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For More Protection
AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
For More Space
SanDisk 128 GB High-Speed MicroSD Card
For Wireless Audio
HyperX Cloud III Wireless
For Spare Controller Charging
HyperX Chargeplay Quad
The Nintendo Switch has incredible staying power for a console that’s now six years old and has only had a moderate update to its screen and kickstand in all that time. Unlike the homebound PS5 and Xbox Series X, the Switch is portable, personal, and packed with exclusives and indie titles alike. Because you can play the Switch at home or on the road, you might need batteries, protective cases, and other accessories you’re not used to buying for a console.
The new Switch OLED is a fine improvement over the original. The accessories on this list should work with the OLED version unless otherwise noted in the text or buy links, though we have not tested them all on it. Some are even suitable for Nintendo’s Switch Lite, the Switch’s mobile-only sibling that cannot dock to a TV.
If you’re still shopping for a Switch, check out our roundup of the best Switch deals. Need new games? Our best Switch games guide can help, and read our Switch tips and tricks to get the most out of your system.
Updated September 2023: We’ve added the Hori Split Pad Pro, 8Bitdo Bluetooth adapter, HyperX Cloud III Wireless, Flipper Zero, Stadia controller, Fjallraven Greenland Pocket shoulder bag, and Saiji Gooseneck Arm. Jaina Grey and Jeffrey Van Camp also contributed to this guide.
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Photograph: Amazon
For More Protection
AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
This is must-have item number one. The Switch is a handheld machine, so you’re going to take it with you on a trip at some point. When you do, its screen will scratch, and you’ll hate yourself just a little every time you see that blemish as you play.
We’ve used this screen protector, and it doesn’t bubble. It will also protect your screen from the Switch TV Dock, which has scratched some Switch owners’ displays. It has protected my (Jeffrey’s) Switch for more than four years now, and it’s still holding up. This is one of the rare accessories that isn’t interchangeable between the Switch and Switch OLED, so make sure to get the correct one for the model you have.
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Photograph: Sandisk
For More Space
SanDisk 128 GB High-Speed MicroSD Card
Don’t skimp on a good MicroSD card. Grab one with at least 128 gigabytes of storage so it lasts for a few years. You can still buy games on cartridges for the Switch, but some titles need extra storage, and indie games on Nintendo’s eShop are only available via download. Pop it in, forget about it, and download tons of games. If you find one on sale, make sure it’s marked as Class 10 and at least XC 1.
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Photograph: HyperX
For Wireless Audio
HyperX Cloud III Wireless
We’re still in the process of reviewing the HyperX Cloud III Wireless headset, but it’s already shaping up to be a worthy alternative to the Cloud Alpha Wireless that earned our rare 10/10 rating. The Cloud III Wireless headphones don’t get quite as much battery, but they’re rated for 120 hours, which is still absurdly long compared to most headsets. They’re comfy, produce solid audio quality, and come with a USB-C dongle so you can plug it directly into your console (great news for Switch users!). There’s also a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the package, so you can use the headphones with other devices as well, including your PC or PS5.
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Photograph: HyperX
For Spare Controller Charging
HyperX Chargeplay Quad
It’s easy to charge your Joy-Cons by storing them with your Switch while it charges. But if you keep spares around—for when you want to host that Mario Party game night—those can be more annoying to keep topped up. To that end, HyperX’s Chargeplay Quad is my favorite way to charge spare Joy-Cons. It has slots for four Joy-Cons and uses a basic micro USB cable to connect to an outlet, so you’ve still got a use for the old phone cables you probably don’t need anymore.
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Photograph: Fjallraven
For the Outdoors
Fjallraven Greenland Pocket
The Fjallraven Greenland Pocket is one of our favorite shoulder bags, and it’s got plenty of space to store a Switch and even a few accessories. Its cotton and polyester exterior holds up well against rainfall, and it’s stylish enough to pair well with outfits all year round. Our previous pick, the Bionik Power, is still around in some places and comes with a 10,000-mAh battery. But it’s getting harder to find, and this Fjallraven bag is attractive enough to be a worthy successor.
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Photograph: Orzly
For Extra Durability
Orzly Protective Case (Handheld Only)
If you use your Switch primarily in handheld mode, this Orzly case is a cheap and easy way to give it some durability and extra grip. Made of thermoplastic polyurethane, it has a hard, rubberized feel and fits tightly over the Switch. It adds some drop protection and has a nice lip on the front that helps protect the screen upon impact. You can’t easily take the Joy-Cons off or dock the Switch with it on, but you can pull the case off without too much hassle.
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Photograph: Amazon
For Better Organization
Orzly Carry Case
Even with a screen protector, it’s just easier to put your Switch in a carrying case when you go on trips. This Orzly case comes highly rated and holds extra games, cables, and even controllers in one tidy package. That way, you won’t lose track of your stuff.
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Photograph: RLSOCO
For Docking Outside Your Home
RLSOCO Carrying Case
If you’re more of a TV player and need to bring the Switch Dock to a friend’s house, this case will do the trick. It has enough room for the dock, the standard Joy-Cons, a Pro Controller, game cartridges, and extra peripherals.
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Photograph: Amazon
For Better Ergonomics
FastSnail Grips Joy-Con Controller Handles
Some games, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, let you tilt each Joy-Con on its side and hold it like a traditional controller—a truly tiny controller. This accessory isn’t anything special, but it adds some size to each Joy-Con and makes the shoulder buttons far easier to press. It shows its worth any time you break into a multiplayer Mario Kart race.
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Photograph: Best Buy
For All-in-One Protection
Zagg Kita Grip 360
If you mainly use your Switch in handheld mode, you can solve the ergonomic and screen protection problems in one go with the Kita Grip 360 kit. It comes with a flexible case that goes around the whole console, Joy-Cons and all. On top of providing some drop protection, it includes ergonomic grips on either side so it’s more comfortable to hold.
The kit even comes with a GlassFusion screen protector. You can leave the screen protector on all the time, and the case can come off if you ever want to remove the Joy-Cons. Make sure you get the right kit for your model Switch, since the gaps for the kickstand differ between the regular and OLED Switch.
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Photograph: Hyper
For a Battery and TV Dock in One
HyperDrive 60W USB-C Hub
The HyperDrive 60-watt USB-C hub for Nintendo Switch is more than just a power hub. It can replace your Switch dock entirely, and it’s a fraction of the size. You can use this tiny little power brick to dock your Switch, or you can use it to charge and provide HDMI output for any other USB-C device, like your phone or iPad. It’s a versatile dongle and one of my (Jaina’s) favorite additions to my gaming setup.
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Photograph: Nimble
For Continued Play
Nimble Champ Pro Portable Charger
This Champ portable battery can charge your Switch while you play, which makes it a must-have. It puts out 18 watts, using the USB Power Delivery standard that the Switch needs. It packs a respectable 10,000-mAh capacity, so you could charge the Switch multiple times without needing to refill the battery, making it perfect for playing over long trips or just a really chill weekend.
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Photograph: Nintendo
For Pro Gamers
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
If you plan to kick back and fully immerse yourself in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo’s first-party option is the best wireless controller you can buy. The Pro Controller is comfortable to hold for extended periods, and it reliably registers every tap. Pronounced face buttons and satisfyingly contoured grips make it a luxurious upgrade. It’s one of the most comfortable controllers we’ve used (on any console).
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Photograph: 8BitDo
For the Nostalgic
8Bitdo SN30 Pro Controller
If you want every button that comes on a Pro controller but like the classic feel of the SNES pad, 8Bitdo’s SN30 is for you. It’s lightweight, with precise buttons and analog sticks that feel incredibly accurate. It even has motion control. The only snag is that it lacks NFC, so you cannot scan Amiibo figurines in supported games. On the plus side, it will pair with any Bluetooth-capable device, like your PC or smartphone.
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Photograph: 8BitDo
For the Controller Collector
8Bitdo Wireless Controller Adapter 2
If you already have a collection of controllers for other systems, you can use most of them with your Switch via this adapter from 8Bitdo. Plug it into the Switch dock—or the Switch directly—via a USB-C adapter to pair most Xbox and PlayStation controllers, plus a range of other Bluetooth controllers and arcade sticks.
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Photograph: Hori
For Bigger Hand Comfort
Hori Split Pad Pro
The Switch’s Joy-Con controllers may be a small engineering marvel, but they’re also … small. If you’re more comfortable on the larger Switch Pro Controller but wish it was easier to use on the go, the Hori Split Pad Pro may be the perfect middle ground for you. These resemble a typical larger controller, but split—get it?—down the middle. They can attach to either side of the Switch so you can play in portable mode without cramping your fingers.
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Photograph: Google
For Stadia Refugees
Google Stadia Controller
Google’s Stadia program may have shut down, but the controller the company built was a surprisingly capable one. And it has been given a second chance at life as a generic Bluetooth controller. Once the controller is in Bluetooth mode, you can pair it with the 8Bitdo bluetooth adapter.
Obviously, you can’t buy a brand-new one anymore, and we don’t exactly recommend shelling out a ton of money for it. But you can occasionally find used controllers for sale at a much lower price than similar Switch Pro Controllers. And if you’re one of the Stadia fans who already bought one, you might want to switch yours to Bluetooth mode before December 31, 2023, when Google will no longer be offering the option to switch.
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Photograph: Nintendo
For More Joy-Cons
Nintendo Joy-Cons
Extra Joy-Cons bring extra joy! Nintendo is known for its killer couch co-op games, and spare Joy-Cons will let you enjoy four-player Mario Kart or ARMS at a moment’s notice. When it’s time to get off the sofa, these tiny detachable controllers are small enough to take with you. Included with each Joy-Con is a wrist strap, so you can flail away without worrying about your controller turning into a TV-shattering projectile.
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Photograph: Flipper Zero
For Amiibo Shenanigans
Flipper Zero
When product reviewer Eric Ravenscraft got his hands on a Flipper Zero, he didn’t use it as the penetration testing tool it is. Instead, his first goal was to clone horses and score goodies in Tears of the Kingdom by emulating Amiibo codes. We admit buying a Flipper Zero specifically to use with the Switch is a bit like buying a dump truck to help you take out the trash. However, if you’re a techie who likes to tinker and learn how things work, there’s a surprising amount of fun to be had scanning and emulating the Amiibo codes in your collection.
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Photograph: TFY
For Long Rides
TFY Car Headrest Mount for Switch
This is a pretty basic elastic and velcro strap that holds the Switch to the back of a car seat. Just wrap the elastic around the headrest—or a tray on an airplane if it fits—and slide off your Joy-Con controllers to fit the Switch display in the grips. Some owners report that a small tablet may fit as well.
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Photograph: Saiji
For Lazy Gaming
Saiji Gooseneck Arm Mount
It might sound silly, but there are fewer accessories I use more often with my Switch than this gooseneck arm. It’s flexible, so you can mount it in whatever position you want, and it’s strong enough to stay wherever you put it. When I’m sore after a long day and want to lie down, this is a super easy way to hold up the Switch’s screen without having to strain my wrists or adjust my posture. I can get as comfy as I want in bed or on the couch and keep playing.
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Photograph: Amazon
For Charging on the Road
PowerA Switch Car Charger
If you’re on a road trip and need a top-up, sometimes a good cigarette-lighter charging adapter is your best bet. Newer cars don’t even acknowledge that these ports used to be for cigarettes, but either way, this USB-C car charger should work great. It’s 6 feet long, so you can charge while in the back seat too.
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Photograph: Nintendo
For Charging Joy-Cons
Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Grip
The Switch seems to always need a recharge, and that’s why a good portion of this list is dedicated to batteries and cables. The Joy-Con controllers are a little easier on the juice, but if you regularly use them separately from your Switch, you’ll want to find a charging solution. You can pick up a Joy-Con charger or just plug your Joy-Cons into your Switch for charging. Or buy this alternative Joy-Con grip. It doesn’t have a battery, but it can plug in via USB to recharge your controllers while they’re docked in it.
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Photograph: Logitech
A Pair of Gaming Earbuds
Logitech G333 In-Ear Gaming Monitors
Great for the Switch or the Switch Lite, Logitech’s G333 earbuds are ideal for gaming on the go. They’re well-built, with a solid metal body and a flat, tangle-resistant cable. Even more important, the soundstage on these earbuds is surprisingly expansive. Plugging them in and dropping into Breath of the Wild was like having a surround sound system plugged directly into my ears.
They even have a USB-C plug and will work as a microphone for some online Switch games. I say some, because the Switch is still a bit finicky when it comes to voice chat. If you have a particular game in mind, check that it doesn’t need to be connected to the Nintendo Switch Online app. If it does, these earbuds won’t work for online voice chat in that game.
