A portable charger (aka power bank) can mean the difference between stressing over your Nintendo Switch’s battery life. Or being able to play all day long without worry. The best portable chargers for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite can all fast charge them while you play. While also offering enough capacity to keep you going, whether for a long commute or a day of travel.

Looking to charge at home, work, or for travel? Check out Best Chargers for the Nintendo Switch.

Like our phones and laptops, the Switch has a finite amount of battery life. With fewer energy saving options. A portable charger for the Nintendo Switch can extend your playtime away from home. But what kind and how large depends on your model Switch and travel plans. This portable charger buying guide for the Nintendo Switch will go over the various options. Including recommendations for most Switch traveling needs.

It is safe to charge the Switch with a third-party charger. There have been no reports of good quality, third party power sources damaging a Switch. There have been problems with third party docks. But the issue stemmed from poor (or no) PD protocols on the dock’s power transfer chip. As with any accessory do your homework and buy well-reviewed and quality products. I have more details in Safely Charging the Switch.

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Energy Efficiency of Your Model Nintendo Switch

There are currently three Nintendo Switch models. They have varying energy efficiency levels and battery sizes. As such the model you own will affect how much playtime you can get.

Nintendo Switch, original (HAC-001)

• Released March 2017, mostly out of stores by fall 2019
• 2.5-6.5 hours playtime
• Actual playtime may be less for “launch day” units. Due to the normal consumption of its lithium battery.

Nintendo Switch, updated (HAC-001-01)

• Released August 2019
• 4.5-9 hours playtime
• New hardware with many energy efficiency improvements
• Same size battery as the original (4310mAh)

Nintendo Switch Lite (HDH-001)

• Released September 2019
• 3-7 hours playtime
• Same improved energy efficiency hardware as the updated model
• Smaller internal battery as larger models (3570mAh)

All things being equal, a power bank goes furthest with the updated Switch than the other models. So if you have a model from late 2019 you can get away with a smaller power bank. While a larger power bank will help an original model Switch gain more playtime. And cost much less than trading in your console.

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Power Output – Fast charging your Nintendo Switch

With the right cable, you can connect almost any USB portable charger to the Nintendo Switch and have it draw power. But how quickly it charges depends on the power output specs of your portable charger. Making it as important of a specification as its capacity.

USB Power Delivery

The Nintendo Switch supports USB Power Delivery over USB-C. USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a fast-charging standard. Like Quick Charge, but not cross-compatible. The Switch will always charge at a better rate with a USB-C PD power source.

18W USB-C PD

• Charges all model Switches near their max rate in handheld/tabletop mode
• Also commonly used to fast-charge newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel
• Chargers supporting 15V will charge all model Switches at their max rate; but are uncommon among 18W
• An 18W charger with 12V (but no 15V) will charge an original model Switch slower than normal; but still more than enough to charge while you play

30W USB-C PD

• Guarantees all model Switches charge at their max rate, which requires 15V output
• Can also power most 12-inch laptops
• Max charge rate is not required to charge while you play, and you may not notice a difference between 18W and 30W

Get a USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable with a USB PD portable charger.

USB-C & USB-A

A USB-C (non-Power Delivery) or 10W USB-A portable charger can charge your Nintendo Switch on the go. But at slower rates.

Regular USB-C should offer up to 15W output. It isn’t as fast as USB PD. But it is enough to charge the Switch while you play.

A USB-A portable charger offering 5V/2A (or more amps) output can keep up with the updated Switch and Switch Lite’s demands. But the original model Switch may continue to drain, though at a reduced rate. For best results connect while the Switch’s battery is near 100%. You’ll also need a USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable.

A USB-A portable charger only offering 5V/1A will only charge the Switch while it is asleep. And then quite slowly. Not worth messing with.

If you already own a regular USB-C or USB-A portable charger you can give it a go. But if buying a new portable charger stick with USB PD. They are the best value long term.

Learn more about how the Nintendo Switch charges and deals with different power sources.

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Capacity – Only carry what you need

More capacity generally means more playtime. But you can end up with too much capacity. If you use 50% or less of a power bank then you’re carrying more weight than needed. And likely paid more than necessary, too.

Capacity to Play Time

You can’t compare the mAh of the power bank to the mAh of your device’s battery. The changes in voltage from the battery to USB back to battery make the math more complicated. Not to mention expected power efficiency losses. The result is the actual capacity provided isn’t as much as the capacity listed.

As such I use this general guide of capacity to playtime. Based on my own testing of many power banks with the Nintendo Switch. Individual power banks may give you better or worse playtimes. Depending on their power efficiency.

How Much Do You Need?

For most travel, I recommend a 10,000mAh power bank. Including the Switch’s battery, you can get 7-10 hours (depending on your model Switch) total. More than enough for domestic travel.

A larger 20,000mAh may be more appropriate for longer international flights. It also works better if you need to charge several devices as you travel. Some also prefer a larger power bank for their commute. Opting to carry more weight to save having to recharge it as often.

More than 20,000mAh is overkill for most people under most conditions. We’re talking 13-22 hours of running your Switch without access to a power outlet. You can also run into issues with carrying such a large power bank on some international flights.

In the United States, you can fly with a 26,800mAh power bank on any flight.

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Budget – Don’t pay for more than you really need

So you now have a good idea of what type and size power bank to get. But keep your personal budget in mind. In general the larger and faster a power bank, the more expensive it is. If your ideal model is too much here are some cost savings suggestions.

• Go with 18W USB-C PD over 30W. You likely wouldn’t notice a difference in charge times.
• Don’t go with 15W USB-C or USB-A. They aren’t much cheaper and aren’t a good value.
• If wanting a 20,000mAh or larger model reconsider your capacity needs. A 10,000mAh works for most people under normal situations. Plan for what’s expected, not what might happen.
• Anker, AUKEY, and RAVPower are the most popular brands. But also the most expensive, especially Anker.
• Price in the cost of a USB-C to USB-C cable. Especially when comparing a power bank that includes it with one that does not.

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Best Portable Chargers for Nintendo Switch

Pocket Size

These portable chargers offer around 10,000mAh capacity. They take up little space in a Switch carrying case. And can fit in your jeans pocket. But are more comfortable in a jacket pocket.

No products found.

Review of the AUKEY PB-Y25 Sprint Wireless 8000

Review of the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux

Review of the Novoo PowerCube Mini 10000

Nintendo Licensed

Review of the Anker PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition

Camping

Review of the Novoo Explorer 10000

High Capacity

These portable chargers offer 20,000 – 26,800mAh capacity. Making them big and heavy, but also offering enough power to keep playing for a day or more. All are legal to fly within the USA.

Review of the ZMI PowerPack Aura 20K USB-C

No products found.

Review of the RAVPower PD Pioneer 26800

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Comparison of All Recommended Portable Chargers for the Nintendo Switch

 

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tl;dr – How much power bank do I really need for the Nintendo Switch?

Several different power banks will work well with the Switch. Just look for these key specifications:

• Minimum: 15W USB-C output
• Recommended: 18-30W USB Power Delivery output
• Don’t buy USB-A only, but okay to try one you already own
• 10,000mAh for an extra 4+ hours
• 20,000mAh or more if traveling far or powering 3+ devices
• Included USB-C to USB-C cable is nice, otherwise budget an extra $10
• Anker, AUKEY, and RAVPower are the biggest brands. But there are other good ones. As well as some not so great ones. Always check reviews, on and off Amazon.

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Don’t see a power bank you quite like? Or which is available in your region? Take what you’ve learned here and check out my larger power bank comparison list.

Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2024-11-04.