You just spent $449.99 on a Nintendo Switch 2. Before you buy anything else, read this.
The accessory market for the Switch 2 is already flooded with products. Some of them are genuinely essential. Some are fine. And some will waste your money or , in the case of certain third-party docks , actively break your console’s charging during firmware updates.
This guide tells you what to buy, what to skip, and the setup steps most first-time Switch 2 owners don’t know about. Including one that trips up almost everyone who owned an original Switch.
What’s Already in the Box
Before you buy anything, here’s what Nintendo actually includes:
- Switch 2 console
- Joy-Con 2 (Left + Right)
- Joy-Con straps (×2)
- Joy-Con Grip
- Dock (with Ethernet port)
- AC adapter
- USB-C cable
- Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
The dock is included. You don’t need to buy a second one unless you want TV play in multiple rooms. The HDMI cable supports 4K/120fps. You do need to supply your own TV.
What’s not included: A screen protector, a carrying case, a microSD Express card, or any games.
The Critical Thing Nobody Warned You About: MicroSD Express
If you owned an original Switch, you probably have a microSD card you’re planning to use with the Switch 2. Don’t. Old microSD cards will not store games on the Switch 2.
Nintendo changed the storage standard. Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards , the new PCIe/NVMe-based format that’s roughly 10x faster than standard microSD. Old cards can technically be inserted but will only store screenshots and video clips, not game data.
Look for cards with the “EX” logo or the text “microSD Express” on the packaging. If it doesn’t say Express, it won’t work for games.
Best picks:
- SanDisk microSD Express 256GB (~$59.99) , Nintendo-licensed, fastest option, the reliable choice
- PNY 256GB microSD Express (~$59.99) , Near-identical performance, slightly cheaper when on sale
- Onn 256GB (Walmart) (~$35,40) , Cheapest option when in stock, legitimate savings if you find it
How much storage do you need? The Switch 2 has 256GB internal. A 256GB card doubles that. For most adult gamers with 10 to 20 games at a time, that’s plenty. Only go larger (512GB+) if you plan heavy third-party AAA gaming , Final Fantasy VII Rebirth alone is over 100GB.
Day One Essentials: Buy These Before You Use It
Screen Protector
Apply before your first dock. Seriously. The Switch 2’s screen scratches during docking and undocking, and reports of scratched screens within the first week of ownership appeared immediately at launch. The dock’s plastic guides create friction against the display.
ivoler 4-Pack Tempered Glass (~$7) , No installation guide needed, the low price means you can replace it if you mess up the first one. Does the job.
dbrand Prism 2.0 (~$34 for 2-pack) , The premium option. Comes with a foolproof alignment tray that makes installation nearly impossible to get wrong. Worth the premium if screen-protector application stresses you out.
Tempered glass over TPU. TPU scratches over time. Spend the extra dollar.
Carrying Case
Every original Switch case is too small , the Switch 2 is physically larger (7.9″ screen vs 6.2″). Don’t try to force it.
Tomtoc Slim (~$25,30) , Military-grade hard shell, 12 game card slots, YKK zippers (the good ones). The community consensus pick for first cases.
Orzly (~$15,20) , Fine budget option if you want to spend less. Less padding, fewer card slots.
Belkin Charging Case Pro (~$80) , Integrated power bank charges the Switch 2 while you travel. Overkill for most people but genuinely useful for long flights or international travel.
The Controller Situation
Pro Controller 2 ($79.99)
Nintendo’s first-party Pro Controller 2 is by all accounts the best controller they’ve ever made. New features: C button (opens GameChat), GL and GR back buttons (two additional inputs), HD Rumble 2 for more nuanced feedback, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It became the best-selling gaming accessory in the US for 2025.
It’s expensive at $79.99. If you plan to do significant TV play or want the best possible input options, it’s worth it.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 (~$59.99) , The Alternative
8BitDo makes the best third-party Nintendo controllers available. The Ultimate 2 runs about $20 less than the Pro Controller 2 and has two features Nintendo still won’t put in their first-party controllers: Hall Effect analog triggers and Hall Effect joysticks, which physically cannot develop the drift issue that plagues standard controllers.
Works on Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, and Android. Comes with a charging dock. If drift history makes you nervous, this is the pick.
What About Extra Joy-Con 2?
Your original Joy-Cons work wirelessly with Switch 2 (Bluetooth). They don’t physically attach to the console, can’t access the C Button features, and can’t wake the console from sleep. For multiplayer gaming where everyone uses their own controller, old Joy-Cons work fine.
Extra Joy-Con 2 set is $79.99 , genuinely pricey for what you’re getting. For family multiplayer, using old Joy-Cons wirelessly or buying a second Pro Controller 2/8BitDo is often the better value.
Power and Charging
Travel Charging
The Switch 2 charges via USB-C PD. The included AC adapter works fine at home. For travel, you want a compact power bank.
Antank B5 Magnetic (~$30, 10K mAh) , Magnetically attaches to the back of the Switch 2, charges while you play in handheld mode. The convenience factor is high.
Belkin 20K Gaming Power Bank (~$60) , Larger capacity (roughly 3 full charges), 30W charging speed, purpose-built for gaming devices. The travel option if you’re going somewhere without reliable outlets for 8+ hours.
The Switch 2 charges on USB-C PD, so any quality USB-C PD power bank works. Don’t overpay for Nintendo-branded accessories when the standard USB-C ecosystem has better options.
On Charging Speed
The Switch 2 supports up to 60W charging but the included adapter is rated lower. A 45W USB-C PD charger gets you to 80% in under 90 minutes. Full charge from dead takes about 3 to 3.5 hours.
The Dock Question: Be Careful with Third-Party Options
Nintendo uses USB-C power delivery authentication in the Switch 2 dock connection. This is a real change from the original Switch, and it has broken third-party docks repeatedly.
The November 2025 firmware update disabled many third-party docks that had been working. Dock manufacturers then issued firmware updates to compensate. This is an ongoing arms race.
Official Nintendo Dock ($125) , The safe choice for a second TV location. Expensive but guaranteed to work through every firmware update.
Antank S3 Max (~$36) , The current community-recommended third-party option. Has its own firmware update capability to handle Nintendo authentication changes. Not risk-free, but your best bet if you need a cheaper second dock.
The honest advice: use the included official dock at home, buy the Antank if you need a travel or second-room setup, and accept that third-party dock compatibility can never be fully guaranteed.
Audio
The Switch 2 supports Bluetooth 5.2 natively , a huge quality-of-life improvement over the original Switch, which had no Bluetooth audio support at all. Your wireless headphones work without an adapter.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless (~$100) , Low latency (under 20ms), works on Switch 2, PS5, PC, and mobile. The best all-around wireless gaming headset at this price.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds (~$100) , True wireless earbuds with gaming-grade low latency. Better for commuting and travel; less good for long couch sessions.
For budget audio, any Bluetooth headphones or earbuds you already own will work. The built-in speakers are fine for handheld play.
Ergonomic Grips for Handheld Play
The Switch 2 in handheld mode is large. For longer sessions, a grip that gives your hands a more natural angle makes a meaningful difference.
Satisfye ZenGrip 2 (~$30,35) , The gold standard for Switch grips. Asymmetric design that matches how hands naturally rest. Has been the community favorite for years; the Switch 2 version continues that.
Savage Raven NeoGrip (~$30) , Comes with three interchangeable palm sizes (S/M/L). If you’re unsure whether one grip size fits your hands, the adjustable option is appealing.
What to Skip
Nintendo Switch 2 Camera ($49.99) , Required for a small number of GameChat features. Not needed for the vast majority of use cases. Skip unless you specifically want that functionality.
Third-party docks at launch without verified firmware update support , The authentication issue makes these risky.
1TB microSD Express cards (~$160+) , Overkill for most users. 256GB handles most libraries. Only relevant if you’re buying lots of large third-party AAA games at full price.
Branded Nintendo-logo accessories from third parties , The official licensing doesn’t guarantee quality over non-licensed alternatives.
Setup: The Steps Most People Skip
Step 1: System update before anything else. Connect to Wi-Fi before you do anything else and let the system update. Do this before inserting your microSD Express card.
Step 2: Transfer data from Switch 1. If you have a Switch 1, use the “Move User and Save Data” function in System Settings. It transfers your Nintendo Account, game save data, and screenshots. Individual games need to be redownloaded from the eShop but your purchases transfer automatically.
Step 3: Set up GameChat if relevant. The C Button on Joy-Con 2 opens GameChat directly. Set your profile and privacy settings before your first session.
Step 4: Enable airplane mode when gaming without internet. If you’re on a plane or commuting and not using Wi-Fi, airplane mode prevents the Switch 2 from scanning for networks and drawing battery unnecessarily.
The Compatibility Chart: What Your Old Switch Stuff Can Do
| Accessory | Works on Switch 2? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Joy-Cons | ✅ Wirelessly | Can’t attach physically, no C Button, can’t wake from sleep |
| Original Pro Controller | ✅ Wirelessly | Full functionality except C Button features |
| Original dock | ❌ | Cannot power Switch 2 dock charging |
| Standard microSD cards | ⚠️ Partial | Only stores screenshots/video, NOT games |
| Switch 1 carrying cases | ❌ | Switch 2 is physically larger, won’t fit |
| Switch 1 screen protectors | ❌ | Different screen size |
| Switch 1 Joy-Con grips | ❌ | Wrong size |
What accessories did you add to your Switch 2 first? Drop your setup in the comments.
About the Author: Fred is one half of Two Average Gamers, a community-focused gaming site dedicated to helping regular folks enjoy gaming without the toxicity. He scratched a Switch 2 screen on the dock before reading about screen protectors. Learn from his mistakes.
More from the Handheld Gaming Guide
This article is part of our Handheld Buyer’s Guide , everything you need to know about portable gaming in 2026.
- Steam Deck Optimization Guide
- Best Retro Handhelds Under $100
- Switch 2: Essential Accessories and Setup Guide
- 20 Must-Play Games on Steam Deck
- Best Games for Your Commute
Also from TAG: The Busy Gamer’s Survival Guide | The Ultimate Couch Co-Op Guide
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