If you're like me, you have a drawer or shelf with gaming controllers, cables, accessories, and other sundries. It can feel messy and annoying when you're looking for something in particular among all of the clutter. Thankfully, the incredibly affordable Oivo charging stand for Nintendo Switch controllers is here to save the day.
In this review of Oivo Charging Stand for Nintendo Switch Controllers, I'll tell you all about why this little device is basically a no-brainer when you need a charging solution.
Oivo charging stand for Nintendo Switch controllers: what is it?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Oivo charging stand for Nintendo Switch controllers is a multi-charger for your Switch controllers. You can charge a full-size controller (such as the Nintendo Switch Pro controller) as well as two pairs of Joy-Cons. It is able to charge all of these devices at the same time.
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There is a USB-C to USB-A cable in the box. The USB-C end plugs into the back of the Oivo dock, and the USB-A end can be inserted anywhere it works for your setup. You can use a typical wall charger (I'm sure you have plenty of these) or you can even use one of the two USB ports on your official Nintendo Switch dock.
Once connected, you can plug your controllers into the slots and charge them. The images on the front of the dock indicate when each device is full.
What is good?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
First of all, the processing quality of this charging station is exemplary. It's mostly made of plastic but has a metal base that gives it a nice weight. The plastic also feels thick and of high quality. The weight works well with the rubber grips on the bottom to keep the whole thing from sliding around while attaching or removing your controllers.
Likewise, the included USB-C cable is thick and well built. It's not that long (around 2.5 feet) but works for most situations. If it's not long enough, you can use any USB-C cable you like so no harm in it.
Pushing the Joy-Con in and out of the slots works well. I would have liked to have felt a more satisfying "click" when I plugged the Joy-Con into the switch itself, but that's no big deal.
The USB-C dock area is a perfect match for a Nintendo Switch Pro controller. However, it's not designed specifically for this device, so it can accommodate most USB-C controllers. You can see in the photo above that I was able to attach my 8bitdo SN30 Pro Plus with no problem.
Finally, the dock has various electronic protection functions to prevent damage to your controllers. This includes functions for overcharging, overdischarging, overheating, overvoltage, and circuit protection.
All in all, the basic functions of this device are excellent. It does exactly what it says it does, giving you everything you need to organize and charge your controllers.
What's not so good?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Oivo charging stand for Nintendo Switch controllers has two disadvantages. The first is the lights on the front. When you turn on the device, all the lights will be green. They stay on and green forever, even when no controllers are charging. When you slide a controller into its slot, the indicator for that slot turns red. It will then turn green again when it is full. It doesn't make sense to me that the lights should be green even if nothing is slit.
Fortunately, Oivo put a power switch on the back of this dock. If you hate the lights being on all the time, you can just turn them off when nothing is charging. However, it would make a lot more sense if the lights were blue, orange, amber, etc. (or even turned off) when there is no controller in place, and then green when there is a full battery controller. I know this is a bit fussy, but when you have a shelf with the lights on all the time, it can get pretty annoying.
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The second downside to the Oivo Charge Stand for Nintendo Switch Controllers is the full size controller slot. Docking my Nintendo Switch Pro controller required a little trial and error. I had to get the controller to connect to the USB-C link, which took some time. Once connected, I had to awkwardly press down on the controller to make it fully connected. This process wasn't difficult either way, but nowhere near as smooth and easy as plugging it into the Joy-Con.
Honestly though, this is a sucker. Overall, there is very little to complain about here.
Oivo Charging Stand for Nintendo Switch Controllers Review: Should I Buy It?
Recognition: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The list price of the Oivo Charge Stand for Nintendo Switch Controllers is a ridiculous $ 14.88. For this low price, you get a device that organizes and charges a number of controllers at the same time. This is a total bargain.
Connected: The best Nintendo Switch accessories you can get
In all fairness, Oivo could have delivered a lot less quality at this price point, but that wasn't the case. This is a high quality system that will add a lot of value to your household, if only to keep things from floating around in your play area.