The Best Nintendo Switch Cases for On-the-Go Gaming

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The Nintendo Switch might be sturdy enough to withstand the usual minor bumps and drops that come with everyday use, but you’re probably not going to want to take it too far from home without putting it in a good case. As you can imagine, there are a lot of Switch cases to choose from, which makes finding just the right one for your needs a bit of a challenge.

You can find Switch cases that are slim and streamlined for when you only need to take the basics with you, or far more elaborate cases that can make carrying around your full Switch setup— complete with the dock and a controller or two—a bit more manageable.

Best Nintendo Switch Cases

• Best Overall: Tomtoc Slim Nintendo Switch Case

• Best Budget: Game Traveler Durable Nintendo Switch Case

• Most Protective: PowerA Protection Case with Kevlar for Nintendo Switch

• Roomiest: Tomtoc Large Nintendo Switch Carrying Case

• Most Storage: Zadii Hard Nintendo Switch Carrying Case

What to Consider

Nintendo has complicated things slightly for case makers (and customers) by broadening the Switch lineup to include three different models. The handheld-only Switch Lite is the obvious outlier, and you’ll likely want to consider a case designed specifically for it to maximize portability and minimize any jostling around (though some cases do include inserts to accommodate the Lite).

The standard Switch and Switch OLED, on the other hand, are only slightly different in size. Most newer cases are designed to fit either one, but you may come across some cases intended for the original Switch that will be just a bit too snug for the OLED model. To be safe, it’s always worth checking to make sure a case specifically indicates that it’s compatible with the Switch model you have.

How We Selected

We sifted through a multitude of Switch cases and pored over scores of professional and customer reviews to determine some of the very best options available today. We also considered that people’s needs can vary widely when it comes to a Switch case, and ensured that our picks include choices to cover as many types of gamers, and as many different situations, as possible.

Slim Nintendo Switch Case

The tomtoc Switch case is a super-slim and ultra-durable case that will protect your handheld console without sacrificing too much room in your backpack. During my tests with the case, I found that it protected my Switch from drops, scuffs, and scratches. My Switch even came out completely unscathed after I accidentally spilled a glass of water at my desk where I last set the case down.

With around 15 colors and patterns to choose from, you can find a case that suits you best. It also comes with a removable wrist strap, which makes it easier to carry your console on the go. Tomtoc’s cases are backed by a 1-year warranty adding some extra peace of mind. Just make sure you buy the correct variant since tomtoc makes this case for all three Switch models.

Related: Shop the Best Handheld Game Consoles

Durable Nintendo Switch Case

Don’t let its affordable price sway you, this Nintendo Switch case is extremely durable. It’s made from a rubber-like material and is built to withstand drops.

Ashley Barry-Biancuzzo, an editor at Reviewed, said the Game Traveler Deluxe has “everything you could possibly want” in a case. She sang praises of its cushiony screen protector and said it was “the most well-rounded case” she tested.

We also were happy to see that the case came with two plastic game cases (which hold four games each) and two MicroSD memory card cases. The latter are small enough to be stored within the game case. The case also has a zippered pocket to stow a few smaller accessories like earbuds.

Unfortunately, the pocket is too small to hold a USB charger or the charging cable that came with your Switch.

Overall, it’s an affordable but durable case that will surely protect your Switch.

Protection Case with Kevlar for Nintendo Switch

It may be hard to believe, but this Nintendo Switch case is made from the same synthetic fiber used in body armor. Power A’s case shell is crafted with Kevlar fibers to provide your console with the strongest protection possible. So, how strong is it? Five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis!

Jason Kapp, the editor in chief at NintendoLink, called PowerA’s case “the Excalibur of cases” and even took his to a shooting range.

“The casing withheld the impact of a bullet and did not allow it to pierce through,” he wrote. After surviving a bullet, you can be confident the case will withstand drops, too!

Large Nintendo Switch Carrying Case

Shop Switch Lite Case

For those searching for a slightly larger Nintendo Switch case to stow accessories like a portable battery, Pro Controller, extra Joy-Con, or earbuds, we recommend this slightly thicker case from tomtoc. It's very similar to tomtoc's Slim Nintendo Switch Case and offers gamers a durable build that can withstand drops, a water-resistant design, and slots to store up to two dozen game cartridges.

Our sole complaint is that we wish that it came in more colors and patterns. The larger-sized tomtoc carrying case comes only in gray, black, and red. Regardless, it’s a stellar carrying case just as long as you don’t mind its slightly bulkier design or you need some extra room to store additional gaming gear.

Hard Nintendo Switch Carrying Case

For those times when you want to plug your Switch into a friend’s TV or a TV at a hotel, we recommend the Zadii Hard Carrying Case. This affordable but rugged case was designed to stow your console, two pairs of Joy-Con, a Pro Controller, your Switch dock, and its power adapter.

There's also a pocket for your HDMI cable and two sleeves that hold 21 game cartridges. Since the case uses custom-cut foam, you can ensure your gear will remain protected and won’t move around in the case.

Measuring 11 inches wide and 5 inches thick, the case is surprisingly compact despite storing so much gaming gear. It comes with a shoulder strap to make it easier to carry.

Power Commuter Travel Bag

For the on-the-go gamer who is constantly looking for a power outlet to juice up their Switch, we recommend the Bionik Power Commuter Travel Bag. It’s a compact case that comes with a 10,000 maH capacity portable battery. (That capacity figure means you can recharge your Nintendo Switch twice!)

The Bionik bag has a convenient built-in USB-C cable, so you won’t have to remember to pack one. Other case features include slots for 18 game cartridges, a pocket for two Joy-Con, and an included shoulder strap. Of course, you can carry it like you would a briefcase by using its built-in handle.

The case has a canvas exterior, and we are confident it will keep your Switch in tip-top shape. However, we wish it were water-resistant. Regardless, it’s one of the slimmest and most reasonably priced charging cases you can buy.

Gaming Crossbody Sling

This travel case from Timbuk 2 is a stylish nylon crossbody sling that's perfect for commuters. It has enough space for your smartphone, your Switch console, 14 game cartridges, and other small valuables. There's even an exterior pocket with a strong magnetic clasp that's the perfect place to stow items that you want to access quickly.

The nylon bag is also completely waterproof and features rubberized zippers to protect your gaming gear against water damage. I was happy to see that its interior pockets are felt-lined, as well to keep your screen looking pristine.

Although the Cs03 crossbody sling is pricier than most other options, it offers unrivaled versatility, a stylish-looking design, and just enough room to carry your console and important everyday items.

Felt Carrying Case Wallet for Nintendo Switch

Most Switch cases look like, well, Switch cases. They may come in all shapes and sizes, but you can generally guess at a glance that there’s a game console inside it. ProCase’s Felt Carrying Case Wallet is a great option for anyone who prefers something a bit more nondescript, and may not need the most rugged case possible.

Constructed of a soft felt fabric with a button and elastic cord closure, it’s decidedly old school, but it’s designed to protect either a standard Switch and Switch OLED (a separate Switch Lite model is also available). You’ll find five slots to hold game cards when you lift up the flap, but that’s the extent of any extra storage—it’s just the basics here.

Switch Lite Flip Cover and Screen Protector

Given the premium that the Switch Lite puts a premium on portability, chances are you’re not going to want to add any more bulk or weight than is necessary with a case. Nintendo’s official Switch Lite Flip Cover is about as sleek a Switch Case as you’ll find—so much so that you can use your Switch without removing it from the case.

It has a magnetic closure that keeps the cover secure without the need for a zipper, and the Switch itself can be easily removed if you prefer to play sans case. That minimalist design does mean there is no built-in storage for games, headphones or other accessories, however, and considering the Switch Lite’s multitude of bright color options, it would have been nice if the case was available in an option other than dark gray.

Everywhere Messenger Bag for Nintendo Switch

The Switch’s portability obviously shines the most in handheld mode, but the whole setup with the dock is also still far more portable than other gaming consoles. If your travels take you somewhere with a TV that you can plug into, a case like PowerA’s Everywhere Messenger Bag will let you take everything you need to enjoy some bigger screen gaming.

While it looks like a standard messenger bag on the outside, the inside is loaded with compartments that are perfectly sized for the Switch, dock, a full-size controller, game cards and other accessories. Even better, the compartment for the Switch itself can be detached and used as a separate pouch on its own for those times when you don’t need to haul everything else around with you.

Game Card Case 24 for Nintendo Switch

Most Switch cases include at least some form of storage for game cards, but there are times when a simple pouch or a few cartridge slots just won’t cut it. Hori’s Game Card Case 24 not only includes ample storage for a slew of games—you guessed it: 24—but its hard shell ensures that each game card stays firmly in place and fully protected.

It also includes a memory card holder if you want to take a couple of extra microSD cards along with you, making it a great accessory to pair with a backpack, laptop bag, or larger Switch case like the PowerA Everywhere Messenger Bag above.

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