Nintendo’s Joy-Cons are the primary controllers for the Nintendo Switch. They come in a pair of left and right controllers, and you can attach them to the sides of your Switch or use them wirelessly.
While the Joy-Con has many advantages and comes with features such as motion tracking for certain games and haptic feedback, which Nintendo calls “HD Rumble,” it also has several major flaws.
First of all, Joy-Cons are a bit small, and your hands can feel uncomfortable after many hours of playing. In addition, Joy-Cons are known to suffer from Joy-Con drift, a phenomenon in which the buttons register input, even if you didn’t do anything.
That can make your characters move by themselves. It’s very annoying, and it’s one of the main reasons people look for a Joy-Con alternative.
In this article, I will be showing you the best controllers for Nintendo Switch apart from the Joy-Con. The good news is that the Switch is compatible with third-party controllers, and there are many options out there.
Note that there are two types of Joy-Con alternatives. Some attach to your Switch, with buttons on the sides and your Switch in the middle, just like Joy-Cons.
Although they may have benefits such as avoiding drift, special lighting effects, and larger buttons, they may still feel a bit uncomfortable during extended periods of gameplay.
The second type of Joy-Con alternative is the handheld controller, which usually connects to your Switch wirelessly. These are easier to hold in your hands over extended periods.
I will be including both of these options in this list, so make sure you know which one you want before buying one.
Let’s get into it.
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Quick Summary
The best Joy-Con alternatives include:
- Hori Split Pad Pro
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- DOYOKY Binbok Joypad Controller
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller
- Funlab Luminous Joycons
If you already have a controller for your PlayStation, Wii, or Xbox, it might also be compatible with the Switch if you use an adapter. I recommend the 8BitDo USB Adapter 2 for this purpose, which works over Bluetooth and allows you to use third-party controllers for your Switch.
Best Joy-Con Alternatives
1. Hori Split Pad Pro
The Hori Split Pad Pro for Switch is the best Joy-Con alternative out there. It is officially licensed by Nintendo, so you can expect it to work seamlessly with your Nintendo Switch, without any glitches or bugs.
It is best if you want to play handheld games but feel like the Joy-Con is too small for your hands. The Hori Split Pad Pro also attaches to your Nintendo Switch but is a bit bigger and more comfortable than the standard Joy-Con.
Overall, the grip feels better and the buttons, triggers, and D-pad are larger as well. It also supports assignable rear buttons and a turbo function.
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2. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Another great alternative to the Joy-Con for the Switch is the Switch Pro Controller from Nintendo. It feels great and has an excellent battery life, lasting around 40 hours on each charge.
It comes with a USB-C cable for charging and has a satisfying retro look and feel.
All in all, it’s a great controller, and you can also use it with other devices like your PC.
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3. 8BitDo USB Adapter 2
The 8BitDo USB Adapter 2 is an interesting one. It’s not a controller itself but rather an adapter for a controller, and it works with the Switch and other devices, such as Windows, macOS, and Steam Deck.
Let’s say you have an Xbox or PlayStation controller, and you would like to use it with your Switch. The best way to do that is by using the 8BitDo USB Adapter.
It supports macros with button combinations, button mapping, and other customizations. All you need to do is insert it into your Switch once you have connected it to your controller, and you will then be able to use it.
You can use it with a wide range of controllers, including various Xbox series, different versions of PlayStation, some Wii controllers, and others.
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4. Funlab Luminous Joy-Cons
The Luminous Joy-Cons from Funlab have amazing designs. They have LED lighting effects with hidden light-up patterns, although if you turn the LED lights off, you won’t see them, and it will look just like any other controller.
The lighting comes in seven colors, and you can have the lights change colors.
These controllers are not just good for the aesthetics, as they also have features that enhance your gaming experience.
For example, it supports motion control and turbo functions, as well as back buttons with personalized controls.
It also has an ergonomic design, leading to a comfortable gaming experience, even during long periods of gameplay.
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5. DOYOKY Binbok Joypad Controller
The DOYOKY Binbok Joypad controller has an adjustable LED ring light with several colors. It looks incredibly cool, as it comes with several lighting modes.
It also offers several vibration modes to allow you to feel the game as you play along. The controller also supports six-axis gyro motion controls, a turbo function, and other useful features to enhance gaming.
The back of the controller has programmable buttons but also an anti-skid design to improve your grip and prevent the controller from slipping during gameplay, increasing precision.
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6. NexiGo Gripcon (Gen 2)
Another really cool alternative to the Joy-Con is the NexiGo Gripcon 2nd Generation, which lights up in one of the most remarkable ways. It has a rainbow breathing mode, an RGB color cycling mode, and a brightness adjustment mode.
The RGB ring lights around the joysticks will enhance your gaming experience and make gaming more fun.
The two back buttons are programmable, while it supports a turbo function for extra-fast gameplay. In fact, there are three turbo modes, so it’s pretty customizable!
With haptic feedback powered by two motors, it comes close to matching the Joy-Con itself; the six-axis gyroscope improves motion sensing accuracy.
It avoids the drift that is common with Joy-Cons, so you won’t have to worry about unwanted input.
Simply attach it to your Switch and start playing.
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7. 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller
The 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth controller is a great alternative to the Joy-Con. It works wirelessly, over Bluetooth, instead of attaching to the sides of your Switch.
Note that this is not an adapter but an actual controller.
It also works with other operating systems, including Steam Deck, Android, and iOS.
It comes with motion control, rumble vibrations, a four-way mode switching button, and other useful features. It can be charged with a USB-C cable and lasts around 20 hours on a single charge.
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8. NYXI Wizard Switch Gamecube Controller
The NYXI Wizard Switch Gamecube controller prides itself on its precision and accuracy. You won’t have to worry about drift due to the “Hall Effect” joystick built into this controller.
The customizable buttons can light up in different colors, depending on your settings, with configurable color effects for your enjoyment.
With its six-axis gyroscope motion sensing technology, you can truly immerse yourself in your games, feeling the vibrations as you turn.
It comes with haptic feedback with adjustable vibration intensities (there are five levels), as well as a customizable turbo response. For enhanced and quick gameplay, you can also take advantage of the mechanical trigger.
The style of this controller is a bit different from many other controllers, as it has a retro style that makes you feel like you went back in time.
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9. Gammeefy Controller for Switch
The Gammeefy controller attaches to your Switch but is pretty large, with grip materials on either side, making it the perfect alternative to Joy-Cons for avoiding cramped hands while playing for extended periods of time.
The two grip pads on either side are sweat-proof and feel comfortable in your hand while avoiding slipping.
The controller also comes with large buttons and D-pads.
It comes with a turbo function with three speeds and an auto-attack mode for faster gameplay. The two motors provide enhanced and accurate feedback via vibrations for certain games, allowing you to immerse yourself in your games and feel them as you play them.
Meanwhile, the six-axis gyro sensor can detect gravity and motion changes for motion sensing games.
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10. Gammeefy Wireless Switch Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch
Gammeefy also sells a wireless Switch Pro controller that doesn’t attach to your Switch but rather can be used separately. This one has adjustable LED lights in nine colors, with the ability to switch between colors as you wish.
There are three light modes, including the flashing light mode and breathing light mode. You can also have the lights always on or turn them off entirely.
That leads to an incredible experience when gaming at night – trust me on that!
It is also compatible with other operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Windows.
The controller comes with two programmable back buttons, which you can program with 16 different functions. It has a six-axis gyro sensor for motion detection and four vibration settings for haptic feedback while you play, similar to the HD Rumble from Joy-Con, powered by two motors.
The turbo mode comes with three speeds. The controller will last up to 15 hours on a single charge with its new and upgraded battery.
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11. Nyko Dualies Controller Set for Nintendo Switch
If you’re looking for a very affordable alternative to the Nintendo Joy-Con, try the Nyko Dualies. They might look cheap, but they do the job, and they have an ergonomic design to improve grip and allow for extended playtime without discomfort.
Since it comes in a pair (hence the name “Dualies”), it’s great if you want to play competitive games in two-player mode with a friend or family member.
It comes with a gyroscope sensor to detect tilts and other motions during gameplay for motion sensing games. Adjustable turbo mode and haptic vibration feedback are also supported, which I was surprised to learn, given the fairly low price of this set.
The Dualies come with a USB-C cable for charging, although if you want to charge your controller during gameplay, you will need an additional USB cable that is not included.
12. Retroflag Handheld Controller
The Retroflag controller is one of my favorite alternatives to the Joy-Con. It’s a one-piece controller in which you can insert your Switch, with controls on either side.
It has a turbo button for fast gameplay, as well as a motion sensor and vibration. The hall sensor joystick helps prevent the infamous Joy-Con drift.
It even comes with a fast charging feature, allowing you to bring the controller to full charge within a shorter period of time.
Overall, it has a nice and simple retro look, with white and colored buttons.
13. Coiorvis Joypad Controller
The Coiorvis controller has a streamlined design to avoid stress and strain on your hands during gameplay, allowing you to play for longer periods.
With programmable buttons to which you can map functions and a six-axis gyroscope sensor to detect feedback, it’s incredibly versatile.
The haptic feedback is just icing on the cake, though. One of the things I liked most about this controller is the tabletop mode, made possible by the controller stand.
With anti-drift technology, it’s a great alternative to Joy-Cons.
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14. Belopera Switch Controller
The Belopera controller is a one-piece controller for Switch, with anti-slip grip pads on either side that allow for better grip and extended gameplay. It has large buttons and is made of high-quality ABS material that is durable and long-lasting.
It has a turbo function with three settings from five to 20 shots per second, and the auto-attack mode will help you attack your enemies and win with less effort.
The dual motors provide haptic vibration feedback during your games, while the sensors detect motion during gameplay.
Overall, it’s much larger and more comfortable to use than Joy-Cons.
15. NYXI Hyperion Meteor Light Wireless Joy-Pad
This modern-looking wireless controller from NYXI, a brand we had encountered earlier in this article, will round up our list. The LED lights come in eight colors and sync with your gameplay for a satisfying gaming experience.
With three light breathing modes, it’s a joy to play.
The ergonomic design makes gaming easy on your hands and fingers, while the turbo function, vibration feedback, and motion sensing allow you to immerse yourself in your games.
Conclusion
Joy-Con is not for me, primarily because of the drift, which is incredibly annoying and sometimes causes me to lose points during a game.
As you can see, there are two types of controllers you can get as an alternative to the Joy-Con.
One is a handheld one that works wirelessly, while the other attaches to your Switch and can charge via your Switch.
Both of them work for me. I like the one that integrates with the Switch for shorter games, while I prefer the wireless controllers for when I play games for extended times, as my hands often hurt with the integrated controller.
Just make sure that you get the right controller for your needs. Most controllers will come with vibration feedback, motion sensing, and turbo function and motion sensing is important for many games.
Others come with LED lighting, which mostly adds in aesthetics but not functionality.
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