5 Switch 2 accessory brands that can compete with Nintendo

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The Nintendo Switch 2 improves on the original in several ways. It’s more powerful, its screen is larger and more dynamic, and it supports mouse controls. However, these advancements come at a high cost, and that doesn’t just mean reduced battery life. The Switch 2 costs almost $500, while the additional Joy-Cons and Pro Controller require almost $100 extra each. To be frank, the official Switch 2 accessories are overpriced, but they are quality products.

However, if you know where to look, you can purchase third-party alternatives that match (and sometimes outperform) Nintendo-branded gadgets. Of course, third-party controllers don’t have NFC readers, so if you want to scan your amiibo, you’ll need to break out the Joy-Cons that came with the console. But that sacrifice is often worth it thanks to significantly lower prices and arguably greater joystick accuracy.

And that’s not to mention the accessories that occupy niches that Nintendo ignores to its detriment: if you own more than two Joy-Cons, you can only charge them one pair at a time, unless you purchase a third-party accessory. So you should keep an eye out for quality third-party brands that can compete with products bearing Nintendo’s quality mark.

Third-party controllers for the Switch 2 make a ton of compromises. They don’t include features like HD rumble or NFC scanning, but these devices make up for it in other departments. While many companies sell controllers for the Switch, one of the best is 8BitDo. 8BitDo makes third-party controllers for all modern gaming platforms, including the Switch and Switch 2. The majority of its products are compatible with most consoles thanks to their reliance on a wired connection and 2.4GHz dongles, although some can upgrade to Bluetooth connections.

However, you can tell that a controller was designed with the Switch/Switch 2 in mind, because its front buttons follow the layout of the Switch (the A and B buttons are reversed). Many of 8BitDo’s offerings offer smoother controls compared to Switch 2 peripherals. While Switch 2 controllers use potentiometers, modern 8BitDo controllers use Hall and Tunnel Magnetic Resistance (TMR) technology – Hall and TMR controllers are more precise and less prone to controller drift.

Additionally, many 8BitDo controllers use polling rates that exceed those of the original controllers, which is perfect for games where twitch-based reaction speed can be the difference between victory and defeat. You might have to spend around $60 or $70 from retailers like Amazon, but it’s still cheaper than a Switch 2 Pro controller, and according to users, you’ll probably love its sturdy, ergonomic grip and smooth TMR joysticks.

Wired and wireless controllers make up the meat and potatoes of PowerA’s library. Like 8BitDo’s offerings, PowerA’s Switch 2 controllers include Hall effect joysticks for superior precision, but they also incorporate a feature that most third-party accessories lack: a dedicated GameChat button. Plus, unlike the Switch 2 Pro controllers, there are plenty of styles to choose from, including classic Nintendo characters like Kirby and Mario.

Amazon users praise PowerA controllers for their responsive, mappable buttons, and the battery life is a selling point for the wireless variant. Although wireless controllers often cost $70, you can save money by purchasing a wired version for just $40. PowerA also sells many accessories other than controllers that are aimed at the public who prefer to take their Switch 2s on the go. These include products such as game card cases and protective cases.

While the former works with both Switch and Switch 2 cartridges, the latter is only compatible with Switch 2 consoles due to the large size difference. Buyers generally praise the sockets for their durable construction and soft interior silicone – and they come in a variety of sizes. Owners on Amazon also praise the Switch 2 protective cases, saying they are sturdy and hold cartridges reliably. However, due to their size, you can’t store the charging brick in the PowerA travel cases, but that’s a minor gripe.

While some companies produce third-party peripherals that are comparable to, or even better than, Nintendo’s controllers, others take a different approach. If the Joy-Cons aren’t broken, why fix them? Why not just make them more comfortable? DBrand specializes in protective skins and cases for countless electronic devices, from smartphones to AirPods. And yes, that includes the Switch 2. DBrand’s Killswitch line of cases are designed for gaming on the go and have been redesigned for the Switch 2.

Users can easily detach the Joy-Cons while protecting the console, making it more comfortable to hold. One of the Killswitch’s main attractions is its enlarged grip handles, designed to be more ergonomic and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. The Switch 2 Killswitch is available for $59.95 from the DBrand store, and users via BestBuy say the case makes playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode much more comfortable. Again, this is exactly what you can expect from the company that created one of the best Steam Deck cases.

DBrand also sells many other peripherals, including the Joy-Lock Controller Stand. This accessory serves the same purpose as the Joy-Con Grip (the Joy-Cons attach to form a single controller) but has the added benefit of an adjustable hinge that lets you change the angle of the buttons to make them more comfortable. And the holder is compatible with DBrand Joy-Con grips. The Joy-Lock controller costs $20 in the DBrand store ($5 less than a Joy-Con Grip).

Hori sells many accessories that you won’t find from other manufacturers, some of which can be considered the best accessories for the PlayStation 5. Arguably Hori’s most notable Switch 2 accessory is the Piranha Plant Camera. It works like the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, but it looks like the iconic Piranha Plant from the Mario games, adding personality to your setup. Its built-in privacy shutter functions like a charming hinged mouth.

Not only is Hori’s camera cheaper, but it also has a clip that can attach to the top of most TVs, and you can remove the “stem” from the camera and plug it into the Switch 2 to chat in handheld mode. Nintendo’s camera has no such features. Hori also offers a wide range of transport cases. Some of them are slim and only have enough room for a console and several cartridges, but others, like the Puff Pouch and the Adventure Pack, can also fit in the charging cable.

And then there’s Hori’s answer to Nintendo’s all-in-one carrying case: the Compact Carry All. It’s not as rigid as the all-in-one, but it’s much more affordable and can fit everything the all-in-one case can hold, and a bit more. And yet, the Compact Carry All remains very portable, making it a must-have for anyone who wants to take a Switch 2 while traveling.

When you hear the name “Belkin,” you probably think of power banks, wireless phone chargers, and USB cables. In the spirit of fairness, some of these items are compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2, but it’s the Belkin cases that deserve the spotlight here, as they sell several varieties of travel cases for the Switch 2. One is your standard case that can carry a console and multiple games, but Belkin also offers two versions of the much more innovative “charging case.”

Each comes with a power bank with a cable designed to charge the Switch 2 while in storage; the only difference is that the Charging Case Pro has a built-in stand. Of course, so does the Switch 2, but the case’s stand lets you put the console on a table when it’s plugged into the battery. Even when a carrying case has enough room for an external battery (e.g. Nintendo’s all-in-one case), it is not designed for charging on the go due to the layout of all the compartments. This design flaw gives Belkin a leg up on most Switch 2 travel solutions.

Granted, Belkin cases are a bit pricey, starting at $29.99 for the standard case and going up to $99.99 for the Charging Case Pro. However, many buyers are willing to accept it because they associate the Belkin name with premium quality. According to Amazon users, the mapping box’s battery is perfect for long flights and trips, but it can get a little warm when in use. If you keep the battery off your lap, this shouldn’t be a problem.