Charging stands have always felt a bit irrelevant to me. Their purpose is to keep your console and all its various bits and bobs contained in one compact space, but you can do that without having fork out any extra cash. The large displays can also take up a lot of space, which feels like it defeats the purpose of its existence to keep your new-fangled Switch 2 all confined to one, neat spot.
I recently got a hold of the DLX2 Charging Stand, and even after just a week of the LED-lit up Switch 2 accessory, I'm starting to see what the fuss is about. Sure, the space on my living room cabinet has never been more claustrophobic, but having my handheld, my current headset of choice, and even a pile of games securely in one place at all times has brought a tiny bit of extra organization to my space that I can't help but be thankful for - especially as someone whose house is almost always cluttered with gaming tech.
Much to my annoyance, the charging stand I was provided with from iMP Gaming is only available in the UK, so those of you in the US will have to turn to alternatives like the FastSnail Charging Dock available for $34.99 at Amazon for now. Their designs and layouts all differ from one another, but the DLX2 features a stand for your Nintendo Switch headset, four sections to charge up to two additional pairs of Switch 2 Joy-Con controllers, a pop-out tray that can hold up to nine physical games, and the main base that keeps your Switch 2 dock firmly in place.
Despite the many features of the stand, its setup was tremendously easy. The headset stand easily slotted into the base, and everything else was already part of the base. The only other step needed to get it up and running was slotting this little red adapter into the two USB ports on the side of the Switch 2 dock. It's this little accessory that not only keeps the dock securely in place, but also uses the juice of the Switch 2 (which you keep plugged in like normal) to power the LED lighting that runs throughout the stand.
I was a bit bummed at first that this little adapter required two USB ports, meaning that using other accessories like a wired Nintendo Switch 2 controller wouldn't be on the cards, but iMP cleverly thought about this. The back of the stand provides two confined USB cables, which you can use to attach controllers, and there's even two additional ports on the side for peripherals too. What's most ingenious about it is that the adapter can be adjusted in height to be compatible with older Switch docks, so you can grab this stand for your Switch or Switch OLED if you aren't yet ready to invest in the pricey Switch 2.
I've only had the device in position in my living room for little over a week, but I've grown to really appreciate it, and wish I had gotten one for my older Switch. As the resident headset nerd of the team, I test a lot of cups. Now, each time I'm done testing, I have a secure place I can hang a pair, and after work the following day, I'll know exactly where I left it. In my house, where tech clutter is the norm, it's nice to have that added bit of reassurance.
The pop-out tray is also a really nice feature. I'm pretty notorious for being overwhelmed with choice, and so I stuff my handheld case with a ton of games, and always have the looming fear that I'll lose the tiny carts. Now, I keep most of my current games of choice from Donkey Kong Bananza to Super Mario Party Jamboree in the little red tray securely at home and in the stand. That way they're always next to my Switch 2 when I'm up for some docked TV action.
As much as I'm enjoying my time with the charging stand, it's hard to ignore the fact that it does take up a lot of space, which I don't have a lot of. Right now it's sitting on top of my record player, which is not ideal, and by just typing those words I bet I've made many an audiophile cringe. I need to rethink how and where I place it before I cover it for a full review in the upcoming weeks, but it's definitely becoming a fixture of my gaming setup, especially as it looks great with its LED lighting.
It helps that the LED glow isn't too bright, so it hasn't been a huge distraction while sitting under my mounted TV. The lighting can also be turned off entirely with the press of a button, but I like having it on to give my main room a bit of that "wow" factor, and as it acts like an illuminating sign as to where I've left my current gaming headset - something this headset nerd is forever thankful for.
- View all Nintendo Switch 2 charging stands at Amazon
- View all Nintendo Switch 2 accessory deals at Amazon
- DLX2 Multi-Function Charger Stand | £34.99 at Amazon
Our guides for the best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Cards, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras are full of accessories you can add to your new Ninty setup.
