Nintendo Switch Network Adapters That Work
While the Nintendo Switch is a Wi-Fi first console. There are situations where you want to be able to use a wired connection for faster and consistent speeds. The Nintendo Switch and dock do support USB network adapters, but Nintendo doesn’t have the official and most likely overpriced one available. I’ve done some extensive testing and found three network adapters that will work with the Nintendo Switch.
Keep in mind that these adapters are supported as of today. Nintendo could release an update that could change the compatibility of the ones I am talking about. Let’s start off with the first one from Pluggable.
Plugable USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
This USB 3.0 adapter from Pluggable is the first of two that I will be talking about from them. This adapter is pretty simple with a rectangular box shape and decent length cable between the box and the USB plug. The adapter has LED on the front of the ethernet port so you can see if there is activity going on. Not only does it support the Nintendo Switch but also works with Windows (from XP to 10), MAC OS X and Linux without the need of driver installation. The speeds are capped due to the Nintendo Switch software, but we do get about 95Mbps down and 11 Mbps up which should be good for downloading and decent for online gaming. Hopefully, Nintendo will allow faster-uncapped speeds for network adapters.
UGREEN USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
This is another adapter I tested with the Nintendo Switch. Works just the same as the Pluggable before it. It’s able to plug ring in without drives and will work with Windows, Mac, and Linux. There are LED indicators on the front of the ethernet port so you can see activity when in use. Speeds are above the same on this adapter as well with about 98Mbps down and 12Mbps up. The UGreen has a smaller rectangular shape and good build quality the cable is a bit shorter then the Plugable.
Plugable USB-C Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
And if you want to for whatever reason, connection your Nintendo Switch to a wired connection without the doc you can plug in this adapter directly into the USB-C port on the bottom of the Switch. It works, but you’re going to have to hold it in handheld mode since the USB-C port is on the bottom of the Switch so trying to use it in kickstand mode with this adapter will be a no go. If you want it. It’s about $15
I will also note that both the Plugable USB 3.0 and the UGreen USB 3.0 have long enough cables that they can plug into the inside USB port of the Nintendo Switch which will help with cable management.
So these three network adapters should be able to get you by and save you money from paying for a overprice official one when that comes out, or it can hold you over until you’re able to buy the official adapter. Links to where you can buy the adapters we have talked about here are all below.
If you want to grab one of the adapters mentions about click on the links below.
Plugable USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
UGREEN USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
Plugable USB-C Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter
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