Best Nintendo Switch headset in 2022: Budget, surround sound, cross-compatible
Nintendo Switch headset: Which should you go for? Let's find out
If you want to take your gaming on the go the Nintendo Switch is your ideal option, but if you don’t want to blast those around you with your Smash Bros matches or subject them to the roar of Mario Kart’s engines, you’re going to need a headset as well. There’s an overwhelming amount of choice out there but don’t worry, we’re here to help with our roundup of the best headsets to use with the Nintendo Switch.
Wearing a headset for your gaming is a game-changer. It’s a great way to get a competitive edge and fully immerse yourself in a game. With a headset, you’ll be able to truly experience all the sounds you have previously missed. You’ll be able to locate different sounds more easily, whether it’s incoming enemy fire or just a hiding mole cricket in Animal Crossing.
The great thing about gaming headsets is that most also pull excellent double duty for listening to music and watching movies as well. While some audiophiles will always want a dedicated pair of headphones for this, if you’re looking for something which can do it all then investing in a decent headset is a great move.
Our Top Picks
The Best Nintendo Switch Compatible Headsets for 2021
In-depth Review
Turtle Beach Recon 70
Turtle Beach Recon 70
We’re going to kick off our list of the best Nintendo Switch headsets with a great all-round budget option. Although you’ll find yourself making a couple of compromises with the Turtle Beach Recon 70 headset if you don’t want to spend hundreds this is a perfect choice.
This is a gamer’s headset at heart, available in a variety of colors with some being as bright as you’re likely to ever see on a headset. This isn’t the most comfortable headset however, the limited padding on the earcups starts to cause some discomfort when playing for longer than an hour or so. If you use your Switch for short sessions or journeys though, this isn’t too much of a compromise.
As this is geared towards gamers, the sound profile on this headset is especially bassy. This is great for games where you’re in the heat of action but we can’t see you getting too much use out of this if you watch a lot of TV shows or movies – unless bass is really your thing.
The build quality isn’t too bad considering its price either. We can’t say this headset will last you for years and years, but it isn’t going to fall apart in your hands either. It is, of course, mainly made out of plastic though which means it can feel a tad cheap at times.
Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless
Steelseries Arctis 1 Wireless
If you’d like to do away with wires altogether, the Steelseries Arctis 1 is a great wireless option with an impressive battery life. This is a pretty stylish headset as well and we could easily see ourselves using this to stream TV in a coffee shop once the microphone has been detached.
The steel core padded headband also does a great job of making this headset feel premium. This is one of the more comfortable options on our list today but as with most headsets, even with the padding, it can become uncomfortable during a really long play session.
The wireless technology is the main draw here. With the ability to use your Nintendo Switch on the move, it seems like a shame to tether it to your head with a long dangling wire. The battery life is great too, on a full charge you can expect up to 20 hours of play which is more than enough for a weekend of gaming without having to root out the cable. If you do get caught short, you can also use this headset with a wire as well.
If you want, you can also use this on your PC where it even comes with some customization in the form of the SteelSeries Engine software. You can adjust the equalizer or even select sound presets depending on your preferences.
HyperX Cloud Alpha
HyperX Cloud Alpha
If you are looking for a headset with a clear gaming style, then the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the set for you. With a colorful yet simple design, this headset will look great as part of anyone’s gaming setup but isn’t so loud as to draw too much attention. The ear cups have a decent amount of padding in as does the headband so it’s something that you’ll find comfortable wearing for hours. The downside to this great design is that it’s a pretty heavy headset when compared to the others.
This headset offers great sound quality with clear audio and a well-balanced mix between bass, highs, and mid-highs. HyperX manages to do this with a two-chamber spec which allows the bass and mid frequencies to reverberate within their own compartments to minimize distortion and boost clarity. This makes it a great choice for those who also wish to use the headset for listening to music or picking out the finest details in an intense gaming session.
Overall, this is a great headset that is reasonably priced for the quality on offer. The lack of extra features could put some people off, but that’s why it’s so affordable for such high-end audio.
If you are interested in hearing about other HyperX gaming headsets, be sure to check out our roundup of the best HyperX headsets.
Sennheiser GSP 550
Sennheiser GSP 550
Finally, we have a headset that caters towards those who want the absolute best audio possible. You’ve probably already heard of Sennheiser in the headphone world. They are famously known for creating high-quality, comfortable, and most importantly, great-sounding headphones.
The GSP 550 headset is a very comfortable one to wear. Even though there’s a lot going into the design and build, the headset remains lightweight and you barely notice it is thereafter a while.
You will have to pay a bit of that ‘Sennheiser premium’ when it comes to the price of this headset, however. Although this headset isn’t too far away from what a Nintendo Switch actually costs, you can also use it on your PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and your mobile devices to get the most out of your money.
However, it definitely goes for a more ‘gamer’ inspired design. You can swap out the color plates if the khaki green isn’t your style, but the bulky, blocky headset and large microphone will stick out like a sore thumb at your local café.
This headset does also boast one of the better microphones out of the headsets we’ve covered today, so if you know you’ll be using this to chat with friends, it’s a great choice.
Final Word
We hope you enjoyed the article and found some helpful recommendations. Rounding up the best headsets is always a bit of a tricky task, but we think we found a good bunch for you. To recap: the Sennheiser GSP 550 is the best premium option, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best mid-range, the SteelSeries Arctis 1 is the best wireless option, and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 the most budget-friendly.
With buying a headset being a pretty big decision, especially as it’s something you’re going to be using a lot, feel free to ask any questions down in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to get back to you and help you out.