The best Nintendo Switch headsets
The most compact
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid
- Quality intras
- Works in bluetooth and dongle
- Good autonomy
Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless
- Affordable
- Versatile dongle
- Decent sound quality
Steelseries Arctis 9
- Versatile (but imposing dongle)
- The very good sound
- Very comfortable
Despite its apparent simplicity, the Nintendo Switch poses new challenges when it comes to choosing an audio headset to play in good conditions. Unlike an Xbox or a PlayStation, Nintendo's flagship console can in fact be used both from the bottom of your duvet and on a subway folding seat via your sofa.
Also find our other helmet guides depending on your use:
- The best bluetooth headsets
- The best PC headsets
- The best PS5 and PS4 headsets
- The best Xbox headsets
And to perfectly equip your console, we also have a guide to the best Switch accessories.
La Switch se met au Bluetooth audio !
This was one of the most requested features from users and Nintendo finally gave in: the console's Bluetooth can eventually be used to plug in Bluetooth headphones or earphones.
Be careful though, there is no miracle: the weaknesses of the technology are still there. We will not be able to use a microphone. Above all, it is the latency that is particularly noticeable. The gap between sound and image is important. While this is tolerable for background music, it is significantly more boring for sound effects, especially in fast-paced games.
Many users also note connection problems with certain models of headphones. At the moment, Bluetooth audio on Switch seems more of a fallback than anything else.
For maximum reliability, the easiest way will be to use the console jack. All headphones or earphones on the market with a 4-pole jack connector will work. This also makes it easy to take advantage of the microphone built into your headset.
If you play mostly in dock mode with your TV, you might want to opt for a wireless gaming headset. The latter will work with a USB dongle to plug into the console or the dock. It is therefore on the latter that our selection has focused.
For this guide we are focusing on wireless models, you can find some good wired headsets on our pick of the best PC headsets.
Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless Wireless at a low price
Baker product sheet 96 €
- Affordable
- Versatile dongle
- Decent sound quality
Affordable wireless headsets are rare, especially when they are compatible with the Switch. The Steel Series Arctis 1 Wireless is one of the few to meet this specification. To achieve this price, savings have clearly been made on materials. The helmet is solid, but we clearly saw a more polished finish. Comfort is however there thanks to its lightness and generous foams.
Where the Arctis 1 stands out is through its USB-C format dongle. Equipped with a switch, the latter is able to switch between a console mode and a PC mode. As its name suggests, it allows you to connect to a computer, but also to an Android device and especially a Nintendo Switch!
Both audio and voice chat work perfectly. And when you no longer need the mic, it's removable. Note that a USB-C to USB-A adapter is provided, so you won't have to worry about using it on the Switch when it is in dock mode.
As for the sound, the rendering is correct for most games, but we would have liked a little more precision in general and more punchy bass in particular. Nothing to say about the microphone, we will not record a podcast with it, but to coordinate in-game is more than enough.
While not the most loyal headset we've tested, the Arctis 1 Wireless stands out for its versatility and excellent value for money. Note that two versions exist, a "Wireless" compatible PS4 and a "Wireless Xbox" for the Microsoft console. Both work with the Switch, but we recommend that you choose the one that matches the home console you own (or dream of buying).
Where to buy theSteelseries Arctis 1 Wireless at the best price?
- Baker € 96 Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 96 € Discover the offer
- Amazon € 119 Discover the offer
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid The most compact
Amazon product sheet 123 €
- Quality intras
- Works in bluetooth and dongle
- Good autonomy
Do you prefer headphones to headphones? All is not lost since EPOS (Sennheiser's gaming brand) offers the GTW 270 Hybrid, a pair of true wireless headphones dedicated to gamers. In addition to the Bluetooth connection, they come with a USB-C dongle allowing them to connect to a Switch or even a PS5.
EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid headphones // Source: / Melinda DAVAN-SOULAS
In practice, we must admit that no particular latency is noticed. A real tour de force for this kind of headphones. The sound rendering is more than satisfactory, with a balanced spectrum and very dynamic bass.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the microphone is not supported, it is therefore not recommended for multiplayer use. In terms of autonomy, count 5 hours for the headphones, with 3 additional charges in the case. Fast charging to recover an hour of listening in 15 minutes of charging.
If you don't like big headsets and play a lot on the go, the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid is clearly one of the best options out there.
You can find our EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid grip for more detailed impressions. Where to buy theEPOS GTW 270 Hybrid at the best price?
- Amazon € 123 Discover the offer
- Son-Vidéo.com 149 € Discover the offer
Steelseries Arctis 9 The best for the dock
Amazon product sheet 219 €
- Versatile (but imposing dongle)
- The very good sound
- Very comfortable
If you use your Switch primarily on its dock, choosing a more comfortable headset makes sense. The Arctis 9 Wireless fulfills these specifications perfectly with its very comfortable elastic fabric headband and thick foams. A rare thing for a “gamer” headset, the design is particularly sober, which allows it to be used in public without looking like a clown. A particularly interesting point in view of the Bluetooth compatibility. It can therefore be used with a telephone for example.
The dongle comes in the form of a roller with a long USB cable, so this limits it to “stationary” use unless you want to carry a cable behind you. We also regret that SteelSeries has not adapted here the much more compact USB-C dongle found on the Arctis 1. In addition to the support for the Switch, the PS4 and the PC, we can connect to other devices via Bluetooth and of course via the jack cable
For its part, the audio rendering is particularly satisfactory. If the bass and mids are obviously present for the game, the whole remains balanced and we can listen to music in good conditions. Side autonomy, we will hold 20 hours on a charge.
Not very mobile, the Arctis 9 Wireless is however a solid option if your Switch does not leave its dock often. And it also has the advantage of being particularly versatile.
Be careful when buying, two versions of the helmet exist: the Arctis 9 PlayStation and the Arctis 9X dedicated to the Xbox. Both work with the Switch and only stand out for their compatibility with consoles from Sony and Microsoft.
Where to buy theSteelseries Arctis 9 at the best price?
- Amazon € 219 Discover the offer
- Baker € 219 Discover the offer
- Darty 219 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 219 € Discover the offer
Logitech G533 The right sound in the living room
Product sheet Rue du Commerce 110 €
- Excellent sound quality
- PC and PS4 compatible
- But his USB dongle limits him to dock mode
Although sold exclusively for the PC and PS4 by Logitech, the G533 is one of the few wireless models that works perfectly with the Switch.
Although quite large, the G533 is comfortable in use thanks to a well distributed weight and very soft pads. These are also removable and washable. There is a knob for the volume and a switch for the microphone on the right ear cup. The latter is not removable, but rolls up in the headset.
For connectivity, we can go through the USB dongle and that's it! Logitech ignores the jack. The dongle is in USB-A format and the size of a conventional USB key. For a Switch player, this therefore limits him to use in dock mode.
Where the G533 really shines is with its sound quality. The rendering is perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of bass to enjoy your games. The sound is very precise and the spatialization is solid. However, we will not be able to take advantage of virtual 7.1 mode on Switch, the latter being reserved for the PC. If we appreciate that the microphone is adjustable, it would have benefited from being a little more sensitive. We sometimes need to push our voice a little to be heard.
In terms of autonomy, the G533 lasts 15 hours on a charge and its battery is easily replaceable. A detail that we would like to see more often as it extends the effective lifespan of an electronic product.
Usable only in dock mode, the G533 is a good choice if your Switch is mainly plugged into your TV and you are looking for quality sound at a reasonable price.
Where to buy theLogitech G533 at the best price?
- Rue du Commerce 110 € Discover the offer
- Rakuten Marketplace 120 € Discover the offer
- Amazon Marketplace 124 € Discover the offer
If you really want Bluetooth on Switch
While they do not have our preference over a dedicated wireless headset and have greatly lost interest in the console's own Bluetooth audio support, Bluetooth dongles may still appeal to some. They are indeed Bluetooth low latency compatible, always practical if you have compatible headphones), and they integrate microphones.
Homespot Audio Bluetooth
Compact and taking the colors of the Switch, this dongle has the particularity of integrating a microphone. Audio chat is therefore available. The quality is obviously not fantastic, but it will be enough to coordinate in his favorite game. Finally, Bluetooth 5.0 is supported, as is aptX Low Latentcy. The latter will be the only way to really avoid the lag. It is also necessary that your headset or pair of headphones support the standard.
Find the Homespot Audio Bluetooth for € 35 at AmazonWhat to know before buying a headset for the Nintendo Switch
How do I use my Bluetooth headset with my Switch?
The console recently supported Bluetooth audio thanks to a system update.
Many limits remain present: the microphone will not be functional and the protocol suffers from high latency which causes an often very annoying sound / image lag.
Is my wireless gaming headset Switch compatible?
If you already have a wireless headset for Xbox or PlayStation, chances are they can work with the Switch.
Nintendo has indeed quietly added support for these wireless headsets in 2021. Unfortunately in practice things are not easy since no certification program exists.
Some headsets do not work at all while others will offer sound, but not the microphone ... Generous users do try to publish lists of compatible headsets, but it is more of a band-aid on a wooden leg than anything else . We would really like Nintendo to clean things up.
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