Our concise best headsets for Nintendo Switch buying guide cuts through the clutter of fake reviews and insufficient expert analysis by digging into data and real-world testing. We scrutinized 501,261 reviews (customer & expert) from 57 gaming headsets, evaluating essential performance aspects like low-end roll-off and Microphone sound quality. Our research revealed that 72% of experts fall short in their testing, but we’ve identified the credible few. This meticulous process has allowed us to curate a list of 3 top-performing headsets for Nintendo Switch, giving you the confidence to make an informed decision when buying a top gaming headset based on reliable test data and genuine insights.
Below is our list of the 3 best headsets for Nintendo Switch.
How Did We Rank the Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch?
We’ve redefined gaming headset buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach leverages a comprehensive dataset from 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics (2 required, 1 nice to have) and 1 specification to rank the top-rated gaming headsets and ensure our recommendations meet your specific needs. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must be Nintendo Switch Compatible
? Test Criteria
- Low-End Roll-Off: Implementing a low-frequency roll-off below 45 Hz ensures the presence of subtle rumble in the bass, enhancing the immersive quality of your gaming or music experience.
- Microphone Sound Quality Rating: The microphone on the headset must meet or exceed a subjective evaluation rating of 6 in terms of sound quality.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Speech To Noise Ratio: A minimum of 24 dB speech-to-noise ratio to ensure speech clarity by effectively minimizing background noise.
Latest Updates
- 05/6/2024: Published the list of best headsets for Nintendo Switch based on our True Score system.
Top Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Our Approach to Evaluating Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch
We’ve redefined gaming headset guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach uses a comprehensive dataset from trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics like low end roll off, speech to noise ratio and microphone sound rating.
We aggregate and analyze this data, ensuring our recommendations meet the specific needs. Specifically, when it comes to best headset for Nintendo Switch, this involves selecting models that have a low end roll off of more than 45hz. Discover our data-driven methodology for precise, reliable gaming headset recommendations.
Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these gaming headsets and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a gaming headset that meets your needs.
CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
---|---|---|---|
Low End Roll Off (Hz) | < 45 Hz | Yes | The point at which bass response starts to fall sharply, causing it to rapidly become inaudible. |
Microphone Sound Quality Rating | > 6 | Yes | A subjective measure of how good the microphone on a headset sounds. |
Speech to Noise Ratio (dB) | > 24 dB | No (Nice to have) | How effectively the headset’s microphone isolates the user’s voice in a noisy environment. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 110+ gaming headset reviewers and found that 31 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for headsets.
- Theresa Ketterling – Rtings, MuckRack
- Reece Bithrey – Trusted Reviews, MuckRack
- Andrei Frumusanu – AnandTech, MuckRack
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every gaming headset review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Gaming Headset Test Data & Results
1. Microphone Sound Quality Rating (out of 10.0) Test Results
Microphone Sound Quality
> 6
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The subjective recording quality of a microphone.
Units of Measurement: N/A
Tools to Measure: N/A
Why It’s Important:
If you use your headset to communicate often, be it in games or just chatting, you want it to make you as clear as possible, so people actually understand what you’re saying.
This is a strange test because it relies on subjective input. In this case, we derived this rating from the testing data provided by RTings and Soundguys, who subjectively rate microphone quality, and have their readers subjectively rate it, respectively. From there, we can average out the ratings and create an overall idea of how good a microphone sounds.
Generally speaking, you want this to be higher than 6.0, as it means you’ll have acceptable sound quality when communicating. There’s no upper limit to sound quality – if you can find a headset that has a 10/10 and suits you and your budget, go for it. Low sound quality mics, however, will distort or blow out your voice, and that will make you hard to hear and understand.
Microphone Sound Quality Rating (higher is better)
2. Speech To Noise Ratio (dB) Test Results
Speech to noise ratio is a bit complex. In the simplest terms, it’s how you measure how good of a job a microphone is going to do with transmitting your voice in a noisy environment without also transmitting all of the background noise.
You’ll want a mic that has a speech to noise ratio greater than 24 dB. By looking for microphones that hit at least this ratio, you’re in a much better position to use your microphone in noisier environments without having to worry about tons of background noise filtering in. If the ratio is too low, expect to transmit dogs barking, air conditioners and fans, and people talking in the background every time you start talking – and if it’s bad enough, even when you’re not.
Speech To Noise Ratio (dB)
> 24 dB
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How well the microphone does at preventing noise that isn’t you talking directly into the mic from being transmitted.
Units of Measurement: dB
Tools to Measure: Dummy head, test microphone, speaker
Why It’s Important:
A higher speech-to-noise ratio ensures your voice is clear over ambient noise, which is essential for effective communication in noisy environments during gaming.
Speech To Noise Ratio (in dB; higher is better)
3. Low End Roll Off (Hz) Test Results
Low End Roll Off
< 45 Hz
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: The point at which response from the headphones starts to rapidly fall away from the target response in the bass end of the spectrum.
Units of Measurement: Hz (Hertz)
Tools to Measure: Frequency response software
Why It’s Important:
Roll off that starts later often indicates that a headset is able to produce deeper bass and still have it be audible, so if you love bass, you want the roll off to start later.
Deep bass is essential for an immersive gaming experience, and adds punch to common sounds, like gunfire and explosions. Low-end roll off is one of the major factors that helps determine how punchy this bass will sound. If the bass begins to roll off (or fade) too early in the audio spectrum, the result is a less impactful sound, which flattens out music and robs much of the sound you hear in game of depth and rumble.
Ideally, a gaming headset should maintain a robust bass response without significant drop-off at least down to 45 Hz, ensuring the bass feels full and present. Some headsets are capable of managing roll-offs that start in the low 20s or even the teens, which commonly indicates that the bass will be especially strong. Looking for roll offs that start in the low teens or single digits is unnecessary, however. Not only do these headsets not really exist, once you’re under 20 Hz, sound stops being audible, though you can still “feel” these frequencies in some cases.
Low End Roll Off (in Hz; lower is better)
Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Compatibility: Ensure that the headset you choose is compatible with the Nintendo Switch. Some headsets may require additional adapters or may not work at all with the Switch due to its unique audio setup. The same goes for the best PS5 headsets and Fortnite headsets if you play that console or game.
- Lack of Wireless Connectivity: While wired headsets are compatible with the Switch, opting for a wireless headset can offer more convenience and flexibility. Avoid limiting yourself by choosing a headset with only wired connectivity if you prefer the freedom of wireless.
- Disregarding Comfort: Comfort is essential, especially for long gaming sessions. Avoid headsets with uncomfortable ear cups, tight headbands, or poor weight distribution, as they can cause discomfort and fatigue over time. You can also make a gaming headset more comfortable on your own.
- Poor Audio Quality: Don’t sacrifice audio quality for convenience. Look for headsets that deliver clear, immersive sound with good bass response and accurate positional audio to enhance your gaming experience.
The Best Headsets for Nintendo Switch Tests Compared
Product | True Score
|
Max Vol
|
Mic Quality
|
Speech To Noise
|
BT Latency
|
Non-BT Latency
|
Low-End Roll Off
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 |
|
|
|
|
|
| $77.49 $100 $23 |
| 82 |
|
|
|
|
|
| $119.99 $190 $70 |
| 80 |
|
|
|
|
|
| $199.99 |