Switch 2 Controller Buying Guide: Pro Controller, Joy-Con 2 or an Alternative? (2026)

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The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with two Joy-Con 2. For longer sessions on the TV, for a second player or for games that need precision, many people still want a proper controller. There are more options than on the first Switch: the new Switch 2 Pro Controller, extra Joy-Con 2, licensed pads from third-party brands, and the original Switch controllers, which Nintendo says still work. This guide explains the differences, what to look for and which five controllers fit.

Transparency: We haven't tested these controllers ourselves. All details come from Nintendo's official support and tech-spec pages, the manufacturers' pages and the checked Amazon.de product pages (as of October 2026). We don't list prices because they change all the time.

The options at a glance

Controller	Works on Switch 2	Works on Switch 1	C Button (GameChat)
Switch 2 Pro Controller	yes	no	yes
Joy-Con 2	yes	no	yes (right Joy-Con 2)
Original Switch Pro Controller	yes, wirelessly	yes	no
Original Switch Joy-Con	yes, wireless only	yes	no
PowerA Advantage Wireless for Switch 2	yes	yes	yes
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth	yes, after a firmware update	yes	not stated
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless	yes	yes	yes

Switch 2 Pro Controller: the original for TV play

The Switch 2 Pro Controller is Nintendo's own gamepad for the new console. According to Nintendo, it adds three things over its predecessor:

C Button: opens the GameChat menu at any time. Nintendo says GameChat requires a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.
GL and GR Buttons: two extra buttons on the back that you can map to any button you like.
Audio jack: 3.5 mm, four-pole (CTIA standard). While headphones are plugged in, there's no sound from the console or TV.

On top of that you get HD Rumble 2, motion controls (accelerometer and gyroscope) and NFC for amiibo. The 1,070 mAh battery lasts about 40 hours according to Nintendo. It charges over USB-C, for example with the included cable on the Switch 2 dock. Important: the controller works only with the Switch 2, not with the original Switch.

Handy detail: if you plug it into the dock or straight into the console with a cable, it pairs and switches to a wired connection automatically. Unplug the cable and you keep playing wirelessly.

Joy-Con 2: flexible, but small

The Joy-Con 2 are the controllers that come with the console. According to Nintendo, each has a 500 mAh battery for about 20 hours, HD Rumble 2, motion sensors and a mouse sensor, so in supported games you can glide a Joy-Con 2 across a table like a computer mouse. Nintendo describes mouse controls as a feature unique to Joy-Con 2, and games that require them can't be played with the original Switch controllers, for example.

A second pair of Joy-Con 2 mainly makes sense for local multiplayer: each Joy-Con 2 can act as its own small controller. Joy-Con 2 charge on the console or in the separately sold Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip, which also has GL and GR Buttons.

Original Switch controllers: what still works

Nintendo says you can keep using original Switch controllers on the Switch 2, even in Switch 2 exclusive games. There are limits, though:

Wireless only: the original Joy-Con can't attach to the Switch 2. You can only charge them on a Switch 1, in the Joy-Con Charging Grip or the Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way).
No Joy-Con 2 features: games that need mouse controls, for example, won't work with them.
No waking: the HOME Button on an original controller won't wake the Switch 2 from sleep mode.
No C Button: start GameChat from the HOME Menu instead.
Wired Pro Controller: the original Pro Controller charges on the Switch 2 dock via USB cable. To actually play wired, you have to turn on the wired communication setting for the Pro Controller in System Settings under Controllers and Accessories.

So if you already own an original Pro Controller, there's no need to buy a new one right away. One catch when buying new: some retailer listings for the original Pro Controller say "not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2", even though Nintendo lists it as compatible. If you're buying new for the Switch 2, a controller with a C Button is the better pick.

What to look for

1. Officially licensed or not

Check whether the manufacturer markets the controller as officially licensed, as PowerA does with its Advantage controller. With very cheap no-name pads that say "for Switch 2" in the title, it's often unclear which features actually work. Always check the manufacturer's specs.

2. Which Nintendo features are missing

Third-party controllers often skip things like HD Rumble, NFC for amiibo or the audio jack. PowerA openly states this for its Advantage controller. If amiibo or strong rumble matter to you, the original Pro Controller is the safe choice.

3. Sticks

Some third-party brands use Hall effect or TMR sticks, which rely on magnetic sensors instead of sliding contacts. The manufacturers promise more precision and durability. How Hall effect sticks work in general is covered in our gaming controller buying guide.

4. Extra buttons

The Pro Controller has GL and GR, and many alternatives also have two mappable back buttons. In shooters or fighting games like Tekken 8, that helps you keep your thumbs on the sticks.

5. Battery and charging

According to Nintendo and PowerA, battery life ranges from about 20 hours (Joy-Con 2) through 30 hours (PowerA) to 40 hours (Switch 2 Pro Controller). Also check how you charge: by USB-C cable, on the console or in a charging dock.

Five controllers that fit

These controllers are not "test winners", just examples with a clear Switch 2 statement from the manufacturer. All values come from Nintendo, the manufacturer or the checked Amazon.de page.

Example model

The original: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

Nintendo's own gamepad with every Switch 2 feature.

Compatible with: Nintendo Switch 2 only
Extras: C Button, mappable GL/GR Buttons, 3.5 mm jack
Rumble / sensors: HD Rumble 2, accelerometer and gyroscope
amiibo: yes (NFC)
Battery: 1,070 mAh, approx. 40 hours
Weight: approx. 235 g

A good fit if you want every feature and mostly play on the TV.

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Example model

For two players: Nintendo Joy-Con 2 pair

An extra pair of Joy-Con 2 with straps, which Nintendo pitches for local multiplayer with a friend.

Compatible with: Nintendo Switch 2 only
Extras: C Button (right), mouse sensor in both Joy-Con 2
Rumble / sensors: HD Rumble 2, accelerometer and gyroscope
Battery: 500 mAh each, approx. 20 hours
Weight: approx. 66 g (L) / 67 g (R)
Colour (Amazon): light blue / light red

A good fit if you often play with two people or want mouse-control games in multiplayer.

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Example model

Licensed alternative: PowerA Advantage Wireless Controller for Switch 2

An officially licensed pad from PowerA with Hall effect sticks. PowerA says it doesn't support HD Rumble, the IR camera or amiibo NFC.

Compatible with: Switch 2, Switch, Switch OLED, Switch Lite
Sticks: Hall effect
Extras: C Button, 2 mappable extra buttons, motion controls
Battery: 900 mAh, up to 30 hours
Cable: USB-C, 3 m (10 ft)
Model: NSGP0545-01 (black)

A good fit if you want a wireless controller with a C Button that also works on the original Switch.

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Example model

For Switch 2 and PC: 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth

A controller with TMR sticks, switchable triggers and a charging dock. According to 8BitDo, the controller and adapter need the latest firmware for the Switch 2.

Compatible with: Switch 2 (system version 20.1.1 and up), Switch, Windows 10/11
Connectivity: Switch: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz or USB cable; Windows: 2.4 GHz or USB cable
Sticks / triggers: TMR sticks, Hall effect triggers with a switch to tactile mode
Extras: 2 back buttons, L4/R4, 3 profiles, charging dock, USB-C adapter
Motion / rumble: yes (motion controls on Switch only)
Weight: 246 g

A good fit if you want one controller for the Switch 2 and a Windows PC and like extra buttons.

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Example model

With TMR sticks: Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller

A Nintendo-licensed controller with TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance) sticks, which Turtle Beach says reduce drift. The Amazon page lists it as a controller for Switch 2 and Switch Lite.

Compatible with: Switch 2, Switch, Switch OLED, Switch Lite
Sticks: TMR (tunneling magnetoresistance)
Extras: C Button, 2 mappable back buttons, motion controls
Battery: up to 40 hours (RGB lighting off), up to 12 hours with RGB effects
Wireless: range up to approx. 9 m (30 ft)
In the box: 1 m USB-C charging cable

Right for you if you want a licensed wireless controller with a C Button, back buttons and motion controls that also works on the original Switch.

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The five models compared

Model	Switch 1	C Button	amiibo	Battery (manufacturer)
Switch 2 Pro Controller	no	yes	yes	approx. 40 h
Joy-Con 2 (pair)	no	yes	yes (right Joy-Con 2)	approx. 20 h
PowerA Advantage Wireless	yes	yes	no	up to 30 h
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth	yes	not stated	not stated	not stated
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless	yes	yes	not stated	up to 40 h (RGB off, per manufacturer)

How to pair a controller with the Switch 2

Select Controllers on the HOME Menu.
Select Connect Controllers.
Press and hold the SYNC Button on the controller until the player LEDs light up in turn.
When "Paired" appears in the upper-left corner, the controller is ready.

The Switch 2 Pro Controller also pairs automatically when you connect it to the dock or the console with a cable. To use it on a different Switch 2, you need to pair it there again.

A matching headset

The Switch 2 Pro Controller has a headphone jack and the console has a USB-C port. On Switch 2, Bluetooth headphones only carry audio, their mic isn't supported. So for GameChat with a headset mic you need 3.5 mm or USB. All options and five models are in the Switch 2 headset buying guide.

Officially licensed and wireless: Turtle Beach Stealth 500 for Nintendo Switch 2

According to Turtle Beach, the first officially licensed wireless headset for Switch 2: a USB-C transmitter for 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth for your phone, a flip-to-mute mic and up to 40 hours of battery. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked November 2026, postcode 10115).

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FAQ

Does my original Pro Controller work on the Switch 2?

Yes. Nintendo says it works wirelessly, even in Switch 2 exclusive games. Only games that need Joy-Con 2 features such as mouse controls won't work with it. It has no C Button, and it can't wake the console.

Does the Switch 2 Pro Controller work on the original Switch?

No. Nintendo states explicitly that it can't be used with the Nintendo Switch.

Can I plug a headset into the Pro Controller?

Yes, using the 3.5 mm jack on the bottom (four-pole, CTIA). According to Nintendo, this only works on one Pro Controller at a time. While a headset is plugged into a wirelessly connected Pro Controller, you can't connect other controllers wirelessly. More on headsets in our Switch 2 headset buying guide.

How do I charge original Joy-Con without a Switch 1?

With the Joy-Con Charging Grip or the Joy-Con Charging Stand (Two-Way). You can't charge them on the Switch 2 itself or in the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip.

Do I need more storage for the Switch 2?

If you buy a lot of digital games, probably yes. Which cards work is covered in our Switch 2 microSD Express buying guide.

If you play ranked on the Switch 2, these rank guides can help: Pokémon Champions ranks, Pokémon UNITE ranks and Tekken 8 ranks.

Sources

* Ad link: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links go to Amazon.de – the price stays the same for you.