The Best Nintendo Switch 2 Controllers

Perhaps the closest to Nintendo's own Pro Controller in form, but arguably exceeding it in function, Snakebyte's GamePad Pro S2 packs in ultra-precise Hall effect sticks, turbo features, mappable back buttons, and LED effects for a colorful touch.

It connects wirelessly via a dongle, meaning a USB port gets eaten up, but this allows the controller to remotely wake the console, which few third-party pads seem to be able to do. The Turbo function offers adjustable speeds—particularly useful in shooters, creating an auto-fire function—and can be assigned to any face or shoulder button. The intensity of the pad's haptics can also be tailored to preference.

The layout has some quirks—the central Snakebyte logo 'Home' button is positioned more like an Xbox pad, while screen capture and C-button are vertically aligned below it—and the flared D-pad won't be for everyone. But overall, it's reassuringly familiar in the hand, weighing a mere 224 grams. There's a nice springy resistance to the L2/R2 triggers, but physical locks massively reduce the travel distance for a quicker, more mechanical feel. Similar toggles can lock the M1/M2 under-grip buttons, which otherwise function as the mappable GL/G2 inputs on the Pro Controller 2.

The pad is available in two versions: the black GamePad Pro S2 and the transparent RGB model. They're functionally identical, but I'd give the edge to the black—not only is its LED lighting a bit more elegant, highlighting the edges of components rather than the whole pad, but the smooth plastic casing on the transparent version lacks any texture or grip. Still, if you like seeing the inner workings of your gear, it does look pretty cool. A small "buyer beware" though—these need firmware updates before use, with distinct patches for each model, so make sure you get the right one. The drivers are only available for Windows PCs, too, which may be a hurdle for some.

This third-party offering from peripheral maker PowerA offers one big upgrade over Nintendo's controllers: Hall effect technology. Not only does that remove any risk of dreaded drifting on its thumbsticks, but it makes for better, more reliable performance, as the sensors can far more accurately track the degree of movement applied to the sticks.

Like the official Pro Controller, this features programmable buttons on the underside of the hand grips. It also has a 3.5-mm audio jack, but goes one better with onboard audio controls, allowing you to adjust headset volume, mute your microphone, and switch between three equalizer modes—standard, bass boost, and immersive (though overall audio quality will depend on your headset).

There are some compromises to consider, though. It's a wired-only controller and must be connected to the Switch 2 dock, and although it comes with a 3-meter (10-foot) cable, that still limits range. It also rearranges the Switch 2's system buttons—the Home, Capture, Plus (+), Minus (-), and C buttons—to a single row at the base of the pad. While that allows for some bold and colorful designs spotlighting Mario and pals, the different orientation and smaller design of these buttons are hard to get used to. It also lacks HD rumble or motion control features, and there's no NFC reader built in, meaning it can't read Amiibo figures. Still, for the performance boost thanks to that elusive Hall effect, this is a strong alternative to the Pro Controller—especially at this price.

The wireless version of PowerA's Advantage pad is as comfortable as the wired version, weighing a mere 222 grams despite the addition of the rechargeable battery, and with a subtle micro-texture on the underside that improves grip without feeling rough. You can expect 25 to 30 hours of play time between charges, and it comes with a 3-meter USB-C charging cable to keep you going when the battery runs dry. It also retains the rear programmable buttons, which can be assigned to duplicate any other input on the pad—a particularly useful touch, especially for shooter or racing game fans. It's not exactly the same pad, sans cable, though. The wireless model adds motion controls for games that support the feature. The biggest update is the ability to enjoy the accuracy of those Hall effect thumbsticks without being tethered to your Switch 2's dock.

Sadly, the Advantage Wireless lacks the built-in audio controls of the corded version, and while it can turn your Switch 2 off, it can't wirelessly wake it from sleep. It will pair automatically once you've manually turned the console on, though. It continues to lack any HD rumble or Amiibo features, and still has the curiously rearranged layout, positioning the Switch 2's system buttons (Home, Capture, Plus (+), Minus (-), and GameChat "C" button) in a single row at the bottom of the pad. That allows for more bold and colorful full-character designs (available in Pokémon, Kirby, Mario, or plain black versions), at the cost of throwing off your muscle memory of where those buttons should be. Still, if you want to cut the cord while keeping the performance boost of Hall effect modules, this is a solid choice.

The launch of Switch 2 brings with it a selection of retro GameCube games for subscribers to the Nintendo Switch Online service. As it did for the NES, SNES, N64, and even Sega Genesis/Mega Drive when games from those platforms joined the library, Nintendo has released a perfect recreation of the original controller, allowing you to play those classic games as authentically as possible.

For anyone who was gaming when the GameCube was first around, it's slightly surreal to now have a perfect recreation of the original controller that's wireless but not the bulkier WaveBird model. It's no bad thing, though, and decades-old muscle memory will soon kick in. Younger players might find the unusually-shaped controller odd at first, with its tiny nub of a C-Stick and its chunky, rounded shoulder triggers, but after a few laps of F-Zero GX, you soon realize how perfectly tailored the controller was for its games.

For the modern update, Nintendo has tweaked the design slightly, incorporating controls specific to the Switch 2–namely the Home, screen capture, and C buttons—at the top of the pad, and added a tiny new ZL button on the left-hand shoulder. That helps make this GameCube pad broadly compatible with some modern Switch and Switch 2 games, though not a perfect match—the Start button here mimics the Switch 2's plus (+) button, there's nothing to replicate the minus (-) button, and it lacks newer features such as clickable thumbsticks.

However, availability is a problem for this controller. It's only available directly from Nintendo's online store, can only be purchased if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and is limited to one unit per account in the US, but two per account in the UK.

Not every Switch 2 game requires the motion controls of the Joy-Con 2s, which is why the console comes with a basic grip frame, allowing you to slot the two individual controllers into either side for one, more conventionally arranged, joypad. While that will do in a pinch if you want to play games sitting on the couch, with the console docked to your TV, the official Nintendo Charging Grip offers a few noteworthy upgrades.

One is simply the power delivery feature—connect a USB-C cable into the top of the Charging Grip and you can game for as long as you like, or leave the combined unit to charge when not playing. It comes with a 1.5-meter USB-A to USB-C cable, allowing you to connect this to the ports on the side of the Switch 2’s dock for charging. It also incorporates the new GL and GR buttons on the underside, as found on the Switch 2 Pro Controller. As with that pad, they can be customized on a per-game basis, but in my tests, it doesn’t seem to remember settings between play sessions. Still, it’s a handy feature, and remapping controls is quick and easy. Being able to quickly attach and detach the Joy-Con 2s is also great for any games that switch between various control modes.

In terms of design and ergonomics, it has some weaknesses, though. A translucent shell is an odd decision, given nothing else about Switch 2 takes that approach, while the front of the grips—where the base of your thumbs rest—is flat rather than rounded, with an edge that can dig in after a while. It also lacks the 3.5-mm audio jack of the Pro Controller, but given that this is less than half the price, it makes for a good halfway house.

Not strictly controllers in their own right, these shells allow you to slot in a single Joy-Con 2, turning them into miniature steering wheels. Sold in pairs, these are laser-focused on racing game fans—realistically, Mario Kart World, but sci-fi racer Fast Fusion will make good use of them too, and make the motion controls feel that bit more intuitive.

They're smartly designed—despite housing the larger Joy-Con 2s, the wheels aren't much larger than those for the original Switch, while chunky shoulder buttons on the rear of the wheel itself make the SL and SR buttons of each Joy-Con 2 even more accessible. That makes them comfortable enough for older players, but likely to be most appealing to younger players who will enjoy properly “driving” around with these.

They're undeniably a gimmicky purchase, and there's a paucity of games where you're likely to get much use from them, but the Joy-Con 2 Wheels are a nice addition to any living room racing tournament.

Don't throw out your original Switch Joy-Cons just yet, though, especially if you plan on keeping older games around. While the Switch 2's backwards compatibility is near-universal, there are a handful of titles that won't work with the Joy-Con 2 controllers. Thankfully, classic Joy-Cons will easily pair wirelessly with the new console, allowing you to keep playing the likes of Ring Fit Adventure, WarioWare: Move It!, and several Nintendo Labo kits well into the future.

The problem is that you won't be able to keep original Joy-Cons charged by connecting them to the Switch 2 console—they're smaller and lack the magnetic connectors. If you've gotten rid of your original Switch but want to keep some OG controllers around, pick up a separate charging dock, like PowerA's Joy-Con Charging Stand, which can keep up to four grips juiced up and ready to go.

Don't forget that these controllers were also notorious for stick drift, and while Nintendo hasn't assuaged concerns with the newer Joy-Con 2 controllers, it has specifically said that they've been redesigned from the ground up for better long-term durability.