Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. “Look I just want to know what to buy or if my charger is good”
3. The deceptively easy formula to determining if a charger will charge the Switch while playing
4. (A) The Switch does not take all of the power a charger supports
5. (B) How much power does the Switch use? Stress testing the Switch
6. Exceptions and edge cases
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Sources and thanks

Last updated, 4.20.2017

Introduction

The March 2017 launch of the Nintendo Switch marked Nintendo’s first product that has combined both its console and portable gaming ambitions. What may be a little more obscure, however, is…

If you read Part 1 and Part 2 of this Nintendo Switch charging series, you’ll note a few key (surprising) conclusions. This includes limitations to how much power the Switch will take as well as some (frustrating) edge cases. With that said, I feel confident that the above conclusions are sound given my results from the sample of USB cables and chargers (both AC adapters and battery packs) I personally own.

For transparency, here is my personal sample of testing equipment, chargers, and cables I’ve tested with, with some notes about their applicability where needed.

Measurement Equipment

For my inline voltage and…

Edit: Part 2 is now up and can be found here! Despite it being “Part 2,” it’s actually better to read it first if you’re new.

So how much charger do I need to charge the Switch?

Short answer: Probably~8.75 watts. For assured minimum viable charging performance, you’ll want at least a USB Type C (“USB-C”) charger (battery pack, AC adapter, car charger), or even better, a USB-C charger with USB-Power Delivery (“USB-PD”).

Long Answer: Probably ~8.75 watts under the most demanding of conditions currently available at launch. This means that the majority of the best available USB Type A (“USB-A”) chargers rated at 10+ watts (5V 2.1-2.4A) still end up…