Although you can play with up to two people thanks to the two Joy-Cons that you will find in the box of your Nintendo Switch, you will need more controllers if you want to play local multiplayer properly or with more people. Same thing if you want to play alone with more ease over long gaming sessions. But then, which controller for Nintendo Switch to buy in 2022?
Our selection of the best controllers for Nintendo Switch
What are best controllers to buy for the Nintendo Switch in 2022? The question arises fairly quickly after opening the box of his new console. Indeed, if the Joy-Con are excellent little hybrid controllers, they are not necessarily sufficient on their own. Especially since the Joy-Con Drift problem, which has affected all controllers since the release of the console, is still not resolved. So whether it’s to play with more than two people, to replace your faulty Joy-Con or simply to play in better conditions, the need to buy a new controller can quickly be felt.
There is, however, more than one Nintendo Switch on the market. There’s the base Nintendo Switch, released way back in 2017, and the Nintendo Switch OLED, which we tested here. Both offer hybrid gameplay, whether in handheld mode or on TV. There’s also the handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite which, with its controllers attached, necessarily requires new controllers to play multiplayer. Luckily, all of the controllers you’ll find here will also work with the Switch Lite, with some designed to be portable.
Read also: Joy-Con Nintendo Switch: where to buy the different versions?
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
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Cdiscount
58.99€
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E.Leclerc
59.9€
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Fnac
62.74€
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Amazon
68.93€
Its price is steep, but Nintendo’s Pro Controller remains the best gamepad to play Switch games as Splatoon 2 Where Super Smash Bros. Ultimate precisely. Its translucent plastic design is both robust and extremely comfortable, with ergonomic curves and textured handles. The shifters are both durable and soft to the touch. In itself, difficult to blame him for anything, even in 2022.
One of the only flaws of this controller is its D-Pad, which may not be large or precise enough. Its price too, since as official Nintendo product, the controller almost never comes up below its public price, i.e. €59.99. However, keep in mind that it perfectly supports the hd vibes of the Switch, just like the NFC functionality dedicated to digitizing amiibos.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Nintendo quality | The price |
| Autonomy | |
| Ergonomics |
Horipad
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Fnac
29.33€
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Amazon
29.69€
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Rakuten
29.9€
You’ve probably seen it in a supermarket or specialty store: the Horipad for Nintendo Switch is a excellent wired controller particularly robust and affordable. So certainly, you will not benefit from the comfort provided by wireless, but at around 30 eurodifficult to blame him for anything.
Available in multiple colors and editions, it benefits from a Turbo mode can be activated by button, but no feedback or motion detection. Ergonomic, this controller is a product officially licensed by Nintendowhich is a pledge of confidence.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Almost unbeatable value for money | No HD vibration |
| A good quality controller | No gyro |
8BitDo SN30
8Bitdo SN30 Pro at the best price
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Fnac
26.99€
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Rakuten
26.99€
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Amazon
44.46€
If you want to play hassle-free retro games as Mega Man X Legacy Collection, Super Mario Maker 2 or the multitude of NES and SNES games offered by the Switch, then the 8BitDo SN30 is for you. You will probably have recognized it: it looks like two drops of water to the emblematic super nintendo controllerwith a light design in the shape of a candy bar.
What is nice is that the different models of the SN30 controller are available in a variety of colors, all inspired by the Game Boy Pocket. You can even use it as a wired USB controller with the supplied USB cable.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Its very successful design | No NFC, no HD vibration, no gyroscope |
| His price |
Arcade Stick 8BitDo
Arcade Stick at the best price
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Fnac
79.43€
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Amazon
84.98€
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Cdiscount
98.55€
If you are used to playing Dragon Ball Fighter Z or other fighting games, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is made for you. This is a very well made pad that will appeal to both fans of retrogaming than fighting games. You can customize key mapping and create macros with any type of combinations.
the stick, wireless via Bluetooth or a small 2.4 GHz adapter, can also be used wired thanks to its USB-C cable. It is also compatible with your Windows-PC (and by extension on Steam), but also on Raspberry Pi.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| The neat 8BitDo-style design | Maybe not wide enough |
| Can also be used on PC | Update it before using it |
| Ergonomic and complete, perfect for occasional use |
PowerA NSW EnWired
PowerA NSW at the best price
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Amazon
26.98€
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Fnac
26.99€
If you don’t have the $60 to shell out for Nintendo’s Pro Controller, PowerA’s Wireless Controller is the best option that you can find. This gamepad has a lightweight, but rather robust designsolid buttons and analog sticks that are very fluid to use.
If the PowerA controller does not benefit from HD vibrations, it nevertheless benefits from the support of the movement sensor for titles like Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. To top it all off, PowerA’s wireless controller is available in a variety of stylish color combinations that include Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing and Diablo designs licensed.
| The + | The – |
|---|---|
| Dozens of different colors | The directional cross leaves something to be desired |
| A contained price | Correct build quality, but no more |
Which controller design to choose?
When choosing your Nintendo Switch controller, you will first need to choose a form factor. If you are used to playing on PlayStation or Xbox, then a controller of the same type (like the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or the Horipad, for example) will probably be more suitable for you.
You might also like the Joy-Cons and just need to buy a pair to play with one or two more friends. Whether your budget is tightit will nevertheless be necessary to ask the question, since a pair of Joy-Con still costs the trifle of € 64.99, where a controller like the Horipad costs less than €30.
In the same way, if you play a lot of retro or 2D games, choose a controller dedicated to this type of game. A controller like the 8BitDo SN30 would be particularly suitable, for example. Finally, if you play a lot of fighting games, consider buying a stick instead, for more comfort.
Do I need a wired or wireless controller?
The next big question is whether you want wired or wireless controller. On this specific point, everything will depend on your tastes, your needs and your use.
The wired controllers have a few advantages over their wireless counterparts. They are already generally much cheaper. They don’t have no need to be recharged either, meaning you’ll never run out of battery. Most wired Nintendo Switch controllers come with 3-meter cables that you connect to your console, so consider measuring the distances between your chair or sofa and your Switch before purchasing.
Read also: Best Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED games: discover our selection
But if you are used to playing on the TV and it is more than 3 meters away, you should consider a wireless controller, because the cable can quickly become disabling. These latter are easy to pair with your console and remain globally more versatile generally. With them, there’s no need to add cables into the equation. No need either to have to bring the sofa closer to the TV, or to have to put the Switch half on an armchair between the TV and the sofa, with wires everywhere.
However, these controllers need to be recharged. So, remember to check the battery life of the controller you are considering buying. Most offer between 20 and 40 hours of gameplay, but those are rough numbers. In this field, know that the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller scratches almost all of its competitors from the map.
Should we take a controller with NFC, HD vibrations and gyroscope?
Finally, the third and last question to ask yourself before your purchase is whether you need the special features related to the Nintendo Switchnamely the hd vibesthe gyroscope and the NFC. So if you have amiibo, or play games with motion controls, you’ll need a controller that supports one or the other, or both. So remember to check these points before you buy.
The hd vibes are less of a problem in the sense that it’s just a “little extra” when playing. This is still a point to take into account when buying your controller. Some prefer that there are no vibrations when playing, others appreciate or like to enjoy the video game as it was designed by its developers. It’s up to you to decide.
Read also: Best Nintendo Switch accessories: our selection of the most useful models
