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The best Nintendo Switch accessories can help rejuvenate any tired setup. From a new set of buttons to a portable dock and charger, there’s something for everyone on the shelves. With so many controllers, and headsets, memory cards and adapters floating around, though, it can be difficult to separate the gems from the guff. That’s where we come in.
We’ve had our hands wrapped around a wide range of Nintendo Switch accessories – testing the gear and gadgets hitting the shelves to work out which ones are worth your time. Many Nintendo Switch bundles already offer plenty of extra gear to get you set up from day one, but filling those gaps can enrich your handheld and docked play no end. From keeping your console protected to upgrading your storage, we’re rounding up all the best models and brands to add to your collection right here. You can head straight to the gear of your choice using the menu on the left, or settle in for the ride and peruse some of our must-have recommendations.
We’ve had our hands wrapped around a Nintendo Switch since launch, so we’ve been through all the latest and greatest peripherals to show you exactly which the best Nintendo Switch accessories really are.
The best Nintendo Switch accessories of 2023
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The Genki Covert Dock is a revelation. Not only are you getting a wall adapter to plug your Switch in (as well as the USB-C cable), but this device is primarily designed to offer a portable third party dock for on the go play. At the time of writing, we’ve been using the Covert Dock for months and have no concerns over the safety to our console. In fact, this is the best Nintendo Switch accessory in our arsenal right now.
While that $74.99 / £84.99 price is a little lofty, it’s fully justified if you’re after a travelling companion or a slightly cheaper dock alternative.
Genki Covert Dock review
The Covert Dock never presented us with any visual stuttering or power drops during testing, though we did note the 30W charging capacity was considerably lower than other, sometimes cheaper, competitors. That means it’s not quite an all-in-one solution for keeping your phone and laptop topped up on the go at the same time, but it’s certainly better than slinging a whole official dock into your backpack.
Simply hook an HDMI cable up to your TV (we tested and were satisfied with cables of up to 8m), connect your Switch via the included USB-C cable and you’re good to go. Setup was a straight plug and play affair across all our travels.
The adapter design of the Covert Dock itself means you won’t be slotting this neatly into a standard clamshell case, but it will still tuck itself into any corner of a backpack particularly well. Plus, it’s good to know that you’re also getting three international outlet adapters in the box as well – for UK, US, EU and Australian outlet types. Just remember, the Genki Covert Dock won’t work for the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Read more: Genki Covert Dock review
A strong case is one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories you’ll buy. Orzly takes the kitchen-sink approach to storage; this case will fit the console, multiple Joy-Cons, games, cables, and SD cards inside without any fuss. It’s not too hefty or expensive either. And most importantly? It’ll keep the console safe as houses while you’re out and about.
This model is also compatible with the OLED model, thanks to the extra wiggle room the brand built into the shell itself. Your Joy-Con will all still neatly fall into the indented hard shell, with plenty of room leftover up top for accessories, cleaning cloths, and headphones. You’re also getting space for eight games in the screen cover as well.
In short, the Orzly is easily one of the best Nintendo Switch cases on the market right now. There’s even a Switch Lite version (see below), so users of the handheld-only console don’t have to miss out.
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Sometimes Joy-Cons aren’t enough; sometimes you want something a bit more precise. That’s where the official Nintendo Pro Controller comes in. This classically-styled handset has a layout that draws on everything from the Gamecube to Xbox One, and it’s a must-have for games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Splatoon 2. It’s accurate, comfortable, and reliable.
After picking up a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, the Joy-Cons have barely left the dock on my Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review
Don’t think it’s a cheeky money spinner for Nintendo that you won’t get any benefit from, either. Pick one up and you can immediately tell that it’s a premium controller. Textured handles provided plenty of much-needed precision in our testing, and we found that the thumbsticks provide far greater control than those of the Joy-Con as well, particularly in fiddly titles like Fuser.
We did find, however, that the face buttons are a strangely high profile compared to the rest of the body, and could be more comfortable with slightly rounded edges. We were also impressed by the overall balance and feel as well, noting the solid design with no hollow plastic noises.
Sure, you can pick up similar ‘pro controllers’ for a lot less from other manufacturers (like the generally excellent PowerA). However, you’re better off with the official Nintendo model in our experience. Not only is the build-quality excellent, it boasts Amiibo functionality that third-party alternatives lack.
Read more: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller review
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The Hori Split Pad Pro is perfect for anyone looking for a cheaper set of replacement Joy-Con or those who find the original controllers a little too small to comfortable settle in with. Anyone who has spent hours cramped around a set of tiny Joy-Con will immediately feel the relief of the Split Pad Pro – these gamepads are still connected to our console daily, making them one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories easily.
With the additional size and extra spacing, it’s no wonder the Hori Split Pad Pro feels great to use.
Hori Split Pad Pro review
To get some housekeeping out of the way, no – these controllers won’t work wirelessly. That means you won’t be passing one half of the gamepad system over to a friend for multiplayer action, which is something to consider if you’re looking to maximise your available controllers. However, for single player endeavours the Hori Split Pad Pro absolutely shines.
We found everything from the additional precision in the thumbsticks to the vastly more ergonomic form factor to be game changing in our testing. The full sized controls make aiming and even using the face buttons more precise and comfortable and the chunkier legs and grippy texture make relaxing with the console in the palms particularly cozy. Yes, that extra size does kill the sleek Nintendo Switch vibe, and won’t travel in a standard clamshell carry case, but the comfort and additional performance is well worth it in our opinion.
There are other tradeoffs to consider, though. There’s no NFC, rumble, or motion controls baked in here – swapping in for remappable back buttons and a turbo function. If you rarely use these extra Joy-Con features, the Split Pad Pro is a no-brainer, but we did start to miss the feedback of a successful Pokemon Legends Arceus hunt after a little while. You are, however, spending far less on a set of the gamepads by themselves (attachment set notwithstanding) than you would on a new set of Ninty’s finest.
The Hori Split Pad Pro is for those after comfort in handheld mode first and foremost. Yes, they drop a few features to get you such an ergonomic gamepad at such a low price, but solo players struggling with cramp can’t make a better purchase.
Read more: Hori Split Pad Pro review
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Regardless of the version you have (be it a classic Switch or the new Switch Lite), a drawback to the latest Nintendo console is its limited storage space. You’ll only get 32GB of internal memory out of the box, and this won’t carry you far. It’ll do just fine to begin with, sure, but games, updates, and DLC take up a lot of memory these days. That’s why SD cards are one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories to pick up on day one. They’ll boost your system’s storage by a long way, and they aren’t too pricey either.
To get specific, we’d recommend the SanDisk Ultra 128GB card. This is enough for five to ten big games or a load of smaller titles, so it’ll definitely keep you going for a while. We’d say it’s one of the best Nintendo Switch SD cards overall.
If you’re after long-lasting protection (and a couple of attempts to achieve it) the Spigen tempered glass Nintendo Switch screen protector is one of the best options on the market. You’re getting two panels here, so you’ve always got another spare and a second chance to apply it correctly.
At 9H hardness, you’ll be protecting your screen from scratches, bumps, and scrapes while also still being able to see your screen in full brightness and clarity. That’s something you don’t tend to get from cheaper screen protectors, so it’s worth shelling out just a little extra for this Spigen model.
It’s worth noting, though, that this is only compatible with the full Nintendo Switch.
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If you’ve got more Joy-Con than consoles (and with all the color choice, who doesn’t), then you might have a hard time keeping them all ready and juiced up before a big Mario Kart tournament. The Hori Joy-Con Charge Stand can keep up to four of your gamepads charging at once – perfect for keeping all your dinky controllers ready to go.
Not only is it a handy Nintendo Switch accessory in its own right, but you can also plug this model directly into your Switch dock to keep those cables down. However, we’d recommend finding a wall outlet if you’re looking for a particularly speedy charge. LEDs will let you know the status of your controller batteries, and each controller slots neatly in with a rail system similar to that of the console itself.
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The Roccat Syn Buds Core are the perfect travel companion for your Nintendo Switch. Cheap enough not to worry about too much, and without the curses of batteries and Bluetooth connections to hold you back, the Syn Buds Core excel in their simplicity.
The Roccat Syn Buds Core are a solid everyday driver to keep in your carry case
Roccat Syn Buds Core review
Sure, they’re going to struggle to hold their own against more premium models, and certainly can’t offer the all encompassing soundstage of an over-ear set of headphones, but keeping these ready to go is going to be much handier than you might think. Of course, during our initial testing period we were using these buds as a daily driver, but since then they have held pride of place in our carry case and are regularly brought into action.
We were particularly impressed by the comfortable design. After being raised on hard plastic earbuds (and the friction injuries they cause after longer sessions), it was surprising not to feel any fatigue even after hours of use. It was also easy to acclimatise to the feel and balance here as well.
Super Mario Sunshine’s harmonic melodies rang out particularly well through these 10mm drivers, with smaller soundscapes offering the Roccat Syn Buds Core a real chance to show their detailing and mid-ranges. However, more complex stages like that of Doom did cause some distortion.
Still, that $24.99 / £24.99 price point means they’re easy enough to grab and keep as a backup, even if they don’t become your go-to.
Read more: Roccat Syn Buds Core review
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The 2022 Razer Barracuda X is the best Nintendo Switch headset on the market right now, thanks to its simple plug and play design and excellent audio quality. We still use the Razer Barracuda X across a wide range of platforms, it’s become a daily driver.
It was refreshing to find a stripped back approach to features when we got our hands on this headset. There’s no expensive extra features in here to inflate that price tag and compete with esports-grade cups; just a solid set of headphones with a clear focus on sound quality and everyday quality of life. The 2022 version goes one further than its 2021 predecessor as well, with Bluetooth compatibility to round out the full package. That means you’ll be able to easily slip these on during daily commutes and there’s even Razer Audio app compatibility for EQ settings as well.
A low price, impressive sound signature, wide compatibility, and excellent battery life make this plug-and-play device all the more compelling.
Razer Barracuda X (2022) review
Don’t be fooled by that easy USB-C wireless connection, super comfortable earcups, and impressive directional audio – this is still a particularly affordable piece of kit. In fact, one of the most compelling aspects of the Razer Barracuda X’s prowess in the Nintendo Switch accessories arena is its value for money. You’re getting some pretty powerful audio here – all for under $100 / £100.
We tested the Barracuda X across consoles, and were pleased to find a nicely balanced sound profile, with some excellent detailing in the mid-ranges and the power to blast when the time was right. That’s because the bass is slightly emphasized here, but in an appreciate-your-shotgun-boom way, rather than the growling fuzz we usually hear in headsets in this price range. It’s also one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve had the pleasure of sinking some longer sessions into; never pinching the ear thanks to that thicker padding, and keeping temperatures low all at the same time.
Because of that no-nonsense design, the Razer Barracuda X is perfectly tuned to use with the Nintendo Switch. There’s a solid battery life here (we generally only need to charge once a week), you’re not spending too much to worry about taking these cups out and about with you, and that USB-C wireless connection slots straight into the console’s form factor as well.
Read more: Razer Barracuda X (2022) review
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Joy-Cons are the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market. Included with the standard console, they can be used alone, in pairs, and on the detachable screen in handheld mode. This versatility makes them perfect for multiplayer sessions – get two pairs and you can share them between four people. While the priciest of Nintendo’s controller options, they really are one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories on the market, and you’re essentially grabbing two controllers here too.
Although there have been issues here and there with the dreaded ‘Joy-Con drift’ where the left thumbstick goes faulty, they’re generally reliable and easy to use. In fact, they give the old Nintendo Wii Remotes a run for their money.
A lot of that is due to their motion control, but it’s mostly due to the fact that they’re smaller, more comfortable, and provide greater flexibility by having an analogue stick on each side.
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While the Genki Covert Dock listed at the top of this page is the ultimate traveller’s dock dream, the ShadowCast plays a different role. After all, you’ll still need a TV or monitor to get the big-screen experience with a traditional dock replacement. The ShadowCast is, at its core, a budget capture card – but Genki has positioned it particularly well as a method of casting your Nintendo Switch gameplay onto a laptop screen. That’s perfect for travellers or students who don’t have access to a fully fledged display.
The Genki ShadowCast should be in every Nintendo Switch survivalist’s toolkit.
Genki ShadowCast review
The ShadowCast is small enough to comfortably fit into most cases, with a slimline profile and dinky 52 x 25mm footprint. At the top end you’ll find an HDMI to plug into your Nintendo Switch dock, with a USB-C to connect to your laptop via the included cable (and USB-A attachment should you need it). That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve downloaded the Genki Arcade software, simply plug and play. We were impressed by just how easy it is to set up the ShadowCast, as soon as the console was dropped into its nest, the software sprung to life. The Windows version of this app does only allow for screenshots and casting, but the Mac and browser versions also accept recording.
However, streamers will likely prefer to use OBS Studio to get their captures. At $50 / £40, the ShadowCast is significantly undercutting a lot of capture cards in its price, but performance is as expected. Picture quality and speed is reduced over the best capture cards on the market, making it viable for entry level streamers or those simply looking to grab some footage quickly. If that’s you, though, it’s worth noting that the whole setup process is far easier with the ShadowCast, which only requires the HDMI and USB-C connections to work. Others from the likes of Elgato can have you Frankensteining a monstrous cable creation to boot up.
Casting performance won’t match that of a TV or the handheld’s own display. Picture quality is reduced, and faster games will suffer with a slight input lag. However, we never encountered game-breaking speeds in our own testing – it was a perfectly serviceable connection that will see any traveller through the majority of games.
Read more: Genki ShadowCast review
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If you’re rocking an older Nintendo Switch, a portable charger is one of the most essential Nintendo Switch accessories out there. We’d say the best portable charger you can get for Switch would be the Anker PowerCore 26800mAH. Besides being able to quickly charge your console, it’s also small enough to be very portable.
As an official Anker product, you know you’re getting good-quality tech right away. It’ll give you extra hours of play when you’re on the move, and it can charge other devices (like your phone) as well. That’s makes it even better value for money, and a must-have for all Switch owners.
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If you’re looking to breathe new life into your copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, look no further than Hori’s Pro Deluxe racing wheel. This is one of the very few full-sized racing wheels available for Nintendo Switch (a smaller Mini version is better suited for kids), and offers a surprisingly impressive experience despite coming in at just under $100 / £100.
Sure, my performance wasn’t as good as it would have been with a trusty controller in hand but it was miles more fun.
Hori MK Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe review
270º degrees of movement in the wheel may be a little short for PC pros, but serves Mario Karters just fine, and with a fully programmable deck you’re sorted for pretty much every title you can throw at it as well. Add in some thoughtful extras – remappable back buttons, a dedicated Item button, and a solid level of sensitivity customization – and you’ve got excellent value for money overall.
We did find the design lent itself far better to being attached via the full clamp rather than the unreliable suction cups included in the box, but apart from that setup is quick and easy. The whole system plugs into your Nintendo Switch dock via a USB-A cable, with the pedals connecting to the wheel base directly. From there, you’ll just need to boot up your console and you’re away – no need to configure tricky settings (for Mario Kart at least), everything works straight out the box.
If you do stray from Rainbow Road, there’s a handy switch up top to toggle different control schemes which, combined with the programmable buttons, means you can quickly set up for other games as well.
The majority of these clickers are easily reachable and well placed, though we did find that Item button to be pretty much unusable in more frantic Mario Kart sessions. It was far easier to map the back buttons to hold items in different directions, rather than reaching the thumb all the way over to the centre of the wheel every time.
Read more: Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe review
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Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit launched just in time for the holidays of 2020, but stocking issues meant that it didn’t really get its engines going until mid-2021. That said, there’s plenty to dig into here, and this is a particularly strong Nintendo Switch accessory for anyone who’s already got their money’s worth out of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe.
Place the included Mario or Luigi RC car down in your home, and install the Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit software to watch your home turn into its own racetrack. You’ll be controlling your real-life cart around a course you create with the cardboard track markers and playing against AI competitors using the same space as well – all on the screen of your Nintendo Switch.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is everything we hoped it could be, with a few caveats, and it’s easy to wonder why it hadn’t been done sooner.
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
We took Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit out for a spin when it first launched, and it’s remain a firm party piece ever since. In our testing, we were a little frustrated to find instances where AI would sometimes fly through the physical obstacles you’d set out to create a track, sometimes ignoring the layout completely. We only encountered this issue with any regularity in race mode, though, and firmly believe that pass and play time trials are the best way to play.
All the cardboard race parts feel well produced, and continue to survive plenty of crashes to this day. However, we would recommend playing on a hard floor in plenty of light; carpets cause considerable judder under these smaller wheels, and dim lights will cut your video quality considerably.
Read more: Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit review
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If Wii Fit taught us anything, it’s that Nintendo likes to get us moving. Ring Fit Adventure feels like what those early fitness games should have been all along – fun and engaging, while making working out a celebrated core mechanic that actually feels like it’s worth doing. You’ll be travelling through a gorgeous world, sprinting, crunching, and squatting your way through platforming levels and boss battles throughout your quest. Not only is it incredibly enjoyable, but it also provides a solid workout to boot. Plus, the Ring Fit Adventure price has been steadily falling over the last few months as well.
How we test Nintendo Switch accessories
We’re avid Nintendo Switch geeks, which means we can’t wait to get our hands on all the latest Nintendo Switch accessories as soon as they hit the market. Every piece of kit we review slots straight into our daily Switch useage so that we can tell just how well it not only performs its job, but can also fit a lifestyle.
Quality of life is so important to Nintendo Switch accessories; these need to be easy to use, and hold up over time. That’s why we also keep using all the gear we recommend even after we’ve posted our first review. That means we can keep tabs on durability and long-term reliability, updating our findings if we notice anything further down the line.
You’ll find more information on how make our recommendations in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.
Nintendo Switch accessories: FAQ
Which Nintendo Switch accessories should you buy first?
The first Nintendo Switch accessories you should be investigating are a case, a screen protector, and a memory card. The Switch is designed to go out and about with you, which means you’ll need a strong carry case to see you and your trusty console through all kinds of bumps and knocks. However, your second point of call should absolutely be a screen protector. Both the Switch and Switch Lite have particularly soft screens which means they’re vulnerable to scratches and scuffs (especially if you’re docking the standard edition). Plus, that OLED screen is just too pretty to risk.
Once you’ve got safety sorted, it’s time to look at that internal storage. The standard and Lite Nintendo Switch models come with just 32GB of space built in (the OLED ups this to 64GB but it’s still a limiting figure). If you plan on using the eShop at all, we’d recommend securing a memory card as soon as possible – aiming for around 128GB to get you started, or 256GB if you want to future proof for a little longer.
Are Nintendo Switch accessory kits worth it?
If you’ve just picked up your console, you might have your eyes set on a cheap Nintendo Switch accessory kit. These packs usually offer a couple of screen protectors, a sleeve case and a game card holder. These are solid buys for the early days of your console’s life, especially if you need to protect your device before investing in some higher quality gear. However, we’d recommend upgrading the case to a hard shell model as soon as you can.
Should you buy third party docks?
In the console’s early life, the extra docks ruled the Nintendo Switch accessories world. However, many were soon spooked by stories of third party docks bricking consoles. It’s true, many of these products don’t play nicely with Nintendo’s charging system. We’ve been using the Genki Covert Dock for a significant period of time now, and haven’t encountered any issues, but we would be wary of buying a cheap substitute for the official Nintendo product.
Want more offers? Grab yourself a bargain with these cheap Nintendo Switch game sales, or find a cheap Nintendo Switch Online subscription. We’re also showing you where to buy Nintendo Switch OLED. For more kit, we’re also rounding up all the best PS5 accessories, Xbox Series X accessories, and Xbox One accessories.
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