This $70 accessory is a must if you want to play your Nintendo Switch with wireless headphones

Advertisement
This $70 accessory is a must if you want to play your Nintendo Switch with wireless headphones

genki nintendo switch airpods

Dave Smith/Business Insider

Advertisement
  • The Genki Bluetooth adapter for the Nintendo Switch lets you listen to your games with Bluetooth headphones - something the Switch cannot do by itself.
  • Human Things, the company behind Genki, was kind enough to send me a Genki Audio Combo, which includes an adapter for mobile play, a dock adapter for when you're at home, a microphone, and a stand.
  • I've been trying the Genki audio combo for a handful of weeks, and I've come away impressed.
  • Visit Businessinsider.com for more stories.

The Genki Bluetooth adapter started as a successful Kickstarter project in June 2018.

It surpassed its $30,000 goal in less than two hours - raising more than $530,000 from over 9,000 backers.

I've had a chance to try the Genki audio combo over the last several weeks, thanks to the kind folks at Human Things, who sent me the combo to review. The Genki audio combo consists of:

  • the main Genki adapter, which plugs into the Nintendo Switch's USB-C port for mobile play;
  • a dock adapter, so you can use Bluetooth headphones with your Switch while it's connected to your TV;
  • a microphone, so you can play games that support voice chat like "Fortnite" (although this doesn't work so well in docked mode);
  • and a foldable stand, which lets you play your Switch, with the Genki attached, on a tabletop.

The Genki audio combo costs $70, which I would highly recommend getting if you plan on playing from your TV at all. Human Things also sells a standalone Genki mobile adapter for if you only play your Switch on the go; that costs $50.

Advertisement

If you're interested in learning more about the Genki, including its benefits and limitations, read on.

{{}}

First of all, Human Things sends your Genki in an adorable Nintendo Switch case, which is perfect.

First of all, Human Things sends your Genki in an adorable Nintendo Switch case, which is perfect.

All of the components fit neatly inside the case.

All of the components fit neatly inside the case.
Advertisement

The Genki case also looks great next to your other Nintendo Switch games.

The Genki case also looks great next to your other Nintendo Switch games.

Setting up the Genki couldn't be easier.

Setting up the Genki couldn't be easier.

Just take the main adapter and plug it into the USB-C port in your Nintendo Switch. Hold the button on the side of the adapter to begin pairing; at this point, find the wireless headphones you want to use, turn on "pairing mode" for those headphones, and you should connect instantly.

Advertisement

I paired my AirPods with the Genki right away. The AirPods case has a button on the back of the case for manual pairing; push that, and it syncs with Genki like a charm.

I paired my AirPods with the Genki right away. The AirPods case has a button on the back of the case for manual pairing; push that, and it syncs with Genki like a charm.

The Genki supports up to two pairs of headphones, in case you want to sync your AirPods and a pair of over-ear headphones.

The Genki supports up to two pairs of headphones, in case you want to sync your AirPods and a pair of over-ear headphones.
Advertisement

What's really neat is that the Genki supports multi-broadcasting, so you can actually play with a friend, and both of you will receive audio simultaneously. That means you and a friend can both play "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" while you both wear wireless headphones.

What's really neat is that the Genki supports multi-broadcasting, so you can actually play with a friend, and both of you will receive audio simultaneously. That means you and a friend can both play "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" while you both wear wireless headphones.

You'll never have to worry about recharging Genki. It has no batteries, and gets power from the Nintendo Switch via the USB-C port.

You'll never have to worry about recharging Genki. It has no batteries, and gets power from the Nintendo Switch via the USB-C port.

From my time with the Genki, it seemed to draw very minimal power from the Switch. That was my primary concern with this device, since the Switch doesn't have great battery life to begin with, but I'm happy to report the Genki didn't make it noticeably worse.

Advertisement

The only slight downside, which I noticed almost immediately, was that there was some audio lag — but I would call it minimal. It did not detract from my experience, and the audio cues were never so bad that it affected my performance in a game.

The only slight downside, which I noticed almost immediately, was that there was some audio lag — but I would call it minimal. It did not detract from my experience, and the audio cues were never so bad that it affected my performance in a game.

You might be tempted to buy the $50 version of Genki, which only includes the adapter, but I would highly recommend buying the $70 combo that includes the dock adapter.

You might be tempted to buy the $50 version of Genki, which only includes the adapter, but I would highly recommend buying the $70 combo that includes the dock adapter.

Buying the Genki combo also nets you a Switch stand and microphone, which are nice touches — especially since the stand is small and collapsible — but the combo is definitely worth it for the dock adapter, which lets you use wireless headphones while playing Switch on your television. Now you can enjoy your Switch games late into the night without worrying about disturbing others.

Advertisement

Overall, Genki is the total package.

Overall, Genki is the total package.

I love being able to play "Dark Souls Remastered" with my AirPods on, and I love that it supports multiplayer audio, since the Switch was really designed to be played with others.

I also love how thoughtful the hardware is; there are no additional cords, and all of the components are small, lightweight, and serve a purpose. The fact they can all be easily packaged and transported in a Nintendo Switch game case is brilliant.

If you're looking for a way to use Bluetooth headphones with your Switch, you might find other solutions out there, but none feel as polished as the Genki combo. It's well worth the $70.

Next Story'Time Bandits' director Terry Gilliam explains why he hasn't yet signed a contract to be involved in Apple's remake TV show