With Nintendo Switch 2 bringing friends together with built-in GameChat, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller including a 3.5mm headset jack, it’s the ideal time to find a compatible headset to join in the fun! But with so many headsets at different price points, choosing the right one isn’t easy. An ideal headset would need to sit nicely on your noggin’ for long gaming sessions.
One contender for the audio crown is Turtle Beach, a brand that has built up a solid reputation for high quality accessories for several decades. Those looking for feature-rich options may consider wireless headsets like the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 or Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2. Both offer strong sound, battery life and robust features.
For a more entry-level choice, the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit Wired Gaming Headset comes into play. At a budget-friendly price, how does this headset deliver on sound and comfort?
Designed with Nintendo Switch players in mind, the Turtle Beach Airlite Fit Wired Gaming Headset is exactly what the name suggests: a lightweight video game headset that’s classic in feel and hooks up with the tried and tested 3.5mm audio jack. It’s fully compatible with the original family of Nintendo Switch consoles and also with the newer Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
Housed in a clean, striking and smart plastic frame, there are several colourways available – a Switch OLED inspired black/white look (pictured), original Switch Joy-Con colours and an atomic purple variant for those harking for the Game Boy Color days of old.
Despite the price point, the Airlite Fit both looks and feels the part. It’s surprisingly sleek, built with a smooth, high-quality matt finish. There’s a solid, durable build quality, yet it’s also lightweight at 228g (0.50 lbs), sitting firmly in place without weighing you down over several hours of intense Mario Kart World competition.
Getting that fit right for an over-ear style headset is important, and there is a good amount of flexibility and premium cushioning to reduce the strain. Turtle Beach has not skimped out on the comfort factor, with thick, soft, knitted over-ear cushions and a padded headband. It does very much feel in line with far more expensive accessories.
The padded cushions truly do enclose the ears well, drawing players deep into the game – away from the madness happening beyond the screen. The headset doesn’t have active (or technical) noise cancellation but seals out a good amount of external noise for the price.
That attention to detail with premium-feel components extends to the audio. The Airlite Fit offers a superb sound, with the cushioned cups helping to provide deep, rich bass yet letting those higher treble tones sit nicely within the mix. There’s a fine-tuned balance between the different layers, without being overblown or tinny, all delivered through punchy 40mm speakers. For games with plenty going on – sound effects, voices and a rich soundtrack, there’s a surprising clarity that comes through. Sounds are allowed to breathe, creating an impressive, well-rounded audio experience.
A headset wouldn’t be a headset without the microphone – which can make or break the experience. The Airlite Fit comes equipped with a flip-to-mute setup, where if the microphone is rotated up, it’ll instantly mute. Super handy for avoiding those awkward moments in a voice call. A tactile click confirms whether the microphone is on/off, too; a useful action to prevent players from scrambling for a mute button. Quality wise, the microphone offers a crisp, clean sound – picking up voice well. Isolation features aren’t perfect, especially if talking in a busy space, but the Airlite Fit more than performs, especially for a budget headset.
Some of the drawbacks of the headset may depend on your setup and gaming space. The Turtle Beach Airlite Fit is a wired headset with cable length of just 1.15m. It can be extended via an additional cable, but it may not be ideal for those who sit a fair bit away from their console. The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, however, does include a built-in 3.5mm socket, so it may not be a big issue. It’s also worth noting that the headset does not fold, so if portability matters, a more compact option may be better.
Sounds like a brilliant option for Switch 2 owners!