Best Nintendo Switch accessories 2022: controllers, cases, headsets and more

Best Nintendo Switch accessories 2022: controllers, cases, headsets and more
1: Best Nintendo Switch Controllers 2: Best Nintendo Switch Cases 3: Best Nintendo Switch Headsets 4: Best Nintendo Switch Adapters and Cables 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.
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. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: $69 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you want a more traditional gaming experience on your Switch, you can pick up a Pro Controller and enjoy new features such as built-in NFC (for use with Nintendo's Amiibos) and the share button for sending pics and clips to all your friends. Hori D-Pad Controller: $24 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you play fighting games (opens in new tab) or platformers (opens in new tab) on the go on your Switch, Hori’s D-Pad Controller (opens in new tab) is essential.
This accessory replaces your left Joy-Con and gives you a rubbery, precise d-pad that the Switch always should have had in portable mode, which is perfect for landing those tight Street Fighter combos or split-second Mega Man jumps. 8BitDo SN30: $44 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you play tons of retro games on your Switch, 8BitDo’s SN30 (opens in new tab) is the definitive way to do so – and just a great, affordable spare controller at just $30. This wireless gamepad feels just like your old Super Nintendo controllers, but with wireless functionality and a slick set of color options inspired by the Game Boy Pocket series.
PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller: $49 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) Of the many solid alternatives to Nintendo's Pro Controller, PowerA's Enhanced Wireless Controller (opens in new tab) just might be the best. For $20 less than Nintendo's official pad, you get a sturdy, responsive controller complete with motion control support as well as extra programmable buttons for getting that extra edge in Fortnite or Splatoon 2. FastSnail Joy-Con Grips: $19 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) Want those tiny Joy-Cons to feel more like actual controllers? These Joy-Con grips from FastSnail will do the trick for cheap.
The grips come in black, red, blue and neon yellow, allowing them to match your controllers no matter which color Joy-Cons you own. These can really come in handy for casual multiplayer games, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. RDS Game Traveler Deluxe Travel Case: $19 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) RDS Industries' Game Traveler is one of the most popular Nintendo Switch cases out there, and for good reason: it's durable, affordable and loaded with features.
This Switch case packs a sturdy hard shell design complete with a convenient carry handle, and has a padded interior designed to keep your Switch's screen and Joy-Con analog sticks safe. amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector: $6 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you are looking to keep the screen on your Switch sharp and scratch-free, instead of getting the flimsy official screen protector, what you really want is one made out of tempered glass like this one from amFilm. Not only are tempered glass screen protectors significantly stronger than those made out of plastic, they're also easier to install.
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless: $99 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless (opens in new tab) is one of the best wireless gaming headsets you can get for under $100, and far and away the best wireless headset solution for the Switch. Thanks to the Arctis 1's handy 2. 4GHz USB-C dongle, you can enjoy instant wireless gaming audio in both portable and docked mode without the need for any complicated pairing.
HyperX Cloud Earbuds: $39 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) HyperX's Cloud Earbuds (opens in new tab) are an excellent choice for on-the-go Switch gamers, offering impressive audio within a slick red design for a compelling price. The Cloud Earbuds include multiple sets of silicone tips to accommodate different ear sizes, and pack a solid inline mic for chatting with friends in Fortnite (or making calls on your smartphone). Astro Legend of Zelda A10 Headset: $59 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) The Astro 10 was already a great gaming headset in its own right, and this special Astro 10 Breath of the Wild edition (opens in new tab) is a great add-on for hardcore Zelda fans or anyone who simply wants quality Switch sound on the go.
This headset's durable, lightweight frame and soft fabric earcups will have you gaming in comfort for hours on end. Cable Matters USB-C Two-Pack: $9 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) f you want to charge your Nintendo Switch on the go, you'll need a spare USB-C cable. This Cable Matters set gets you two braided, 3.
3-foot USB-C cords for just a few bucks, providing a cheap, durable option for juicing up your system wherever you are. AccuPoint Active Stylus: $36 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you're playing touch-intensive games like Super Mario Maker 2, you're going to need a stylus. The AccuPoint Active Stylus is the best Switch-friendly stylus we've tested, with a comfortable design, accurate tips on both ends, and 12 hours of battery life.
8BitDo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter: $19 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) Why shell out for a pricey Pro Controller when you can use the PS4 or Xbox pad you already own? 8BitDo's handy Wireless Bluetooth Adapter makes that possible, allowing you to connect PS4, PS3, Xbox One (Bluetooth models only), Wiimote and Wii U Pro Controllers to your Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Switch Adjustable Charging Stand: $19 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you wish you could charge your Nintendo Switch while using it in tabletop mode, Nintendo's adjustable charging stand is a cheap and elegant solution. This small, USB-rechargable dock lets you prop your Switch up at a variety of different viewing angles, all while getting some extra juice during those impromptu multiplayer sessions at the park.
Hori Wired Internet Adapter: $29 @ Amazon (opens in new tab) If you want to play competitive online games like Splatoon 2 (opens in new tab) and Ultra Street Fighter 2 (opens in new tab) without any pesky lag getting in your way, Hori's Wired Internet LAN Adapter is essential. This adapter allows you to connect an Ethernet cable to your Switch, so you won't have to worry about spotty Wi-Fi causing you defeat in the last minute. 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. .