Ultimate Switch Gamepads Guide

If you’re a Switch owner, there’s a great range of wired and wireless controllers out there that can offer you a whole host of gameplay improvements. With six-axis motion controls, rumble functions, mappable button functions, turbo modes, and even LED light displays, you can customize your look and your play style.

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  Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Best Overall
See at Amazon

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  PDP

PDP REMATCH Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch

Best Budget
$25 at Amazon

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  PowerA

PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Mario Pop

Best for Battery Life
$60 at Amazon

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  GuliKit

GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Gamepad

Most Customization
$84 at Amazon

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  Hori

Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Blue)

Best Joy-Con Replacements
$44 at Amazon

Best Nintendo Switch Controller Overall: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Corbin Davenport / MakeUseOf

Taking into consideration quality, performance, and features, theNintendo Switch Pro Controller takes the crown. If you’ve used PlayStation or Xbox controllers, you’ll be surprised by how comfortable the Pro feels in your hands.

It comes down to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller’s button layout. The triggers and face buttons are larger, which is far better, especially if your hands feel cramped using Joy-Cons. It also has an actual D-pad as opposed to the separate directional buttons. The textured grip is the cherry on top.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is also one-for-one with Joy-Cons as far as features go. You still get Amiibo support, motion controls, an NFC reader, and HD rumble. And the semi-transparent style is a nice touch!

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Best Overall

If you prefer a traditional controller, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is the next best thing. It has all the same built-in features as the Joy-Cons, excluding splitting into two halves.

Pros

• Better for long gaming sessions
• All curves and no sharp angles
• Perfect replacement if you find the Joy-Cons too small
• Semi-translucent design is a treat to the eyes

Cons

• Name brand comes with a premium cost

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Best Budget Nintendo Switch Controller: PDP REMATCH Wired Controller

PDP

If you’re after a handheld controller for your Switch, don’t want to spend a fortune, and don’t care about it being wireless, thePDP Rematch Wired Controller is practically perfect in every way.

This controller is officially licensed by Nintendo and has a cool black and lime green mushroom design that glows in the dark. There are two programmable back paddle buttons, which you can remap button functions to. You can also customize the look of the controller with interchangeable faceplates and thumbsticks.

Volume controls are easy to adjust using the D-pad, and there’s a port for a 3.5mm audio jack so that you can enjoy superior audio with your favorite wired headphones. This lightweight wired controller looks and feels great and is an affordable alternative.

PDP REMATCH Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch

Best Budget

$25$28 Save $3

If you rarely play your Nintendo Switch docked, the PDP Rematch Wired Controller is the most obvious option. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and has a great design that matches the console.

Pros

• Fun glow-in-the-dark design
• Lightweight and comfortable to use
• Officially licensed
• Headphone port

Cons

• Not wireless
• No mappable buttons

$25 at Amazon See at Walmart

Best Nintendo Switch Controller for Battery Life: PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller

PowerA

A wireless controller that’s as vibrant and colorful as the game series that it’s inspired by, thePowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller Mario Pop lets you wear your Mario-loving heart on your sleeve every time you turn on your Switch.

There are two mappable back buttons here that can be used to reassign trigger functions to allow for more intuitive gameplay, and there’s also motion control support. You’ll enjoy a whopping 30 hours of gameplay on a full charge, and a 10-foot USB-C charging cable is also included.

Boasting one of the most colorful designs we’ve seen on a Switch controller, this Mario Pop wireless controller satisfyingly conveys everything that Nintendo is about: endless fun.

PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Mario Pop

Best for Battery Life

When fully charged, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller offers 30 hours of fun. The extra buttons at the back and the colorful finish are also a welcomed addition.

Pros

• Joyous Mario-themed design
• Mappable back buttons offer limited customization
• Very good battery life

Cons

• A few more customization options would be good

$60 at Amazon See at Walmart

Best Nintendo Switch Controller for Customization: GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro

GuliKit

TheGuliKit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Controller is a third-party controller that has some neat features to give your gameplay a boost. The KingKong 2 Pro supports motion sense, letting you tilt and or shake the controller for movement. It also has an autopilot function that can record various button presses and repeat them automatically, which is useful for farming items in-game.

Hall effect sensing joysticks act to prevent any drifting or dead zone issues, using magnetic sensors to provide greater accuracy as well as durability. The controller also has an FPS mode, which can be used to allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the joysticks for tighter gunplay.

An NFC sensing function is built-in, and there’s also a one-key wake-up for your Switch console once it has been paired with the King Kong 2 Pro. Additionally, an interchange function allows for a recalibration of the A-B X-Y button functions to suit your gaming preference.

GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Gamepad

Most Customization

If you have felt the sting of controller drift before, the GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro Wireless Bluetooth Gamepad will help you forget the past with its hall-sensing joysticks. It also offers a great set of customization options for tweaking your gaming experience.

Pros

• No drift joysticks
• Customizable settings
• Dedicated FPS mode
• Good battery life

Cons

• Triggers may be a little oversensitive

$84 at Amazon See at Walmart

Best Joy-Con Replacements: Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro

OtsAV DJ Pro

HORI

TheHORI Nintendo Switch Pad Pro is the perfect controller for Switch gamers who lean towards the handheld style of gameplay. Acting like a supersized Joy-Con, this slide-on controller set offers a full-size handheld experience, making your gameplay more immersive.

Featuring a larger and more comfortable grip, as well as larger buttons, triggers, analog sticks, and a D-pad, this feels good to hold. It has assignable rear trigger buttons which offer a small amount of customization, and there’s a Turbo function, too, where you can program rapid button presses in various increments per second.

It doesn’t support motion control, and there’s no HD rumble either. However, if you’re looking for a better handheld experience while gaming on your Switch, this is a great way to do it.

Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Blue)

Best Joy-Con Replacements

$44$50 Save $6

With the Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro, you can take the experience of a full-sized controller anywhere. It also has several handy features, such as Turbo buttons and mappable rear triggers.

Pros

• Larger and more comfortable grip
• Rear triggers can be mapped
• Turbo function to minimize button presses
• Cool blue design

Cons

• No motion control
• Cannot be used separately like regular Joy-Cons

$44 at Amazon See at Walmart

FAQ

Q: Can I use a third-party controller with the Nintendo Switch?

Yes, you can. In fact, most of the controllers featured in our list are third-party controllers, and they work perfectly. Depending on the third-party controller, it’ll either work as soon as you plug it in or after you’ve attached an adapter.

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Q: Can I use a PS5 controller on the Nintendo Switch?

Yes, but it involves using an adapter. If you prefer a slimmer, more traditional controller, you can easilyconnect PS4 and PS5 controllers to the Nintendo Switch .

Q: Can a pair of Joy-Cons be used as separate controllers?

Indeed, they can. It doesn’t work for every game on the Nintendo Switch, but many of Nintendo’s first-party titles can be played with a single Joy-Con, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Q: Are Joy-Cons still susceptible to stick drift?

Unfortunately, yes. The good news is that you can send yourJoy-Cons to Nintendo for a free repair , even if your system’s warranty has expired. However, if you’re a tech-savvy individual, you can alwaysfix Joy-Con drift yourself .