Need a gaming headset for the Nintendo Switch 2? After testing dozens, these are my favorites

If you were one of the lucky few to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 preorder before it launches this week, congratulations! But now comes the next important decision: finding the right gaming headset or earbuds to complement your new console.

Most people default to whatever earbuds they have lying around. That’s fine and easy since the Switch 2 maintains the original’s Bluetooth audio pairing support, but it does come with a trade-off. Bluetooth introduces noticeable latency that can affect your gaming experience, especially in competitive titles where every millisecond counts. Additionally, gaming-specific headphones and earbuds are tuned to enhance in-game sound effects and details, rather than general music listening, and often come with EQ options or spatial audio features that provide a more immersive gaming experience.

Depending on how and where you game, whether docked at home, handheld on the couch, or portable on the go, I’ve curated different options with all the right specs to suit your needs.

The Quick Answer

Check out our top picks below for a quick guide to the best gaming headsets for Nintendo Switch that suit your needs and budget. Each has a link to our full review.

The best overall:

The best budget headset:

The best premium headset:

The best gaming earbuds:

The best headset for streamers:

What you need to know about gaming audio with the Switch 2

Nintendo has finally caught up to modern gaming audio standards with the Switch 2. The new Switch 2 Pro Controller includes a long-awaited 3.5mm headphone jack — a feature that Xbox and PlayStation controllers have offered for over a decade. The jack supports 4-pole stereo headphones and headsets, making it suited for most off-the-shelf wired earbuds or headphones.

Of course, you can still plug directly into the Switch 2 console via its built-in headphone jack, just like the original Switch. This gives you multiple connectivity options depending weather you want to plug in while gaming handheld or on a TV with the system dicked.

The Switch 2 also features upgraded built-in speakers with clearer, more balanced sound, spatial 3D audio support, and a built-in microphone for native voice chat through the new GameChat feature. However, if live chat is important to you, a gaming headset’s built-in boom microphones will deliver much clearer audio.

For wireless connectivity, you have a couple of options. My top picks support dual wireless connectivity, meaning they support Bluetooth and ultra-low latency via a 2.4GHz dongle so that you can use either. All of my top picks feature USB-C 2.4GHz dongles for ultra-low latency when gaming in handheld mode — simply plug the dongle directly into one of the two ports on the Switch 2. If you primarily game docked, you’ll want options that include USB-A dongles or adapters, though not every headset comes with both configurations.

Best wireless headset overall: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

Price: $149.99 | Connection: USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth 5.3

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 takes my top spot as the best all-around headset for Switch 2. What sets it apart is the incredible comfort — I can wear these for hours without any fatigue, thanks to the breathable fabric ear pads and clever suspension headband design. The retractable boom mic delivers clear voice quality for GameChat sessions, and the 42+ hour battery life means you’ll rarely need to charge.

But here’s the real game-changer: the Arctis Nova 5 mobile app comes loaded with over 200 EQ presets, including specific tunings for Nintendo Switch exclusives like Mario Kart, Zelda, and Splatoon. These aren’t just generic “gaming” profiles — SteelSeries worked with developers to emphasize the audio characteristics each game was designed around. As Switch 2 games launch, I expect this library to grow rapidly. The USB-C dongle provides ultra-low latency for competitive gaming, while Bluetooth lets you seamlessly switch to music or calls. It’s the perfect jack-of-all-trades headset that excels everywhere, including with PC or any other consoles you might have.

Best budget pick: Turtle Beach Recon 70 Nintendo Switch Edition

Price: $39.99 | Connection: Wired 3.5mm

Sometimes you just need something that works without breaking the bank, and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 delivers exactly that. The Nintendo Switch edition is officially licensed and optimized specifically for Switch gaming, featuring comfortable synthetic leather ear cushions that provide better bass response and noise isolation than the standard model. At just $40, it’s an incredible value for parents looking for something simple, lightweight, and durable for kids.

The 40mm speakers deliver crisp highs and solid mids, while Turtle Beach’s high-sensitivity flip-to-mute microphone ensures you’re heard clearly in GameChat sessions. Since it’s wired via 3.5mm, you can plug it directly into your Switch 2 console or the new Pro Controller’s headphone jack or use it with any other device that has a headphone port. It’s the perfect “set it and forget it” option that simply works everywhere.

Best premium headset with ANC: Alienware Pro

Price: $229.99 | Connection: USB-C 2.4GHz dongle (with USB-A adapter), Bluetooth 5.3, Wired USB-C

If you want the absolute best gaming headset experience and don’t mind paying premium prices, the Alienware Pro Wireless is in a league of its own. This is one of the rare gaming headsets that includes active noise cancelation, and it’s genuinely effective ANC that reduces outside noise by an average of 81%. The excellent passive isolation combined with ANC makes this perfect for noisy environments or when you need complete focus during competitive gaming.

What sets this apart is the exceptional sound quality with MDAQS scores, which are among the highest we’ve ever measured for gaming headphones. The 315g weight feels substantial but comfortable, thanks to the memory foam ear cushions and headband that stay cool during extended sessions. The detachable boom microphone is studio-quality, making this ideal for content creation or professional video calls. With an incredible 70+ hour battery life, you’ll rarely need to charge, and the understated design means you can wear these in public without looking like a “gamer.” The seamless switching between 2.4GHz gaming and Bluetooth calls makes this the ultimate all-in-one solution for serious gamers who want the best of everything.

Best wireless gaming earbuds: SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds

Price: $199.99 | Connection: USB-C 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth 5.3

For gamers who prefer the convenience and portability of earbuds, the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are the clear winner. These are specifically designed to solve the age-old problem of consoles not supporting regular Bluetooth earbuds. The included 2.4GHz USB-C dongle provides low-latency wireless gaming, while Bluetooth 5.3 handles music and calls on your other devices — you can switch between modes with a simple triple-tap.

What makes these special is the incredible comfort from SteelSeries’ research scanning over 62,000 ears to perfect the ergonomic triangular design. The IP55 water resistance means they’ll handle intense gaming sessions or workouts, while the effective ANC reduces outside noise by 78% — nearly matching flagship consumer earbuds. The 175+ game-specific EQ presets (including Switch exclusives) are accessible through the mobile app, ensuring your games sound exactly as developers intended. With 8+ hours of battery life and three additional charges from the case, plus the convenience of storing the dongle right in the charging case, these are perfect for handheld gaming on the go or when you want the freedom of earbuds without sacrificing gaming performance.

Best for streaming: Razer Barracuda X Chroma

Price: $129.99 | Connection: USB-C 2.4GHz dongle (with USB-A adapter), Bluetooth 5.2

If you plan to stream your Switch 2 gameplay or want something wireless to play docked, the Razer Barracuda X Chroma is hard to beat. The RGB lighting is flashy for streamers who want extra flair for their setup on camera. The lights are vibrant and customizable through Razer’s mobile app, but won’t distract you while gaming since you can’t see them when wearing the headset.

The included USB-A adapter for the 2.4GHz dongle makes it perfect for plugging into your Switch 2 dock’s USB ports. The incredible 70+ hour battery life means you’ll rarely need to charge, even during marathon streaming sessions. At just 285g, it’s one of the lightest gaming headsets I’ve tested, with breathable fabric ear pads that won’t leave you sweaty during long broadcasts. The detachable HyperClear microphone delivers crystal-clear voice quality for commentary, and you can remove it entirely for a cleaner look.

Notable mentions

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 ($59.99): This budget-friendly headset offers excellent value, clear, well-balanced audio, and multi-platform compatibility via 3.5mm connection. However, the fabric material can get warm during extended sessions, and it lacks wireless connectivity.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless ($349.99): This is a luxury gaming headset with hot-swappable batteries, a premium DAC hub, and incredible audio quality, but the sky-high price and complex features are overkill for most Switch-only players.
• Corsair HS70 Pro ($149.99): Offers decent wireless performance and sleek design at a competitive price, but the excessive bass, heavier weight, and lack of Bluetooth/USB-C connectivity limit its versatility for Switch gaming.
• Razer Barracuda X (2022) ($99): This is an excellent value with a 50+-hour battery, multi-platform connectivity, and lightweight comfort. However, it lacks modern features like RGB lighting and uses only the basic SBC Bluetooth codec.
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 ($199.99): This model features impressive 60mm dual eclipse drivers that make Switch games sound mesmerizing. However, the price premium and Xbox-focused design with dual USB-A dongles make it better suited for multi-platform setups.
• Turtle Beach Atlas Air ($149.99): This is my favorite open-back gaming headset with incredible comfort, but the sound-bleeding design isn’t ideal for the Switch’s portable nature or public gaming.
• HyperX Cloud III S Wireless ($179.99): This headset has an incredible 120+-hour battery life and 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity for versatile device switching, but the sound quality isn’t great for music listening.
• Corsair Virtuoso Pro ($279.99): This open-back has fantastic audio quality, but its open-back design, double cable requirements, and lack of noise isolation make it poorly suited for Switch gaming.

How we test

At SoundGuys, we test gaming headsets using a combination of objective measurements and real-world usage to give you the complete picture. Every headset in this guide has been through our rigorous testing process.

Objective Testing: We use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head simulator with anatomically correct ear canals to measure frequency response, isolation performance, and microphone quality. This scientific approach ensures consistent, comparable results across all products. We also employ Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) — virtual listening tests that predict how hundreds of listeners would rate each headset’s sound quality across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness.

Real-World Testing: Each headset becomes part of our daily gaming setup for at least two weeks. We test across multiple games, including competitive shooters, open-world adventures, and Nintendo exclusives, to evaluate soundstage, directional audio, and overall gaming performance. We also assess comfort during extended sessions, build quality, and how well each headset handles music and calls beyond gaming.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specific Testing: Until we get the Nintendo Switch 2 in our hands (which should be very soon), our recommendations focus on the confirmed hardware specifications: the console features a 3.5mm headphone jack, dual USB-C ports on the handheld, and two USB 2.0 ports on the dock. Nintendo’s tech specs indicate the top USB-C port supports accessories, which should include wireless dongles. We’ve selected headsets based on these connectivity options and will update our recommendations once we verify compatibility through hands-on testing with the actual hardware.

What We Measure: Our scoring considers comfort, audio quality, battery life, microphone performance, versatility across devices, and build quality. We believe in testing headsets as complete packages, not just focusing on specifications that look good on paper.

Frequently Asked Questions