These are the best -- and cheapest -- Nintendo Switch Pro controller alternatives
Going with a third-party Switch Pro controller does have some advantages aside from a lower price, too. For example, some have a Turbo button for faster firing rates or mappable buttons to make certain commands easier to trigger. Plus, a few of the ones we chose can be used with Windows, MacOS and Android, too. We update this list as we try new products. For even more options, check out GameSpot's recommendations.
Read more: Best Nintendo Switch accessory to buy for 2020
As I said above, if you can afford to get the official Switch Pro Controller, do it. It's the best you can get at the moment in terms of comfort, performance and features. And if you need to buy more than one controller, maybe get this one for yourself and one of the less expensive options below for visiting friends and family.
The PowerA wireless controller comes closest to the feel and design of Nintendo's Pro controller, and you can normally get it for $40 to $50, depending on the design, from Amazon, Best Buy and other sources. The PowerA wireless controller doesn't have HD Rumble, IR or Amiibo NFC support like the Switch Pro controller does, but it does have motion controls. It's also available in game-themed versions including new ones with Grookey, Sobble and Scorbunny (pictured) from Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Its one added feature is two extra buttons on the bottom of the controller that can be mapped on the fly. It runs on AA-size batteries, which some people don't like. I get that, but I like not worrying about running out of power while playing and I use rechargeable AAs so I don't burn through disposables. Also, since the battery isn't built in, you don't have to trash the controller once the battery stops holding a charge.
Many of the third-party controllers leave out some of the Nintendo Switch Pro controller's features such as NFC Amiibo functionality, vibration or motion control. The Beboncool, which normally sells for around $30, has them all and a customizable Turbo button -- and it's about half the price. I'm not a fan of the separate buttons for the D-pad and the buttons are a bit mushy in general, but the performance and overall quality are fine for the money.
If you like to customize, this Bluetooth controller is for you. Using 8BitDo's Ultimate software, you can remap buttons, adjust stick and trigger sensitivity as well as vibration control and easily create macros for complicated button combinations. The left-hand controls are flipped so the layout is more like a PlayStation controller, but everything feels good and responsive. It's comfortable, too, although the black-on-black design makes the button labels near-impossible to see, but other colors are available.
The 8BitDo SN30 Pro Plus Bluetooth Gamepad controller, which normally sells for $50, works with the Nintendo Switch console, Android, Windows and MacOS. Another nice feature: Its rechargeable battery pack can be easily swapped out for a new one so you can keep playing if the included one runs down or no longer holds a charge.
Want something a little more retro, but not as retro as a joystick or arcade stick? The $45 full-featured ergonomic design of the SN30 Bluetooth Gamepad controller makes it a more travel-friendly Nintendo Switch Pro controller alternative. And there are no mushy buttons here: Everything feels firm and responsive. It can be programmed for use with Android, Windows and MacOS, too.
Like the 8BitDo controllers above, the RegeMoudal's sticks are both at the bottom. If that doesn't turn you off, this lightweight controller is a good under-$30 choice as a Nintendo Switch Pro controller alternative, thanks to an adjustable Turbo button, long battery life and three levels of vibration.
It's wired, but the $20 Horipad is one of the more comfortable controllers we tested, and its buttons and sticks feel nice, too. But, while it does have a Turbo button, it lacks vibration and motion control. Its D-pad isn't a true pad, but a plastic piece that snaps on over four discrete buttons. It works fine, but the fact that it's a wired controller might be a deal-breaker for some.
The Insten falls under "You get what you pay for" for me but, for what it's worth, it's the favorite of my 8- and 10-year-olds. It's just a basic wireless controller with aggressive dual-shock vibration. It's comfortable but feels cheap and flimsy. To be fair, though, the controller did survive a high-velocity altercation with my TV and I can't say the same for the TV. The best part about the Insten is the price, especially if you want multiple controllers: You can pick up a two-pack for less than $50.
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