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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• SOMIC G951S biggest strength: Universal 3.5mm wired connection that works with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, laptop and phone, plus a detachable cat-ear design that's genuinely fun.
• SOMIC G951S biggest trade-off: Wired only, plastic build, passive noise cancellation instead of active, and no rechargeable battery tech to speak of.
• Astro Gaming A20 biggest strength: True 2.4GHz wireless with a USB transmitter, up to 15 hours of battery life, and a flip-to-mute mic that's made for long sessions.
• Astro Gaming A20 biggest trade-off: The USB transmitter ties you to PS5, PS4, Windows and Mac, so it won't work with an Xbox controller or a phone the way the SOMIC does.
• Who the SOMIC is for: Budget-conscious players, younger gamers, Switch and Xbox users, and anyone who wants one headset that works everywhere.
• Who the A20 is for: PlayStation and PC players who hate cables, game in long stretches, and want quick mic control without reaching for a control box.
The SOMIC G951S is a wired over-ear headset built around one simple idea: get it working on whatever you already own. The 3.5mm jack covers Xbox One and Xbox One X/S controllers, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, laptop and smartphones, and SOMIC throws in a splitter cable so you can separate headphone and mic signals on a desktop. That's a genuinely useful inclusion. If you've ever bought a headset that only played nice with one console, you know how annoying that is.
Inside, you get 40mm dynamic drivers with a 20Hz–22kHz frequency range. That's a standard full-range spec, and the point of it is clarity and presence rather than chest-thumping bass. The bendable mic arm holds whatever position you set, and the in-line control box handles volume and mic mute without you needing to touch a menu. The self-adjusting head beam and large over-ear cushions are designed for long wear, and the passive noise reduction comes from the earcups sealing around your ears rather than any electronics.
Who should buy it: younger gamers, anyone gaming across multiple platforms including Xbox and Switch, and people who want a single wired headset they can also use with a phone. Who should skip it: if you refuse to deal with a cable, or you want active noise cancellation, or you want a wireless headset with a battery, this isn't the one.
Astro Gaming A20: Who It's For
The Astro Gaming A20 Gen 2 is a wireless over-ear headset that pairs over a 2.4GHz USB transmitter rather than Bluetooth. That distinction matters. A dedicated transmitter is the reason Astro can promise low-latency audio, which is exactly what you want in a shooter or a rhythm game where a Bluetooth delay would ruin the timing. You plug the transmitter into your PS5, PS4, Windows PC or Mac, and you're connected.
The headline number here is battery: up to 15 hours of wireless play, with a 15-hour charge time listed alongside it. Realistically, that means charging between sessions rather than mid-marathon, and it's the single biggest reason to pick the A20 over any wired option. The mic flips up to mute instantly, which sounds like a small thing until you've fumbled for a mute button mid-argument with your squad. The boom is flexible and aimed at clear team chat.
Comfort is handled with a lightweight padded headband and over-ear cushions. The headset itself weighs 318g, which is on the lighter side for a wireless over-ear model, and the plastic enclosure keeps it that way. You also get a USB-C to USB-A charging cable and a microfiber cleaning cloth in the box. The listed impedance is 32 ohm with a 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range, so it's designed to be driven easily and tuned for a familiar, balanced gaming sound.
Who should buy it: PlayStation and PC players who want to ditch the cable, anyone who games in long sessions and wants a battery that lasts, and people who value instant mic muting. Who should skip it: Xbox players, Switch handheld users, and anyone who wants to plug into a phone. The USB transmitter simply doesn't go there. There's also no active noise cancellation here.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → Astro Gaming A20. Up to 15 hours per charge is the standout figure in this comparison.
• Best for multi-platform flexibility → SOMIC G951S. 3.5mm works with Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC and phones; the A20 is limited to PS5, PS4, Windows and Mac.
• Best for younger gamers and gift-buying → SOMIC G951S. The detachable cat ears and green colorway are aimed squarely at a fun, personal look.
• Best for instant mic control → Astro Gaming A20. Flip-to-mute beats reaching for an in-line box.
• Best for studio-style volume tweaking on the fly → SOMIC G951S. The in-line control box puts volume and mic mute right on the cable.
• Best for lightweight long sessions → Astro Gaming A20. 318g and a padded headband are built for extended wear.
• Best for plug-and-play on a console controller → SOMIC G951S. Straight into the controller's 3.5mm jack, no transmitter, no charging.
If I had to buy one, I'd take the Astro Gaming A20 — but only because of how I play. I'd be on PlayStation or PC, I hate cables, and 15 hours of wireless with a flip-to-mute mic covers everything I actually do in a week. In my opinion, that's the more capable headset for a dedicated gaming setup.
That said, if you game across Xbox, Switch and a phone, or you're buying for a younger player who'll love the cat ears, the SOMIC G951S is the smarter pick. It's the more flexible headset, full stop. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you commit, since that's the one variable that could flip this either way for you.
Both work on PS5, but differently. The A20 connects wirelessly through its USB transmitter with up to 15 hours of battery. The SOMIC plugs into the 3.5mm jack, so it never needs charging but always has a cable.
No. The A20's 2.4GHz USB transmitter is listed as compatible with PS5, PS4, Windows and Mac only. If you need Xbox support, the SOMIC G951S and its 3.5mm plug is the one that covers it.
Both are built for it, in different ways. The A20 uses a lightweight 318g frame with a padded headband and ear cushions. The SOMIC uses large over-ear cushions with a self-adjusting head beam. The A20 has the edge for weight, the SOMIC for pressure-free fit without adjustment.
Neither one does. The SOMIC G951S uses passive noise cancellation from its earcup seal, and the Astro A20 lists no noise control at all. Both rely on how well the earcups physically block outside sound.
It's wireless, using a 2.4GHz USB transmitter rather than Bluetooth, and it charges over USB-C. The SOMIC G951S is wired-only through a 3.5mm jack.
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