For many, the Nintendo Switch was their first USB-C device, and figuring out what third-party chargers worked well with it wasn’t always clear. It doesn’t help that Nintendo doesn’t follow USB-C specifications. This site started to help early Nintendo Switch owners find the best charger for their needs. And I’m happy to continue that by showcasing the latest generation of the best fast chargers for the Nintendo Switch. Everything here will work the same for all model Switches, from the Lite to the OLED.
About Fast Charging | Best Nintendo Switch Fast Chargers | USB-C Cables
Amazon Basics 65W GaN, ZMI zPower Turbo 65W, Anker 313 Ace 45W, Nekteck 65W GaN II
Fast Charging a Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) as its fast-charging standard. But unlike most other devices, it has two power draw levels depending on what “mode” it is in.
Handheld/Tabletop Nintendo Switch
A USB-C charger offering 18W or more will fast charge the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. That is when it is not in its dock and applies to all models of the Nintendo Switch and whether it is asleep or gaming.
Using an 18W USB-C charger, the battery level will charge up at various rates, depending on the activity level of the Nintendo Switch. My testing has shown the Switch actually charges faster while playing games than when asleep. But the difference is 15 minutes at more for a 0-100% charge. So I recommend just plugging it in and doing what you want with it.
It is safe to use a USB-C charger offering a higher wattage, such as 45W, used to power a docked Nintendo Switch. It won’t charge the handheld Switch any faster, but it causes no issues and allows you to have one charger for all situations. The Nintendo Switch (like all USB-C devices) controls how much power it draws. A higher-outputting charger won’t overload it.
Docked Nintendo Switch
A USB-C charger offering 45W or more is required to power up the Nintendo Switch in its dock. Technically the minimum is 39W which is how much power the Nintendo Switch’s original AC adapter will provide. But 39W USB-C chargers are not found except for clones of the Nintendo Switch AC adapter, so you want to look for 45W or higher USB-C chargers to find the most options.
Using a 45W USB-C charger, the battery level will charge about the same regardless of activity. The Switch will not charge faster in the dock with a 45W USB-C charger than it would if connected directly to an 18W USB-C charger. There is a limit to how much power it’ll draw into the battery, so expect similar charging times using either setup.
It is safe to use a USB-C charger offering a higher wattage, such as 65W, which is far more common than 45W USB-C chargers today. It won’t charge the handheld Switch any faster. But it causes no issue, as the official dock has no problems doing what it should in terms of dictating how much power comes across. Previous issues of “docks bricking my Switch” were all related to third-party docks, almost all linked to a particular brand and model no longer on the market. I regularly use a 65W USB-C charger with my Nintendo Switch dock when I travel.
Multi-port Chargers
I don’t usually recommend multi-port chargers for the Nintendo Switch if using it with the dock. They tend to disrupt gameplay anytime another device is connected or disconnected.
Most multi-port chargers with USB-C are “smart” and offer a range of power outputs on a port, depending on what else is charging. That’s great for balancing the fast charging needs of several devices. But to do this, the power profile on each port gets reset whenever a device is added or taken away. The reset stops the flow of power for a few seconds. A phone or handheld Switch doesn’t mind because their batteries seamlessly kick in and cover the downtime. But the Nintendo Switch dock doesn’t use the Switch’s battery, so it gets powered down during these resets. Best case, it comes back up on its own. Worse case, you need to wake up the Switch, reset the controller connection, or change the display’s input back to the Switch’s HDMI. In all cases, it is disruptive, and you’ll want to avoid the experience.
If you are only connecting an iPhone and the Switch’s dock, then you can avoid the reset issue above. Plug in and leave the Lightning cable (USB-A or USB-C) in the charger. Lightning cables make any charger think a device is already connected. So unplugging the iPhone itself doesn’t trigger a reset, provided the Lightning cable stays connected to the charger. But even then, I usually recommend having a dedicated charger for your Switch’s dock and a second, maybe multi-port charger, for all your other devices when traveling. That’s the setup I go with.
How Nintendo Switch Charging Works | Safely Charge the Nintendo Switch
Best Nintendo Switch Fast Chargers In 2023
The best Nintendo Switch fast chargers tend to have these qualities:
- USB-C 45W or more, which allows it to work with the Switch in both handheld and docked modes
- Compact design, you want one smaller and easier to travel with than the original AC adapter
- Low cost; chargers at this level are competitive in price
The size difference in most cases is insignificant. So go for the price or brand/features you want. And even then, you won’t see more than a $10 price difference in most cases. Note that all of the chargers here will also support fast charging for your phone, tablet, Steam Deck, and most small and mid-sized laptops.
If you only want an 18W USB-C charger for charging your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, then check out the Best iPhone Fast Chargers list. Everything there is also ideal for a Switch without its dock. Just be sure to buy a USB-C to USB-C cable instead of a USB-C to Lightning cable.
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Nintendo Switch AC Adapter Review
Which Charger Should You Choose?
All of the above chargers work great with the Nintendo Switch. And all except for the original AC adapter are solid travel chargers. So I would look at which charger will also best support your other devices.
Samsung phone owners: The No products found. will support Super Fast Charging 2.0 (45W) for the latest and highest-end model Samsung phones. Even if you don’t need Super Fast Charging now, it’ll future-proof you for your eventual phone upgrade. If you only need Super Fast Charging (25W) support, the No products found. will also get the job done. And includes a free USB-C cable!
Everyone else: The No products found. is my most recommended charger for any device needing 45-65W power support. It is slimmer than the Nekteck and Amazon 65W chargers and doesn’t need a sale or coupon to offer a great price. That said, the No products found. has quickly become my “or” charger recommendation. I’ve seen sales and coupon offers that beat the ZMI in price. And it has that little bit more with USB-IF certification, a 1-foot longer cable, and PPS support.
If price is your only concern and a USB-C cable is not, then it makes sense to go for the No products found. instead when nothing else is on sale.
Remember, all these chargers will also support all phones, tablets, the Steam Deck, and small and mid-sized laptops.
Comparison of All Recommended Fast Chargers for Nintendo Switch
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| 65W USB-C 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3.25A | 65W USB-C 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3.25A 65W PPS 3.3-21V/3.2A | 45W USB-C 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/2.25A 45W PPS 3.3-11V/5A 3.3-16V/3A 3.3-21V/2.2A | 65W USB-C 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3A, 20V/3.25A | 39W USB-C 5V/1.5A, 15V/2.6A |
| 2 x 2 x 1.1 in | 2.1 x 2 x 1.1 in | 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.3 in | 2.1 x 2 x 1.1 in | 2.6 x 2 x 1.4 in |
| 3.4 oz | 3.3 oz | 2.5 oz | 3.4 oz | 6.1 oz |
| Includes 5 foot USB-C to USB-C cable (100W/5A) | Includes 6 foot USB-C to USB-C cable (100W/5A) Supports Samsung Super Fast Charging (25W) | Supports Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0 (45W) | Built-in 5 foot USB-C cable Fixed prongs |
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USB-C Cables for Nintendo Switch Fast Charging In 2023
If buying a new charger, you likely need a USB-C cable to go with it. I like to use dedicated travel chargers and cables to make packing easier. Here’s what to look for to get the best USB-C cable for your Nintendo Switch. These also work great for Android phones and other devices using USB-C fast charging.
What To Look For In a USB-C Cable
There are a lot of cheaply made and unregulated cables on the market. You want to look for known good brands to be sure you’re getting a safe and durable product. Finding one that is USB-IF certified by the developers of USB is a nice bonus.
For charging, there’s no difference between one well-designed USB-C cable and another. The Nintendo Switch only draws up to 39W, and all USB-C cables allow at least 60W. That said, 100W cables usually have little cost difference and will support Samsung Super Fast Charging and larger devices. So for future-proofing, I suggest focusing on 100W cables.
There can be a difference in the exterior of various cables. Many are standard nylon, which is thinner and more flexible. Recently braided nylon has become more popular, which offers more durability.
Best USB-C Cables In 2023
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