A $30 Gadget That Lets You Play Your Nintendo Switch 2 on Any TV
GuliKit, an accessories maker, is selling a $29.99 portable dock that lets you connect a Nintendo Switch 2 to any TV — less than half the price of similar products from rivals, and with a built-in stand for tabletop play that Nintendo's own dock doesn't include. The Verge
The device is a small, rounded square — bigger than a competing Genki dock but still easy to pack. GuliKit formally announced it in June at the $29.99 price. GuliKit The unit reviewed by The Verge is made of plastic, though its finish looks like brushed metal. The console leans back slightly when sitting in the dock, which helps keep it from tipping over if bumped.
A magnetic cover protects the charging connector during travel and snaps onto the back of the dock to support the console while it's connected. The magnets are relatively weak, though, and the cover can pop off easily. Four rubber feet on the bottom keep the dock from sliding, and a small sliding switch extends the connector so the dock works even if your Switch has a protective case on.
The dock has three ports: an HDMI port that outputs video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, a USB-A port for charging accessories like controllers, and a USB-C port that accepts up to 100 watts of power. The Switch 2 needs 60 watts to run in dock mode, so the 100-watt ceiling leaves room to charge other devices at the same time. GuliKit lists support for 4K 60Hz video, 100-watt power delivery, USB 3.0, and features like Auto Low Latency Mode (which tells a TV to use its fastest, most responsive setting) and HDR for better color and brightness. GuliKit The dock works with both the original Switch and the Switch 2, can receive firmware updates, and offers both TV mode and a desktop charging mode.
A small button on the dock turns off the video output and turns the device into a simple charger when you don't need the full docking feature. A cooling design with vents and an open layout reportedly keeps the Switch 2 cooler than Nintendo's own dock. GuliKit GuliKit also notes that the dock can work in TV mode with a basic 5-volt power supply, something the original Switch dock cannot do. GuliKit
The biggest drawback is that the dock does not come with a power adapter. You have to use your own, which The Verge calls the dock's biggest downside compared to the Genki dock, which has one built in. At $29.99, GuliKit's dock costs less than half the price of Genki's. For comparison, Jsaux sells a $60 dock for the Switch 2, and GuliKit also sells a separate $30 compact travel dock. The Verge
The market for Switch 2 docks has grown quickly since the console launched. The Genki and Jsaux docks can both output at 4K and 120 frames per second, which is beyond what the Switch 2 itself can do in TV mode. The Verge GuliKit's dock matches the Switch 2's own 4K/60Hz limit rather than exceeding it, which works fine now but leaves no room to grow if a future update or console raises the bar. GuliKit does offer wider device compatibility than some rivals: its 7-in-1 Docking Station works with the Steam Deck, AYANEO, Switch OLED, and ROG Ally alongside the Switch lineup, with air vents for cooling. GuliKit
GuliKit also makes a separate USB adapter called the Hyperlink Gen 2, which lets you connect controllers that normally wouldn't work with the Switch 2 — such as a PS5 controller — through the dock's USB-A port or a direct plug-in. The Verge
For anyone weighing travel docks for the Switch 2, the value here is hard to argue with. The missing power adapter is a genuine hassle if you don't already own a high-wattage USB-C charger, and the weak magnetic cover is a small but repeated annoyance. Set against those drawbacks, $29.99 gets you 4K video output, fast charging, updatable firmware, better cooling than the stock dock, and compatibility with both Switch generations. If you already carry a capable charger, the deal is simple. If you're starting from scratch, factor in the cost of buying a separate 60-watt-or-higher adapter before comparing this against the Genki's all-in-one approach.
