If you've been enjoying playing Fortnite, Overwatch or any number of online multiplayer games on your Nintendo Switch, it might well be time to invest in a headset. While Nintendo has been in a bit of a muddle regarding voice chat on the Switch in the past, many games offer their own in-game voice chat functionality on the Switch, thus removing the need for players to use Nintendo’s mobile voice chat app to communicate with their squad, which is the arrangement for Splatoon 2.
We've rounded up some of our favourite headsets for you below so that you can enjoy voice chat in select games, as well as premium audio in all games.
Of course, there are a plethora of accessories available for your Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite, including a wide range of different Switch controllers and console carry cases, so make sure you've got the kit you need this holiday season and deck your Switch out with some nice extras. Alternatively, there's an equal number of extra goodies available for Switch Lite, too. Choices, choices!
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Best Nintendo Switch Wired Headsets
Using a wired headset is your best bet if you enjoy playing in handheld mode. Simply plug it into your Switch's headphone 3.5mm jack and you are good to go. You can of course just use a headset with any game so you can play without disturbing others, but in Fortnite you can also communicate with your squad and get your Victory Royale.
Splatoon 2 Headset
Yes, it's a bit of a monstrosity, but it's worth mentioning.
While Hori's headset isn't bad value for the price, we're not massive fans of having the use Nintendo's online app and having wires tethering the phone to the Switch. For the time being, if you want to enjoy voice chat with team members while playing Splatoon 2 this is your only option unless you just use Discord or something else. We can dream that Nintendo abandons its Online app and updates Splatoon 2 to have in-game voice chat functionality... but that's probably wishful thinking.
Best Nintendo Switch Wireless Headsets
If you tend to play your Switch docked mostly, then you'll be better off using a wireless headset. This functionality was quietly added back in October 2017 and lets you use any wireless USB headphones with your Switch when docked. Simply plug in your USB dongle into the Switch dock, pair with your headset and you are laughing. Remember voice chat will only work in Fortnite at present.
So these are some of our favourite Nintendo Switch headsets. Be sure to let us know if we've missed a good one with a comment below.
Looking for more? Check out our other Switch buying guides:
- Nintendo Switch Micro SD Cards - Best Cards & Cheapest Prices
- Where To Buy Nintendo Switch eShop Credit, Gift Cards And Online Membership
- Best Switch Portable Chargers, Batteries And Power Banks
- Best Nintendo Switch Wired And Wireless Headsets
- Best Nintendo Switch Controllers
- Best Nintendo Switch Accessories
Comments 52
No Sony's headsets? :X
PS4 wireless works great and voice chat works in Fortnite.
There are headsets just as good that are the same price or cheaper.
I use the SteelSeries Siberia 800 for both the Switch and my PC. It's pretty pricey but I love it. I find with most headsets it gets uncomfortable to wear after a while but I can wear this for hours nonstop. My ears never get too hot too. The quality of the sound is nice as well, with the transmitter box allowing you to easily modify the sound based on what you're doing.
I'd say the most handy feature is having the 2 batteries it comes with. You can put one to charge in the transmitter while using one in the headset then just swap them out when the battery runs low.
The transmitter can be a bit of a pain to carry around and set up if you're often changing locations, but if you have a setup that stays in the same spot it's great! When I'm at home I use wireless with the Switch docked, then on the go I just plug in the aux cord to the headset.
"Play Fortnite like a pro"
LOL yeah and only Fortnite. Just sad. And very Nintendo.
I just got a wireless Logitech H800 headset for $45 refurbished from Amazon. Haven't tried the voice chat yet, but it's a good wireless headset to use with a docked Switch.
I feel, If you get one just be the SONY Gold. It works on just about everything (Switch, PC, PS4). They on Sale every black friday for $69
Crazy that in 2018 you need a 100+ accessory to play from your couch on a Switch. Unless you want to run a cable across your family room.
Well - I guess if you live alone, it does not matter.
Hey Nintendolife, make a article on cheaper headphones, not $200 ones that no one can afford.
I use my beats and they work great so no need for some overpriced gaming headset
You know, more and more and just prefer to communicate using preset, in-game speech. Wearing a headset just means you can hear 13 year-olds having temper tantrums and I think I'd rather do without.
The affiliate links mean I've lost all faith in these guides. Sorry.
@Gs69
Whoa, whoa, whoa, did you seriously just suggest Beats were an alternative to overpriced headsets?
We're thinking the same Beats here, right? Beats, the $20 headphones that cost $200 thanks to that "b" on the side of them?
I love my Bose QC15s!
The Switch has a very poor sound chip on board, can't support 5.1 surround unlike Wii U and most games are highly compressed, so any headsets of high quality will only enhance the ear screeching poor Switch sound capibility.
Do all these wired headsets have a single 3.5mm jack for both mic and audio? I have a Turtle Beach and it has one jack for audio and one for mic
I don't understand why Nintendo is making it difficult to voice chat with their games while third parties make it easier.
@SmaMan I agree but I already have them and they were a present so thanks for that 👌🏻
Just to confirm my turtle beach p11's work and they use USB for mic and audio jack for sound.
Voice chat does work through USB.
"Play Fortnite like a pro"
That requires playing on PC.
@Octarian
"Octarian11:56am
Hey Nintendolife, make a article on cheaper headphones, not $200 ones that no one can afford."
If you can afford a $400.00 Switch + games... you can invest in a non- dollar store headset and mic.
@gatorboi352 SPLATOON2 IS STILL GREAT...but uh what do I have to do again to voicechat with people in that game...have 120 hours in it and have never done that ...classic Nintendo "it's good BUT"
I've honestly never thought I needed voice chat for Splatoon. The matches go so fast, and you're constantly being reshuffled amongst teams that except for shouting out on-the-moment commands, you really don't have time for any kind of strategy building.
Now, if I had three friends to do League Mode with, that would be a different story...
Why are they all huge - can't you suggest some simple in-ear buds with functioning mics? Is this a fashion thing? Why do I want headphones for a portable that are bigger than the device?
Why is a headset best for Nintendo Switch vs other not so great? Is the standard audio jack plugging in any better that others in this no-special at all audio input for the Switch?
These are some good headphones, wired and bt.
you have to accept.
"nintendo's way only"
man why cant our favorite company be more modern.
I also use the sony gold wireless headset. It plugs right into the dock and works like a charm.
It blows my mind that Nintendo didn’t bother to put an output jack on the Pro Controller. Makes me think there might be a second iteration at some point.
@gatorboi352 On the bright side every company has the ability to put voice chat into their own games if they like. I expect Rocket League to do it once their cross play patch comes out.
@brunojenso For me, personally, on-ear and around-ear headphones are much more comfortable than ear-buds.
PS4 wireless headset With the 7.1 works FANTASTICALLY and... no additional head sets required!
@SmaMan agreed. I've played local and we don't talk during matches aside from the occasional "F#€K" when killed
The PlayStation Platinum or Gold headset is the best IMO. Comfortable, good quality (except the hinges on the gold set) and they work on Switch, PS4, XBox ONE and PC.
So while docked you can't use a USB headset?
@Aurumonado I've thought about getting a pair myself. Do they only work wireless through usb? Can you plug in to the Switch in handheld with a 3.5mm headphone cable too? Do they have any bluetooth functionality at all? like connecting them to a phone for example?
I'll just stick with my crappy phone headphones
Wait what no budget option for best wireless headphones? Boo..
@Octarian 7 of the 9 headsets they recommended are less than $200. So you can just read this article if you're looking for an article on headsets less than $200.
@Audiobrainiac yea exactly they will come out with the nintendo switch elite controller for 100 dollars that will include 3.5 mm jack lol
I heard from others saying that the SteelSeries Arctis 3 can also be used for the switch
I really hope there is a universal rule that any 3rd party company is allowed to just ignore Nintendo's voice chat app and just have native, built in voice chat in their games, and Fortnite wasn't just given special permission by Nintendo due to its popularity.
PS gold headphones would work beautifully for the Switch. They are nice headphones and you can usually grab them cheaper on Amazon. I think they came with a cord so you could plug them into a headphone jack too for handheld.
@Agramonte @Savino @Aurumonado @Abes3 Does the 7.1 surround sound work on Switch through the USB dongle or is it just Stereo?
@Mqblank honestly not sure mate. Nintendo first party games have that digital 3D sound (like those cool YouTube video expirences) through stereo. But they also support 5.1when docked.... hard to tell honestly. the quality is really good with the PlayStation headset and they are wireless. I think you'll be happy even if the answer is "no" to the 7.1 because it sound better than the TV/home system and puts you in the game
@Abes3 Thanks for the great answer. I think I will get a set as I only own a crappy pair of wireless headphones currently that are not even Switch compatible and will one day get a PS4 when I get my Switch backlog down to an acceptable level (so maybe never)
@Savino Thanks very much for checking. Slightly disappointed but not terribly surprised because, as you say, this is Nintendo and their wonderful yet baffling decisions.
@ballistic90 im curious, when u use these is the audio stereo or mono? (In stereo you can hear the direction a gunshot comes from mono is just audio going into your ears without having spacial hearing) ive been trying to get a wireless headset that supports stereo but im having no luck
@Jifour98 I'll have to check it out and let you know. Ive only used it twice.
@ballistic90 thank you!
Is there a way to get a headset that is compatible with Switch (docked and undocked, wireless and 3.5mm respectively for example) but also compatible with PC and Xbox? 😳
Is there a USB headset that fully supports the Switch with decent surround sound?
So, it turns out that Fortnite doesn't have surround sound on the Switch (yet?)
There's actually a 2nd headset one can use for the Nintendo Switch Online voice chat everyone. It's the Steelseries Arctis 3 Bluetooth headset. Here's how it works: Connect the Arctis 3 BT to your phone's Bluetooth, open the Switch Online app (it will detect and use it) and then plug the audio cable from the headset to the Switch headphone jack. 1 Wire. Easy voice chat. I've tested it. It works. I advise all of you to check it out. Also, I don't work for Steelseries but I am a satisfied customer of this product. Thanks. Out!
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