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The best Nintendo Switch headsets come highly recommended by us if you want to immerse yourself in some of the best games on the handheld console (or indeed the Switch 2) with enhanced audio. Wearing a headset can drastically improve sound quality in either handheld or docked mode, and we've pulled together the best of the best to help guide your purchasing decisions.
While the Nintendo Switch OLED does boast improved on-board speakers, the original model's aren't particularly special and are admittedly quite tinny-sounding depending on the title in play, so the best way to make the most of the best Nintendo Switch games is through one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories.
The best Nintendo Switch headsets
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The best Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You want a decent, affordable headset: The main appeal of the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the affordable price tag. Even though it's a cheaper alternative, it still offers some impressive audio capabilities.
✅ You want a solid build headset: While the HyperX Cloud Alpha isn't going to turn many heads, its style and construction are still strong considering its humble price tag.
❌ You want a Nintendo Switch headset for voice chat: The sound quality from the headset is strong, but we can't say the same about the detachable microphone for voice chat.
A headset design synonymous with gaming, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is a great choice for Nintendo Switch owners looking for a comfortable catch-all 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.
Coming in with a modest asking price of $74.99 / £64 / AU$114, 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.
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.
- Read more: Hyper X Cloud Alpha review
The best budget Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You don't mind a cheaper feeling headset. We don't think the materials of this headset are the best, but that doesn't mean it lacks audio quality. It's still capable of delivering fantastic audio, despite being slightly on the cheaper end of the scale.
❌ You want surround sound: The budget price point means you're missing out on surround sound with the Turtle Beach Recon 70N.
If you’re on a budget, the Turtle Beach Recon 70N is an absolute no-brainer. Retailing for only $49.99 / £29.99 / AU$65, you're getting a comfortable, well-made headset, a clandestine, flip-to-mute microphone for Nintendo Switch Online multiplayer, and 40mm speakers to immerse you in the latest games.
The leather-wrapped cushions will help to drown out the outside world, so you can focus on what matters most: the gameplay. Overall, we have been impressed by the no-frills package for Nintendo Switch, being surprisingly capable for those with limited funds to spend for intimate gaming and online multiplayer.
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.
- Read more: Turtle Beach Recon 70 Headset review
The best premium Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You're after comfort above all else: Cherish those long gaming sessions? The Fractal Scape is one of the comfiest sets around that supports Nintendo Switch.
✅ Cheap plastic headsets disappoint you: This headset stands out for its robust construction and refined materials, giving it a high-end feel that surpasses typical value models.
❌ You're on a tighter budget: The Fractal Scape can be found cheaper than retail price, but it's firmly in that premium territory as far as Switch-compatible headsets go.
The Fractal Scape headset delivers a seriously premium experience for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 players who're interested in a device that looks great and sounds better.
In terms of sound, you're getting a wonderfully robust mix of punchy bass and detailed mids. Pair that luxurious soundstage with unbelievably comfortable plush earcups, and you've a headset that's ideal for lengthy gaming sessions. Battery life complements that feeling, too, offering 40 hours with the headset's RGB lighting switched off, and around 24 hours with said lighting enabled.
Build quality is a clear differentiator. Compared to value or budget-minded headsets, the Fractal Scape’s blend of robust construction and refined materials looks and feels high-end from the first touch.
In daily use, the fit is generally excellent, but those with larger head sizes may find the headband applies a bit too much pressure during extended play. However, that's really the only gripe we have with this tremendous gaming headset, and we can't recommend it enough if you fancy whiling away the hours on your Pokémon Pokopia builds with immersive, detailed audio and sublime level of comfort.
- Read more: Fractal Scape review
The best value wireless Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You want to game for hours in comfort: Those wonderful plush earcups are one of the headset's best features.
✅ You're after great battery life: 20-24 hours per charge isn't class-leading, but more than enough to get the casual gamer through a week or so of play.
❌ You want a clearer mic: Background noise is a bit of an issue with this mic, and there's no noise isolation to speak of.
There's a few reasons why the Logitech G325 Lightspeed is a great fit for Switch and Switch 2. For one, it's got comfort in spades thanks to those delightfully plush earcups. If you like having your console at a desk, or in bed while you burn the midnight oil in handheld play, this headset is so comfortable you might actually forget you're wearing it.
This pairs tremendously well with the G325's overall battery life. In real-world testing, we managed 20-24 hours on average depending on volume and connection type (you can go for Bluetooth 5.2 or Logitech's own Lightspeed wireless connectivity here). That's not class-leading by any means, but plenty for the week if you tend to game for a handful of hours each day.
It's perhaps not the best fit for multiplayer, as we did find the mic to be rather subpar. It's a touch grainy and annoyingly adept at picking up background noise. However, we still feel this is an incredible value wireless headset now, especially as you can routinely find it for less than $69.99 / £69.99.
- Read more: Logitech G325 Lightspeed review
The best value wired Nintendo Switch headset
✅ You value aesthetics: Not only does this headset sound the part, its bold licensed aesthetic is great for fans and younger audiences alike.
✅ You want comfort at a low price: It's one of the more affordable Nintendo Switch headsets, but it packs a surprisingly high level of comfort.
❌ You want something more versatile: As a cheaper headset, it's missing features like more welcome on-board options and is wired only.
The PDP Realmz wired headset for Nintendo Switch is an especially impressive, all-round package given its relatively low price tag. With it, you're getting surprisingly good build quality, superb comfort and a gorgeous aesthetic. The model we reviewed had a style based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, complete with a collectible figure embedded in one of the earcups.
In terms of audio quality, the PDP Realmz wired headset also performs admirably. It's certainly not on the level of something more premium, but for the price, expect to receive clear audio and a pretty decent mic, too. The only major downsides with this headset are that it's exclusively wired and is lacking some of the conveniences of more expensive pairs.
- Read more: PDP Realmz wired headset review
Best Nintendo Switch headsets - FAQs
What is the best headset for the Switch?
Our pick for the best overall Nintendo Switch headset has to be the HyperX Cloud Alpha. It's not the newest, but it's always available at a competitive price point and boasts phenomenal audio and comfort. HyperX rarely misses in terms of quality and value, and the Cloud Alpha headset is no exception here.
What headset do you need for Nintendo Switch?
There's not really a one-size-fits-all headset for Nintendo Switch, nor do all gaming headsets work with the console. However, if the headset is wired (via 3.5mm jack) or has Bluetooth support, it'll more often than not be compatible with Nintendo Switch. As a result, you may already own a headset that'll work with your console.
Are Bluetooth headsets a good fit for Switch?
It depends. In our testing, we've had very mixed results with Switch and Switch 2's Bluetooth connectivity, insofar as gaming headsets are concerned. While there are little to no issues with Bluetooth controllers, there's often an uncomfortable audio delay with headsets. This tends to vary by device, with earbuds registering the absolute worst of it. My advice is to hook up a headset to your Switch handheld (or controller) via 3.5mm jack, or make use of a 2.4GHz dongle if one is included with your product.
How we test the best headsets for Nintendo Switch
As you expect when it comes to selecting the very best products available, the testing process is incredibly thorough. The in-built speakers of the Nintendo Switch aren't the highest quality, so having a headset to help immerse yourself further into the best titles is essential, and the products we test need to tick a number of boxes before getting considered for our list.
When it comes to testing headsets, we've been through tonnes of products, so we know what makes something good. Of course, audio quality plays a significant role in selecting the best products, but so does comfort, alongside things like battery life and any additional function headsets might come with.
We update our best of guides as regularly as possible since there are always new products to review and consider adding to the list. We aim to deliver an honest opinion on which products are worth buying, which is why it's important to have a finger on the pulse at all times.
