Your Nintendo Switch's portability is one of its greatest assets. You can bring your favorite games with you virtually anywhere you want to go, so you can explore the vast world of Hyrule while you're stuck on a crowded bus just as easily as you can wander your tropical island in Animal Crossing while you're cooped up at home in the winter. But, constantly being on the go can put your Nintendo Switch at risk, whether that be from an accidental drop or a bunch of loose items in a backpack. To keep it safe, you should consider a case.
There's a wide variety of options when it comes to Nintendo Switch cases. Some serve as grips like you might have on your phone, protecting your Switch without blocking you from using it. Others are larger, made to hold the switch and some choice accessories when you're not playing. Some cases even serve to charge or extend the battery life of your Switch while you're on the go. We've rounded up some quality options so you can find the Nintendo Switch case that suits your needs and your style.TL;DR – These are the Best Nintendo Switch Cases:
- AmazonBasics Carrying Case
- tomtoc Carrying Case
- Zadii Hard Carrying Case
- Timbuk2 x Astro CS03 Crossbody Sling
- Villager Supplies 3UP Nintendo Switch Case
- Mumba Dockable Case
- Yobwin 10000mAh Battery Charger Case
- Bionik Power Commuter Travel Bag
- Controller Gear The Legend of Zelda Backpack
- Waterfield Designs Dash Express Case
1. AmazonBasics Carrying Case
Best Budget Case
The Nintendo Switch is an exciting console, but it’s hard to get as excited about a carrying case. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a carrying case that will get the job done and protect your more expensive console. The AmazonsBasics Carrying Case for the Nintendo Switch is more than up to the task with a design that won’t dramatically reduce your console’s portability.
The carrying case adds just a bit to the dimensions of your Switch, but it wraps it in colorful and sturdy protection that will keep it safe from short drops, debris in your backpack, and even a bit from water (just don’t dunk it). The case includes a mesh pocket inside that you can use to hold some extra cables, earbuds, Joy-Con, or even a portable charger. Plus, there is a cartridge sleeve you can use to hold up to 10 games, letting you bring a large library with you on the go. Cleverly, that card holder can also prop up your Nintendo Switch when playing in a tabletop setup.
2. tomtoc Carrying Case
Best Compact Case
You might want to protect your Nintendo Switch in a case when you're on the go, and you absolutely should, but that doesn't mean you want to throw it into a bulky case that makes it far less portable. If you're not looking to bring along extra batteries, external controllers, a dock, or really any extra accessories, the tomtoc carrying case lets you go minimalist. There is one thing the case will help you bring with you though: a collection of games. It has 10 holders for game cartridges or SD cards.
This slim case hugs your Nintendo Switch, just barely adding to the space the device would take up in your bag or backpack unprotected. Of course, the tomtoc case adds a good deal of protection. Your screen is covered, as are all sides and controls, and though the case may look soft, it has an EVA hard shell for extra safety. The material also offers slight water resistance. The case comes in a ton of colors, too, so you can get one that matches your style.
3. Zadii Hard Carrying Case
Best Rugged Case
If you're not content to just take the Switch itself with you, and you know your travels are going to get a little rough-and-tumble from time to time, you'll want the Zadii Hard Carrying Case. This rugged case is actually surprisingly affordable even for a case that just holds the Switch, but this case can hold much more.
Zadii has built this carrying case to hold pretty much everything that comes in the box with your Nintendo Switch and then some. You'll be able to fit the Switch with its Joy-Cons attached, a second set of Joy-Cons with the Joy-Con grip, your Joy-Con straps, a Pro Controller, your Nintendo Switch Dock, and your power adapter. Those items aren't going to sit loosely in the case either. Zadii has built foam slots for each of them to protect them and hold them in place. The lid of this carrying case also provides a pocket for an HDMI cable and a set of sleeves to hold 21 game cartridges. Zadii even includes a detachable shoulder strap to make carrying the whole thing easier.
4. Timbuk2 x Astro CS03 Crossbody Sling
Best Nintendo Switch Sling Bag
Timbuk2 knows bags, and Astro knows gaming. Together, the two companies have created the Timbuk2 x Astro CS03 Crossbody Sling for the Nintendo Switch. This is the bag you’ll want if you want something that goes on quickly, takes up little space, doesn’t add much bulk while you’re on the move, and provides easy access but solid protection for your gear.
The CS03 bag has a three-liter capacity, giving it room for your Nintendo Switch, a smartphone, a number of accessories and cables, and even 14 game cartridges or SD cards in individual slots. The bag is built with a combination of 600D polyester and 4mm-thick ripstop nylon. The design is resistant to water and dust to keep the contents inside clean and safe. A front pocket with a magnetic closure will provide easy access to some of the gear you store while the main compartments are protected and secured with weather-resistant zippers.
5. Villager Supplies 3UP Nintendo Switch Case
Best Shoulder Bag
If you want the simplicity of a bag you can sling over your shoulder and go with, then Villager Supplies' 3UP Nintendo Switch Case will do the trick. This bag is built for the Nintendo Switch. It includes a pocket dedicated to the console itself with room for the attached Joy-Con as well, and that section is padded to protect your Switch. That pocket also includes a cartridge holder for 10 games. There are also separate pockets in a front compartment that can hold a charger, your cables, extra Joy-Con, or other small extras. There's a pass-through opening between these two compartments so you can slip a portable charger in and run a charging cable between compartments to charge on the go.
There's an additional rear compartment you can toss your phone in as well. The case is built from a sturdy, 600D Nylon that can protect your devices from a bit of water. You'll get the case with a lanyard and an adjustable shoulder strap, so you can change up how you carry it from day to day.
6. Mumba Dockable Case
Best Always-On Protective Case
Your Switch is an investment, so it makes sense that you might want to enclose it in a full-time protective case. Mumba’s Dockable Case does just that – it offers full-time protection for your Switch and controllers, but also slips into the dock without needing to remove anything.
The case is made with a shock-absorbent, rubberized material that’s easy to grip and will protect your console from bumps, scratches, and drops. Even so, it doesn’t interfere with any of the controls, so you’ll be able to leave it on almost all the time – even the Joy-Cons slip in and out effortlessly. And it’s available in black, blue, green, and red.
7. Yobwin 10000mAh Battery Charger Case
Best Charger Case
If you take your Switch everywhere, battery life might be your most important concern. The Yobwin has an integrated 10,000 mAh battery, which can extend gameplay by as much as an additional eight hours. Alternately, it can charge your console 1.7 times. Thanks to a USB-C port, you can also use it as a standard power bank to charge other devices.
This Nintendo Switch battery case also has some useful extras. The Joy-Con cover has slots on the inside to store extra games cartridges, and the back of the case has a kick stand with three different positions, so you can prop it up for play. And don’t worry about the plastic suffocating your Switch; in addition to a bevy of electrical protections (like over-current and over-voltage protection), the sculpted case doesn’t block air vents or interfere with the Switch’s heat dissipation.
8. Bionik Power Commuter Travel Bag
Best Play-While-Charging Case
Bionik’s Power Commuter Travel Bag also has a beefy 10,000 mAh battery, but rather than charging in the case, this one is designed to plug in when you stop and play. The case includes an integrated charging cable and features USB-A and USB-C connectors that let you charge other devices as well.
Inside, this case is spacious and has room for a slew of Switch accessories, as well as a respectable 18 game cartridges. You can wear it across your shoulder or strap it to other luggage, and it’s finished in a military-style black mesh.
9. Controller Gear The Legend of Zelda Backpack
Best Nintendo Switch Backpack
Who said you had to keep your Nintendo Switch in a small holder? The Legend of Zelda Backpack from Controller Gear offers plenty of room for your Nintendo Switch and more. You can throw your console into a dedicated sleeve, and there's even a holder for your to toss in your Nintendo Switch Dock and its associated cables. Another sleeve will even fit a 15.6-inch laptop, so your backpack doesn't need to be just for the Switch. An additional pocket on the back of the backpack will let you store even more.
So, when you need to bring every piece of your Nintendo Switch setup with you on the go, this backpack from Controller Gear has the space and compartments you need.
10. Waterfield Designs Dash Express Case
Best Nintendo Switch Sleeve Case
You can keep your Nintendo Switch safe while also keeping it super easy to access by gearing yourself up with sleeve-style case. Waterfield Designs has you covered with the Dash Express case for the Nintendo Switch (there's also a Nintendo Switch Lite version available).
The Waterfield Designs Dash Express case is a lightweight carrying sleeve that keeps things simple. It's padded to keep your Switch safe, and it has a fuzzy lining to stay gentle on the Switch's screen. A small strap over the sleeve's opening keeps your Switch from falling out. That open end also makes it simple to pull your Switch out and start gaming in few seconds – no fussing about with zippers. You can get the sleeve in a variety of colors, and there are a few optional accessories, like a game cartridge holder and a carabiner to attach the case to your backpack.
What to Look for in a Nintendo Switch case
There is no shortage of cases for the Nintendo Switch, with dozens showing up on Amazon and a wealth of other options, including boutique-made cases on sites like Etsy. And there are different sorts of cases as well; you can choose from among travel cases, protective snap-on cases, charging cases, and more.
If you need something to carry your console around in, a carrying case or travel case is where you want to look. There are a lot of decorative cases – none made the list in this article – that bear images of game characters or logos. That’s fine, but whatever you choose, make sure it can meet the minimum requirements of being a carrying case; it should be padded well enough to protect your investment from routine impacts.
It should also have a way to protect the screen from scratches (usually with a flip-down cover or sleeve) and be able to hold as many game cartridges as you want to carry around. Likewise, consider what you need to carry. Perhaps all you need is the console itself, but if you’re traveling home to see the parents, you might need a case large enough to hold the dock and an HDMI cable.
Some cases step up the game with an integrated battery. It’s probably not worth considering a charging case with less than about 10,000 mAh of power – that’ll power your Switch through just short of two complete charges. Bonus points if the battery charges quickly, and can also charge other devices in your inventory.
Remember that these are cases you’ll need to cart around in the real world. What, exactly, do you want to be seen wearing or carrying? Some cases look a little goofy or childish, which is fine if you’re a child, and less so if you’re a grownup who takes a Switch to work for lunch break.
Dave Johnson has been writing about gaming and tech since the days of the Palm Pilot. See him shout into the Twitter void @davejoh
