Using Handheld Consoles with Bluetooth Earphones

There's been a surge in the number of us who dabble with gaming, not least because modern advances in handheld consoles and mobile gaming have meant we can access all the best games on-the-go.

From a 2-stop commute to a 3-day road trip, handheld gaming is making the hobby more accessible to a hugely diverse audience.

With so many fresh-faced gamers joining the ranks, the differences in something like a Bluetooth codec are sure to be lost on many!

Find out how the best handheld gaming options connect and which Bluetooth earphones to look out for when you want entertainment on the go...

Why Choose Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Gaming?

First of all, I should clarify that this information all pertains to handheld consoles and mobile gaming. If you're at home on a cosy sofa with your legs up and a 40-inch TV looming over you, you are likely going to want to use a soundbar or surround sound speakers for your audio!

But, unless you're extremely dedicated and socially oblivious, you can't exactly use that set up on the train...

The Pros

Bluetooth earbuds provide the best alternative audio solution for public and portable gaming for 3 key reasons:

• Conservation of Stereo. Stereo, and even directional, audio can be vital for gaming. Whether you're listening out for movement in a multiplayer game or just taking in the soundscape of a single-player experience, stereo audio is a staple. Earbuds allow you to experience true wireless stereo when using a handheld.
• Public and Social Gaming. If you don't connect a set of headphones or earphones of some sort, your ROG Ally, Steamdeck, Nintendo Switch or phone is going to be blaring audio out the speakers. Depending on the device it might actually be serviceable quality audio, but it's also a public nuisance. Be courteous when playing in public and always use a private audio solution such as Bluetooth earphones.
• Adaptability and Efficiency. If you are after gaming earphones, chances are you'll be needing to set up and pack away your console at a moments notice. Earbuds provide a subtle and easily removed solution which don't need a large carry case like headphones do. Not to mention, you can charge earbuds up inside their portable charging case while out and about!

The Cons

Bluetooth audio isn't always perfect, but usually the pros outweigh the cons if you need the portability aspect.

• Range and Stability. Bluetooth has just come out with Bluetooth 6.0, but in terms of audio connections no Bluetooth version change will alter the core functionality. With ranges as short as 10m for many devices, and fast movement of the source or earbuds potentially causing lag and bitrate loss, Bluetooth is generally not used for stability at home. But, out and about it provides a far better alternative than speakers or no audio at all!
• Battery and Charging. Using a wired solution relies on drawing power from the source device, like your mobile phone for example. Wireless solutions don't have this physical connection, and so rely on their own rechargeable batteries. In most cases we're looking at 40 hours + with regular naps in their charging case, so it's not a huge issue for most users. But, if you are after a more permanent audio solution then battery might be something to consider.
• Connection Compatibility. To some extent we tend to think of Bluetooth as Bluetooth, but in reality there are many different latencies, bitrates and speeds available to and from different devices. It's simple enough to make sure your device has aptX-LL or Bluetooth 5+, but still an extra level of information you need ahead of purchase when compared to just using an AUX cable and calling it a day.

Wireless Audio on ROG Ally vs Steamdeck and More

With wireless earbuds truly the best compromise of adaptive connection, low carry weight and high quality audio it's time to get them hooked up to your handheld!

This will vary slightly from device to device, but two of the hottest handhelds for gaming right now are the Valve Steamdeck and Asus ROG Ally.

Are Bluetooth Earbuds Good for Steamdeck?

Connecting your earphones is easy on Steamdeck as the SteamOS (the bespoke Operating System for Steamdeck) supports Bluetooth connections natively. That is to say, you can go into a Bluetooth menu and scan for devices just like you can with your phone or PC.

The Steamdeck supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth 5.3 versions for the standard and OLED editions, respectively.

This means you have little-to-no worries over compatibility. Any Bluetooth 5+ earphones will be able to connect and utilise the full speed of Bluetooth 5.

If you are using a lower version, just make sure the Bluetooth device supports extra features such as aptX-LL and aptX-HD to make the most of the Bluetooth 5 connection even on older devices.

In fact, the official Steamdeck help page recommends "to change to a different A2DP codec such as SBC or AptXLL" for such devices.

This change does involve launching the Steamdeck into "Desktop Mode" which can be a little bit more "tech-y" than your simple tap and connect.

With these conditions you're looking at 30-40ms of latency ("Frame-Perfect") and the capacity for HD, directional audio.

Are Bluetooth Earbuds Good for ROG Ally?

Connecting your earphones to an ROG Ally goes right to the "desktop mode" style of the Steamdeck. This is mainly due to the fact that a ROG Ally is a Windows 11 PC in your hand.

There's not much stopping you connecting exactly how you would to a Windows desktop PC, including changing settings such as audio enhancements, boosts and reductions all manually.

This provides the most "complete" connection experience of any handheld console, with full autonomy for you to set your devices how you like.

The current ROG Ally models are Bluetooth 5.2, so one tiny step lower than the Steamdeck OLED at Bluetooth 5.3. However, having access to Windows allows easy installation of dongle-connected devices and other ROG Ally accessories.

Overall, the main thing is getting Bluetooth 5+. The difference between Bluetooth 4 and 5 versions is almost double in terms of capacity and half in terms of latency, but the differences between versions 5.2 and 5.3 are essentially negligible.

You can achieve the same HD audio and low latencies on both Steamdeck and ROG Ally, it just might be a little easier on the Ally if you have any experience with Windows, while it might be easier on the Steamdeck if you are new to handhelds and PC in general.

Are Bluetooth Earbuds Good for Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo Switch is the opposite end of the spectrum to the ROG Ally. The Ally is a Windows 11 PC in your hand, the Steamdeck is a fully-functional PC but hidden under a console-style app and interface...

The Switch is just the console-style stuff with no access to the "back end" underneath. The 3 showcase a spectrum of usability and simplicity vs customisability.

Because of this, connecting to the Nintendo Switch is super easy (at least, it is now they've added Bluetooth support!). The console menu features a Bluetooth section to scan and add devices, just like the Steamdeck.

The downside is you don't have the option of tinkering with any settings, changing aptX modes, or adding or removing audio enhancements.

The Switch will connect your device using Bluetooth 4.1 according to the official Nintendo Specifications page. This is noticeably lower than both the Steamdeck and ROG Ally versions.

This means the Switch will have higher latencies and lower quality audio on the whole, and with no way to enforce aptX adjustments it might be hard to achieve the same results with your earbuds on a Switch compared to the other two handheld consoles.

The Switch also only support audio output, with no reception for Bluetooth microphones. This means that to chat while you play, you still need your phone open and running the chat app separately...

Are Bluetooth Earbuds Good for Mobile Gaming?

Finally, mobile is becoming an increasingly popular gaming option on the go. While player counts for Call of Duty Mobile are reportedly much lower than anticipated, the market as a whole is still thriving.

Luckily this article is about Bluetooth audio, so I don't have to go into the validity of the mobile game space and the awfully manipulative monetisation it employs...

When it comes to Bluetooth earbuds for mobile gaming, it really depends on your device. Unlike the other options here, each phone will be vastly different to the next.

Some will support codec enhancements, some won't.

Some will be Bluetooth 5+, some will be stuck on 4.

Some will only accepted specific branded connections *Cough*Apple*Cough* and other let you choose the best device for you.

Ultimately you need to consider all the points above from the other handheld consoles. You need a pair of earbuds that supports enhancements and Bluetooth 5 speeds but could be compatible with other versions, and keeping your audio private from your mobile is arguably more important than your console.

The added benefit of using Bluetooth here is the hands-free calling and microphone use. Unlike the Nintendo Switch, your smartphone should accept Bluetooth microphone audio and use it for calls or AI Assistants. This provides a bonus way to utilise your earbuds other than just gaming.

Mobile games will often just need sound for the serotonin of the victory "pings" and jingles, so quality isn't exactly the highest priority for most mobile gamers.

Enhance Your Handheld Gaming Today

The right accessories for your ROG Ally, Steamdeck, Nintendo Switch or just your smartphone can make all the difference. Not just to you and your gaming, but to those around you, too!

Gaming in ear earphones are the best compromise of size, quality and convenience. If you know you'll need that Bluetooth audio out and about then consider which console connects best for you.

With Bluetooth 5+ in the Steamdeck and ROG Ally they are solid options! But consider your requirement for enhancements and control as well.

If you need a budget pair of gaming earphones to get you started, the EPG500 are a great way to test the water when it comes to portable gaming. At just £17.99 right now as part of our sale, EPG500 are the only TWS aptX enhanced earbuds designed for gaming under £20 a pair. Compatible with all the consoles listed above!