The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories Include Controllers And Headsets

Best for: Increased comfort during long gaming sessions, especially those who need a larger grip.

Depending what types of games you like to play, and how long you like to sit down and play for, holding the Nintendo Switch in your hand may not be the most comfortable thing. Luckily, adding an external controller is quite simple, and Nintendo’s official Switch Pro Controller is my pick for the best Nintendo Switch controller you can add to your setup.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has motion controls, HD rumble and amiibo functionality built-in. This means that you won’t be making any sacrifices in features or gameplay by using this controller instead of the console. It’s compatible with the Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED and it offers up to 40 hours of gameplay before needing a charge. It has textured sides, wider joysticks and is designed with ergonomics in mind so that you can use it for hours on end without needing to put it down.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer raved about how it improved her gameplay. “I had been using off brand controllers for years with my Nintendo Switch. I assumed I just sucked at video games because I am an old woman with arthritis and carpal tunnel. Well, believe it or not I can actually play Minecraft and Palia with this controller! I sucked at aiming with a bow and arrow. With this controller I can actually do it! It’s quiet—not a lot of clicky sounds like the off brands. It turns the Switch on, so no getting up and down. I also love that it is not ‘hollow’ and feels solid in my hands. Also, it holds a charge for twice as long as any of the controllers I’ve used in the past.”

Pros:

• Ergonomic, sturdy grip
• Compatible with all Switch models
• Strong battery life

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive
• Limited color options

Best for: Enjoying a comfortable grip without worrying about your battery life.

PowerA makes some of the best affordable Nintendo Switch accessories—and they’re officially licensed by Nintendo to make them. This means that they’re well designed, built to last and fully compatible with your Switch. If you don’t want to spend a ton, but want a new controller, the PowerA Nintendo Switch Wired Controller is a great option.

It comes in 10 different color options, ranging from plain black to Mario and Holiday Sweater variants. It has a detachable 10-foot cable, making it perfect regardless of whether you’re playing up close or on your TV. Because it’s wired, you don’t have to remember to charge it, too. You do miss out on some of the features that the Pro controller offers, like HD rumble, amiibo and motion controls, but at less than half the price you can easily overlook that.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says it “Works exactly as intended. Feels slightly cheap but I love the snappiness of the buttons. Bought to play Tears of the Kingdom and I’m at 250 hours of heavy use on the controller; there have been zero issues with drift, buttons sticking, etc. But just know it has no internal battery, so has to stay plugged in.”

Pros:

• Plenty of color options
• Affordable
• A 10-foot cord to game anywhere in the room

Cons:

• Wired

Best for: Adding an affordable, no-frills gaming headset to your Switch.

The Nintendo Switch can support any set of headphones, meaning you can likely use some you already have around the house, but that means another thing to charge. If you want something dedicated to gaming that alleviates the risk of failing to remember one more thing, the PDP AirLite headphones are the best option. 

With 40 mm drivers and a lightweight build, you can wear them for hours on end. There’s a noise-canceling mic built right into the headset, and simply flipping it up mutes it so you won’t have to fumble around looking for a button. The built-in cable is five feet long, allowing you plenty of room to not be right on top of your Switch. The headset comes in nine different color options, too.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says that he “needed a set of headphones for my son’s switch. Bluetooth didn’t seem to want to work correctly, could hear but couldn’t talk. So wired we went. I have to say for the money these are awesome. Now he can talk to his buddies and they can hear him better than the earbud style he had before. I have since bought a pair for my nephew to upgrade his headphones. I would highly recommend.”

Pros:

• No battery to recharge
• Several fun color options

Cons:

• Wire may get in the way for some
• Reports of microphone failures

Best for: Anyone who wants to bring a dock on the go.

The Nintendo Switch comes with a dock in the box, but it’s not perfect, and moving it from room to room can be a pain. The Siwiqu is about one-third the overall size of the official Nintendo dock, making it far more portable and easier to carry around. There’s no piece covering the display on this dock, which means no potential to scratch your screen like the official dock can. It has an HDMI, USB-C, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 port, giving you plenty of connection options. There’s also a one-tap option on the back to switch between Tabletop and TV modes on the Switch. You can play your Switch while it charges using this dock, and it has built-in protections to prevent overpowering or overheating your console.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says “I had lots of problems trying to find a dock that worked with the Switch so I could travel with it and play on different TVs without taking my official one from home with me. This one worked perfectly.”

Pros:

• Smaller size than official dock
• Does not cover the screen

Cons:

• Lag with some accessories
• Not compatible with some Switch cases

Best for: People who like peace of mind using official accessories.

Whether you misplaced your original AC adapter or just want an extra to have on hand, going with Nintendo’s official option is best. There are a lot of chargers on the market, but unfortunately not all of them are created equal—and saving a few bucks upfront on the charger could have some negative long-term effects on your console.

This is the same adapter that’s included with every Nintendo Switch when it comes new in the box. The 5-foot USB-C cable is attached to the power adapter, so you don’t need to worry about keeping track of multiple pieces.

What the editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs uses this charger for her Switch. “It charges my Nintendo Switch quickly and efficiently. The long cable cord is a plus for when setting it on a desk or a table, too.”

Pros:

• Officially compatible with all models
• Reliable

Cons:

• Bit more expensive
• Only comes in one length option

Best for: Adding more built-in storage without spending a lot.

SanDisk is one of the leaders in the portable storage space. This officially licensed microSD card for the Nintendo Switch is a perfect addition to any gamer’s console, whether you just want to play a few games or want to download a library of favorites.

There are several different styles of the card, ranging from Yoshi to Legend of Zelda, Fortnite and even Animal Crossing. The design is purely an aesthetic change, though—none of these come loaded with any games or additional content. You can pick from a few storage options, starting at 64 GB and going up to 1 TB, depending how much you plan to store on the card. I recommend going with at least the 128 GB option, but most would probably benefit from upgrading to 256 GB. You can store digital games, your progress and even your favorite media on the card, so you don’t have to decide which game to uninstall next.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says “No issues. It works great. Speeds are good. I bought it for more space for my Nintendo switch OLED model and the SD card that was in it can now go in my switch lite. Now I can play more games on it. I’ve had problems with other SD cards causing corrupted data but this one doesn’t. I like the Zelda logo on it too which made me want this one instead of any others that may be slightly cheaper.”

Pros:

• Several storage options available
• Officially licensed and features a fun design

Cons:

• More expensive than some other options
• The higher storage you buy, the more expensive it is

Best for: People who want to travel with their Switch protected.

I love my Switch’s portability, but at its current price, I get a little nervous every time I have to travel with it. The screen is the biggest part of the Switch, and keeping that safe while on the go is quite important (and, coming from personal experience, it’s very easy to scratch). A good carrying case is absolutely needed, and this Orzly option not only protects your Switch while on-the-go, it also allows you to easily travel with some accessories as well.

Designed to work with both the Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED models, it features a sturdy, rubberized handle, durable EVA outer shell and a soft inner lining. Inside, you get eight slots to store game cartridges. A second inner pouch at the top is perfect for an extra set of Joy-cons, a charger or any other accessory you may need while on the go. Pick from a bunch of different colors, like green, purple, orange, neon yellow and more.

What the reviews say: One Amazon customer says “When I’m spending the weekend out of town, I use a nice, big carrying case the can hold the whole system set up. That’s great for a whole weekend, but when I’m going to be stuck someplace boring for an evening or just a few hours, now I can take what I need to stave off boredom without having to carry everything I own. This case is sturdy enough that I don’t have to worry about breaking anything and roomy enough to hold extra controllers, cords, games or anything else I can’t live without. And it still fits in my purse. Great product!”

Pros:

• Plenty of extra storage space for your games, Joy-Cons and more
• Comes in multiple color options

Cons:

• Not compatible with Nintendo Switch Lite
• Might feel bulky for some