TL;DR: The GuliKit ES is the Switch Pro Controller alternative most people should buy: from around $77 it has Hall effect sticks, a six-axis gyro, rumble and console wake-up, and it lists Switch 2 support. Spend more for a charging dock and back buttons (GameSir Super Nova), a clean 8BitDo design (Ultimate 2C), a GameCube layout (NYXI Warrior) or premium buttons and triggers (Flydigi Vader 5 Pro).
Nintendo's own Pro Controller is the default pick for docked play, but it is far from the only pad that feels right in your hands on a Switch or Switch 2. The Switch Pro Controller alternatives below all list Switch 2 compatibility and Hall effect joysticks, which sense stick position with magnets instead of the rubbing contacts that wear out and drift. They differ in what you get on top: wake-up, gyro, rumble, back buttons, a charging dock or a whole different shape. Here are five, cheapest first, and who each one suits.
Which Switch Pro Controller Alternatives Are Worth Buying?
Each pick below solves a different problem. Prices are starting prices at the time of writing.
- Best value: GuliKit ES, around $77. Hall sticks, a six-axis gyro, dual-rotor vibration and Switch / Switch 2 wake-up, over USB or Bluetooth. Note that the USB-C cable isn't included.
- Best with a dock: GameSir Super Nova, from around $95. Comes with a charging station, two back buttons, Hall-linear triggers and Bluetooth, 2.4G or wired play, in pink, blue or red.
- Simplest pick: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C, from around $111. A clean Pro-style layout with Hall sticks and tactile bumpers and D-pad, in pink, blue or dark blue, with an optional case or as a two-pack.
- Best for GameCube fans: NYXI Warrior, around $114. GameCube-inspired shape, adjustable Hall triggers, HD rumble, swappable back paddles and a listed 10 hours per charge.
- Premium pick: Flydigi Vader 5 Pro, around $160. Micro switch buttons and D-pad, Hall-linear triggers and adjustable-tension sticks, for players who also game on PC or phone.
| Controller | Price from | Connection | Standout extras | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GuliKit ES | Around $77 | USB, Bluetooth | Wake-up, gyro, dual-rotor vibration | Best value |
| GameSir Super Nova | Around $95 | Bluetooth, 2.4G, Type-C | Charging station, 2 back buttons | Couch players who hate cables |
| 8BitDo Ultimate 2C | Around $111 | USB, Bluetooth | Case option, two-pack | A simple Pro-style pad |
| NYXI Warrior | Around $114 | Bluetooth, 2.4G, USB-C | GameCube shape, HD rumble, paddles | GameCube-layout fans |
| Flydigi Vader 5 Pro | Around $160 | Bluetooth, 2.4G, Type-C | Micro switch buttons, Hall-linear triggers | Players who want premium feel |
Wake-Up, Gyro and Rumble: What Should a Pro-Style Pad Have?
These are the features people miss most when they leave Nintendo's own pad, so check them against how you play before you buy.
Wake-up. A pad with wake-up turns the console on from sleep, just like the official controller. The GuliKit ES spells out Switch and Switch 2 wake-up in its listing. Without it, you press the console's power button or a Joy-Con before every session, which gets old fast.
Gyro. The GuliKit ES lists a six-axis gyroscope, and the GameSir Super Nova lists one that works on Switch. If you aim with motion controls in shooters, confirm gyro on the product page before choosing any of the others.
Rumble and extras. The NYXI Warrior lists HD rumble and the GuliKit ES dual-rotor vibration motors. For back buttons, look at the Super Nova (two) or the Warrior (interchangeable paddles). The Super Nova, Warrior and Vader 5 Pro add a 2.4G wireless mode next to Bluetooth and USB.
None of the five listings mention NFC or amiibo, so keep the Joy-Con that came with your console for scanning figures.
Do These Controllers Work Beyond the Switch?
Mostly, yes, which is a big part of why they beat a single-system pad. The GuliKit ES lists Switch, Switch 2, PC and Android. The GameSir Super Nova adds iOS and Steam, and the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro lists PC, Android, iOS and Steam too, though its listing notes it is not compatible with Xbox. The NYXI Warrior covers Windows 10 PCs alongside the Switch family, and the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is the Switch specialist here, listing Switch 2, Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite.
If most of your gaming happens on a phone rather than a TV, a pad like these is overkill. Our telescopic phone controller buying guide covers grips that clamp the phone in the middle instead.
Switch Pro Controller Alternatives FAQ
What is a good alternative to the Switch Pro Controller?
The GuliKit ES is a good alternative to the Switch Pro Controller for most players, because it starts around $77 and lists Hall effect sticks, a six-axis gyro, dual-rotor vibration and Switch / Switch 2 wake-up. If you want a charging dock, the GameSir Super Nova is the step up, and the NYXI Warrior suits anyone who prefers a GameCube-style layout.
Which Switch Pro Controller alternative works with a Switch 2?
All five Switch Pro Controller alternatives in this guide list Switch 2 compatibility: the GuliKit ES, GameSir Super Nova, 8BitDo Ultimate 2C, NYXI Warrior and Flydigi Vader 5 Pro. If you also want a pad that wakes the console from sleep like the official one, the GuliKit ES lists Switch 2 wake-up, which makes it the easiest everyday swap.
Can a third-party controller wake up the Switch?
A third-party controller can wake up the Switch when it supports wake-up, which not every pad does. The GuliKit ES lists Switch and Switch 2 wake-up in its specifications, so it powers on the console the way the official pad does. If a controller you are considering doesn't mention wake-up, expect to press the console's power button or a Joy-Con first, then press a button on the pad to connect.
Which Switch controller alternatives have back buttons?
The GameSir Super Nova and the NYXI Warrior are the two picks in this guide with back buttons listed: the Super Nova has two back buttons, and the Warrior has interchangeable back paddles. Back buttons let you jump, reload or dodge without lifting a thumb off the right stick, which helps most in shooters and platformers. The Warrior's listing adds programmable buttons and turbo as well.
Do these Switch controllers support amiibo?
None of these five Switch controllers lists NFC or amiibo support in its specifications. That is common for third-party pads, and it only matters in games where you tap figures for bonuses. Keep the Joy-Con that came with your console nearby for scanning amiibo, and use whichever of these controllers you prefer for actual play.
Which One Should You Buy?
Start with the GuliKit ES if you want the closest everyday swap for the official pad at the lowest price, wake-up and gyro included. Pick the GameSir Super Nova if cables annoy you, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C if you just want a tidy, no-fuss Switch pad, the NYXI Warrior for GameCube muscle memory, and the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro if you also play on PC and want premium buttons.
Want to see more shapes, colors and price points? Browse our full controllers collection and filter by the system you play on.