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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Astro Gaming Logitech G biggest strength: 2.4 GHz wireless with up to 15 m of range and 15+ hours of battery life — no cable, no fuss during long sessions.
• Astro Gaming Logitech G biggest trade-off: it's the heavier of the two at 318 g, and the plastic build plus the need to keep it charged makes it less of a grab-and-go pick.
• Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK biggest strength: less than 230 g with closed-back isolation and 45 mm drivers — a wired headset built for hours of comfortable, detailed listening.
• Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK biggest trade-off: it's fully wired, so you're tied to your device and there's no battery to fall back on — the cable is always part of the setup.
• Who the Astro is for: console and PC players who hate cables and want a single headset that swaps between PlayStation and computer with a USB transmitter.
• Who the Audio-Technica is for: players who value light weight, isolation and a detachable boom mic, and who don't mind staying plugged in.
The Astro A20 Gen 2 is built around one idea: cut the cord without cutting the session short. Its 2.4 GHz wireless signal reaches up to 15 m (about 49 ft), which is genuinely useful if you like to grab a drink or stretch between rounds and don't want to yank the cable out of your console. The included USB transmitter handles the connection between console and PC, and because Astro sells console-specific transmitters separately, the same headset can carry over to another platform if you buy the matching dongle.
Battery life is the other headline. Astro rates it at 15+ hours, recharged over the included USB-C to USB-A cable. For most people that's several evenings of play between charges, and the flip-to-mute uni-directional mic means you can kill your mic instantly by flipping the boom up — a small thing that becomes second nature. There are also three EQ presets, so you can nudge the tuning toward whatever you're playing rather than living with one fixed sound.
Who should skip it? If you want zero charging anxiety, want the lightest possible thing on your head, or play mostly at a desk where a cable never bothers you, the wireless premium here is solving a problem you don't have. The plastic enclosure also won't feel as dense as a metal-framed set.
Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK: Who It's For
The ATH-GL3BK takes the opposite approach and does it very deliberately. Audio-Technica built this around a closed-back design, which means the earcups seal around your ears and block out the room — great if you game near a TV, a noisy household, or anywhere ambient sound creeps into your session. The 45 mm dynamic drivers are notably large, and the frequency range stretches from 10 Hz to 35,000 Hz, which is a much wider window than most gaming headsets bother with. Sensitivity is rated at 98 dB.
The weight is the standout number: under 230 g. That's roughly 90 g lighter than the Astro, and over a four-hour session that difference is real. The boom microphone is flexible and fully detachable, with highly directional pickup so it focuses on your voice rather than the room. Volume and mute live on the left earcup, which keeps your hands off the cable.
Audio-Technica also includes two cables: a 3.0 m cable with separate 3.5 mm mic and headphone plugs for PCs, and a 1.2 m TRRS cable for modern consoles. The earpads and headpad detach for replacement, which matters if you plan to keep a headset for years rather than one console generation.
Who should buy it? In my opinion, this is for the desk player who wants isolation, a wired connection that never drops, and a genuinely light headset — and who plays on PC or a standard controller-based console. Who should skip it? Anyone who has ditched cables entirely, or who wants to roam the room mid-match. The stainless steel enclosure and black finish feel purposeful rather than flashy, and there's no battery, no transmitter, no charging routine.
• Best for wireless freedom → Astro Gaming Logitech G. 2.4 GHz connection with up to 15 m of range and no cable to snag.
• Best for long battery-powered sessions → Astro Gaming Logitech G. 15+ hours of play and USB-C recharging.
• Best for lightweight comfort → Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK. Under 230 g versus 318 g on the Astro.
• Best for sound isolation → Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK. The closed-back design seals you off from the room.
• Best for detailed audio range → Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK. 45 mm drivers with a 10 Hz–35,000 Hz frequency range.
• Best for quick mic muting → Astro Gaming Logitech G. Flip the boom up and you're muted; the Audio-Technica uses a switch on the earcup.
• Best for swapping between console and PC → Astro Gaming Logitech G. The USB transmitter plus optional console-specific transmitters.
• Best for repairability and long-term ownership → Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK. Detachable mic, two included cables, and replaceable earpads and headpad.
I'd buy the Audio-Technica ATH-GL3BK for most people who game at a desk. In my opinion, the sub-230 g weight, closed-back isolation, 45 mm drivers and detachable boom mic add up to a headset that's more comfortable and more detailed for long wired sessions, and the replaceable pads and two included cables make it the better long-term buy. I'd pick the Astro Gaming Logitech G only if wireless is non-negotiable — if you play from a couch, move between rooms, or want one headset that jumps between PlayStation and PC without a cable. Decide which of those two lives sounds like yours, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
how much gaming headphones
There's no single answer, and I won't quote a figure here — gaming headsets span from budget wired models to premium wireless sets with transmitters and charging. Both of these sit in the mid-to-upper range of that spectrum, with the Astro's wireless hardware and the Audio-Technica's driver and build quality driving their positioning. Check the current price on Amazon for each.
is gaming better with headphones
Generally yes, for two reasons. A headset puts the audio right at your ears, so positional cues and detail are easier to pick out than through TV speakers, and a mic lets you talk to teammates. The ATH-GL3BK's closed-back design takes this further by isolating you from room noise; the Astro's wireless freedom keeps you immersed without a cable tugging at you.
are gaming headphones good for calls
They can be. Both of these have boom microphones — the Astro's is uni-directional with flip-to-mute, and the Audio-Technica's is detachable with highly directional pickup, which helps reject background noise. Over a wired 3.5 mm connection or the Astro's USB transmitter, either works for voice chat and casual calls. Just note the Audio-Technica is wired only, so you'll need a device with a 3.5 mm jack.
how to game with bluetooth headphones
You don't need Bluetooth here, and that's worth knowing. The Astro A20 Gen 2 uses a 2.4 GHz USB transmitter rather than Bluetooth, which typically means lower latency for gaming audio — a real advantage when timing matters. The Audio-Technica skips wireless entirely and runs over 3.5 mm, which is the lowest-latency option of all.
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