Here are some must-have accessories for your new Nintendo Switch

Nintendo’s first-party traditional controller is the best way to play games for your Nintendo Switch on the big screen. While the Joy-Cons for the Switch are perfectly fine, they can feel a bit crowded when they’re undocked from the console. The Pro controller alleviates this with a comfortable and relatively sturdy peripheral, one that is outfitted with motion controls, Nintendo’s HD rumble feature, and a more traditional D-pad. Read our review.

If you’re looking for a third-party alternative to Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless controller is one of your best options. It may not share the same build quality as its first-party counterpart, but it’s less expensive and includes remappable back buttons. Another added benefit is the controller’s Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to pair it with PCs and mobile devices.

PowerA’s controller is also available in a wide variety of eye-catching colorways and designs. Some designs can vary in terms of their availability and price, but the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is a great, budget-conscious alternative to the Switch Pro Controller, especially if you plan to use it with other devices.

If you’re fed up with Joy-Con drift every time you’re trying to play Switch away from your TV, the Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro is here to help. While these controllers are quite a bit larger than your standard Joy-Cons, they’re far more ergonomic and include rear inputs as well as remappable buttons. If that wasn’t enough, these controllers are available in a variety of fun colors.

While it isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, the one caveat with these controllers is that they lack support for motion controls and don’t have integrated batteries, meaning they’ll need to be connected to your Switch in order to work properly.

Okay, just one more controller, we swear. The Verge’s Sam Byford reviewed the 8BitDo Pro 2 controller last year, calling it the best Switch pro controller you can buy. The controller’s design resembles that of the original Super Nintendo but offers extra triggers and hand grips. It also includes remappable buttons and back paddles, in addition to Bluetooth connectivity for PCs, Android, and iOS devices. The Pro 2 does omit a few features that the Switch Pro Controller has, however, namely HD rumble and Amiibo support, and the Pro 2 can’t power on the Switch remotely.

Additionally, the controller is rechargeable via USB-C and features a switch to quickly swap between different face button layouts. While its design is markedly different from Nintendo’s Pro Controller, the Pro 2 is less expensive and offers broader compatibility than its more expensive counterpart.

While you can technically use any pair of 3.5mm or Bluetooth-compatible headphones with the Nintendo Switch now, thanks to a relatively recent firmware update, a good headset can make the experience much more comfortable. That’s why we’re highlighting the Logitech G435 Lightspeed —not just for its comfortable design but for its extensive connectivity options. The G435 can pair with your Switch via Bluetooth or using the included 2.4Ghz wireless dongle with the Switch dock.

It may not have the boom mic that’s so often associated with gaming headsets, but it still features a pair of mics built into the left earcup, which allow you to use the in-game chat or answer calls with your mobile device. As an added bonus, the G435 is available in a variety of unconventional colorways if you’re looking to stand out, in addition to a standard black model.

The one unfortunate aspect of this headset is that it isn’t compatible with Xbox, thanks to a specific wireless protocol that gets used exclusively by Microsoft’s consoles. The headset also lacks a dedicated port for 3.5mm audio, so you’ll need to purchase a separate adapter to use the G435 in a wired configuration. Read our review.

The 8Bitdo Arcade stick is an adaptation of the NES Advantage Controller that was developed for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The aesthetics are similar, but this model has a greatly expanded layout, one typically favored by fighting game enthusiasts. The Arcade Stick is also compatible with Windows and Android devices but, unfortunately, won’t work with Sony or Microsoft consoles.

With the Arcade Stick, you can quickly swap between the Switch layout and the more typical X orientation of the buttons via a dial in the upper-left corner, which changes the LEDs below the buttons to reflect the new layout. You can also pair Stick via Bluetooth, the 2.4Ghz wireless dongle, or a detachable USB-C connection. The durable controller is even intended to be modded, meaning you can open the case and install aftermarket buttons or a joystick if you’re so inclined. Read our review.

Designed for anyone that likes to play their Switch hooked up to a larger screen, the Genki Covert Dock takes all the functions of the regular standard Switch dock and compresses them to the size of a regular AC adapter. The dock includes outputs for USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI hookups, allowing you to tether your Switch’s output to any available HDMI device and simultaneously hook up or charge peripherals. It even comes packaged with a variety of adapters that are perfectly suited to international travel.

The Covert Dock is remarkably simple to use, too: just plug it into an outlet, connect the USB-C output to your Switch and the HDMI output to your display, and you’re good to go. We get that the Switch is primarily a handheld device, but if you’re looking for an easier way to play your Switch on a bigger display without dragging around the dock, this product is the way to go. Read our review.