We’ve pulled together the best controllers for Nintendo Switch in 2023.
The best Nintendo Switch controllers offer a variety of alternatives to the traditional Joy-Con pair, and in 2023 there are more options than ever for a premium and more conventional gamepad. We’ve compiled all our top pics for the console, including everything from wired to wireless models, so there’s bound to be something to suit your preferences.
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly controller for younger gamers or something a little more premium for long, immersive gaming sessions, we’ve got you covered. The vast range of Nintendo Switch controllers available means that there’s a pad to suit virtually everyone.
If you’re looking to take your Nintendo Switch gaming experience even further, it’s worth checking out our best Nintendo Switch accessories guide too, and if you’re looking for pads for different platforms, our guides for the best Xbox controllers and best fight sticks in 2023 may also pique your interest. Best Nintendo Switch controllers in 2023
If you had to make a snap decision on which Nintendo Switch controller to buy, make it the 8BitDo Ultimate. Between the build quality, feel, battery life, and more it simply ticks almost all the boxes we’d expect for what’s one of the best controllers on the market, period. Throw in extra features like remappable button profiles via the 8BitDo app (including two extra buttons at the pad’s rear) and you’ve got a ‘Pro’ adjacent controller that’s well worth the cash.
The price tag is even sweeter. At $69.99 / £59.99, it matches the cost of our next entry on the list, and packs in even more features. The 8BitDo Ultimate’s value rises even further when you consider that it comes with its own charging dock, too. Handy for when you need to charge in a pinch when the pad’s 20 hours of battery life runs dry.
There’s only a couple of shortcomings to speak of, namely a slightly crowded central area where you’ll find buttons like Start, Select, Home and Share. This can make it easy to hit multiple buttons by mistake. There’s also no NFC support, so you’ll need to rely on the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers if you’re into collecting and scanning amiibo figures and cards. But ultimately these are mere nitpicks and don’t spoil anything that this fantastic controller gets right.
Read more: 8BitDo Ultimate controller review
It’s no great shock that the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a contender for the best pad for the system. Despite being just slightly pipped by the 8BitDo Ultimate in our books, Nintendo’s own is still an excellent controller worth considering.
