures.
- ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
HearWiki score
57
86
Sound
7.1
8.2
Battery
5.0
9.3
Calls
6.5
8.8
Value
-
8.6
Price (USD)
$150
$130
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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (2024) against ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) (2017). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec AAC against SBC. It also adds Multipoint pairing.
- A50 (Gen 3)2017
- Arctis Nova 520247 yr newer
What differsA50 (Gen 3)Arctis Nova 5
- Top codec
- SBC
- AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
A50 (Gen 3)Arctis Nova 5
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $150
- $130
- HearWiki score
- 57
- 86
- Released
- 2017
- 2024
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 22 kHz
- Impedance
- 48 Ω
- 36 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 93 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- -
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Wireless range
- 9 m
- 9 m
- Battery life
- 15 h
- 60 h
- Full charge time
- 60 min
- 15 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 6 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- -
- No
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- both
- Weight
- 380 g
- 265 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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a wireless gaming headset that prioritizes long-lasting performance, boasting a 60-hour battery and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It features a balanced sound signature from its 40mm drivers and a noise-canceling mic for clear communication, all wrapped in a comfortable design. Multipoint support allows seamless switching between gaming and mobile devices.
- Pro:Exceptional 60-hour battery life
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for easy device switching
- Pro:Balanced sound profile suitable for various games
- Con:No active noise cancellation for immersion
- Con:No water resistance for durability
- Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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