Joy-Con vs. Pro Controller vs. PowerA vs. Horipad: Differences and Reviews 2024

Switch Joy-Con vs. Pro Controller vs. PowerA vs. HORIPAD 

Switch Joy-Con Controllers Reviews

One controller or two, vertical or sideways, motion controls or buttons…Joy‑Con and Nintendo Switch give you total gameplay flexibility. Expand your collection with these colorful pastel Joy-Con controllers. Games come to life through easy-to-use motion controls and HD rumble—advanced vibration features built into each Joy Con controller. 

They’re essential to how the console works both in docked and handheld modes. You can play games with both Joy-Cons slotted into the system or wirelessly while you have it sitting on a table or docked with your TV. Depending on the game, you might use a single Joy Con in each hand—or even give the second one to a friend. You can share Joy-Cons with friends by turning them sideways to act as tinier standard controllers, though we strongly recommend keeping the straps handy for a bit more to hold onto while playing this way. 

When attached to the Switch, the Joy-Cons are nearly perfect, offering much better control over your game than you’d get with an older Nintendo system or even the PlayStation Vita. You can even hand one to another player to play some Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (or other multiplayer game) on the go. These Joy-Cons work with the newer Switch OLED model, as well. 

It is worth mentioning that the infamous "Joy-Con drift" issue still persists to this day, resulting in movement from the analog stick without actually touching it. This issue has plagued users from the beginning, and while it isn't as common today, can still happen, especially with older Joy-Con. 

Designs

Each comes equipped with face buttons, two bumpers, triggers, and directional buttons, as well as additional bumper buttons located on the side for when you’re only using one of them at a time.

And since Joy-Cons come in a rainbow of colors, picking up a new pair is a great way to personalize your Switch. Color Options:

• Gray;

• Neon Red/Neon Blue;

• Neon Pink/Neon Green;

• Neon Purple/Neon Orange; 

• Blue/Neon Yellow; 

• Pastel Pink/Pastel Yellow;

• Pastel Purple/ Pastel Green

If you just need a single Joy-Con, Nintendo also sells them as single units.

Pros & Cons

Where to Buy Nintendo Switch Controllers?

You can buy Nintendo Switch Controllers at PowerA, Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart.com, or Amazon.com.

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Details

Switch Pro Controller Reviews

Nintendo’s Pro controller is still the best one out there. It supports all the key Switch functionality like the Joy Con - HD Rumble, NFC and motion controls – has exceptional battery life and is reasonably lightweight. The analogue sticks are responsive, the X, Y, A and B buttons have a decent amount of travel but aren’t too noisy (even when button mashing), and the controller is extremely comfortable to hold. It’s also can power on the Switch without being plugged into it  (again, like Joy-Cons) .

Beyond those qualities, the Pro controller has comfort and build quality rivaling the flagship console controllers of Microsoft and Sony. It’s built like a tank, and it has battery life so good that it sometimes seems like it’ll never run out. Nintendo says that it lasts around 40 hours per charge, so it’ll likely take casual gamers a long time to run down the battery.

The buttons and triggers have a satisfying bounce, while its directional pad is responsive and clicky enough to satisfy retro gamers. Just like the Switch itself, the controller charges over USB-C. And it’s compatible with a slew of other devices you might game on, including PCs, Android devices, and Apple devices including Mac computers running macOS Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and Apple TV.  

It’s not perfect, however. The D-pad occasionally registers inputs incorrectly when playing games that require lots of quick changes of direction, and the textured grip handles can get a bit sticky during longer gaming sessions.

Designs

The rechargeable Pro Controller comes with large face buttons, bumpers, triggers, and analog sticks. It also has a more traditional directional pad that feels similar to those available on the Wii U’s controllers. Its shape is similar to the Xbox Series X's controller, and its internal battery lasts far longer than the PlayStation 5’s DualSense.

Its translucent plastic design is both sturdy and supremely comfortable, with ergonomic curves and textured grips on the handles. The thumbsticks are durable and soft to the touch, and the face buttons are big and satisfyingly clicky. 

Pros & Cons

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller Reviews

Officially licensed by Nintendo, the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Nintendo Switch combines beauty and performance. Each controller includes world-class art, along with awesome gaming features. Program two mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons on-the-fly, plug in your headset for stereo sound, and enjoy smooth thumbstick control thanks to a pair of embedded anti-friction rings. Does not support HD rumble, IR, motion controls or amiibo NFC.

Designs

• Wired controller with intuitive button layout

• Two mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons

• Embedded anti-friction Rings for smooth thumbstick control

• Superior ergonomics for hours of comfortable gaming

• 3.5mm stereo audio jack

• Includes 10ft (3m) USB cable

• Various color options

Pros & Cons

HORIPAD Wired Controller Reviews

After three decades of innovation as Nintendo's original peripheral licensee, Hori done it again with the HORIPAD for Nintendo Switch. This sturdy, high-performance Controller boasts an array of features, including fast-action trigger shoulder buttons, a detachable d-pad adapter, high-precision offset analog sticks, turbo settings, and more. Wired functionality provides Lightning fast responses and Tournament ready performance, while an ergonomic grip and a lightweight profile ensures continued comfort. HORIPAD does not include motion control or vibration feedback functions.

Designs

• Turbo functions

• Detachable D-pad adapter

• Precision offset analog sticks

• Fast-action trigger shoulder buttons

Pros & Cons

Verdict: Which Should I Choose?

For players who spend the majority of their time with the Nintendo Switch in its dock, the small Joy-Con grip might feel too small. Joy-Cons is best for kids and small-handed folks.

In that event, you’ll want to invest in the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. The Pro Controller isn't just for playing the Switch at home, either. Some larger carrying cases for the Switch, such as the Game Traveler Deluxe, include a compartment that can either hold a Joy-Con grip or a Pro Controller. With the system’s kickstand or a separate stand, you can be playing your favorite games on the go using the same controller you use at home. Use this controller if you're playing precise shooters like Apex Legends or Splatoon 3. The Pro Controller also features full-HD rumble and motion-control support, as well as NFC functionality for scanning in amiibos.

And Some people will choose HORIPAD Wired Controller & PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller. These two controllers not made by Nintendo. But they're officially licensed wired controller for Nintendo Switch. They're usually much cheaper and look a lot like the official Pro Controller, but they usually lack some of the functionality. They do not include motion controls, HD rumble, NFC, or an IR camera, which takes away a lot of the fun of gaming. Also, the buttons of the game controller are not as good as those of the Pro Controller. Hori's Horipad detached direction pad doesn't feel nearly as good as the Pro Controller's built-in pad, and the recessed direction buttons aren't quite as comfortable to use as the Joy-Con's. This is a good solution if you're in a fix and need a nice, chunky, conventional controller for your non-side-scrolling Switch games, but it feels a bit lacking if you like retro platforming.

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