15 Great Cheap Nintendo Switch Controllers To Get On A Budget
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15 Great Cheap Nintendo Switch Controllers To Get On A Budget
Let's examine the best controller options for the Switch which can be found at budget prices, factoring in versatility and functionality. While the Nintendo boasts some relatively cheap hardware, especially with the recent launch of the $200 Switch Lite, the cost of the console's rather sophisticated controllers is still pretty steep. Discounts notwithstanding, an official pair of Joy-Cons typically costs a whopping $79.99. Luckily, thanks mostly to the efforts of third parties, there are a number of cheaper options out there. These will mostly come in the form of pro controller, as these are cheaper to construct. Still, there are a few options for cheaper third party Joy-Con variants as well. With that said, let's examine 10 of the best controller options for the Switch which can be found at budget prices. We'll factor in price, versatility, and overall functionality in our decisions. The prices are primarily based on 's listings, and are subject to change. Updated May 12th, 2020 by Stephen LaGioia: Given the continued momentum of the Switch and its growing range of third-party controllers, we felt it made sense to add more entries to our list. New additions will cover both pro controllers, as well as Joy-Con that offer most of the functionality of official controllers while being a fraction of their price. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY Skywin Switch Joy Pad Controllers
Price: $38.99 While the quality of these seems a touch shaky, they're a pretty nice bargain at under $40. They not only make for a good Joy-Con replacement at half the price of the official device, but they actually lock into the console and can be detached just like the official Joy-Cons. They even sport a slightly curved ergonomic design making them a bit more comfortable and less awkward to hold - assuming you can get over the uniquely-shaped oval buttons. BEBONCOOL Wireless Controller For Switch Switch Lite
Price: $27.88 fans on Switch rejoice! Thanks to Beboncool, there is a device largely modeled of the PS4's Dualshock. Not only is the quality solid and the design slick, but it also comes at a meager asking price of under $30. This is under half the price for Nintendo's pro controller. It even comes with most of the bells and whistles you'd expect from Nintendo's Switch controllers - gyroscopic technology, a micro USB charging port, and fairly sophisticated rumble built-in. It has its own charger, and sports a sleek ergonomic design with gripped handles for those heated/animated gaming sessions. JALVDE Wireless Ergonomic Joy Pad Controller
Price: $39.99 If you find your hands cramping for prolonged gaming sessions, these uniquely shaped Joy-Cons might be for you. The slanted, curved design is meant to better adhere to your hands' natural positioning, making for more comfortable playing. This makes these things particularly useful for prolonged handheld sessions. Related: While the motion and rumble tech isn't quite as sophisticated, it does have some of both of these traits built-in, and comes with a rechargeable battery. Unfortunately, there's still no true D-pad here. Still, at just 40 bucks, it's tough to knock these sufficient Joy-Con replacements. Ralthy Wireless Pro Controller For Switch Switch Lite
Price: $37.99 For a tepid $37.99, this controller packs quite a few bells and whistles. Included is a 3-level vibration feature, 3 adjustable turbo speeds, motion control, and rechargeable batteries with 8-10 hours of battery life. It boasts a comfortable, ergonomic feel as well as reliable hardware that's optimal for those long, grind-it-out multiplayer sessions. RegeMoudal Wireless Switch Pro Controller Gamepad
Price: $36.99 Branded an "Amazon's Choice" item with nearly 2,000 reviews averaging 4 stars, this controller has proven popular for Switch gamers seeking a cheap pro controller. Its Bluetooth functionality allows players to seamlessly and stably connect to their console. It has gyro axis functionality, dual motors vibration, and a rechargeable battery (with an included cable). About its only consistent complaint seems to be that it's a touch noisy when played, while most have vouched for its reliability overall. SADES Joy-Cons
Price: $49.99 As it happens, SADES offers a relatively cheap Joy-Con alternative. What's neat about these is that it sports a GameCube-style layout that Cube fans and Smash Bros. aficionados should find ideal. While using these as separate controllers may not be ideal, it is technically possible - as they're functional when attached and detached. For $50, you get most of the functionality the official Joy-Cons have, with gyro, vibration, and NFC functionality. Players can even fasten the straps onto them when playing detached to get a better grip. DinoFire Wireless Switch Controller for Nintendo Switch Lite
Price: $28.99 This DinoFire controller proves durable and versatile, especially given its meager asking price of under $30. It's compatible with the old and new Switch models, in addition to the Switch Life. On top of this, you get 3 levels of vibration feedback, motion control, and turbo buttons for high-speed gaming. You'll also get a whopping 15-18 hours of usage for a fully-charged battery. PowerA Wireless GameCube Style Controller
Price: $36.99 GameCube diehards looking for an optimal controller don't have to settle for the pricer official device from Nintendo. PowerA offers a wireless option at a cheaper price, complete with Bluetooth 5.0, motion control, and a larger D-pad to boot. Even without HD rumble support, IR, or NFC functions, this is an impressive device. There also exists a wired version of this controller for about $10 cheaper. HORI D-Pad Controller L
Price: $19.99 Speaking of D-pads - Switch gamers of a more retro bent should get a kick out of these sleek swappable left Joy-Cons from Hori. The controller is licensed by Nintendo, ensuring a level of quality, and Hori delivers with a solid device that feels like the real thing. The included D-pad feels solid - arguably outdoing Nintendo's own pro controller D-pad! and Zelda fans, in particular, may want to give this a look, as it sports some pretty cool designs based on these iconic properties. Keep in mind though, these come solely in the form of a left Joy-Con, and are meant to be played in handheld mode only. You won't be able to play it while detached from the console. ESYWEN Wireless Pro Controller
Price: $29.99 It's tough to find more bang for your buck than this when it comes to solid, versatile Switch controllers - assuming you're fine with pro controllers. This beast comes loaded with wireless functionality, rumble, gyroscopic motion, and NFC features (for Amiibos). It even sports a handy option to adjust the vibration, allowing you to cycle between 3 levels. The only downsides to the device are its fairly odd thumbsticks. They reportedly don't have an ideal grip - and also click a bit downward rather than straight in. TechKen Switch Wireless Pro Controller
Price: $27.97 Much like the BEBONCOOL's similarities to Sony controllers, this sleek black/semi-transparent device resembles . It's impressive that this thing has gyro axis functionality and dual motors vibration since it's one of the cheapest controllers on our list. It even contains built-in LED lights to indicate the status of the chargeable battery. Aside from the lack of NFC support, this gadget is a bargain given all its features and durable nature. Nyko Dualies
Price: $38.00 Those who fancy playing the Switch with detached Joy-Cons should find plenty of value with these interesting looking controllers by peripheral giant Nyko. The first thing that becomes apparent when looking at the odd zig-zag design is that these will not hook up to your Switch itself; so those who mainly play in handheld mode should probably look elsewhere. Still, the ergonomic design offers a more comfortable grip. As a neat little added bonus, these also come with customizable/detachable thumbsticks. Thus, those seeking longer and/or rougher stick surfaces can swap to the included variants. PDP Afterglow Deluxe Controller
Price: $29.99 This controller is a delight to look at, with its transparent shell that reveals hypnotically glowing lights (which can be cycled through). Yet, it's also a solid, versatile controller to play with. Assuming dealing with wires is no issue - there's much to like about this budget-priced Afterglow device designed for Switch. This is a controller for the techies out there, as the Afterglow has reprogrammable buttons on the backside, in addition to a headphone/headset jack on the bottom. It's officially licensed by Nintendo too, ensuring your $30 investment won't likely be squandered by a malfunctioning device. 8Bitdo SF30 Pro Controller
Price: $44.99 This neat little nostalgic throwback serves as a retro gamer's dream. The device takes on look, feel, and setup of the original SNES controller - which many still insist is the pinnacle of game controllers. As you've probably noticed, this controller still has one foot in the modern era, with thumbsticks on the bottom portion, allowing it to be used for more modern 3D romps as well. And yes - motion controls and rumble are both included. Those who fancy playing SNES games on Nintendo's online service and - or just prefer 2D games - should definitely consider this controller. It's a bit on the pricer side, but given its versatility (it has mobile and PC support), it's a terrific deal. PowerA Nintendo Switch Wired Controller
Price: $24.99 This thing lacks the bells and whistles of our previous entry - as it's both wired and unfortunately lacks motion or rumble. Yet, it makes up for it with its reliable hardware, comfortable, recognizable design, and sexy artwork that Zelda fans are sure to love. For those seeking to control their Switch games for an affordable price this sleek -themed PowerA controller is worth picking up. We also have a case of another officially licensed device, so you can put concerns about its reliability to bed.