The 10 best Nintendo Switch accessories
It’s not all just joy-cons to live off of.
The Nintendo Switch is about as adjustable of a console as we have seen. Playing it in handheld mode and then instantly transferring the game to your television screen is quick and intuitive. However, there are various accessories you can buy to make this experience even better. Here are our picks for the best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy.
Related: The 10 best handheld game consoles of all time
10 must buy accessories for Nintendo Switch
amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
There are more than enough screen protector options out there for your Switch, but amFilm is our recommendation you should go with. The link above will take you to the screen protector for the original model, but they also have these heavy-duty guards for the Switch Lite and OLED models if you are looking for those versions. They are easy to apply, relatively cheap for what you are getting, and the pack comes with multiple screen proctector, so you don’t have to worry about repurchasing it when it is time to switch it out.
Fixture S1
If you are like us, most of your time spent playing your Nintendo Switch will be in handheld mode. That being said, while the joy-con are nice controllers, they are not the best choice for those with larger hands, and they are prone to being victims of drift. With the Fixture S1, you can insert your Switch into the top part, clip a Pro Controller into the bottom, and get the best controller for your television while away from it. The S1 version is only suitable for the original Switch model, but an S2 version has recently released that will fit the OLED model.
Game Traveler Nintendo Switch Case
If you are on the go a lot, you should consider buying a carrying case for your Nintendo Switch. Even if you stay home often, it could be a good idea to have somewhere safe to put the tablet when it is not in its dock. This case is good at protecting everything inside and has some holders for your games. You can also fold up one of the pads on the inside for an easy, reliable stand that will keep up your console better than the thin stick on the back of the original model.
HORI LAN Adapter
Unless you have the Nintendo Switch OLED, your console does not have a built-in LAN port for a more direct connection to the internet. If you enjoy playing games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we highly recommend getting a LAN Adapter to try and enforce your connection strength, so you deal with less lag. Unfortunately, this will not work with Switch Lite. It will only plug into the original Switch’s dock.
HORI Split Pad Pro
A common issue you will see on this list is that while the joy-con are good controllers, they aren’t always the best choice for everyone. The HORI Split Pad Pro is a more extensive replacement for them that works well attached directly to the Switch in handheld mode or plugged into the dock in TV mode. They don’t have the same functionality as the joy-con, but if you only care about a more comfortable experience with the buttons, you have a good choice here.
Joy-con Charging Grip
The Nintendo Switch comes with its own grip that you can insert the joy-con into for a more standard controller experience, but the only way to charge these controllers out of the box is to have them connected to the console itself. With this grip, you can play games on your television without worrying about battery life on the joy-con running out, as this will charge them while you play.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
As much as the Nintendo Switch is advertised with the joy-cons in place, the Pro Controller is the true best gaming experience you can have here. Of course, you can connect it with the Fixture S1 listed above, but even if you are playing on your TV, this is the most comfortable and good-feeling way to play games on the Switch. It has many of the same compatibilities as the joy-con but feels much better to use in just about anyone’s hands. It honestly could be one of the best controllers ever made.
SanDisk 512GB microSD card
The Nintendo Switch only has a measly 32 GB internal storage drive, which is practically nothing in today’s gaming landscape. With that being said, you will want to invest in a microSD to hold your downloaded games as soon as possible. The Switch can hold up to a 512 GB card, so we recommend using this Animal Crossing-themed one. The iconography on the card itself obviously means nothing, but with 512 GB, you almost surely will never have to worry about deleting your games unless you buy a ton of games from the eShop.
Satisfye-ZenGrip Pro Gen 3 OLED
If you are unwilling to put in the money to get a Fixture S1 and Pro Controller, you will be stuck with playing the console in handheld mode with just the joy-con. Some people find this to be quite uncomfortable after a while. Luckily, this grip lets you slide the console and joy-con right in, making it more comfortable to hold. The nubs on the bottom also make it great for holding your Switch in place upright when you set it down.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova headset
There are plenty of affordable headset options available for your Nintendo Switch, but if you choose the wrong one, you will end up just needing to replace it after a short time. Instead, we recommend putting out a little more money for a more high-end headset that you know will last. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova will easily work on your Switch and other devices with a standard headset jack port and is a good quality headset for its price. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and the microphone can fully retract, so it’s not always out in the way, possibly getting broken.