When it comes to gaming on the go these days, the Nintendo Switch is your best bet. Beyond smartphones, it’s the only gaming platform that delivers sprawling experiences like Super Mario Odyssey or even The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, perfectly optimized for travel. It’s home to some of the best games on any console, too. There’s just one problem: the Switch’s battery life is, well, less than stellar. When it comes to improving your Nintendo Switch battery pack, however, you’ve got a few options.
The original Nintendo Switch battery life boasts about 2.5 to 6.5 hours, but that’s all subjective, depending on what you play. Typically, you can expect closer to 2 or 3 hours, and a modest 3 or 4 if you opted for the newer, improved Nintendo Switch model that was released in 2019. For many hardcore players, that doesn’t amount to much, especially on a long commute or plane trip.
Luckily, there are ways to preserve your charge with a bit of effort. Turning off your console instead of putting it in Sleep Mode will keep the system from burning juice when you aren’t even using it, for one. You can also opt to play smaller, less graphically-intensive games to get more mileage out of the juice you’ve got per charge. For instance, pushing your Switch to its upper limits with an Overwatch play session will be far more taxing than sitting back and enjoying a game of indie title Gato Roboto.
But aside from these tricks for extending your Switch battery life, there are additional options out there — if you’re willing to pay for that extra juice. If you never want to get caught on the go without any battery, then here are some accessories you can invest in to help improve your Nintendo Switch’s battery life.
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1. ZeroLemon Nintendo Switch Battery Charger Case
BEST FOR INTEGRATED CHARGING
The fun never has to stop with this useful battery charger case. Simply attach it to your Switch to add about 10 extra hours of playtime thanks to the unit’s built-in 10000mAh rechargeable battery. It also offers an improved kickstand that allows for three different adjustable angles, just in case you want to kick back and enjoy on-the-go play with your Joy-Con controllers. Charging can be turned on and off, so it’s not constantly using the battery, and it’s simple to install and remove. If you’re going to be traveling long distances and need special assurance that your Switch can remain your traveling partner the whole time, this is the easiest way to bank on some extra power.
2. HORI Nintendo Switch High-Speed Car Charger
BEST FOR PORTABLE RECHARGING
If you’re taking a trip by car or find yourself behind the wheel often, you can rack up some extra battery life while driving or chilling on long rides. This officially licensed high-speed car charger features a powerful 5-volt adapter that can jumpstart your Switch charging in no time. Plus, it features a lengthy 6-foot cable and USB C connector so you can play from the back seat or let your Switch “recover” between play sessions on a road trip. It’s great for a portable top-off, whenever you need it.
3. GuliKit Battery Master Power Bank Case
BEST ATTACHED POWER BANK
Charging your Switch on the go can be as simple as adding a battery pack to the equation. This special case eliminates the need to carry around an extra power pack by placing it on the back of the system. It adds an extra 4 hours to your Switch playtime and offers universal compatibility, so if you happen to need to charge your smartphone instead of your Switch, you can simply plug your phone into the power pack instead. It’s frankly ingenious in terms of design.
4. Anker PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition
BEST FOR ALL-PURPOSE CHARGING
If you’re only concerned with charging up your Switch right when it needs it (or for emergencies), this official Anker power bank has your back. It’s licensed by Nintendo, and its high capacity battery can offer up to 10 hours of additional playtime. It can fully charge your Switch back up in just three hours, and it includes two USB charging ports – just in case you’ve got any other electronics in dire need of some extra juice. Like the ZeroLemon, this Switch charger can add about 10 hours of battery life to your playtime.
5. HAC-003 Internal Replacement Battery Pack for Nintendo Switch
BEST FOR EXPERIENCED TINKERERS
This step is only recommended for expert Nintendo Switch owners who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. If your Switch isn’t holding a charge anymore or you want to add a larger battery with better capacity, you can always pop one of these bad boys into the system. This Li-ion 4310 mAh battery is a suitable replacement battery that should get you back in business in no time. Just make sure you know what you’re doing when installing it — or have a professional do it for you.