Best Nintendo Switch headphones 2021: the top Switch gaming headsets

Looking for the best Nintendo Switch headphones and headsets for your plucky home console/handheld hybrid? Then you’ve come to the right place. 

Whether you’re playing at home or on-the-go, playing with friends or undertaking an adventure on your own, the best Nintendo Switch headphones and headsets are going to improve your experience no end.

Since the Nintendo Switch launched back in 2017, various gaming hardware companies have been creating products that suit a wide range of budgets and priorities – whether that’s outstanding sound quality, comfort for long play sessions, hefty battery life for on-the-go adventures, or all of the above, there's a perfect headset out there for you.

On this page, we’re going to highlight some of the best Nintendo Switch headphones/headsets on the market, evaluating the tech that's going to produce the best sound quality, deliver you the most comfort, and which boasts the best design. From high-end peripherals to more budget solutions, we've got pretty much everything covered, so regardless of how much cash you've got to spend, you should be able to find a solid choice once you read on.

Hyper X Cloud Alpha

(Image credit: HyperX)

Hyper X Cloud Alpha

Best mid-range

Durable build for reckless users
Detachable microphone 
Well-priced for the sound quality
Unassuming aesthetics
Low-quality microphone

A headset design synonymous with gaming, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is a great choice for Nintendo Switch owners looking for a comfortable mid-range solution. This revision of the Cloud design isn’t much to look at but it’s sleek enough to blend in when you’re outdoors, especially without the noise-canceling microphone attached, even if the quality of the output isn’t much to shout about.

Having the volume control on the headset wire is useful so you can switch it up on the go, and the memory foam ear cups ensure it won’t feel itchy or uncomfortable even after long gaming sessions on the Nintendo Switch. The design is very durable due to the aluminum band up top and the braided wire, so if you’re typically reckless with your headsets, it’s well worth considering, especially for the price. 

At roughly $100 you’ll struggle to find a headset that sounds as good as the Cloud Alpha for your money, with its booming bass and defined mid-tones.

Read the full review: Hyper X Cloud Alpha

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

Best wireless

Clever dongle design
Discrete aesthetics you can don in public
20 hour battery life
No charge and play
Uncomfortable after long play sessions

Built to offer a wireless listening experience on the Nintendo Switch, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless is the cordless headset of your dreams if you want some quiet time with Nintendo’s lavish library. Using a small USB-C dongle, you can plug and play and get rid of the frustration of having a wire to contend with. The subtle, tactful matte black design also lets you blend in public if you want to use it across all of your devices.

With 20 hours of battery life and visceral sound to eke out all of the nuance in a Nintendo game’s score, you will definitely get your money’s worth out of this headset if your main deal-breaker is wireless functionality. And at less than $100, it’s comparable to other wired headsets of similar quality. However, as we noted in our review, the lack of padding can make the SteelSeries Arctic 1 Wireless uncomfortable after long play sessions.

Read the full review: Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless 

Corsair HS50

(Image credit: Corsair)

Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset

Best value for money

Laid-back, polished aesthetic
Wonderfully cheap for the feature-set
Great audio quality 
No 7.1 surround sound

If you’ve got a modest budget but you want a headset for your Nintendo Switch that is long-lasting and offers great sound quality, then you should definitely consider the Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset. 

If you don’t want the absolute cheapest device but you need something that is durable and does the job well, then it’s a total steal at roughly $50. At that price point, it’s miles cheaper than most other headsets with a similar feature-set, minus a few bells and whistles - it’s naturally not going to go toe-to-toe with the high-end headsets in terms of audio fidelity.

As well as a detachable noise-canceling microphone and a laid-back aesthetic, it’s made from sturdy parts and features 50mm drivers. This means you’ll get a crisp output that won’t completely blow your mind but will service any game, song, or video that you throw at it, sending immersive detail to your ears with ease. With massive comfy cups and a versatile 3.5mm connection, you’re bound to get more than you bargained for with this set of Switch-friendly cans.

Read the full review: Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset

Beyerdynamic Custom Game

(Image credit: Beyerdynamic)

BeyerDynamic Custom Game

Best premium

Awesome cardioid mic
Handy bass slider
Sturdy design
Steep price

Enthusiasts looking for high-quality audio fidelity need look no further than the BeyerDynamic Custom Game headset. If you’re serious about how you want games on the Nintendo Switch to sound and you’re prepared to drop around $150 for the privilege, you can rest assured that the BeyerDynamic set will deliver. 

The flexible metal and cozy, sizeable ear cushions give it a comfortable but sturdy feel when worn, and ensure palpable immersion. The headset features swappable side panels, but most of the options provided (such as a "work hard/ play hard" motif)  are so cringe-inducing that you may as well stick with the standard option, especially if you want something discrete in public. 

One of its defining features is an easy-to-use bass slider - handy if you’re playing intense games with thumping soundtracks - and a top-quality cardioid mic that completely trumps the competition. If you’re bothered about how you sound when you’re giving out crisp commands to your teammates in an online multiplayer, you may want to consider dipping into your pockets for this high-end headset.

Read the full review: BeyerDynamic Custom GAME

Turtle Beach Recon 70

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Turtle Beach Recon 70

Best budget

A price point that is difficult to beat
No-nonsense design
Compatible with every device
Lack of surround sound
The materials aren’t premium

If you’re on a budget, the Turtle Beach Recon 70N is an absolute no brainer. For just under $40 you’ll get a comfortable, well-made headset, a clandestine, flip-to-mute microphone for Nintendo Switch Online multiplayer and 40 mm speakers to immerse you in the latest games.

It’s a no-nonsense option and is compatible with every current-generation console, as well as PCs and mobile phones with 3.5mm connections. As well as being versatile, it’s well worth it if you just need a headset without any of the fanciful features. The leather-wrapped cushions will help to drown out the outside world, so you can focus on what matters most: the gameplay.

Read the full review: Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset review

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds

(Image credit: Future)

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds

A small, but just as mighty, option

Decent audio quality
Great battery life
Low-latency audio support
Mic can’t be used via dongle
Doesn’t fit all ear shapes
Fairly expensive

The EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Earbuds demonstrate EPOS tentatively exploring new ground with audio hardware. It was probably inevitable that we’d see a gaming brand reach out and test the waters with earbuds, especially after Apple launched the dinky little wireless accessories into the mainstream in 2016. 

Coming in at an RRP of $199/£179, the buds land right in the middle of the gaming headset spectrum, yet they occupy a unique space thanks to the versatile connectivity EPOS has designed them with; anything with a USB port or Bluetooth connectivity will pair up with the buds. This makes them ideal for Nintendo Switch in particular, because the plug-and-play nature of the buds works wonders with the console's versatility. 

For players that prioritize versatility, build quality, and battery life, we can't recommend these buds enough – just be aware of the pricetag.



from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3nIMWyE