So your joy-cons just went dark mid Mario Kart race. 😱 Low battery warnings kicking in on your Pro Controller before the next goal in FIFA. 🚨 Keeping your Switch controllers powered up is mission critical for multiplayer gaming on the go!
This comprehensive guide will teach you pro tips to keep Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, and third party accessories always charged and ready for action.
What We‘ll Cover
Here‘s a quick overview of everything we‘ll dive into for mastering charging your Switch controller collection:
- Step 1️⃣ – Connecting the Switch console to power
- Step 2️⃣ – Attaching Joy-Cons to charge off the Switch
- Step 3️⃣ – Allowing adequate charge time
- Step 4️⃣ – Detaching fully charged Joy-Cons
- Step 5️⃣ – Charging Pro and third party controllers
- 🕹️ Understanding battery specs and indicators
- ⚡️ Choosing the best charging accessories
- 🤔 Answers to frequent questions
By the end, you‘ll be a pro at keeping your Joy-Cons, Pro Controller, and other wireless controllers powered up for even the longest gaming marathons! ⚡️
Let‘s start with attaching those power-hungry Joy-Cons.
Step 1: Connect Switch Console to Power
First things first: plugging the Switch console itself into power.
Why bother if you‘re just charging Joy-Cons?
Good question! While not entirely necessary, keeping the Switch connected to wall power prevents draining the onboard battery faster while simultaneously juicing up attached Joy-Cons.
The Switch uses a 15V/2.6A AC adapter providing up to 39 watts of power. That‘s plenty to share with connected Joy-Cons without taxing the battery.
So hook up the official Switch AC adapter and plug it into the dock, or directly into console. The battery icon will indicate it‘s receiving external power instead of draining the internal supply.
Once you‘ve got the console itself charging, snap those Joy-Cons into place!
Step 2: Attach Joy-Cons to Charge
This is the best and easiest way to charge Joy-Con controllers – by attaching them directly to the Switch itself while docked or in handheld mode.
Simply slide them into place on the rails until you feel and hear the distinct click signalling a secure connection. You‘ll see the splash screen briefly light up indicating the battery status.
Leaving the Switch charging or turned off for 3-4 hours gives time for a complete battery refresh.
But just how do these things charge exactly? Let‘s geek out on ⚡️ charging specs!
Understanding Joy-Con Battery Details
Here are the key technical details on Joy-Con batteries from Nintendo:
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery type | Lithium-Ion |
| Voltage | 3.7V |
| Capacity | 525mAh |
| Charge time | Approx 3-4 hours from empty |
| Playtime per charge | Approx 20 hours |
So each Joy-Con has a tiny 3.7 volt rechargeable lithium battery capable of 525 milliamp hours (mAh) of power. That translates to a decent 20 hours of gaming time when fully charged!
The rails connecting the Joy-Cons to the console facilitate power transfer for charging.
Pretty slick integrated charging design! But what about that Pro Controller or other third party accessories with internal batteries?
Step 3: Charge Pro Controller and Other Accessories
Unlike the Joy-Cons which attach directly to recharge, the Pro Controller and other wireless controllers have internal batteries recharged via USB cables.
Here are the standard methods to charge these types of controllers:
- Use included USB charge cable and plug into docked Switch
- Connect directly to Switch in handheld mode
- Use any powered USB port like a laptop or AC wall adapter
The official Pro Controller has excellent approx 40 hour battery life per 3 hour charge time.
For third party options, check manufacturer specs as performance can vary drastically! More on that next…
Picking the Best Controller Charging Accessories
While Nintendo doesn‘t offer much in the way of first party charging solutions, there are some great third party accessories available from quality manufacturers.
Here are my top accessory recommendations for keeping Switch controls powered up:
Best Pro Controller – Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
It‘s hard to beat the first party peripheral! Featuring amiibo and rumble support combined with 40+ hour battery life per charge, the Switch Pro Controller is a beast.
Rechargeable via included USB-C cable, it‘s the pinnacle of Switch controller tech. Well worth the $70 price tag for serious gamers.
Best Joy-Con Charging Dock – FastSnail Controller Charger
With no first party option from Nintendo, the FastSnail JoyCon charging dock is my top pick for simultaneously powering up multiple controllers.
The convenient design charges up to four Joy-Cons, or a Pro Controller, via simple drop-in slots and standard USB-C input.
Battery life indicator lights let you monitor charge status as well. Under $20 bucks makes it a charging essential!
While there are certainly cheaper docks available, FastSnail delivers solid engineering with proven safe charging functionality.
Well that covers all the key methods to keep your Switch controllers buzzing with power! 🤘
But you may still have some burning questions. Now for an ⚡️electrifying⚡️ FAQ!
Frequently Asked Switch Controller Charging Questions
Here are answers to the most common questions about recharging Switch peripherals:
How long should I charge brand new Joy-Cons out of the box?
Plan on 3-4 hours attached to the Switch to bring totally fresh Joy-Cons up to a full charge the first time.
Why doesn‘t Nintendo sell their own Joy-Con chargers??
No one knows! It‘s bizarre you still have to turn to third parties for the best charging accessories even 5 years later…
Can I use Joy-Cons wireless with Switch Lite?
You sure can! The Switch Lite supports pairing additional Joy-Cons and Pro Controllers via Bluetooth same as the flagship model. Enjoy!
And there you have it friends – our definitive guide to powering up Switch controls for marathon mobile multiplayer sessions! 🥳
Did we miss any hot Switch charging gear or essential tips? Let me know! This Nintendo geek is always down to chat tech. Game on! 🕹️
