If you are only connecting an iPhone and the Switch’s dock, then you can avoid the reset issue above. In all cases, it is disruptive, and you’ll want to avoid the experience. Worse case, you need to wake up the Switch, reset the controller connection, or change the display’s input back to the Switch’s HDMI. But the Nintendo Switch dock doesn’t use the Switch’s battery, so it gets powered down during these resets. A phone or handheld Switch doesn’t mind because their batteries seamlessly kick in and cover the downtime. The reset stops the flow of power for a few seconds. But to do this, the power profile on each port gets reset whenever a device is added or taken away. That’s great for balancing the fast charging needs of several devices. Most multi-port chargers with USB-C are “smart” and offer a range of power outputs on a port, depending on what else is charging. They tend to disrupt gameplay anytime another device is connected or disconnected. I don’t usually recommend multi-port chargers for the Nintendo Switch if using it with the dock. I regularly use a 65W USB-C charger with my Nintendo Switch dock when I travel. Previous issues of “docks bricking my Switch” were all related to third-party docks, almost all linked to a particular brand and model no longer on the market. But it causes no issue, as the official dock has no problems doing what it should in terms of dictating how much power comes across. It won’t charge the handheld Switch any faster. It is safe to use a USB-C charger offering a higher wattage, such as 65W, which is far more common than 45W USB-C chargers today.

There is a limit to how much power it’ll draw into the battery, so expect similar charging times using either setup. The Switch will not charge faster in the dock with a 45W USB-C charger than it would if connected directly to an 18W USB-C charger. Using a 45W USB-C charger, the battery level will charge about the same regardless of activity. But 39W USB-C chargers are not found except for clones of the Nintendo Switch AC adapter, so you want to look for 45W or higher USB-C chargers to find the most options. Technically the minimum is 39W which is how much power the Nintendo Switch’s original AC adapter will provide. Docked Nintendo SwitchĪ USB-C charger offering 45W or more is required to power up the Nintendo Switch in its dock. A higher-outputting charger won’t overload it. The Nintendo Switch (like all USB-C devices) controls how much power it draws. It won’t charge the handheld Switch any faster, but it causes no issues and allows you to have one charger for all situations. It is safe to use a USB-C charger offering a higher wattage, such as 45W, used to power a docked Nintendo Switch.

So I recommend just plugging it in and doing what you want with it. But the difference is 15 minutes at more for a 0-100% charge. My testing has shown the Switch actually charges faster while playing games than when asleep. Using an 18W USB-C charger, the battery level will charge up at various rates, depending on the activity level of the Nintendo Switch. That is when it is not in its dock and applies to all models of the Nintendo Switch and whether it is asleep or gaming. Handheld/Tabletop Nintendo SwitchĪ USB-C charger offering 18W or more will fast charge the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. But unlike most other devices, it has two power draw levels depending on what “mode” it is in. The Nintendo Switch supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD) as its fast-charging standard. Amazon Basics 65W GaN, ZMI zPower Turbo 65W, Anker 313 Ace 45W, Nekteck 65W GaN II

Switch charger