The Nintendo Switch and its staying power in the marketplace is a testament to its excellence as a console. Its flexibility to function as a home console and a portable console has helped it sell more than 111 million units since its release in 2017.
Those are impressive numbers when you consider that, as an eighth-generation console, the Nintendo Switch now competes against Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Even so, one of the many joys of being a Switch owner is that it offers so much flexibility, including a wide selection of different dock options.
The dock that is included with every Nintendo Switch unit is perfectly good enough, but sometimes you want one that i smaller, more portable, or has more features. Swapping to a new dock may very well increase the potential of the Switch.
After time spent testing, here are our choices for the best Nintendo Switch docks:
- Best Overall:Nintendo$69.99We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.03/12/2024 07:22 am GMT
- Best for Charging:
- Best for Portability:RREAKA$22.99We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.03/12/2024 07:52 am GMT
- Best Compact:HORI$18.27We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.03/12/2024 04:27 am GMT
- Best Color Coordinating:
- Best Do-Everything:KDD$13.59We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.03/12/2024 09:42 am GMT
- Best for Travel:
Best Overall: Nintendo Switch Dock (Official)
There are a lot of great Nintendo Switch docks on the market, but none are more reliable or better suited for the console than the
The dock comes with all of the accessories you will ever need, including an HDMI cable, AC to USB-C power adapter, and the dock itself. That means the only thing you need is the Switch console and you’re ready to play on any HDMI-ready TV. It’s also portable enough that you can unplug from one TV and hook it up to another TV in under a minute if you need to switch game rooms.
The only real downside to the official Nintendo Switch Dock is that it only offers a slim input for your console. That just means you need to be careful taking it in and out to prevent scratches.
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Best for Charging: Ikedon Switch Dock
When you want something smaller but still capable of charging up the Nintendo Switch, the
Once you dock your Nintendo Switch into the Ikedon, you need to only touch the dock once to switch between tabletop and TV mode.
The 4K HDMI port makes the setup super easy and will provide the same level of graphical support as the official dock. It also provides adjustable play angles, so you can leave your Switch in the dock and use it as a stand at a desk or table as well.
Charging the Switch is the best part of the Ikedon, as its diminutive size hides that it can charge your Switch while playing. The 15V/2.6a power supply is not included, but the official cable from your dock will work just fine.
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Best for Portability: RREAKA Portable Switch Dock
When portability matters above all else, the
What it lacks in being able to prop your Switch up, it still enables you to play on the big screen thanks to USB-C connectivity, USB-A, and HDMI ports. You can expect 1080p output just as you would with the official Switch dock, so even with its small size, you lose nothing in overall gaming quality.
There’s support for every large-size Switch model, including the original Switch released in 2017 and the more recent OLED variant. And, if you want to charge the Switch while playing, you have support for up to 60W, though RREAKA recommends using the original charger when using the dock in HDMI mode.
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Best Compact: HORI Compact Playstand
The official Nintendo Switch dock may be a great choice overall, but it’s definitely not compact. If you don’t want to make a tradeoff between size and gaming, the
Officially licensed by Nintendo, the HORI offers three different angles to play and can fold completely flat for storage when not in use. At only 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 0.6 inches tall, you get just enough height to elevate the console enough for charging without relying on the included kickstand.
Speaking of charging, charging with the HORI is no problem as you can use any official or third-party charger and connect to your Switch hardware while in use. Last but not least are rubberized grips on the bottom of the dock to keep it firmly in place while playing.
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Best Color Coordinating: Knofarm Switch Dock
Color coordinating your Switch dock to your console likely isn’t top of mind for many, but for those who want those beautiful blue and red colors, the
This dock comes in two variants: one with ethernet capability and one without. The former offers support for HDMI, USB 3.0, and USB-C for charging. The latter trades the USB 3.0 port for ethernet connectivity while only increasing the price by $5.
Support for 45W of charging output makes it convenient to charge while playing, and with heat vents on both sides of the dock, overheating is not a concern.
Play with confidence on the TV as well, as the Knoform not only supports tabletop mode but also TV mode, thanks to the various outputs included with the hardware. When you’re done playing, fold the Knofarm flat and it easily fits in a pocket or bag for taking on the go.
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Please Note: As of July 19, 2023, the Knofarm Foldable TV Docking Station for Nintendo Switch is currently unavailable on Amazon. If you are unable to locate this product elsewhere, please check back later.
Best Do-Everything: KDD Switch Charging Dock
Something of an add-on to the official Nintendo Switch dock, the
Plug directly into the official Switch dock and you’re now able to charge not one or two but six Joy-Con controllers all at once. All of the controllers will charge up from 0 to 100% in just two hours and that’s true with one or all six Joy-Con slots in use.
Along with the charging space for controllers, the KDD dock also adds space for up to 8 Nintendo Switch game cards, so you have them quickly accessible.
The dock runs completely off the existing power unit from the official dock so there are no cables or plugs required.
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Best for Travel: KIWIHOME Switch Dock Charger Adapter
It’s a dock, it’s a charger, it’s both. The
As a 3-in-1 product, there is a built-in HDMI port, USB 3.0 port, and USB-C port for connecting up to three devices at once. Plug the Switch into the USB-C port for charging (bring your own cables) and the HDMI port for connecting to a TV. The adapter supports resolutions up to 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz.
With 39 watts of power, the KIWIHOME can charge the Switch from 0 to 100% in around 3.5 hours. And, when the Switch isn’t in use, the KIWIHOME doubles as a charger for any other compatible device like a tablet or smartphone.
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What to Know Before Buying the Best Nintendo Switch Dock
Right away, it’s important to note that all of these docks were selected for use with the large Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, the Switch Lite has limited dock functionality and doesn’t provide support for TV output.
As long as you have the larger/original Nintendo Switch, you should know that all of these docks are going to provide close to the same level of functionality, but not in the same way. For example, the
The next important thing to know is that some of these are more portable than others. Since the Switch is already a travel-friendly console, selecting the best dock for portability and travel is going to be critical.
One final important takeaway is that all of these docks, minus the official Nintendo model, are relatively inexpensive. At most, you might spend up to $35 for one of these docks but, realistically, you can spend half of that.
Using the Best Nintendo Switch Docks: What it’s Like
For anyone who wants the best dock experience with the Nintendo Switch, look to the official dock that comes included. You won’t find a more reliable option that fits the Switch hardware perfectly, maybe a little too perfectly. Please be careful taking the Switch in and out of the dock or get a screen protector, as it could cause scratches.
People who want a more portable dock experience will absolutely love the portability of the RREAKA or KIWIHOME options. The ability to get a full Switch experience connected to a TV and charge at the same time in such a small package is wonderful.
For anyone who wants a more official dock-like experience, the Knofarm is perfect. It takes the dock you already love but adds two very important features in charging Joy-Cons and placeholders for games. The Knofarm is also the best for anyone who wants to color coordinate their dock and their console.
Final Thoughts
Even with so many great third-party dock alternatives available for the Nintendo Switch, the official dock from Nintendo remains the best. Yes, you’ll pay more than you would for nonofficial docks, but you know it’s up to Nintendo’s standards of quality and connectivity.
Up Next…
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