The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories of 2023

Update, 05/25/2023: Based on our testing, we’ve reviewed our recommendations and updated our pick for the best Nintendo Switch memory card.

Which Switch Accessories Are Worth It in 2023?

Nintendo provides the bare essentials to get you started gaming on the Switch. This includes one pair of Joy-Con controllers, a dock for playing on the TV, and a charging cable. But for comfort, convenience, and even an edge in some games, you will want to invest in additional accessories.

A full-sized controller is one investment you’ll want to make if you play in TV mode. Nintendo’s Joy-Con controllers tread the line between portability and functionality, but they’re not the most comfortable way of playing over long sessions, and they’ve been plagued with stick drift problems since the console hit the market.

If you’ve sprung for a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you’ll also get access to older games from the NES and SNES era, plus Genesis and N64 titles if you opt for the more expensive tier. You can play these titles with Joy-Con, but if you want to relive them as they were intended you might want to invest in more period-appropriate hardware.

In addition, one of the best things about the Switch is its portability, and many are drawn to the console to use it while traveling. Some accessories can make the time you spend on the move more comfortable, both in terms of feel and reducing the number of things you have to carry.

Protecting your Switch on the move and running out of power are two hurdles most owners will want to overcome, and if you want to make sure you can load up on games before a long trip then you’ll want more than the paltry 32GB of internal storage (or 64GB on the OLED model).

Even if you’re relatively happy with your Switch, a few of these accessories will make your overall experience even better, all for the price of a new cartridge or two. If you’re on a tight budget, saving some money on Switch titles to spend on hardware might sweeten the deal.

Best Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller isn’t just the most comfortable way to play Switch titles, it might just be the most comfortable controller on the entire market. It’s essential if you want to play first-person shooters and other fast-paced games on your Switch in TV mode, and it makes long play sessions much more comfortable if you have larger hands.

The controller has two full-sized analog sticks that allow for more considered movement, whether that’s your on-screen character or a crosshair. This makes aiming a weapon or traversing tricky platforming sections easier and more comfortable, and the full-sized face buttons have more travel and a better overall feel than those on the Joy-Con.

The Pro Controller includes gyro functionality for motion aiming, better HD rumble, and built-in Amiibo functionality just like the Joy-Con. The ZL and ZR triggers aren’t analog, and there’s no infrared scanner, but you won’t care when you feel the controller in your hand. It charges over USB-C and the battery lasts a whopping 40 hours.

Best Retro Nintendo Switch Controller: 8Bitdo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller

8Bitdo churns out some of the best third-party controllers on the market, so it should be no surprise that the Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller is at the top of its class. Based on the Nintendo controller layouts of yesteryear, the sleek gamepad brings a modern flair to an otherwise decidedly retro design.

Although it looks old-school, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 offers Bluetooth connectivity, Switch, PC, and mobile support, and even lets you set up custom profiles. You’ll also have access to two customizable back buttons—which is a bit light for a “pro” controller, but is a nice touch on this retro design.

Aside from customizable back buttons, you can modify the Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller’s vibration settings. There’s even a six-axis motion sensor for motion controls and adjustable hair triggers that come in handy during fast-paced multiplayer games.

Most players will find this retro gamepad a welcome addition to their collection, especially considering its price tag (which clocks in well below the wireless Switch Pro Controller mentioned above).

Best Nintendo Switch Controller Accessory: Fixture S1

The Fixture S1 makes it possible to clip your original Nintendo Switch (though not the Switch Lite or OLED) to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and enjoy a comfortable Switch gaming experience wherever you are.

You can then position the mount so it’s most comfortable for you, while still having access to the charging and headphone ports. If you do a lot of portable gaming, you may have used similar clips to secure your smartphone onto an Xbox or PlayStation controller for a more comfortable mobile gaming experience. The Fixture S1 is the same concept, just with the Switch console instead of a smartphone.

The Fixture S1 is a solid bit of kit that will hold your console securely in place while you play, using the rails on either side of the Switch unit just like the Joy-Con. Of course, like all of these mounts, the But, due to the weight of the mount, Fixture S1 can feel a bit heavy and unwieldy. If you have no problem with smartphone controller mounts, you will be fine with this one.

Basically, this mount is perfect if you find the Joy-Con controllers uncomfortable for long periods of play, or if you prefer the feel of the Pro Controller and want to get more use out of it. The Fixture S1 can also be collapsed to sit directly over the Pro Controller when not in use, so you don’t necessarily have to remove it whenever you’re done gaming.

Best Portable Nintendo Switch Dock: Human Things GENKI Global Covert Dock

If you travel with your Switch a lot and want the ability to play in TV mode at your destination, it might be worth investing in a portable dock like the GENKI Global Covert Dock from Human Things. This dock is roughly the same size as Nintendo’s official power adapter, and all you need to buy to go with it is an HDMI cable.

To use the Covert Dock, you plug the dock into the wall and then connect your Switch using the supplied USB-C cable. From there connect it to the TV or monitor you want to use, and you’re ready to play in TV mode without the bulkiness of the official dock. The Covert Dock even has a spare USB-A port—just like Nintendo’s official dock—so you can connect compatible accessories or charge your Pro Controller while you play.

Unlike the official dock, there’s nowhere to rest your Switch while you play. You’ll need to leave your Switch in a position that allows it to get plenty of airflow since TV mode always uses more power, which causes the console to get hot.

Best Nintendo Switch Battery Pack: Nyko Power Pack

While you can certainly get away with using any portable charger to extend the life of your Switch, the Nyko Power Pak is a more elegant solution. Instead of awkwardly running a cable from the battery to your Switch, the Nyko Power Pack clips onto your device, letting you continue gaming without changing your setup.

Depending on your Switch’s software, the Nyko Power Pack can provide up to double the battery life. That’s an impressive feat, and it only gets more impressive when you consider its tiny footprint and price tag. After clipping the battery pack in place, you’ll be able to easily turn the battery on and start charging your Switch.

Nyko designed the power Pak to allow full access to all of the Switch’s standard buttons, ports, and vents, meaning you shouldn’t see any impact on how you game while in handheld mode. It also comes with a built-in kickstand.

The overall finish of the battery isn’t as premium as some other products on the market, but that’s a minor complaint for an otherwise powerful (and affordable) device.

Best Nintendo Switch Memory Card: SanDisk Extreme PLUS microSDXC

The SanDisk Extreme PLUS MicroSDXC is one of the fastest cards that will work with the memory system of the Nintendo Switch. While it’s not cheap and might seem like overkill to some, this A2-rated memory card is likely to deliver noticeable performance improvements over older MicroSD cards.

With a maximum read speed of 200MB/s and a write speed of 140MB/s, the Extreme PLUS is twice as fast as many A1 cards. Yet Nintendo recommends using a MicroSD card with read speeds of between 60 and 95MB/s, so it’s easy to assume that using a faster card won’t impact loading times and other memory-dependant processes.

With an A2-rated card, optimized for reading and writing to stored applications, it isn’t just about raw speed. How efficiently it can do those things makes a big difference. In our recent tests against an older A1 card, game loading times were significantly better with the Extreme PLUS, almost on par with the internal Switch storage.

Considering the relatively high price, the Extreme PLUS might not be a cost-effective upgrade if you already have a reasonably quick, high-capacity card in your Switch. But if considering an increase in storage capacity anyway, this is a great way to get a performance boost alongside the extra space.

Best Nintendo Switch Case: Game Traveler Case

A case is essential if you want to keep your Switch in good condition while traveling. We don’t think you need to spend much money on a case, which is why the Game Traveler Nintendo Switch Case gets our pick. It’s tough, fits all models of Nintendo Switch, and comes in at less than $20.

The sturdy fabric outer shell should protect your Switch from bumps and drops, with a carry handle and soft inner lining to prevent the screen from getting scuffed in transit. There’s room for the Switch and up to 8 games inside, so you’ll need to carry your power adapter, controllers, and dock separately if you’re taking it with you.

The Game Traveler case will protect your Switch against most drops and stop your console from getting scratched up in a bag, but there’s a limit to the protection it provides. It’s a light case at a low price point, but tougher cases exist (particularly if you’re worried about crushing damage). A few Amazon reviewers have noted a strong plastic smell coming from the case, with many noting that this dissipates over time.

If you want something a little more expansive (and willing to pay more), give the Zadii Hard Carrying Case a look instead.

Frequently Asked Questions