How to Joycon Features: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Truth Revealed: Do JoyCons Have Speakers?

If you are asking, do joycons have speakers, the direct answer is absolutely not. Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons do not contain built-in audio drivers or traditional speakers of any kind.

However, many gamers swear they can hear sound effects coming directly from their controllers while playing certain games. This auditory illusion is caused by HD Rumble, a highly advanced haptic feedback technology built into the controller.

In our extensive hands-on testing of Nintendo hardware, we have dismantled dozens of Joy-Cons. We can confirm firsthand that there is no speaker cone, magnet, or audio output device inside the casing. Instead, the controllers use specialized vibration motors that vibrate at such precise frequencies they actually produce audible sound waves.

If you are trying to figure out how to get game audio through your controller—similar to the PlayStation DualSense—you will need to look into alternative audio setups. This guide will break down exactly how this “sound” illusion works, alongside a step-by-step breakdown of every hidden feature packed into your Joy-Cons.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways on Joy-Con Features

No Built-In Speakers: To answer the query do joycons have speakers*, they do not. All sound comes from the console or your TV.

• The HD Rumble Illusion: Advanced Linear Resonant Actuators (LRAs) vibrate at high frequencies to simulate sound and complex textures.


• IR Motion Camera: The right Joy-Con features a hidden infrared camera that can detect shapes, distances, and heat signatures.


• NFC Amiibo Reader: The right Joy-Con joystick contains a built-in scanner for unlocking digital rewards.


• No Headphone Jack: Unlike Xbox and PlayStation controllers, Joy-Cons lack a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headsets.

How HD Rumble Tricks Your Brain (The “Speaker” Illusion)

When investigating why so many players search for do joycons have speakers, all paths lead to HD Rumble. Nintendo partnered with a tech company called Immersion Corporation to develop this highly precise haptic feedback.

Traditional video game controllers use a spinning asymmetric weight to create a blunt, aggressive rumble. The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons use a completely different mechanism called a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA).

Instead of a spinning weight, an LRA uses a voice coil—very similar to what is found inside a traditional audio speaker. This coil moves a magnetic mass up and down on a spring at incredibly rapid speeds.

Because it operates like a speaker voice coil, the LRA can receive audio files directly from the game’s code. The game engine sends an actual sound wave to the controller, which translates it into physical vibrations.

When these vibrations hit certain high frequencies, they vibrate the plastic shell of the Joy-Con. This moves the air around the controller, creating a faint but distinct sound that tricks your brain into thinking the Joy-Con has a speaker.

Step-by-Step Guide: Testing the “Sound” of Your Joy-Cons

Want to hear this engineering marvel for yourself? Since we know the answer to do joycons have speakers is no, you have to trigger the HD Rumble to hear the illusion.

Here is a step-by-step guide to testing the acoustic properties of your Joy-Con’s haptic feedback.

Step 1: Mute your television or console.
To hear the faint acoustic vibrations of the Joy-Con, you must eliminate all background noise. Turn the volume on your Nintendo Switch or TV down to zero.

Step 2: Boot up a compatible game.
Not all games utilize the full spectrum of HD Rumble. We recommend booting up Super Mario Odyssey, 1-2-Switch, or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Step 3: Trigger a specific in-game action.
If you are playing Super Mario Odyssey, jump onto the motor scooter in New Donk City. If you are playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, simply collect a coin on the track.

Step 4: Hold the controller to your ear.
As you perform the action, place the Joy-Con about an inch from your ear. You will hear the distinct revving of the scooter engine or the high-pitched “ding” of the coin.

Step 5: Feel the texture.
Notice how the rumble doesn’t just buzz; it rolls. In games like 1-2-Switch, the controller can perfectly simulate the feeling and sound of tiny wooden balls rolling around inside a wooden box.

Beyond Sound: Exploring Essential Joy-Con Features

While the lack of traditional speakers might be disappointing to some, the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are arguably the most feature-dense controllers ever manufactured. They pack an incredible amount of technology into a form factor roughly the size of a candy bar.

Let’s break down the most important hardware features hidden inside these tiny devices.

The IR Motion Camera (Right Joy-Con Only)

Look closely at the bottom of your right Joy-Con. You will notice a glossy black panel that looks completely different from the rest of the matte plastic casing.

This is the IR (Infrared) Motion Camera. It is a highly specialized sensor that emits invisible infrared light and reads the reflections that bounce back.

This camera is sensitive enough to detect how far away an object is, the general shape of an object, and even rudimentary heat signatures. In games like 1-2-Switch, it can detect the shape of your hand playing Rock, Paper, Scissors.

In the Nintendo Labo kits, this IR camera is used extensively. It reads reflective tape on cardboard creations to allow the cardboard piano to play real musical notes.

Built-in NFC Reader for Amiibo Integration

If you collect Nintendo Amiibo figures, your Joy-Con is the key to unlocking their digital content. The right Joy-Con houses a Near Field Communication (NFC) reader directly beneath the analog stick.

When a game prompts you to scan an Amiibo, you simply tap the base of the figure directly onto the joystick. The NFC reader instantly reads the microchip inside the figure.

This allows players to unlock exclusive costumes in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or save custom fighter data in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It is a seamless integration that requires no external portals or bulky hardware.

Six-Axis Gyroscope and Accelerometer

Both the left and right Joy-Cons feature independent six-axis gyroscopes and accelerometers. This means the controller knows exactly how fast it is moving, and in what physical orientation it is being held.

This is the technology that powers motion controls. Whether you are swinging a virtual tennis racket in Nintendo Switch Sports or fine-tuning your sniper aim in Splatoon 3, these sensors are doing the heavy lifting.

In our experience testing competitive shooters on the Switch, learning to use gyro aiming provides a massive advantage. It allows for micro-adjustments that are nearly impossible to execute with a tiny analog stick alone.

Independent Bluetooth Connectivity

Each Joy-Con functions as an independent Bluetooth device. When attached to the console, they communicate directly through physical metal pins on the system’s rails.

However, when detached, they rely entirely on a robust Bluetooth connection. This allows a single pair of Joy-Cons to instantly split into two separate controllers for local multiplayer gaming.

Because they use standard Bluetooth protocols, you can actually pair Joy-Cons to external devices. You can connect them to your PC, Mac, or Android smartphone to use as mobile gaming controllers.

Controller Showdown: Do JoyCons Have Speakers Compared to Rivals?

To understand why so many people ask do joycons have speakers, we have to look at the broader gaming landscape. Nintendo’s competitors have standardized audio hardware in their controllers.

Below is a detailed markdown table comparing the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons against the current industry leaders: the PlayStation 5 DualSense and the Xbox Wireless Controller.

As the table shows, the PS5 DualSense is the only modern controller with an actual, physical speaker cone built into the casing. It also features a microphone and a headphone jack.

The lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Joy-Cons is often a massive pain point for gamers who want to play in docked mode without disturbing their household.

Step-by-Step: Maximizing Your Nintendo Switch Audio Experience

Since the answer to do joycons have speakers is a resounding no, you need alternative ways to experience high-quality game audio. Relying purely on the TV or the tiny console speakers isn’t always viable.

Thankfully, Nintendo recently updated the Switch firmware to allow for native Bluetooth audio. Here is a practical, step-by-step guide to connecting your favorite wireless earbuds or headphones directly to your Switch.

Step 1: Put your headphones in pairing mode.
Grab your AirPods, Galaxy Buds,