You don’t have to spend more than $50 on a great USB-C dock for your Switch 2

Nintendo apparently designed its latest console to be a mystery to third-party accessory makers. With the Switch 2, the company changed the wireless protocol for connecting controllers to the new system, as well as how it outputs video via USB-C, making it clear from launch that every third-party manufacturer had to start from scratch.

Figuring out how to speak the language of the Switch 2 – and ensuring reliability even after system updates – is an ongoing challenge. But there are now two reliable USB-C docking station alternatives that I can recommend, if you need them. Jsaux was one of the first to hit the scene last year with its $45.99 OmniCentro Dock, and now Genki’s participatory Covert Dock 3 is available for $69.99.

Both docks can output up to 4K at 120Hz, but keep in mind that the Switch 2 hits 4K/60Hz in TV mode. They can also upscale to 1440p or 1080p at 120Hz, with HDR support and PD fast charging up to 65W, and include a spare USB-A port for connecting accessories, such as a transmitter or 2.4GHz wireless controller. Genki’s dock appears to cost more simply because it has translucent orange components on two sides. I couldn’t find any other specs or features to justify the $24 price gap between the two.

At this point, we’ve had gadgets like these for several years – after all, this is the third iteration of Genki’s Covert Dock. Much like previous USB-C docking station alternatives, having one of these hubs nearby can be handy for traveling (both have foldable prongs, so they won’t bend or snag on your bag), or even if you’re not leaving the house. Sometimes I like to use my Switch 2 in my office, while leaving Nintendo’s proprietary dock downstairs.

Although the novelty of this type of charger has worn off (they seemed revolutionary when the first Covert Dock launched in 2020), it’s great to have two options that work great with Nintendo’s latest console, as well as the Steam Deck and other handhelds.

It’s also nice that no matter which model you choose to buy, they both support upgradeable firmware, should a system update change how the Switch 2 communicates with docks. Too careful? Not so much. A November 2025 console update blocked some third-party docks, and if it happened once, it could happen again.

Photography by Cameron Faulkner/The Verge