The best controllers for Nintendo Switch

New in August-Update: The Beboncool Switch Controller, which we have recommended as a favorable alternative to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, we have deleted from lack of availability. In its place, we have included the Real Power Switch Controller in the current variant from 2021 in our list. In addition, we have added the Powera Spectra Enhanced Controller, which is characterized by illuminated buttons.

For all among you who are not well caught up with the Joy-Cons's Switch or simply looking for a higher-quality controller, we introduce you to the best alternatives here. On the first page you will find more favorable alternatives in the like design and a few Joy-Con-alternatives in addition to the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. On the second side there are controllers in different designs for different needs.

• This purchase advice is not commissioned by a promotional partner, but a list of recommendations. The offers listed here are but with so-called affiliate links. With a purchase via one of these links your Controller supports: without impact on the price we get a small commission from the provider. Do you have suggestions for articles that we should record? Write it in the comments.

Contents

Page 1:

• The original: The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
• Cheap alternative: Real Power Switch Controller
• The Second Controller: Hori Switch Horipad Wired
• The Best Handheld Controller: Hori Split Pad Pro
• For local multiplayer: Snakebyte Multi: Playcons
• For economical: 8BITDO USB adapter for wireless controllers

Page 2:

• Controller in PS Layout: Snakebyte GamePad S Pro
• Controller in SNES design: 8Bitdo SN30 PRO
• Between Retro and Modern: 8Bitdo SN30 Pro +
• Controller in GameCube design: The Hori Nintendo Switch Battle Pad
• The cute: Kingear Controller Cartoon Kitten for Nintendo Switch
• For big hands: Gamory Controller for Nintendo Switch
• For small hands and travelers: Powera Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller
• Chic illuminated: Powera Spectra Enhanced Controller
• For Arcade fans: The Lioncast Arcade Fight Stick

The original: The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Per

• __extrem long battery life
• __Fits comfortably in your hand
• __VER high quality workmanship
• __alle usual features

Contra

• __D-PAD can cause problems
• __Price

Suitable for: All except Tetris fans

Price: approx. 58 Euro

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller at Amazon *

High quality: The Nintendo Pro Controller is, apart from the Joy-CONS, the most popular input device for the switch and the benchmark to which all others have to measure themselves. At the same time he is one of the most expensive switch controllers with a price of about 60 euros. But you also get a high-quality processed device that is well suited for most hand sizes. Only for very large and very small hands can be found below in our comparison better alternatives.

Switch Features: The Pro Controller offers next to a Rumble function also sensors for motion control, which is required, among other things for archery in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild . However, many cheaper controllers have this feature. The NFC contact point in the middle of the controller, be read over the Amiibos is a bit less common.

Very long battery life: What the pro controller forecasting other controllers is the very long battery life of up to 40 hours in the game operation. For most cheaper competition products, the battery holds only 10 to 20 hours. In addition, the Pro Controller can wake the switch from stand-by mode, which is usually not possible with third-party controllers.

Weak D-Pad: The sticks and all buttons of the Pro controller work reliably and extremely precisely, except for the D-PAD. If you press the left and right in quick succession here, it may happen that faulty inputs are registered up or down. It is a defect that is hardly attracting to most players and who also finds themselves with some cheaper competition products. Nevertheless, one would have been able to expect something more from the expensive original.

Too big contact points: The error of the D-PAD is basically easy to fix. The problem is too large and narrow contact points inside the controller. You can even change that by hand by screwing the controller and partially adhering the contact points with adhesive tape. If you want to do this yourself, however, you should first view appropriate instructional videos.

Missing functions: In addition, the per controller of the headphone connection is missing and he has no analog triggers. That is, you can e.g. Dosing in racing games, how much gas is available. However, he has these shortcomings in common with all other switch controllers. The headphone jack is located at the switch on the console itself and analog triggers are simply not supported by it.

Conclusion: The Nintendo Pro Controller may be more expensive than many competitors, but thanks to the high quality of workmanship and the impressive battery life, he is well worth his money. Especially for those who often use the controller and want to do without the joyencons as far as possible, it is recommended. The defects of the D-Pad are still annoying. Finally, just in games like Tetris already a single wrong input can mean the defeat. Even much cheaper controllers like Horipad offer more precision here.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller at Amazon *

comparable controllers for 40-60 €:

• Powera Switch Wireless Controller (about 55 €) *
• Hori Switch Wireless Horipad (about 50 €) *
• Ready 2 Gaming Nintendo Switch Pro GamePad (about 40 €) *

Cheap alternative: Real Power Switch Controller (2021)

Per

• __ movement control and rumble
• __Ewage function
• __ regular quality

Contra

• __kein NFC
• __keine license

Price: about 27 euros

Real Power Switch Controller at Amazon *

New and with wake-up function: Real Power has already launched several low-cost switch controllers, with the model presented here is an still young version of 2021. This has the advantage over older variants, among other things, that you Through the home button, the switch can wake up from the idle state. In addition, the design has become a bit more ergonomic.

Almost all features, but no license: The Real Power Controller has almost all features that also offers the Pro Controller. He works wirelessly and offers motion control and rumble. The latter is not hd rumble, but the starch is at least adjustable in three stages. Only NFC for reading Amiibos is missing. What does not seem to be available is an official license from Nintendo. This is not necessarily a problem, but not licensed products sometimes tend to make problems after firmware updates of the Switch.

Satisfactory quality: Otherwise, the Real Power Switch Controller is a well-functioning and neatly processed Gamepad. However, you can not have too high expectations in view of the low price. The battery is 600 mAh large, which should range depending on the type of use for a playing time of 10 to 20 hours. Of the up to 40 hours of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller he is far away, but compared to similar favorable controllers he stands pretty well.

Conclusion: Of course, the Real Power Switch Controller does not come to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Ran. But that he does not even cost half that much, he is not even so far away. Above all, the scope of the functions contained can impress at this price. If you have high standards and the controller to become your preferred input device on the switch, it can still be worthwhile to spend a little more money for higher quality.

Real Power Switch Controller at Amazon *

comparable controllers for 25-40 €:

• Real Power Wireless Switch Controller 2020 (about 28 €) *
• Maegoo Nintendo Switch Controller Wireless (about 35 €) *
• Powera Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch (about 25 €) *

The Second Controller: Hori Switch Horipad Wired

Per

• __Turbo button
• __-acceptable D-PAD
• __-precise control cross
• __Price

Contra

• __ cable bound
• __keine motion sensors
• __NEMY RUMBLE function
• __Amiibos are not recognized

Suitable for: Use as a cheaper second controller, Tetris fans

Price: about 20 to 25 euros

Hori Switch Horipad at Amazon *

Sparing : The Hori Switch Horipad is one of the cheapest switch controllers on the market with a price of just over 20 euros. He oriented himself strongly in the design of the Nintendo Pro Controller and is similar in the hand. The equipment is sparingly. At Horipad, almost all not necessarily necessary features fall away. It contains neither a rumble pack nor sensors for motion control. The NFC function is missing, amiibos are therefore not recognized. In addition, the Horipad only works with cable.

Removable D-Pad: For this you can remove the D-Pad at Horipad and expose the underlying four individual buttons. This is practical for games like Tetris , in which only horizontal and vertical, but no diagonal movements are needed. However, the buttons are quasi in a hole after removing the D-pad, the handling is a little uncomfortable. Incidentally, even if you leave the D-Pad, it works very precisely, also compared to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Turbo button: The second feature is the Turbo Button. If you hold it down and select a different button, this is now equipped with the turbofunction. That means you can simply hold down this button and reacts the game as if you press it repeatedly in a very fast sequence.

Conclusion: The removable D-Pad and the turbofunction can make the Horipad for specific players a real alternative to the per controller, but this target group is rather small. For everyone else, the low price remains the best purchase argument. However, as the main controller, we would not recommend the Horipad due to the missing features. However, as the occasional second controller, for example for the local multiplayer, he is reasonably good.

Hori Switch Horipad at Amazon *

The Best Handheld Controller: Hori Split Pad Pro

Per

• __liness good in hand, even with big hands
• __VER precise, also compared to the per controller
• __good workmanship
• __containing buttons on the bottom
• __Turbo function

Contra

• __nur coupled in handheld mode usable
• __feeling features such as motion control and multiply

Suitable for: all looking for a better alternative to the Joy-CONS for handheld mode.

Price: approx. 45 to 55 euros (depending on the color)

Hori Split Pad Pro at Amazon *

The Split Pad Pro of Hori should provide more comfort and precision in handheld mode, but also has a few disadvantages.

Only Coupled usable: The Split Pad Pro has no own battery and can only be used (unlike most other Joy-con-alternatives), as long as it is coupled to the switch in handheld mode. Using the two parts individually for the local multiplayer, as it is possible with the Joy-CONS, but does not make sense anyway due to the key layout. It is a pity, however, that you can not assemble the Split Pad and how a normal controller can use.

Missing features: In addition, Horis Joy-Con-alternative lacks some features such as the Gyro sensors for motion control and the Rumble function. Of course, both are really important in a few titles, a nice complement is the features but already and at the price of the Split Pad Pro you would have been able to expect them.

Extras: The missing features aligned Hori through its own extras. For example, the turbo function with which you can equip each key and over which also has the cheap Switch Horipad. In addition, an additional button is available per page on the bottom, which is comfortable to operate and thus offers for frequently used functions.

Ergonomic: The handles ensure that the switch is much better in hand. Especially for players with great hands, which have previously suffered under a cramp of fingers, this makes a huge difference. Although the weight is low, probably due to the missing features and the non-existent battery, the processing feels high quality and stable.

more precisely than the Pro Controller: The most important plus is, however, how precisely the control mi works the hori split pad pro. The sticks are at the level of the original Pro Controller, the drift problem of the Joy-CONS is not here. With the other buttons, the Split Pad is even superior to the Pro Controller. In particular, the D-Pad obeys much more precisely.

Conclusion: The Hori Split Pad Pro is great for all those who often play in handheld mode and that Joy-CONS is not comfortable enough or too imprecise. For this target group, the numerous advantages weigh much heavier than the few missing features. But if you just like to have a decent control cross, the Split Pad Pro does not need, because Hori also offers a left Joy-con with control cross. You can learn more about the best switch gadgets for mobile games in our article.

Hori Split Pad Pro at Amazon *

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more on the subject

Nintendo Switch - This accessory gets the best out of the Joy-Cons

__

for Local Multiplayer: Snakebyte Multi: Playcons

Per

• __cheap
• __like comparison good feel
• __Best key layout as the JOY-CONS

Contra

• __ movement control and NFC contact point missing
• I do not want to dock to switch
• __nur a stick, a few keys
• Especially quality

Suitable for: All who want to play local matches with more than two players or use the joy-cons reluctantly detached from the console.

Price: approx. 30 Euro in the set of 2

Snakebyte Multi: Playcons at Amazon *

Only detached from the console: The Snakebyte Multi: Playcons have a narrow-limited intended use. They are only intended as a joy-con-alternative for the local multiplayer. In contrast to full-fledged controllers, they only have one stick, but unlike the Joy-cons are not docking in handheld mode to the console, but are only wirelessly usable via Bluetooth.

Cheap alternative: The multi: Playcons are only for games that you can play with a single Joy-con. But they are also comparatively cheap: In the set of 2 you currently get them for 35 euros. This makes them a good alternative for those who would like to deny local matches with four players, but do not feel like spending 70 to 80 euros for additional Joy Cons.

Handy: Another advantage of the Snakebyte Multi: Playcons is that you are much better in your hand thanks to your ergonomic shape. Although there are also cheap handles for the Joy-CONS, but these can not change their key layout. With the Multi: Playcons, stick and buttons are significantly further apart and therefore more pleasant to use. You also have a shoulder button on the left and right.

Few extras: Apart from the basic features, the Snakebyte Multi: Playcons have little to offer. The gyrosensor for the motion control is missing, also an NFC contact point for the reading of Amiibos does not exist. After all, the Rumble feature is there. Even the processing does not feel very high quality.

Conclusion: As already said, the Snakebyte Multi: Playcons are only intended for a very specific purpose and thus only for a small part of the switch players interesting. This one purpose, but you fulfill quite well. Anyone who likes to play in the local multiplayer with more than two players, gets controllers who are not only cheaper, but more handy than the Joy-Cons. However, one does not pay much more for two full-fledged controllers.

Snakebyte Multi: Playcons at Amazon *

For economical: 8bitdo USB adapter for wireless controllers

Per

• __cheap

• __as use usual controller from other consoles

Contra

• __functioning not with each wireless controller
• __Controller of other consoles are not all switching features

Price: about 20 euros

8BITDO USB adapter for wireless controllers at Amazon *

Use existing controllers: For all who do not want to buy a new controller, but prefer to use their XBox or PS4 controller on the switch, there is an adapter of 8bitdo, which enables this. To do this, the adapter is plugged into one of the USB ports of the switch and connected to the controller via the Connect button. You may need to do a fimware update. Information can be found here.

Missing features: With the dualshock 4, the dualsense or the new Xbox controller, the connection works perfectly. Older Xbox One Controller, which appeared prior to the introduction of One S, do not support Bluetooth and therefore do not work. Third-party wireless controllers can work, but there is no guarantee. Of course, depending on the controller used, many of the typical switch features such as motion control may be missing.

Conclusion: The 8bitdo USB adapter is a good device for those who like to have their Xbox or PS controller very much or want to spend as little money as possible. However, cost controllers equipped with special switch features, even about 10 euros more than the adapter.

8BITDO USB adapter for wireless controllers at Amazon *

• This purchase advice is not commissioned by a promotional partner, but a list of recommendations. The offers listed here are but with so-called affiliate links. With a purchase via one of these links your Controller supports: without impact on the price we get a small commission from the provider. Do you have suggestions for articles that we should record? Write it in the comments.