Controllers

You can attach the QRD Stellar T5 Wireless Joy-Pad to the Switch or use it with a separate grip to turn it into a full wireless controller. However, you have to use two USB-C cables to charge each joy-pad independently, and the D-pad feels sticky and cheap.

PowerA’s Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller is a nice controller, but it’s too small for the majority of adults.

The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller works fine if you want a cheap wireless gamepad that’s better than the standard Joy-Con grip, but most people will be better off with the official Pro Controller. Compared with the Pro Controller, it feels lighter and cheaper, it doesn’t vibrate, and it doesn’t include an NFC scanner for Amiibo.

The Horipad Wired Controller is another officially licensed Pro Controller clone, and it’s a good deal if you absolutely need a cheap wired gamepad for multiplayer. But it doesn’t vibrate or include motion controls, it doesn’t have an NFC scanner for Amiibo, and its removable D-Pad feels mushy and inaccurate compared with the Pro Controller.

Carrying cases

Both the RDS Industries Game Traveler Deluxe Travel Case (NNS40W) and the PDP Switch Elite Edition Deluxe Travel Case come in only one color, and in our tests we were able to press down on the Switch’s joysticks through the outside of each case.

The zippers on the PDP Rival Crossbody Gaming Bag were broken, and the only dedicated space for the Switch was in a small compartment in the front pocket with no padding or security. We were able to click down on the joysticks through the backpack.

Hori’s Slim Tough Pouch for the Switch Lite is firmer than the Nintendo case and can hold 10 game cards as well as some smaller accessories, but it leaves too much room for the Switch Lite to move around when the case is closed.

We dismissed the ButterFox Premium Slim Case for the Switch Lite because compared to our current picks, it’s bulkier, less organized, and less versatile.

Trying to squeeze a standard Switch into the PowerA Clutch Bag made the rest of the bag unusable. We couldn’t fit a single accessory inside with the console, and any item we wrestled into the outer rear pocket jutted out. It’s uncomfortable to carry because the wrist strap can’t be adjusted, and the magnetic flaps pop open when the bag is either dropped on the ground or simply too full.

Other accessories

Compared with the console shield we recommend, PowerA’s Console Shield leaves more of the Switch exposed, it doesn’t include a cover for the display, and it’s made with creaky plastic that feels far less protective.

The ProCase Flip Cover is a console case with a magnetic cover that’s supposed to flip back when you want to use the Switch. But the magnets were so weak that the cover fell off entirely whenever we opened it. The edges also peeled up, and the case looked extremely cheap in person.

The Skull & Co NeoGrip Case Bundle comes with a dockable console shield, interchangeable grips, and a large carrying case. The clear, plastic console shield looked ugly around the Switch, and it didn’t feel protective. Swapping out and reattaching the extra grips is a pain as well.

We didn’t find any issues with the HyperX ChargePlay Quad 2 charging station, but our PowerA pick costs less, looks subtler, and has held up over the years. If you have your heart set on the HyperX station, it performed well in our tests.

This article was edited by Signe Brewster.