Investing in one of the best Nintendo Switch headsets is the perfect way to make your favourite games console that little bit better.

While a quality headset is a nice thing to have on any console, with the Switch it’s that little bit more essential, because while you don’t really need one when you’re playing on a big-screen TV, if you want to get the best out of your Switch when you’re playing in handheld mode, you’ll absolutely want the enhanced audio quality that only a headset can provide, especially if you’re playing on your commute or when you’re out and about.

While you can use pretty much any headphones you like with the Switch, as long as they have a 3.5mm jack or, excitingly, a Bluetooth connection (Nintendo enabled this last year, but it’s a little limited and means you can only use two wireless controllers at the same time), a dedicated gaming headset is likely to be a better bet, particularly if you need a microphone for online gaming or streaming. There are loads of options around, but to save you a load of searching we’ve already found the best Nintendo Switch headphones available right now.

If you don’t yet have a Switch, our round-up of the best Nintendo Switch deals will find you the best price for new console. And don’t forget to see our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games or, if you want to save money, the best cheap Nintendo Switch games.

The best Nintendo Switch headsets available now

For our money, the best Nintendo Switch headset right now is the Razer Barracuda X, simply because it hits all the right notes at a decent price point. The headline feature is its 2.4Ghz wireless connection, achieved either via Bluetooth or, if you prefer, a USB-C dongle that plugs straight into your Switch, which delivers high quality sound to your headset without any cables getting in the way.

At 250g it’s good and light for a full-size headset, with a pleasantly understated design and great audio quality thanks to thitseir 40mm TriForce drivers, while its memory foam earcups and a thick headband cushion mean that the Barracuda X is comfortable to wear for even the longest gaming sessions. And if you divide your gaming between Switch, PC and PlayStation, you’ll find that you can use this headset on all three and swap around with ease.

If you’re planning to spend a lot on your Switch headset, it pays to get one that’ll serve you well as an ordinary pair of headphones, in which case Audio-Technica’s ATH-G1 is the perfect solution. You’re basically looking at a great pair of high-fidelity cans with a microphone attached; simply remove the microphone when you don’t need it.

The ATH-G1 gives you fantastic sound with its 45mm specially-tuned drivers, plus all the comfort you need thanks to its lightweight metal build and breathable headband and earpads. It’s a top choice for gaming, but it’s a versatile option that’ll serve you well when it’s not plugged into your Switch.

Don’t want to spend a lot on your Switch headset? There are plenty of options for you, the best of which is the Turtle Beach Recon 70P, which can be had for just under £25 right now. It’s cheap but it doesn’t skimp on the specs; its 40mm drivers combine with premium ear cushions will give you perfectly good audio quality, great bass and serviceable noise isolation, and its high-sensitivity mic does a top job of picking up your voice.

It’s lightweight and comfortable, and if colour’s a deciding factor for you, there are loads of options to choose from. Why spend more?

A recent Switch update means that it’s possible to connect a pair of AirPods Pro to your console, however we’ve looked into it and it all feels like a bit of a faff. But if playing on your Switch with a pair of wireless earbuds delivering your sound feels like the way to go for you, we’d recommend these buds from EPOS. They’re designed with gaming in mind, they’ll connect via Bluetooth or with a USB-C dongle, and their sound quality’s excellent, with deep bass and strong mid-tones as well as impressive positional audio.

They’re a really comfortable fit and they pack a fantastic battery life; they’ll keep going for five hours on a single charge, their charging case can provide another 20 hours of listening, and if you get locked into a long session and run out of power, you can get another hour by popping them into the case for 15 minutes; a full charge will take an hour and a half.

Logitech makes some incredible gaming gear that’s generally aimed at PC users, but it also produces top gaming headsets suitable for most gamers. The G432 isn’t its best-specced headset, but it’s just the thing you need if you need a reliable, well-performing headset to go with your Switch.

The G432 packs a meaty pair of 50mm drivers, delivering crisp uppers and all the midrange you need, all backed up with a hefty wallop of bass so you won’t ever miss an audio cue, while its 6mm mic will pick up your voice perfectly (and when you don’t need the mic, simply flip it up to deactivate it). There’s a volume wheel on the ear cups, and if you’re planning on a long Zelda session, the G432’s built for comfort with lightweight leatherette headband and ear cups; plus the ear cups rotate up to 90 degrees for the perfect fit.