The perfect Nintendo Change controllers aren’t those that include it. Whereas the detachable Pleasure-Cons included with all non-Lite Change consoles are handy given they are often indifferent for wi-fi use, their tiny contourless design isn’t that comfy for lengthy gaming classes or massive fingers. And whereas Nintendo has taken steps to deal with the dreaded Joy-Con drift and earlier high quality management issues, some points persist.
On this shopping for information, we concentrate on wi-fi controllers which are each comfy and dependable, in addition to a couple of choices that include distinctive options designed to match your play type. We’re not overlaying wired controllers that plug into the Change’s dock, as they’re nearly all the identical and don’t supply substantial financial savings in lots of instances. (PowerA and PDP make first rate ones that can do in a pinch, however they’re very primary. Until you detest recharging your controllers, it makes extra sense to go wi-fi.)
Additionally, if you happen to purchase a third-party wi-fi controller (as in, one not made by Nintendo), there are particular issues that it probably gained’t be capable to do until in any other case famous:
- It gained’t have HD rumble. That is what Nintendo calls its superior haptic suggestions, which is extra exact than that of many third-party controllers and extra akin to Sony’s haptics engine in its subtlety. That stated, some extra restricted rumble could also be current.
- Many third-party Change controllers don’t have movement controls for gestures or gyroscopic aiming in video games that help it, although extra choices are beginning to implement the latter function with various levels of high quality.
- Most non-Nintendo choices lack an NFC reader for Amiibo playing cards or collectible figurines, which unlock particular options in some video games.
- Most third-party choices gained’t be capable to activate the Change remotely. (You’ll must manually press the console’s energy button.)
- Whereas some Change controllers have 3.5mm headphone jacks, getting audio out of them can solely occur by way of a wired USB connection, not wirelessly. For most individuals, pairing Bluetooth headphones to your Switch is a enough (and really simple) workaround.
In case you’re taking part in your Change whereas docked, it’s exhausting to go flawed with the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. It’s the one conventional gamepad that checks all of the containers above — minus the three.5mm audio jack — and it’s one of the satisfying controllers we’ve examined. The GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and Max, in the meantime, make for nice Xbox-style controllers with exhaustive customization, whereas the Hori Split Pad Pro is nice for individuals who want to play in handheld mode. Then there’s 8BitDo’s PC-friendly Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and DualShock-esque Pro 2 controller, each of that are nicely value a glance.
What we’re in search of
Does it help Bluetooth? Can you utilize it in wired mode? Are there alternate wi-fi modes, akin to 2.4GHz?
Do the buttons, sticks, and triggers really feel good and durable? Does the controller have a satisfying, well-balanced weight? Does it use premium supplies for the casing and grips? Any connection points or glitches?
Are there rear-facing buttons? Does it help macros? Are you able to apply it to a number of platforms?
Are you able to remap buttons? Is there software program help for tweaking controller settings? Does it have interchangeable buttons or sticks? Are you able to fine-tune vibration and sensitivity?
Is it priced pretty? Are the options and high quality well worth the cash?
The perfect Nintendo Change controller for TV mode
Supported platforms: Nintendo Change, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure, HD / NFC: Sure / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Sure
Practically eight years down the highway, Nintendo’s first-party Professional controller continues to be one of the best gamepad for the Change. It launched alongside the console in 2017 as a extra conventional various to Nintendo’s quirky Pleasure-Cons, and in some ways, it rivals the usual fashions from Sony and Microsoft by way of consolation and construct high quality.
Other than the Pleasure-Cons, the Change Professional Controller is the one wi-fi choice that features HD rumble, gyroscopic motion help, and an NFC reader for Amiibo playing cards and collectible figurines. It’s additionally the one controller we’ve examined (once more, except for the Pleasure-Cons) that may energy on the Change with out being plugged into it. The gamepad is constructed like a tank, and its battery life is so good that it typically looks like it’ll by no means run out. Nintendo says that it lasts round 40 hours per cost, so it’ll probably take informal avid gamers a very long time to run down the battery.
The buttons and triggers have a satisfying bounce, whereas its directional pad is responsive and clicky sufficient to fulfill retro avid gamers. The controller fees by way of USB-C, similar to the Change, and it’s appropriate with a slew of different platforms you may sport on, together with PC, Android, and SteamOS. It additionally works with Apple units because of its compatibility with the newest variations of iOS, macOS, and even tvOS and visionOS.
Given the value, we want that it had different options, like programmable buttons or a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio, even when wi-fi audio transmission from the Change to a controller isn’t presently attainable. (A minimum of you possibly can join a pair of wi-fi headphones by way of Bluetooth, however solely if you have no more than two controllers linked to your Change without delay.)
The perfect Change controller for handheld mode
$46
The Cut up Pad Professional represents Hori’s tackle the Nintendo Change Professional controller, one that’s break up into two separate items. The Cut up Pad Professional is an efficient Pleasure-Con various for individuals who primarily play their Nintendo Change in handheld mode.
Supported Platforms: Change / Connectivity: Wired / Connector sort: Pleasure-Con slots / Mappable rear buttons: Sure / Software program customization: No / Rumble: No / NFC: No / Movement: No / Energy: by way of Pleasure-Con slots / Console Wakeup: No
I’m certain there are some individuals who get pleasure from utilizing Pleasure-Con controllers, however children and small-handed of us apart, most individuals most likely wouldn’t say they’re essentially the most comfy choice. That’s the place the Hori Cut up Pad Professional is available in.
The Cut up Pad Professional is available in a wide range of colorways, and it each seems and seems like a Change Professional Controller that’s break up in half. One-half slides into both sides of the Change console like Pleasure-Cons, however in contrast to Nintendo’s default controllers, Hori’s gamepad options large, easy-to-reach buttons and generously sized triggers and analog sticks, all of which really feel nice in play. It additionally gives loads of grip, which is especially helpful for individuals who have to get a greater deal with on the console for quick gameplay or keep cozy over longer play classes.
The Cut up Pad Professional doesn’t have batteries or sensors — to not point out help for rumble, movement, IR, or NFC — so it’s utterly ineffective when indifferent from the Change. It’s just for handheld mode until you buy the Split Pad Pro Attachment that turns it right into a wired controller. We don’t suggest most individuals go that route because the attachment alone prices greater than a Change Professional Controller, which is a disgrace contemplating it doesn’t attempt to add any of the aforementioned components (it does add a 3.5mm headphone jack, nonetheless).
The corporate additionally sells the Split Pad Compact, which is a smaller model of the Cut up Pad Professional that typically costs around $40 (you too can get it with an Attachment Set for $79.99). It may be value a glance if you would like one thing as practical because the Cut up Pad Professional however nearer in measurement to a Pleasure-Con.
$69
The Hori Cut up Pad Professional is a snug controller which may be bigger than your customary Pleasure-Cons however is extra ergonomic.
The perfect Xbox-style controller for the Change
$60
The KingKong 3 Professional and KingKong 3 Max are Change controllers with Xbox-like enchantment. They’ve drift-free Corridor impact sticks and triggers, detachable again buttons, Amiibo and HD rumble help with movement controls, and a lot extra. They’re additionally appropriate with quite a few platforms, together with PC, macOS, SteamOS, and cellular.
Supported Platforms: Change, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure / NFC: Sure / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Sure
On the floor, the GuliKit KingKong 3 Pro and KingKong 3 Max are much like the last-gen fashions they changed, which took design cues from Microsoft’s customary Xbox controller however rivaled the Change Professional Controller by way of construct high quality and options. We examined them on the Nintendo Change, PC, and cellular, however you too can use them with different Bluetooth units, together with the Steam Deck and Apple TV 4K.
However there are a number of notable enhancements and additions if you happen to scratch deeper. They every have Corridor impact dual-mode triggers (each can swap between analog and digital, however the KK3 Max solely provides bodily set off stops), along with RGB-surrounded Corridor impact analog sticks. It ought to make them just about impervious to drifting and waning responsiveness, as iFixit explains here. They every have GuliKit’s highly effective magnetic vibration motors with two depth ranges and three distinct modes (together with the Change’s HD rumble). You’ll be able to even customise the hot-swappable face buttons to match your most well-liked platform, and to the delight of event gamers, you possibly can play with a 1,000Hz polling price for diminished enter lag on PC (wired or wi-fi by way of a dongle).
Moreover, each controllers now function removable rear-facing buttons. You get two metallic moon-shaped paddles with the KK3 Professional that protrude farther from the controller than the additional 4 you get with the KK3 Max, that are longer and curved to match the contour of the controllers’ rear grips. The latter are much like the paddles on the Xbox Elite Collection 2 and even borrow the identical set up method — simply push them into the designated holes on the again. They require much more drive, although additionally they gained’t simply dislodge.
The longer paddles are comfortably reachable as soon as put in, however you probably have bigger fingers, it’s possible you’ll have to make changes for the shorter protruding selection. They solely want a lightweight faucet, however since they occupy the area the place your fingers often relaxation, it might probably result in elevated misfires whereas gaming. You’ll be able to map every again button to emulate every other button on the controller — together with the rear triggers — however you possibly can’t configure them to execute combo presses or macros.
In abstract, the KK3 Professional and KK3 Max supply quite a bit. In actual fact, there could also be no higher choice for interoperability and worth in a single multiplatform controller proper now. If we’re nitpicking, our largest gripe is that GuliKit nonetheless hasn’t created an app to handle all of it extra simply.
A Change controller for PC and Steam Deck
$51
The 8BitDo Final Bluetooth Controller comes with its personal charging dock, options remappable controls, and is appropriate with the Nintendo Change, Steam Deck, and Home windows PCs because of its Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz connectivity. Not like the two.4GHz-only model, it options drift-free Corridor impact sticks.
Supported Platforms: Change, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure / Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: No
8BitDo’s Ultimate Bluetooth Controller seems like a Change Professional Controller in form, with a equally quick grip profile that bigger fingers might not want. Each share Change and Home windows PC help, however 8BitDo will get a leg up with full Steam Deck compatibility. Its haptics are first rate however not so good as Nintendo’s, and it’s lacking Amiibo help, although it does function customizable again paddles and movement controls — together with a hidden trick that means that you can wake a docked Change by giving the controller somewhat shake. It additionally comes with a charging dock, which shops the two.4GHz dongle when not in use. The included dock is helpful for charging the 22-hour battery, which continues to be fairly beneficiant however comes nicely wanting the 40-hour mark set by Nintendo’s official controller.
The Final controller is available in a number of variants, however we suggest the Bluetooth mannequin over the two.4GHz or wired choices as a result of it contains 2.4GHz connectivity and GuliKit Corridor impact sticks, which the two.4GHz-only model lacks. The analog sticks supply simply the correct quantity of resistance and sport a snug concave high, however they’re only a tad quick on the perimeters. All the buttons supply nice journey, although, and the analog triggers have a satisfying quantity of resistance when pulled.
As for tweaks, you possibly can customise button mapping profiles, macros, vibration depth, and stick and set off sensitivity utilizing the Final Software program app on cellular or PC. The controller has a devoted button that permits you to swap between three profiles on the fly, plus an additional turbo button you possibly can both reconfigure or remap. Relating to Change controllers, 8BitDo units the usual for the breadth of those choices and find out how to entry them, which is another excuse it’s excessive on our record.
A well-rounded Change controller that appears like a DualShock
$50
The 8BitDo Professional 2 gives lots of the similar options because the Nintendo Change Professional Controller however at a lower cost level and with a DualShock-style structure. It options further triggers, hand grips, remappable buttons, and again paddles, in addition to the flexibility to pair with a variety of units by way of Bluetooth.
Supported Platforms: Change, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV, Raspberry Pi / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector sort: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Sure / Software program customization: Sure / Rumble: Sure / NFC: No / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: No
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is one other nice choice with Corridor impact sticks for the Nintendo Change, particularly in case your fingers are happiest with a PlayStation-style controller. The Professional 2 has a snug grip, a crisper D-pad than the Change Professional Controller, and two easy-to-press paddle buttons on the underside. It has rumble help (although not HD rumble) and movement management for video games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Overwatch 2, each of which permit for gyroscopic aiming. PlayStation avid gamers may also recognize that the left analog stick is positioned towards the underside — similar to on Sony’s controllers — quite than above the D-pad as on the Change Professional.
With 8BitDo’s Ultimate software on a cellular system or a Home windows laptop, you possibly can customise the Professional 2’s button mapping and the sensitivity of its triggers and analog sticks. You’ll be able to even save as much as three management scheme profiles and cycle by way of them with a button positioned between the analog sticks. On its rear, there’s a swap that lets it toggle between Nintendo Change, X-input for PC, DirectInput, and macOS modes, every with its personal management customizations and Bluetooth profile. This controller gives a lot for $50 (or $54.99 if you would like one of many extremely cool translucent blue, purple, or green editions).
An adapter that permits you to use your personal controllers
$19
8BitDo Wi-fi Bluetooth USB Adapter 2 seems like a flash drive, however as soon as linked to your Change’s dock, it lets you wirelessly pair it with quite a few older PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo controllers.
There are a lot of other devices that will let you use third-party controllers, however 8BitDo’s may be one of the best worth. As an alternative of spending $70 on a number of Change Professional Controllers, the $19.99 8BitDo Wireless Bluetooth USB Adapter 2 enables you to flip a Bluetooth controller you already personal right into a wi-fi Change controller. It plugs into your Change dock and helps all kinds of fashions, from the newest Xbox and DualSense controllers to last-gen gamepads for the Wii and PlayStation 3. (Word: the first-gen mannequin can’t hook up with most Xbox Bluetooth controllers on account of a Bluetooth incompatibility, so be sure you get the newest mannequin.)
To our shock, the PS5 DualSense controller we examined it with labored extremely nicely, with better-than-average rumble and extra responsive movement controls than many devoted Change controllers supply. What’s extra, as long as you’re utilizing one of many newer Xbox Collection X or S controllers, an Xbox One Bluetooth controller, a DualSense, a DualShock 4, or the Change Professional Controller, you possibly can customise their button mapping, analog stick sensitivity, and extra inside 8BitDo’s laptop and cellular app.
8BitDo has an extensive support page that lists the steps required to arrange your particular controller, in addition to which options of these controllers it helps. That stated, it’s greatest if you understand the Change’s button structure by coronary heart if you happen to plan to make use of both a PlayStation or Xbox controller with this adapter, because the structure in your controller won’t match the on-screen prompts in video games.
If you have already got a controller you actually like and don’t thoughts leaping by way of a couple of small hoops to attach it, 8BitDo’s inexpensive adapter deserves a spot in your leisure heart. In case you plan to make use of multiple third-party controller at a time, you’ll want an adapter for every controller (and a USB hub), however you probably have loads of controllers sitting round, it may be value it.
Different Change controllers you must find out about
We like CRKD’s Nitro Deck round right here. It’s a cradle-style controller that holds the Change between a pair of Corridor impact sticks, outfitting it with an ordinary array of face buttons, 4 programmable again buttons, turbo performance, gyro movement controls, and rumble. It has passthrough charging, although, not passthrough video, which might permit it to double as a dock for TV gameplay. The step-up Nitro Deck Plus provides stated performance (with a USB-C to HDMI adapter), together with Bluetooth connectivity and adjustable vibration depth / analog sensitivity. We’ve discovered these to be notable enhancements, however we want the passthrough answer was extra elegant and that CRKD might remedy the ergonomics (significantly on the best facet, the place the analog and button placement may cause discomfort).
We lately examined the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro ($45.99) for consideration. It gives a couple of of the identical features because the GuliKit KingKong 3 — together with remappable buttons, Corridor impact sticks, and two distinct macro buttons — together with devoted vibration motors within the triggers, which is one thing the GuliKit can’t declare. That stated, it falls simply quick on account of mushy-feeling buttons. GameSir considers the additional padding below the buttons a function that makes the impression softer, however we felt it takes away from the expertise. Additionally, though it’s completely usable with the Change, the Professional’s button labeling takes after Microsoft’s, which might not be best for individuals who have bother memorizing inputs. We additionally discovered resyncing with the Change to be a chore after switching from a cellular system or a Home windows PC.
We additionally lately tried a number of wi-fi PowerA controllers, together with the GameCube Style Wireless Controller ($59.99) and a Pikachu-themed model of the usual PowerA Enhanced Wireless ($59.99). We just like the enjoyable design of PowerA’s controllers, however they don’t reside as much as the standard of the fashions we suggest above, which is a disgrace contemplating some price practically as a lot. The GameCube-style wi-fi controller is a reasonably devoted recreation of the unique if you happen to fancy a pure Tremendous Smash Bros. expertise, nevertheless it’s barebones with no rumble, NFC, or IR. It’s a simple method to get the old-school feeling again if you happen to don’t have already got a Bluetooth-based various to make use of with 8BitDo’s USB Adapter 2.
Replace, February seventh: Up to date pricing and availability.