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Best Nintendo Switch Controllers

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Nintendo L/R Joy-Con
Nintendo
L/R Joy-Con
Customer Favorite

A must-have for smooth motion controls, convenient mobile play, and adding extra style to your gaming console.

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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A must-have for smooth motion controls, convenient mobile play, and adding extra style to your gaming console.

Pros

Ergonomic design. Rumble feedback. Motion controls. Each Joy-Con is its own controller, so a pair can be used for multiplayer. Snaps onto the core Nintendo Switch console. Available in a rainbow of colors.

Cons

Some color options are easier to find than others.

Best Bang for the Buck
PowerA Spectra Enhanced Wired Controller
PowerA
Spectra Enhanced Wired Controller
Most Stylish

Thrifty gamers who want to save money should consider this battery-free and eye-catching LED-lined model.

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Most Stylish
Bottom Line

Thrifty gamers who want to save money should consider this battery-free and eye-catching LED-lined model.

Pros

Especially affordable. Features bright LED trim with eight colors. Rugged 9.8-foot cable. Stylish Rainbow Mode. Features two mappable rear bonus buttons. Headphone jack. Soft-edged ergonomic feel.

Cons

No wireless version.

PDP Afterglow Wireless Deluxe Controller
Afterglow
Afterglow Wireless Deluxe Controller
Bargain Pick

The officially licensed Afterglow is a stylish model with a long range and premium battery life that wireless players will appreciate.

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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

The officially licensed Afterglow is a stylish model with a long range and premium battery life that wireless players will appreciate.

Pros

Up to 40 hours of battery life. Transparent shell with customizable LED lighting. Remappable rear paddles. Wireless up to 30 feet away. Motion controls. Grippy handles.

Cons

Lacks rumble feedback.

PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless Controller
PowerA
Fusion Pro Wireless Controller
Best for Pros

This model's comfortable and highly customizable design make it a must-have for competitive online play.

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Best for Pros
Bottom Line

This model's comfortable and highly customizable design make it a must-have for competitive online play.

Pros

Ergonomic design. Features four remappable paddles. Wireless range of 20 feet. Durable 9.8-foot USB cable. Rubberized grips. Motion controls. Swappable analog sticks. Has white and black faceplates.

Cons

Best for hardcore gamers.

FUNLAB Wireless Pro Controller for Switch/Switch Lite
FUNLAB
Wireless Pro Controller for Switch/Switch Lite
Budget-Friendly

Low-cost controller that is reminiscent of those for Xbox.

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Budget-Friendly
Bottom Line

Low-cost controller that is reminiscent of those for Xbox.

Pros

The buttons are very responsive with no or very little lag. Great for people with smaller hands, as it is smaller than the official Nintendo controller. The rumble feature can also be turned lower or higher.

Cons

The controller unpairs from the Switch if it goes into sleep mode, and the controller cannot wake the console up.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
August 25, 2021
30
Models
considered
28
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best Nintendo Switch controllers

Arnold Carreiro
Written by Arnold Carreiro

Updated March 2024

The hugely popular Nintendo Switch lets you play games from pretty much anywhere, easily transitioning from TV mode to handheld mode to tabletop mode. But how you play those games depends on which controller you prefer.

Nintendo created two controllers that work with the Switch: the Joy-Con, a nimble two-piece device that attaches to either side of the console or can be used wirelessly by one or two players, and the Pro Controller, which looks and functions more like a conventional controller. With these two devices, Nintendo built upon the fluid-motion controls of the Switch’s predecessor, the Wii U, while including a number of intriguing new features, including HD rumble and an infrared motion camera.

While there’s no replacing the Joy-Con when it comes to motion-controlled gaming, Nintendo Switch owners have a number of options when it comes to buying a traditional-style controller.

Content Image
Although Nintendo made it convenient for players to bring over all of their old controllers from the Wii to the Wii U, all controllers released prior to the Nintendo Switch are not compatible with the Nintendo Switch console.

Key considerations

Controller-specific features

The official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller includes Amiibo support, allowing players to import in-game bonuses from their favorite characters, motion controls, and HD rumble feedback, which all greatly improves your overall gaming experience. Third-party controllers are often more affordable because they end up cutting one or more of these innovative features.

Sure, you may not feel strongly about Amiibo support or gyroscopic motion controls now, but an upcoming game could change your mind completely — so plan for the future when buying your Nintendo Switch controllers.

Comfort

You should expect an officially licensed Nintendo Switch controller to feel comfortable in your hands. The ergonomic design of the Pro Controller is widely copied by third-party controller manufacturers, but each model has its own unique take on this core controller concept. Read through the reviews of any third-party Nintendo Switch controller to look for comfort-related complaints, such as the size of the controller or if the user noted hand or wrist aches after playing with the device.

Battery life

Although battery life isn’t an issue for wired controllers, it should be a prime selling point for anyone considering a rechargeable or battery-powered Nintendo Switch controller.

Of course, you can simply dock a pair of your Joy-Con controllers directly to the sides of your Nintendo Switch, and they will be fully recharged within three hours. However, official and third-party Pro Controllers may provide anywhere from four to 40 hours of gameplay between charges, so it’s well worth your consideration.

Features

Since the prime function of a Nintendo Switch controller is to play Nintendo Switch games, controller-specific features won’t differ too widely between models. Whether it’s an official or third-party Nintendo Switch controller, they will all have the same buttons and basic layout needed to play your games. Although there aren’t many features that stand out between controllers, here are a few to keep in mind.

  • Color: Nintendo Switch controllers are widely available in a rainbow of striking colors and fun designs based around fan-favorite video games, including The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros.

  • Functionality: As mentioned above, third-party Pro Controllers may feature any combination of HD (or standard) rumble feedback, Amiibo support, or motion controls. If all three are important to you, consider buying the official Nintendo controller.

  • Joy-Con controller accessory: Some devices are essentially controller-shaped shells to insert your left and right Joy-Con controllers into to make one single controller. Some of these Joy-Con accessories may even be used to charge your Joy-Cons as you play.

Nintendo Switch controller prices

Although the official Nintendo Switch Pro controller is usually sold for around $60, it is a quality piece of hardware that supports everything that the console has to offer, including motion controls, Amiibo support, and rumble feedback.

Third-party Nintendo Switch controllers, which go for $25 to $30, are significantly cheaper and are functionally similar to the Pro Controller — but they usually do not include all of the features of the original Pro Controller.

A pair of Joy-Con controllers are typically priced at around $69 to $80, but you can buy an individual left or right Joy-Con for $50. We’ve got good news if you prefer to play with Joy-Con controllers because Joy-Con controller accessories that combine the devices into a single controller are generally sold for between $10 and $30.

Tips

  • Some Nintendo Switch controllers are battery-powered, while others are rechargeable. Make sure that you know how a controller is powered before you purchase it so you aren’t disappointed later.

  • While a single Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can only support one player at a time, a pair of Joy-Con controllers can function as two separate controllers. If you are planning to buy several controllers for couch-side multiplayer gaming, left and right Joy-Con bundles may be a cost-effective solution for you.

  • There are plenty of Joy-Con color combinations available, including red, blue, yellow, pink, green, and gray. Most Joy-Con controllers feature matching accessories, so don’t be afraid to mix and match Joy-Con colors.

  • A new Nintendo Switch console includes a left and right Joy-Con controller, so two people can play Joy-Con supported games right out of the box. Each of these Joy-Cons is packed with a matching wrist strap, as well as a bonus Joy-Con grip accessory that combines both Joy Cons into a single controller.
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If you are a Nintendo Switch Online member, you can buy a pair of authentic NES wireless controllers directly through Nintendo. These retro controllers are great for playing classic NES games, such as Kirby’s Adventure, Donkey Kong, and Balloon Fight.

FAQ

Q. How do I use an Amiibo toy with my Nintendo Switch controller?
A.
It’s as easy as tapping the base of your favorite Amiibo character to the near-field communication (NFC) touchpoint located on your right Joy-Con controller or the center of your Pro Controller.

Q. How many Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers can I connect to the console at once?
A.
You can connect up to eight Pro Controllers to your Nintendo Switch at the same time. Of course, only certain games will support eight local players, such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and even then, if you’re playing with eight fighters, it’s going to be one hectic battlefield. Good luck!

Q. How long does a fully charged Nintendo Switch Pro Controller last between charges?
A.
A fully charged official Nintendo Pro Controller will provide you with around 40 hours of gameplay, and the controller will be fully charged after six hours. When comparing Nintendo Switch controllers, battery life is an excellent factor to keep in mind.

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