(Pocket-lint) - If you're the owner of a Nintendo Switch, or perhaps even the new Switch OLED, there are mountains of accessories to pair with your new console.
The bits of kit that will actually enhance the experience is different for every gamer, but we've covered the key ground in this guide. So, whether you crave Switch travel accessories, storage cards, battery packs, additional controllers or screen protection, we have you covered.
The Pocket-lint team hasn't just been testing out the above peripherals, either. For those looking to take advantage of the console's newfound Bluetooth capabilities, find our dedicated Nintendo Switch headsets guide.
Below our picks, check out our buying advice, too. If you're unsure of which Switch accessories to pull the trigger on, this provides some essential things to consider.
Our current Top Pick is the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. However, there are plenty of other accessories we recommend picking up, including the AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector, 128GB Samsung Evo Select, Tomtoc Slim Case, PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller and Joy-Con Charging Grip.
Our Top Pick
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
squirrel_widget_173153
For
- Official and well designed
- Excellent battery life
Against
- Expensive for an additional purchase
The Switch Pro Controller is easy to recommend, and we'd go as far as suggesting this is actually our favourite first-party controller in-hand.
The reason it's one of the most essential pickups for Switch owners is because it provides such an upgrade over the regular Joy-Cons. There's a greater better life, better comfort and a more natural button layout.
For those who want to expand how many players they can cater for, or those who simply want to enjoy gaming sessions for longer, this is always our first recommendation to Switch owners.
Other Switch accessories we recommend
Not every Switch accessory can be our top overall recommendation, but that doesn't mean there aren't tons of other bits and bobs to consider if you own a Switch. Here are some of our favourites.
AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector
squirrel_widget_173151
For
- Great value
- Easy to apply
Against
- Will collect dust
Many people love glass screen protectors, and, having tried a few of them on our Switch consoles over the last few years, AmFilm are our go-to pick.
In truth, there's not really much to separate the quality of the options we've tried, but we've always found these easy to apply. They've also survived well under the pressure of many bumps and grazes.
They're essential for all Switch owners who like to take their console out and about, and AmFilm now also has options to fit the bigger Switch OLED screen.
128GB Samsung Evo Select
squirrel_widget_173152
For
- Solid value
Against
- Frustratingly required
If you own a Switch, you need a microSD card for storage. And while that's a frustrating reality - even for Switch OLED owners with 64GB onboard storage to start with - the solution is at least relatively cheap.
This Samsung option provides enough storage for even the most hardened Switch user, has super fast random-read speeds and isn't too expensive.
It's been seamless to use the entire time we've used the Switch, though there are of course many different SD cards to consider.
PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller
squirrel_widget_4937664
For
- Top customisation options
Against
- Not necessary for everyone
If you're getting serious about Smash Bros or any other competitive game on the Switch, some extra buttons could make a huge difference.
There aren't many truly pro-level controllers for the Switch, but this is a brilliant addition that feels great in your hands and elevates your game significantly.
There are swappable elements including its faceplate, and it's the perfect tool for getting levelled up on your choice of game.
Tomtoc Nintendo Switch Slim Case
squirrel_widget_173162
For
- Slim with solid protection
Against
- Not quite as robust as a hard shell
A travel case is among the top priorities for many Switch owners, and since the original model and the Switch OLED are pretty much identical in shape and dimensions, there's quite a wide pool to consider.
We like this Tomtoc option for the original model, which keeps things slim and still offers a decent level of protection.
For those who just need a light first line of defence from travel bumps, this is attractive and effective.
Zagg Kita Grip 360
For
- Much more comfortable
Against
- Not ultimate protection
This grip case from Zagg makes it way more comfortable to hold the Switch for long play sessions, and also protects it from drops.
You get a screen protector in the bundle, and it still works with the Switch's dock, so it's a no brainer if you want a slimline way to protect your console and make it more comfy to use.
RAVPower Portable USB-C Battery
squirrel_widget_173171
For
- Great for travel
Against
- Cheaper battery packs available
This can charge your Switch while you play it, offering 30W via USB Power Delivery with additional ports for charging additional devices.
It's not the cheapest or slimmest battery pack available to buy, but it does really boost the base amount of time you get to play when away from a wall socket.
PowerA Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller
squirrel_widget_4139417
For
- Perfect for smaller hands
Against
- Niche
If you want a great controller for your Switch that's a little more affordable, but, more to the point is designed to be a good deal smaller, this is the answer.
It's a well-made pad with a couple of custom buttons, and is really compact. That makes it great for travel, but also perfect for kids or anyone with smaller hands.
Nintendo Joy-Con Charging Grip
squirrel_widget_173175
For
- Excellent way to boost battery
Against
- Not the most affordable option
We may be pushing the 'essential' theme of this list a bit extreme here, but this is a great option to consider for those who want to extend the life of their Joy-Con controllers without shelling out for a Pro Controller or a third-party option.
The Joy-Con Grip that comes in the box doesn't charge your controllers, but this one does. It's slightly more expensive than other charging grips, but we've found that it is more reliable - both in terms of the time it takes to charge and consistent delivery.
How to choose Nintendo Switch accessories
There are so many Switch accessory categories to dive into, it can be a little overwhelming figuring out which you actually should consider buying. That's why we've created this section of FAQs.
What currently bothers you about your Switch?
The Switch is versatile and fun for all the family, sure, but it's not without it's issues. We'd suggest that pretty much all peripherals can bring something new and different to the table, but we'd imagine you only have a limited budget - and that means picking your battles.
If you travel a lot with your Switch, a screen protector and battery pack of some sort are great places to start. If it spends a lot of time in a bag, getting a case might also be a good investment. If you're more into couch play, a more advanced controller might be the best way for you to spend your money.
Either way, we recommend starting with a gripe and working backwards.
Do you actually travel much with the Switch?
This is one question members of the Pocket-lint team have struggled with - and it can often lead to some less-than-ideal buying decisions.
Since the area is so populated with travel accessories, and undocking the device is one of the most tangible benefits, it can lure you into thinking that you'll be whipping your console out every time you step out of the house.
This is all well and good if you do so consistently - perhaps on the commute into work - but we'd suggest thinking carefully about exactly what problem you're trying to fix before picking up a travel case for the sake of it.
Consider how you want to use the controller
Due to the Joy-Con's form factor, as well as the Switch itself, there are so many different ways to play. However, this also means that some games are better enjoyed docked with a traditional controller, some are better in handheld mode with the Joy-Con attached, and others when they're detached.
The issue with this is that the console only comes with Joy-Con, and that means those who don't have a traditional-style controller do sometimes miss out on comfort and peak performance. It's why a controller is our top accessory to consider; it opens up a whole new world of ways to play.
More about this story
Every Switch accessory in this list has been tested in real-life situations, just as you would use them in your day-to-day life.
For this particular guide, we collected the experiences of the wider Pocket-lint team and tallied which accessories we deemed most essential. We've been testing many of these accessories out for several years - and have used them on the Switch OLED and standard Switch consoles.
Since there are so many peripherals to pick between - perhaps more than with any other console - just how important they are to the wider Switch experience was a big factor in how we decided on the items in this list. Build quality and value for money, as they always are, were also chief among our concerns.
In our buyer's guides, we're not interested in number crunching or marketing spiel; we just want to provide an easy to understand review that gives you an idea of what it's going to be like to use. Our verdicts are concise, but this is in the interest of brevity - rest assured all the things on this list have been fully tested.
In all our guides, there are also plenty of models we consider that don't make the cut.
