The best Nintendo Switch charger in 2023: 11 picks to keep your console powered at home or on the go

The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic portable system, but you’ll need a charger to keep its battery powered up.

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The Nintendo Switch is the most popular gaming console on the market, even six years after release. And with a boatload of big games still on the way — including Pikmin 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Switch owners have plenty to play at home or on the go.

But there are few things worse for a Switch owner than having the system's battery die while you're in the middle of playing. So you'll want a Nintendo Switch charger that can power up your console quickly, is easy to travel with, and won't fail when you need it most.

Here are 11 fantastic Nintendo Switch chargers, running the gamut from AC adapters to portable power banks, that'll keep you playing for hours whether you're in your living room or out and about.

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Will unofficial Nintendo Switch chargers damage the system?

Nintendo strongly recommends against using third-party Switch chargers. But there's never been a confirmed report of any working charger damaging a Switch console, no matter whether it's third-party or not. There's nothing special about the Nintendo Switch that makes it dangerous to use unofficial chargers, so feel free to use your favorite USB-C charger.

How much power does the Nintendo Switch need to charge?

The power that a charger can output is listed in watts (W), and not every charger can give the same amount of power. The Switch by itself can't draw more than 18W (or 13.5W for the Switch Lite). So to guarantee that your Switch will charge even while you're playing it, you'll want to use a USB-C charger that can output at least 18W. 

But if you plan to use your charger to power both the Switch and its dock at the same time, you'll need a charger that can output at least 39W. This accounts for both the Switch's battery and the power needed to transmit an HDMI signal to your TV. 

Can Nintendo Switch chargers be used to charge other devices?

The Nintendo Switch charges using USB-C, which is pretty much the standard for modern handheld devices. This means that nearly any Nintendo Switch charger can also charge any other USB-C device, including Android phones, iPads, MacBooks, and even the Steam Deck.

The only exceptions are Switch chargers like the Rocketfish Extended Play Battery Pack, which rely on the console's specific shape to work.

What's the difference between a wall charger and a power bank?

Wall chargers plug directly into a power outlet, and the wire connects to your Switch or Switch dock. But a power bank is a separate battery pack that you can pre-charge and then carry around with you. 

You can then connect the power bank to your Switch to charge the console anywhere, even if there's no outlets around. Some even clip directly onto the Switch. Most power banks can hold at least two full charges before needing to be recharged again.

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