How Many USB Ports Does a Nintendo Switch Have?

As an avid Nintendo Switch gamer and content creator, I get asked this question a lot from my followers looking to connect controllers, LAN adapters, and other accessories to their Switch. So let‘s take a detailed look at the USB capabilities of the Switch dock and console.

A Quick Overview

To give a quick answer upfront – the Nintendo Switch dock itself contains three USB 2.0 ports while the console has one USB-C port used for charging and docking purposes.

So the total USB ports accessible when docked is three. Now let‘s get into more detail!

USB Port Specifications

Here is a breakdown of the USB ports available on the Nintendo Switch setup:

As you can see, the dock itself contains three USB-A 2.0 ports. These are the rectangular USB ports we‘re all familiar with.

The console features one USB-C port on the bottom used for charging and syncing when docked.

Both the docked ports and console port conform to the USB 2.0 specification. So no USB 3.0 super speeds here! But USB 2.0 is still plenty for charging controllers and accessories.

Now that we‘ve covered the port specifics, what can you actually use them for?

What Can You Connect Via the USB Ports

While the Switch dock only contains basic USB 2.0 ports, they are still quite versatile for connecting accessories and controllers. Here‘s what you can connect:

• Controllers – Charge extra Pro Controllers or Joy-Con Charging Grips
• LAN Adapter – Connect a LAN adapter accessory for wired internet
• USB Keyboards – Plug in a keyboard for entering text comfortably
• Headsets – Connect wired USB headsets for chat and in-game audio
• External Storage – Unfortunately external hard drives are not supported

Do keep in mind that these USB ports can only provide a limited amount of power. So charging multiple high-drain devices simultaneously may be iffy.

But for charging a controller or two while using a keyboard or headset? No sweat.

Oh and yes – this means you can connect a mouse too but without any directional input possible. So mice end up quite limited unfortunately.

Now what about player support? How many controllers can you actually use with the Switch anyway?

Controller and Player Support Specifics

Using the USB ports, wireless controllers, or the included Joy-Cons – you can connect up to 8 controllers concurrently to a single Switch console. This means local multiplayer chaos!

Here‘s a breakdown of Switch controller and player support capabilities:

• Up to 8 wireless controllers connected simultaneously
• Or up to 8 wired controllers connected via USB
• As a mix – 4 wireless and 4 wired controllers
• Support varies by game but this is the console‘s overall limit

So while the Switch only has three USB ports itself, connecting wirelessly or daisy-chaining wired controller allows up to 8 players at once. Pretty wild!

With this all said – is there any difference in the ports between Switch models or revisions?

USB Port Configuration Across Models

An important question my viewers often ask is if USB ports vary at all between different Nintendo Switch models.

Good news is – the USB port setup has remained consistent across all models and revisions!

Here is a quick comparison:

As you can see, all Nintendo Switch variations released so far have had the same exact USB specification and configuration.

The port style, quantity, and standard has not changed over time. So those with older docks don‘t have to worry about missing out!

Closing Thoughts

I hope this fully details the USB capabilities of the Nintendo Switch for those curious techies out there. To summarize:

• 3 USB-A 2.0 ports on all Switch docks
• 1 USB-C port on the console for charging
• Consistent across different models
• Supports controllers, accessories, keyboards, LAN, etc.

If you have any other questions – ask away in the comments! And for more Switch content be sure to subscribe to my channel.

Thanks for reading! Let‘s get back to gaming.