The Nintendo Switch boasts one of the most diverse controller lineups of any system available today. While the bundled Joy-Cons are quite flexible, there are several alternative controller options that are better suited for jobs such as lengthy play sessions, competitive gaming, busy homes, and more.
How We Picked Best Nintendo Switch controllers?
Many of these suggestions are based on hundreds of hours of in-house testing. We conduct extensive research on items that we are unable to test ourselves, evaluating information from professional sources such as Wirecutter, In terms of the items themselves, we assessed them based on usefulness, design, and pricing.
Top 10 Nintendo Switch Controllers 2021
1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Unsurprisingly, the official Nintendo switch pro controller gamepad is the finest Nintendo Switch controller for the majority of users. It supports all of the main Switch features – HD Rumble, NFC, and motion controls – has a long battery life, and is very light. The analog sticks are responsive, the X, Y, A, and B buttons have sufficient travel yet aren’t overly loud (even when button mashing), and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller is incredibly pleasant to grip.
However, it is not without flaws. When playing games that demand frequent changes of direction, the D-pad occasionally records erroneous inputs, and the textured grip handles might become a little sticky after a while. It’s also very costly when compared to other third-party choices, but if you want the complete Switch experience, it’s well worth the extra money of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller.
Key specifications
Include the following: type: wireless controller; weight: 249g; Dimensions: 153 x 107 x 64mm; battery life: up to 40 hours; Yes, rumble (HD Rumble); Yes, there are motion controls. Yes, NFC. No mappable buttons; No 3.5mm port.
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2. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
If you want a cheap and cheerful Nintendo Switch controller, this legally licensed alternative from PowerA is a wonderful option. It’s wired and lacks the bells and whistles of more expensive options, but it does allow you to set additional functions to two back buttons.
It also features a 3.5mm connection for connecting a gaming headset and is available in a range of vibrant colors and designs. If you’ve always wanted a pissed-off Pikachu on your Nintendo switch controller, now’s your chance.
Key features
Wired controller with a 3m detachable USB cord; Weight: 131g without cable, 209g with cable 150 x 110 x 60mm in size; N/A for battery life; No, rumble; No motion controls; no NFC; no No mappable buttons; Yes, a 3.5mm port exists.
3. HORI Split Pad Pro
The HORI Split Pad Pro is a great peripheral for individuals looking for a full-sized Nintendo switch controller experience while using their Switch portable. The legally approved pads are beautifully ergonomic, with curved handles that fit snugly in the palms of your hands and slide into your console in lieu of Joy-Cons.
The analog sticks, face, and trigger buttons are positioned similarly to the Joy-Cons, but they are significantly larger, making the Split Pad Pro far easier to navigate. The sticks are pleasingly responsive, and there is a noticeable click when performing inputs, while the precision D-pad is a significant improvement over Joy’s four directional buttons.
There are also mappable rear triggers – FL and FR – on the back of each pad, as well as a Turbo mode with three distinct speeds. If you don’t need those features, it provides a very pleasant portable gaming experience with some useful customizing choices. It’s also available in a variety of colors and patterns, our favorite of which is the Monster Hunter Rise edition.
Specifications
Type: Console attachment; Weight: 155g; Dimensions: 70x110x42mm (per pad); Battery life: N/A; No, rumble; No motion controls; No, NFC. Yes, there are mappable buttons. N/A for 3.5mm port
4. Power Fusion: Nintendo Switch Wireless Controller
The Fusion Pro Nintendo switch wireless pro controller is expensive, but it has a lot of customization possibilities, including replaceable black and white faceplates and two additional thumbsticks. One stick is taller than the other three, while the other is convex rather than concave like the others power a Nintendo switch controller.
The face buttons are similar to the original Pro controller, except the X, Y, A, and B buttons have a bit more travel and a hollower thud. The Nintendo Switch controller is also heavier (but not awkwardly so) than the official option, and the rubberized grip on the grips is of good quality and does not become sticky as soon.
The “Mappable Pro Pack” is the Fusion Pro’s ace up its sleeve. It connects to the controller’s base and has four detachable paddles, each of which may be assigned a button input. While the paddles aren’t suited for all games, they do provide a good degree of Nintendo switch controller flexibility. The Fusion Pro wireless best switch controller lacks rumble and NFC functionality, but the addition of a clever hard-shell carrying cover helps to mitigate the impact of their absence.
Key features
Wireless controller type; Weight: 305g; dimensions: 145x107x68mm; battery life: up to 20 hours No, rumble; Yes, there are motion controls; no, there is no NFC. Yes, there are mappable buttons. Yes, a 3.5mm port exists.
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5. 8BitDo Pro 2
This is the Nintendo switch controller to get if you want a completely customizable Switch gaming experience. You can remap all of the Pro 2’s buttons, change joystick and trigger sensitivity, regulate the degree of vibration, and create macros – button combinations that may be executed quickly – using the 8BitDo Ultimate Software mobile app (available for both iOS and Android) Nintendo switch lite controller.
That may be too much for individuals who struggle to recall a single set of controls, but it is ideal for those looking to get a competitive advantage in their favorite games. Motion controls and rumble (regular, not HD) are also supported, and a USB-C cable is supplied to guarantee that your gaming experience does not come to a halt just because your controller has run out of energy.
Key specifications include the following:
type wireless controller; weight: 228g; Dimensions: 154 x 101 x 65mm; battery life: up to 20 hours; Yes, rumble; Yes, there are motion controls; no, there is no NFC. Yes, there are mappable buttons. No 3.5mm port.
6. Nintendo Joy-Con
Nintendo Joy-Con controllers The Switch comes with a pair of Joy-Cons, but what happens when they need to be replaced? Yes, some suffer from “Joy-Con drift,” which occurs when the thumbsticks of Joy-Cons record phantom inputs, and they lack a real D-pad, but the whole package is hard to disagree with. The battery life is good, HD Rumble, motion controls, and amiibo compatibility are all supported, and the controllers are extremely versatile.
Insert them into a Joy-Con grip and they operate as a single Nintendo switch controller, or use them as two independent pads when playing with a friend, or simply leave them attached to the console.
Specifications
Type: console attachment/wireless controller Weight: Left – 48g; Right – 51g; 197g with Joy-Con grip; Dimensions: 101 x 36 x 28mm; 139 x 100 x 41mm with Joy-Con grip; Up to 20 hours of battery life; Yes, there is rumble (HD rumble); yes, there are motion controls; and yes, there is NFC. No mappable buttons; No 3.5mm port
7. 8bitdo Arcade Stick: Best Controller For Pc
If you’re a fan of fighting games, you’ll know that nothing beats the rush of pummeling your opponents into oblivion while seated at an arcade machine. The 8BitDo Arcade Stick may not bring the sticky floor and flashing lights of a local arcade to your games room, but it will give an ideal platform for perfecting your combinations and unleashing your special skills.
It can be used with both a PC and a Switch, and it has three different connection options: Bluetooth, cable, and wireless (via a 2.4GHz USB-A transmitter). You’ll be able to use it wirelessly while playing Switch games, and it lasts an astounding 40 hours on a single charge, with a full recharge taking approximately four hours.
The Arcade Stick is also extremely customizable. Using 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software, you can map inputs to the various buttons, create macros, and even switch out the buttons and stick if you want to do some home modding.
Specifications
Type: wireless/wired arcade stick; 2.1kg; dimensions: 303 x 203 x 112mm; Up to 40 hours of battery life; No, rumble; No motion controls; no NFC; no Yes, there are mappable buttons. No 3.5mm port.
8. HORI Battle Pad
The GameCube Nintendo switch controller from 2001 is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever created. This updated Switch version retains a very similar shape to the original but includes a few significant changes.
The thumbsticks employ what HORI calls “anti-snapback technology” to help you execute instructions more precisely. Furthermore, the handles offer textured grips, and the L/R and ZL/ZR buttons may be switched at your leisure. There’s even a Turbo option that can be adjusted at three different speeds, which comes in handy when you’re too lazy to quickly push or hold down a certain button.
Super Smash Bros. aficionados will like the Nintendo switch controller design. Super Smash Bros Melee, one of the finest entries in the series, was released on the GameCube, and the five colorways offered to pay homage to some of the series’ major characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Zelda, and Pikachu.
Key specifications
switch Wired controller with 3m cord; Weight: 230g; dimensions: 103x141x69mm; battery life: N/A; No, rumble; No motion controls; No, NFC. No mappable buttons; No 3.5mm port
9. PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller
If you want a wireless controller but can’t afford the original Nintendo controllers Pro model, this licensed third-party option from PowerA is your best chance. It lacks the battery life of the Nintendo version, and there is no rumbling feature or NFC compatibility, but there are a handful of additional buttons on the back of the grips that can be easily mapped to inputs.
Its main benefit over the official Nintendo Pro controller is that it comes in a variety of appealing styles. There’s plenty for everyone, including game-specific designs for titles like Pokemon, Mario, and Animal Crossing. It’s worth mentioning that some of the earlier versions lack a rechargeable battery and instead rely on two AA batteries. We don’t suggest them since the extra fees are required to raise the price to the point where you’re better off just swallowing the bullet and getting the genuine Pro Wireless controller. However, if you have your heart set on a certain design that requires batteries, you should absolutely pick up a pair of rechargeable batteries and a charger.
Specifications
Type: Wireless controller; Weight: 312g; Dimensions: 150 x 106 x 61mm; Battery life: 30 hours; No, rumble; Yes, there are motion controls; no, there is no NFC. Yes, there are mappable buttons. No 3.5mm port.
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10. 8BitDo SN30 Pro
Despite being inspired by vintage controllers, the 8BitDo SN30 Pro provides a completely contemporary set of capabilities. It is Bluetooth-enabled, supports rumble and motion controls, and is compatible with Switch, macOS, Windows, Android, and Steam.
It’s the lightest item on this list at just 114g since it lacks the conventional controller grips, making it ideal for anyone with tiny hands or anybody who wants to recapture their days of playing Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II Turbo on the SNES. The D-pad has received special attention to ensure that the SN30 Pro executes commands precisely when playing directional input-heavy genres like platformers, but there are analog sticks for when you want to return to the twenty-first century.
The SN30 Pro is available in two colorways, one resembling the original Game Boy (shown above) and the other the Super Nintendo, and is a welcome trip down memory lane for those who are as passionate about gaming today as they were in the 1980s and 1990s.
Key features
Wireless controller type; Weight: 114g; dimensions: 144x65x33mm; battery life: up to 18 hours Yes, rumble; Yes, there are motion controls; no, there is no NFC. No mappable buttons; No 3.5mm port.
