The Nintendo Switch is a great handheld console overall. With experiences like Pokemon Sword and Shield, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and the recently released Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, the system is almost perfect for playing games on the go. Unfortunately, the Switch does not have native Bluetooth support for wireless headphones, which is why one company created a device to fix this dilemma.
TwelveSouth's Airfly Pro Switch Edition is a dongle that can be plugged into any headphone jack, including the ones on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. Once attached, players can connect up to two Bluetooth headphones or speakers to the device, allowing them to seamlessly stream audio from their console with no wires necessary.
This peripheral released in November 2020 and costs $49.99. The dongle is nice and small, clocking in at about two inches in length, one inch in width, and half an inch in depth, perfect for unobtrusive portable mode play. Beyond the handheld utility, it can also be used in docked mode, striking a nice balance for those who might be playing on an airplane or those who might be playing in a loud home. The dongle is also self-powered and will not drain the Switch's battery like other devices might.
The $50 price point may seem a bit steep for some, but the package comes with more than just the dongle. It also includes a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, travel pouch, keyring storage, and owner's guide. Additionally, the dongle can still be used for other headphone jacks, such as that of a 3DS, phone, or car. In particular, it'd be perfect for listening to gaming soundtracks through music streaming services, such as the recently-added Final Fantasy VII Remake OST. Fans of video game music and beyond will likely get their money's worth with this device's utility.
It is a shame that Nintendo did not include built-in Bluetooth support on the Switch, instead forcing fans to resort to an unofficial peripherals for their Bluetooth accessories. The Switch released in 2017, when wireless audio sources were already becoming mainstream, making the omission odd. If rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro are true, one can only hope that it includes native Bluetooth support. Until then, Nintendo Switch fans at least have the option of using TwelveSouth's sleek dongle instead.
Source: TwelveSouth