Can I Charge My Nintendo Switch in the Car

Staff, Courtesy of Anker

Equal parts homebound and on-the-go gaming console, the Nintendo Switch has been an ever-popular, top selling video game console since its release in 2017. With its ingenious portable, plug-and-play design, it's been a favorite for travelers and homebodies alike. Especially because of its portability, the Nintendo Switch requires a bit more consideration when it comes to charging. We're here to help you get the most out of your Switch, battery and all.

What to Consider

When it comes to finding the perfect charging device for the Switch, it all comes down to wattage and power delivery. Similar to Fast Charging for phones and tablets, the Nintendo Switch can get an extra charging boost through USB-C chargers utilizing "Power Delivery." With Power Delivery type chargers, your Switch will charge much faster than with a standard USB-C charger, and even lets you increase battery levels while playing.

Aside from USB-C with Power Delivery, it's important to make note of the Nintendo Switch's wattage requirements. Depending on if it's docked or not, the Switch can draw different amounts of power. In handheld mode, the Switch can draw up to 18 watts of power. In docked mode, however, the Switch and dock together can draw up to 39 watts of power. Because of this difference, one charger might be able to power a handheld Switch, but not a docked one.

How We Selected

We strive to rigorously test every product we recommend. For those products we can't test ourselves, we perform intensive research, reviewing content from expert sources like Digital Trends, Wirecutter, WIRED, Tom's Guide, and others, as well as thousands of consumer reviews from online storefronts on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. As for the products themselves, we evaluated them on performance, design, compatibility, and price.

1

Best Charger for Docked Play

Nintendo Switch AC Adapter

Nintendo bhphotovideo.com

$29.88

It turns out the wall charger that comes with your Nintendo Switch is quite good. The included charger is minimalist, reliable, and delivers efficient USB-C charging with Power Delivery. This charger actually chooses between two charging profiles, depending on if the Switch is in docked or handheld mode.

Combined with a built-in five-foot-long cable, the official Switch AC adapter is a quality charger for all types of play.

• USB-C Power Delivery
• Reliable, official Nintendo product
• Effective handheld and docked charging

• Pricey

2

Best Charger for Handheld Play

Anker Nano PowerPort III Charger

The Switch is a portable console, and when travelling light, having a big, bulky charger with built-in cabling can be cumbersome. Anker's Nano PowerPort III is a traveler's best friend. It's incredibly compact, under two inches in all dimensions.

Despite its small size, it supports USB-C Fast Charging as well as Power Delivery, making it an excellent travel companion for gadget-heads.

Unlike the official Switch charger, the PowerPort III lacks a built-in cable, meaning you'll have to pack a USB-C cable separately. But for gamers on the go, the PowerPort III is the best way to charge your Switch in handheld mode.

• Small size
• USB-C Power Delivery
• Great for USB-C devices of all kinds

• Runs hot
• No included USB-C cable

3

Best Portable Charger

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 Portable Charger

One of the best things about the Switch is that you can game on the go without having to be near an outlet. However, the Switch's battery isn't endless. The regular Switch comes with a 4,310mAh battery, and while this is solid, it can't survive long or multiday travel stints.

A portable power bank solves this issue, and the Anker PowerCore Essential is the best one for the job. This portable battery has a capacity of 20,000mAh, and can deliver USB-C Power Delivery as well as standard USB-A charging. The rugged texture exterior is great for travel, and the PowerCore Essential features an LED ring-light indicator to show how much battery you have left.

For the frequent traveller, the PowerCore Essential is a must have. While we're big fans of the 20,000mAh version, it comes in a slimmer, more affordable 10,000mAh version as well.

• Can fully charge a Switch multiple times
• USB-C (with Power Delivery) as well as USB-A output
• LED power indicator

• Pricey
• Not suitable for docked play

4

Best Attachable Power Bank

Portable Power Bank for Nintendo Switch

Emperor of Gadgets amazon.com

$35.69

If you love the flexibility of a portable charger, but want something a bit more Switch-specific, check out the Portable Power Bank.

This portable charger mounts onto the back of your Switch and charges via a short built-in USB-C cable. The Portable Power Bank has a 10,000mAh capacity, meaning it can fully charge the Switch at least twice.

Although it lacks USB-C Power Delivery, it has extensive protective features, such as protections against short-circuiting, over-volting, over-heating, and overcharging. The temperature protection is particularly relieving, as the Portable Power Bank clips right onto the back of the Switch console.

The convenience, and small form factor, make the Portable Power Bank a great charging option for veteran Switch travelers.

• Easy to clip on and off Switch
• Can charge and recharge simultaneously

• No USB-C Power Delivery charging
• Added weight for handheld play

5

Best Car Charger

Nintendo Switch High Speed Car Charger

Like the Nintendo Gameboy or DS of old, the Nintendo Switch feels right at home in the backseat of a car. While some newer, luxury vehicles have fully decked-out backseat power outlets, most car owners are still using good ol' car chargers to power their devices. If you fall into that camp, then HORI's Switch car charger is for you.

An officially licensed Nintendo product, the HORI car charger is standard in all the best ways. It's a USB-C car charger with a six-foot-long cable, long enough to reach from the front to backseat of most vehicles.

While it doesn't deliver USB-C Power Delivery, it is definitely better than carrying and draining a portable battery every time there's a long car ride.

• Officially licensed Nintendo product
• Lengthy built-in six-foot-long USB-C cable

• Pricey
• No USB-C Power Delivery

6

Best Budget Car Charger

PowerA Nintendo Switch Car Charger

While the HORI car charger is certainly capable, it can be pricey and hard to come by. Luckily the PowerA Nintendo Switch car charger is an affordable, capable substitute.

Another product officially licensed by Nintendo, the PowerA car charger comes with a built-in braided 6-foot-long cable that can bend and twist around any vehicular obstacles. The USB-C charger works with any Switch and even Switch pro controllers.

Charging is slower than with a dedicated outlet, but the convenience of car charging during long road trips is unmatched.

• Officially licensed Nintendo product
• Great 6 foot long braided cable

• Some durability issues
• No USB-C Power Delivery

7

Best Charger-Compatible Stand

HORI Compact Playstand for Nintendo Switch

While not actually a charger, the HORI playstand enables you to charge your Nintendo Switch while playing it in kickstand configuration, something the Switch's built-in kickstand cannot effectively accomplish.

One of our top Switch accessory recommendations, the HORI Playstand is the best way to charge and play your Switch while on a tabletop surface. Use it in combination with a recommended wall or portable charger, and enjoy playing the Switch hands-free. It even comes in a Multiport version, which allows you to plug in USB peripherals on the go.

• Makes tabletop play comfortable and stable
• Enables easy tabletop charging

• Large for travelling
• Enables charging, but not a charger in itself

8

Best Small Charging Stand

Nintendo Switch Adjustable Charging Stand

Nintendo macys.com

$19.99

The Nintendo Switch is built for gaming on the go. While accessories like extra chargers, controllers, and grips have their uses, carrying around a ton of bulky accessories can start to detract from the Switch's slim form factor.

Nintendo's own adjustable charging stand keeps a minimal profile while delivering on a key function: charging during tabletop play.

This small cradle-style stand plugs into the bottom of your Switch and adds a charging port that faces sideways, allowing for easy tabletop charging. The built-in kickstand is a big improvement over the Switch's original, and even has adjustable tilt to get that perfect viewing angle.

• Small size is excellent for travel
• Adjustable tilt
• Official Nintendo product

• Pricey

9

Best Charging Case

BigBlue 10000mAh Charging Case

BigBlue amazon.com

$38.96

Like a cell phone or tablet, the Switch is no stranger to charging cases. However, due to the Switch's complex design, many charging cases are more trouble than they're worth.

The BigBlue 10,000mAh charging case is not one of those cases. It's excellent, ergonomic design not only adds 10,000mAh of extra charge to a Switch, but adds comfort and usability as well.

The case comes in three pieces: a central charging case for the Switch console, and two grip cases for the Nintendo Joy-Cons. This three-piece design means you can detach the Joy-Cons and, using the case's built-in kickstand, enjoy tabletop play without any additional charging cables.

The charging case itself supports Quick Charging and Power Delivery, with a convenient LED battery indicator near the charge ports. If you don't mind the added bulk of a case, the BigBlue charging case is the one to get.

• Excellent case design
• Power Delivery charging and recharging

• Bulky

Harry Rabinowitz Harry Rabinowitz is a writer, editor, and columnist covering the latest and greatest products in the gaming industry.

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Can I Charge My Nintendo Switch in the Car

Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/g36986544/best-nintendo-switch-chargers/

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