Marsback Bluetooth Adapter Review: Bluetooth Now Works On Nintendo Switch

Who Is The Marsback Bluetooth Adapter For?

• The Marsback Bluetooth adapter is ideal for anyone who wants to use Bluetooth headphones when gaming on a Nintendo Switch
• The adapter is also versatile and works with PC, PS4, and PS5
• The adapter allows for two headsets to be paired for multiplayer gaming

When the Nintendo Switch was announced, gamers were expecting the console/handheld hybrid to support Bluetooth audio. To the surprise of many, the Switch only allows for wired headsets to be used with any additional hardware. However, with the Marsback Bluetooth adapter, not one, but two Bluetooth headsets can be paired to the Switch. This makes multiplayer gaming on the go so much better.

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The Switch Doesn't Have Bluetooth?

Before diving into the review of the Marsback Bluetooth adapter, let's first dig into why the Nintendo Switch (along with most other gaming consoles) doesn't support Bluetooth in the first place. While Bluetooth is a powerful way to wirelessly transfer data, it's somewhat slow.

To test this out for yourself, use some Bluetooth headphones and watch a video on your phone. Notice how the audio lags behind the video a little bit? Now imagine playing a game, where audio cues can lead to success or failure. Getting an audio cue late would make it ineffective or even detrimental. That's why gaming companies haven't readily embraced Bluetooth technology.

Did Marsback Fix The Lag?

If Bluetooth has a lag issue, does that mean Marsback fixed it with their adapter? Well, no. There is still a noticeable lag when using standard Bluetooth headphones. This lag isn't very long, and is most noticeable when in game menus, but it's still there. I don't have any way to get a precise measurement on how long the lag is, but I would guess around half a second.

While there is a lag, it's only really detrimental for certain games. For example, I still can easily get a perfect circuit when playing Mario Kart 8, but I wouldn't use the adapter to play a multiplayer game like Fortnite or the newly released Apex Legends.

To try and reduce the lag as much as possible, the Marsback adapter does support aptX and low-latency headphones. These technologies pump out Bluetooth audio faster than traditional Bluetooth, reducing the lag between video and audio. The lag is still noticeable with aptX-enabled headphones, but it isn't nearly as long as when using standard Bluetooth headphones.

Faith Pairing Works Surprisingly Well

When pairing a Bluetooth headset to a device like a phone, computer or car, the process is simple. Go to the Bluetooth settings of the device you are using, and select the headset you want paired. From there, you are good to go. But what do you do when the device doesn't have a Bluetooth settings page, like the Switch?

This is what I call "faith pairing." To pair headphones to the Marsback Bluetooth adapter, the headphones need to be in pairing mode, then one of the two buttons on the adapter needs to be pressed. From there, simply wait until the headphones pair with the adapter. It takes a little bit of faith to trust that the pairing will be successful, but it has worked nearly every time I have tried it. I did have to turn some headphones on and off again a few times, but every pair I tested did eventually connect.

I do imagine this faith pairing could become less reliable if I were somewhere around more people. For example, I imagine more than one person is likely trying to pair a Bluetooth headset to a device when waiting for an airplane to start boarding. I don't know for a fact that this could be an issue, but given there aren't any ways to confirm the headset being paired is the intended one, it could be something to keep in mind.

The good news for pairing is that the Marsback Bluetooth adapter can save up to two connections. This means if you have one or two headsets already paired with the adapter, you shouldn't have to worry about re-pairing anything. If you happen to get a new headset or want to pair a different one, all that is needed to do is hold both headset pairing buttons until the lights flash and the adapter's memory has been wiped.

Two Headsets Is Double The Trouble

Pairing one headset to the Marsback Bluetooth adapter is generally pain-free, but getting a second one paired is surprisingly challenging. I'm fairly certain the adapter can only handle two headsets of the same type. For example, one headset I was using has aptX technology and another didn't. I could not get those two headsets to pair at the same time, no matter how many times I tried.

However, I found a third Bluetooth headset that also does not feature aptX. My two non-aptX headsets did manage to pair together on the Marsback adapter. When both were paired, they offered identical audio output with comparable lag despite being vastly different headsets.

To further cement my theory, I ended up finding another aptX-enabled headset. Guess what? Both aptX-enabled headsets could pair together, though it did take me a decent amount of tinkering to get both to pair.

Super Compatible

One of the best parts of the Marsback Bluetooth adapter is that it is compatible with a wide variety of devices. The most obvious is with a Nintendo Switch, as there are no options for the Switch when it comes to native wireless headphones.

Along with the Switch, the Marsback adapter can be used with a PS4, a PS5 and a PC. This is perfect for my aging computer as it doesn't have Bluetooth support built-in. Now I can quickly jump from my computer to my Switch without having to change headphones. All I need to do is move the adapter from one device to the other.

Unfortunately, because the Marsback adapter supports PS4 and PS5 audio, this means it is not compatible with Xbox devices. Also, the adapter is purely for audio. It can't be used for in-game chat or even to talk to people on a PC. If PC gamers really want to use the Marsback adapter for gaming, a separate microphone could be used as an input if desired.

Great Audio

The Marsback Bluetooth adapter doesn't muddy the audio quality when transmitting. In fact, I found a few fun little audio Easter eggs when playing Mario Kart 8 with some quality headphones that I had never heard before. Seeing as how limited the ability to actually listen to Switch audio with headphones is, especially wirelessly, the Marsback adapter is one of the best ways to bring great headphones to the Switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

I figured there were a few common questions that would arise from a Nintendo Switch Bluetooth adapter, and here are the answers I have found:

Q: Do headset volume controls adjust the Switch's volume?

A: No.

Q: Are there headset battery life indicators on the adapter or Switch?

A: No.

Q: Can you use the Switch kickstand while using the Marsback adapter?

A: No.

Q: Does the adapter work in both handheld and docked mode on the Switch?

A: Yes, although getting the adapter plugged into the dock can be annoying especially if you use a USB-powered controller. I use a USB-C extension cable to make it easier for the adapter to fit.

Q: Can you charge the Switch while using the adapter?

A: No, unless using the adapter in docked mode.

Q: Does the adapter work with a Switch Lite?

A: Yes.

Q: Is the included 3.5mm plug needed for anything?

A: As far as I can tell, no. Everything I mentioned above was done only with the USB-C adapter and USB-C to USB converter. I'm not sure what that little plug is even for.

Final Thoughts

The Marsback Bluetooth adapter is fantastic for Switch owners. We can finally use our Bluetooth headsets to play games on the Switch! Yes, there is a lag with audio, but I found it to be manageable enough to still play many games successfully. Add in the fact that two people can use the adapter, and multiplayer Switch gaming on the go just got so much better.

Pairing headsets to the adapter does take a little faith, and more than enough patience if trying to pair two. Once everything is paired, however, the same headsets can easily be used on Switch, PC, PS4 or PS5 without having to pair anything again.

With all of that functionality, the Marsback Bluetooth adapter is still only $40, and is on sale right now for $24. The adapter is available exclusively through the Marsback website.