The Best Nintendo Switch Controllers We’ve Tried So Far

Since shortly after the Nintendo Switch‘s launch, I’ve been on the hunt for new Switch controllers. It’s a versatile little console, allowing for a wide range of different controller options, from playing with your PS4 and Xbox One controller to pads that resemble the classic controllers of the past. The Switch Pro controller is an obvious and great choice, but it’s also expensive, and in my experience, the D-Pad leaves a lot to be desired.

Thankfully, there are a ton of options from third-party companies like 8Bitdo and PDP that help account for personal preference while also introducing new features not found in first-party Nintendo Switch controllers. They aren’t all winners, but I have tested and identified some solid options worth considering if you need something a little different at a more affordable price.

We’ll keep this article updated as we test new controllers, adapters, and more. In the meantime, read on for an overview of the best Nintendo Switch controllers we’ve tried and can vouch for. Note that all pricing indicated below is subject to change–Amazon slashes the price on these products regularly, so you may see a discount when clicking through that we haven’t listed here.

Quick look: The best Nintendo Switch controllers we’ve tested

• Nintendo Switch Pro controller — $70
• 8Bitdo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter (for PS4 / Xbox One controllers) — $20
• 8Bitdo SN30 Pro Plus wireless controller — $50
• PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ wired controller — $25
• Hori D-Pad Joy-Cons — $25
• 8Bitdo M30 wireless controller — $30
• 8Bitdo N30 wireless controller — $30
• 8Bitdo SN30 wireless controller — $40

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

The best first-party Switch controller

The Good:

• The best ergonomics of any controller I’ve used
• Buttons are satisfying to press
• Features NFC/Amiibo support, HD rumble, and motion controls

The Bad:

• D-Pad is prone to incorrect inputs
• $70 price tag is a bit steep

First off, we can’t talk about the best Nintendo Switch controllers on the market without talking about Nintendo’s first-party option, the Switch Pro controller. It’s a great pad with very few faults. For me, it has the best ergonomics among Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony’s first-party controllers. It’s the perfect size for my large hands, and the triggers are shaped just right for resting fingers. The face buttons feel good to press; the +, -, Home, and Screenshot buttons click wonderfully; and the analog sticks have a good amount of tension. The one problem I have with the Pro Controller is the D-Pad. It’s prone to incorrect inputs, which is most noticeable when playing puzzle games like Tetris 99 or fighting games like Mortal Kombat 11. This usually happens when you press a direction on the pad, but you’re a little off-center, causing an input in the wrong direction. It’s not something that breaks the experience completely, but when I’m playing a game that relies particularly heavy on the D-Pad, I always opt for a different controller.

The Pro Controller also boasts a lot of features that most third-party controllers rarely include. This includes NFC/Amiibo support, HD rumble, and motion controls. These things aren’t required for the vast majority of games, but every now and then, a certain utilization of them can put a smile on your face–HD rumble is used excellently in Super Mario Odyssey, for example. However, the Pro Controller’s price tag is also $70 USD, which is more expensive than both the DualShock 4 and latest Xbox One controller. There’s no doubt the Pro Controller is an excellent pad, but when there are great options at cheaper prices, it’s hard to justify buying a second, third, and/or fourth for your friends to use.

$70 at Amazon

8Bitdo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter

The best way to use PS4 and Xbox One controllers on the Switch

The Good:

• Enables use of a DualShock 4, Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One, Wii U Pro, Wiimote, DualShock 3, and any compatible 8Bitdo controller
• Easy to set up

The Bad:

• Some games can cause abnormal vibration, which requires firmware updates to fix
• Can’t wake up the Switch from Sleep Mode

The first time I plugged the 8Bitdo Bluetooth adapter into my Switch’s dock, it felt like black magic. I was using my DualShock 4 on a Nintendo platform, hitting Circle when it asked for A, Cross when it asked for B. And when it asked for X? You guessed it: Triangle. There was definitely a period of getting used to what buttons I should be pressing for each input the Switch requested, but once this passed, the adapter proved an excellent way to use not just the DualShock 4, but a wide array of Bluetooth-enabled controllers that don’t already connect to the Switch directly.

Of course, any controller you’ll use with this adapter won’t include features like HD rumble, motion controls, or Amiibo support. These losses are negligible for the vast majority of experiences, especially when using your favorite Bluetooth controller is the trade-off. One downside to this adapter, however, is a rumble issue that crops up with certain games. Most recently, I’ve experienced this with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, where your controller will vibrate abnormally even if you turn off rumble in the Switch’s system settings. This issue has been fixed for games like Splatoon 2 and Crash Bandicoot: N Sane Trilogy, though this requires you to plug the adapter into a computer to update the firmware.

$20 at Amazon

8Bitdo SN30 Pro Plus

The best Switch controller for customization

The Good:

• Extensive button mapping and macro customization
• Adjustable dead-zones for analog sticks and triggers
• Customizable rumble functionality
• Removable, rechargeable battery
• Allows for the use of two AA batteries
• Also doubles as an excellent option for classic games

The Bad:

• Requires a computer to customize controller inputs

The 8Bitdo SN30 Pro Plus is one of the more exciting Switch controllers. Not only does it feature a design inspired by the SNES, it also features extensive customization for button mapping, analog sticks, trigger inputs, and vibration adjustments. It allows you to swap button inputs, invert the X and Y axis on your analog sticks, and more. You can even create macros of up to 18 inputs. All of this customization must be done on a computer, but 8Bitdo’s customization software is a breeze to use. The one downside is that there are no extra buttons or paddles on the controller, so the remapping is restricted to swapping buttons.

My personal favorite thing about this controller is the fact that it includes a removable, rechargeable battery and also allows for disposable batteries. As someone who is currently sitting next to a box of dead PS3 controllers, I’m happy to know there is a great alternative to the Switch’s Pro controller that I’ll be able to use long after its rechargeable battery dies.

$50 at Amazon

PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Controller

The best budget Switch controller

The Good:

• Great D-pad
• Excellent ergonomics
• Remappable paddles
• Audio port works great for voice chat-enabled games and listening with headphones

The Bad:

• Can hit paddles by accident in some cases
• Can’t wake the Switch up from Sleep Mode

When I learned the Switch had a Pro controller alternative that included an audio port, boasted remappable paddles, and only cost $25, I didn’t expect much in the way of quality. The PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ wired controller exceeded my expectations and is now one of my favorites to use with the Switch. Holding it, it feels very similar to Nintendo’s Pro controller. I don’t think any of these controllers beat the Pro controller in pure ergonomics, but this PDP pad comes close. The general shape is the same, but the sticks and triggers come up a touch higher. I like the raised height of the triggers, but I feel like they could have been reshaped a bit to better fit the natural curve of your fingers.

Nevertheless, this hardly ruins the experience. The inclusion of remappable paddles is a fantastic addition. You can map any button to these paddles, and I found it incredibly useful for games that assigned sprint to a face button. In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, I’m able to sprint, jump, and glide, all while controlling the camera with my thumb firmly planted on the right stick. Of course, this can present some problems in certain games. When switching from Breath of the Wild to Super Mario Maker 2, I would instinctively squeeze the paddle while making some jumps. And unfortunately, there’s only one configuration profile and no way to turn the paddles off, so if you don’t want to use them, you’ll have to go through the short process of mapping them to each other–this makes it so there’s no input when pressing them. It’s a minor issue, but an annoying one nonetheless.

Thankfully, the PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ feels good enough to use to deal with the occasional accidental button press. Its analog sticks have a similar tension to the Pro controller’s, and it has a great D-Pad. The 3.5mm audio port is a good option for voice chat in supported games (e.g. Fortnite), though I spent most of my time using the port to listen through my favourite pair of headphones. This works really well, with the ability to control your volume on the controller itself and within the Switch’s menu. And with its wired connection, you don’t have to worry about its battery dying. Because that wired connection powers the Switch, however, you won’t be able to turn the console on from Sleep Mode–you’ll have to hit the Power button on your docked Switch before starting to play. As long as you’re okay these few inconveniences, then I can wholeheartedly recommend the Faceoff Deluxe+.

$25 at Amazon

Hori D-Pad Joy-Con

Best Switch controllers for handheld mode

The Good:

• The best, most convenient option for a D-Pad in handheld mode
• Very comfortable for games that excel with a D-Pad

The Bad:

• Restricted to handheld use only
• Incompatible with most cases and grips

Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the Switch is the lack of a proper D-Pad on its left Joy-Con. It’s not an automatic dealbreaker, with games like Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate not utilizing the D-Pad for anything super demanding, but when the situation calls for it, the Hori D-Pad Joy-Con feels a lot more precise and comfortable when playing in handheld mode.

The D-Pad on Hori’s Joy-Con is softer than what I usually look for, but it’s hard to deny just how pleasant the experience is. I didn’t realize how much I missed a D-Pad until I used this to play games like Mortal Kombat 11, Tetris 99, and Super Mario Maker 2. These games, as well as many others, have since been a lot more enjoyable in handheld mode.

There are a few things that are important to note, however. First off, this Joy-Con can’t be used wirelessly, so you’re restricted to using it in handheld mode. Secondly, it’s incompatible with most cases and grips. This is because the latch button protrudes out further than Nintendo’s official Joy-Cons. I took a pair of scissors and cut out a space for it on my cheap Orzly grip case, but I likely won’t be doing the same to my more expensive accessories.

Zelda Edition: $20 at Amazon Mario Edition: $20 at Amazon Pikachu Edition: $20 at Amazon

8bitdo M30 Bluetooth

The best classic controller on Nintendo Switch

The Good:

• Fantastic D-Pad and ergonomics
• Connects directly to Nintendo Switch
• Also compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and Raspberry Pi

The Bad:

• Not suitable for all games

8Bitdo’s M30 controller might just be one of my favorite pads ever. As a Sega Genesis kid, I’ve always held a special place in my heart for the six-button controller, which is what the M30 emulates and improves on. Its ergonomics have been shaped differently to make it more comfortable to hold than the Sega original, and the D-Pad is by far my favorite of any 8Bitdo controller. Classic titles, platformers, and fighting games are the obvious choice for the M30, but I’ve also found myself enjoying Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with it. It’s definitely not going to work with every game, especially those that rely on a second analog stick, but it’s a controller I’ll always go to if it’s possible to do so.

$30 at Amazon

8Bitdo N30 Bluetooth

The best NES controller for Nintendo Switch

The Good:

• Better shoulder buttons than the subscription-exclusive NES Joy-Cons
• Includes a Home button
• Connects directly to Nintendo Switch
• Also compatible with retro receivers and USB adapters

The Bad:

• Not suitable for all games

The 8Bitdo N30 isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s an NES-style controller that is great for very specific games, like everything in the Switch Online NES library and very few others. I prefer the NES controller’s shape and button layout for that console’s games, but in trying to find other uses for the N30, I was largely unsuccessful. Even modern Tetris games like Tetris 99 and Puyo Puyo Tetris require more than the D-Pad and B and A buttons–the extra two face buttons on the N30 are restricted to Turbo. The N30 includes shoulder buttons for L and R, which does extend the number of games it can be used with (e.g. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe), but the options are still limited.

I mostly use my N30 in conjunction with a retro receiver that lets me use it with real NES hardware and RetroUSB’s AVS. It’s my new favorite pad for that console. It’s also an excellent option for the Switch, but it’s not necessary to enjoy any game, NES or not. However, if you are looking for that very specific NES experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend the N30. Nintendo’s own NES Switch controllers are good, but they have inferior shoulder buttons and need to be charged the same way as your Joy-Cons–not to mention, the Nintendo Switch Online subscription that’s required before you can even purchase them. With all this considered, the N30 is perfect for the job.

$30 at Amazon

8Bitdo SN30 Bluetooth

The best SNES controller for Nintendo Switch

The Good:

• Connects directly to Nintendo Switch
• Comes with a retro receiver for SNES use
• Also compatible with USB adapters

The Bad:

• Not suitable for select games

The SN30 Pro Plus discussed earlier might be the best Switch controller on this list, and with its SNES-style layout, it’s great for classic games. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more authentic to the SNES experience, then the basic SN30 is your best alternative. Like both the M30 and N30, it doesn’t work with every game, but there are plenty of great options with the Switch’s excellent selection of platformers and fighting games. And if a recent FCC filing indicates anything, we could be seeing SNES games on the Switch in the future.

The SN30 also comes with a retro receiver that can be plugged into a SNES. If you still have a Super Nintendo–or an Analogue Super NT–then this is an awesome option to play classic games on that console. And as a bonus, this retro receiver can also be connected via USB, as long as you have an extra USB-C cable attached.

$40 at Amazon

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-nintendo-switch-controllers-weve-tried-so/1100-6469264/