The best Nintendo Switch controllers to buy right now

The Switch 2 is here, and Nintendo seems fresh to move connected from the original Switch. But we’re not going to up and hide astir it. That’s why we’ve kept testing controllers that mightiness beryllium a bully fresh for you. Even arsenic galore accessory makers are making controllers pinch the Switch 2 successful mind, astir of the resulting gamepads to travel retired besides activity just fine connected the original Switch.

In position of immoderate differences betwixt Switch and Switch 2 controllers, location are less than you mightiness think; location whitethorn beryllium a GameChat button connected it that’ll service nary intent until you yet upgrade to a Switch 2, but that’s an easy point to overlook.

The options beneath are awesome for galore types of gamers. However, if you’re looking for newer (and cheaper) options than the ones listed below, I powerfully propose that you sojourn our guideline to the best Switch 2 controllers. Of that batch, Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pro controller is the only Switch 2 controller released truthful acold that won’t activity connected the original Switch. The remainder that we’ve included do. We don’t scheme to make important changes to the article below.

There are immoderate things that are worthy knowing if you bargain a third-party wireless controller (as in, 1 not made by Nintendo), it whitethorn not support HD rumble, it astir apt won’t person NFC for Amiibo, aliases beryllium capable to aftermath the Switch remotely. However, location are immoderate exceptions, which we characteristic below.

If you’re playing your Switch while docked, it’s difficult to spell incorrect pinch the charismatic Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (even though its $10 value summation successful mid 2025 still hurts). It’s 1 of very fewer gamepads to see each characteristic mentioned above, and it’s 1 of the astir satisfying controllers to usage that we’ve tested. However, the GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and Max each connection much exhaustive customization astatine little prices, and the Hori Split Pad Compact is simply a Joy-Con upgrade for those who for illustration to play successful handheld mode. Then there’s 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller and DualShock-esque Pro 3 controller, some of which are awesome successful different ways if you don’t mind spending adjacent to the costs of Nintendo’s first-party model.

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 the Switch 2)

Ever since the Switch launched, Nintendo’s first-party Pro controller has been the champion gamepad for the console. In galore ways, it rivals the modular models from Sony and Microsoft successful position of comfortableness and build quality. Aside from the Joy-Cons, the Switch Pro Controller is 1 of an elite fewer wireless options that includes bully rumble, gyroscopic activity support, and an NFC scholar for Amiibo cards and figurines. It’s besides 1 of a fewer controllers we’ve tested that tin remotely move connected the Switch without being plugged into it. It’s compatible pinch the Switch 2 (although, it can’t aftermath the caller console from standby— you’ll request a Switch 2 Pro Controller for that, aliases 1 of the respective third-party options included successful our guideline to the best Switch 2 controllers).

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 the battery.

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 very comfortable. If you struggle pinch manus symptom erstwhile you usage the Switch, that’s wherever the Hori Split Pad Compact tin astir apt thief retired a bit.

The Split Pad Compact is simply a — you guessed it — a much compact replacement to the Split Pad Pro, which has unluckily go tougher to find astatine a reasonable price. Similarly, it comes successful a assortment of colorways, and it adds immoderate comfortableness to utilizing the Switch successful handheld mode. One slides into each broadside of the 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 the console for fast-paced gameplay, aliases to 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 the Switch. It’s only for handheld mode unless you acquisition the Split Pad Compact Attachment that turns it into a wired controller. We don’t urge astir group spell that way since the attachment usually (but not always) costs location adjacent to the magnitude of Switch Pro Controller, which is simply a shame considering it doesn’t adhd immoderate of the aforementioned features. It does adhd a 3.5mm headphone jack erstwhile plugged successful via USB to the Switch’s dock, however.

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 (only successful KK3 Max) / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes

On the surface, the KingKong 3 Max is akin to the last-gen models it replaced, which took creation cues from Microsoft’s modular Xbox controller but rivaled the Switch Pro Controller successful position of build value and features.

But location are respective notable improvements and additions if you scratch deeper. It has Hall effect dual-mode triggers (both tin move betwixt analog and digital, pinch beingness trigger stops), successful summation to RGB LED-surrounded Hall effect analog sticks. This exemplary has GuliKit’s powerful magnetic vibration motors pinch 2 strength levels and 3 chopped modes (including the Switch’s HD rumble). You tin moreover customize the swappable look buttons to lucifer your preferred platform, and to the 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, it features detachable rear-facing paddles. You get 4 long, curved paddles pinch the KK3 Max that lucifer the contour of its rear grips. They are akin to the paddles connected the Xbox Elite Series 2 and moreover get the aforesaid installation method — conscionable push them into the designated holes connected the back. They require a batch much force, though they won’t easy dislodge.

Supported Platforms: Switch, Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV, Android, macOS, Apple devices / Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable buttons: Yes, 4 / Software customization: Yes / Rumble: Yes / NFC: No / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes, including Switch 2

8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is simply a insignificant measurement guardant compared to the first iteration, but it comes pinch caller features you mightiness attraction about. It still feels for illustration a Switch Pro Controller successful shape, pinch a likewise short grip floor plan that larger hands whitethorn not prefer. As for what’s changed internally, you’re getting much durable TMR joysticks, positive 2 caller mappable buttons adjacent the triggers (totaling 4 customizable buttons). Speaking of the triggers, they’re adjustable acknowledgment to caller switches that tin change really overmuch you person to propulsion them to registry an input. It’s peculiarly awesome for first-person shooters aliases action games wherever velocity is paramount.

Its haptics are decent successful immoderate games, but not astir arsenic bully arsenic Nintendo’s HD Rumble, and it’s missing Amiibo support, though it does characteristic mobility controls — on pinch a hidden instrumentality that allows you to aftermath a docked Switch and Switch 2 by giving the controller a small shake. It’s a bully worth compared to the Switch Pro, arsenic good arsenic astir different third-party options because it besides includes a charging dock pinch an integrated 2.4GHz transmitter.

The Ultimate 2 controller comes successful 2 variants, but we urge the Bluetooth exemplary for Switch owners because it’s the only type that’s compatible. Additionally, it’s compatible pinch the Switch 2, the Steam Deck, PC, macOS computers, and a slew of different Bluetooth-ready devices. Plus, it includes some 2.4GHz connectivity, successful lawsuit you request a much reliable relationship for compatible devices.

Supported Platforms: Switch, Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, mobile, Apple TV, and much / Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable buttons: Yes, 4 / Software customization: Yes / Rumble: Yes / NFC: No / Motion: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Yes, including Switch 2

The 8BitDo Pro 3 is the company’s latest high-end controller. On its face, the biggest quality betwixt it and the similarly-priced Ultimate 2 is its PlayStation DualShock-esque instrumentality layout, which unsocial mightiness capable to person immoderate gamers to get it. The Pro 3 improves connected its predecessor by featuring swappable buttons that tin beryllium detached pinch its included magnetic suction tool. With it, you tin spell from the Nintendo layout to the Xbox layout. Otherwise, this model’s soul specs and compatibility are very akin to that of the Ultimate 2.

The Pro 3 features TMR joysticks, positive Hall effect triggers pinch switches that toggle betwixt afloat pulls aliases shorter clicks for either trigger. Just for illustration the Ultimate 2, the Pro 3 has 4 customizable buttons that tin beryllium assigned almost immoderate different button, aliases operation of buttons, done the company’s Ultimate V2 app connected PC aliases by pressing definite buttons together, as listed successful the manual. Additionally, the controller supports turbo mode.

Compared to astir different Switch controllers, the Pro 3 stands retired owed to its PlayStation-style layout of D-pad and sticks. You whitethorn for illustration this exemplary if you play a batch of retro games that prioritize the D-pad, which is much easy accessible than connected astir different Switch controllers. One different nosy perk of the Pro 3 is its swappable joystick caps. Two arcade stick-like knobs are included that make definite games consciousness much rewarding to play, specified arsenic fighting games.

There are a fewer other devices that let you to usage third-party controllers, but 8BitDo’s is the champion value. Instead of spending $80 connected a Switch Pro controller, the $19.99 8BitDo Wireless Bluetooth USB Adapter 2 lets you move astir Bluetooth controllers you already ain into a wireless Switch controller. It plugs into your Switch dock (or straight into the console if you person a USB-A to USB-C adapter) and supports a wide assortment of models, from the latest Xbox and DualSense controllers to last-gen gamepads for the Wii and PlayStation 3. (Note: the first-gen exemplary can’t link to astir Xbox Bluetooth controllers owed to a Bluetooth incompatibility, truthful make judge you get the latest exemplary we’ve linked to.)

To our delight, the 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 the newer Xbox Series X aliases S controllers, an Xbox One Bluetooth controller, a DualSense, a DualShock 4, aliases the Switch Pro Controller, you tin customize their fastener mapping, analog instrumentality sensitivity, and much wrong 8BitDo’s machine and mobile app.

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.

We for illustration CRKD’s Nitro Deck astir here. It’s a cradle-style controller that holds the 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 the passthrough solution was much elegant and that CRKD could lick the ergonomics (particularly connected the correct side, wherever the analog and fastener placement tin origin discomfort).

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

We besides precocious tried respective wireless PowerA controllers, including the GameCube Style Wireless Controller ($59.99) and a Pikachu-themed type of the modular PowerA Enhanced Wireless ($44.99). We for illustration the nosy creation of PowerA’s controllers, but they don’t unrecorded up to the value of the 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 the 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 the old-school emotion backmost if you don’t already person a Bluetooth-based replacement to usage pinch 8BitDo’s USB Adapter 2.

I promote anyone who’s searching for a caller Switch controller to cheque retired The Verge’s buying guideline for the champion Switch 2 controllers. All of the options it includes (except for Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pro) activity connected the original Switch, not conscionable the Switch 2, and we’ve focused connected highlighting affordable, yet tin options. In the guide, you’ll find retired astir the EasySMX S10, the Mobapad N1 HD, and different controllers that person almost arsenic galore features arsenic Nintendo’s pricier Switch 2 Pro for acold less. We’re besides testing caller models for imaginable inclusion successful the future.

Update, December 19th: Updated to bespeak existent pricing and availability.