The Best Nintendo Switch Accessories

The Switch Pro Controller is a good gamepad in its own right, but the more affordable 8Bitdo Pro 2 beats it on almost every front. It works seamlessly with the Switch, PC, and Android devices; features programmable rear buttons; and supports full control remapping with macros via its Windows app, all for less than $50. It can’t scan Amiibo, but it’s otherwise a Switch Pro Controller killer with even more to offer.

The Switch has many classic arcade games, so you’ll want to capture the authentic feel with a stick. The 8Bitdo Arcade Stick is just that—a sturdy joystick controller that connects to the Switch or a PC through Bluetooth or a USB transmitter. It works well, and though it might not have the authentic component bona fides of more “serious” fight sticks, it’s also much less expensive than that class of competitive controller.

Want more buttons? 8bitdo also offers a leverless, Hit Box-style All-Button Arcade Controller that replaces the stick with buttons. It’s an affordable alternative for anyone interested in getting into fighting games.

Joy-Con controllers are clever and flexible, but they aren’t the most comfortable input devices. However, the Hori Split Pad Pro is an excellent alternative for when you’re using the Switch as a handheld. These Joy-Con-like controllers only work when connected directly to the system, but they’re large, satisfying to hold, and have a well-designed direction pad for playing fighting games and platformers.

The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite each have 32GB of storage, and the OLED Switch has 64GB. That’s enough to get you started in the early days of Switch ownership, but not enough to build a decent game library that doesn’t require you to constantly uninstall games to make room for new ones. Fortunately, the Switch has a microSD card slot that accepts standard microSD cards up to an impressive 2TB. MicroSD cards have gotten pricier in the past year, but you can still get a 256GB card like this SanDisk unit for less than $80. It doesn’t have to be a Nintendo-branded card, either; any UHS-1 microSD card will work with the system.

The Capture button on the Switch lets you grab screenshots and short video clips, but that isn’t enough for streamers and other content creators. If you want to record or stream your gameplay, you need a separate capture device like the Elgato HD60 X. This small box lets you capture video coming from the Switch while still displaying it on your TV via an HDMI pass-through. It supports 4K video at 30 frames per second, but the 1080p60 mode is more important for Switch video.

This is an accessory that’s specific to the original Switch, since its dock doesn’t have an Ethernet port like the OLED Switch or the Switch 2. The Switch’s Wi-Fi is reliable, but if you want the fastest internet speeds when the console’s docked, you need a wired network connection. This Hori-made Ethernet adapter plugs into the Switch dock so you can connect a cable from your router. Now, enjoy silky multiplayer action.