How to Charge Nintendo Switch Controllers (All Methods Explained)
- What Types of Nintendo Switch Controllers Can You Charge?
- How Do You Charge Joy-Con Controllers?
- How Do You Charge a Pro Controller?
- Can You Charge Controllers Without the Console?
- How Long Does It Take to Charge Switch Controllers?
- What Charging Accessories Can You Use?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Faster Charging, Clear Indicators, Reliable Playtime
Charging your Nintendo Switch controllers is pretty basic once you understand the different options. Whether you’re using a Joy-Con, Pro Controller, or third-party gear, you can stay powered up using several methods to suit your lifestyle, at home and on the go.
This guide breaks down each method, how long they take, charging while playing, and the best accessories to keep you in the game without interruptions.
What Types of Nintendo Switch Controllers Can You Charge?
People often wonder about Nintendo Switch controllers because they can travel with you instead of sitting on your TV or coffee table like the average Xbox or PlayStation controllers. But you can charge any Switch controller, including:
Joy-Con controllers
Pro controllers
Third-party controllers
And for serious gamers who want to make sure they never run out of power, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic carries 1024Wh of capacity — enough to charge your Joy-Cons plenty of times over – and is portable enough for any gaming session away from the wall.
How Do You Charge Joy-Con Controllers?
Here are four versatile options for charging Joy-Con controllers. They all take ~3.5 hours, and you can check the status using the battery icon on the screen:
With the console: Slide the Joy-Con controllers into either side of the console until you hear a click. Place the Switch in the dock and ensure that it’s plugged in and either powered on or in sleep mode, not completely powered off.
Using a Joy-Con charging dock: Plug in the charging dock into the USB port on your Switch’s dock or any other powered USB source (wall adapter, power bank, etc.). Then place your controllers in the dock.
Charging while playing: You can plug the USB-C charger end into the port on the bottom of your controller and plug the USB end into your Switch’s dock (take out the power adapter in your Switch’s dock) to charge while you play.
Using a Joy-Con charging grip: This is a special charging grip purchased separately. It’s similar to the grip that comes with your console, except that it plugs into your dock via a USB cable, also allowing you to charge while you play.
How Do You Charge a Pro Controller?
The other option is the Pro controller, which is popular for its ease of use, wireless capabilities, and its much longer playtime.
Plug the USB-C end of the cable that came with your Pro Controller into the port on top of it.
Plug the other end of the cable into the standard USB port on your Switch’s dock.
Wait roughly 6 hours until it's fully charged. You can also charge while you play, but the cord is short, so you need to sit close by.
The LED indicator near the charging port will turn off when it's fully charged.
Serious gamers often use pro-grade power banks and portable power stations to charge their devices so they never have to deal with the frustration of running out of power halfway through their best game.
Can You Charge Controllers Without the Console?
You don’t have to pack the console with you everywhere you go, because you can charge without it. You can use either a separate charging dock or the Joy-Con charging grip to charge without the console.
The Pro version also comes with a USB to USB-C charging cord that can be plugged into any powered USB port, like a wall adapter, computer, power bank, portable power station, or any battery-operated whole-home generator with USB ports.
How Long Does It Take to Charge Switch Controllers?
How long it takes to charge depends on the controller. With Joy-Con controllers, it generally takes about 3.5 hours, while the Pro version takes about 6 hours to fully charge.
However, the regular Joy-Con models only provide about 20 hours of playtime, while the Pro offers 40 hours, which is why charging takes longer.
What Charging Accessories Can You Use?
Here are some of the charging accessories you can use with your Nintendo Switch controller.
Joy-Con charging dock.
Official Nintendo AC adapter.
High-quality third-party USB-C chargers as long as they have enough power. Handheld devices don’t require much power and can charge from most USB ports, but higher power will let you charge and play. However, consoles always require higher power, about 40W.
Car chargers for charging while driving (this keeps the kids happy).
Portable chargers like power banks and portable power stations with USB ports.
Portable home backup power solutions for charging when the grid goes down, like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Joy-Con and Pro Controllers Take to Charge?
Joy-Con controllers take about 3 ½ hours to charge fully, which gives you about 20 hours of playtime. Pro controllers take about 6 hours, but they also last longer, providing about 40 hours of playtime.
Can Joy-Cons Charge While Attached or in a Grip?
Yes, you can charge them while they’re attached to the console, so you can play at the same time. However, you can only charge in a grip if you use the optional Joy-Con charging grip, but not the regular grip that comes with it.
Can I Use Nintendo Switch Controllers While They Charge?
There are several ways you can use them while charging: using the Joy-Con charging grip, plugging in the USB-C cord into your controller and console, or using the Pro Controller, but the cord is short, and you’d have to sit close.
Faster Charging, Clear Indicators, Reliable Playtime
Charging your Nintendo Switch controllers is versatile and straightforward once you understand your options.
Joy-Cons can charge directly from the console or using special charging grips, while Pro and third-party options use simple USB connections. With charging times ranging from about 3.5 to 6 hours and multiple ways to power up, you’ll be ready for your next gaming session.
And with portable power from the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic, you can keep your game on at home during outages and on the road.
For press requests or interview opportunities, reach out to our media team
media.na@ecoflow.com