The 9 best Nintendo Switch chargers of 2021

Turns out the wall charger that came with your Nintendo Switch is pretty good. The included charger is minimalist, reliable, and offers efficient USB-C charging with Power Delivery. This charger actually chooses between two charging profiles, depending on whether the Switch is in dock or portable mode.

Combined with a built-in 1.50 meter long cable, the official Switch power adapter is a quality charger for all types of gaming.

The Switch is a portable console, and when traveling light, having a big, bulky charger with built-in wiring can be cumbersome. Anker’s Nano PowerPort III is a traveller’s best friend. It is incredibly compact, less than two inches in all dimensions.

Despite its small size, it supports USB-C fast charging as well as power delivery, making it a great travel companion for gadget heads.

Unlike the official Switch charger, the PowerPort III doesn’t have a built-in cable, which means you’ll have to pack a USB-C cable separately. But for gamers on the go, the PowerPort III is the best way to charge your Switch in portable mode.

One of the best things about the Switch is that you can play on the go without having to be near a point of sale. However, the Switch’s battery is not endless. The regular Switch comes with a 4,310mAh battery, and while it’s solid, it can’t survive long or multiple days of travel.

A portable power bank solves this problem, and the Anker PowerCore Essential is best for the job. This portable battery has a capacity of 20,000mAh and can provide USB-C power as well as standard USB-A charging. The rugged textured exterior is great for travel, and the PowerCore Essential has an LED indicator light to show how much battery you have left.

For the frequent traveler, the PowerCore Essential is a must-have. While we’re big fans of the 20,000mAh version, there is also a thinner and more affordable 10,000mAh version.

If you like the flexibility of a portable charger, but want something a little more switch-specific, check out the portable power bank.

This portable charger mounts on the back of your Switch and charges via a short built-in USB-C cable. The portable power bank has a capacity of 10,000mAh, which means it can fully charge the Switch at least twice.

Although it does not have USB-C Power Delivery, it has many protective functions, such as short circuit, over voltage, over temperature and overload protections. The temperature protection is particularly relieving, as the portable power bank clips directly to the back of the Switch console.

The convenience and small form factor make the portable power bank a great charging option for veteran Switch travelers.

Like the Nintendo Gameboy or the DS of yore, the Nintendo Switch feels right at home in the backseat of a car. While some newer luxury vehicles come with fully equipped rear power outlets, most car owners still use good old car chargers to power their devices. If you fall into this camp, then the HORI’s Switch car charger is for you.

An officially licensed product from Nintendo, the HORI Car Charger is standard in every best way. This is a USB-C car charger with a six-foot-long cable, long enough to go from the front to the backseat of most vehicles.

While it doesn’t provide USB-C power delivery, it’s definitely better than carrying around and draining a portable battery whenever there’s a long drive.

While the HORI car charger is certainly capable, it can be expensive and hard to find. Fortunately, the PowerA Nintendo Switch car charger is an affordable and effective substitute.

Another officially licensed product from Nintendo, the PowerA Car Charger comes with a built-in 6ft long braided cable that can bend and twist around all vehicle obstacles. The USB-C charger works with any Switch controller and even Switch pro.

Charging is slower than with a dedicated outlet, but the convenience of charging the car on long journeys is unmatched.

While not actually a charger, the HORI gaming stand allows you to charge your Nintendo Switch while playing it in a kickstand configuration, which the Switch’s built-in kickstand cannot efficiently accomplish.

One of our top Switch accessory recommendations, the HORI Gaming Stand is the best way to charge and play your Switch on a tabletop surface. Use it in combination with a recommended wall or portable charger and have fun playing with the Switch hands-free. It’s even available in a Multiport version, allowing you to plug in USB peripherals on the go.

Nintendo Switch is designed for gaming on the go. While accessories like extra chargers, controllers, and handles have their uses, carrying around a ton of bulky accessories can start to take a toll on the Switch’s slim form factor.

Nintendo’s adjustable charging stand keeps a minimal profile while providing one key function: charging while tabletop play.

This little cradle-style stand plugs into the bottom of your Switch and adds a side-facing charging port, allowing for easy tabletop charging. The built-in kickstand is a big improvement over the original Switch, and even has an adjustable tilt to get that perfect viewing angle.

Like a cell phone or tablet, the Switch is no stranger to charging cases. However, due to the Switch’s complex design, many load cases are more of a problem than they are worth.

The BigBlue 10,000 mAh charging case is not one of them. Its excellent ergonomic design not only adds 10,000mAh of extra charge to a switch, but also adds comfort and convenience.

The case consists of three pieces: a center charging case for the Switch console and two grip cases for the Nintendo Joy-Cons. This three-piece design means you can detach the Joy-Cons and, using the built-in kickstand on the case, enjoy tabletop gaming without any additional charging cables.

The charging box itself supports fast charging and power delivery, with a convenient LED battery indicator near the charging ports. If you don’t mind the extra bulk of a case, the BigBlue Charging Case is the one for you.