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2022-06-25 05:11:25 By : Ms. CoCo Niu

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By Jim McCauley published 11 May 22

Find the best Nintendo Switch docks for all your needs and at plenty of price points.

The best Nintendo Switch docks enable you to turn your amazing portable handheld console into a more traditional games machine. We say traditional, but there's nothing normal about a Nintendo Switch. Used with a Switch dock the console can make better use of accessories such as the Nintendo Switch Ring Fit and games like Nintendo Switch Sports.

Even if you already have a Switch dock there's always room to get a new one. They wear out over time and it's often good to have one to take on the road and one at home. While the official Nintendo Switch dock is overall the best, the third-party ones are good options and can offer interesting advantages, such as not hiding the Switch so you can have it on display as you play.

Most docks replicate or even improve upon the official dock's connectivity

Most docks replicate or even improve upon the official dock's connectivity; the only thing you need to bear in mind is that the vast majority of docks don't come with power supplies or HDMI cables, so if you need those as well you'll have to buy them separately. And these days you don't get third-party docks that brick your console, though some have varying quality. That's why our guide is so handy.

To save you searching, we've found a great selection of Nintendo Switch docks of all shapes and sizes and at an assortment of price points. Don't have a Switch? Check our guide to the best Nintendo Switch deals right now, and get yourself up with some of the best Nintendo Switch games. We also have a list of the best Nintendo Switch cases and a breakdown of the Switch versus Switch Lite. Otherwise, read on if you want to revitalise your Switch with a sexy new dock.

Buying a replacement Nintendo Switch dock can be a risky endeavour; while a third-party dock may work just fine now, there's always the possibility that a future Switch update may prove incompatible and brick your console. Paying extra for Nintendo's own Switch OLED dock could be a wise choice, then; it's compatible with the original Switch, it's guaranteed to update flawlessly, and as an added bonus it features a LAN port for a more reliable wired online connection. The downsides? There are just two USB ports on this model, and you can only buy it from Nintendo (and right now stock is extremely limited).

Okay, this isn't exactly a dock, but the RREAKA Digital AV Multiport Hub does pretty much everything a hub can do except enable you to prop your Switch up on it. It still enables you to play Switch games on your big screen, and it has all the ports you need: a single USB-C, a pair of USB-A ports and of course an HDMI port. It's maybe a little less tidy than an actual dock, but it's perfect for taking your Switch away with you without having to pack a bulky dock. And as an extra plus, it'll also work with tablets, phones and laptops.

This neat little Nintendo Switch dock is compact and unobtrusive when not in use, but when you lift off its magnetic cover to reveal the male USB-C connector for your Switch, it transforms into a fantastic little dock that shows off your Switch in all its glory rather than hiding it away. It's short on ports with only one USB-A and an HDMI, but if you like to keep things minimal then this is an excellent choice at a good price, and it'll also work with other devices with a USB-C connection.

This bargain Nintendo Switch dock isn't for the faint-hearted. The reason it's so cheap is that it's essentially an empty case; to make it actually work you're going to have to open up your old Switch dock, remove its circuit board and fit it in the new case yourself. If you're comfortable with doing that, you'll get a decent little dock in a choice of four colours, and one that won't get broken by software updates because it still has the official Nintendo hardware inside.

If you've opted for a Switch with the neon-coloured joycons, this good-looking and lightweight Nintendo Switch dock will complement it perfectly. The Knofarm docking station is a compact and portable option without too much in the way of ports – just a USB-A and HDMI – but it also features oversized venting holes so it won't overheat, and like many of the other options here it leaves your Switch on display and makes it impossible to scratch your screen when you put the Switch in place.

We love the assortment of compact Nintendo Switch docks on the market, but we can't help but be a little concerned that their reduced dimensions could leave your Switch just a little unstable. If you'd rather have a dock that supports your Switch completely, try the Binbok Switch dock; it's the same width as your Switch so there's no danger of wobbling, and it comes with ta decent set of ports: an HDMI, a USB 3.0 port and a pair of USB 2.0 ports (plus a USB-C for connecting power), so you should have all the connectivity you need.

Enjoy playing games in a darkened room? You should definitely check out the Ikedon Switch Dock, as it has a little illuminated panel on the front so that you can easily find it and slot your Switch in when it needs a bit of a charge (although you might have a bit of trouble if your Switch has a case or a thick screen protector). It also features adjustable play angles so that you can get your console into the best position for you when playing in tabletop mode, and it comes with a single USB-A port as well as the obligatory HDMI port.

The Rocketfish TV Dock Kit is another Nintendo Switch dock that supports pretty much the whole width of your console, making it another great option if you want to avoid your Switch getting knocked over. It's also weighty and sturdy – more so than the official Switch dock, with the advantage of your Switch's screen being visible when it's plugged in. With only a USB-A and HDMI port it's a dock that's not so hot on connectivity, but on the whole this is a solid performer that feels reassuringly solid too.

Jim McCauley is a writer, performer and cat-wrangler who started writing professionally way back in 1995 on PC Format magazine, and has been covering technology-related subjects ever since, whether it's hardware, software or videogames. A chance call in 2005 led to Jim taking charge of Computer Arts' website and developing an interest in the world of graphic design, and eventually led to a move over to the freshly-launched Creative Bloq in 2012. Jim now works as a freelance writer for sites including Creative Bloq, T3 and PetsRadar, specialising in design, technology, wellness and cats, while doing the occasional pantomime and street performance in Bath and designing posters for a local drama group on the side.

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