You should know by now how quickly the Nintendo Switch system runs out of battery life and, thus, need to be recharged quite often. Below, you can find our buyer’s guide for the best Nintendo Switch Power Banks to look out for in 2020.
Do you need a Power Bank for Nintendo Switch?
So do you, or a loved one, need a power bank for the Nintendo Switch? It depends on how you use the hybrid system. If you use the handheld mode a lot, especially when you are travelling with no access to power outlets for extended periods, then a power back is highly recommended.
About the Nintendo Switch Internal Battery
The Nintendo Switch comes with a 4,310mAh lithium-ion battery cell installed internally. Depending on what game you are playing, as well as other settings such as volume and Wi-Fi usage, you can quickly drain the battery life.
For example, one of the most popular game on the system is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The demanding game will eat up a full charge in just around three hours.
USB-C and USB-PD
If you are looking for the fastest charging Nintendo Switch Power Banks during this holiday season, then make sure you are getting one with an USB-C port. This is because the system re-charges over an USB-C connection. Although you can use other USB types, you will get a slower charge. This is because USB-C uses Power Deliver (of USB PD for short), which recharges a compatible device much quicker than a USB-A connection.
If you want to play your Nintendo Switch while recharging it at the same time and/or want to recharge your system as fast as possible, then we highly recommend getting a Switch-compatible USB-C Power Bank with Power Delivery.
Picking the right Power Bank Capacity for the Switch
As we mentioned above, the 4,310mAh lithium-ion battery that comes with the Nintendo Switch will only last around three hours when running the most intensive games in handheld mode. So, depending on how long you are planning to play your Nintendo Switch on your trip without any access to a power outlet, you will need to pick a Power Bank with the right battery capacity.
Keep in mind that you can also use these Power Banks to recharge other devices such as your smart phone and tablet. So, if you are unsure, getting a bigger capacity one is the safer bet.
Officially Licensed Nintendo Switch Power Banks
In 2018, Nintendo teamed up with Anker to release the PowerCore Nintendo Switch Edition. This Power Bank uses a USB-C port with Power Delivery that will fully charge a completely battery-depleted system at around three hours. The 13400mAh battery is enough to recharge the internal battery of the Nintendo Switch 1.7 times while the 20100mAh version of the product can recharge the system at around 2.5 times. Last but not least, a legacy USB port is also included if you want to use this power bank to recharge other devices.
Both the 13400mAh and 20100mAh come with their respective Power Bank, USB-C to USB-C cable, travel pouch in addition to a starter guide. The 13400mAh PowerCore is the cheaper of the two versions although the 20100mAh PowerCore offers more battery capacity. You can buy either of the two with the following links on Amazon:
Bigger Capacity Switch Power Bank
If you are looking for a Switch compatible Power Bank with an even bigger battery capacity, then we recommend getting the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD with 30W Power Delivery Charger and Portable Charger Bundle. Just like the aforementioned Anker PowerCores, the Anker PowerCore+ features a USB-C port with Power Delivery. It also features two legacy ports to charge other devices.
Included in the package are the PowerCore+ 26800 PD Power Bank, 30W USB-C wall charger, USB-C to USB-C cable, Micro USB cable, travel pouch in addition to a charger guide.
If you are interested, you can purchase the Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD with 30W Power Delivery Charger and Portable Charger Bundle via this page.
So, if you are looking for a Nintendo Switch Power Bank in 2020, then we recommend taking a look at the Anker PowerCore 13400 Nintendo Switch Edition, Anker PowerCore 20100 Nintendo Switch Edition or Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD with 30W Power Delivery Charger and Portable Charger Bundle.
You can also check out our buyer’s guides for other Switch accessories below: