Nintendo has sold nearly 130 million Switch units worldwide since the console’s debut in March 2017, and chances are, if you’re reading this post, you’re one of those owners. The Nintendo Switch is great right out of the box, but its portability means it may benefit from accessories to enhance the gaming experience. Whether you’ve owned your Nintendo Switch for years, or you just picked one up, you’ve come to the right place. Below are my recommendations for the best Nintendo Switch accessories, five products that I believe every Switch owner should have.
1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Photo credit: Jason Siu | FullCleared.com
I can’t recommend the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller enough. Sure, there are much cheaper alternatives out there, and some of them are very good for the price, but if you can afford it, this is the controller to get for the Switch. Obviously it’s not the most ideal companion if you often play in handheld mode, but for gamers who are docking their Switch, do yourself a favor and get the Pro Controller.
The Switch Pro Controller offers a more traditional controller experience compared to the Joy-Cons that come with the Switch. This controller just feels really good in your hands, and it’s almost a hybrid between the PlayStation’s DualSense and Xbox’s Wireless Controller. Without a doubt, it offers a much more comfortable experience than playing with the Joy-Cons when docked.
Like the Joy-Cons, the Switch Pro Controller supports motion controls, HD rumble, and has built-in amiibo functionality. Best of all, the battery seemingly lasts forever, although it’s officially rated at about 40 hours on a full charge.
2. RDS Industries Game Traveler Deluxe Travel Case
If you plan on traveling with the Nintendo Switch at all, you need a carrying case. There are dozens to choose from but honestly, most of them are very similar. Stick with a reputable brand since many of these cases are also in the same price range. My recommendation comes from RDS Industries, which actually has its products tested and approved under license by Nintendo of America.
The particular case I recommend from RDS Industries is the Game Traveler Deluxe Travel Case. It features a rubberized handle and heavy duty zippers, while the outer shell is constructed from sturdy ballistic nylon. It includes two game cases, with each game case capable of holding four games or even microSD memory cards. There is a padded screen protector that also doubles as a zippered pocket for other accessories.
3. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Headset
Photo credit: Jason Siu | FullCleared.com
Nowadays, when it comes to gaming headsets, you have so many different options. Recently, I purchased the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P headset, mainly to use with my PlayStation 5, but I’ve realized it’s a great companion for the Nintendo Switch. If you only need a headset to use with the Switch, the Arctis Nova 7 is typically more affordable, so you don’t have to get the PlayStation (Nova 7P) or Xbox-specific (Nova 7X) version.
The headset comes with a USB C receiver, so you won’t be able to charge your Switch while using the headset wirelessly. It does offer the ability to connect via Bluetooth, but there is a slight audio lag when doing that with the Switch, so I recommend using the wireless dongle. If you do need to charge, the headset does come with a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable (5 pole to 4 pole) so you can just go wired.
I have always been a fan of SteelSeries headsets, and while they aren’t going to always offer the best audio quality, I have never had any issues with their durability and have always been happy with their quality. The Arctis Nova 7 claims a 38-hour battery life and USB-C fast charging is able to deliver six hours of use after just 15 minutes of charging. This headset can be used with PC, PlayStation, and other mobile devices that have a USB C port.
One of the main reasons why I recommend this headset to pair with the Switch is how lightweight it is. It’s extremely comfortable with its height-adjustable rotating earcups, a stretchy overhead band, and breathable AirWeave memory foam cushions.
4. Anker 313 Power Bank (PowerCore 10K)
Photo credit: Jason Siu | FullCleared.com
Even if you don’t plan on traveling with the Switch that often, I highly recommend a power bank anyways. Given the console’s portable nature, it’s nice to have a power bank nearby to plug in and charge without having to find a power outlet. There are dozens to choose from, but I still prefer using one from Anker. While I don’t own the Anker 313 Power Bank, I own a similar model, the PowerCore Slim 10000, and I think it’s the ideal size and capacity.
This power bank will fit in nearly any Switch case that has a zippered enclosure, since it’s smaller than the Switch. It’s one of the slimmest and lightest 10,000mAh portable chargers you can find and it comes with Anker’s PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology to detect and deliver a charge up to 12W. You can charge either with USB-C or Micro USB with this power bank. A 10,000mAh battery bank should be able to deliver two full charges to your Nintendo Switch.
5. SanDisk Ultra Plus microSD Memory Card
Photo credit: Jason Siu | FullCleared.com
Finally, you should probably grab yourself a memory card for your Switch. While it’s not a necessity, you probably will want one if you’re planning to get most of your games digitally. Also, if you like taking screenshots, you’ll definitely need a memory card. There are many to choose from, and while I personally own and recommend the SanDisk Ultra Plus, they’re getting harder to find. Instead, you can just go with the standard SanDisk Ultra, which is more popular now.
As for the storage capacity, that’s entirely up to you and your needs. I have a 128GB card in my Switch, but I purchase mostly physical games. In extreme and rare cases, some games are so large they require a memory card because the Switch’s internal storage isn’t even large enough to hold it. Fortunately, microSD memory card prices have really dropped since the Switch was first released in 2017, and it’s become very affordable to grab one for your console.
