By Ethan Park, Hardware Editor. Updated July 2026.

Best Switch 2 Accessories in 2026: The Upgrades Actually Worth Buying

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a bigger, faster machine than the handheld it replaced, and the accessory market around it has grown up quickly. The problem is that most buyer lists read like a shopping cart with no priorities. This guide fixes that. Below is a ranked, plain-English rundown of what to buy first, what to skip, and why, plus a quick comparison table so you can scan the essentials in ten seconds. If you are still deciding what to play on the console, see our roundup of the best Switch 2 games to play right now.

Quick comparison: the Switch 2 accessories worth your money

Accessory	Type	Approx. price	Best for
microSD Express card (Samsung, PNY, SanDisk)	Storage	$50 (256GB) to $200 (1TB)	Everyone. This is required for downloads.
Switch 2 Pro Controller	Controller	around $85	TV play and long sessions
Tempered glass screen protector	Protection	$8 to $15	Protecting the 7.9 inch screen
Carrying case (Belkin, Fastsnail, Hori)	Case	$27 to $70	Travel and everyday carry
Switch 2 Camera	Accessory	around $55	GameChat video chat
Wireless headset (SteelSeries, Logitech)	Audio	$80 to $110	Voice chat and handheld audio
Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip	Charging	around $35	Charging while playing docked

What accessories do you actually need for the Switch 2?

You need three things before anything else: storage, protection, and a proper controller. Everything after that is a comfort or lifestyle upgrade rather than a necessity. The Switch 2 launched with a large screen and a slim body, which makes it more exposed to scratches and drops than a phone, and its download sizes are far bigger than the original Switch, so the internal 256GB disappears quickly once you install a few full-size games. Cover those two pressure points first, add a controller if you play on a TV, and you are set. The rest of this guide walks through each category in priority order.

Do you need a microSD Express card for the Switch 2?

Yes, and this is the single most important purchase on the list. The Switch 2 reads microSD Express cards only, and standard microSD or microSDXC cards that worked in the original Switch will not store or run Switch 2 games. Nintendo's own support documentation is blunt about it: "Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards." Express cards use a faster interface (the same PCIe and NVMe technology found in modern SSDs), which is why the console demands them for the quick load times its games are built around.

Capacities up to 2TB are supported. For most players a 256GB card in the $50 range is the sweet spot, while heavy downloaders who keep dozens of games installed should look at 512GB or 1TB options. Samsung and PNY both sell licensed cards with read speeds near 890 MB/s, and SanDisk offers Nintendo-licensed cards as well. Buy one on day one, because without it you will be deleting games to make room within a week.

Is the Switch 2 Pro Controller worth it?

Yes, if you play docked on a TV or put in long sessions, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is the best quality-of-life upgrade after storage. The refreshed model keeps the comfortable full-size grip of the original Pro Controller and adds two remappable back buttons and a premium matte finish, which makes it a genuine step up rather than a simple reissue. At around $85 it is not cheap, but it is far more comfortable for action games and shooters than holding the console in handheld mode for hours.

If you mostly play in handheld, you can skip it and let the built-in Joy-Con 2 controllers do the work. Competitive players who want a shorter learning curve on precision games may prefer it regardless of mode. Pair it with our picks for the games that show off the hardware in our Switch 2 games guide.

What is the best Switch 2 case?

The best Switch 2 case depends on whether you want maximum protection, extra battery, or the lowest price. A slim protective case such as the Fastsnail Switch 2 case at around $27 covers the basics with a modular design and slots for game cards. If battery life is your pain point, the Belkin Charging Case at about $70 builds in a 10,000mAh power bank and storage for roughly a dozen games, which effectively doubles your play time on a long flight. Licensed themed cases from Hori add character if you want a specific look.

Whatever you choose, a hard shell matters more on the Switch 2 than it did on older models because the larger 7.9 inch screen is more exposed. A case plus a screen protector is the two-part combination that keeps resale value high and cracks away.

Do you need a screen protector for the Switch 2?

Yes, a tempered glass screen protector is the cheapest insurance you can buy for the console. The Switch 2 uses a 7.9 inch 1080p LCD panel, and unlike a phone it does not ship with a factory-hardened coating designed for daily pocket abuse. A tempered glass protector in the $8 to $15 range guards against scratches from game cards, keys, and the dock itself, which can scuff the screen during insertion. Apply it before your first play session, because dust and micro-scratches are hard to undo later.

What is the Switch 2 Camera and GameChat, and is the camera worth buying?

The Switch 2 Camera is an optional USB-C webcam that powers GameChat, the console's built-in voice and video chat feature accessed through the dedicated C button. At around $55 for Nintendo's official model, it is a worthwhile buy only if you play online with friends and want your face on screen during party sessions or co-op. Third-party cameras from brands like Hori work too and often cost less. If you never use video chat, skip it entirely. GameChat's voice features work without the camera, so the accessory is purely for the video layer on top.

Best Switch 2 audio and power accessories

For audio, a wireless headset with a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth gives you clean voice chat and private listening in handheld mode. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Wireless at around $110 supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz with game presets, while the Logitech G325 Lightspeed at about $80 is a lighter, cheaper alternative. The Switch 2 supports Bluetooth audio natively, so even a good pair of wireless earbuds will pair without extra hardware.

For power, a high-capacity USB-C power bank keeps the console alive on the road. The Switch 2 draws more power than the original, so look for a bank rated at 65W with Power Delivery rather than a bargain 18W unit. The Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip at around $35 is the other useful power buy, letting you charge the detached controllers while you play in docked mode.

"The best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories will make your time spent with your next-gen handheld just as fun as the last," write the hardware team at GamesRadar+, who single out battery-focused cases for solving "one of the biggest issues with the handheld," its limited battery life.

Which Switch 2 accessories can you skip?

You can skip most of the impulse-buy category: RGB grips, decorative thumb-stick caps, and cheap unbranded docks that risk your console's warranty. You can also skip buying a second official dock unless you genuinely play in two rooms, since the bundled dock already handles TV output and charging. And you do not need to repurchase an original Switch dock or screen protector, because they do not physically fit the larger Switch 2. Spend the savings on a bigger microSD Express card instead, which is the accessory you will actually notice every day.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a microSD Express card for the Switch 2?

Yes. The Switch 2 only reads microSD Express cards for game storage. Standard microSD and microSDXC cards from an original Switch will not store or run Switch 2 games, though they can still be used to move screenshots and video off the console.

How much internal storage does the Switch 2 have?

The Switch 2 ships with 256GB of internal storage. That sounds generous, but modern game installs are large, so most players add a microSD Express card within the first few weeks.

Can you use original Switch accessories on the Switch 2?

Some, but not all. Certain original controllers can connect over Bluetooth for compatible games, but the original dock, screen protectors, cases, and Joy-Con do not fit the larger Switch 2 hardware. Storage cards are the clearest break, since the console requires the newer Express standard.

What is the best budget Switch 2 accessory?

A tempered glass screen protector at $8 to $15 is the best value purchase. It protects the most fragile and expensive part of the console for the price of a fast-food meal.

Is the Switch 2 Pro Controller worth it?

For TV play and long sessions, yes. It adds back buttons and a more comfortable grip than handheld mode. Handheld-only players can skip it and rely on the built-in controllers.

The bottom line

Buy in this order: a microSD Express card first because it is mandatory, then a screen protector and case to protect your investment, then a Pro Controller if you play on a TV. Audio, camera, and power accessories are worthwhile upgrades once the essentials are covered. Get the foundations right and the Switch 2 becomes a far more flexible machine. When you are ready to fill that new storage, start with our guides to the best Switch 2 games and the best PS5 games of 2026.

Sources: Nintendo Support: microSD Express compatibility, Nintendo Switch 2 official accessories, and GamesRadar+ accessories testing.