Best Hall Effect Controller for Switch 2

The S10 is the most complete third-party Switch 2 controller you can buy. It's nearly as capable and comfortable as the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and its HD rumble is the best adaptation of Nintendo's feature in any third-party pad. It's one of the few controllers that can wake the Switch 2 from sleep, and it has an NFC reader for amiibo, motion controls and two back buttons you can map without an app. EasySMX added mechanical micro-switch buttons, magnetic faceplates and a swappable D-pad, and the included eight-way D-pad makes diagonal moves in games like Hollow Knight: Silksong much easier. Its 1200mAh battery is rated for up to 17 hours.

You play handheld-style on a Switch 2 and want a pad that does what Nintendo's Pro Controller does, from waking the console to scanning amiibo, with sticks that won't drift. The included eight-way D-pad helps with diagonal moves in platformers like Hollow Knight: Silksong, and the 1200mAh battery is rated for up to 17 hours.

The Pro 3 is one of the best all-round Switch 2 controllers, with TMR sticks, trigger locks, extra buttons and one of the best D-pads on any controller. It has two back buttons and two extra L4/R4 bumpers, and its magnetic ABXY buttons pull off with an included tool so you can switch between Nintendo and Xbox layouts. Its triggers switch between Hall effect and short tactile modes, and its dock holds a 2.4GHz receiver for PC. It wakes the Switch 2 with a shake. The one big weakness is the rumble, which is weak enough that you may turn it off. Compare it with its predecessor in our 8BitDo Pro 3 vs Pro 2 guide.

You like a PlayStation-style layout and enjoy tuning your controls. Two back buttons, L4/R4 bumpers and three profiles put plenty of inputs under your fingers, the magnetic ABXY buttons swap between Nintendo and Xbox layouts, and the dock's 2.4GHz receiver brings it over to your PC.

Mobapad built the Chitu2 HD to feel like Nintendo's Pro Controller, and it gets remarkably close. Its curves and back buttons feel nearly identical, and its TMR sticks are whisper-quiet. It has HD rumble from two ALPS linear motors, an NFC reader for amiibo, motion controls and two back buttons that support macros, and it wakes the Switch 2. The face buttons use mechanical micro-switches with a short 0.7mm actuation, so they feel crisp and clicky. A charging dock is included. The floating D-pad is a little louder and mushier than the rest of the controller.

You already love the Pro Controller's shape and want that same feel with sticks that won't drift. The curves and back buttons feel nearly identical, the whisper-quiet TMR sticks suit late-night sessions, and HD rumble, amiibo and wake support come along with a charging dock.

Pop off the TT Pro's stick caps and you'll find a screw that adjusts each TMR stick's tension, like on the Xbox Elite Series 2, a rare feature at this price. It also has four removable metal back paddles, triggers that switch between Hall effect and short micro-switch modes and three vibration modes. Its floating eight-way D-pad is one of the best around, with clicks quiet enough not to bother someone reading nearby. It wakes the Switch 2 and comes with keycaps for Switch and PC layouts. Its rumble falls behind some cheaper controllers, and GuliKit's app customization arrived later than the controller itself.

You like a PlayStation-style layout and want sticks that feel exactly how you prefer. A screw under each stick cap sets the tension, four removable metal paddles add inputs, and the quiet floating D-pad keeps clicks low when someone is reading nearby. Keycaps for Switch and PC layouts are included.

The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth is the best value Switch 2 controller, and its TMR sticks make turns and drifts in Mario Kart World feel tighter and more precise. Its triggers switch between linear Hall effect and short tactile modes, it has two back buttons and RGB rings around the sticks, and it charges on an included dock. You'll need to update both the controller and its adapter before it works on Switch 2, and 8BitDo's firmware v2.00 added wake-on-shake for the console. Like the Pro 3, its rumble is weak. See how it compares with the other models in our guide to the best 8BitDo controller for Switch 2.

You grew up on Xbox controllers and want that familiar offset-stick layout on your Switch 2. The TMR sticks make turns and drifts in Mario Kart World feel tighter, the triggers switch between Hall effect and tactile modes, and the included dock keeps it charged.

It's one of the best TMR controllers for Switch 2, and its micro-switch buttons have a crisp, clicky feel that suggests a much pricier pad. Its triggers switch between Hall effect analog and hair-trigger modes, it has trigger stops, turbo and a gyro, and it comes with an aluminum charging dock that also stores the 2.4GHz dongle. On PC, it runs at 1000Hz over 2.4GHz and wired. GameSir Connect lets you adjust dead zones, trigger sensitivity, vibration, gyro settings and button mapping, and you can switch between three profiles with a button combo.

You split your time between a Switch 2 and a gaming PC and want one controller for both. Crisp micro-switch buttons and TMR sticks feel precise, 1000Hz polling over 2.4GHz keeps PC input quick, and GameSir Connect lets you save three profiles to switch with a button combo.

It's one of the best budget Switch 2 controllers. Its Hall effect sticks stay smooth and precise in fast rotations, and its dampened face buttons stay comfortable over long sessions. It has two back buttons, trigger stops for faster shooting, motion controls and a charging stand, and the GameSir Connect app lets you change dead zones, trigger curves and stick response. GameSir advertises wake support for Switch 2, but it doesn't work reliably, so plan on pressing a Joy-Con to turn on your console.

You want Hall effect sticks and triggers, a dock and a comfortable grip for long sessions on Switch 2, without flagship money. The dampened face buttons stay easy on your thumbs, trigger stops speed up shooters, and the GameSir Connect app lets you shape dead zones and trigger curves.

The Nova Lite is one of the best cheap Switch 2 controllers, with drift-resisting Hall effect sticks and surprisingly solid build quality for the price. It's comfortable to hold and supports a 2.4GHz dongle alongside Bluetooth, which is rare at this level. It also has linear Hall effect triggers and a turbo function. The trade-offs are real, though. There's no gyro for motion controls, and battery life is a middling 10 or so hours. On Switch, you may need to swap the A/B and X/Y layout with the M button combo. For how it stacks up against another budget favorite, see our 8BitDo Ultimate 2C vs GameSir Nova Lite comparison.

You're watching your budget but still want drift-resistant sticks on your Switch 2, or you need a spare controller when a friend comes over. The Xbox-like shape is comfortable to hold, and the 2.4GHz dongle alongside Bluetooth is a bonus at this level.

It's officially licensed for Switch 2 and uses TMR sticks that feel fantastic. It has a gyroscope and accelerometer for motion controls, a HORI button for turbo, button assignment and profile switching, and a lock switch that disables the Home and capture buttons so you don't press them by accident. GameChat works with it too. It skips a few things, though. It can't wake the Switch 2, it has no rumble and its battery life is tepid. It's quiet and comfortable, which makes it a good second controller.

You want an officially licensed Switch 2 controller with TMR sticks that feel great. A lock switch disables the Home and capture buttons so you don't press them mid-game, assignable back buttons and profile switching add flexibility, and it works with GameChat. Its quiet, comfortable build makes a good second pad.