We recently travelled to visit family and didn’t want to pack the bigger, bulkier Switch 2 dock, but we wanted to play on the TV as a group. We were thinking of something like the Genki Covert Dock we used with the original Switch. The dock with the best reviews was the S3 Max from Antank. We’d never heard of the company and were skeptical, but we ordered it. It was $35 on Amazon at the time of filming.
It comes in two versions: one with a LAN port and the one we got without. The LAN version is only about $4 more, so we recommend getting that one.
First impressions and specs
It looks more like a toy than a serious dock, and it’s very lightweight, so it doesn’t inspire confidence at first.
- HDMI capable of 4K at 120Hz. The Switch 2 itself outputs 4K at 60Hz or 1080p at 120Hz
- A button next to the HDMI port switches between TV and tabletop modes, so you can play on the Switch 2 screen while docked
- USB-C power input supporting up to 100W power delivery. No charger is included, so use the one that came with your Switch 2
- Two USB-A ports, USB 3.0 according to the manufacturer
- A tiny blue LED on the front that can be blinding at night and doesn’t turn off
- Three rubber strips on the bottom to stop it slipping
The large notch on top isn’t a moving part. The Switch 2 has a big cutout in its body, which the original Switch didn’t, and it keeps the console tight and secure on the dock. Note that this dock is incompatible with protective cases.
Pros
- It works as intended. Nintendo made aftermarket docks incompatible with the Switch 2, so companies had to reverse-engineer the communication. This dock supports firmware updates in case Nintendo changes things. Instructions are on the Antank website, for Windows and Mac. The Mac process needs a female USB-C to male USB-C cable plus a second USB-C cable, which is more involved. We haven’t had compatibility problems, and it supports all available resolutions and refresh rates.
- It didn’t overheat during extensive play in a warm, humid climate. The semi-open ventilation seems effective, though some users report it may block bottom vents the official dock uses for cooling.
- Lightweight and travel-friendly. It fit perfectly in our travel bag and survived a checked bag both ways.
- It holds the Switch tightly once docked.
Cons
- The triangle-shaped base makes it a bit unstable and easy to tip, especially backward
- The rubber strips on the left and right of our unit aren’t sticking properly, so the middle strip lifts it slightly and it can spin if nudged
- We don’t understand why a non-LAN version exists at all. The price difference is tiny and we should have bought the LAN version
Verdict
We think it’s a good purchase thanks to its travel-friendly design and features. It worked exactly as promised and we had zero issues abroad, and it lets us keep the more expensive original dock at home. We expect more super-compact docks for the Switch 2 to appear, but for now the S3 Max is a solid alternative. Prices were correct at the time of filming.
