Few consoles are as versatile as the Nintendo Switch–it’s a portable gaming console you can hook up to your TV or take on the go. But if you play the Switch in handheld mode a lot, you know it’s not always the best portable gaming experience. With its small buttons and lack of a rubber grip (or any grip, really) on the Joy-Cons, it’s often not comfortable, especially during longer sessions of input-heavy games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Even the handheld-only Switch Lite, which features a smaller form factor, lacks the ergonomic grip of a traditional controller and isn’t ideal.
However, there is a solution to that tingling hands problem that makes the Switch more comfortable to play in handheld mode (besides just using a Switch Pro controller): a Nintendo Switch grip case. These work much in the same way as protective cases do, except they add a little something to grab onto without forcing you away from the screen, making them feel more like an Xbox controller.
While there are some wonderful Nintendo Switch grips out there that we absolutely love, not every device we tested was a winner. RDS Industries’ Goplay Grip put my hands in an awkward position for most games, while the Orzly Comfort Grip didn’t provide enough of a gaming controller handle to hold comfortably. Most Nintendo Switch gaming grips fell somewhere between these two.
But there are a few standout grips that are absolutely worth buying–below, we’ve rounded up the best Nintendo Switch grip cases we’ve tried and can vouch for. We’ll update this article as we test new Switch grips or upgraded models that make handheld play much more comfortable.
Quick look: The 3 best Nintendo Switch grip cases
- Satisfye Grip — $35
- Skull & Co Grip Case — $20
- HyperX ChargePlay Clutch — $60
Note: The prices shown below indicate a product’s standard list price and may not reflect any current discounts or other fluctuations.
Satisfye ZenGrip Pro
$35 | $55 with carrying case
The Good:
- Comfortable, ergonomic design prevents cramping
- Doubles as a sturdy stand with room for charging cable
- Bonus thumb tabs for extra grip and customization
The Bad:
- Slimmer right grip could prove less comfortable for large hands
The Satisfye Nintendo Switch grip has been one of our favorites for some time, and the updated version of it, the ZenGrip Pro, is absolutely the one to buy, fixing a major issue I experienced with the original Satisfye grip: scuffing. I’d never noticed it with my plain gray Switch, but after I upgraded to the pastel-colored Animal Crossing edition, I immediately noticed the Satisfye grip felt tighter and left small, gray scuff marks on the back of the white Joy-Cons. Fortunately, upgrading to the newer ZenGrip Pro has completely solved this issue. The upgraded Switch grip features ample silicone padding on the front and sides of the grip to help your Switch slide in easily and prevent any scuffing or scratching.
The new Satisfye grip also features rounder edges and a slimmer right-hand grip compared to the original, which finally feels just right in my smaller hands. It’s a great fit for small- to medium-sized hands, but those with large hands may still feel a tad cramped holding it.
As with Satisfye’s original grip, the ZenGrip Pro is extremely lightweight–it doesn’t make the console feel any heavier when I hold it (in fact, because it makes holding the Switch so much easier, it almost feels lighter). The bottom of the grip has two hooks for additional console support, and they also allow the Switch to stand securely upright on its own, with enough room for the charging cable to run underneath.
While the change in hand positioning may take some getting used to if you’re used to playing handheld without a grip, the Satisfye grip features a comfortable, ergonomic design that fills your palms and keeps your thumbs in their natural resting positions. There’s a nice little spot on top of both handles for your index fingers to rest when you’re not using the trigger buttons. The handles are also rubberized on the back, which helps you grip them even better. Plus, it’s way easier to use the buttons, as your thumbs have more space and support to move around. Additionally, the Satisfye grip comes with bonus thumb tabs that you can use to add traction to the joysticks. The Satisfye Switch and Switch Lite grips are also available in bundles with carrying cases. | Jenae Sitzes
Skull & Co Grip Case
$20 | $40 with carrying case
The Good:
- Extremely comfortable, ergonomic design
- Interchangeable grips to help you find the best fit for your hands
- Easily removable
- More affordable than other grips on this list
The Bad:
- Not exactly charging dock-friendly
- Right-stick positioning feels a little awkward
The Skull & Co Switch grip is a slip-on case, just like the one you’d put on your phone, except it also turns your Switch into something that feels a bit more like a proper controller–a much more ergonomic handheld device. The case comes with three pairs of interchangeable grips so you can decide which shape best fits your hands. The Snap Grip is the smallest of the three options, equipped with rounded edges. The Plus Grip is a bigger version of the Snap Grip that protrudes much further out. Lastly, we have the Trigger Grip, which is my personal favorite–it feels the most like a normal controller, feels comfortable, and fits my large hands perfectly. It also has a little hooked peak for your middle finger to rest in, which makes your Switch very easy to hold onto, even with one hand. The Skull & Co grip case is a huge improvement over the flat and gripless Switch, especially for Super Mario Maker 2, which previously gave me constant cramps while making levels.
In addition to the handles, Skull & Co’s Nintendo Switch grip case covers everything but the front of the Switch. This means the shoulder buttons are covered as well, requiring you to press on the case’s button covers to press the L, R, ZL, and ZR buttons. However, the distance between the button cover and the button itself is so small that it doesn’t feel much different from just pulling the trigger buttons. It also doesn’t cover up the part of the console reserved for Switch game carts, which means you can swap games pretty easily. It does make it slightly more difficult to swap out MicroSD cards, but that isn’t a huge issue.
I don’t want to play my Switch in handheld mode without this grip case. However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I found the shape of the padded handles made it slightly more difficult to position my thumb and use the right analog stick. It’s not an insurmountable issue, but I did feel a little soreness in my joint while playing certain games that rely on the right stick a lot, so it’s not quite at Pro controller-levels of comfort.
Skull & Co claims this grip case is “dock-friendly” and doesn’t need to be removed for TV mode. However, there tends to be a slight bend in some people’s docks, causing it to have a slightly smaller opening (and making a screen protector even more important). The slight difference is enough to keep this case from being completely dock-friendly. While I was able to force my Switch into the charging dock and get it to output to the TV, it took a considerable amount of time and the Switch would sometimes undock itself. I can’t recommend this Nintendo Switch grip case enough when it comes to playing in handheld, but if you want to output to your TV, be sure to take it off before sliding it into your charging dock. You can get it solo or with a carrying case, which includes some nice storage space for your Switch game cards, as well as a versatile mesh pocket. Skull & Co’s bundles for the Switch and Switch Lite cost $40 each. | Mat Paget
HyperX ChargePlay Clutch
$60
The Good:
- Ergonomics feel good
- External battery offers around two hours of extra playtime
- Excellent, heavy-duty kickstand that’s great for tabletop mode
- Rubber grips connect and can be used with Joy-Cons as a more traditional controller
The Bad:
- Doesn’t completely recharge the Switch’s battery while playing
- More features mean a higher price tag
The HyperX ChargePlay Clutch offers a lot more than just its chunky, grippy form factor. As someone with big hands, the behemoth that is the Clutch feels great to hold, adding a substantial amount of comfortable plastic that nestles into the heart of my palms that makes it easy to play any Nintendo Switch game. Of course, that size does add a fair bit of weight–especially when compared to other grips on this list–and it can take some time to get used to the extra heft. However, the ChargePlay Clutch comes with a few key advantages that make it a particularly appealing grip case even if it is a little on the heavy side.
Beyond its ergonomic factor, the most obvious advantage is in the name: the ChargePlay Clutch boasts a portable battery that can charge the Switch while you play. There is a catch, though. The battery’s power delivery is not strong enough to completely replenish the Switch’s battery while playing. The charging case will, however, keep your Switch alive for an extra two hours before running out of juice itself. I feel like I’m constantly charging my Switch, so hitting that power button is a much-appreciated luxury when the low-battery warning pops up. You can also plug in a USB-C cable while playing.
The rubber grips also feature a heavy-duty stand that feels sturdy and instills confidence that your Switch won’t fall over if bumped. The Clutch makes for a great tabletop experience, especially since you can take the hand grips off of the unit, slide in the Joy-Cons, and use it as a more traditional controller, with a fit similar to the Switch’s official Joy-Con grip. The two grips connect via magnets, which makes for a smooth and easy transition between handheld and tabletop play.
HyperX’s ChargePlay Clutch is a great Switch grip with more utility than the competition. Those features allow it to be priced higher than the alternatives, but the battery life, excellent kickstand, and removable grips make the ChargePlay Clutch an easy choice. | Mat Paget
Grip’s battery life while playing Breath of the Wild:
- About 2 hours 15 minutes
- Kept Switch alive, charged from 5% to 13%
Charging the Switch in Sleep mode from 0% to 100%:
- About 2 hours, 1 out of 4 battery lights on afterward
Charging the Grip’s battery from 0% to 100%:
- About 5 hours
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