22/12/2025
I tested these officially licensed earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 – are they really worth buying?
TechRadar Verdict
The PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 don’t do anything spectacular, but then again, they never had to. They’re budget-friendly, decent-sounding in-ears with a neat slider to mute yourself in GameChat, a secure fit, and a convenient carry case. Their main flaw relates to mic quality, which could be better. You won’t get perfect audio at peak volumes either, but for the price, they remain a pretty good value option.
Pros
+Generally clear audio output
+Convenient mute slider
+Low-price, good overall value for money
Cons
-Some static when using mic
-Not flashy looking
-Treble can get harsh at high volumes
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PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: one-minute reviewThe PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 are a simple yet effective way to enjoy handheld gaming sessions in seclusion. These buds are licensed by Nintendo and aim to deliver dynamic sound, ergonomic comfort, and clear mic quality. And they largely deliver on that, though there are some notable flaws to uncover.For wired buds that typically cost $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39, and regularly fall to a considerably lower cost, I wasn’t expecting all too much from the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2. And although they don't do anything special sonically speaking, they still have all the fundamental talents required for solid-sounding in-game experiences.For instance, they offer up clear dialogue quality – something all of the best gaming earbuds should do. When playing through the spectacular Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, speech-heavy scenes never sounded muffled or obscured, even when the game's imposing orchestral soundtrack entered the fray.You're not going to experience beautifully separated vocals or a wide open soundstage, but for the price, you still get the clean sound quality required to enjoy the best Nintendo Switch 2 games or beautiful in-game soundtracks.
(Image credit: Future)The convenient mic mute slider is very handy if you're making use of GameChat via Nintendo Switch Online. Simply flick it up and your pals won't be able to hear you whatsoever.However, I would've liked the inbuilt mic to sound a bit better, as I could make out static in the background while using it. Don't get me wrong, my words were still easily discernible when performing a quality test – just don't expect above average mic performance.Looks-wise these wired earbuds aren't all too flashy. They're black and red – much like the right Joy-Con 2 controller, and come with a handy carry case. The build quality of these buds is fairly average given that they're made of plastic, but that's fine considering their extremely budget-friendly cost. And in fairness, I still found them to be pretty comfortable, which isn't always the case for me when searching for the best wired earbuds.So, at the end of it all, would I recommend the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2? Well, that would depend. I’ve seen these drop as low as £11 in the UK, so if you’re on a tight budget, they’d give you decent overall audio with equally decent comfort, as well as a tidy carry case. However, there are some notable drawbacks, like a flawed mic and a basic build.If you’ve got a bit more cash to play with, I’d perhaps check out some more premium wired earbuds, or even a headset from our Nintendo Switch 2 accessories guide. But for low-cost buds that get the job done, these Nintendo-licensed in-ears are still worth a look.
(Image credit: Future)PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release dateUltra-budget list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39And I've already spotted them going for even lessLaunched in October 2025These wired earbuds launched shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, and have a list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39. However, I've already spotted them on sale for less in some territories, dipping as low as £11 in the UK. It should be noted that any 3.5mm, USB-C, or Bluetooth earbuds should work fine with your console – it's just the inclusion of a mute mic slider that makes these ideal for GameChat use. PowerA’s wired buds are available in a single Black and Red design – the same color scheme as the right Joy-Con 2 controller.PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specsDrivers8mm dynamicWeight0.7oz / 20gFrequency range20Hz-20kHzWaterproof ratingNot statedConnectivity3.5mmPowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and featuresSimple yet fairly effective designConvenient mic mute sliderSecure and relatively comfortable fitDesign-wise, these in-ears are basic. They’re black and red, which is on-brand for the Switch 2, and they have the console’s logo on the outside of each bud.They’re made of plastic and, in honesty, feel pretty cheap – but then again, they are. You get a variety of different-sized ear tips to help find your ideal fit, as well as a drawstring bag to store the buds away – that’s a very nice inclusion considering their moderate price.These earbuds are quite comfortable, although I did find they were a tad large in-ear. Still, I could keep them in for well over an hour without feeling fatigued, and they had a pretty secure fit – something that’s not always guaranteed with wired in-ears.Thanks to their secure seal, you also get decent enough noise isolation – just don't expect the silence-inducing effects of active noise cancellation or the passive isolation that pricier foam ear tips provide.The most significant feature on-board is the inbuilt mic and mute slider. This handy slider is what sets the buds apart from typical wired buds you may have laying around, and makes them ideal for GameChat use on Switch 2. The mic itself is functional but as you may expect at this price-point, nothing particularly special. More on that in the Performance section...
(Image credit: Future)PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performanceDecent audio with fairly clean dialogueMic performance could certainly be betterSolid overall quality given modest price-tagSonically speaking, I won’t pretend the PowerA Wired Earbuds are anything particularly special. But they get the basics right, with generally clear audio for private gaming sessions.To find out if PowerA’s in-ears could compete with some of the best gaming earbuds best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I made sure to test them out with a variety of games. I started with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, a title I’ve been absolutely glued to since its release.This game is pretty dialogue-heavy, so I was glad to discover that speech was generally well-defined in the mix, ensuring I didn't need to rely on subtitles. When the grandiose orchestral soundtrack swooped through the backdrop, voices still remained clear – sure, it wasn’t as if they were elegantly separated out and thrust to the fore, but that’s something I’d expect from more premium buds.I wanted to see how they’d cope with a more chaotic Nintendo Switch 2 title, so I switched over to Mario Kart World, and again, I was pretty satisfied with the audio on offer. In Free Roam mode, the hum of my vehicle’s engine was replicated with solid low-end power, and the high-pitched grind of my wheels while drifting didn’t sound tinny or uncontrolled.Treble could get edgy at top volumes – something I also realized when listening to Phendrana Drifts on the Nintendo Music app. But if you’re listening at medium loudness or lower, that shouldn’t be all too apparent. More generally, soundtracks come through nicely using PowerA’s buds – the jazzy tunes featured in Mario Kart World were always enjoyable, with expressive sax in the mid-range sounding clean and never getting smothered by the fairly impactful bass.Even if you’re not going to be wowed by a wide soundstage or incredible separation, PowerA’s wired buds perform well enough on the audio front. If you’re looking for a more premium listening experience or want exceptional wired earbuds for music, though, I’d suggest heading over to our best wired earbuds guide instead.But how about mic performance? Well, this is where things get a little shaky. I used the Test Microphone function on my Switch 2, which allows you to make a brief recording, and the results were about as good as I’d expected. My voice was relatively clear, and every word was discernible. However, there was some noticeable sibilance, and there was obvious static in the background.Don’t get me wrong: these won’t make you sound like you’re underwater as some cheap buds do, but mic quality is just acceptable. One benefit, though, is that there’s an in-line controller with a slider to disable or enable the mic, which is handy if you need to swiftly silence yourself while using GameChat.
(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2?AttributesNotesRatingFeaturesIn-line mic could be better, but they offer a useful mute slider and decent noise isolation.3/5Sound qualityImperfect but generally clean audio for clear dialogue, footsteps, and sound effects.3.5/5DesignBasic look, relatively comfortable in-ear feel, convenient carry pouch.3.5/5ValueLow price, solid overall quality.4/5Buy them if...Don't buy them if...PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: also considerHeader Cell - Column 0 PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2Skullcandy Set USB-CTurtle Beach Battle BudsPrice$24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39$31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50)$30 / £25 / AU$45Drivers8mm dynamic9mm dynamic10mm dynamicWeight20g15g23gFrequency range20Hz-20kHz20Hz-20kHz20Hz-20kHzWaterproof ratingNot statedIPX4Not statedConnectivity3.5mmUSB-C3.5mmHow I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2
(Image credit: Future)Tested for one weekUsed in the office, while out and about, and at homeTried with Switch 2 games and Nintendo Music appI tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 over a week-long period, taking them out for on-the-go play, as well as using them on lunch breaks at the office, and when working from home.To assess performance, I made sure to use them with a range of Switch 2 games, including Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Mario Kart World. It also felt fitting to use them with the Nintendo Music app and spin a few classic soundtracks. When using the in-line mic, I ensured that I performed a test using the Switch 2’s built-in testing software.More generally, I’ve been a Switch 2 owner from launch, and I’ve reviewed tons of gadgets here at TechRadar, where I’ve tested tons of audio gear and gaming accessories. I’ve reviewed everything from top-tier wired earbuds like the Sennheiser IE 600 through to cheap models like the JBL Tune 310C. And I’ve also tested a range of Nintendo Switch 2 cases, cameras, screen protectors, and software.First reviewed: November 2025Read more about how we test
Staff WriterHarry is a Reviews Staff Writer for TechRadar. He reviews everything from party speakers to wall chargers and has a particular interest in the worlds of audio and gaming. Harry has a background in business tech journalism, particularly around the telecoms industry.
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Looking to buy cheap earbuds for your Nintendo Switch 2? I tried this officially licensed set and they weren’t half bad.