If you’re an avid Nintendo Switch gamer, you know the importance of a stable internet connection for seamless gameplay.
While the Switch has built-in Wi-Fi, it’s not always reliable, especially if you’re playing in a crowded or remote area. That’s where LAN adapters come in – they allow you to connect your Switch to a wired internet connection for faster speeds and more stable connectivity.
In this article, we explore the best LAN adapters for Nintendo Switch to help you make an informed decision and elevate your gaming experience to the next level.
If you are in a hurry, check out these LAN adapters for Nintendo Switch:
- UGREEN Ethernet Adapter USB 2.0- Most Popular
- CableCreation 3.0 USB Ethernet Adapter- Best Budget
- Hori Nintendo Switch LAN Adapter- Best Value
What is a Nintendo Switch?
Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in March 2017 and has since become one of the most popular gaming systems, with a large library of exclusive games and support for various online services.
It is a hybrid console that can be played both as a home console and as a portable device, as it has the ability to be connected to a TV and played with a controller or taken on the go and played using its built-in screen and Joy-Con controllers.
When connected to a TV, the Switch can be played with a controller and can function like a traditional home gaming console. The Joy-Con controllers can be attached to the sides of the console or detached and used wirelessly for more flexibility in gameplay.
When not connected to a TV, the Switch can be taken on the go and played using its built-in 6.2-inch touchscreen display and the Joy-Con controllers, which can be attached to the sides of the device or used separately.
The Switch runs on a custom NVIDIA Tegra processor and has 32 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with the use of a microSD card.
Best LAN Adapters For Nintendo Switch Rvaluated: Top Picks
1. Hori Nintendo Switch LAN Adapter
This adapter works for both Nintendo Switch and other gaming consoles. Its sturdy and simple design makes it excellent for an RJ45 Ethernet connector and a USB plug. It connects well with 10BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, and 100BASE-TX LAN cables.
I liked that the HORI LAN adapter fits perfectly into the dock, but that doesn’t come as a surprise since it was designed specifically for this job. Its length (7.5 inches) is sufficient to connect the adapter to the dock and facilitate a fun gaming experience.
HORI LAN adapter is an officially licensed product for Nintendo, so it is guaranteed to work well with your Switch. However, licensed products are usually expensive, and this LAN adapter is not any different.
It has a 2.0 USB, and its Ethernet bandwidth is not Gigabit, making the price tag higher for the features it offers. You can get a 3.0 USB with a Gigabit bandwidth for a similar price. If you already have a general LAN adapter, this adapter can be a good purchase.
Pros
- It is suitable for playing multiplayer online games
- It offers a stable connection
- It is a proprietary Nintendo LAN adapter
Cons
- It is expensive
Techkey USB to RJ45 Gigabit LAN Adapter
You can use this 3.0 USB LAN adapter to connect your Nintendo Switch, computer, tablet, notebook, Macbook, or Ultrabook to a network switch, modem, or router for a network connection. It can be an excellent solution to upgrade an old computer’s bandwidth or replace a broken down network card.
Consider it if you want to minimize Wi-Fi dead zones in your home and continue transferring files, streaming gaming, video conferencing, and downloading bulky files. The cable’s female terminals have Activity/ Link LEDs which help you check the network’s activity and connection.
I liked that it supports 10/100/1000 Mbps networking (Gigabit) and provides a more reliable, stable network and high-speed (up to 5 Gbps) network connection than most wireless connections.
Techkey RJ45 LAN adapter is compatible with IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3u, and IEEE 802.3. It supports IEEE 802.3az (Energy Efficient Ethernet). You can use it on Windows 8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Linux kernel 3.x/2.6, Chrome OS, and Mac OSX 10.9-11.1. However, it doesn’t support Android, Windows RT, and Wii U.
Pros
- A fast and reliable network
- It solves dead zones
- Backward compatible with 1.1/2.0 USB
Cons
- It doesn’t support Android, Wii U, and Windows RT
UGREEN Ethernet Adapter USB 2.0
This adapter is among the best-performing and considerably affordable LAN adapters for Nintendo Switch, giving 5Gbps Ethernet speed. The UGREEN Ethernet Adapter performs significantly quicker than most wireless connections.
When you first connect this adapter, you will immediately notice the Activity and Link LEDs located on the female end. The yellow indicator shows the ongoing downloads, while the green light indicates constant activity.
Both LEDs provide clear indications of the status of your current downloads. I found this feature vital because it shows when things speed up or slow down. The energy-efficient LED adapter is compatible with several types of energy-efficient Ethernet software, making it ideal for pairing with a Nintendo Switch plugged into a congested outlet.
It works properly with nearly all operating systems, including modern Windows, XP, Vista, Chrome, and Mac. Unfortunately, it is incompatible with Android and Windows RT. A minor limitation of this LAN adapter is that it only supports 10/100 Mbps networking.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Easy to configure
- It offers fast, stable Ethernet performance
Cons
- It supports only 10/100 Mbps
CableCreation 3.0 USB Ethernet Adapter
CableCreation Ethernet adapter is an affordable, high-quality LAN adapter for Nintendo Switch that delivers a stable and fast connection.
It is user-friendly and compatible with numerous devices like notebooks and ultrabooks, supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps through the stable and safe REALTEK IC Chipset (RTL8153). Additionally, the gold plating helps raise conductivity and durability
It supports IEEE 802.3az, IEEE 802.3x flow control, and backpressure routing, and works with XP, Vista, Mac, and Windows 7, 8 (32/64 bit) operating systems. Driver installation is required for Linux, Mac OS, Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
It has other impressive features like WOL, half and full-duplex systems, auto-correction, and crossover detection. I also liked that it has backward compatibility with 1.1 and 2.0 standards.
It produces super speeds of up to 5Gbps, future-proofs a network with 1000 Mbps, and is energy-efficient. A few minor limitations of this LAN adapter include incompatibility with Android and Windows RT and the tendency to disconnect occasionally.
Pros
- USB 3.0
- It is energy efficient
- Excellent features
- It is user-friendly
Cons
- It can disconnect occasionally
FAQs on Best LAN adapters for Nintendo Switch
What is a LAN Adapter?
It is a device that connects gadgets like computers, Switches, and laptops to the modem or main router via an Ethernet cable. It is used to solve Wireless connection issues for devices without Ethernet ports.
What Should I Take Consideration When Buying a LAN Adapter?
To ease the selection process, examine the bandwidth, USB (2.0 or 3.0), the number of ports, compatibility, energy efficiency, data offloading, chipset, and price.
How Do I Use a LAN Adapter With a Nintendo Switch?
Plug the adapter’s USB cord into the Nintendo Switch, then connect the adapter to the main router’s Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable. Complete the process by configuring wired connections on the Switch.
Conclusion
You do not have to deal with frequent Wi-Fi lags when playing your favorite Nintendo Switch games. A good quality LAN adapter offers a tested solution to lousy Wi-Fi and makes multiplayer gaming possible.