I want to love the Switch 2 Belkin Charging Grip, but it's so heavy that I might as well be playing my hefty Steam Deck

Belkin used to be a brand that, for me, felt synonymous with phone accessories. But now I relate the six-letter name solely to providing me with options to manage the Nintendo Switch 2's horrendous battery life.

First, it achieved this with the Belkin Charging Case, one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories I've tested to date. It encompasses a case with a 10,000mAh power bank included inside that allows you to carry and charge your handheld on the go. This was followed up by a Pro model, so it felt a bit inevitable that the brand would have its sights set on incorporating its handy charging prowess into a Switch 2 Grip case.

The end result sadly isn't perfect. The aforementioned power bank creates an uncomfortable dynamic. Its weight can add some strain that makes me feel like I'm playing the Steam Deck OLED, a handheld I deliberately don't use as much as I'd like to due to its chonky form factor. That, combined with the fact that this accessory is pretty pricey and not compatible with any of the brand's cases, adds extra layers of annoyance to an otherwise solid piece of Nintendo-compatible tech.

Design

The Belkin Charging Grip is composed of four pieces: two ergonomic handles for either Joy-Con, a section that attaches to the base of the console, and a 30W 10000mAh power bank that magnetically attaches to that.

I was provided with the Olive colorway, so all of these pieces arrived to me in a matcha-green shade, but it's also available in Black and Lilac colors if green isn't your thing. Strangely, Belkin chose not to match the color ranges available to the Belkin Charging Case Pro and the rest of its Switch 2 case lineup, which feels like a missed opportunity. However, I'm thankful to see any variation at all when plain all-black grips, like that as part of the Fastnsnail Switch 2 Protective Case, are all too common.

It also helps the Belkin grip stand out, as no matter the brand, grip cases tend to all look a little similar. You should at least be able to tell Belkin's apart from alternatives besides its unique colorways, as its design is sleeker than I've seen before. When attached, the two Joy-Con handles don't sit across the entirety of the gamepads, and instead start at the mid-way section of the right stick and ABXY buttons on the other side. They then hang to the bottom of the controllers, giving them a more Switch 2 Pro Controller look and feel.

Features

The main section of the Belkin Charging Grip is pretty basic. It's a surprisingly thin piece of plastic that hangs to the back of the handheld's 7.9-inch display, providing cut-out sections to ensure all the vents and ports can be accessed properly. It also allows full use of the handheld's kickstand, which is all pretty run-of-the-mill and what you'd want for one of these case and grip combo accessories.

Yet, it's what's hanging on the back that makes it special, and why it's got that $99.99 / £69.99 price tag. The back of this accessory is designed to host a power bank, which attaches magnetically. If you've ever used MagSafe phone accessories, it's a similar process; however, the case also includes four small recessed cylindrical-shaped modules that match with four small prongs sticking out of the charger to ensure that it stays put when attached.

The 10000mAh power bank in question includes an LCD window which shows you its remaining battery when you press the small button on its side. Additionally, it features a small USB-C cable which is hidden on the side that stays flush with the handheld. You can keep it hidden or connect it to give your console 1.5x worth of extra juice while gaming on the go - or when you're in the main room of your house and can't be bothered to source your AC adapter (a scenario I find myself in fairly often).

Performance

Traditional grip cases (Belkin calls this a "Charging Grip" but it's basically a grip case) are there to give your handheld some added protection, while adding some ergonomic flair to the uncomfortable flat-backs of the Joy-Cons. By incorporating a 30W 10000mAh battery into the mix, things get a little heavy, which is not ideal.

Throughout my weeks of testing, I was playing plenty of Star Fox and later, Rhythm Paradise Groove, and ended up having to play both while leaning the bottom of the Switch 2 against my lap. An experience that's the norm when it comes to playing my Steam Deck, but not one I admire. I normally play my Switch 2 while it's hovering in the air as it's light and comfortable enough to do so, but the weight of the power bank was constantly pulling my hands down. Any attempt to fight against it was not a feeling I wanted to persist on my wrists.

I believe that's exactly why Belkin chose not to have the power bank attached by default, but instead included a magnetic mechanism. With that in tow, it means you don't have to have it attached at all times and give your wrists a break. Which is exactly what I did during my time testing this device.

After the few short 20 minutes it took to take my handheld's power from 60 to 100% charged, I simply pulled it off and set it aside. Much to my chagrin, none of the official Belkin Switch 2 cases are compatible with the Charging Grip and provide a safe place to store the powerbank. However, it was reassuring to know that you don't have to deal with the weight conundrum at all times if you don't want to.

At least the experience of using the Charging Grip when you don't factor in the weight is pretty grand. The handles are very comfortable and felt natural in the palm of my hands. Their textured surface was also grippy enough that it never slipped even during the most intense moments of Rhythm Paradise Groove (onion shaving is no joke) and yet not too grippy that it roughhoused the surface of my hands.

I'm also a huge fan of the fact that you don't need to leave the small USB-C charging cable hanging if you do decide to have the powerbank attached. The underside of the charger includes a hidden section designed to hide the cable, and works just as intended.

Should you buy the Belkin Charging Grip for Nintendo Switch 2?

The Belkin Charging Grip for the Nintendo Switch 2 seems like a pretty basic idea: it's essentially a power bank and grip case combined into one. Yet despite its simplicity, the brand has yet again managed to provide a robust and great-looking solution to dealing with the handheld's measly battery life, though it's definitely far from perfect.

Anyone who loves the Switch 2 for its lightweight experience compared to the best handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED is not going to appreciate how heavy the case can become. And it feels like an oversight to design a Charging Grip which, when attached, is too big to store in any of the existing Belkin Switch 2 cases. If you have the Belkin Charging Case Pro, you have to take off the grips and power bank every time you want to store it away. And even then, the accessory pocket is not equipped to store those pieces.

I assume Belkin has plans to one day release a case that incorporates the best design elements of this Charging Grip and its Charging Case line, especially as review comments on the official Belkin website have consumers referencing the same issue. Belkin's Customer Service has stated at the time of this review that it has "taken note of it" in reply to user Ns2geek, so hopefully it's a sign of a new Grip Case mashup to come.

In the meantime, if you were hunting for a Switch 2 grip case and a way to combat the device's battery woes, the Belkin Charging Grip is an okay choice if you can cope with its uncomfortable weight and uncomfortable $99.99 / £69.99 MSRP. Those purely after a method of creating a Pro Controller-feeling experience in handheld mode are better off picking up the alternative model without the power bank available for $39.99 (Amazon) / £39.62 (Amazon) instead - though you'll still struggle to fit it in any existing Belkin Switch 2 case.

How I tested the Belkin Charging Grip for Nintendo Switch 2

I spent over two weeks with the Belkin Charging Grip, where it became my accessory of choice for the entirety of that testing time. With the Olive version attached to my handheld, I used it while playing a huge range of games, from Star Fox, Rhythm Paradise Groove, Mario Kart World, Pokemon Pokopia, and Donkey Kong Bananza.

By testing a wide range of titles, I got a feel for how the ergonomic handle attachments felt to play in handheld mode, while having ample opportunity to rely on the power bank to power my Switch 2. Additionally, I also took out the Belkin Charging Case Pro to see if the pieces of the Charging Grip were compatible and could be stored within the brand's own case. For more information on how we test accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2, check out our full GamesRadar+ Hardware policy.

Creating the ultimate Switch 2 setup? Check our our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers too.