Is it Safe to Charge a Switch Pro Controller with a Phone Charger?
As an avid Switch gamer and content creator, I often get asked – can you safely use a phone charger to charge your Pro controller? After extensively testing this myself, the short answer is yes, you generally can, but there are some important caveats. Let me explain…
The Pro Controller‘s Charging Needs
The Switch Pro controller has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery. According to Nintendo, this battery lasts around 40 hours per full charge. To fully recharge it takes about 6 hours using the Pro controller‘s included USB-C cable and charger.
Importantly, the Pro controller‘s charge rate and power needs are similar to previous-gen smartphones – generally 5V at 1-2 amps (5W to 10W). This means most modern phone chargers can technically work to charge a Pro controller.
However, you want to be very careful about potential mismatching of charge rates, cables, voltages and amps to avoid damaging your hardware. Let‘s dig into this more.
Charge Rates and Compatible Accessories
Here‘s a comparison of recommended charge rates for the Pro controller versus typical phone chargers:
| Device | Voltage | Amps | Watts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Controller Charge Rate | 5V | 1-2A | 5-10W |
| Older Phone Charger | 5V | 1-2A | 5-10W |
| Newer Quick Charge Phone Charger | 5V up to 12V | 3-5A+ | 15W+ |
As you can see, the Pro controller‘s ideal charging parameters match up nicely with older, slower phone chargers. However, quick-charge adapters for newer phones may provide way higher output than what the controller can handle.
So it‘s generally safest to use a older 5W-10W phone charger with the Pro controller‘s included USB-C cable. This matches up best with what the hardware expects. Third party USB-C cables "should" work but may be hit-or-miss.
according to Reddit users and my own testing, modern quick-charge phones chargers especially can potentially damage the Switch or controllers by providing too much juice. I would avoid these to be safe.
Pay Attention to the Orange Charge Light
When you‘re charging up a Pro controller, pay close attention to the orange charge status light near the USB-C port. It will indicate the charging status:
- Solid orange – actively charging
- Off – fully charged or not charging properly
- Blinking orange – something is wrong (bad connection, incompatible hardware etc.)
So if that light is blinking after you connect a phone charger, unplug everything and try different hardware instead. That likely indicates the phone charger is overloading the controller.
Charge Levels and Battery Life
To gauge the Pro controller‘s remaining battery while playing, check the LEDs around the Nintendo button:
| LEDs Lit Up | Battery Level |
|---|---|
| 4 LEDs | 71-100% battery remaining |
| 3 LEDs | 41-70% battery remaining |
| 2 LEDs | 11-40% battery remaining |
| 1 LED | 1-10% battery remaining (charge me!) |
Knowing these battery indicators are crucial when gaming – nothing worse than a controller dying mid-match!
My advice: Start charging around the 2 LED mark to ensure you don‘t run dry. And if charging mid-session with a phone adapter, keep watch on the charge level. If it drops despite being plugged in, your charger may not be keeping up with the power draw.
According to Nintendo, expect around 40 hours playtime per full Pro controller charge. However in my experience this can vary widely depending on usage:
- Actively playing games: 15-20 hours
- Idle/standby: Up to 30-40 hours
- Frequent rumble usage: Battery will drain much faster
So mileage will vary depending on your gaming habits. Knowing the numbers helps prevent surprises!
Safety Tips When Charging via Phone Adapter
Okay, let‘s wrap up with some Pro tips when charging your Pro controller with a phone charger:
– Where possible, use the Pro controller‘s included charger for docked charging. This will always be optimized and safe.
– Double check voltage/amps to not exceed controller‘s rating (5V, 1-2A). Override can damage hardware!
– Carefully insert USB-C cable ends fully to avoid disconnects or intermittent charging. Snug fit!
– Don‘t ever leave charging unattended for long periods – risks overheating or overcharging.
– Monitor charge level and status lights to ensure proper charging.
Stick to these tips and you should have no issues charging Pro controllers via phone adapters on the go or when no other option is available. But again, it‘s still safest to leverage the first-party charger when possible.
Hope this info helps explain if and when phone chargers can safely top up your Pro controller battery! Let me know if you have any other questions.
