It’s hard to beat the portability of the Nintendo Switch when gaming on the go, but nothing is worse than running out of battery during pivotal moments of the best Switch games. Grabbing a battery case, like our top pick, the NEWDERY External Battery Station, means your Switch will never be without juice and has an extra dose of protection too.
TL;DR — These are the Best Nintendo Switch Battery Cases:
- NEWDERY External Battery Station - Best overall
- NEWDERY Battery Charger Case - Best for Switch Lite
- Nyko Power Pak - Best slim
- Bionik Power Commuter - Best carrying case
- Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux - Best power bank
- Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank - Best attachable
- Nyko Boost Pak - Best compact
One of the best Switch accessories to arm your portable console with is a battery case. These devices perform double duty, acting as both a Switch case and a power bank. Some of the best battery cases even attach directly to the Switch, slotting into the USB-C port without adding much bulk, while others keep it simpler.
No matter what you’re after, we’ve found a battery case to keep your Nintendo Switch charged up at all times. You may even score a great Switch deal on one, and we’re hopeful some will be compatible with the Switch 2, rumored to be released next year.
1. NEWDERY External Battery Station
Best Nintendo Switch Battery Case
The NEWDERY External Battery Station adds a beefy, 10,000mAh battery to your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED. That’s no small backup, and it can stretch the battery life of your console considerably—an extra eight hours or 1.6 full charges. You’re not limited to just juicing up your Switch, as it also works as a portable charger to top up your phone or tablet.
This battery case is rocking some handy extras, like a kickstand in the back to use your Switch in tabletop mode, and a slot behind that kickstand is ready to stow two game cartridges. It also offers an 18W PD, ensuring your Switch’s fully drained battery is back to full in under 2 hours. There’s even a smart chipset to help protect your device against overvoltage and short-circuiting, while cutouts and air vents on the case prevent overheating.
2. NEWDERY Battery Charger Case for Nintendo Switch Lite
Best Nintendo Switch Lite Battery Case
The Nintendo Switch Lite is more compact and lacks detachable joy-cons like the other Switch models, which means you’ll want to grab the best Switch Lite accessories to fit its smaller dimensions. So, if you’re looking for a battery case to keep your Switch Lite topped up for long commutes or travel days, the NEWDERY Battery Charger Case for Nintendo Switch Lite is the perfect partner. In fact, it’s from the same company as our top pick.
This option integrates a battery and USB-C into a lightweight, ergonomic case for your Switch Lite. You’ll enjoy an additional 10 hours of playtime on your console thanks to the 10,400mAh battery that can handle speeds up to 18W. There’s even an additional USB-A output to charge another device, while it’s possible to charge both the Switch Lite and the battery case simultaneously. Battery levels can be monitored using LED indicators and multiple vents help prevent overheating. Adding the NEWDERY Battery Charger Case’s greatness is a kickstand and storage for one game card.
3. Nyko Power Pak
Best Slim Nintendo Switch Battery Case
Love everything about playing your Nintendo Switch on the go but just wish it could last a little bit longer? Then you'll want the Nyko Power Pak. This battery case will let you keep playing with your Switch virtually unaltered. It doesn't cover up the Joy-con, doesn't block any ports or vents, and it only adds a half-pound onto the device. It does cover the Switch's built-in kickstand, but it makes up for that with a kickstand of its own.
Once you have the Nyko Power Pak strapped onto your Switch, you'll get an extra 5,000mAh of battery capacity for all your mobile gaming needs. Nyko suggests that this can almost double the battery life of your Switch, letting you really grind out the levels when you're nowhere near a power outlet. When you need to charge up the Nyko Power Pack, you can do so with the same USB-C cable you'd use to charge your Switch outside of the dock. That all makes for a pretty strong product, especially given it costs just about $20.
4. Bionik Power Commuter
Best Nintendo Switch Carrying Case With a Battery
You can get one of the best Nintendo Switch cases and an on-the-go battery pack for your Nintendo Switch all in one with the Bionik Power Commuter. This carrying case is designed to fit your Switch and a handy assortment of extras safely inside while providing a 10,000mAh battery pack to charge up your console (or your phone for that matter) between play sessions when you’re on the move and can’t get to a wall outlet.
The case has a main pouch for the Switch to slot into, and there’s a second compartment for accessories. You can store a bunch of game cartridges in a built-in organizer, and there’s a pocket to hold extra Joy-Con. The case itself is padded and uses water-resistant YKK zippers, helping keep all your gear safe. There’s a simple carrying handle on the case, but it can also attach to the straps of a backpack or sling, or you can attach the included shoulder strap for hands-free transport.
5. Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux
Best Nintendo Switch Power Bank
Power banks made specifically for the Nintendo Switch can be handy for their ability to attach and almost integrate with the portable console, but they may lack some of the flexibility and capacity (and often the price) of more universal power banks. Anker's PowerCore 10000 PD Redux is an example of how much you can get for a good price.
This power bank offers 10,000mAh of juice, and it can pump that out at up to 25W, letting you keep charging your Nintendo Switch even as you play. The battery pack has both a USB-A port and a USB-C port, so you can charge your Nintendo Switch and a secondary device (maybe your Pro Controller) at the same time. That USB-C port also handles recharging the power bank, which you can do with the very charger that your Nintendo Switch came with. Anker even includes the USB-C cable needed to make the most out of this power bank with your Nintendo Switch.
6. Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank
Best Attachable Battery for Nintendo Switch
The Emperor of Gadgets Portable Power Bank is a simple yet effective solution to extend your Nintendo Switch's battery life. This option is rather unique, as it actually straps onto the backside of your Switch, adding a slight amount of bulk and weight to the device. But you’ll still have an enjoyable playing experience while your portable console juices up.
The 10,000mAh should significantly extend your gaming time, and it can pump out 15W of power, keeping your Switch topped up even when it's running demanding games. A built-in USB-C cable makes it easy to plug into your Switch without any cable management or needing to remember a cable in the first place. There also are USB-A and USB-C ports on the power bank, so you can charge other devices without unplugging the Switch. Plus, short circuit and overvoltage protection ensure everything is done safely.
7. Nyko Boost Pak
Best Compact Nintendo Switch Battery Pack
If you like the idea of having a little extra battery pack that can attach to your Nintendo Switch but don't see yourself needing something that adds a ton of extra power at the cost of taking up space, then the Nyko Boost Pak will be right up your alley. This slim unit latches onto the bottom of the Nintendo Switch, connecting right into the USB-C port and adding virtually no thickness (though it will make your Switch a bit taller). It's actually slim enough that you can keep it attached even when docking the Switch. And, when you're on the go, it only weighs 55 grams, so you'll hardly notice it.
The Nyko Boost Pak adds on a modest but useful 2,500mAh of battery power. And, rather than just always running when it's attached, the Boost Pak has a power switch, so you can decide when it kicks into gear. Perhaps best of all, this is one of the cheapest Nintendo Switch accessories you'll find. The unit costs less than $20.
What to Look For in a Switch Battery Case
There are a couple of things to keep in mind before pulling the trigger on a battery case for your Switch. First, the original Switch’s internal battery is 4,310mAh and typically lasts about three hours when undocked (depending on the game). The new Switch lasts a bit longer between four to five hours in our experience, though Nintendo has yet to reveal the exact capacity of the larger battery.
Most of the packs I found are around 10,000mAh, so nearly all of them promise to double the life of your Switch, but that won't always be the case.
There are a lot of factors that go into the efficiency of an external battery pack, so don’t be disappointed if that 10,000mAh battery doesn’t triple your Switch’s battery life. With that said, all of them will still provide quite a boost.
Nintendo Switch Battery Case FAQ
How Long Does the Nintendo Switch Battery Last?
The battery life of a Nintendo Switch can vary based on the demands of specific applications and features being used. According to Nintendo, users of the most recent Nintendo Switch consoles (both standard and OLED) can expect 4.5-9 hours of battery life, while Switch Lite devices can last anywhere from 3-7 hours. As seen above, however, these projected times are pretty optimistic, so it’s not hard for any of the battery cases on this list to double your Switch’s lifespan.
The Switch’s lithium-ion battery will also inevitably degrade over time. One general way to keep your Switch battery as healthy as possible is to ensure your device stays charged. Try to avoid letting your device die, and, if possible, plug it in when it gets to or below 20%.
Do I Need a Battery Case for the Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo recognized that the original Switch had a pretty grim battery life, which is why the newer model nearly doubled it. Still, many players continue to find that low battery notification interrupting their gaming sessions.
Switch players who stick to using the TV display and keep their system docked most of the time will have little use for portable charging. However, Switch Lite users or gamers on the go could certainly benefit from the extended playtime that comes with battery cases. If you have upcoming travel plans and want to make sure your beloved Switch goes the distance, it could also be worth making the investment.
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Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
