Have you ever wanted to enjoy your favorite Nintendo Switch games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey with the immersive sound of high-quality headphones? I sure have. But the Switch only has a basic headphone jack built-in. How can you get wireless connectivity?
Bluetooth technology makes it possible. By pairing Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones with the Switch, you can experience wireless freedom coupled with excellent sound.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through exactly how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a Nintendo Switch. With the Switch’s portable, on-the-go nature, being untethered lets you get truly immersed in gaming from any position.
I’ll also provide extra troubleshooting tips to handle any connectivity issues that arise. From my years of analyzing audio equipment and testing the latest gadgets, I’ll pass on everything you need to know to choose the best wireless cans to match with your Switch – so you get the most riveting gameplay experience.
Let’s start by examining…
An Overview of Bluetooth Headphones for Nintendo Switch
Bluetooth wireless technology has advanced tremendously in recent years for headphones and speakers. But what Bluetooth capabilities does the Nintendo Switch actually have?
The Switch includes integrated Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. This allows you to pair compatible wireless devices like headphones, speakers and controllers to the console without cables.
Here are the key enabling features and limitations to understand with the Switch’s Bluetooth functionality:
- Supports Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP) profile for high quality audio streaming
- Only one Bluetooth headphone device can connect at a time
- Up to 10 paired Bluetooth devices can be stored in the Switch‘s memory
- Bluetooth microphone input is NOT supported
- Local wireless Switch multiplayer links take priority which temporarily disables Bluetooth connections
Now that you know what the Switch can (and can’t) handle, let’s examine how we can leverage Bluetooth to elevate your gaming experience…
Step-by-Step: How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Your Nintendo Switch
Connecting wireless Bluetooth headphones to your Switch is quick and straightforward. Just follow these six simple steps:
Step 1: Turn On Your Switch
Start by powering up your console and accessing the Home screen:
From here we can move on to pairing mode.
Step 2: Open Your Switch’s Settings
Scroll over and select the Settings icon:
Time to enable Bluetooth discovery…
Step 3: Select "Bluetooth Audio"
In Settings, choose the "Bluetooth Audio" menu:
This kicks off Bluetooth device discovery so your headphones can be detected.
Step 4: Put Your Headphones Into Pairing Mode
Now place your headphones into pairing or discoverable mode according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I like to use my trusty old Bose QuietComfort cans.
The Switch will search for available Bluetooth audio devices to connect to while your headphones are in this mode. Most headphones will flash an LED light to indicate they can be discovered and paired.
Next…
Step 5: Select Your Bluetooth Headphones
You should see your headphones pop up in the Switch’s menu labeled with their model number. Choose them to initiate pairing:
Almost there…
Step 6: Confirm Pairing
You’ll be asked to confirm connecting to the selected headphones. Choose Yes or OK to complete pairing.
After that, an icon will display at the top of your Switch screen to indicate an active Bluetooth headphone connection.
Then you can jump into The Legend of Zelda and immerse yourself in the rich, detailed game audio, now amplified through your crisp new wireless headphones! No more wires restricting your gaming positions either.
Pretty easy right? Now let’s tackle some common issues that can crop up…
Troubleshooting Bluetooth Connections
Despite how straightforward Bluetooth pairing can be, you may occasionally encounter difficulties getting connected. If your headphones fail to link with your Switch or the audio cuts out, try these troubleshooting suggestions:
- Restart Devices – Simply turning both your headphones and Switch console completely off and back on re-initializes the connection and fixes many transient glitches
- Check Firmware Updates – Install the latest firmware updates available for your Switch system, wireless controller, and Bluetooth headphone model. Updates often address connectivity improvements.
- Toggle Airplane Mode – From System Settings, toggling Airplane mode off and on essentially forces a hard reboot of wireless connectivity components.
- Re-pair Devices – Delete the existing headphones pairing from both your Switch and headphones, resetting them to factory state so you can re-pair from scratch.
- Bluetooth Discovery Setting – Ensure ‘Always Enable’ is switched on within Bluetooth Audio connections to permit perpetual scanning for your headphones without needing to manually re-enter the menu.
- Reset Network Settings – As a last resort, initialize the network settings on your Switch (System Settings -> Initialization -> Reset Network Settings). You’ll have to reconfigure any saved WiFi connections etc. after this.
If the above troubleshooting tips don’t resolve your Bluetooth connection problems, I’d suggest contacting Nintendo Support for further assistance.
Now let’s explore optimizing audio quality…
Bluetooth vs Wired Headphones for Nintendo Switch
When selecting headphones to use with your Switch, choosing between wireless Bluetooth vs wired models involves balancing factors like sound quality, mobility and connectivity stability.
Bluetooth Headphones
Here are the core pros and cons of using Bluetooth headphones for your Nintendo Switch:
Pros
- Complete wireless range of motion when gaming using Switch as a handheld
- Physical comfort not having wires attached to your console
- Simple pairing procedure enables seamless connections to previously linked headphones
Cons
- Audio compression to transmit over Bluetooth can slightly reduce sound quality
- Bluetooth connectivity adds around 100-150 ms of audio delay (latency)
- Periodic audio cutouts and stability hiccups requiring troubleshooting
Wired Headphones
Meanwhile, old fashioned wired headphones offer their own mix of advantages and limitations when used with the Switch:
Pros
- Superior, lossless sound quality without Bluetooth compression
- Extremely low audio latency for synchronization with video
- No batteries to recharge or connectivity issues
Cons
- Physically tethered to the Switch system, restricting motion
- Trip hazard from wires; connectivity drops if cord is detached
For casual gaming, the wireless flexibility of Bluetooth headphones likely outweighs the minor audio compromises over a wired connection. However competitive multiplayer gamers may insist on pristine high fidelity sound with zero latency afforded by wired cans.
In the end you have to balance your priorities and sensitivity. Now let‘s look at some recommended models…
Top Bluetooth Headphones for Nintendo Switch
Hoping to shop for a great set of Bluetooth headphones for your Switch? Here are three excellent options I recommend based on testing and reviews:
1. SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless
Key Features:
- Designed for low latency wireless gaming
- Retractable Discord-certified microphone
- On-ear controls
- 20+ hour battery life
The sleek and comfortable SteelSeries Arctis 1 brings lag-free wireless audio to the Nintendo Switch via a compact USB-C dongle. The clear mic even enables online chat when docked.
2. Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
Key Features:
- 50mm Nanoclear speakers
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- 20 hours battery life
- Flip-up mic
With big 50mm drivers for thumping bass and surround sound, the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 provides superb audio matched with Bluetooth versatility.
3. Logitech G435 Lightspeed
Key Features:
- Lightweight (165 grams) design
- 18 hours battery life
- Mic monitoring
- Colorful style options
Affordable and fashionably lightweight, the Logitech G435 handles up to 18 hours gameplay per charge. The balanced sound provides pleasing audio for the money.
For additional top-tier wireless headphone suggestions tailored for Switch gamers, check out my in-depth Nintendo Switch Bluetooth headset reviews.
Do you have any other questions about connecting and using Bluetooth headphones or headsets with your Nintendo Switch? Ask away in the comments below!
