In addition to adding some much-needed flair to the Nintendo Switch 2, the JSAUX Split Protective Case is must for handheld gamers who never leave the house without Ninty's latest console. It's got enough grip to keep your hands comfortable, while the top and bottom shells work hard to keep that 7.9in from getting hit in the face or kidneys. It survived its time with us, anyway.
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Protection
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Comfort
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Grip
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Ease of use
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Value
If you’re one of the many millions who picked up a Nintendo Switch 2 since it launched in June and – like us – are trapped in perpetual fear of damaging that display (it is a 7.9in thing of beauty) or any part of the console, really, there are a couple of Switch 2-compatible solutions out there. One of those is Jsaux‘s Split Protective Case, a relatively affordable option that has spent the last couple of weeks defending our Switch 2.
And defend it has. It’s not that the Switch 2 is a dainty little fairy that needs constant looking after, but since it’s a R12,500 investment in whatever 3D Mario and Zelda games Nintendo has cooking… maybe a bit of extra protection isn’t such a bad idea. Jsaux sent us the “Full Protective Set” for the Split Case at roughly R530 ($30), but it can be had cheaper if you don’t mind ditching either the rear or front protective cover.
Nintendo got a grip
So what does the full set get you? Quite a bit. For the $30 price, it’ll net your Switch 2 both the top and bottom shells, with the star of the show being the ergonomic grips for the Joy-Con 2s. The grips alone are worth the full price in our book, even if they’re not qualified to protect all the Switch 2’s good bits.
It’ll take some doing before you can squeeze these on. To keep things as lightweight and minimal, the grips feature a thin mould up top that doesn’t inspire confidence at first glance. Trust the process, like we did, install it from behind, and it’ll get on there eventually. It’s a snug fit, which helps keep the Joy-Cons from sliding around in there.
The grips themselves are made up of tough rubber (with plastic edges), most noticeable in the large bulge found further down the controller. It conforms to palms rather well, making for some of the most comfortable handheld Switch gameplay we’ve experienced. It’s a bonus that these serve as an extra layer of protection for your Joy-Cons, which, let’s face it, aren’t exactly cheap.
As much as we love them, the grips aren’t without fault. Like the installation process, these proved tricky to remove, requiring much care to ensure we didn’t snap those thin moulds. It’s possible, but it’s best to keep your Joy-Cons snuggled up permanently. What’s worse is that you can’t hook these up to the standard Joy-Con 2 grip that comes with your Switch 2 — an issue for players who don’t have a third-party or Pro controller to fall back on.
The best offence is a good defence
Grips aren’t much good when it comes to defending that 7.9in display, though. That’s where the top shell comes in. Built from durable polycarbonate that adds extra heft and with a soft inside protecting the screen when not in use, the shell cover’s construction solidifies that premium feel.
It’s designed to encase the entire face of the Switch 2 with the Joy-Cons attached, with a cutout for each of the sticks and a lip that wraps around the console to keep it in place. It’s far easier to install, with only a bit of pressure needed to get that lip hooked onto the Switch 2’s rubber feet.
While it worked wonders when it came to defending Switch 2 from basic dangers and, most importantly, dust, we don’t see it doing much in the event you drop your Switch 2 anywhere but that screen. The bulk of that task will fall to the rubber grips and back shell — assuming you have those installed at the time of dropping.
This isn’t Jsaux being shady. Nowhere does it mention an IP rating for the case. It’ll guard against a few splashes, but flood it and the Switch 2 probably won’t survive. Still, it does ease our concerns when travelling with the console, enabling us to stick the Switch 2 in a backpack and forget about it. That’s all we could ask from a case.
Almost more useful than the shell’s defensive stats was its ability to store up to ten Switch cartridges in the soft, spongy material found inside the cover. Our games didn’t feel terribly secure when we first put them in, but after a few weeks of use, we’ve yet to notice a single cartridge fall out, even after some roughhousing.
The Switch 2, being the flat hunk of glass and plastic it is, there’s always concern about scratching the rear, particularly when resting it somewhere other than a bed or couch. Fortunately, the full set from Jsaux includes yet another shell, this one designed to protect the Switch 2’s rear panel. The grips do plenty to keep the console raised, effectively making this part only slightly unnecessary.
In truth, we could have done without the back shell, which is made from a more flexible thermoplastic polyurethane and polycarbonate material that still proved a decent guard from everyday scratches the Switch 2 so easily attracts. While still retaining the Switch 2’s thin hips, it does add some thickness to the console, which makes docking a hassle, forcing us to apply a bit more pressure before the console would slide into the USB-C port.
JSAUX Split Protective Case (Switch 2) verdict
Put all the pieces together, and you get a decent collection of protection that also helps the Switch 2 look (arguably) its best. There’s a ton of case-makers vying for your bucks in the immediate aftermath of the Nintendo Switch 2, and we can confidently say Jsaux’s efforts are well worth their price. Speaking of which, if you’re after the full protective set like ours, you’ll need to fork over roughly R650 (including shipping) to get it here.
