Anyone who has ever bought a video game console before knows that you can’t only buy the console. On top of that price tag, you’ll also need to factor in games to play and possibly other accessories. The Nintendo Switch is not an exception to this rule, which is why we've hand-picked the essential Nintendo Switch accessories to enhance your gaming experience.
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Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- More traditional controller.
- Easy to connect
- Less prone to drift
- Doesn't work with every game
When you want a more conventional controller experience, the aptly titled Pro Controller is the way to go. Although you can separate the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers for a greater range of motion, they lack the ever-important D-Pad that’s essential for many games.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is our favorite way to play the Switch. With an increased analog stick size and big, responsive buttons, the Pro Controller rivals the quality of both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers. It’s a bit pricey at $70, but the Pro Controller should be at the top of your Switch accessory wishlist — ahead of an extra set of Joy-Cons!
PDP Wired Fight Pad Pro
- Best Smash controller for Switch
- Great for retro gaming
- Changeable parts
- Wired option only
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most popular games on Nintendo Switch, but playing it with the Joy-Con or even the Pro Controller feels downright wrong. You can use an adapter to plug in official GameCube controllers, but PDP offers an alternative with great performance in Smash and other games.
The Wired Fight Pad Pro has a shape and stick layout almost identical to the GameCube controller. It features a standard right analog stick you can swap out for a C-stick. Even more, it retains the Switch’s capture and home buttons along with shoulder buttons, making it compatible with most Switch games.
8BitDo Wireless Controller Adapter
- Lets you use your favorite controllers
- Cheaper than most controllers
- Can be used on multiple devices
- Takes a bit to set up
We include 8BitDo’s controller Bluetooth adapter because you probably already own a few great controllers designed for other consoles. If you simply love their feel, save some money and purchase this adapter to keep the good times rolling on Switch.
Simply plug this adapter into a USB-A port on the Switch Dock. After that, you can pair the Xbox One S/X Bluetooth controller after a firmware update. For PlayStation owners, you can use the DualShock 3, DualShock 4, and DualShock 4 Pro controllers. It’s compatible with the Wiimote, Wii U Pro, Switch Joy-Cons, and Switch Pro, too.
Yes, it’s weird to use a PS4 controller on Switch at first, but it’s also pretty darn awesome. You can also use the 8BitDo Wireless Controller Adapter with Windows, MacOS, Android, Raspberry Pi, and Retrofreak.
PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller
- Fully customizable
- Back paddles
- Wired and wireless modes
- Expensive
A step above the regular Pro Controller, the PowerA Fusion has everything you want from a more standard gamepad but with the added functionality of having four back paddles to make it easier to keep your thumbs on the sticks. The overall construction of this controller is also amazing, feeling secure, weighty (but not heavy), and durable. It can also be used either wired or wirelessly and comes with a rechargeable battery.
Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Grip
- More comfortable
- Cheap
- Easy to slide in and out of
- Doesn't charge your Joy-Cons
Joy-Cons charge while attached to the docked Switch. When you use them individually or together in the console's bundled grip, they eventually need the Switch to recharge.
Nintendo’s Charging Grip looks and feels like the bundled model. However, it charges the attached Joy-Cons using a pass-through current via a USB-A to USB-C tethered connection to the dock. This device does not include a rechargeable battery.
Ultimately, the Charging Grip performs like a makeshift wired controller while it recharges the attached Joy-Cons. The Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Grip could be a cheaper alternative to purchasing the Pro Controller.
HORI Switch car charger
- Recharge on the go
- Fast charging
- Compact and easy to store
- Not all cars have this outlet
The Nintendo Switch is great for long road trips, but the battery doesn’t last forever. If your car provides USB ports for charging, you could use a USB-C to USB-A cable to charge the console. If not, your next option is to use the car’s cigarette lighter-style 12V auxiliary power outlet and a compatible charger.
Enter the HORI Switch car charger. Built for 12V auxiliary power outlets, it features a 6-foot cable with a USB-C connector on one end and a DC adapter on the other. This length allows you to access the adapter from anywhere in your vehicle. It’s also compact so you can store it at all times.
The HORI Switch car charger adapter supports 5V/3A for high-speed charging.
PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock
- Charges up to four controllers at once
- Fast charging
- Small form factor
- Imprecise charging indicators
This charging dock comes in handy if you have additional Joy-Cons. It supports up to four inactive controllers simultaneously, allowing for a constant rotation of gaming goodness.
To charge, slide each controller down into a slot, just as you would on the Switch. A dedicated LED on top shines red when charging and green when complete. The PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock features a weighted base and an underside cable.
Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PD
- Huge battery life
- Light and easy to travel with
- USB-C fast charging
- Pricey
This behemoth of an external battery can add around 15 more hours of playtime to your Switch, plus it can be used to charge as you play. The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 PD features a USB and USB-C charging port, allowing you to power two devices at once if you need. The USB-C, of course, allows for lightning-fast charging. The entire thing weighs under a pound and can easily last your entire trip before needing a charge itself.
HORI Multiport USB Playstand
- Easy to transport
- Great for two players on the go
- Sturdy build quality
- Limited adjustment options
Want to take your Switch to a friend’s house and use it in tabletop mode? You can easily do so with the system’s internal stand or an inexpensive plastic accessory, but you won’t have the dock’s USB ports. There’s no way to tether multiple controllers simultaneously using these methods.
The HORI Multiport USB Playstand solves this problem by supplying four USB-A (2.0) ports. It cradles your Switch while providing an adjustable viewing angle and a small profile for the ultimate tabletop mode. It has a power pass-through component as well, so you can connect the official AC adapter and keep your Switch charged.
S-Charge
- Sleek charging
- Holds a good charge
- Not super heavy
- Stand is somewhat flimsy
Playing your Switch in handheld or tabletop mode is a great option for gaming on the go, but your battery can die quickly. With the S-Charge (previously SwitchCharge), you not only get a far superior stand than the Switch’s built-in version but also an included 10,000mAh battery to keep your Switch fully charged for hours.
The S-Charge packs two slots to store extra game cartridges and a single USB-A port to charge your smartphone while you play. You’ll also find a USB-C port to connect the Switch power adapter to charge both the console and the stand’s built-in battery. You can plug it directly into the dock as well.
Lamicall Adjustable Switch Stand
- Works with tons of devices
- Very adjustable
- Won't slip or fall
- No built-in charger
Technically, this stand was made for tablets, but the Switch works perfectly with this device that lets you freely adjust the viewing angle in a secure, lightweight, stand. The rubber feet make it stick to any surface you place it on, and the two joints let you set the screen exactly where it's most comfortable. While it can't charge the Switch via a battery, there's ample room to plug in your device.
myCharge
- Sleek design
- Can be used in tabletop or handheld mode
- Up to 10 hours of extra playtime
- Battery indicator not helpful
myCharge is one of the top-of-the-line portable charging battery packs you can get for your Switch. It secures easily, isn't too bulky, and can give you up to 10 more hours of playtime on a full charge. It powers your console via 7000mAh and a 1.5A output, plus it doubles as a much better kickstand than the Switch's default stand. The handy LED light indicators make it easy to know just how much time you have left before needing to worry about charging the pack itself.
Samsung EVO+ 256GB UHS-I microSDXC U3 Memory Card
- Huge storage
- Super-fast loading
- Very easy to install
- A little expensive
The Samsung EVO+ 256GB UHS-I microSDXC U3 Memory Card should all but solve your storage issues (for most players, at least). With class-10 speed from one of the most respected manufacturers in storage, you can’t go wrong. It supports read speeds of up to 95MB per second. The 256GB of storage is almost overkill, but if you have gone all-digital, this is the one to get to avoid running out of space.
AmazonBasics Vault Case
- Very sturdy
- Extra space for games
- Foam interior
- Not the highest-quality option on the market
You don’t always need to carry around your Nintendo Switch with all of its accessories. Occasionally, all you’ll need is the system itself and a few extra games. That’s where the AmazonBasics Vault Case comes in handy.
The AmazonBasics Vault Case sports a rugged hard-shell design to protect your Switch against accidental bumps. Inside, it provides enough room to cradle your Switch and has a game-storage flap holding up to eight cartridges. A foam insert provides additional padding, complete with cutouts for the Joy-Cons’ analog sticks and face buttons.
If you’re traveling on a bus or plane, however, there are a few more worthy options.
RDS Industries Game Traveler Deluxe System Case
- Tons of storage
- Comfortable handle
- Airport-safe
- Big
When your Switch needs ultimate on-the-go protection, this is the case to grab. It’s a hard-shell briefcase featuring organized slips for everything Switch-related. It houses all the necessary Switch components and even includes dust-proof cases for both games and microSD cards.
The RDS Deluxe System Case works well for those wishing to take their Switch through airport security — or simply to a friend’s house. We love this case, but consider it a secondary case alongside the PDP model.
PDP Nintendo Switch Elite Player Backpack
- Cool design
- Soft fabric
- Intuitive pocket design
- Not a ton of storage space
Need something larger? Go one size up with PDP’s Switch backpack. If you’re constantly on the go with your Switch at your side, it’s a convenient and safe way to transport your beloved console.
The PDP Elite Player Backpack handles all your Switch goods: the console, dock, cables, games, six extra Joy-Cons, a Pro Controller, headphones, and even a laptop. Internal pockets present screen-printed labels so you know what goes where. Note that this bag is not TSA-ready.
ZAGG InvisibleShield Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- Very scratch-resistant
- Easy to put on
- Smudge- and finger print-resistant
- Hard to remove if needed
The Switch ships with a plastic screen that’s prone to scratches. That means you should purchase a screen protector as soon as possible. We highly recommend tempered glass, as plastic protectors accumulate scratches while the tempered glass remains crisp and clear.
Cut perfectly to fit the Switch’s screen, the ZAGG InvisibleShield Tempered Glass Screen Protector is your final solution for protecting your device. It is designed to resist all scratches and dents, as well as smudges and fingerprints thanks to an oil-resistant design. Applying the screen is easy, and the tabs eliminate any danger of air bubbles forming underneath.
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