The best Nintendo Switch charger 2022: top adapters and power banks to keep you juiced up

Nintendo Switch chargers come in many forms; wall adapters, portable bricks, and attachable battery packs all designed to keep you playing without having to worry about your juice. However, finding the right Nintendo Switch charger for your needs is a little more complicated than hooking your console up to anything. Whether you’ve misplaced your official cable or you’re looking for something to keep those long road trips running, there’s plenty to choose from. 

The world of the best Nintendo Switch chargers keeps growing. We’ve now got everything from full replacement docks that hook onto a single wall outlet to portable power banks with bags of battery contained within. That’s a relief, because while not often considered right away, chargers are some of the handiest Nintendo Switch accessories you can get your hands on. Some of the heavier games releasing on the console these days can drain your battery particularly quickly – especially if you’re still rocking the original 2017 release. 

Unfortunately, very few Nintendo Switch bundles or Nintendo Switch Lite deals come with an additional cable, though we have seen them in the past. That means you’ll need to pick up a spare to see you through longer sessions. 

Best Nintendo Switch chargers

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(Image credit: Nintendo)

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(Image credit: Nintendo)

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1. Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

The best Nintendo Switch charger

Specifications

Cable length: 6ftWeight: 173gDimensions: 66 x 51 x 36 mmOutput: 39W USB-C

Reasons to buy

+Exactly the same as the original plug+Official Nintendo product+Reliable

Reasons to avoid

-Pricey

It’ll come as no surprise that the official AC Adapter tops our list – simply put, it can’t be beaten in terms of quality or reliability. The company is well-known for their high standards, and it’s the same story here. Better still, this is exactly the same plug you’ll have received in the box with your console.

That’s what makes the official Nintendo Switch charger so appealing. You know exactly what to expect and can rest easy in the knowledge that it’ll definitely work with your console. After all, peace of mind is important when it comes to an expensive system like the Nintendo Switch. 

In short? If your original Switch plug charger has broken, getting a like-for-like replacement is the most sensible course of action.

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(Image credit: Future)

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(Image credit: Future)

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(Image credit: Future)

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2. Genki Covert Dock

The best third party charger and dock

Specifications

Cable length: 1.8mWeight: 100gDimensions: 60 x 33 x 44 mmOutput: 30W USB-C

Reasons to buy

+Incredibly convenient+International adapters included+No safety concerns

Reasons to avoid

-30W charging doesn’t compete with other adapters

The Genki Covert Dock is a revelation in the world of Nintendo Switch chargers. Not only are you getting a handy wall adapter with 30W charging via USB-C, but you can simply plug an HDMI into this handy block to connect your console to a TV. With all the mess around third party dock solutions, this is an incredible additional feature (the dock has been around since 2019 and is considered safe for the console). We’ve been using the Genki Covert Dock for months now ourselves, and have never come across any issues either. 

It’s an excellent travel companion – all you need is a spare HDMI and you’re casting your console to any hotel TV or portable monitor, for example. We were a little disappointed to find that the 30W charging output can’t quite compete with more generalised (and cheaper) adapters on the market, but those devices can’t cast all your favorite games to your TV.

Switch Lite owners, we know what you’re thinking but it should be noted that the handheld-only console doesn’t support any video output, so the Genki Covert Dock will not be able to connect your device to a display (though you can still charge).

Read more: Genki Covert Dock review

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(Image credit: Anker)

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(Image credit: Anker)

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(Image credit: Anker)

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3. Anker PowerPort Atom PD1

The best premium Nintendo Switch charger

Specifications

Weight: 53gDimensions: 46 x 41 x 38 mmOutput: 30W USB-C

Reasons to buy

+Quick charging+Better than the official charger+Small

Reasons to avoid

-Can’t be used with docked Switch

Bear with us when we say that the Atom is a revolution in charging; we really mean it. Despite looking like a posh plug, it’s capable of recharging your Switch console in record time (just 2 hours and 20 minutes in our tests, from 0% to 100%). That makes it far superior to the standard Nintendo version.

OK, so you can’t use it while your console’s docked. But if you need a portable charger for when you’re on the go, Anker’s Atom is peerless. It’s small, easy to transport, and will fit comfortably into the best case for Nintendo Switch (opens in new tab) as well.

Just remember, you’ll need a USB-C cable to use the Atom – it doesn’t include one of its own. That’s the only downside, though. It’s arguably the best Nintendo Switch charger on the market right now.

This model is a little difficult to find in the UK right now, so we’d recommend the 30W PowerIQ model at around £25 (opens in new tab)

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(Image credit: Nintendo)

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(Image credit: Nintendo)

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(Image credit: Nintendo)

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4. Official Nintendo Switch charging stand cradle

The best Nintendo Switch charging cradle

Specifications

Weight: 20gDimensions: 130 x 35 x 205 mmOutput: NA – uses original cable

Reasons to buy

+Official Nintendo+Charge while playing+Easily adjusted

Reasons to avoid

-Not built to charge other devices-Requires original cable

There isn’t a more reliable way to charge your Switch than official Nintendo products. This one is a simple but effective solution; it’s designed so that you can keep playing in tabletop mode, even as you power up the console’s battery.

Because it’s a charging ‘cradle’, you don’t need to worry about the console falling over either. It’ll keep your screen secure and standing at a prime viewing-angle while it charges, and that’s very convenient if you’re in the middle of game. It also means you can avoid any annoyances from light reflecting off the screen.

Finally, this particular Nintendo Switch charger is adjustable. So long as a plug socket is within reach, you can easily tilt it forward or back for a better perspective on the action.

Best portable Nintendo Switch chargers

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(Image credit: Anker)

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(Image credit: Anker, Apple)

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(Image credit: Anker, Samsung, Apple)

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1. Anker PowerCore 26800mAh

The best portable Nintendo Switch charger

Specifications

Weight: 589gDimensions: 165 x 78 x 22 mmOutput: 360W

Reasons to buy

+Charges phones, tablets, and more+Multiple ports+Faster charging

Reasons to avoid

-A bit heavy

For the very best portable Nintendo Switch charger, look no further than this Anker PowerCore. It’s reliable, effective, convenient, and unobtrusive. Anker’s a respectable brand, too, making this a solution you can count on.

Because the PowerCore 26800mAh has been specifically designed to provide faster charging, you’ll be able to have your Switch back up and running in no time. That goes for other devices as well. Anker’s been sure to include a variety of ports to suit all sorts of tech, making it just as useful for your phone or camera as it is your console.

Better still, this PowerCore’s got a good enough battery to power up your device multiple times before it needs to be charged itself. That’s not bad going at all, especially considering its price and portable nature.

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(Image credit: Emperor of Gadgets)

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(Image credit: Emperor of Gadgets)

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(Image credit: Emperor of Gadgets)

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2. GuliKit Portable Power Bank for Nintendo Switch

The best attachable Nintendo Switch charger

Specifications

Weight: 230gDimensions: 133mm x 70mm x 18mmOutput: 360W

Reasons to buy

+Attaches to the console+Less obtrusive+Up to 10 hours of extra play

Reasons to avoid

-Chunky

Sometimes you don’t have access to a plug socket, and that’s why the Portable Power Bank is so handy. Its main selling point is a simultaneous charge and recharge function that allows you to get the best of both worlds even on the go. Because it has built-in over-voltage protection, it won’t overhear either – you’re in for 10 or so hours of extra, uninterrupted play time.

What’s more, a detachable back-mount design allows you to clip the device onto your console. That means it won’t be knocking around like a ball and chain, which is always helpful if you’re travelling on a busy bus or train. Because the Switch is so inherently portable, the ability to stay on the go without being tethered to an external charger is great. It’s very light as well, meaning you won’t feel weighed down while you game.

When combined with a padding plate to protect your console and a back-mount, you’ve got one of the best third-party Switch chargers on your hands with this one.

Best Nintendo Switch car chargers

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(Image credit: HORI)

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(Image credit: HORI)

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(Image credit: HORI)

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1. HORI Nintendo Switch Car Charger

The best Nintendo Switch car charger

Specifications

Cable length: 6ftWeight: 92gDimensions: 97 x 33 x 132 mmOutput: 360W

Reasons to buy

+Compatible with most cars+Officially licensed+6ft cable

Reasons to avoid

-A bit overpriced

You know you’re onto a winner when something is officially licensed, and the HORI Nintendo Switch Car Charger doesn’t disappoint. It’s a reliable bit of kit that’s small enough to keep stored in the glove compartment, and it’s also compatible with most cars because it’s used via the cigarette lighter rather than USB slots that older vehicles may lack.

Crucially, this one has a six foot-long cable that means it’ll stretch into the rear seats if any passengers need to charge their Switch. Which won’t take all that long, by the way – it’s a 5 volt/3.0A charger that promises quick results.

You’re not limited to charging your Switch with it, either. That cable is a standard USB-C, meaning you can charge many modern phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10.


Want to complete your setup? Don’t miss our guides to Nintendo Switch SD cards (opens in new tab), the best Nintendo Switch headset (opens in new tab), and best Nintendo Switch controller (opens in new tab). We’re also rounding up all the latest Nintendo Switch game sales to hit the shelves and showing you where to buy Nintendo Switch OLED.

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