Amazon Basics USB-A to Micro USB Charging vs Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller Pair : Which Should You Buy?
A £4 charging cable versus £55 Joy-Cons, two purchases that fix entirely different problems.
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics USB-A to Micro USB Charging Cable, 480Mbps
Nintendo Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller Pair - Neon Red/Neon
Side by side
| Amazon Basics USB-A to Micro USB Charging | Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller Pair | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4.18 | £54.95 |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.5 | ★★★★★ 4.7 |
| Review count | 119,652 | 108,588 |
| Brand | Amazon Basics | Nintendo |
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Our verdict
Nobody is genuinely torn between these, so treat this as a sanity check. The Amazon Basics micro USB cable is £4.18 at the time of writing, does 480Mbps with gold-plated connectors, and has a staggering 119,652 reviews at 4.5, which is about as proven as a cable gets. The Nintendo Joy-Con pair in neon red and blue costs £54.95, rated 4.7 by 108,588 buyers, and instantly adds two-player capability to a Switch. One keeps older gadgets charged, the other is the single most useful Switch accessory. Buy the cable for the drawer, the Joy-Cons for the console.
Which one is for you?
- Buy the Amazon Basics cable if you still run micro USB devices and want a cheap, corrosion-resistant spare that over a hundred thousand people vouch for. Read our full look at the Amazon Basics USB-A to Micro USB Charging →
- Buy the Nintendo Joy-Cons if your Switch household argues over controllers and you want instant two-player peace. Read our full look at the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller Pair →
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Legacy Systems or see the whole Video Games department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.