USB-C Cables for the Nintendo Switch
There are far more good USB-C cables than I can list. These cables are from known good producers and meet the specs I and Nintendo recommend. The variety below should meet most people’s needs.
USB-C to USB-C Cables
| Cable | Safety Rating | Type | Lengths | Colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | 6 inches, 3, 6, and 9 feet 15 cm, 0.9, 1.8, and 2.75 meters | Black, White | USB-IF Certified |
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen1 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 3.1 | 3 and 6 feet 0.9 and 1.8 meters | Black, White | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | 3 feet 0.9 meters | Black | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | 6 feet 1.8 meters | Black | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen2 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 3.1 | 3 feet 0.9 meters | Black | USB-IF Certified |
| BrexLink USB-C to USB 2.0 Two Pack | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | 6 feet 1.8 meters | Black, Gray | USB-IF Certified |
USB-C to USB-A Cables
| Cable | Safety Rating | Type | Lengths | Colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | 3, 6, and 9 feet 0.9, 1.8, and 2.75 meters | Black, White | USB-IF Certified |
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-A 3.1 Gen2 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-A 3.1 | 3 feet 0.9 meters | Black, White | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB 3.0 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | 3, 6, and 10 feet 0.9, 1.8, and 3 meters | Black, White | 56k Ohm resistor |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB 3.1 Gen2 | ★★★★☆ | USB-C to USB-A 3.1 | 3 feet 0.9 meters | Black | USB-IF Certified |
The Pro Controller and Joy-Con Charging Grip both include a USB-C to USB-A cable from Nintendo (★★★★★ safety rating). It includes the recommended 56k Ohm resistor and can charge the Switch.
More USB-C cable sources:
- USB-IF Certified Cables List: Official list of USB-IF certified USB-C cables.
- Benson Leung’s Amazon Wishlist: List of USB-C cables this Google engineer has tested and approved. He stopped in May 2017, but USB-IF certification picks up from there.
USB 2.0/3.0/3.1 refer to the cable’s fastest possible data transfer speed. It has no bearing on power transfer.
The 56k Ohm resistor protects from a USB-C device pulling too much current (amps) from a USB-A power source. USB-IF certified C-to-A cables include this resistor. USB-C to USB-C connections do not have the same issue.
USB-IF certification comes from the USB Implementers Forum, the creators of USB specifications. It denotes a device fully meets their standards. Lack of certification does not mean a device is bad. See the Switch Chargers FAQ for more details.