Key Takeaways
- The Creative BT-W5 dongle streamlines seamless connectivity across a range of devices for improved Bluetooth audio quality.
- The Creative BT-W5 supports the aptX codec, improving sound quality, reducing latency, and eliminating Bluetooth multipoint issues.
- The BT-W5 is perfect for headphone users looking for a wireless audio upgrade to improve their audio experience on PC, consoles and Mac devices.
As I wrote in December, one of my favorite ways to play Nintendo Switch is on the couch next to my girlfriend. She can watch TV while I play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Even though we’re not doing the same things, we’re still spending time together, and I get to play our favorite games on the amazing screen of the Switch OLED.
I use my Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones when playing my portable Switch, which is a win-win for everyone involved — my partner isn’t bothered by noise from my open-back Sennheiser HD 58X headphones, and I can’t hear the TV — but lately I’ve noticed something’s missing.
If you know anything about the Switch, you probably know how this goes. The Nintendo handheld has supported Bluetooth since 2021, but that support is limited to SBC. Even if you’ve never heard of SBC, you’ve probably used it. When you associate Bluetooth with poor audio quality, it’s almost always SBC that’s the culprit.
Think of it this way: SBC is to Bluetooth codecs what SMS is to messaging. All Bluetooth devices support SBC, and if two devices trying to pair don’t support the same set of protocols, they will default to SBC for audio playback. This is great for interoperability, but the problem with SBC is that it doesn’t sound particularly great. It’s a lossy format, so not all of the audio information the source device sends is preserved in transit. For gaming, SBC can also suffer from latency issues.
Over the past decade, there has been a lot of innovation in this space, mostly due to Qualcomm. As of 2024, the company has several different codecs under its name, all of which fundamentally provide a better experience than SBC. Again, the issue is interoperability.
Take my WH-1000XM3 headphones, for example. Besides SBC, they support AAC, Qualcomm’s aptX and aptX HD codecs, and Sony’s proprietary LDAC protocol. Because the Switch is limited to SBC, my Sony headphones sound a bit worse when connected to the Switch than, say, an iPhone. It’s not a huge difference, but it does make certain background tracks or audio cues feel flat when playing games.
Thankfully, I’ve found an easy and affordable way to improve the sound quality on my Switch and pretty much every device I own over Bluetooth: the Creative BT-W5.
Recommendation
BT-W5
The Creative BT-W5 is a USB-C dongle that expands the Bluetooth capabilities of your Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation, Mac, and PC devices, allowing you to transmit Bluetooth audio via the Qualcomm aptX codec.
- Small and easy to use
- Support for aptX, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive
- Compatible with Switch, PlayStation, Windows and Mac
- USB-A adapter not included
- A bit pricey
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Pricing, Availability and Specifications
The BT-W5 can be purchased on Amazon and Creative’s website for $50.
If you’re looking to save money, Creative also offers the BT-W3X, which has all the features of the BT-W5 except for aptX Adaptive compatibility, and as a result, is usually $10 cheaper.
What I like about the Creative BT-W5
Nearly perfect package
Creative’s pitch for the BT-W5 is simple: it’s a thumb-sized dongle that plugs into your Switch, Windows PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, or PS5 to expand those devices’ Bluetooth capabilities. Requiring no additional software, the device transmits the audio signal your computer or console produces in the highest aptX codec supported by Bluetooth headphones. From highest to lowest, the W5 supports aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, and SBC. For Qualcomm’s latest protocol, you can configure the W5 to default to either the codec’s high-quality or low-latency mode.
While I didn’t have a chance to test the W5 with Sony’s console, using the accessory is seamless on the Switch, Windows, and macOS. For example, when I plugged the W5 into my Switch, the console immediately recognized the device and switched into its built-in USB DAC mode. At that point, I could continue to adjust the volume using the physical controls on the Switch. On PC and Mac, the process of using the W5 was only slightly more complicated; on those platforms, I had to first change the sound output, which required digging through the respective quick settings for each operating system. Either way, Creative has made the W5 as user-friendly as possible, and it works as promised.
No matter which device I connected my headphones to using the dongle, I could immediately notice a difference in audio quality and latency. This was especially noticeable on the Switch, where the W5 allowed me to connect my headphones to the console via aptX HD. Playing Hollow Knight, for example, Christopher Larkin’s eerie soundtrack felt richer and more detailed, with better separation between instruments, while audio cues like the sounds of the Knight’s claws sounded more impactful. I was a big fan of Hollow Knight’s audio design, and now I appreciate it even more after experiencing the game with better sound.
No matter which device I connected the headphones to using the dongle, I could immediately notice a difference in audio quality and latency.
Now, if the W5 simply offered an easy way to get better Bluetooth audio from your device, I’d be recommending it to people. But this device does much more than that. For starters, it eliminates one of the more annoying aspects of using older Bluetooth headphones.
My Sony headphones don’t support Bluetooth multipoint, so when I want to connect them to my iPhone, Switch, or Mac, I have to first disconnect them from the device I was using them on before. With the W5, I don’t have to do that. Instead, I just plug the dongle into the device I want to use the headphones with, power it on, and the W5 does the rest. It can remember four connections at once, and switching between them is easy with the press of the accessory’s only button. In my testing, the W5 was also fast to connect with the WH-1000XM3, and did a good job of maintaining a stable connection.
I’m also a fan of the Creative app. You don’t need to install it on your computer to use the W5 on Windows or Mac, but the software lets you set up a custom EQ, which I think is essential to getting the best sound out of bass-heavy headphones like the WH-1000XM3. I also liked that you could change the order in which the W5 cycles between paired devices.
Related
How the aptX HD Codec Improves Bluetooth Performance
Bluetooth technology isn’t quite the same as wired audio quality, but aptX HD helps bridge the gap.
What I didn’t like about the Creative BT-W5
Not so much
My only complaint about the BT-W5 is that it doesn’t come with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, something that competing aptX dongles include, notably the Sennheiser BTD 600. Thankfully, I had a spare adapter, but the W5 is one of the most expensive aptX dongles on the market, so the fact that there’s no adapter in the box is worth considering.
Should I buy the Creative BT-W5?
Yes, if you’re looking to upgrade the audio on your PC or console, and you own headphones that can take advantage of the W5’s aptX connectivity, then I highly recommend this device.
Apart from that, I think this is a great way to extend the life of old Bluetooth headphones. I was looking to replace my Sony WH-1000XM3 because after 6 years of use, switching connections got too much of a pain. With the W5 and some new ear pads, I think I can get 10 years out of my Bluetooth headphones. I love a gadget that can do that.
Recommendation
