Nintendo Switch Controller Charger Buyers' Guide
In addition to giving you some solid Nintendo Switch controller charging dock options, we’ve created a buying guide that’ll help you choose the right charger for your needs. The following are the top things that you need to consider when buying your new controllers charger.
a. What type of Switch controllers do you want to charge?
There is a variety of controllers available for the Switch. You’ll find everything from the default Joy-Cons to Pro Controllers and the super-cool retro options offered by 8BitDo.
These include modern versions of classics like the NES controller, SNES controller, and even the legendary Sega Genesis. Even though we have this kind of controller variety, we’re more concerned with the Joy-Con and the Pro Controller support.
That’s because those two controller types are the most popular, and they’re officially produced by Nintendo. So, when you’re buying a new Nintendo Switch dock charger, the first thing you need to consider is the type of controllers you want to charge.
While some chargers support both Joy-Con and Pro Controllers, others support one type only. So, you need to keep that in mind.
b. How many Switch controllers do you want to charge?
The point of getting a standalone controller charger is that you won’t have to charge your Joy-Cons one pair at a time. And that’s why you need to be sure that the controller you are buying can charge all of your Joy-Cons together.
Most chargers have four slots that can accommodate four Joy-Cons, two Pro Controllers, or two Joy-Cons and one Pro Controller at a time. Knowing how many controllers you want to charge at a time —and the type of those controllers— will help you get a charger that meets your expectations.
Another thing to keep in mind though is that if you have six Joy-Con controllers, you charge one with the Switch itself, and use the standalone charging dock for the other four. Since most Switch controller charges support 4 Joy-Cons, make sure to remember this.
c. Charging status indicator
One charging your Nintendo Switch controllers, one of the questions that you’ll find yourself asking quite often is: Are my controllers charged yet?
When there is no visual clue to whether the controllers are charged or not, this can be annoying. Despite seeming like a no brainer to have, not all Nintendo Switch controller chargers support this feature.
With models that support it though, all you have to do is take a quick look at your charging dock, and you’ll know immediately which controllers are charged, and which are still charging.
d. Design & aesthetics
A Nintendo Switch charging dock isn’t something that you will hide in a drawer once you’re done using. You will use it frequently and it is usually placed in a place where you —and other people— can see it all the time. And that’s why you shouldn’t get one that looks like crap!
Lucky for you, there are plenty awesome-looking charging docks out there that get the job done while looking great at the same time. Despite sounding like a trivial issue, this is something that will make a big difference in your experience with this Switch accessory. If it looks bad you will hate it in no time. Trust us!
