You May Also Be Interested In: 'nintendo switch pro controller, nintendo switch'. Nintendo Switch 32GB Console with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is the gamepad for Nintendo's Switch hybrid console. It has a comfortable grip made out of premium rubber for extra grip and comfort. It also has built-in motion controls and force feedback, so you can feel the hits as they happen in-game.
The Nintendo Switch's included Joy-Cons make the system easy to enjoy, but there are plenty of other great controller options to enhance your play experience either at home or on the go. From high-end gamepads for competitive games to retro controllers for classic platformers, we've tested the Switch's most popular controllers to help you find the best pick for your playing style.
Whether you're an aspiring Smash pro, are looking for a cure for Joy-Con drift or just need something for your player two, here are the best Nintendo Switch controllers to buy now.
Best overall controllerNintendo Switch Pro Controller
Nintendo's Pro Controller is still the best traditional gamepad for playing Switch games like Splatoon 2 or Super Smash Bros.
For old-school gamers8BitDo SN30
This slick retro pad is essentially a re-creation of the iconic Super Nintendo controller, with a lightweight candybar design, an excellent d-pad and snappy face buttons.
Best with built-in audioPDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller
PDP's Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio stands out from the pack by being the only Switch controller that you can plug a pair of headphones into.
Best overall Switch controller
1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 6.1 x 5.7 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 14 ounces | HD Rumble: Yes | Motion Control: Yes | NFC: Yes
Reasons to Buy
Sturdy sticks and buttons
![Cheap nintendo switch controllers Cheap nintendo switch controllers](/uploads/1/2/5/8/125860526/843740333.jpg)
Reasons to Avoid
So-so d-pad
It carries a hefty price tag, but Nintendo's Pro Controller is still the best traditional gamepad for playing Switch games like Splatoon 2 or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with maximum precision. Its translucent plastic design is both sturdy and supremely comfortable, with ergonomic curves and textured grips on the handles. The thumbsticks are durable and soft to the touch, and the face buttons are big and satisfyingly clicky.
One of the controller's only shortcomings is the d-pad, which is solid, but not as big or precise as some of the third-party options out there. The Pro Controller also features full-HD rumble and motion-control support, as well as NFC functionality for scanning in amiibos.
For old-school gamers
2. 8BitDo SN30
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 5.6 x 2.5 x 1 inches | Weight: 3.3 ounces | HD Rumble: No | Motion Control: No | NFC: No
Reasons to Buy
Affordable
Reasons to Avoid
If you want to play retro games and platformers like the Mega Man X Legacy Collection, Super Mario Maker 2 and the Switch's multitude of NES games the way they were meant to be played, the 8BitDo SN30 is a must-have. This slick retro pad is essentially a re-creation of the iconic Super Nintendo controller, with a lightweight candybar design, an excellent d-pad and snappy face buttons. Better yet, the latest SN30 models come in a variety of gorgeous colors inspired by the Game Boy Pocket. If you want the SN30's old-school design but with dual thumbsticks and additional shoulder buttons, we recommend checking out the SN30 Pro.
Read our full 8BitDo SN30 review
For gamers seeking built-in audio
3. PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 6.2 x 6 x 3.3 inches | Weight: 14 ounces | HD Rumble: No | Motion Control: No | NFC: No
Reasons to Buy
Solid design
Good feel to the buttons and triggers
Reasons to Avoid
No rumble
PDP's Faceoff Deluxe+ Audio Wired Controller stands out from the pack by being the only Switch controller that you can plug a pair of headphones into. That means you can get more immersed in Breath of the Wild from the couch, or use your gaming headset to talk with friends in games that support built-in voice chat (including Fortnite). It's also a fine budget controller in its own right, offering a solid plastic build, satisfying sticks and triggers, and handy programmable buttons on the rear for mapping extra inputs.
Read our full PDP Faceoff Deluxe+ review
Budget Pro Controller alternative
4. PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 6.4 x 6.3 x 2.6 inches | Weight: 13 ounces | HD Rumble: No | Motion Control: Yes | NFC: No
Reasons to Buy
Solid sticks
Great colors and design
Reasons to Avoid
Top heavy
If you don't have the $70 to fork out for Nintendo's Pro Controller, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is a great alternative for $20 less. This gamepad has a lightweight but substantial design, solid buttons and analog sticks that we've found to be even smoother than that of the Pro Controller. And while PowerA's controller lacks rumble, you'll still get motion-control support for titles like Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. To top it off, the Enhanced Wireless Controller comes in a variety of slick color schemes that include licensed Mario, Zelda and Diablo options.
It never hurts to have extra
5. Nintendo Joy-Con
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: 4 x 1.4 x 1.1 inches (per Joy-Con) | Weight: 1.7 ounces | HD Rumble: Yes | Motion Control: Yes | NFC: Yes
Reasons to Buy
Comes in a variety of colors
Reasons to Avoid
Sure, the Switch packs two Joy-Cons, but it never hurts to have an extra pair or two handy for multiplayer games. Each individual Joy-Con doubles as a stand-alone mini-controller, which makes them perfect to pass to a friend for casual titles like Super Mario Party or Overcooked. And since Joy-Cons come in a rainbow of colors, picking up a new pair is a great way to personalize your Switch. If you just need a single Joy-Con, Nintendo also sells them as single units.
For fighters and platformers on the go
6. Hori D-Pad Controller
SPECIFICATIONS
Size: N/A | Weight: N/A | HD Rumble: No | Motion Control: No | NFC: No
Reasons to Buy
Solid analog stick and shoulder buttons
Reasons to Avoid
No rumble
If you're thinking about switching to the upcoming Nintendo Switch Lite just because it has a proper d-pad, save your $200. Hori's excellent D-Pad controller will do the trick for just $25. This neat little accessory replaces your Switch's left Joy-Con with one that features a full directional pad, which feels even more precise and satisfying than Nintendo's Pro Controller. It also comes in a trio of fun styles for Zelda, Mario and Pokémon fans. While it doesn't work wirelessly and lacks HD rumble, Hori's custom Joy-Con is a must-have for anyone who plays fighting games or platformers on the go.
Whether you're looking to play PC games in the living room or just want to play controller-friendly games such as Madden NFL 20, Mortal Kombat 11 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice the way they're meant to be played, every PC gamer needs a solid controller. We tested over a dozen of the most popular PC-friendly gamepads out there in a variety of genres to help you find the perfect fit for your playstyle.
Our top overall pick is Microsoft's Xbox One controller, thanks to its comfortable design, impressive build quality and instant compatibility with pretty much every PC game out there.
But there are plenty of other great options available, from the retro-inspired 8BitDo SN30 to beefed-up premium options like the Xbox One Elite Wireless controller. Microsoft is set to release a $180 Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which will bring improvements such as a wrap-around rubber grip, adjustable-tension sticks and shorter hair triggers when it arrives in November.
Astro's $199 C40 TR is a solid alternative to the Xbox Elite controller, offer a finer degree of physical customization and an impressively solid build quality. We're also testing out the new 8BitDo Pro+, which blends 8BitDo's signature retro design aesthetic with a robust set of customization options.
No matter your needs, here are the best PC controllers to buy now.
Best OverallMicrosoft Xbox One Controller
Microsoft's Xbox One controller is the gold standard for PC gaming, thanks to its ergonomic design and intuitive button layout. It's plug-and-play with nearly all modern PC games, and sports Bluetooth for easy wireless use.
Best Under $30Logitech F310
The Logitech F310 is a great option for gamers on a budget, offering a solid d-pad, responsive buttons and support for a wide range of titles, all for less than $30.
Best for Serious GamersXbox One Elite Wireless Controller
Looking to go pro? The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller is a premium version of the traditional Xbox pad, sporting a heftier, soft-touch design, tweakable triggers and a variety of swappable components.
Microsoft Xbox One Controller
Reasons to Buy
Instant compatibility with most PC games
Solid build quality
Reasons to Avoid
Logitech F310
Reasons to Buy
Familiar, easy-to-use design
Reasons to Avoid
Logitech has long offered PC users a wide range of quality accessories, both economical and high-end, and the F310 matches that pedigree well.
The button layout is similar to that of a PlayStation controller, with symmetrical, bottom-aligned control sticks. The F310's D-pad, which is sometimes an afterthought on other controllers, features a responsive design that lends itself well to platformers such as Shovel Knight and the simple menu surfing and button combos in Final Fantasy XIV.
By including support for as many games as possible, Logitech aims to make the F310 the only PC gamepad you'll ever need. The controller installs and operates instantly out of the box with most modern PC titles, but it has other pack-ins to allow for use with other games. If you're looking to game with older PC titles that existed before current input standards, such as DirectInput, you can toggle a physical switch to swap the device into that mode.
Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller
Reasons to Buy
Highly customizable
Robust companion app
Reasons to Avoid
A few lackluster parts
This premium gamepad is a cozier, sleeker and more durable version of the standard Xbox One controller, complete with a wealth of swappable parts that allow you to tailor the pad toward your personal style of play.
The Elite offers multiple thumbsticks with different heights and grips, as well as an optional disc-like d-pad that lets you better feel each point of articulation. The pad's triggers can be locked for faster firing in shooting games, and its optional rear-facing paddles let you execute an abundance of actions without taking your thumbs off the stick.
You can customize the Elite even further with component kits (like this Halo one), while the Scuf Elite collection provides similar features with crazier color schemes.
Sony DualShock 4
Reasons to Buy
Customizable touchbar, lightbar and gyroscope
Reasons to Avoid
The DualShock 4's layout and grip are more comfortable than ever, with triggers and sticks that are particularly well-designed compared with their PS3 counterparts. There's also a front-facing touchpad, which brings some interesting possibilities to the familiar design. The DualShock 4 works well with titles such as Shovel Knight and Final Fantasy XIV, and more and more modern games are including native support for Sony's controller.
In fact, the DualShock 4 is now fully supported in Steam, meaning you can tweak the touchpad, light bar and enjoy the robust remapping and sensitivity options found on Valve's Steam Controller. You can even tap into the DualShock 4's gyroscope, allowing you to, say, aim your gun in a shooter by using motion controls.
8BitDo SN30 Pro
Reasons to Buy
Great d-pad
Reasons to Avoid
Not ideal for intense modern games
If your Steam library consists of pixelated platformers and old-school action games, 8Bitdo's SN30 Pro provides a wonderfully authentic way to enjoy them.
This gamepad faithfully replicates nearly every detail of the original Super Nintendo controllers, while adding extras such as dual analog sticks, rumble functionality and rear triggers to make it play nice with more modern titles.
Thanks to its tight d-pad and clicky buttons, the SN30 Pro is an excellent companion for titles like Sonic Mania, Cuphead, the Mega Man Legacy Collection and the trove of indie fighting games available for PC. Just keep in mind that while its thumbsticks feel great, the controller’s ergonomics aren't exactly ideal for playing, say, an intense online shooter at a competitive level.
Still, the SN30 Pro (and its Super Famicom-inspired counterpart, the SF30 Pro) is an excellent and versatile retro pad for a great price. It'll also work with your Switch, Android device, and even that Raspberry Pi you've rigged up to imitate the SNES Classic.
Why Trust Us?
Tom's Guide has been reviewing PC controllers since 2015, and has rigorously tested all types of PC gaming gear for much longer than that. As devout gamers ourselves, we know what feels right and what doesn't — and what is and isn't worth your money. Testing controllers isn't a matter of performing a few quick checks in our lab; we make every controller we review a regular part of our daily gaming life to ensure that it'll hold up in the real world.
How We Test PC Controllers
We run every controller we test through the latest and greatest PC games in a variety of genres. We typically test at least one shooter, one fighting game, one action/adventure game and one driving game, which gives us a good idea of how a gamepad performs in different play scenarios. We also factor in battery life for wireless controllers, and if a controller offers swappable components and multiple modes, we test all of them. We use all controllers we review for days on end as our primary gamepad both in our labs and at home.
What PC Gaming Controllers Cost
A decent controller for PC gaming can be found for as low as $20, if you're willing to settle for simpler budget models. The Xbox One and PS4 controllers, both of which are considered the gold standard for most games, retail for $60, but can frequently be found for less than that.
Premium controllers such as Microsoft's Xbox One Elite and Razer's Wolverine Ultimate start at $150, largely due to their high-end construction and interchangeable parts. There are also Scuf's customizable pro gaming pads, which start around $130 but can end up much more expensive than that depending on which parts you outfit them with.
Need something more niche? Driving-game aficionados seeking total immersion can check out dedicated racing wheels. Driving wheels such as Thrustmaster's Ferrari 458 ($89) are just that — a wheel — while others, like Logitech's G920 Driving Force ($399), include pedals and stick shifts for the full experience.
Fighting-game fanatics looking for a more authentic way to play games like Tekken 7 and Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite should consider fight sticks, which feature the kind of joysticks and extra-large buttons you'd find on a classic arcade cabinet. Be sure to check out our roundup of the best fight sticks for PC, PS4 and Xbox One to find the right fit for your style and budget.