What's the best portable charger for Nintendo Switch? That's a question we all need an answer to when taking our consoles out and about on long journeys.
Nintendo states that the Switch's internal battery lasts 4.5 to 9 hours if you have the newer model, or just 2.5 to 6.5 hours if you have the original launch model. Realistically, having tested the console ourselves, you're looking at around three hours of play for an intensive 3D game like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on an original system – which isn't especially great. The solution? Grab a Power Bank (otherwise known as a portable charger) for your console.
These chargers come in a wide variety of prices and capacities, so we've been scouring the internet for prices and specifications, testing a bunch of them out to bring you this guide. Keep scrolling to find our specific recommendations for every budget, or quickly browse all your options using these links:
- >>> Browse all Nintendo Switch Power Banks at Amazon
- >>> Browse all Nintendo Switch Power Banks at Best Buy
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Switch Portable Charger - What Capacity Should I Get?
That depends on what your expectations are. The standard Switch has a 4,310mAh battery, so if you want a full charge out of a portable charger at the very least, you're going to have to look for one with a capacity around that.
However, you can't just get a power bank with exactly the same capacity and ride off into the sunset. Portable chargers typically operate at around 65% capacity, so really you're going to need to get one at around the 7,000mAh capacity to guarantee a full charge from zero to hero.
For longer trips, though, you might want more than just a single charge. Fortunately for you, power banks can go as high as 50,000mAh, which is quite frankly ridiculous.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the bigger the capacity, the bigger the portable charger. As a simple reference point, single charge power banks will likely be about the same size as a credit card, double or triple that about a six-inch phone, and the ridiculous 50,000mAh options will be about the size of a big paperback novel.
Switch Portable Charger - Do The Ports Matter?
Again, that's a matter of preference. The Switch charges over USB-C but your power bank doesn't necessarily need to have one. You'd need a USB-A to USB-C cable, but it will work an absolute treat.
The important thing to bear in mind is that, on average, your Switch will charge slower using anything other than a USB-C. This likely won't be an issue if you only plan on charging the Switch while it isn't in use, but if you want to keep your battery topped up while playing, you'll want a USB-C option. That way it will charge as fast as you're using it, keeping your Switch at 100%.
Finally, you should also consider whether you want to charge other devices alongside your Switch. Power banks come in a variety of forms, so make sure to keep an eye out for additional ports if you want to use it to charge other devices too.
Switch Portable Charger - How Much Should I Pay?
First of all, figure out what you want from a power bank and then look for the cheapest option available to you. We're going to get into that for you below.
As you can expect, portable chargers become more expensive the higher the capacity, so that's the place to start. How many times do you need to charge your Switch on the go? Answer that question first and then check your options in that category.
Best Switch Portable Chargers - Low Capacity Budget Options
Let's start with some options for those on a tight budget. Don't need more than a single charge? These are the options for you:
EAFU 10,000mAh Power Bank
One of the most affordable options available is this cute little charger from EAFU. It's small enough to fit in your pocket and comes with 3A high-speed charging and an LED display that tells you how much charge it has left.
Anker PowerCore 10,000
The Anker PowerCore II is a solid option for those on a budget, providing an entire charge and a bit for your Nintendo Switch. It's super small as well – basically the size of a credit card – and charges pretty quickly too.
Anker PowerCore Slim, 10,000
Another option from Anker, this charger is known for its slim build that closely resembles your modern smartphone in terms of its shape.
Best Switch Portable Chargers - Medium Capacity All-Purpose Options
Want a few extra charges out of your power bank? Fancy charging a few devices at the same time? Go for these affordable options.
Anker PowerCore 20,100
The Anker PowerCore 20,100 is an excellent option for those that want to charge your Switch multiple times from a single power bank, or charge multiple devices at once. It's got two fast-charging USB-A ports and charges pretty quickly over micro USB. It's pretty heavy though.
imuto 20,000
Another pick for anyone who wants a bonus LED display to show remaining battery levels, this imuto is essentially a more powerful take on the EAFU charger listed above. It's pretty tiny too – smaller than an iPhone 6+.
Charmast 26,800
Highlighted by Amazon as "possibly the best USB power bank around," this model from Charmast features three output and two input ports, plus one bi-directional port. Its max capacity is a touch higher than the others featured in our medium tier list, too.
Best Switch Portable Chargers - Price Is No Limit Options
Price is no limit? Want ridiculous capacities and loads of ports? Go crazy with these options.
MAXOAK 50,000
The MAXOAK is an absolutely insane option that features a 50,000mAh capacity, offering a whopping seven potential full charges for your Nintendo Switch. Not only that, but you can charge six devices at once while using it. This is perfect for a week away.
DJROLL 36,000 Solar Power
Likely a bit over the top for the average user, but a great option for those who want to brave the elements, DJROLL's 36,000 mAh Solar power bank has an awful lot of juice, comes with a torchlight, and is "rain-proof, dust-proof, shock-proof and splash-proof." Taking your Switch out camping? Perhaps this one's for you.
Anker PowerCore 26,800
This is the savvy choice for those that have a sizeable budget, offering almost three full charges of your Switch while travelling. It has three USB ports so you can charge a couple of other devices at the same time, and allows you to charge it twice as fast thanks to two micro USB charging ports. Despite the massive size, this allows you to charge the thing in just six and a half hours.
Best Switch Portable Chargers - The "I Only Want The BEST" Option
Not interested in settling for anything less than the very best? Get this one.
Anker PowerCore+ 26,800
This is the Anker PowerCore 26,800 but with a USB-C two-way charging port that lets you charge both the Switch and the power bank itself over USB-C. The big feature here is that the PowerCore+ is capable of charging the Switch as fast as when it's docked, so you can happily play with it and charge it to full battery at exactly the same time.
[Note: In the US, a newer model has now replaced the Anker PowerCore 26,800. The following link will take you to the similarly impressive Anker 737 PowerCore III Elite 26,000]
No matter which charger you opt for, you're going to increase the playing power of your Switch considerably. We've included a range to suit all budgets and necessities, so hopefully you've found something that suits your needs!
Looking for more? Check out our other Switch buying guides:
Comments 20
@BladedKnight Same here, the one with power delivery. Used it on several trips to great effect.
Turns out I have the best one. Nice to know!
Is there a powerbank powerful enough to power up the Switch while on the switch dock?
I had an Anker 12,000mah and it worked fine for me for several years. I upgraded because it wouldn't charge my GPD WIN 2. I upgraded to a RAVPower 26800mAh PD bank. Some devices require higher voltages, which is what USB PD provides. If you have multiple devices, know that you need higher voltages (Like the GPD WIN 2) or just want to future proof, make sure your battery supports USB PD/whatever voltage your device needs.
I have the Anker 20100 in the way cheaper non-Switch branded variety. It's good! Just the right capacity to keep two moderately used smartphones alive for the duration of a music festival.
Where's the solar chargers? Free energy from the sun that allows you to play with your Switch outdoor forever.
Here ya go: https://www.lifewire.com/best-portable-solar-chargers-4149830
I watched a test on YouTube of 3 all on switch aNd charging whilst playing the same repeated thing on Zelda.
Mine was super cheap and gives you just over an extra full charge. That’s ample. I’d not be away from power for 8+ hours - well I might be but I won’t be playing switch non stop!
It’s an anker and super light too.
On amazon.
Watching them tested on YouTube is a good way to see what you’ll actually get from it as some brand not give the same charge even though batteries are same size
It's a scam. The 99.5% of the human population don't need a power bank. Portable chargers are only meant for those who are hardcore hikers and mountain climbers.
I'm surprised that the article doesn't mention Power Delivery once.
Some of the power banks listed here feature Power Delivery, others do not. The Switch uses Power Delivery to quickly charge the device, and non-Power Delivery USB-C chargers will be able to charge the Switch, albeit slowly.
Power Delivery chargers are also considerably more expensive, something to be wary of when making a purchase decision.
I hear people keep quoting that "it charges the switch in only 2 hours" my cheap $20 20,000mah USB A charger charges in the same amount of time.
Great article. Thank you for putting this together.
For those not in the know, you may want to mention that the best portable chargers will have Power Delivery. This is especially useful if you want to use the Switch and charge it at the same time.
While I'm sure the folks at Nintendo Life know what that is, I'm posting a link for others:
http://www.usb.org/developers/powerdelivery/
@NiaBladerunner Wow, it's almost like other people live different lives in different situations than yourself or something!
I use the "I only want the best" model at least several times a week when I'm playing Switch primarily away from the TV/outdoors. I don't deplete the whole thing of course but it's nice to have that extra available capacity if I forget to recharge it, don't feel like recharging it, want to charge my phone/headphones too, or to have available for a power outage or such. It's also handy for keeping Switch from running off its own cells when playing a lot and save the wear cycles on the non-user-replaceable battery when replacing the PowerCore is less than half the price of the Switch and doesn't involve having to transfer game data.
@NiaBladerunner Or people who travel frequently, long flights, long drives, etc... I can't count the number of times a power bank has saved my hide, especially when traveling in a foreign country, using my phone as a GPS, only to realize my battery was about to die. Or saved me from boredom on a 9 hour flight. Or was just more convenient when laying in a hotel room than carrying a bag full of wall adapters/cords and being tethered to a wall.
@MooPenguin32 Many thanks for posting a link to the documentation. This is exactly what I was referring to in my initial response, and it's what prevented my GPD WIN 2 from charging at all on my old charger.
I end up getting the Anker PowerCore 20100 PD last month off ebay for $28 (one day sale). I haven’t truly test the limits on my switch but its crazy good on my Samsung S7 edge when I was out all day playing Pokemon Go during Articuno Day; kept it alive with ton more energy to spare.
I have the Anker Powercore 20100 and it works extremely well with the Switch in portable mode.
I don't think solar charger is enough to charge gadgets like the switch or simply iPhones too ! I have seen some Anker power banks working great with Switch and have written detailed reviews. Here you can find it : https://www.powerbanktalk.com/best-power-banks/
I am a Travel Blogger and during my travels, I like to play a lot on the Nintendo Switch you easily can take it with you. So I know the problem of running out of power quickly. That is why I also wrote a review about Power Banks for the switch. https://poweryourgadget.com/best-power-bank-for-nintendo-switch/
@Gilgameshb 😂😂😂 I'm just gonna sit back here with my 🍿
@NiaBladerunner Not sure if you're trolling but I use them everytime I'm somewhere away from home and playing PokéMon Go.
❗️I have a Energizer 20,000mAH one with a little LED Screen and that works fine.
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