Best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers | Tech Radar
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The best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers: the handheld hybrids top gamepads, all tested and reviewed by us
Moving on from the Joy-Con 2? This is the guide for you
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The best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers have grown rather plentiful now that Nintendo’s current-generation console has been with us for about a year now. That also means the space can be quite daunting if you’re looking for a top-tier controller that’s a bit sturdier than the included Joy-Con 2.
Now, the brand’s official option, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, is brilliant and likely will be your first port of call when it comes to buying a dedicated controller for the handheld hybrid. However, as it’s on the pricier side (and has been the subject of price hikes in the US), it’s taking up our ‘best premium’ spot in this list. It’s still very much worthy of consideration, though, especially with its luxurious feel and class-leading battery life.
My personal choice for the best overall Nintendo Switch 2 controller is the 8 Bit Do Pro 3. Not only is it cheaper than Nintendo’s official offering, it’s packed with features, has excellent build quality, and solid battery life. So, whether you’re after an all-rounder like the Pro 3, something cheaper, or ideal for Nintendo Switch Online’s retro game libraries, read on to learn more about my top picks.
As an avid gamer who's owned everything from a Dreamcast to a Nintendo Switch 2, I've got years of experience in professionally testing controllers across several current and previous-generation consoles. At Tech Radar, I've tested more than 60 controllers for review to date. So I'm confident that my experience can help you choose a quality gamepad that suits your style, preferences and budget.
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Great build quality, superb features, and generous battery life, all at a very reasonable price? For my money, the 8 Bit Do Pro 3 is the best overall Nintendo Switch 2 controller available right now.
Don't be fooled by its retro, SNES-inspired looks; there are so many cool features packed into the Pro 3 it's enough to make your head spin. Drift-resisting TMR sticks, digital trigger locks, two sets of extra remappable buttons (two on the rear, and a pair of claw grip bumpers up top), and hot-swappable magnetic face buttons are just the icing on the cake.
Usually, a feature set as stacked as this would demand a triple-digit sum. And yet the 8 Bit Do Pro 3 is offering it all for less than $60 / £50. It's also home to one of the best d-pads I've ever used, with a rugged texture and tactile feel that makes it feel so nice under your thumb. Battery life is pretty great, too, offering around 20 hours on a single charge, and an included charging dock for when you need to top up.
If you have the budget necessary, and you can only buy one controller on this list, make it the 8 Bit Do Pro 3. It may be missing the absolutely stellar battery life and build quality of our best premium pick below, but it ultimately wins the war on the features front.
The Game Sir Nova Lite is a bit of an older controller, predating the Nintendo Switch 2 by around a year or so. However, the impression it left on me as a budget controller hasn't waned in the time since I reviewed it. This is a genuinely cheap controller that I'd recommend to just about anyone, even if your own budget is more generous.
I've lost count of the number of Game Sir controllers I've reviewed over the years, including the excellent Game Sir G7 Pro and Game Sir Tarantula Pro. The Nova Lite remains one of my favorites, as it offers drift-resisting Hall effect sticks and surprisingly solid build quality for the price.
It also just sits so comfortably in the hands; Game Sir clearly cares a lot about ergonomics, even on its cheaper kit like the Nova Lite. It also supports 2.4GHz wireless connectivity alongside Bluetooth, which isn't something you see often among cheap controllers.
There are compromises, though. There's no gyro aiming here, and battery life is a pretty middling 10 or so hours. But if you haven't the budget for other controllers featured in this guide, I can confidently say you won't feel short-changed by the Game Sir Nova Lite.
In my original review, I named the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller "the best" for the platform. So what's changed? Well, for one, this was at launch, and before serious competitors like the 8 Bit Do Pro 3 emerged. It's also really pricey at retail, coming in at
That's a fair bit of dooming up front, I admit. The good news is that I still wholeheartedly recommend the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Build quality is second-to-none, bearing a smooth matte finish that feels great in hand. The thumbsticks share that overt feeling of smoothness, too, and despite not bearing any anti-drift tech like Hall effect or TMR, I've yet to experience any issues with them.
A new addition here is the pair of remappable buttons on the rear of the pad. You can assign these on a per-game basis by opening up the Switch 2's quick menu while in-game, making it a breeze to load in secondary inputs if you need or want them.
Finally, you're getting all the Nintendo niceties and conveniences here. That includes easy access to firmware updates, native wireless connectivity, gyro aiming, and an NFC reader for amiibo scanning. Battery life is also best-in-class, with around 40 hours or so per charge.
Best Nintendo Switch 2 controller for retro games
The Nintendo Switch Online subscription service plays host to a variety of retro game console libraries, all streamable to your Switch 2 with no downloads. There's a market for retro-inspired controllers, then, and Nintendo's own Switch 2 Game Cube Controller is perhaps chief among them.
Yet I've gone for the excellent Battler GC Pro over Nintendo's official option. Why? The main point of contention is that the official Game Cube controller requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to buy. And yes, you'll probably already be subscribed if you're shopping for a retro game-facing controller. But if not, that's an extra irksome hurdle you might not want to pay for.
Plus, I find the Battler GC Pro to be just a bit more comfortable to use, and is more versatile than the warts-and-all Game Cube controller in that it has working clickable thumbsticks, and an extra bumper button. As a result, the Battler GC Pro is a much better all-rounder, mixing a retro design with more contemporary features. So you're getting a 'best of both worlds' experience here.
Stick drift is a phenomenon where your controller's thumbsticks register movement even when in a seemingly neutral position. It can occur when the stick's internal components have worn down from use, rendering many games unplayable.
To combat stick drift, many third-party controllers have opted to build thumbsticks with Hall effect or TMR technology. These make use of magnets to create a non-physical connection between the sticks and the controller's internals, significantly reducing the risk of wear and tear over long-term usage.
Are Nintendo Switch 2 controllers multiplatform?
Kind of. While most Nintendo Switch 2 controllers won't be compatible with Xbox or Play Station consoles, they can almost universally be used on PC via 2.4GHz wireless or USB-C wired connectivity. An exception is the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which currently can not be used on PC.
There are a number of ways you can connect Switch 2 controllers to your console. The most common wireless method right now is Bluetooth, but some controllers offer a more stable 2.4GHz option via a USB dongle. Both options are solid, but you may get the odd dropout if connected via Bluetooth, though this is extremely rare.
You also have the option to hook up a controller with a wired connection via a USB-C cable. Most controllers will include one of these in the box, and while your connection will be at its sturdiest here, the trade-off is that more wires means more clutter, and it's just not a great fit for the portable nature of the Switch 2.
Can I use a Switch 2 controller in handheld mode?
Yes! Switch 2 controllers retain connectivity if you're using the console in handheld mode. This is actually a really good option if you have the Switch 2 handheld resting on a table or other flat surfaces.
Yes, the Joy-Con 2 are more than serviceable and pack a lot of neat features, such as bespoke mouse controls and HD Rumble. They're just a bit small when used outside of handheld mode, and not quite as comfortable as the best Switch 2 controllers you'll find above.
Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cube Controller A brilliant revisiting of one of Nintendo's best-ever controllers, repurposed for Nintendo Switch Online. Expect a faithful build and excellent battery life here, though it is locked behind a Switch Online subscription before you're able to buy.
Read our Nintendo Switch 2 Game Cube Controller review
8 Bit Do Arcade Controller Ideal for fighting games like Street Fighter 6, this Switch and Switch 2-facing leverless controller sits comfortably on your lap or at a desk. The lack of a stick is intentional, and that may lead to a bit of a learning curve, but its satisfying buttons and sharp responsiveness makes this a wonderful entry-level leverless pick.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller A thoroughly decent cheap controller option with TMR sticks, strong battery life, and eye-catching Nintendo-licensed designs. It's just let down by a lack of features overall and rather ho-hum build quality.
Read our Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller review
Rhys is TRG's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the Tech Radar team for over four years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
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