It might be a smart move to gear up ahead of the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s an easy bet when it comes to finding the right headset – for one, we’re extremely sure accessories such as headsets are going to be forward compatible. And two, we already know which headsets are among the best across all price ranges. If you don’t already have one lined up to use on your Switch 2 or if you’re looking to upgrade from the set you were using with your first Switch, I have my top recommendations for headsets here, all of which I’ve had firsthand experience with and/or have reviewed here on IGN myself.
Similar to my best PS5 headsets and best Xbox headsets guides, there are a few nuances I took into consideration when making my selections for this specific platform. One of which is portability; for example, I’m hesitant to suggest getting the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro even though it has consistently topped our lists – one of its biggest features is its mixamp/DAC, which connects the headset to your systems, and that gets unwieldy for a device that’s about versatility and taking on the go. I’m also accounting for the fact that you only have access to USB-C ports when playing handheld, so all of the wireless headsets recommended here come with a native USB-C dongle to make connectivity easy. Above all else, I prioritize sound quality and comfort in my choices because if those factors aren’t the focus, what would we even be doing here!
TL;DR – These Are The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Headsets:
The Switch 2 does have Bluetooth capabilities, but I wouldn’t recommend that for gaming scenarios due to the inherent audio delay. While the wireless headsets here can connect via Bluetooth, my recommendations run primarily on a 2.4GHz wireless connection, and there are a few picks with a 3.5mm wired aux connection, too. Regardless of which you go with, you’ll be getting a great headset for the money – I can vouch for each pick, and if you need a little extra convincing, I have all the details you need to know below.
Best High-End Wireless Headset
Audeze Maxwell
Although it’s not the newest headset on the block, the Audeze Maxwell is still one of the best around. It doesn’t have the most sophisticated feature set or software suite, but you don’t really need all that, especially for the Switch and Switch 2. It does the most important part – sound quality – better than any other gaming headsets I’ve used. Its 90mm planar magnetic drivers give punchy bass that doesn’t drown out other frequencies, and the highs come through clean even at higher volumes. It gives a “full” audio experience which is complemented by its great positional audio, giving the subtle details in sound design room to breathe. You don’t necessarily need great positional audio in a hyper-competitive sense on Switch 2, but this gives more immersive games a grander audio profile to match – I often call the Maxwell the audiophile’s gaming headset.
The thick plushy earcups provide long-term comfort, and the soft leatherette is easy on the head while giving a good seal around your ears for sound isolation. The microphone is solid on its own, but the great noise cancellation puts it above most gaming headsets, blocking outside noise better than most. It has tremendous battery life to boot, lasting up to 80 hours from a full charge. It’s a bit heavy at 490g and bulky in terms of overall size, but this doesn’t make the headset uncomfortable, and its understated design makes for a clean look. I recently reviewed the Audeze Maxwell and awarded it a 9/10 to confirm that, yeah, it’s still one of the best if you’re willing to shell out the dough.
Best Noise Canceling Wireless Headset
Alienware Pro Headset
The Alienware Pro headset is a personal favorite because of how slim and sleek it is. You can easily mistake these for a pair of expensive Bose or Sony headphones, which is surprising given the Alienware brand’s history of flashy, gaudy PCs and accessories. It’s been going with a minimalist look for all its recent peripherals and this is best represented in the Pro headset. The earcups don’t stick out much, the overall design is light and compact, and the padding for the earcups and headband provide just enough comfort for long sessions. Very few gaming headsets have such a low profile, but this helps the Alienware Pro stand out… by not standing out.
I frequently use the Alienware Pro like a pair of normal headphones to take on the go because of the design, and the long 70-hour battery life (without ANC) means I don’t have to worry about charging it often. And the fact that I could get balanced, high-quality sound with great bass solidified this as a top choice. It shows a bit of its limitations at handling sharper frequencies at higher volumes, but I was approaching dangerous volume levels at that point. Its active noise-canceling works really well, too, and if you’re one to use your Switch or Switch 2 outside, good ANC will come in clutch.
The only knock I have against the Alienware Pro is that its earcups don’t swivel inward, which is a slight bummer given the slim profile and portability of the headset itself. It’s a bit of a disappointment because everything else about it is so smartly designed (including its simple controls on the left earcup), especially for versatility between mobile usage and gaming setups. Still, this is one of my favorite gaming headsets in recent memory, which I go into full detail in my Alienware Pro headset review.
Best Mid-Range Wireless Headset
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7
Perhaps you can’t spend as much money to snag an Alienware Pro headset, but still want something that can deliver high-end audio while maintaining that low-profile design. If so, you should consider the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. It stacks up to the fantastic Arctis Nova Pro quite well, and even if you don’t get the same robust package or fine-tuned audio drivers, you still get that sleek design, signature comfort, and detailed sound that can stand alongside the best in its price range.
What I really like about the Arctis Nova 7 is its simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless capability – so if you don’t want to use the Switch 2’s built-in voice chat rooms and prefer to be on Discord while still getting game audio feed, you can do that. Beyond that, SteelSeries has always been great about well-rounded sound quality out of the box, as well as having easy-to-tweak options in its software. The sports-mesh upholstery of the earcups gives this headset good breathability, making it easy to wear for long-sessions, and the dense earpads provide top-notch comfort while maintaining that slim profile. We praised it for all that and more in our SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 review from a few years back, and it certainly still holds up today.
Best Budget Wireless Headset
Razer Barracuda X
The Razer Barracuda X we reviewed still stands as a top pick for the best Nintendo Switch headset. It’s impressive what you get from this sub-$100 headset, and considering the slick understated design from Razer, this is something I wouldn’t mind wearing while playing my Switch 2 in public. Relatively impressive audio quality for a budget-level option and a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle already put the Barracuda X into consideration at its price range, but it doesn’t lack in comfort with its memory foam earpads wrapped in a breathable sports mesh. It’s lightweight and rocks a decent battery that gives you around 40 to 50 hours from a full charge. Don’t go in expecting the sound quality of the more expensive recommendations in this guide, but if you need to go wireless without balling out, the Barracuda X would be my top choice.
Best Wired Headset
HyperX Cloud III
When it comes to wired gaming headsets, the HyperX Cloud III tends to be my go-to recommendation. It’s a fantastic all-rounder, but I’ll start by highlighting its build quality. The flexible aluminum headband lets you twist and contort it any which way without ever feeling like it’s going to break, giving it an unmatched durability. While it clamps a bit tighter than most headsets, the thick plushy earcups provide more than enough comfort to alleviate the pressure. It’s not too heavy, either, making the Cloud III easy to take around, especially for those who aren’t exactly careful when handling their gear.
The Cloud III sounds great, too, with balanced frequency response across the EQ spectrum. I’d say that it doesn’t particularly stand out in terms of its audio profile compared to something like the Maxwell, but it is tuned well-enough to bring out the detail in games with good directional sound and minimal distortion at louder volumes thanks to its larger 53mm angled drivers. What’s especially impressive is the microphone quality, which rivals headsets twice its price. My voice came out clean in my testing, and it sounded closer to a decent standalone mic than it did a typical headset mic. Considering its price, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the wired version, and you can get even more detail on the headset in our HyperX Cloud III review.
Best Budget Wired Headset
Corsair HS65 Surround
Of course, not everyone wants to drop upwards of $100 or more on a headset, but if you still want good audio quality for your Switch 2, I can easily recommend the Corsair HS65 Surround. It’s a refresh of the HS60 and HS50 that came out years ago, but well-designed audio gear can really stand the test of time. You’re not going to be blown away necessarily, but it has a pretty bold audio profile (with pronounced bass and highs) for a headset that often sits in the $50 range. While some Corsair headsets have struggled with comfort, the HS65 fits firmly on my head and stays comfortable for several hours thanks to its thick earpads. Surprisingly, it has one of the best onboard microphones from a gaming headset considering its price, adding to the value you get from something that’s budget-level.
The HS65 Surround may be a little slim on the extras – while it has the sound card for virtual surround sound, it’s USB-only which could work if you’re playing your Switch 2 docked. Otherwise, the sound quality you get straight from the 3.5mm jack is more than sufficient. What’s just as important is that the HS65 is a slim and lightweight headset, with swiveling earcups, to make it easier to take on the go (even though the microphone isn’t detachable and gets in the way if you’re not using it). There’s a lot of value here, and while there are decent options in this price range if you just want plain headphones, it’s hard to beat the HS65 when it comes to gaming headsets.
Best Wireless Earbuds
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
All things considered, earbuds might be the right move when looking for the best audio solution for your Switch 2, especially if you’re playing handheld or if you’re on the go frequently. Luckily for us, gaming-grade earbuds have made strides in recent years, and so far, nothing has topped the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds. I’ve been loving them since day one, listening to music and podcasts everyday, but I’m still impressed with how well they handle gaming audio to the point where I sometimes just stick with them when playing non-competitive games.
What makes them “gaming-grade” though? The 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle is the main thing, giving you no-latency response to whatever platform you’re connected to. (Most regular earbuds, including high-end options like the great JBL Tour Pro 3, don’t come with 2.4GHz connectivity.) Additionally, the audio profile on the GameBuds is rich, delivering strong bass and clean sound across all frequencies, even at higher volumes. I won’t claim that these can match a high-end headset (particularly in positional audio) because there are obvious limitations to earbud design, but that shouldn’t take away from how close they come to an actual headset.
I still think the Razer Hammerheads have the slight edge when it comes to bass response, but the GameBuds are so well-rounded, making them much more versatile and suited for using with a platform like the Switch 2. With about 10 hours of usage from a full charge (without ANC), the GameBuds also top most other earbuds in terms of battery life (they last about twice as long as the Razer Hammerheads). There are rare connectivity issues where the signal gets choppy, but these are only slight hiccups. Otherwise, these are the perfect pair for my Switch and I don’t see myself going with other earbuds for my soon-to-be Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 Headsets FAQ
Can I use my Switch 1 headset with Switch 2?
By all accounts, yes. The Switch 2 features two USB-C ports on the system itself, letting you connect external devices while leaving one port open for charging. This makes wireless headsets that connect via USB-C dongles even more useful since you don’t have to choose between charging or using your headset. But back to the point: It’d be wild if the Switch 2 wasn’t compatible with headsets that currently work on the original Switch, and there’s no reason why they wouldn’t – the online discourse would be a riot, though.
Can I use Bluetooth with Switch 2?
The Switch 2 has Bluetooth connectivity. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for audio devices due to the inherent latency. You might not mind that so much in more casual games, but in anything with action, cutscenes, dialogue, or any sort of sound cue for gameplay, there’s no way I’m going with Bluetooth audio.
Do I need to worry about the headset’s microphone?
It’s hard to tell for now, given we do not have the Switch 2 on hand. That will be determined by how the onboard microphone built into the Switch 2 performs. It is said to have top-notch noise isolation, as it has been touted and shown off as capable of picking up your voice when you’re sitting on a couch with the system docked next to a TV – to what extent does this end up being practical? I can’t really say.
That said, all the headsets recommended in this guide have mics that are good enough for picking up your voice clearly for chatting in those Discord-like chat rooms built into the Switch 2 platform, and a few of the recommended headsets have solid noise isolation to boot.
Can’t I just use any old set of earbuds with Switch 2?
Absolutely! Having a 3.5mm audio jack on the Switch 2 means you can use any standard pair of headphones or earbuds. And there are some really good earbuds for cheap that might just do the job for you. But I made all these aforementioned recommendations if you’re particular about getting the best sound quality at the best price. Besides, games are looking pretty sweet on Switch 2, and I’d prefer my audio experience to match that visual fidelity as well, especially since higher-profile games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake are getting ported over.
