I’ve tested the latest Switch 2 controllers, and this one is the best

For those who select to get an additional controller in your Nintendo Swap 2, you possibly can spend quite a bit — and get quite a bit in return. Shopping for Nintendo’s personal $89.99 Switch 2 Pro Controller, as an illustration, will web you the console’s solely wi-fi controller with a 3.5mm headphone jack, to not point out nice rumble, OS-level rear button customization, and a slick design. It’s not excellent, however it’s the total package.

Nevertheless it’d be a disservice to you to name it a day there. There are a number of third-party choices which might be considerably cheaper, but don’t make too many compromises when it comes to options. I’ve frolicked testing a handful of them, and there’s a small batch of fashions that I feel will fulfill most individuals, with a spread of kinds, costs, and options.

Each controller I’ve included on this information is suitable with each the Swap 2 and authentic Swap (some may even remotely wake the Swap 2), in addition to platforms like PC and cellular. Every providing additionally contains higher, longer-lasting joystick know-how than you’ll get with Nintendo’s flagship controller; the Swap 2 Professional Controller’s potentiometer-based joysticks are liable to degradation over time, in any case, however our picks embrace both Corridor impact or TMR joysticks.

The very best Swap 2 controller for most individuals

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure, HD / NFC: Sure / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,200mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure

The EasySMX S10 is sort of as succesful and comfy because the Swap 2 Professional Controller, but it’s $30 cheaper at $59.99. It’s stuffed with surprises, too, together with the most effective adaptation of Nintendo’s HD rumble that I’ve felt in a third-party controller. It’s additionally one of many few choices that may remotely wake the Swap 2 from sleep mode by way of Bluetooth. Lastly, it contains amiibo help — one other uncommon characteristic to search out in a third-party gamepad.

Nevertheless, the S10 isn’t a Swap 2 Professional copycat; it’s quite a bit grippier, each across the grips themselves and on its stick caps. Button presses and set off pulls really feel completely different from most different controllers, too, yielding a softer press and shorter journey, which is prone to be probably the most divisive facet of the S10. Considered one of my favourite points of the S10’s design is its swappable eight-way (round) D-pad, making diagonal assaults in Hole Knight: Silksong significantly simpler to execute than with a four-way D-pad.

If I may change one factor concerning the S10, it’d be the system-level buttons (screenshot, GameChat, and residential). They’re crammed awkwardly slightly below the D-pad and proper stick.

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, cellular / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 950mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure

Gulikit’s ES Professional is a love letter to the Xbox controller, however for Swap 2. It’s simply $29.99, which is a steal contemplating this gamepad options an eight-way D-pad that’s nice for preventing video games, Metroidvanias, and retro titles the place it’s a bonus to simply have the ability to goal diagonally (a setting could make it in order that it solely registers inputs for the cardinal instructions, in case you want).

The ES Professional doesn’t have to do a lot to justify its value, nevertheless it does so anyway. It options tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks which might be immune to drifting and supply improved energy effectivity in comparison with Corridor impact tech, similar to the EasySMX S10. Equally, it may be set as much as remotely wake your Swap 2 or OG Swap console from throughout the room utilizing its personal set of unusual, one-time-only directions that you would be able to view in its instruction guide.

I’ve acquired virtually no qualms with this controller, apart from its dangerous rumble. It simply has no subtlety, rumbling in an all-or-nothing method. I used to be happier utilizing the ES Professional with the vibrations off, which isn’t any enjoyable. Moreover, it’s far much less full than the S10, because it lacks built-in amiibo help and a C button for GameChat; nevertheless, relying in your wants, these omissions may not matter to you.

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular / Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two / Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,000mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure (however solely authentic Swap)

8BitDo’s Professional 3 is a good but dear Swap 2 Professional different with a PlayStation-style stick structure. At $69.99, it’s not as inexpensive (nor as value-packed) as the highest contenders. Nevertheless, the Professional 3 affords quite a lot of customization, some being beauty, whereas different points can affect gameplay.

It has quite a bit going for it, with TMR joysticks, two again paddles, and a complete of three shoulder buttons per facet because of new customized M buttons. Its analog stick caps might be popped off in favor of shiny arcade stick-style nubs, which have been my most popular alternative in preventing video games (plus, they simply look cool). Its ABXY buttons might be suctioned off with an included instrument to swap the structure as wanted, and for visible aptitude, every controller contains coloured buttons to evoke a retro Nintendo console. Additionally, it has set off locks, letting you set triggers to have a brief, clicky pull or the default journey distance.

Nevertheless, I’d skip the Professional 3 if you’d like good rumble suggestions. It’s fairly awful on that entrance, to the purpose that I most popular to show off rumble fully in video games. Additionally — and this can be a small nitpick — however the Professional 3 can’t remotely get up the Swap 2, so that you’ll have to stroll over to press the console’s energy button earlier than leaping on the sofa.

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, cellular / Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure, two/ Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 1,000mAh battery / Console wake-up: No

GameSir’s Tremendous Nova is a satisfactory Swap Professional copy that I had a tricky time warming as much as, even when there’s quite a bit about it that sounds nice on paper. It’s snug, with rubbery grips and respectable rumble, and it makes use of Corridor impact joysticks. Nevertheless, it has, by a large margin, my least favourite D-pad and buttons to press out of all of the controllers on our checklist. The underlying tech is responsive, nevertheless it feels low cost to hammer on.

That’s a disgrace, because it’s a slick-looking controller with a magnetic faceplate that pops off, permitting you to simply swap the buttons round with out the necessity for an additional instrument. The rear triggers even have set off stops, which may cut back the journey of every pull, and the 2 again paddles are straightforward to press. It even features a charging dock — in addition to a stunning set of RGB LEDs, which you’ll be able to flip off — together with a USB-A 2.4GHz transmitter that permits you to simply join the gamepad along with your PC.

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap 2, Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No/ Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable 800mAh battery / Console wake-up: Sure

Gulikit Elves 2 is a compact, Sega Saturn-inspired controller I needed to like a bit of greater than I do. The inexpensive gamepad shares a number of the similar advantages because the identically priced ES Professional — together with Swap 2 wake-up and multiplatform help — nevertheless it’s smaller, which may make it an excellent decide for youths or small-handed of us who’ve a tough time wrapping their digits round bigger gamepads.

There isn’t a lot wasted area on this controller, both, because it comes with a chargeable battery, rumble motors, a gyroscope, and an eight-way D-pad that feels good to make use of. Even for my medium-sized fingers, its grips flip the small gamepad into one thing that’s satisfying to carry. I don’t prefer it as a lot for a handful of minor causes regarding long-term consolation, button and set off really feel preferences, and a few lacking performance. In comparison with the ES Professional, it lacks TMR sticks (it has Corridor impact), the Professional’s higher triggers, and swappable buttons.

Since I final up to date this publish, I’ve acquired a number of controllers that I’m nonetheless within the means of testing. Gulikit despatched its TT Max and TT Pro wi-fi controllers, each of which have PlayStation-style stick layouts, TMR sticks, and adjustable stick pressure, spectacular rumble, amongst different attention-grabbing options that ought to make them contenders for this checklist. I additionally acquired two promising gamepads from the corporate Mobapad, the budget-friendly N1 and the extra high-end Huben 2.

The hunt continues for gamepad contenders that pack in a bunch of options with out breaking the financial institution. They’re rarer than you would possibly suppose! As an illustration, PowerA not too long ago launched a $69.99 Switch 2 controller known as the Benefit Wi-fi Controller. It options Corridor impact joysticks, however seemingly lacks rumble and the power to wake the Swap 2. Hori additionally recently launched the Turbo Switch 2 in some good colours, every with TMR joysticks. Its spotlight characteristic is a button that may disable the screenshot, house, and plus / minus buttons.

Replace, October thirtieth: Adjusted pricing as wanted, and went into element about some new controllers that I’m at present testing.