The Switch has carried on the illustrious history of Nintendo, selling over 139 million units worldwide. It is an amazing handheld gaming console that buyers can play anywhere, with a vast library of exclusive and third-party titles.

Although the Nintendo Switch comes with Joy-Con controllers, it's common for some players to prefer playing with traditional controllers. This is especially true for those who have a history with home gaming consoles. The market has a ton of third-party controllers for the Switch, so picking one is tough. To help shoppers make the right choice, Game Rant has curated a lot of the best Nintendo Switch controllers worth considering.

Game Rant's Picks for the Best Nintendo Switch Controllers in 2024

PXN isn’t the most recognizable name in the game, but it is quickly becoming a favorite among budget shoppers. Despite being listed for under $25 and receiving further discounts during frequent sales, the PXN wireless controller has all the functionality of any standard controller. Motion controls, an NFC reader, and rumble packs are in full force with the PXN controller, and it can even be paired with PC and iOS 16 devices. No other Switch controller offers this level of functionality all in one pack, especially not for nearly half the cost of Nintendo's Pro controller.

The PXN controller can even be customized to some degree, with eight different colors available to choose from right off the bat. Plus, the rumble packs can be adjusted between three different intensity levels. The battery life is just as impressive, with up to 20 hours of gameplay offered after just 2 to 3 hours of charging. Although it has the same stick drift issues as most Switch controllers, gamers on any budget would do well to pick up the PXN wireless controller for an all-in-one, incredibly affordable device that's perfect for the Nintendo Switch.

Sometimes, if the best is required, one needs to head straight to the source. The Pro Wireless Controller is a near-perfect wireless gaming controller from Nintendo. In terms of comfort and quality, it cannot be beaten. Combining the best parts of the Wii's Classic Controller Pro, GameCube controller, and an Xbox controller, the Pro Wireless Controller is a culmination of all things good. Not only is it comfortable and responsive, but it has a bunch of extra features. It has HD rumble and motion controls. Plus, it can communicate with Amiibos.

The Nintendo Pro Wireless controller comes in a clean, all-black color scheme. Over the years, the legendary Japanese gaming company has released some special editions of the controller. There have been Splatoon, Monster Hunter Rise, Xenoblade Chronicles, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate varieties. Whatever the choice, the wireless controller looks top-notch. Although some gamers may want to see extras featured on other controllers, such as programmable buttons and customizable rumble intensity, for a straightforward wireless controller, Nintendo's Pro controller is the best option.

Gamers have debated for years whether a wireless or wired controller is best. Of course, it really comes down to the individual's preferences. Ultimately, if one decides to go with a wired controller for the Nintendo Switch, there are a ton of options to choose from. While there are many stellar options, none are better than the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller.

This controller offers a feature that even Nintendo’s Pro Wireless Controller is lacking: two mappable backside buttons. These buttons can give players a huge advantage, as they can be programmed to be anything, and they can be accessed more quickly than the regular buttons. On top of that, the design is fantastic. It’s similarly shaped like the perfectly sized Pro Wireless Controller, and the ten-foot detachable USB cable gives more than enough length for most gaming setups.

One of the best things about the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is its huge assortment of looks. There are currently over two dozen options on Amazon to choose from! PowerA has teamed up with several famous brands to feature some of the world’s most recognizable gaming characters on their controllers. Some options include Mario characters and items, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Crash Bandicoot, Animal Crossing, and more.

Often imitated but never duplicated, Nintendo’s own Joy-Cons are the best Joy-Cons available for the Switch. While some third parties offer more affordable options, they tend to do worse in terms of lag, longevity, and comfort. Nintendo’s wireless Joy-Cons are the number one option when playing games that involve motion controls. Designed to work seamlessly as if an extension of one’s body, using them is free and easy. On a full charge, they get about 20 hours of gameplay, allowing for many sessions before having to worry about charging. The crispness of the controls, perfect design, and wireless connection make this option impossible to beat.

Players will love the fact that Nintendo’s Joy-Cons are available in a bunch of colors and special editions. If one wants to add a little of their personality to their controller, they will have no problem finding a specific color or character. There are 11 color options alone, including muted colors like gray or white and vibrant hues like neon green or purple. Additionally, Nintendo has released many special editions of the Joy-Cons for popular games like Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, Disney Tsum Tsum, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Even though they command a higher price than most controllers available for any console, their high performance makes them well worth the cost.

For gamers looking for a no-frills gamepad that is under $30 but doesn't feel like it, the HORIPAD switch controller might just be the perfect fit. Although this controller is not wireless, the 10-foot cable makes it easy to play Switch games from the couch and not have to sit on the floor right next to the television. Officially licensed by Nintendo, players can trust that this wired controller will provide a good experience for quite some time.

This controller is undoubtedly lacking for gamers who want features like HD rumble and Amiibo support, but this design also reduces the overall weight, something more than a few gamers will value. Plus, the simple yet sleek design is available in black, blue, and red finishes, allowing for a bit of personalization to match any Nintendo fan's game room.

PowerA is a well-respected brand name in the gaming world, and with good reason. These controllers use high-quality materials and tend to last a long time before experiencing issues such as stick drift. The PowerA Spectra Enhanced controller goes a step further by implementing brightly lit RGB behind buttons and around the controller’s edge.

As with other PowerA controllers, there are additional buttons on the back that can be remapped easily. Additionally, a 10-foot cable allows players to game from almost anywhere near their Switch and eliminates any power issues that wireless RGB controllers face. Players can choose between eight different RGB colors and quickly swap between them on the fly using one of the back buttons. Overall, customization is extremely easy with the PowerA Spectra, as the customization buttons are centrally placed and react quickly to input.

Retro gamers are a group of people who know what they like, so picking a controller that will suit their needs is not an easy task. The 8BitDo SN30 Pro might not hit all the points a retro gamer wants, but the overall design and excellent D-pad make it worth trying. Modeled after the SNES controller, this gamepad perfectly blends the retro look and modern-day creature comforts like wireless support.

With Nintendo releasing more and more retro games for the Switch, especially with the Nintendo Switch Online Packs for Game Boy, it's hard to go wrong with a controller made for them. Do be warned that the lack of hand grips might take some getting used to, and it's not best for long gaming sessions.

For Switch players who like to play both in handheld mode and docked mode, this controller is the way to go. It will give gamers the feeling of a pro controller in handheld mode and can even be docked to charge without taking the Hori Split Pad Pros off. In addition, it comes with various colorways and makes those longer handheld gaming sessions much easier on your hands.

Switching over to docked mode is simple, but the major downside is that it has to be plugged in because the controllers are not self-powered. The included adapter set makes this less of a con, though, because it comes with a nice long cable, making playing from the couch a viable option.

RGB controllers are more than just a gimmick. They add a visually appealing feeling to one's set-up, plus the fact that users can customize the lighting modes makes them a growing favorite among gamers. The PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless controller is among the best RGB controllers that can be paired with the Nintendo Switch. Available in multiple colors, including White, Wave Purple, and Grey, the controller has eight RGB zones and four pre-set lighting modes, which means that players can explore diverse color combinations. The controller also sports an ergonomic build, making it comfortable to hold for long periods.

Players can also map some functions to the dual back buttons, enabling them to react quicker to in-game actions. This is a wireless controller and users can stay connected without worrying about latency issues for up to 30 feet. Although RGB gaming controllers aren't the best regarding battery life, PDP claims that the Afterglow controller should last up to 40 hours after a single charge. It's worth stating that this controller doesn't support motion controls, so players wanting to interact with objects in games like Super Mario 3D World will be disappointed.

How to Choose the Best Nintendo Switch Controller

When shopping for a Switch controller, consider the following factors to make the right decision.

Connection Method

The choice between wireless or wired controllers used to be a question of performance or comfort. It is relatively similar now, but wireless controllers have caught up quite a lot from a performance standpoint. For those gamers who do not want to leave any performance up to chance, a wired controller will give better latency than any wireless controller. Wired controllers also have a massive advantage in the fact that they don't ever need to be recharged. Wireless controllers are much more convenient than wired options, especially with how streamlined the Switch is. What it comes down to is personal preference.

Special Features

Special features or the X factor of a controller make it the perfect controller, regardless of the gamer's play style. For example, those gamers who want HD Rumble and Amiibo support should use a first-party controller from Nintendo. Other things could be the controller's layout, like the 8BitDo SN30, which makes retro games feel more in place and immersive. Don't go exorbitantly over your budget, but finding a controller that hits a majority of your creature comforts will be well worth it and probably last longer than a cheap controller that can be bought on a whim.

Controller Design

When choosing a controller for the Nintendo Switch, shoppers must consider how it is designed. For instance, a good controller should have a strong grip that prevents it from slipping from the player's hands. Also, it should be comfortable to hold for long periods. Buyers should also go for controllers built with quality materials as they tend to be more durable than the ones produced with cheap materials.

FAQ

Q: How much do Nintendo Switch controllers cost?

With so many options, prices can vary from around $20 for budget options while special editions can get up to $100.

Q: How many controllers can you connect to Nintendo Switch?

It depends on the type of controller. Players can connect four pairs of Joy-Cons, eight Wireless Pro Controllers, or two USB Controllers.

Q: What are the best controllers for Nintendo Switch?

The best controllers are the Pro Wireless Controller, PowerA Spectra Enhanced Wired Controller, Nintendo’s Joy-Con Wireless Controllers, FLIEEP Wireless Switch Controller (budget option), and the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch - Mario Pop.

Q: Do PS5 controllers work with the Switch?

This is possible though it can't be connected natively. Players will need a wireless adapter like the 8Bitdo Wireless Bluetooth Adapter. While the PS5 controller will work using the adapter, certain features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers won't be available.