Astro A20 X Review: Nearly Identical to Logitech G522 – And That’s Not a Bad Thing

Experience the standout features of the Astro A20 X headset, blending Logitech’s trusted design with smart wireless switching for multi-platform gamers.

A Familiar Feel with a Few New Twists

If you've ever peeked at the Astro A20 X, you might have thought, “Hey, this looks a lot like the Logitech G522 Lightspeed!” And you'd be right—because the Astro A20 X is essentially a refined version of the G522. But is that a bad thing? Not at all. The Logitech G522 has been one of the stellar wireless gaming headsets of the year, and many of its strengths have gracefully made their way into the Astro A20 X.

I remember putting on the headset and instantly feeling the comfort thanks to the lightweight yet sturdy build, the plush ear cushions, and the soft headband. Honestly, it looks a bit bulky on my head, but once you start gaming, you forget all about appearances because it’s just so comfy.

The microphone remains the same stellar removable piece with a 48kHz sample rate, providing crystal-clear voice transmission on Discord. And the handy red mute indicator means you always know when you’re off the mic—no accidental broadcasting of your snack crunching!

What’s New? The Magic is in the Extras

So, what's fresh with the Astro A20 X? Surprisingly, the biggest change isn’t in the headset itself but in the package. This time, Astro includes a compact Playsync dock plus two USB Type-C cables. This wireless adapter lets you plug into two different systems simultaneously.

Here’s the kicker: a tiny new button on the back of the headset lets you switch almost instantly between those two devices. Imagine toggling between your PlayStation 5 and a PC or Xbox and PC without lifting a finger. For someone like me who juggles multiple consoles on one monitor, this little feature is a game changer.

That said, I do feel like Logitech’s decision to brand this as Astro is a bit puzzling. While Astro products usually cater to multi-platform use, the design of this headset feels completely at odds with models like the Astro A50 X or A10. It doesn’t even carry the Astro logo, opting instead for Logitech’s “G” branding just like the G522 Lightspeed. As a huge Astro fan, I can’t help but feel it loses a bit of its distinct vibe.

Pricing and Availability

• Price: $179.99 (about $179.99 USD)
• Slightly more expensive than G522 Lightspeed
• Worth it if you switch between multiple platforms

The Astro A20 X comes with a price tag of $179.99, which is about $20 more than the Logitech G522 Lightspeed’s $159.99. The real question is whether you’re willing to spend the extra cash. If you use two or more gaming systems in one setup, the convenience of the dual-device switch makes this a worthy upgrade.

On the other hand, if your setup sticks to just one platform, you might want to consider alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless. The latter is a solid pick for $129.99 and offers comparable sound quality, though it lacks the intuitive one-button platform switching.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

Design and Features: Play It Safe, Play It Smart

Logitech made a smart call by sticking close to the G522’s winning design, with only a few subtle tweaks. The only real differences on the headset are the two extra buttons on the back of the right ear cup—a game/chat balance dial and a small red switch button.

These work hand-in-hand with the Playsync dock, a tiny USB-C adapter that connects to two systems. On the dock’s front, two LEDs indicate which device is active, while the back houses two USB-C ports and toggle switches labeled “Xbox/USB” and “PC/USB.” Helpful hints on the dock base make it easy to select the right mode for PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch.

One minor gripe: the dock is lightweight and tends to slide around on the desk, especially with connected cables pulling at it. A couple of rubber feet help, but this is still an area for improvement.

Apart from the switching magic, the Astro A20 X shares nearly identical specs with the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, including spatial sound support on PCs and customizable RGB lighting. The color options are black or white, and unlike the G522’s blue accents, the A20 X sports red highlights.

Performance: Comfort and Quality That Lasts

Given that the Astro A20 X is basically a twin of the G522, it delivers similarly impressive performance.

Out of the box, the sound is solid, but I recommend using the Logitech G Hub software to tweak the bass frequencies—boosting 20Hz by 3dB, 50Hz by 2dB, and 125Hz by 1dB, plus a slight 0.5dB lift on the highs. Without these tweaks, the bass can feel a bit on the light side.

The headset offers presets like bass boost, gaming mode, shooter mode, and multimedia mode, plus community-shared profiles for even more customization.

The microphone excels at clear voice capture with minimal background noise, especially when you enable noise suppression in the software.

Battery life matches the G522’s generous 40+ hours with lighting on and up to 90 hours without. And switching between devices? Flawless — instant transitions with zero lag or pairing hassles.

Comparison Table: Astro A20 X vs. Competitors

How I Put the Astro A20 X Through Its Paces

I spent several months gaming on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC using the Astro A20 X. Titles ranged from Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7 to Astro Bot, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade.

Along the way, I compared it closely to the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, plus premium contenders like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and Astro A50 X.

“The new feature of swift platform switching changes the game for multi-console users.” – Anonymous

Wrapping It Up: Is the Astro A20 X Worth It?

If you’re a gamer who toggles between consoles and PC, the Astro A20 X’s multi-platform switching is a genuine breakthrough that justifies its price bump over the G522. Its comfort, solid sound quality, and microphone clarity make it a strong contender in the wireless headset arena. For those who stick to a single platform, the Logitech G522 or other headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 might be more budget-friendly options.

Still, there’s something reassuring about a headset that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but simply perfects what already works.

FAQ

• How long does the Astro A20 X battery last?
  It offers 40 hours of use with RGB lighting on and up to 90 hours without RGB.
• Can the Astro A20 X connect to multiple devices at once?
  Yes, with the Playsync dock, you can seamlessly switch between two systems.
• Is the microphone quality good for online gaming?
  Absolutely, the removable 48kHz mic captures clear voice with noise suppression support via software.
• Does the Astro A20 X support spatial sound?
  Yes, spatial audio is supported on PC for immersive gaming.
• Is the Astro A20 X compatible with Nintendo Switch?
  Yes, it works with Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Android, and iOS devices.

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