We at GravaStar know that people play games in a variety of different ways. While some are PC gamers or PS5 players, others prefer gaming on the go with a Nintendo Switch. But in order to get the most out of your Switch, you need a great charger.
With that in mind, we decided to create a guide that goes over some of the best chargers for Nintendo Switch.
Choosing the right charger ensures your Switch gets juiced up safely and quickly, while going with a subpar option can lead to slow charging, or even do damage to the device if it doesn't meet safety standards.
To find the best option, we combined our industry knowledge with several customer comments and reviews of the products. After considering this research, our pick for the best charger for the Nintendo Switch is the official Nintendo Switch AC Adapter.
How We Picked
When looking for the best chargers for the Nintendo Switch, there are numerous important considerations to make. Here are a couple that we considered during our search, and why they're crucial to think about.
Electronic protection
Electronic protection is an excellent factor to consider when looking for a charger. Accidents like overheating and short-circuiting can occur if you go with a subpar charger that tries to cut corners when it comes to safety.
Make sure to read up on the safety features a charger has and whether it abides by the proper safety standards in your area before choosing which to purchase.
Wattage
The wattage is another important factor to consider. Depending on the console's model, a Nintendo Switch requires between 13.5 to 18W to charge. Make sure the charger you choose is either at or above this amount for optimal charging.
If not, your Switch could charge incredibly slow, especially if you try to charge while you play.
Number of ports
Some chargers offer multiple ports so you can charge other things like your phone or computer while also charging your switch at the same time. These are very convenient, and can be a lifesaver during travel or if you have limited plug space in your house or room.
They also help you declutter your home, as they reduce the need for having several different chargers laying around.
Best Overall: Official Nintendo Switch AC Adapter
- Wattage: 39W
- Ports: 1
- Type: Wall block w/ integrated cable
Our top pick is the official Nintendo Switch AC Adapter. It's the exact one that comes with your Switch when you buy it new, and is very affordable compared to many other options on the market.
While many chargers can work with the Switch, going with the original gives you peace of mind that it'll be compatible, no matter what. It features 39W, which is more than enough to charge the Switch, and we like that it has a durable integrated cable to ensure it stands the test of time.
It's not going to wow you with extra features and usability, but simply does a great job charging your console in our opinion. The charger also fits well and is easy to plug and unplug without worrying about damaging the port on the Switch. It also offers great length on the cable.
In fact, YouTuber ChargerLAB did an unboxing, review, and test of this charger, and pointed out that the charger's cable is "pretty long" at 1.5 meters (4.92 feet), compared to many other cables out there that are 1 meter (3.28 feet) or shorter.
A downside is that this charge doesn't have any extra ports or cables to charge other devices at the same time. So it'll charge your Switch perfectly, but can be restrictive if you want to charge more than one thing.
Also Great: GravaStar Alpha65 Fast Charger
- Wattage: 65W
- Ports: 3
- Type: Wall block w/ open ports for cables
The GravaStar Alpha65 Fast Charger is another great option for charging your Nintendo Switch. It has two USB-C and one USB-A port on top of it that supplies 65W of power to charge your Switch very fast.
By using GaN technology, this charger also operates more efficiently and doesn't produce as much heat as many competitors.
It also provides your Switch and other devices with eight different layers of protection to keep them safer than other chargers available. We also like the look of this charger, as it's designed to look like a sci-fi mech that you can have sitting or standing.
Not only does it charge well, but it's also a statement piece in your home. It also doesn't take up nearly as much space as many other chargers, and its compact size makes it easy to move, too. It's also widely compatible with many different devices, not only the Nintendo Switch.
YouTuber OSReviews did a review of the charger and loved the design, especially noting the "small accents and detail work". He also praised the quality, saying that it's "well-built" and has a "reasonable heft to it".
It's hard to find a drawback of this option in our opinion, but one thing we can note is that the legs of the mech need to be folded down for it to charge, but this is a very minor complaint and has no impact on the performance of this charger.
Good Option: Anker 26,800 mAh Power Bank
- Wattage: 30W
- Ports: 3
- Type: Portable charger
If you want a portable option that you can use to charge your Switch on the go, the Anker 26,800 mAh Power Bank is a great choice. It's capable of charging the Switch multiple times and is small enough to easily toss in a bag or pocket.
It has 30W in total, and three separate ports to be able to charge multiple devices at a time. We like the inclusion of the MultiProtect safety system to ensure both the charger and your device are always safe and protected.
One of the best parts about the charger in our opinion is that it recharges very quickly, thanks to the dual input ports. It'll charge much quicker than many other power banks, which are often known for taking forever to recharge.
YouTuber The Breakdown With Luke unboxed and reviewed the charger and highlighted this recharging speed, saying it is "super fast, super quick, and super helpful to be able to charge it twice as quick".
Unfortunately, a downside of this option is that there is no included USB-C port, as a result, you'll need a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge the Nintendo Switch and other USB-C devices.
The Competition
While these top 3 are solid choices, there are a few other options to consider as well.
Nekteck 60W USB C Charger: This charger is 60W for fast charging and has a compact design with safeguards in place to ensure your Switch and other devices are safe. It also comes with an included USB-C cable. A downside is that it's not as durable as some other options.
GuliKit for Nintendo Switch: The GuliKit charger is a portable power bank that can be attached to the back of your Switch to easily charge as you play. It also has multiple ports and also works well with phones. A drawback is that it has a lower mAh capacity than many other portable chargers, so will need to be charged up more often.
Amazon Basics 68W Charger: This charger features a simple design with two ports, one for 18W charging and one for up to 60W. It has several integrated safety features, a compact size, and uses GaN technology to produce less heat. Unfortunately, some reviews claim it doesn't reach its advertised charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a couple of common questions about this topic, and their answers.
Can you leave a Nintendo Switch charging overnight?
Yes, it's completely safe to charge your Switch overnight. Once the battery reaches 100%, the console stops charging any further, so you don't need to worry about damaging the battery by overcharging it.
How long does it take a Nintendo Switch to charge?
A Nintendo Switch console takes around 3 hours to fully charge. Newer versions of the Switch or the Switch Lite might charge a little faster, but it'll generally be around the same time.
However, it could take longer if you're playing it while you charge or if you're using a poor charger.
Can you use a phone charger on the Switch?
It depends on the charger that came with your phone. If it's a USB-C charger, it'll technically work. However, even if your phone charger uses USB-C, it may not output enough power to charge it adequately.
For example, many phones only come with a 5W charger, which will take a very long time to charge a switch compared to using a more powerful charger.
Final Thoughts
When charging your Nintendo Switch, make sure you're using the charger correctly. Always ensure it's plugged all the way into the wall, and that you're not tripping on the cords, as that could lead to breaking the cable or even an injury if you fall over as a result.
For portable chargers, make sure to be careful with them, as dropping it or having it knock around in your bag could damage it. Ensure you're also keeping the charger juiced up, to ensure it's always ready to use when you want to charge on the go.
Also, if your charger develops a frayed cable, loses connection over time, or has other issues, consider replacing it. Using a damaged charger could lead to injuries or fires stemming from electrical leakage.