Logitech snaps up headset maker Astro for a cool $85 million

Swiss peripheral maker Logitech announced today that it's acquiring headset manufacturer Astro Gaming in an $85 million deal aimed at strengthening the Swiss firm's foothold in the console headset market.

Logitech already has its own headset business, but in a press release company VP Ujesh Desai notably calls out Astro's perceived dominance in terms of "premium console headsets" and popularity among "console eSports athletes" as big reasons for the acquisition.

It's a significant deal for Logitech, which last fall paid $13 million to Mad Catz (now defunct) for the Saitek hardware brand, Saitek's lineup of space, flight, and farm sim controllers, and a handful of Saitek employees. 

The Astro Gaming acquisition is expected to close in August, and will see Logitech paying the $85 million in cash.