The most effective Nintendo Swap controllers

The most effective Nintendo Swap controllers aren’t those that include it. Whereas the detachable Pleasure-Cons included with all non-Lite Swap consoles are handy given they are often indifferent for wi-fi use, their tiny contourless design isn’t that comfy for lengthy gaming periods or massive palms. And whereas Nintendo has taken steps to deal with the dreaded Pleasure-Con drift and earlier high quality management issues, some points persist.

On this shopping for information, we concentrate on wi-fi controllers which might be each comfy and dependable, in addition to just a few choices that include distinctive options designed to match your play type. We’re not overlaying wired controllers that plug into the Swap’s dock, as they’re nearly all the identical and don’t provide substantial financial savings in lots of circumstances. (PowerA and PDP make respectable ones that can do in a pinch, however they’re very fundamental. Except you detest recharging your controllers, it makes extra sense to go wi-fi.)

Additionally, when you purchase a third-party wi-fi controller (as in, one not made by Nintendo), there are particular issues that it possible received’t have the ability to do except in any other case famous:

• It received’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 Swap controllers don’t have movement controls for gestures or gyroscopic aiming in video games that assist it, although extra choices are beginning to implement the latter characteristic 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 received’t have the ability to activate the Swap remotely. (You’ll need to manually press the console’s energy button.) 
• Whereas some Swap controllers have 3.5mm headphone jacks, getting audio out of them can solely occur by means of a wired USB connection, not wirelessly. For most individuals, pairing Bluetooth headphones to your Swap is a adequate (and really simple) workaround.

In the event you’re enjoying your Swap whereas docked, it’s exhausting to go flawed with the official Nintendo Swap Professional Controller. It’s the one conventional gamepad that checks all of the packing containers above — minus the three.5mm audio jack — and it’s one of the vital satisfying controllers we’ve examined. The GuliKit KingKong 3 Professional and Max, in the meantime, make for nice Xbox-style controllers with exhaustive customization, whereas the Hori Cut up Pad Professional is nice for many who desire to play in handheld mode. Then there’s 8BitDo’s PC-friendly Final Bluetooth Controller and DualShock-esque Professional 2 controller, each of that are properly price a glance.

Supported platforms: Nintendo Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software program customization: No / Rumble: Sure, HD / NFC: Sure / Movement: Sure / Energy: Constructed-in rechargeable / Console Wakeup: Sure

Greater than seven years down the street, Nintendo’s first-party Professional controller continues to be the very best gamepad for the Swap. It launched alongside the console in 2017 as a extra conventional different 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.

Except for the Pleasure-Cons, the Swap Professional Controller is the one wi-fi choice that features HD rumble, gyroscopic motion assist, and an NFC reader for Amiibo playing cards and collectible figurines. It’s additionally the one controller we’ve examined (once more, other than the Pleasure-Cons) that may energy on the Swap with out being plugged into it. The gamepad is constructed like a tank, and its battery life is so good that it typically looks as if it’ll by no means run out. Nintendo says that it lasts round 40 hours per cost, so it’ll possible take informal players 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 players. The controller expenses through USB-C, identical to the Swap, and it’s suitable with a slew of different platforms you would possibly recreation on, together with PC, Android, and SteamOS. It additionally works with Apple gadgets because of its compatibility with the most recent variations of iOS, macOS, and even tvOS and visionOS.

Given the worth, 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 Swap to a controller isn’t presently doable. (No less than you may join a pair of wi-fi headphones through Bluetooth, however solely in case you have not more than two controllers related to your Swap directly.)

Supported Platforms: Swap / Connectivity: Wired / Connector kind: Pleasure-Con slots / Mappable rear buttons: Sure / Software program customization: No / Rumble: No / NFC: No / Movement: No / Energy: through 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 people apart, most individuals most likely wouldn’t say they’re probably 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 to be and seems like a Swap Professional Controller that’s break up in half. One-half slides into all sides of the Swap console like Pleasure-Cons, however not like 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 supplies a variety 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 periods.

The Cut up Pad Professional doesn’t have batteries or sensors — to not point out assist for rumble, movement, IR, or NFC — so it’s fully ineffective when indifferent from the Swap. It’s just for handheld mode except you buy the Cut up Pad Professional Attachment that turns it right into a wired controller. We don’t suggest most individuals go that route for the reason that attachment alone prices greater than a Swap 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, nevertheless).

The corporate additionally sells the Cut up Pad Compact, which is a smaller model of the Cut up Pad Professional that sometimes prices round $40 (you too can get it with an Attachment Set for $74.99). It may be price a glance if you would like one thing as purposeful because the Cut up Pad Professional however nearer in dimension to a Pleasure-Con.

Supported Platforms: Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: 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 Professional and KingKong 3 Max are just like the last-gen fashions they changed, which took design cues from Microsoft’s normal Xbox controller however rivaled the Swap Professional Controller by way of construct high quality and options. We examined them on the Nintendo Swap, PC, and cellular, however you too can use them with different Bluetooth gadgets, together with the Steam Deck and Apple TV 4K.

However there are a number of notable enhancements and additions when you scratch deeper. They every have Corridor impact dual-mode triggers (each can change between analog and digital, however the KK3 Max completely 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 right here. They every have GuliKit’s highly effective magnetic vibration motors with two depth ranges and three distinct modes (together with the Swap’s HD rumble). You possibly can even customise the hot-swappable face buttons to match your most popular platform, and to the delight of event gamers, you may play with a 1,000Hz polling price for decreased enter lag on PC (wired or wi-fi through a dongle).

Moreover, each controllers now characteristic removable rear-facing buttons. You get two steel 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 just 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 power, although additionally they received’t simply dislodge. 

The longer paddles are comfortably reachable as soon as put in, however in case you have bigger palms, you could have to make changes for the shorter protruding selection. They solely want a light-weight faucet, however since they occupy the area the place your fingers often relaxation, it may possibly result in elevated misfires whereas gaming. You possibly can map every again button to emulate every other button on the controller — together with the rear triggers — however you may’t configure them to execute combo presses or macros.

In abstract, the KK3 Professional and KK3 Max provide loads. In truth, there could also be no higher choice for interoperability and worth in a single multiplatform controller proper now. If we’re nitpicking, our greatest gripe is that GuliKit nonetheless hasn’t created an app to handle all of it extra simply.

Supported Platforms: Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV / Connectivity: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: 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 Final Bluetooth Controller seems like a Swap Professional Controller in form, with a equally quick grip profile that bigger palms might not desire. Each share Swap and Home windows PC assist, however 8BitDo will get a leg up with full Steam Deck compatibility. Its haptics are respectable however inferior to Nintendo’s, and it’s lacking Amiibo assist, although it does characteristic customizable again paddles and movement controls — together with a hidden trick that means that you can wake a docked Swap by giving the controller a little bit shake. It additionally comes with a charging dock, which shops the two.4GHz dongle when not in use. The included dock is useful for charging the 22-hour battery, which continues to be fairly beneficiant however comes properly in need of 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 provide simply the correct amount of resistance and sport a cushty concave prime, however they’re only a tad quick on the perimeters. The entire buttons provide nice journey, although, and the analog triggers have a satisfying quantity of resistance when pulled.

As for tweaks, you may 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 may both reconfigure or remap. With regards to Swap controllers, 8BitDo units the usual for the breadth of those choices and learn how to entry them, which is another excuse it’s excessive on our listing.

Supported Platforms: Swap, PC, Steam Deck, cellular, Apple TV, Raspberry Pi / Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired / Connector kind: 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 Professional 2 is one other nice choice with Corridor impact sticks for the Nintendo Swap, particularly in case your palms are happiest with a PlayStation-style controller. The Professional 2 has a cushty grip, a crisper D-pad than the Swap Professional Controller, and two easy-to-press paddle buttons on the underside. It has rumble assist (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 players will even recognize that the left analog stick is positioned towards the underside — identical to on Sony’s controllers — slightly than above the D-pad as on the Swap Professional.

With 8BitDo’s Final software program on a cellular gadget or a Home windows pc, you may customise the Professional 2’s button mapping and the sensitivity of its triggers and analog sticks. You possibly can even save as much as three management scheme profiles and cycle by means of them with a button positioned between the analog sticks. On its rear, there’s a change that lets it toggle between Nintendo Swap, X-input for PC, DirectInput, and macOS modes, every with its personal management customizations and Bluetooth profile. This controller affords a lot for $50 (or $54.99 if you would like one of many extremely cool translucent blue, purple, or inexperienced editions).

There are various different gadgets that let you use third-party controllers, however 8BitDo’s may be the very best worth. As an alternative of spending $70 on a number of Swap Professional Controllers, the $19.99 8BitDo Wi-fi Bluetooth USB Adapter 2 helps you to flip a Bluetooth controller you already personal right into a wi-fi Swap controller. It plugs into your Swap dock and helps all kinds of fashions, from the most recent Xbox and DualSense controllers to last-gen gamepads for the Wii and PlayStation 3. (Observe: the first-gen mannequin can’t connect with most Xbox Bluetooth controllers attributable to a Bluetooth incompatibility, so be sure to get the most recent mannequin.)

To our shock, the PS5 DualSense controller we examined it with labored extremely properly, with better-than-average rumble and extra responsive movement controls than many devoted Swap controllers provide. 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 Swap Professional Controller, you may customise their button mapping, analog stick sensitivity, and extra inside 8BitDo’s pc and cellular app. 

8BitDo has an in depth assist web 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 finest if the Swap’s button structure by coronary heart when you plan to make use of both a PlayStation or Xbox controller with this adapter, because the structure in your controller is not going to match the on-screen prompts in video games.

If you have already got a controller you actually like and don’t thoughts leaping by means of just a few small hoops to attach it, 8BitDo’s reasonably priced adapter deserves a spot in your leisure middle. In the event 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 in case you have a variety of controllers sitting round, it may be price it.

Nitro Deck / Nitro Deck Plus

We like CRKD’s Nitro Deck round right here. It’s a cradle-style controller that holds the Swap between a pair of Corridor impact sticks, outfitting it with a typical 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 resolution was extra elegant and that CRKD may resolve the ergonomics (significantly on the appropriate aspect, the place the analog and button placement may cause discomfort).

We just lately examined the GameSir T4 Cyclone Professional ($45.99) for consideration. It affords just a few 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 attributable to mushy-feeling buttons. GameSir considers the additional padding below the buttons a characteristic that makes the impression softer, however we felt it takes away from the expertise. Additionally, though it’s completely usable with the Swap, the Professional’s button labeling takes after Microsoft’s, which is probably not superb for many who have bother memorizing inputs. We additionally discovered resyncing with the Swap to be a chore after switching from a cellular gadget or a Home windows PC.

GameCube Fashion Wi-fi Controller

We additionally just lately tried a number of wi-fi PowerA controllers, together with the GameCube Fashion Wi-fi Controller ($59.99) and a Pikachu-themed model of the usual PowerA Enhanced Wi-fi ($59.99). We just like the enjoyable design of PowerA’s controllers, however they don’t dwell as much as the standard of the fashions we suggest above, which is a disgrace contemplating some value practically as a lot. The GameCube-style wi-fi controller is a reasonably trustworthy recreation of the unique when you fancy a pure Tremendous Smash Bros. expertise, nevertheless it’s barebones with no rumble, NFC, or IR. It’s a simple option to get the old-school feeling again when you don’t have already got a Bluetooth-based different to make use of with 8BitDo’s USB Adapter 2.

Replace, December thirteenth: Up to date to incorporate the GuliKit KingKong 3 Professional and three Max, which changed GuliKit’s last-gen fashions as the very best Xbox-style controllers.