Five of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch and which type you need

All these power banks will work with every model of the Nintendo Switch, whether that's the original, the Switch OLED or the Switch Lite. Some models will even charge your phone and other devices too.

They should work on the rumoured upcoming next-gen Switch 2 as well, as the device is likely to have a similar power draw.

If you want to really switch things up, you can check out the best Nintendo Switch cases and best Nintendo Switch chargers too.

If you're yet to buy Nintendo's hybrid console, check out our best Switch deals and see if we think the Switch is worth it.

Jump to:

• How long does a Nintendo Switch charge last?
• What size power bank do I need for Nintendo Switch?
• Which power bank should I buy for Nintendo Switch?
• Best power banks for Nintendo Switch at a glance
• 4 of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch

Energy efficiency: How long does a Nintendo Switch charge last?

How long you can keep playing without having to plug in depends on which type of Nintendo Switch device you have. If you have the original Nintendo Switch you’re looking at around four and a half to nine hours playing time, depending on the game and what you’re using it for.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is slightly lower, with around three to seven hours on a single charge. If you have the original version of the Switch from a few years ago, however, you’ll be looking at a little less playing time again, at around two and a half to six and a half hours.

Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch OLED has approximately four and a half to nine hours of battery life.

If you want to extend the time you can play for, you can plug in a power bank which will charge while you continue playing. A Nintendo Switch portable charger will offer more juice in terms of battery life but not in memory capacity, so if that’s what you’re looking for, it might be worth checking out our list of the best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch.

If you're wanting to save money on the Nintendo Switch, take a look at the best Nintendo Switch offers.

What size power bank do I need for Nintendo Switch?

The size power bank you need depends on how long you’ll be wanting to play your device for away from plug sockets.

The battery capacity in power banks is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the figure, the longer the battery pack will be able to power your device for.

For most journeys or days out up to 10,000mAh should be enough to keep you going and boost your playing time by a good few hours, depending on the games used.

20,000mAh versions are also available and would work well if you had a long international flight or if you have multiple electronic devices you’ll be charging with it.

There are also 30,000mAh versions and above which can potentially charge your Nintendo Switch multiple times over. For most people, these are unnecessarily large unless you are going to be away from mains electric for days at a time.

Our friends over at Made For Mums have put together a guide on the best Nintendo Switch games for kids.

Which power bank should I buy for Nintendo Switch?

The size of the Nintendo Switch portable charger you choose is up to personal preference. The larger the capacity, the heavier and more expensive it is likely to be, so it’s worth considering what it is you will actually need.

There are also a number of functions available on different models such as quick charge capabilities, stands and multiple ports for different leads. Such features may or may not be useful for you but are likely to figure in the price, so it can pay off to check this out first.

If it’s things like headsets and extra controllers you’re looking for, we’ve also found some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories, too.

Best power banks for Nintendo Switch at a glance

• Anker Nintendo Switch portable power bank (20,100mAh), £27.99
• Venom Switch power bank with kick stand (10,000mAh), £14.99
• Jonkuu portable power bank chargers (10,000mAh), £12.49 £13.49
• Romoss portable charger (30,000mAh), £82.59
• imuto (20,000mAh), £29.99 £26.99

4 of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch

Anker Nintendo Switch Portable Power Bank (20,100mAh)

Best for officially licensed

If you want to ensure you have the proper kit, this Nintendo Switch power bank from Anker is branded with the device's logo for guaranteed compatibility. It’s also able to automatically adapt for other devices to charge them as efficiently as possible. You do pay more for the official licensing, but it is guaranteed for two years.

Venom Switch Power Bank with Kick Stand (10,000mAh)

Best for practicality while playing

This 10,000mAh is ideal for things like train journeys as the Nintendo Switch power bank has a built-in stand. This means you can easily prop your device and continue playing wherever you are, without worrying about standing it up with wires in the way.

Jonkuu Portable Power Bank Chargers (10,000mAh)

Best for value for high capacity

This power bank has generous power capacity for a fair price compared to other battery packs. It is compatible with other devices like smartphones and tablets and should automatically shut down in the case of a short circuit or overload.

Romoss Portable Charger (30,000mAh)

Best for big trips or multiple devices

This large-capacity charger is ideal for camping trips or periods away from the usual electricity points. With different sized ports it should be able to power up multiple devices and has quick charge capabilities to get things moving faster, too.

imuto (20,000mAh)

Best for keeping track of battery life

This affordable yet reasonably powerful model offers a bonus LED display to show remaining battery life, helping you to better time your charges. Not only that, it's smaller than an iPhone 6+, meaning that it's compact and portable.

For more tech deals, check out the best Fitbit offers and the best Xbox Series X deals perfect for beating the January blues.