The best Nintendo Switch controllers in 2025

There’s no better place to start on your Switch controllers journey than with Nintendo’s Joy-Cons. These versatile controllers support motion and HD Rumble, and you can whack them in a grip or split them into two, allowing for comfortable solo or impromptu multiplayer sessions.

For the majority of gamers, the Joy-Con will be just fine. It’s convenient that they can be used both when the Switch is docked and when you’re playing on the go. They’re also available in a number of different colors, many of which give them that quintessential Nintendo look, though, admittedly, they do feel a little flimsy.

Of course, you’ve probably heard of the dreaded Switch drift, where controllers move in certain directions without the player making them do so. Though newer models don’t really have this issue, think carefully before buying cheaper second-hand models because they might have this problem.

If comfort is your absolute priority and you find yourself playing your Switch docked a lot of the time, we thoroughly recommend the official Pro Controller. It’s as premium in build quality as a DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller and features around 40 hours of battery life.

Of course, if you play in handheld mode a lot, you’ll find that it is considerably less useful for those occasions. In theory, it can still be played in handheld mode, but you have to put the Switch down and balance it on its kickstand to do so, which isn’t going to be possible in a lot of situations.

Other than that, though, there’s very little to say against this controller. It’s an official piece of Nintendo hardware, but it has never had drifting issues (like the Joy-Con). Plus, if you prefer the peace of mind that comes from knowing something won’t run out of power, you can also use it as a wired controller if you want to.

Play a load of retro games in handheld mode? Then the Hori D-Pad Joy-Con is a must-buy. This replaces your left Joy-Con and provides a traditional D-Pad, which is ideal for playing Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy games (or NES and SNES). The original games used a D-Pad, so those who grew up with them may find the standard Joy-Con’s controls off-putting (especially if you’re using a stick).

There is one pretty big limitation of this controller, though: you can only use it when it’s slotted into your Switch. It doesn’t have a power source of its own, so there’s absolutely no option for wireless play. This is a little strange considering the fact that normal Joy-Cons are able to do this.

Fortunately, the classics are best played in handheld mode anyway since the older graphics don’t always look so good when blown up on a big TV screen (that’s what I think anyway). Meanwhile, this is also one of the nicer-looking Switch controllers. The Zelda version is pictured above, but there’s also a Mario version, and both of them are pretty fantastic.

Worth noting is that when this controller first launched, it received a lot of bad press for draining the Switch’s battery really quickly when used. If you’ve heard this and it’s put you off getting one, rest assured that the problem was resolved following a Switch update, so unless you refuse all the system updates, it won’t affect you.

Do you play your Switch more often in handheld mode? The Hori Split Pad Pro is an essential controller. This inexpensive option makes your Switch much more comfortable for longer playing sessions, feeling more like the Pro Controller.

It does sacrifice features like HD Rumble, NFC scanning, and motion controls, but it makes up for that with enhanced ergonomics. As much as there will be some gamers who are disappointed by the loss of these features, we know that there will be plenty of you who can take them or leave them – the best Switch games are still great without them.

It’s a little less versatile than other controllers in that it can only be used when directly slotted into the Switch. Not an issue at all if you only use your Switch in handheld mode (as a lot of people do), but it’s worth keeping in mind that you’ll need another controller if you want to play on your TV.

This mighty but miniature controller is small enough to fit on your keys, but as an emergency controller, it’s a hit. Capable of playing Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android games, this snazzy-looking accessory could be the perfect addition to your setup.

We really need to emphasize how small it is, though. Do you think that a single Joy-Con makes for quite a small controller? Well, this is a lot smaller than a single controller. If you have large hands, it might even be uncomfortable for you to use.

But, frankly, it’s super cheap and does exactly what you need it to. We’d have liked a slightly longer battery life, but its portability is super convenient, and it’s pretty cute, too.

If you’re after a wired option, you can’t get much better. With a nice weight, great-feeling analog sticks with anti-friction rings, mappable gaming buttons, and even controllable LED lights, there’s so much to love about the Spectra.

Not if you prefer playing in handheld mode, though, as this one can only be used when the Switch is in its dock. For a lot of people, the Joy-Cons are just fine for gaming on the go, so if you use them for handheld play and save this for when you’re sitting at home, you should be just fine.

It even has a couple of programmable buttons on the back, making it ideal for anybody who likes to play competitively. You can assign different functions to these so that you can conveniently use their function in a hurry. It’s a great way to help make the controller specific to your unique style of play.

This is literally a GameCube controller with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate branding and a converter that allows it to work on Switch. Boy, it’s nice to buy a brand-new GameCube controller in 2025.

Sadly, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the only game that you can use it with (let’s hope for a future where GameCube games are part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and these work with them), so unless that’s the only game you play, you’re not going to be able to have it as your ‘main’ controller.

Still, as much as their usage is limited, we’re happy that these exist. Collectors will want to add them to their collection, and long-term fans will enjoy the chance to play Smash Bros. with this iconic controller once again. If you happen to have any old GameCube controllers already, you can just buy the adapter and use one of those.

An absolute workhorse of a controller, this is one of the nearest things to a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller you will find in terms of functionality, though it’s still missing a couple of small features. A gorgeous design is aided by a lovely tactile feel, and it’s even compatible with pretty much any device that supports Bluetooth. This is a great option to tuck away in your bag and use either with your Switch or your smart device for mobile gaming sessions!

Almost every button (sans Start and Select) is remappable, and you can save up to four different configuration profiles. This means that you can adjust how it works for different devices and easily switch between the setups with the flick of a switch.

If you love collecting and using amiibo, you may be a little disappointed because this controller lacks an NFC scanner. It also lacks the HD Rumble feature that you can get with official Nintendo controllers, so your gaming experience might be a little less immersive. If those don’t sound like huge losses to you, the 8Bitdo Pro 2 is a great choice.

The best controller 8BitDo has ever made, but with a price to match, the 8BitDo Ultimate is a true contender for the Switch Pro controller, but with a few extra bells and whistles that just might make it the best controller on the market.

The one thing it doesn’t do (compared to the Switch Pro) is scan amiibo. We know that there will be a small dedicated group of fans who spend hours training up amiibo in Smash Bros. and then battling them with friends, but as there’s significantly much less amiibo content on the Switch compared to older consoles, you won’t be missing out much.

Meanwhile, it still has the gyro and motion controls, and it still has HD Rumble, too. Not a lot of third-party controllers manage to include that, and impressively, it still gives you plenty of customization options. Buttons can be remapped, and profiles can be saved. It’s by far the most comprehensive third-party controller on the market.

Read our full thoughts in our 8BitDo Ultimate controller review.