You don’t need Nintendo’s first-party pad to get premium features. Third-party Switch 2 controllers now offer rear buttons, a charging cradle, and even "Hall Effect" sticks for a fraction of the price—one of them for about a third of Nintendo’s own. If you’re upgrading or kitting out a second player, these are the standouts worth your cash. [Prices at time of writing.]
Best Value: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C
If you want a reliable pad without paying first-party money, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is the easy pick. It costs roughly a third of Nintendo’s Switch 2 Pro Controller and still covers the core basics with confidence. Build quality feels solid, inputs are responsive, and the ergonomics land right in that familiar comfort zone.
Extra remappable buttons sit next to the shoulder buttons, giving you handy access to alternate inputs without moving your thumbs off the sticks. It’s a small touch that pays off in platformers and action games where a quick modifier can save a run.
Rumble support is included, though feedback isn’t as pronounced as on Nintendo’s pad. For the price, that trade-off is easy to swallow. What you won’t get is NFC, so Amiibo scanning isn’t on the table. If that matters to you, consider springing for the official controller. If not, the 2C is cheap enough that grabbing a pair for family nights or Smash tournaments makes perfect sense.
Premium Pick: 8BitDo Ultimate 2
Stepping up in price to around $70, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 layers genuine convenience on top of more inputs. The standout addition is a charging cradle: drop it in after a session, then lift it to wake and connect when you’re ready to play. It’s a small quality-of-life change that quietly spoils you.