The Joy-Con controllers can also be attached to the Joy-Con grip to turn them into a sort of standard gamepad, albeit a small one. If you don’t opt for another controller, it does the job admirably, and we were able to make it through dozens of hours of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild without using anything else. The Joy-Con Charging Grip is a good choice for those who don't want to worry about reattaching the Joy-Con to the console after each session to juice them up. It’s also pretty pricey when compared with most third-party options, but if you want the full Switch experience, it’s definitely worth paying that little bit extra. You’ll find our favourites listed below, but before we jump into the entries, it’s worth highlighting the key things to consider when shopping for a Nintendo Switch controller.

No, it's not going to steal any aesthetic awards from the likes of more enthusiast-level racing wheels for PC but it's certainly a design that appeals to its fun-loving Ninty audience. Don't let that light-hearted exterior fool you, though, this is a well-built piece of kit.

Poké Ball Plus

We were big fans of the original HORI Split Pad Pro but feel the new Compact model is even better. Like the Pro version, the Split Pad Compact delivers something akin to a full-sized controller experience while using the Switch in handheld mode. The officially licensed pads slot into your console in place of Joy-Cons and are smaller and lighter than those of the Pro model, meaning people with smaller hands will find them a lot easier to use. Third-party controllers, however, are often considered some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories out there from a value standpoint. You may be dropping HD Rumble functionality and motion controls, but if you're after some spare multiplayer options there are plenty of wired and wireless Nintendo Switch controllers to choose from. The SN30 Pro+, which includes Steam Big Picture support, works well with macOS, Android, and Windows. Even though it’s compatible with macOS, you should know the SN30 Pro+ doesn’t appear to work with iPhones or iPads. Joy Con Nintendo Switch controllers bring you intuitive and versatile control with surprising new ways to play. Joy Con can be used one in each hand, or joined as one game controller. Share your Joy Con with friends in multiplayer games, or attach them to your Nintendo Switch console for use in handheld mode. Each Joy Con has a complete set of controls for use as a standalone controller, with an accelerometer and motion sensor for separate left and right motion control. If you own a large collection of amiibos and plan to use them rather than simply displaying them, make sure the Nintendo Switch controller you’re buying supports NFC.

In our opinion, getting a pro controller for your Nintendo Switch can make the world of difference to your console's quality of life. Yes, playing on the go is excellent, but having a proper gamepad you can use when sinking more time into something like Tears of the Kingdom can really make the experience feel more next-gen. Depending on what you play, you might find some third party controllers with extra buttons too, which could come in handy. Can you replace one Joy-Con The 8BitDo Pro 2 can be used to play games on Steam and mobile, too, making it versatile as well as supremely customisable. Motion controls and rumble (standard, not HD) are both supported and there’s a USB-C cable included to ensure the gaming doesn’t have to stop just because your controller has run out of juice. Most wired Nintendo Switch controllers come with 3m cables that you connect to your Switch. That’s long enough to ensure you don’t have to sit too close to your television, but if you’re after true freedom, wireless controllers are the way to go.Still, that’s a price worth paying for a feature-rich Switch controller that’s among the easiest to grip and use on the market. We recommend connecting it to your computer at least once to take advantage of the wide array of customizations, even if you only plan to use the controller on your Switch. 8BitDo SN30 Pro’s incredible configuration software lets you set up trigger dead zones, program macros, rebind keys, and more. That flexibility comes from the fact that these gamepads can be used wired or wirelessly, and can be powered by either the internal rechargeable battery (with 20 hours of juice) or a separate AA. That means you're covered whether you're chilling at home or gearing up for some impromptu multiplayer action while out and about. READ NEXT: The best Nintendo Toy-Con Labo kits Other features to consider when buying a Nintendo Switch controller

If you're not keen to pay for an official Pro Controller (they are expensive), the PowerA equivalents are well worth your time. These wireless and wired handsets are comfortable, accurate, stylish, and reliable - we've used them in our own gaming sessions without any complaints or our part. Plus, they have motion control. That's a feature that you don't find too often on cheaper third party Nintendo Switch controllers and means you don't have to go without during Mario Kart tournaments. Size: Nintendo Switch controllers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you have small hands, a bulky pad is going to prove hard to grip properly and you may struggle to comfortably access some of its buttons. Conversely, those with large mitts may want to avoid compact pads as they’ll likely find the button layout rather cramped. port: If you prefer to play while wearing headphones or a gaming headset, look out for controllers with a 3.5mm port. These allow you to plug a headset into your pad, but you’re limited to wired controllers as the Switch doesn’t natively support wireless audio. The best Nintendo Switch controllers to buy 1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: Best Nintendo Switch controller overallNo, this isn’t a new lookalike GameCube controller meant to emulate the real thing — the Nintendo Switch actually supports the classic GameCube controller with the use of a special adapter. If all else fails, it's worth noting that Nintendo is operating a Joy-Con drift repair scheme free of charge. Its battery life isn't nearly as impressive as the official Pro controller, though. You can get around 20 hours on a full charge, but you can also use disposable AA batteries in a pinch. The Pro 2 is equipped with motion controls and rumble--but not "HD" rumble, so it doesn't offer pinpoint, variable vibration like the first-party controller. One feature it is missing altogether is NFC support, so that's worth keeping in mind. There isn't a simple answer to this question, as it's largely dependent on the player's needs. For instance, a person who plays single-player games can get away with only having a Pro Controller or even the Joy-Con that comes in the box. Likewise, that same player might love shooters such as Fortnite or Apex Legends, so a Pro Controller is best, as it features a more traditional layout.