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"If you want to stand out from the crowd, there is nothing cooler."

Speaking of road trips, if your Switch ends up in your car a lot, a charger that slots into the cigarette lighter can be a lifesaver, letting you juice up mid-trip so those aforementioned passengers can continue to play the best Nintendo Switch games for kids (and stay blessedly distracted while you drive). We sorted through lots of the top-rated accessories to find the best, and most genuinely useful, add ons for your favorite hybrid console.

The best Nintendo Switch accessories don't just make using the console easier, they can actually improve your game. Getting your hands on a Pro Controller, for instance, can immediately make a ton of the best Nintendo Switch games more playable, easier, and more fun. On the other end of the spectrum, a stylish case can make an already portable console even easier to take on the go, and give you the peace of mind it won't get trashed in transit (even if it lands in the backseat amongst a bunch of rowdy kids).

The Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock can charge up to four Joy-Con controllers. The dock allows for an easy slide design functionality to hold your multiple Joy-Cons. LED indicators on top show red when each controller is charging and green when fully charged. The charging dock takes approximately five to six hours for a controller with zero battery life to get a full charge, making it viable to switch between controllers if necessary.

Simple, convenient and slick, BD&A’s officially licensed Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Charging Dock makes juicing up a breeze. It takes up very little space, measuring at .2 x .1x .2 inches and has a weighted base for stability. The design is also complementing to the Nintendo Switch console’s style.

Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – Bonafide’s Hardware Replacement Housing comes with very clear instructions for users who want to make absolutely sure they get it right the first time. Also note that colors come in blue, green, gray, pink, purple and transparent.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, there is nothing cooler than modifying your Nintendo Switch with Bonafide’s Hardware Replacement Housing. The unique shell housing replacement transforms your Nintendo Switch with a transparent color scheme that gives the console its own style.

The Nintendo Switch High Speed Car Charger by HORI quickly charges your Nintendo Switch with a 5 volts / 3.0 amps of power. The compact charger is made of a durable plastic casing and has a six-foot cable, so players in the back seat can enjoy a charge without any snag. Nintendo – which takes its brand seriously – officially licenses Hori’s High Speed Car Charger, so you’re assured a high-quality product that will work in harmony with your Nintendo Switch.

Power is nice and when you’re traveling on the go with your Nintendo Switch, there’s no better way to harness power with HORI’s Nintendo Switch High Speed Car Charger. Hori’s High Speed Car Charger is perfect for any family on a road trip or a traveler who doesn’t want to worry about a low battery on their Nintendo Switch.

ProCase makes a tidy little carrying case that fully protects your Nintendo Switch from any scratches. It’s made with a velcro that secures your console and controller in a stable and convenient position. The case boasts large storage with mesh pockets, so you can secure accessories such as a charger, cable, slim power bank, two extra Joy-Cons and eight game card slots. Hestia Goods even offers a full refund or replacement if you’re not satisfied with the case.

The ProCase hard shell is the easiest, safest and most convenient way to travel with your Nintendo Switch. The hard shell traveling case is made durable and large enough to carry your Nintendo Switch neatly all for under $15.

The Hori Compact Playstand measures at 3.8 x .9 x 6.7 inches and weighs only 6.4 ounces. The stand can provide the perfect positioning for gaming with the Nintendo Switch with three different angles (30, 50, 60 degrees) and folds flatly into place when not in use. The stand is made with rubberized grips, so your Switch stays securely in place, but it also has a breathable space for charging.

The Nintendo Switch is made for portable playability and the Hori Compact Playstand makes it easier to set it up anywhere. The lightweight stand is compact, affordable and also officially licensed by Nintendo.

The amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector is ultra light and thin (.3mm thick plastic) and due to its specific design with the system, is easy to install on your Nintendo Switch’s game screen. You don’t have to worry about air bubbles going underneath the protector either. The kit included comes with two glass screen protectors, wet and dry wipes, a squeeze card, dust removal stickers and an installation user’s guide.

The amFilm company is known for its top-notch screen protectors, and they make the best one for the Nintendo Switch. The ultra clear high definition screen protector provides a 99.9 percent transparency and protects against bumps, scratches, as well as overall wear and tear with its 9H hardness level.

FastSnail Joy-Con Grips are ergonomically designed with an accommodating grip to make handling gaming easier. They’re wear-resistant and designed with a player’s comfort in mind for intense gaming even with the small Joy-Con controllers. Besides enhancing your gameplay, the FastSnail Joy-Con Grips provide a protective shell for your Joy-Con by guarding it against scratches and dirt. Colors come in black, red and blue, as well as yellow. Every order comes with a two-pack.

If you’re used to traditional controllers, the FastSnail Joy-Con Grips make for the best add-on to your Joy-Con controller. Joy-Con controllers are small, but FastSnail provides a convenient mold that transforms them into a more natural feeling controller.

"A massive improvement over the Joy-Cons, and the best way to play the Switch on TV." — Alan Bradley , Tech Editor

Sure, the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers are fun, but gamers who want a familiar controller scheme will find comfort in the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. The wireless controller comes packed with motion controls, HD rumble, as well as a built-in Amiibo functionality, so you can utilize it with every Switch game on the market. The controller comes with a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, too, allowing for a 40-hour battery life upon full charge.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller makes gaming on the Nintendo Switch easier for traditional gamers, thanks to its dedicated controller design. The first party controller by Nintendo is ergonomically designed and makes for the best controller all around. Consider it as Nintendo’s answer to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers.

Final Verdict Nintendo's own Pro Controller is the best way to play Switch games on TV (or even in stand mode), and hands down the best controller the company has ever produced. If, on the other hand, you're looking for an improved Joy-Con experience, the FastSnail Grips are an awesome way to get a natural, comfortable hand fit for the default controllers.

How We Tested

We haven't had a hands-on with any of these accessories just yet, but our trusted experts will be looking for a variety of factors, keeping in mind how essential these add-ons are to a superior switch experience. Aspects such as price and durability are always important, but we'll also be looking at things like comfort and connectivity in regards to controllers and grips.

About Our Trusted Experts

Alan Bradley is an experienced tech editor and journalist with more than twelve years of experience in the industry. He specializes in gaming and console technology and accessories, and his byline has appeared in a number of top publications, from Rolling Stone to Paste Magazine.

Alex Williams has been writing about tech for more than five years now, and has extensively covered video games and console hardware. He also has experience with UX design and front end web development and is a certified full-stack web developer.

What to Look for in Nintendo Switch Accessories

Ease of use - Many of the accessories in the Switch ecosystem require installation of some kind, whether it's as simple as grips for your Joy-Cons or as complicated as a new hardware shell. The best of them will be easy to install and come packaged with clear, concise instructions that even the most novice user can follow.

Utility - The rampant success of the Switch means the market is flooded with add-ons looking to ride Nintendo's coattails. A lot of these extras add little to nothing to the Switch experience and some, instead of being welcome conveniences, can actually make the Switch more difficult/annoying to use. Consider your actual use case before picking up any accessory.

Price - While one of the cheaper consoles currently available, the Switch is still a fairly hefty investment, and the games are another price sink that can get pretty steep (especially with the way Nintendo games very rarely go on sale or get discounted over time). Accessories shouldn't also represent a huge spend, and luckily you can find a lot of them at very reasonable, consumer-friendly prices. Be sure to shop alternatives before you pull the trigger on any accessory.