Editors’ note, April 26, 2026: With this update, we’ve added a SanDisk 256GB microSD card. Available options have been checked for currency and availability.
Bigger and stronger Transition 2 Nintendo is in the limelight right now, but it’s original Transition (and OLED switch) is still a brilliant gaming system, and by far the cheapest of any major gaming console. It has a deep library, a cool console-portable hybrid design, and lots of new titles coming out constantly. You can also make the Switch better with more powerful controllers, more memory, and a faster network connection, to name a few potential upgrades. If you’re ready to upgrade your Switch, start with these recommended accessories and peripherals. And if you’re wondering what to play, check it out best Nintendo Switch games.
Recommended by our editors
The best first-party gamepad
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Nintendo makes great accessories, and the Switch Pro Controller is one of the company’s best. It feels good in the hand, works well, and has almost all the same features as the Joy-Con, including motion-sensing and Amiibo-scanning technology. If you mostly play the docked Switch, this is a more ergonomic option than using the Joy-Con and grips.
The best budget Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The Switch Pro Controller is a good gamepad in its own right, but the more affordable 8Bitdo Pro 2 beats it on almost all fronts. Works seamlessly with Switch, PC and Android devices; has programmable back buttons; and supports full control reconfiguration with macros via a Windows app, all for less than $50. It can’t scan Amiibo, but it’s a killer Switch Pro Controller to offer otherwise.
Best Nintendo Switch Arcade Stick
There are a lot of classic arcade games on the Switch, so you’ll want to capture the original feel with a stick. The 8Bitdo Arcade Stick is just that – a rugged joystick controller that connects to your Switch or PC via Bluetooth or USB transmitter. It works well and may not have a more “serious” original component. war sticksit’s also significantly cheaper than the competitive controller class.
Want more buttons? 8bitdo also offers a leverless, Hit Box style Full Button Arcade Controller replaces this bar with buttons. It’s a viable alternative for anyone interested in getting into fighting games.
The best Joy-Con replacement
The Joy-Con controllers are smart and flexible, but they’re not the most convenient input devices. However, the Hori Split Pad Pro is a great alternative for when you’re using the Switch handheld. These Joy-Con-like controllers only work when plugged directly into the system, but they’re large, satisfying to hold, and have a well-designed directional pad to play with. fighting games and platform players.
Best Budget Wireless Headphone
The Switch supports Bluetooth, but not all headsets handle multiple connections well. The Razer Barracuda X uses a USB-C transmitter that works with the system and can provide better sound than most Bluetooth connections. It also has Bluetooth, so you switch between the Switch and your phone with the push of a button, all for under $100.
Best for expanding your key memory
The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite each have 32GB of storage, while the OLED Switch has 64GB. That’s enough to get you started in the early days of Switch ownership, but not enough to build a decent game library that doesn’t require you to constantly delete games to make room for new ones. Fortunately, the Switch has a microSD card slot that accepts standard microSD cards up to 2TB. MicroSD cards have gotten more expensive over the past year, but you can still get a 256GB card like this SanDisk stick for under $80. It doesn’t have to be a Nintendo-branded card either; any UHS-1 microSD card will work with the system.
Best for 4K Video Shooting
The Snap button on the switch lets you take screenshots and short video clips, but that’s not enough. Streamers and other content creators. If you want to record or stream your gameplay, you need a separate recording device like the Elgato HD60 X. This little box allows you to capture video from the Switch while still displaying it on your TV via an HDMI link. Supports 4K video at 30 frames per second, but 1080p60 mode is more important for Switch video.
Best for Wired Networking
Nintendo Switch Wired Internet LAN Adapter
This is an accessory unique to the original Switch, as its dock does not have an Ethernet port like the OLED Switch or Switch 2. The Switch’s Wi-Fi is reliable, but if you want the fastest internet speeds when the console is docked, you’ll need a wired network connection. This Ethernet adapter from Hori plugs into the Switch dock so you can connect a cable from your router. Now enjoy it like silk multiplayer action.
We review the Nintendo Switch OLED Model and Metroid Dread: The Enhanced Handheld





