When it comes to controllers, Nintendo is top dog, cream of the crop, king of the hill. But, there are corners of the game controller market that even Nintendo doesn’t dominate in. That’s where we come in, having collectively tested each of the below Nintendo Switch controllers we recommend for some specific use cases. (However, we still mostly recommend Nintendo-made stuff — it’s just that well-designed.)
Whether you’re playing Tears of the Kingdom, you need some ergonomic assistance, or even just use the Switch as a Smash Bros. box, we’ve got you covered with these well-tested recommendations.
TL;DR – These are the Best Nintendo Switch Controllers:
- GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons
- Hori Split Pad Pro
- PowerA Fusion Pro
- 8BitDo Arcade Stick
- Nintendo GameCube Controller
- 8BitDo Pro 2
- 8BitDo Ultimate
GuliKit KingKong 2 Pro
Best Switch Controller
It’s hard to beat out Nintendo’s own Switch Pro Controller, but GuliKit’s KingKong 2 Pro does just that to earn our top spot. Coming with a look and feel very similar to Nintendo’s offering, this controller delivers tactile, swappable buttons, easy-to-pull triggers, and a large D-pad while toting the same $70 price tag.
That’s just scratching the surface of what’s available, as the KingKong Pro 2 comes with a whole batch of features that really amp up your playing experience—and work flawlessly with the Switch. There’s motion rumble and motion control for a more immersive in-game experience, but the real star is the anti-drift sticks that feature hall effect sensors and sensitivity adjustments.
Of course, this controller offers a wired connection to the Switch or seamlessly pairs with the console, PCs, smartphones, and tablets over Bluetooth with a handy button that lets you swap between devices. The KingKong Pro 2 can even wake the Switch from sleeping and supports Amiibo.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Best Official Switch Controller
For just about any Nintendo Switch game that you’re looking to play seriously, Nintendo’s very own $70 Pro Controller for Switch is comfortable and effective to get you by in any game.
Since its start as a video game hardware maker, Nintendo has consistently designed excellent controllers. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is the same with its large face buttons, tactile triggers, and trademark (literally) D-Pad for the best retro gaming. Although children under 6 years old might find it a bit too large.
The Switch Pro controller also features HD rumble, so you won’t miss anything while having your system docked. We also find the battery life to be quite generous, living well up to the measured 40 hours per charge.
Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons
Best Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons
This might sound a bit redundant, but Nintendo’s own $80 Joy-Cons truly make the Switch’s magic. Yes, that’s even considering Joy-Con drift.
They’re essential to how the console works both in docked and handheld modes. You can play games with both Joy-Cons slotted into the system or wirelessly while you have it sitting on a table or docked with your TV.
You can even share Joy-Cons with friends by turning them sideways to act as tinier standard controllers, though we strongly recommend keeping the straps handy for a bit more to hold onto while playing this way.
Hori Split Pad Pro
Best Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons for Handheld Play
While the Nintendo-issued Joy-Cons are fine for most people, perhaps you need something more ergonomic for playing handheld. The $50 Hori Split Pad Pro is licensed by Nintendo and features a much wider area to help you hold on while playing on the go.
The ergonomics go further with larger buttons everywhere, alternate shoulder triggers placed with reach of your middle or ring fingers, and a turbo setting for fewer button presses.
However, these alternative Joy-Cons only work while connected to the Switch. You cannot use the Split Pad Pro controllers wirelessly, so game modes in which you need to share individual Joy-Cons are not supported.
PowerA Fusion Pro
Best Customizable Switch Controller
With the PowerA Fusion Pro, you can truly customize the controller to your specific needs for comfort and better performance. However, you do lose the rumble pack inside compared to Nintendo’s own Pro Controller, and the battery lasts about half as long: 20 hours.
That’s a trade-off you’ll have to consider going in and weighing the benefits. Those include swappable magnetic faceplates, multiple joysticks to choose from, additional customizable rear trigger paddles, and motion controls for games that support it.
With that many options to tailor the controller to your specific gaming needs, you’re getting quite a bit to make up for the loss of rumble and shorter battery life.
8BitDo Arcade Stick
Best Fight Stick for Switch
Since you’re not likely to play on Nintendo Switch in a fighting game tournament (unless it’s Smash Bros.), we heartily recommend the $90 8BitDo Arcade Stick for fighting games on the console.
Not only does this fight stick have lovable retro stylings, but it’s also customizable with support for Sanwa parts. The stick also automatically recognizes whether it is connected to a Switch or PC — wired or wireless — and instantly changes button assignments.
The Arcade Stick can store two profiles worth of button assignments, for either different platforms or different games, with digital icons that change between profiles. Lastly, the stick includes turbo support and its battery can last for up to 40 hours on a 2.4GHz wireless connection or 30 hours on Bluetooth.
See more of our picks for the best fight sticks for gaming.
Nintendo GameCube Controller
Best Super Smash Bros. Controller
While not the first controller for a Smash Bros. game, the Nintendo GameCube Controller solidified itself as the gold standard almost immediately back in 2001.
The strange button layout of the GameCube Controller – with gray, jelly-bean shaped X and Y buttons surrounding a green, oversized A button and a red, shrunken B button – inherently makes playing Smash Bros. easier. For instance, quickly jumping and making air attacks, as well as pulling off smash attacks with the yellow C-stick, are much simpler.
While you can easily get by playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate using a Switch Pro Controller, anyone playing remotely competitively will agree: just get the $65 GameCube controller (and the $15-to-$20 adapter) for Switch.