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These Nintendo Switch Accessories Make Gaming Better at Home or Outside

From controllers to charging to protection, here are our recommendations to make your Nintendo Switch more fun.

The Nintendo Switch is already beloved for its excellent plug-and-play gaming experience. However, gaming with the Nintendo Switch gets even better once you’ve picked up some of the right accessories. This list takes you through some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy right now, from microSD cards and controllers to grips and docks.

Keep in mind that these products are all designed for the original Nintendo Switch console, which you can play on your TV or in handheld mode. While many of these might work with the Switch OLED and smaller Switch Lite, such as the controllers, several items on the list won’t because of the size differences in design and screen or lack of video output. (There may be other versions to buy that are compatible with the Switch Lite.) 

Also see: Nintendo Switch OLED Restock: Where to Find a Console

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You’re receiving price alerts for PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller

Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller feels better to play with than any other third-party full-size Switch controller we’ve tried. The Switch Pro Controller is also between $60 and $70 to buy. The PowerA wireless controller comes closest to the feel and design of Nintendo’s Pro controller, and you can normally get it for $40 to $50, depending on the design, from Amazon, Best Buy and other sources. The PowerA wireless controller doesn’t have HD Rumble, IR or Amiibo NFC support like the Switch Pro controller does, but it does have motion controls. It’s also available in game-themed versions including Animal Crossing, Mario and Pokemon.

Its one added feature is two extra buttons on the bottom of the controller that can be mapped on the fly. Also, while the original version of the Enhanced Wireless Controller ran on AA-size batteries, the newest models have a built-in rechargeable battery for up to 30 hours of gameplay.

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You’re receiving price alerts for SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless Headset

Attach the tiny USB-C dongle to the Switch and you’re good to play with this lightweight, comfortable gaming headset. It uses the company’s lossless 2.4GHz wireless for ultralow-latency wireless connectivity. I never experienced any dropouts or lag while using them, but SteelSeries includes a cable if you want to use it if you don’t want to risk it. The noise-canceling mic is detachable and the earcups turn and lie flat for easier travel. These will work with the Switch Lite, as well.

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You’re receiving price alerts for Tomtoc Ultra Slim Carrying Case

This splashproof hardshell case is just about all you need to protect your Switch if you want to play on the go. Slim, light and form-fitting, it barely adds any bulk. It might not look like a lot of protection but my kids and I have dropped them several times and the Switch survived unscathed. Aside from the added protection, there’s an organizer attached inside with storage for up to 10 game cards. And it’s available in a bunch of fun color combinations. Tomtoc also makes a version that works with the Mumba case and the Hori Split Pad Pro controller so you stay protected when traveling and playing. But you guessed it: This won’t fit the Switch Lite.

It’s pricey at just under $100, but Hyper’s all-in-one hub for the Switch is worth it for its simplicity and design. Connect up your Switch, external display (the HDMI out supports up to 4K resolution at 60Hz) and a controller, plug in the HyperDrive for power and you’re done. One of its USB-C ports can be used for powering and charging the Switch and there’s an extra USB-C port for charging a wireless controller or your phone or tablet. It’s small, too, and the power cable detaches, so traveling with it is no problem at all. 

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You’re receiving price alerts for Anker PowerCore Plus 26,800 mAh Power Deliver battery and 60-watt charger

You can recharge your Switch with just about any power bank, but you’ll want something like this giant Anker battery to keep playing while you charge. The PowerCore Plus can deliver 45 watts of charging power through its USB-C port. It can also charge up other devices like your phone through its USB-A ports. The package also includes a 60-watt USB-C wall charger that can refill this massive bank in less than three and a half hours. 

Binbok’s Joypad is a combination of Nintendo’s Joy-Cons and its wireless Pro Controller. There are left and right Joy-Con-like controllers that can slot onto the sides of the Switch, similar to Hori’s Switch Split Pad Pro. This gives you the comfort and larger controls of the Pro controller while you use the Switch handheld. 

However, unlike Hori’s controller, the Binbok Joypad can be used off the Switch because each has a built-in battery and Bluetooth. Their design makes them awkward to hold as Joy-Cons but it can be done, and each has adjustable rumble and motion controls. They both have a mappable button on the inside of their grips as well as turbo buttons. The Home button can wake the Switch when you’re ready to game and you can even change the color of the LED light rings around the thumb sticks. 

The included holder joins the two controllers together to form a single Pro-like controller like Nintendo’s Joy-Con Comfort Grip. Unfortunately, this won’t allow you to charge both controllers at the same time; each of the controllers needs to be charged separately through their USB-C ports or while attached to the Switch when it’s charging (you can leave the controllers attached when docked). The holder is unusually wide, too, and with the controllers attached it’s actually larger than a Pro controller. There’s some flex where the controllers slot onto the holder giving it a tenuous feel. That flex, combined with its lightweight, makes the whole thing feel flimsy. Still, it’s not like Nintendo’s Joy-Cons are known for their reliability and overall this is an excellent option if you want to pay less and do more.

Josh Goldman/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for Creative BT-W3 Bluetooth 5.0 USB-C Audio Transmitter

Want to use your Bluetooth headphones with your Switch, but worried about lag? Creative’s adapter gets around that with aptX Low Latency codec support. Just pop the adapter into the USB-C port on the Switch, press its button and connect to your headset. I tested with the Tribit QuietPlus ANC headphones, which is on our best noise-canceling headphones under $100 list and supports aptX LL. Insert the included analog microphone into the Switch’s headset jack and you’re ready for voice chat during multiplayer games that support it like Overwatch and Fortnite. (A quick firmware update is needed for it to work, though.)

If you also have a PS4 or PS5, the mic can be plugged into your controller for voice chat with that console. Plus, Creative includes a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter so you can connect your Bluetooth headphones to the PS4. 

The adapter also supports regular aptX and aptX HD codecs as well as SBC (subband codec). You just press the adapter’s button to choose. And while you might buy this for your Switch (or PS4) you can just move the adapter to your phone or computer and instantly use your headphones with those without having to connect all over again. For $35, the little kit is a pretty good deal. 

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You’re receiving price alerts for Mumba Case

Adding this Nintendo Switch case not only takes some of the creak out of playing a video game handheld, but gives you some much-needed extra controller grip for your game. It’ll also give you a little side, top, bottom and rear drop protection. This will not fit the Switch Lite, which is a little smaller than the regular Switch.

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You’re receiving price alerts for IOGear Dock Pro 60 USB-C 4K Station with Game+ Mode

If you want to dock your Switch as well as expand your laptop’s port options when you’re not gaming, the Dock Pro 60 is all you need. The slim, small, lightweight Nintendo Switch dock has two USB-C ports, one of which supports power input. Connect your Switch to the other USB-C port and use the dock’s HDMI port to connect to a TV or external (resolutions up to 4K UHD will work) and you’re ready to start gaming with friends and family on a bigger screen. There are also two USB-A ports if you want to use a wired controller or charge wireless ones.

Note, though, that this does require a USB-C 15V/2.6A power supply such as the YCCTeam adapter below or the one that comes with your Switch. 

Bonus for Samsung Galaxy device users: The Dock Pro 60 supports Samsung DeX so you can use your phone or tablet with an external display and a desktop-style experience. 

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$16 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for YCCTeam Charger for Nintendo Switch

Not all USB-C chargers will support charging the Switch as well as powering it while docked. This one does, and at a fraction of the cost of Nintendo’s. Plus, it has a 5-foot charging cable so you have some room to plug in the Switch and continue to play handheld while you charge. 

Josh Goldman/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for PDP Gaming Little Wireless Controller

The Little Wireless Controller — yes, that is its actual name — is slightly bigger than a Joy-Con but so much more comfortable to use. The buttons are firm and responsive and there’s no mushiness to the D-pad, either. The thumbsticks are taller than the Joy-Con’s, which gives you greater accuracy. The rear buttons, despite being directly on top of each other, are shaped perfectly to make sure you hit the correct one. There is no rumble or NFC support but it does have motion control. The rechargeable battery is rated for up to 40 hours of wireless use and is charged via a USB-C port in the back. It’s a super little travel companion.

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You’re receiving price alerts for AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Carelessly sliding the Switch in and out of its dock all the time can eventually result in some scratches to the display screen, and nobody wants a scratched screen. If you spend money on one piece of protection for your Switch to enhance your gaming experience, make it an inexpensive Nintendo Switch screen protector. The AmFilm tempered glass screen protector is easy to apply and doesn’t interfere with touchscreen performance. The bottom line is, if you have a Switch, you need a tempered glass screen protector, and this is a great tempered glass screen protector. Note that this screen protector won’t fit on a Switch Lite, which has a smaller screen.

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You’re receiving price alerts for Hori Compact Playstand

The Switch’s kickstand is fine in a pinch, but this is much better for tabletop play with your device. It adjusts to three positions, folds flat for travel and has a passthrough in front so you can charge while you use it with all of your video games. There is a cheaper AmazonBasics one, but the Hori is sturdier and more stable for not much more money.

Sarah Tew/CNET

You’re receiving price alerts for HomeSpot Bluetooth 5.0 Audio Transmitter

This little adapter pops into the USB-C port so you can use your Bluetooth headphones while you play your Switch, including Apple AirPods. A built-in mic on the bottom of the adapter adds lag-free in-game chat, and you can connect up to two headsets simultaneously for a better gaming experience when you’re playing Smash or any other game on your Switch online in multiplayer games. An equally small USB-C to USB-A adapter can be used to plug into the Switch dock so you can use your headphones when docked, too. The Creative adapter’s design mentioned earlier in this list is better for multipurpose use, but if you’re just looking for use with the Switch, this is a great pick. 

The CitySlicker is a discreet way to travel with your Switch and accessories. The case looks more like a high-end travel bag than gaming gear, but it is made specifically for the Switch with five game card storage slots in front, a microfiber-faced interior pocket that swipes your screen clean when you insert and remove your Switch, and a zippered pocket on back to hold a power bank, cleaning cloth or earbuds. The two inside pockets are big enough to hold an extra set of joy-cons and cables. The case is available in three sizes for the Switch Lite, Switch and Switch Max, which is large enough to hold the Switch while it’s in the Skull & Co. GripCase or any similarly sized protective case. It’ll even fit the Defway dock listed above. 

Our friends at GameSpot also have a roundup of the best Nintendo Switch controllers.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 30, #310

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 30, No. 310.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.


The purple category for Connections: Sports Edition was extra sneaky today. The theme went right over my head, but made sense once it was revealed. Read on for hints and the answers if you run into problems like I did.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Your ticket off the field.

Green group hint: Links groups.

Blue group hint: Georgia on my mind.

Purple group hint: Hoops groups.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Types of outs in baseball/softball.

Green group: Professional golf tours.

Blue group: First names of Atlanta sports stars.

Purple group: Starts of NBA team names.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is types of outs in baseball/softball. The four answers are fly, force, strike and tag.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is professional golf tours. The four answers are Korn Ferry, LIV, LPGA and PGA.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is first names of Atlanta sports stars. The four answers are Bijan, Rhyne, Ronald and Trae.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is starts of NBA team names. The four answers are Kin, Pac, Tim and Wiz.

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Technologies

Your iPhone Can Replace Your Physical Driver’s License, if You Live in One of These States

Your Face ID-authenticated digital driver’s license feels futuristic, and it’s legal in some US states.

Getting through airport security can be one of the most stressful parts of travel, but Apple is trying to streamline the process with a new digital ID feature. In select states, you can now add your driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch. That means no more fumbling for your wallet at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints — just tap your device, and you’re good to go.

It’s a convenient upgrade if you live in one of the supported states and have a compatible iPhone. I tested the feature in California, and the setup process was surprisingly simple. Just keep in mind that you’ll need an iPhone 8 or newer running the right version of iOS, and depending on your state’s rollout, some users may hit snags. Still, it’s a small tech shift that can make your travel day a whole lot smoother.

Right now, digital IDs are primarily used to go through TSA checkpoints in certain airports when flying domestically, but that’ll likely change in the future. Want to use your digital ID at your favorite bar or nightclub? We’re not there yet.  

Below, I describe my experience, the hiccups I encountered on the way and things that you should know if you plan on adding your driver’s license to Apple Wallet. I’ll also break down how you can add your ID to your iPhone, step by step. 

For more, don’t miss these low-key iOS 26 features we’re excited for.

These states support digital IDs on iPhones right now

Only a handful of states support digital IDs in Apple Wallet. One key factor is how each state implements its Mobile Driver’s License system. For instance, Louisiana, New York, Utah and Virginia all support mobile driver’s licenses but require separate apps for digital IDs. 

States and regions that support digital IDs in Apple Wallet:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Iowa
  • Maryland
  • New Mexico
  • Ohio
  • Puerto Rico

Some states originally announced to support Apple’s digital ID haven’t quite gotten there yet. 

The number of states supported in Apple Wallet is about half of what the TSA currently allows. Collectively, it accepts digital IDs across Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet and state-based mobile apps in 15 states.

What are the iPhone requirements to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet?

Where you live is just the start. You also have to have the right iPhone model and the right software setup. 

Here are the minimum requirements that Apple lists: 

  • An iPhone 8 or later with the latest version of iOS 
  • Have Face or Touch ID enabled on your device
  • Have two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple account
  • A license or ID from a participating state or territory
  • Your device’s region set to the United States

I’ll have more to say in a bit about that iPhone 8 and iOS requirement and a catch I ran into.

My experience adding my ID to my iPhone was easy

For testing purposes, I used the iPhone 16E.

The process of adding the ID was simple. I scanned the front and the back of my ID and the next step was to verify my identity. This wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be. Instead, it took a live photo of my face for 2.5 seconds. 

After that, more verification was required. This came in a series of different photos, with prompts directing me to close my eyes, open my mouth, smile and tip my head down. This verification process took about three minutes. (Or longer in my case, as I got distracted writing notes about the process and then found I had to restart the whole process.) 

Then, after I submitted those photos, there was another verification step, presumably with the photos relayed to the California DMV. A screen message told me that I would receive a notification when there was an update. I expected this to take a long time, but not even 10 minutes later, a notification telling me that my ID was ready to use popped up. That was easy. 

What about older iPhones?

So, not every phone you think might work will actually do so. The first time I tested adding my ID, I was using an iPhone 8 Plus. But when I arrived at the setup page within Apple Wallet, I was given eight states to choose from, and California wasn’t one of them.

That surprised me. I’d found a helpful Apple support article that explained the requirements for adding a driver’s license or state-issued ID to Apple Wallet and it seemed like I shouldn’t have any trouble. 

At first, I thought the roadblock was that I hadn’t set up Touch ID yet. But no, California was still not on my list of eight states. (Equally confusing, a colleague of mine also tried this with an iPhone 8 and Apple Wallet only listed four states.)

I went back to the Apple support article and looked for fine print, and sure enough, there it was. I’d ignored the asterisk in the requirements, because California has had its Mobile Driver’s License program set up for some time now.

The fine print at the very bottom of the page states, «For California, ID in Apple Wallet requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 17.5 or later.» (For Puerto Rico, if you want to add your driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet, you’ll need to have an iPhone XS or later with iOS 18.1.) 

So if you’re holding onto an iPhone 8 or iPhone X and live in California, you won’t be able to add your driver’s license to your iPhone because of the lack of software support. iOS 16 is the last supported version of the operating system for iPhone 8 and X models.

How to add your ID or driver’s license to Apple Wallet

If you live in a state that supports digital IDs for Apple Wallet, it’s easy to add one. After it’s added, you’ll need to verify your identity, which can take a little longer but it’s still a straightforward process.

  • Open Apple Wallet.
  • Tap the Add button.
  • Tap Driver’s License or ID and select your location.
  • If applicable, choose whether you want to add your ID to your iPhone only or your iPhone and your Apple Watch
  • Follow the steps to scan your license or ID.

(Make sure you scan your ID in a well-lit environment and that the image is in focus.)

Once it’s scanned, you’ll be prompted to confirm your identity with a selfie photo. According to Apple, you may be asked to complete a number of facial or head movements for identification purposes. 

To ensure an easier verification process, Apple suggests that you:

  • Stand in front of a plain background with neutral, light paint.
  • Be in a well-lit area, ideally indoors.
  • Take off sunglasses, masks, hats or other accessories that could block your face.
  • Hold your iPhone steady.

When you’re finished, submit your information by confirming with Touch or Face ID. Your biometrics will be bound to the ID, so only you can use it. 

How to transfer your digital ID to another iPhone

If you upgrade your iPhone, you’ll need to transfer your ID or driver’s license to it. 

  • During initial setup, tap Wallet.
  • Select your ID.
  • Follow the steps.
  • Tap to confirm you want to move your driver’s license or ID to the new device.

So, now what?

Your digital ID isn’t just a photo of your ID that you can pull up within Apple Wallet. In fact, you don’t even see a full image of your physical ID. In order to actually view your information from your digital ID, you’ll need to tap on your ID «card» in Apple Wallet, tap the «i» at the top-right of the screen, and then tap State ID info or Card Information (the wording may be different depending on what version of iOS your iPhone is running). From there, it will show your ID photo as well as essential pieces of information from your physical ID. 

TSA checkpoints that support digital IDs require a dedicated scanner, so the process may not necessarily feel like it’s faster than showing your physical ID to the agent. 

Here’s a video of the process via the Maryland Department of Transportation:

The idea of a digital ID is pretty convenient but overall, it probably won’t save you a meaningful amount of time. Couple that fact with its incredibly limited use cases right now and the fact that merchant or event adoption will require investment in proper hardware and it’s pretty easy to see just how far off we are from ditching physical IDs.  

Selling or trading in your iPhone? Do this first.

When you move on from a phone that has your ID on it, you’ll want to do the same thing you do with other sensitive info like credit or debit cards and passwords: Remove it. 

So before you wipe your iPhone to sell or trade it in, you should manually remove your ID first. Here’s how to do it.

  • Go to Apple Wallet and tap your ID in the list
  • Tap the «i» button at the top right of the screen
  • Tap Remove State ID (or Driver’s License)
  • Read the warning that pops up and tap Remove

Digital passports are coming to Apple Wallet with iOS 26

While states are taking time to implement digital ID systems, Apple announced a feature coming in iOS 26 this year: You can add a digital passport to Apple Wallet.

When that feature is available, iPhone users will be able to scan their passports to create a digital version for identity verification during domestic travel. You won’t be able to use it for international travel and it’s not a full replacement for a physical passport (so keep your physical one on you) but it should work at the 250-plus supported TSA checkpoints. 

During its WWDC keynote in June, Apple said that the digital ID made from your passport can also be used «in apps and in person» but it didn’t give any specifics. 

This is essentially what can be done on Android through Google Wallet

Verify with Wallet ID verification could make ordering alcohol easier

Also headed to iPhones this fall is an easier way for you to prove your age using your digital ID. Say you want to have a bottle of wine sent to your place via Uber Eats. Typically, when the driver arrives, you’ll need to present your ID and have it scanned to complete the transaction but with the new Verify with Wallet, your stored digital ID will be used to verify your age. (I do wonder if things might get more complicated when the delivery arrives if you’re not the one receiving it.)

Verify with Wallet will be supported by Chime, Turo, Uber Eats and U.S. Bank. 

For more, don’t miss what you should know about flying domestically without a Real ID in 2025.

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Technologies

Apple to Open Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, but Don’t Expect a US iPhone in the Near Future

The manufacturing program will train businesses in AI and new production techniques.

Apple announced today that it is opening a manufacturing academy in Detroit next month, offering free training for small businesses and innovators.

The Apple Manufacturing Academy, in partnership with Michigan State University, is designed to help American companies implement artificial intelligence and new techniques in manufacturing, the company said in a statement

«Apple works with suppliers in all 50 states because we know advanced manufacturing is vital to American innovation and leadership,» said Sabih Khan, Apple’s chief operating officer. «With this new programming, we’re thrilled to help even more businesses implement smart manufacturing.»  

Opening Aug. 19, the Apple Manufacturing Academy is part of the tech giant’s pledge to spend more than $500 billion in the US, which it announced in February, about six weeks before President Donald Trump launched his Liberation Day tariff drama. Trump threatened Apple and other manufacturers with a 25% tariff on all smartphones produced outside the US after Apple said it was moving US iPhone production from India to China.  

While the manufacturing academy could potentially help American companies with new techniques, it’s unlikely to make a difference in Apple’s manufacturing plans, at least in the short term. Most experts say moving iPhone production to the US is unrealistic because of higher labor and production costs. Estimates have suggested that a US-made iPhone would cost as much as $3,500. 

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