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If you select to get an additional controller for your Nintendo Switch 2, you can invest a lot– and get a lot in return. Purchasing Nintendo’s own $89.99 Switch 2 Pro Controller, for example, will net you the console’s only cordless controller with a 3.5 mm earphone jack, not to discuss excellent rumble and a slick style. It’s not ideal, however it’s the overall plan.
It ‘d be an injustice to you to call it a day there. There are a number of third-party offerings that are substantially more affordable, yet do not make a lot of compromises in regards to functions. I’ve hung out evaluating a handful of them, and there’s a little batch of designs that I believe will please many people, with a series of designs, rates, and functions.
Every controller I’ve consisted of in this guide works with both the Switch 2 and initial Switch (some can even from another location wake the Switch 2), in addition to platforms like PC and mobile. Each offering likewise consists of much better, longer-lasting joystick innovation than you’ll get with Nintendo’s flagship controller; the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s potentiometer-based joysticks are vulnerable to destruction with time, after all, however our choices consist of either Hall impact or TMR joysticks.
What I’m searching for
I put my expensive Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller away and cycle in each of these prospects for multi-session tests with a mix of video games for the Switch 2. I hang out examining their ergonomics, button area, and the quality of each button press and trigger pull. I likewise aim to check each controller’s special functions.
Many people would rather invest $89.99 on a video game or more, not a single controller. We looked for less expensive options to Nintendo’s great Switch 2 Pro Controller, however we dislike jeopardizing on functions and quality as much as anybody. We intend to consist of cordless gamepads that can from another location wake the Switch 2, in addition to offerings that include good-feeling rumble and controllers that sport a couple of additionals, such as amiibo assistance.
Our leading choices are simply as comfy to utilize as Nintendo’s flagship gamepad– possibly more comfy, depending upon your taste. We’ve consisted of choices with Xbox- and PlayStation-style stick designs, in addition to one that feels comparable to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
Nintendo selected potentiometer-based joysticks with its costly Switch 2 controller, which might lead to “stick drift” in the future, if its last-gen controller tech is anything to pass. Every choice in this guide builds on that innovation with either Hall impact or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks, which are drift-resistant by style.
The very best Switch 2 controller for the majority of people
$ 50
The Good
- TMR joysticks
- amiibo assistance
- Fantastic rumble
The Bad
- Clicky buttons are dissentious
- The grips may be too grating for some
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, mobile/ Connection: Bluetooth, wired/ Adapter type: USB-C/ Mappable rear buttons: Yes, 2/ Software application modification: No/ Rumble: Yes, HD/ NFC: Yes/ Movement: Yes/ Power: Integrated rechargeable 1,200 mAh battery/ Console wake-up: Yes
The EasySMX S10 is almost as capable and comfy as the Switch 2 Pro Controller, yet it’s$30 less expensive at$59.99. It’s complete of surprises, too, consisting of the very best adjustment of Nintendo’s HD rumble that I’ve felt in a third-party controller. It’s likewise among the couple of choices that can from another location wake the Switch 2 from sleep mode by means of Bluetooth. It consists of amiibo assistance– another unusual function to discover in a third-party gamepad.
The S10 isn’t a Switch 2 Pro copycat; it’s a lot grippier, both around the grips themselves and on its stick caps. Button presses and trigger pulls feel various from many other controllers, too, yielding a softer press and much shorter travel, which is most likely to be the most dissentious element of the S10. Among my preferred elements of the S10’s style is its swappable eight-way(circular)D-pad, making diagonal attacks in Hollow Knight: Silksong substantially simpler to carry out than with a four-way D-pad.
If I might alter something about the S10, it ‘d be the system-level buttons(screenshot, GameChat, and home).
They’re packed awkwardly simply listed below the D-pad and ideal stick.
Respectable discusses
$30
The Good
- Amazing worth in regards to specifications and convenience
The Bad
- Poor rumble
- Does not have a C button
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile/ Connection: Bluetooth, wired/ Port type: USB-C/ Mappable rear buttons: No/ Software application modification: No/ Rumble: Yes/ NFC: No/ Movement: Yes/ Power: Integrated rechargeable 950mAh battery/ Console wake-up: Yes
Gulikit’s ES Pro is a love letter to the Xbox controller, however for Switch 2. It’s simply$29.99, which is a take considering this gamepad includes an eight-way D-pad that’s terrific for battling video games, Metroidvanias, and retro titles where it’s a benefit to quickly have the ability to intend diagonally(a setting can make it so that it just signs up inputs for the primary instructions, if you choose).
The ES Pro does not require to do much to validate its rate, however it does so anyhow. It includes tunneling magnetoresistance(TMR)joysticks that are resistant to wandering and deal enhanced power effectiveness compared to Hall impact tech, similar to the EasySMX S10. It can be set up to from another location wake your Switch 2 or OG Switch console from throughout the space utilizing its own set of odd, one-time-only directions that you can see in its direction handbook.
I’ve got practically no qualms with this controller, other than for its bad rumble. It simply has no subtlety, rumbling in an all-or-nothing way. I was better utilizing the ES Pro with the vibrations off, which isn’t any enjoyable. In addition, it’s far less total than the S10, as it does not have integrated amiibo assistance and a C button for GameChat; nevertheless, depending upon your requirements, those omissions may not matter to you.
$ 63
The Good
- Consists of dock and 2.4 GHz dongle
- Extremely adjustable
- Comfy for little hands
The Bad
- Bad rumble
- Can’t wake Switch 2
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, mobile/ Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, wired/ Port type: USB-C/ Mappable rear buttons: Yes, 2/ Software application personalization: Yes/ Rumble: Yes/ NFC: No/ Movement: Yes/ Power: Integrated rechargeable 1,000 mAh battery/ Console wake-up: Yes (however just initial Switch)
8BitDo’s Pro 3 is a fantastic yet costly Switch 2 Pro option with a PlayStation-style stick design. At $69.99, it’s not as inexpensive(nor as value-packed )as the leading competitors. The Pro 3 uses a lot of personalization, some being cosmetic, while other elements can affect gameplay.
It has a lot going all out, with TMR joysticks, 2 back paddles, and an overall of 3 shoulder buttons per side thanks to brand-new customized M buttons. Its analog stick caps can be popped off in favor of shiny game stick-style nubs, which were my favored option in combating video games( plus, they simply look cool). Its ABXY buttons can be suctioned off with a consisted of tool to switch the design as required, and for visual style, each controller consists of colored buttons to stimulate a retro Nintendo console. It has trigger locks, letting you set activates to have a brief, clicky pull or the default travel range.
I ‘d avoid the Pro 3 if you desire excellent rumble feedback. It’s quite poor on that front, to the point that I chose to shut off rumble totally in video games. — and this is a little nitpick– however the Pro 3 can’t from another location wake up the Switch 2, so you’ll require to stroll over to push the console’s power button before leaping on the sofa.
$42
The Good
- Comfy, streamlined style
- Buttons are simple to switch
The Bad
- Buttons do not feel excellent to push
- Can’t wake Switch 2
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile/ Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, wired/ Adapter type: USB-C/ Mappable rear buttons: Yes, 2/ Software application personalization: Yes/ Rumble: Yes/ NFC: No/ Movement: Yes/ Power: Integrated rechargeable 1,000 mAh battery/ Console wake-up: No
GameSir’s Super Nova is a satisfactory Switch Pro copy that I had a difficult time heating up to, even if there’s a lot about it that sounds terrific on paper. It’s comfy, with rubbery grips and good rumble, and it utilizes Hall impact joysticks. It has, by a broad margin, my least preferred D-pad and buttons to push out of all the controllers on our list. The underlying tech is responsive, however it feels low-cost to hammer on.
That’s an embarassment, as it’s a slick-looking controller with a magnetic faceplate that pops off, enabling you to quickly switch the buttons around without the requirement for an additional tool. The rear triggers likewise have trigger stops, which can lower the travel of each pull, and the 2 back paddles are simple to press. It even consists of a charging dock– along with a spectacular set of RGB LEDs, which you
$30
The Good
- Charming, compact style
- Can wake Switch 2
- Hall impact sticks
The Bad
- Sticks and sets off have actually restricted variety Lacks functions from the ES Pro
Supported platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck, mobile/ Connection: Bluetooth, wired/ Adapter type: USB-C/ Mappable rear buttons: No/ Software application modification: No/ Rumble: Yes/ NFC: No/ Movement: Yes/ Power: Integrated rechargeable 800mAh battery/ Console wake-up: Yes
Gulikit Elves 2 is a compact, Sega Saturn-inspired controller I wished to enjoy a little bit more than I do. The budget-friendly gamepad shares a few of the exact same advantages as the identically priced ES Pro– consisting of Switch 2 wake-up and multiplatform assistance– however it’s smaller sized, which might make it a fantastic choice for kids or small-handed folks who have a hard time covering their digits around bigger gamepads.
There isn’t much lost area in this controller, either, as it features a rechargeable battery, rumble motors, a gyroscope, and an eight-way D-pad that feels great to utilize. Even for my medium-sized hands, its grips turn the little gamepad into something that’s pleasing to hold. I do not like it as much for a handful of small factors connecting to long-lasting convenience, button and trigger feel choices, and some missing out on performance. Compared to the ES Pro, it does not have TMR sticks (it has Hall impact), the Pro’s much better triggers, and swappable buttons.
What’s next?
A business called GG-Gear (Good Game Gear) is sending us its GG wireless Switch 2 controller, and it looks like it may offer the EasySMX S10 a run for its cash. It’ll cost $44.99 and will include TMR joysticks, a 1,000 Hz ballot rate, amiibo assistance, gyroscope assistance, a C button for GameChat, and what the business calls “HD” vibration, to name a few competitive functions. It likewise is available in a range of enjoyable colors, to boot.
The hunt continues for gamepad competitors that cram in a lot of functions without breaking the bank. They’re rarer than you may believe they are! PowerA just recently introduced a $69.99 Switch 2 controller called the Advantage Wireless Controller. It includes Hall result joysticks, however apparently does not have rumble and the capability to wake the Switch 2. Hori likewise just recently released the Turbo Switch 2 in some good colors, each with TMR joysticks. Its emphasize function is a button that can disable the screenshot, home, and plus/ minus buttons.
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- Cameron Faulkner
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- Last Checked: October 6, 2025
