The Best Nintendo Switch Controllers To Buy Right Now

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, but we can’t conscionable hide astir nan original Switch. We’ve still sewage emotion for nan console, and its galore millions of owners, truthful we’ll support recommending nan champion controllers for nan Switch correct here.

Now, you whitethorn already cognize that nan champion Switch controllers aren’t nan ones that travel pinch nan console. The removable Joy-Cons included pinch each non-Lite Switch consoles are convenient, fixed they tin beryllium detached for wireless usage for up to 2 players pinch a pair, but their mini style doesn’t do them galore favors. They aren’t comfortable to clasp for agelong gaming sessions — particularly if you person ample hands. And, you’re decidedly not unsocial if you’ve knowledgeable Joy-Con drift.

In this buying guide, we’ll attraction connected wireless controllers that are some comfortable and reliable, arsenic good arsenic a fewer options that travel pinch unsocial features designed that whitethorn lucifer your unsocial play style. We’re not covering wired controllers that plug into nan Switch’s dock here, arsenic they’re mostly akin to each different and don’t connection important savings successful galore cases. (PowerA and PDP make decent ones that will do successful a pinch, but they’re very basic. Unless you detest recharging your controllers, it makes much consciousness to spell wireless.)

Also, if you bargain a third-party wireless controller (as in, 1 not made by Nintendo), it apt won’t support HD rumble, mobility controls, NFC for Amiibo, aliases beryllium capable to aftermath nan Switch remotely. However, location are exceptions, which we characteristic below.

If you’re playing your Switch while docked, it’s difficult to spell incorrect pinch nan charismatic Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. It’s nan only accepted gamepad that includes each characteristic mentioned above, and it’s 1 of nan astir satisfying controllers to usage that we’ve tested. The GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and Max, meanwhile, connection much exhaustive customization, while nan Hori Split Pad Pro is simply a Joy-Con upgrade for those who for illustration to play successful handheld mode. Then there’s 8BitDo’s PC-friendly Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and DualShock-esque Pro 2 controller, some of which are worthy checking out.

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The champion Nintendo Switch controller for TV mode

Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software customization: No / Rumble: Yes, HD / NFC: Yes / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes (but not nan Switch 2)

Ever since nan Switch launched, Nintendo’s first-party Pro controller has been nan champion gamepad for nan console. In galore ways, it rivals nan modular models from Sony and Microsoft successful position of comfortableness and build quality. And, it’s compatible pinch nan Switch 2 (although it can’t aftermath nan caller console from slumber — you’ll request a Switch 2 Pro Controller for that).

Aside from nan Joy-Cons, nan Switch Pro Controller is nan only wireless action that includes HD rumble, gyroscopic activity support, and an NFC scholar for Amiibo cards and figurines. It’s 1 of a fewer controllers we’ve tested (aside from nan Joy-Con and 8BitDo’s Ultimate series) that tin powerfulness connected nan Switch without being plugged into it. The gamepad is built for illustration a tank, and its artillery life is truthful bully that it sometimes seems for illustration it’ll ne'er tally out. Nintendo says that it lasts astir 40 hours per charge, truthful it’ll apt return casual gamers a agelong clip to tally down nan battery.

The buttons and triggers person a satisfying bounce, while its directional pad is responsive and clicky capable to fulfill retro gamers. The controller charges via USB-C, conscionable for illustration nan Switch, and it’s compatible pinch a slew of different platforms you mightiness crippled on, speech from Xbox and PlayStation.

Given nan precocious price, we wish that it had different features, for illustration programmable buttons aliases a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio, moreover if wireless audio transmission from nan Switch to a controller isn’t possible. If you really want nan expertise to perceive via wired headphones without connecting your controller pinch a wire, you’ll request to get nan Switch 2 and its Switch 2 Pro controller.

The champion Switch controller for handheld mode

Supported Platforms: Switch, Switch OLED / Connectivity: Wired / Connector type: Joy-Con slots / Mappable rear buttons: Yes / Software customization: No / Rumble: No / NFC: No / Motion: No / Power: via Joy-Con slots / Console Wakeup: No

I’m judge location are immoderate group who bask utilizing Joy-Con controllers, but kids and small-handed folks aside, astir group astir apt wouldn’t opportunity they’re nan astir comfortable option. If you struggle pinch manus symptom erstwhile you usage nan Switch, that’s wherever nan Hori Split Pad Compact comes in.

The Split Pad Compact is simply a — you guessed it — a much compact replacement to nan Split Pad Pro, which has unluckily go tougher to find. Similarly, it comes successful a assortment of colorways, and it adds comfortableness to utilizing nan Switch successful handheld mode. One half slides into each broadside of nan Switch console for illustration Joy-Cons, but dissimilar Nintendo’s default controllers, Hori’s gamepad features big, easy-to-reach buttons and generously sized triggers and analog sticks, each of which consciousness awesome successful play. It besides provides much grip than Joy-Con do, which is peculiarly useful for group who request to get a amended grip connected nan console for accelerated gameplay aliases enactment comfy complete longer play sessions.

The Split Pad Compact doesn’t person batteries aliases sensors — aliases support for rumble, motion, IR, aliases NFC — truthful it’s wholly useless erstwhile detached from nan Switch. It’s only for handheld mode unless you acquisition nan Split Pad Compact Attachment that turns it into a wired controller. We don’t urge astir group spell that way since nan attachment usually (but not always) costs much than a Switch Pro Controller, which is simply a shame considering it doesn’t adhd immoderate of nan aforementioned features. It does adhd a 3.5mm headphone jack, however.

Read our Hori Split Pad Compact impressions.

The champion Xbox-style controller for nan Switch

Supported Platforms: Switch, PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Yes / Software customization: No / Rumble: Yes / NFC: Yes / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes

On nan surface, nan GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and KingKong 3 Max are akin to nan last-gen models they replaced, which took creation cues from Microsoft’s modular Xbox controller but rivaled nan Switch Pro Controller successful position of build value and features. We tested them connected nan Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile, but you tin besides usage them pinch different Bluetooth devices, including nan Steam Deck and Apple TV 4K.

But location are respective notable improvements and additions if you scratch deeper. They each person Hall effect dual-mode triggers (both tin move betwixt analog and digital, but nan KK3 Max exclusively adds beingness trigger stops), successful summation to RGB LED-surrounded Hall effect analog sticks. It should make them virtually impervious to drifting and waning responsiveness, arsenic iFixit explains here. They each person GuliKit’s powerful magnetic vibration motors pinch 2 strength levels and 3 chopped modes (including nan Switch’s HD rumble). You tin moreover customize nan hot-swappable look buttons to lucifer your preferred platform, and to nan delight of tourney players, you tin play pinch a 1,000Hz polling complaint for reduced input lag connected PC (wired aliases wireless via a dongle).

Additionally, some controllers characteristic detachable rear-facing paddles. You get 2 metallic moon-shaped paddles pinch nan KK3 Pro that protrude further from nan controller than nan other 4 you get pinch nan KK3 Max, which are longer and curved to lucifer nan contour of nan controllers’ rear grips. The second are akin to nan paddles connected nan Xbox Elite Series 2 and moreover get nan aforesaid installation method — conscionable push them into nan designated holes connected nan back. They require a batch much force, though they won’t easy dislodge. 

The longer paddles are comfortably reachable erstwhile installed, but if you person larger hands, you whitethorn request to make adjustments for nan shorter variety. They only request a ray tap, but since they inhabit nan abstraction wherever your fingers usually rest, it tin lead to accrued misfires while gaming. You tin representation each backmost fastener to emulate immoderate different fastener connected nan controller — including nan rear triggers — but you can’t configure them to execute combo presses aliases macros.

In summary, nan KK3 Pro and KK3 Max connection a lot for nan money. In fact, location whitethorn beryllium nary amended action for interoperability and worth successful a azygous multiplatform controller correct now. If we’re nitpicking, our biggest gripe is that GuliKit still hasn’t created an app to negociate each of its settings much easily.

The champion Switch controller that’s besides awesome for PC and Steam Deck

Supported Platforms: Switch, Switch 2 (with update), PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV / Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Yes / Software customization: Yes / Rumble: Yes / NFC: No / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes

8BitDo’s Ultimate Bluetooth Controller feels for illustration a Switch Pro Controller successful shape, pinch a likewise short grip floor plan that larger hands whitethorn not prefer. Both stock Switch and Windows PC support, but 8BitDo gets a limb up pinch afloat Steam Deck compatibility. Its haptics are decent but not arsenic bully arsenic Nintendo’s, and it’s missing Amiibo support, though it does characteristic customizable backmost paddles and mobility controls — on pinch a hidden instrumentality that allows you to aftermath a docked Switch by giving nan controller a small shake.

It besides comes pinch a charging dock, which stores nan 2.4GHz dongle erstwhile not successful use. The included dock is useful for charging nan battery. Speaking of, it typically lasts astir 22 hours, which is still beautiful generous but comes good short of nan 40-hour people group by Nintendo’s charismatic controller.

The Ultimate controller comes successful respective variants, but we urge nan Bluetooth exemplary complete nan 2.4GHz aliases wired options for a mates of reasons. One because it’s nan only type of nan Ultimate that’s compatible pinch nan Switch. Plus, it includes some 2.4GHz connectivity and GuliKit Hall effect sticks, which nan 2.4GHz-only type lacks. The analog sticks connection conscionable nan correct magnitude of guidance and athletics a comfortable concave top, but they’re conscionable a tad short connected nan sides. All of nan buttons connection awesome travel, though, and nan analog triggers person a satisfying magnitude of guidance erstwhile pulled.

As for tweaks, you tin customize fastener mapping profiles, macros, vibration intensity, and instrumentality and trigger sensitivity utilizing nan Ultimate Software app connected mobile aliases PC. The controller has a dedicated fastener that lets you switch betwixt 3 profiles connected nan fly, positive an other turbo fastener you tin either reconfigure aliases remap. When it comes to Switch controllers, 8BitDo sets nan modular for nan breadth of these options and really to entree them, which is different logic it’s precocious connected our list.

A well-rounded Switch controller that looks for illustration a DualShock

Supported Platforms: Switch, Switch 2 (with update) PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV, Raspberry Pi / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Yes / Software customization: Yes / Rumble: Yes / NFC: No / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: No

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is different awesome action pinch Hall effect sticks for nan Nintendo Switch, particularly if your hands are happiest pinch a PlayStation-style controller layout. The Pro 2 has a comfortable grip, a crisper D-pad than nan Switch Pro Controller, and 2 easy-to-press paddle buttons connected nan underside.

It has rumble support (though not HD rumble) and mobility power for games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of nan Kingdom and Overwatch 2, some of which let for gyroscopic aiming. PlayStation gamers will besides admit that nan near analog instrumentality is located toward nan bottommost — conscionable for illustration connected Sony’s controllers — alternatively than supra nan D-pad arsenic connected nan Switch Pro.

With 8BitDo’s Ultimate software on a mobile instrumentality aliases a Windows computer, you tin customize nan Pro 2’s fastener mapping and nan sensitivity of its triggers and analog sticks. You tin moreover prevention up to 3 power strategy profiles and rhythm done them pinch a fastener located betwixt nan analog sticks.

On its rear, there’s a move that lets it toggle betwixt Nintendo Switch, X-input for PC, DirectInput, and macOS modes, each pinch its ain power customizations and Bluetooth profile. This controller offers a lot for astir $40 (or somewhat much if you want 1 of nan incredibly cool translucent blue, purple, aliases green editions).

Read our 8BitDo Pro 2 review.

An adapter that lets you usage your ain controllers

There are galore other devices that let you to usage third-party controllers, but 8BitDo’s mightiness beryllium nan champion value. Instead of spending $70 connected aggregate Switch Pro Controllers, nan $19.99 8BitDo Wireless Bluetooth USB Adapter 2 lets you move a Bluetooth controller you already ain into a wireless Switch (or Switch 2) controller. It plugs into your Switch dock and supports a wide assortment of models, from nan latest Xbox and DualSense controllers to last-gen gamepads for nan Wii and PlayStation 3. (Note: nan first-gen exemplary can’t link to astir Xbox Bluetooth controllers owed to a Bluetooth incompatibility, truthful make judge you get nan latest model.)

To our surprise, nan PS5 DualSense controller we tested it pinch worked incredibly well, pinch better-than-average rumble and much responsive mobility controls than galore dedicated Switch controllers offer. What’s more, truthful agelong arsenic you’re utilizing 1 of nan newer Xbox Series X aliases S controllers, an Xbox One Bluetooth controller, a DualSense, a DualShock 4, aliases nan Switch Pro Controller, you tin customize their fastener mapping, analog instrumentality sensitivity, and much wrong 8BitDo’s machine and mobile app. 

8BitDo has an extended support page that lists nan steps required to group up your circumstantial controller, arsenic good arsenic which features of those controllers it supports. That said, it’s champion if you cognize nan Switch’s fastener layout by bosom if you scheme to usage either a PlayStation aliases Xbox controller pinch this adapter, arsenic nan layout connected your controller will not lucifer nan on-screen prompts successful games.

If you already person a controller you really for illustration and don’t mind jumping done a fewer mini hoops to link it, 8BitDo’s affordable adapter deserves a spot successful your intermezo center. If you scheme to usage much than 1 third-party controller astatine a time, you’ll request an adapter for each controller (and a USB hub), but if you person a batch of controllers sitting around, it mightiness beryllium worthy it.

Other Switch controllers we tested

Nitro Deck / Nitro Deck Plus

We for illustration CRKD’s Nitro Deck astir here. It’s a cradle-style controller that holds nan Switch betwixt a brace of Hall effect sticks, outfitting it pinch a modular array of look buttons, 4 programmable backmost buttons, turbo functionality, gyro mobility controls, and rumble. It has passthrough charging, though not passthrough video, which would let it to double arsenic a dock for TV gameplay. The step-up Nitro Deck Plus adds said functionality (with a USB-C to HDMI adapter), on pinch Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable vibration strength / analog sensitivity. We’ve recovered these to beryllium notable improvements, but we wish nan passthrough solution was much elegant and that CRKD could lick nan ergonomics (particularly connected nan correct side, wherever nan analog and fastener placement tin origin discomfort).

GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro

We precocious tested nan GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro ($49.99) for consideration. It offers a fewer of nan aforesaid functions arsenic nan GuliKit KingKong 3 — including remappable buttons, Hall effect sticks, and 2 chopped macro buttons — on pinch dedicated vibration motors successful nan triggers, which is thing nan GuliKit doesn’t match. That said, it falls conscionable short owed to mushy-feeling buttons. GameSir considers nan other padding nether nan buttons a characteristic that makes nan effect softer, but we felt it takes distant from nan experience. Also, though it’s perfectly usable pinch nan Switch, nan Pro’s fastener labeling takes aft Microsoft’s, which whitethorn not beryllium perfect for those who person problem memorizing inputs. We besides recovered resyncing pinch nan Switch to beryllium a chore aft switching from a mobile instrumentality aliases a Windows PC.

PowerA GameCube Style Wireless Controller

We besides precocious tried respective wireless PowerA controllers, including nan GameCube Style Wireless Controller ($59.99) and a Pikachu-themed type of nan modular PowerA Enhanced Wireless ($44.99). We for illustration nan nosy creation of PowerA’s controllers, but they don’t unrecorded up to nan value of nan models we urge above, which is simply a shame considering immoderate costs astir arsenic much. The GameCube-style wireless controller is simply a beautiful religious recreation of nan original if you fancy a axenic Super Smash Bros. experience, but it’s barebones pinch nary rumble, NFC, aliases IR. It’s an easy measurement to get nan old-school emotion backmost if you don’t already person a Bluetooth-based replacement to usage pinch 8BitDo’s USB Adapter 2.

What’s coming next?

We’ll beryllium testing some nan 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and nan Pro 3 controllers, which are compatible pinch nan Switch and Switch 2, among different platforms. We’re besides getting our hands connected nan EasySMX S10 controller.

Update, July 24th: Updated to bespeak existent pricing / availability. We’ve swapped nan Split Pro Compact successful arsenic nan champion controller for handheld mode, swapping retired nan bulkier Split Pad Pro that’s tougher to find successful banal astatine nan moment. Also, we’ve added a mention of nan 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and Pro 3 controllers we intend to trial soon.