Best Nintendo Switch accessories
The best Nintendo Switch accessories can take your entire hybrid gaming experience up a notch. If you already own a Switch, then you already know how much fun Nintendo’s latest console can be, whether you’re playing at home in docked mode or taking it on the go in handheld mode. But the console doesn’t really include everything it needs right out of the box. You’ll need to augment your Switch with some accessories if you really want to get the most out of it.
Our list of the best Nintendo Switch accessories covers everything from controllers, to cases, to portable chargers. The list includes headsets to improve the system’s audio experience, as well as a variety of other adapters to make the Switch more amenable to your own home setup. Whether you need to connect to the Internet via Ethernet cable, or you need a better D-pad on your Joy-Con, there’s something on this page to suit your needs.
Just be aware that while most of the gear on this page works fine for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite, we’ve rounded up the best Nintendo Switch Lite accessories on a separate page. You might also want to check out our Nintendo Switch OLED starter guide for more tips on how to get the most from your console.
What are the best Nintendo Switch accessories?
It’s difficult to say categorically which are the best Nintendo Switch accessories. If you’re happy using your fingers to navigate the system’s touch screen, for example, the AccuPoint Active Stylus probably won’t do you much good. If you play a ton of long, involved games, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller might be an absolute necessity; if you prefer quick-burst multiplayer matches, the FastSnail Joy-Con grips might make a lot more sense.
Generally speaking, though, I think most Switch owners could benefit from the Pro Controller. This comfortable controller feels a lot like an Xbox One controller, with a much more natural design than the square-ish Joy-Con grip that comes with the system. The Switch Pro controller has a striking, semi-translucent design, a long battery life and big, easy-to-press face buttons. It also has a real D-pad, unlike the Joy-Cons, which have four small, separate directional buttons.
The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless also earns its title as one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories thanks to its easy wireless connectivity. Wireless headsets are a crapshoot on the Switch in docked mode, and require extremely tedious workarounds in the handheld mode. The Arctis 1 Wireless, though, sidesteps a lot of these problems by connecting directly via USB-C. With good sound quality and strong battery life, there are a lot of reasons to invest in the Arctis 1 wireless, and very few reasons not to.
The HyperX Gaming MicroSD Card also deserves a brief mention, simply because the Switch’s internal 32 GB hard drive will not take you all that far if you like downloading games. You can get a bigger or smaller storage size, but you’ll almost definitely need something beyond the system’s built-in memory.
The best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy today
Best Nintendo Switch controllers
Best Nintendo Switch cases
Best Nintendo Switch headsets
Best Nintendo Switch adapters and cables
How to choose the best Nintendo Switch accessories for you
Choosing the best Nintendo Switch accessories boils down almost entirely to what you need. Obviously, an Ethernet adapter isn’t going to do you much good if you need a controller, and vice versa. Instead, focus on the problem you’re currently having with your Nintendo Switch, then figure out which product can address it.
For example: If you feel that your Joy-Cons are not giving you the level of precision you need in a game, consider the Pro Controller or the Hori D-Pad. If your wireless Internet connection isn’t stable, the Hori LAN Adapter is probably the way to go. If you’re concerned about your screen getting scratched, them amFilm screen protector could help assuage some of your worries.
There is no single indispensable Switch accessory, for better or for worse. My one big recommendation for everyone would be a travel case — but even that’s negotiable, if you don’t take your Switch outside of the house much.