What Are Good Headsets for Nintendo Switch?

What Are Good Headsets for Nintendo Switch?

High-quality mobile audio is one particularly useful feature enabled by the Nintendo Switch, so you don't have to sacrifice any sound when playing on the go. The Switch supports a variety of audio formats, including 5.1 surround sound formats, so a great gaming headset with high-quality audio to bring your games to life will last a long time.

Make sure the headset can switch between taking calls and listening to music, and you're good to go! Here are our top picks for headsets.

If you want to take your gaming on the go, the Nintendo Switch is the way to go. However, if you don't want to blast those around you with Smash Bros matches or subject them to the roar of Mario Kart's engines, you'll need a headset as well. There's a lot of options out there, but don't worry, we've got you covered with our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch headsets.

Wearing a gaming headset is a game changer. It's an excellent way to gain a competitive advantage and completely immerse yourself in a game. With a headset, you'll be able to hear all the sounds you previously missed. You'll be able to identify various sounds more easily, whether it's incoming enemy fire or a hiding mole cricket in Animal Crossing.

The great thing about gaming headsets is that most of them can also be used to listen to music and watch movies. While some audiophiles will always prefer a dedicated pair of headphones for this, if you want something that can do it all, investing in a good headset is a wise decision.

HOW WE SELECT

It is critical to us that we only select headsets that we would be happy to use ourselves. To get a complete picture of how each product performs, we use a combination of product research, in-house testing, and as much customer feedback as possible.

Once we've decided on our top picks, we compile them into an easy-to-follow guide like this one. When we recommend a headset, we try to limit the technical talk because we know not everyone can decipher jargon!

WHAT WE TEST

Our recommendations are heavily based on testing. This is where we delve beneath the surface of each product to see what makes it great and where it falls short.

When shopping for headsets, we consider price, comfort, sound quality, and additional features. There's also the build quality, weight, and microphone to consider, which we'll go over further down. We also consider how these products compare to the competition.

Once we've examined the entire picture, we'll write reviews and create a buyer's guide like this to assist our readers in selecting the best headset for them.

Alternative Video: The Best Wireless Gaming Headset For Nintendo Switch

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CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

Gaming headsets are one of the most expensive types of gaming technology. Unfortunately, there is little anyone can do about it, so you will almost certainly end up paying more than you should. Given this unfortunate reality, there are a few key points to consider before clicking the ‘buy' button. So, let us examine these areas.

PRICE

Perhaps the first thing to consider is the cost of the headsets you're considering and your budget. It's a good idea to have a budget in mind so you can narrow down your search.

If you're looking for cheap headsets, you'll find plenty of options, but you might miss out on a few extra features. If those features are critical to you, you may need to increase your budget. If they aren't, there's no need to spend money on an expensive set when a cheap one will suffice.

If you look at the low end of the price range, you should be able to get a headset for between $40 and $80. This should get you a good gaming headset, but it may fall short in terms of sound quality when listening to music.

If you want the best sound quality for gaming, music, and movies, you'll need to look at headsets that cost $80 to $100 or more. High-end headsets can raise the price even further, so consider whether you'll be getting more value if money is an issue for you.

CONTROLLING THE VOLUME

The volume control is another significant advantage of a dedicated Nintendo Switch headset over the built-in speakers. Handhelds are notorious for having poor speakers and even worse volume control, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception.

Having dedicated on-ear volume control allows for a far more enjoyable gaming experience and allows you to spend less time worrying and more time gaming.

AUDIO QUALITY

After considering the price, the next thing to consider is the sound quality. The quality of the sound can make or break a gaming headset, so don't overlook it. Sound quality is, of course, proportional to the price of the headset, so if you want something that sounds amazing, you'll have to pay a premium.

That isn't to say that low-cost headsets sound bad, but their audio may be muddy or heavy on the bass. If you're only playing Animal Crossing on your Nintendo Switch, you might not need a bass-heavy headset. In this case, it's probably not worth it to spend a lot of money to get the best quality.

However, if you plan on using this headset to play FPS games and watch movies, it's best to invest a little more in the sound quality for a more accurate audio representation.

Of course, you should think about other aspects of audio quality, particularly surround sound. Surround sound allows you to pinpoint the location of enemy footsteps and gunshots more precisely.

This is invaluable for competitive play in your favorite game, and it also makes watching other content like TV shows and movies far more enjoyable. Surround sound is an absolute must in our opinion, and if it's within your budget, it's a game changer.

Earbuds are another viable option, though we haven't included any because they don't typically have very good microphones. However, given the switch's portability, a more compact solution may be preferable. Earbuds are the best solution for this because they are cross-compatible, portable, and inexpensive.

Avoid sleeping with earbuds, as they may be the solution for you. It's worth noting that the Nintendo Switch does not support mic input via Bluetooth, so earbuds are only useful for listening, but if you like to take your switch outside, a good pair of earbuds is worth considering.

MICROPHONE QUALITY

When it comes to choosing the best Nintendo Switch headset, hearing the game and your teammates is only half the battle. You must also consider the microphone's quality. The microphone is an essential component of a gaming headset, especially for those of you brave enough to play competitive FPS on a Nintendo Switch.

While it may not be an additional feature for a headset, it is still something we don't give much thought to. However, if you'll be chatting with other gamers online, the quality of your microphone is important to consider. Clarity and lack of distortion are important in this case.

Some headsets even include AI noise cancellation technology to help reduce unwanted background noise. If you frequently play Nintendo Switch games online with friends, a noise-canceling microphone headset should be a top priority.

The ability to detach or flip back the microphone is also a nice feature to have, especially if you won't always be using it during gaming sessions. A unidirectional pickup pattern is common in the best gaming headsets. This means that the microphone is aware of its surroundings, making it easier to isolate and remove unwanted noise.

VOICE COMMUNICATION

As previously stated, if your voice chat isn't up to par, you're unlikely to succeed in Fortnite, or any game for that matter. Not only is it useful for trash-talking opponents, but it is also useful for team-based communication.

Fortunately for you, dear reader, we only included headsets with good voice chat clarity, so your Fortnite losses will be a thing of the past. Or maybe you're just bad at Fortnite, in which case a headset won't help you.

PORTABILITY

One of the distinguishing features of Nintendo Switch gaming is portability. This implies that the headset should be equally portable. Wireless gaming headsets are ideal for this because you are not tethered to the console and only need to carry around a USB-C dongle. A removable or flip-up mic is also useful here because it allows you to keep it out of the way while in transit, reducing the risk of damage.

Comfort

Another factor to consider is the comfort of the headphones. This is often overlooked, but if you're going to be wearing the headset for hours on end, you need to know it's comfortable. Just because a headset appears to have padding does not imply that it will be comfortable three hours into a gaming session.

Sennheiser GSP 550 Gaming Headset

PROS

• a larger, more comfortable design
• Excellent equalizer
• Virtual surround sound

CONS

• Some budgets may find it prohibitively expensive.

Sennheiser's excellent GSP 550 has large, well-fitting earcups and a padded, easily adjustable headband (great for wearing over a hat or hoodie too, if you prefer). Users can try out four different equalizer modes to find the best fit for their game, and the headset can support up to 7.1 Dolby virtual surround sound formats via an included dongle for the best experience.

The non-flexible microphone has noise cancellation to improve party communication and an easy flip-up design for muting. As a result, the headset has a frequency response range of 10 to 30,000Hz and a 28-ohm impedance rating.

The GSP 550 lacks wireless capabilities, but we've found that this isn't as important on a mobile device like the Switch. The only significant drawback is the price, which may be a little high for those looking to save money — luckily, we have some budget picks below!

PDP Gaming LVL40 Headset

PROS

• Colors to match your Joy-Cons or favorite video games
• Budget-friendly
• 40mm screwdrivers

CONS

• Only wired

Flexible microphones aren't as long-lasting as other options.

The brightly colored LVL40 is designed for the Switch and is an excellent (and reasonably priced) option for those looking for an over-ear headset. Nintendo has licensed the wired headphones to work with all Switch models (as well as Wiis), so you don't have to worry about compatibility. The audio is even tailored to games like Breath of the Wild, Smash Bros., and Animal Crossing.

The design is straightforward and effective: users get 40mm drivers, padded ear cups with soft foam for comfort, and a flexible, noise-cancelling microphone that can also be flipped to mute. You can choose between a variety of color schemes based on popular Switch games or the colors of your Joy-Cons, so

JLab Audio Play Gaming Wireless Headset

PROS

• Affordable model
• Retractable mic
• Lightweight design
• Good battery life

CONS

• Not especially durable

JLab's headset has several significant advantages. For starters, it is not only wireless but also lighter than most over-ear gaming headsets, making it ideal for those who enjoy the over-ear experience but prefer a lighter option that is easier to transport. The battery is rated at around 22 hours, making it a long-lasting option that will easily keep up with the Switch.

The retractable microphone is also useful for maintaining a low profile by allowing you to bring it out only when necessary. A quick mute button allows you to instantly turn off audio when desired, and on-cable volume controls are also included for quick adjustments.

Finally, the headset is a particularly inexpensive option that won't break the bank if you'd rather spend it on something else, such as replacement Joy-Con controllers.

SteelSeries Arctis 1

PROS

• High-quality SteelSeries audio
• Durable design
• Detachable mic

CONS

• Wired only

The Arctis 1 is a strong contender for a mid-tier, solid gaming headset that's simple to use for almost everything, including Switch gaming.

Even the wireless version is reasonably priced in comparison to alternatives, and we like the simple design with a steel-reinforced headband and long-lasting earcups. The frequency response range is 20 to 20,000Hz, with an impedance of 32 ohms.

If desired, the detachable microphone can be left at home or attached for noise-cancelling communication with friends. There are also wireless adapters that work for other platforms, so this is a great choice if you want a headset that can handle gaming on any console you own!

Razer Barracuda X

PROS

• Good gaming audio
• Detachable mic
• 20 hours of battery life

CONS

• Not everyone will want to spend this much on a Switch headset

If you dislike having cords or cables tangle while playing, Razer's headset provides a wireless solution that can still be plugged into your Switch when the battery runs low.

It's lighter than most serious gaming headsets and is intended to be taken on daily commutes and other trips where the Switch is commonly used. The 40mm drivers produce excellent sound for the price, and the battery is rated to last up to 20 hours before requiring USB-C recharging.

The large headset comes with Razer's “cardiod” mic, which is designed to pick up your voice while avoiding ambient noise, as well as a number of onboard controls for managing calls, volume, and other features.

It's an excellent option for those who take their Switch gaming seriously but prefer something lighter than a bulky gaming headset.

EPOS Enterprise GTW 270

PROS

• Convenient earbuds for traveling
• Noise isolation
• Gaming optimization

CONS

• Low battery life

Large headsets are simply too bulky for some people, particularly Switch gamers who prefer to travel light. We recommend this alternative: These wireless earbuds are specifically designed for gaming, with noise isolation and Gaming Suite software to customize your sound settings for the games you play (broader modes for gaming, music, and movies also exist).

While the earbuds have a five-hour battery life on their own, the aluminum charging case can provide several additional charges to keep you topped off. They're also water-resistant, so you can wear them during sweaty workouts or in light rain without fear of getting wet.

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