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The Nintendo Switch has tons of wireless controller options, but it can also be played with wired controllers if you prefer them, and we’ve rounded up some of the best options for wired Nintendo Switch controllers out there right now.
As a console, the Switch can be played in a number of different ways and that’s precisely what makes it such a great console. It’s versatile. You can play it on the go as a handheld portable using the two connected Joy-Con controllers for example. But you can also use it as a tabletop portable with the kickstand and playing with the Joy-Con controllers wirelessly. You can also dock it at home and play with wireless or wired controllers. Whatever your preferences, or just whatever is the best option for the time, the Switch can do it.
If you’re looking for the best wired Nintendo Switch controllers you can pick up, look no further. You’ll find the best options below. While wired controllers aren’t as convenient, they do have one major benefit. The cost. They’ll be noticeably less expensive. And that’s a huge bonus.
PowerA Spectra Enhanced
- Price: $25.49
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you want a controller that’s a little more aesthetically flashy, you can’t go wrong with the Spectra Enhanced from PowerA. Thanks to the LED lighting that surrounds just about every button in addition to the entire controller shell. The lighting isn’t the only notable feature though.
It also has two remappable buttons on the back that give you a more customized control setup. One of the nicer features though is the cable. It’s a more heavy-duty braided cable for better durability, and it’s detachable for easy and more organized storage. You can’t really be mad at the price either. Plus it comes in a handful of different colors.
HORIPAD Wired
- Price: $19.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
It looks like a pretty standard controller but I assure you, it’s anything but. There are two really cool features worth grabbing this one for. First, there’s the fast action trigger shoulder buttons. But there’s also a turbo button that speeds up the input of some of the others. If you enable turbo mode, then the d-pad, action buttons, and trigger and should buttons can also be set to input 5, 12, or 20 button presses per second. Imagine the power that gives you in certain games.
Another really cool features it eh swappable d-pad. You have the standard 4-button style d-pad like on the Joy-Con. But on the back of the controller there’s also a normal cross-style d-pad that you can change to. And it’s just really neat that the d-pad you aren’t using is stored on the back of the controller. So you don’t have to worry about losing it really. The controller comes in red, black, and blue.
PowerA Enhanced Wired
- Price: $20.49
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you want something a little more basic, ditch the Spectra and go for the PowerA Enhanced wired controller. It has the two remappable buttons on the back plus it comes in a wide variety of designs. All based on games for the Switch. It’s a bit cheaper than the Spectra Enhanced as well, and like the Spectra Enhanced, it has a 3.5mm audio port for wired headphones.
It comes with a 10ft. cable as well, so you shouldn’t have any problems with the cable stretching across the room if your couch is far away from the console.
PDP Rematch for Switch
- Price: $27.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
Another really solid option here for lots of reasons. For one, the price. $27.99 is a solid price point for a wired controller. PDP also makes great quality controllers, and I’m a big fan of them after the Pro PS5 controller I picked up. With the Rematch controller for Switch, you have remappable back paddle buttons plus a 3.5mm audio port for wired headset connections.
If you want to change your style, the controller also allows for swapping out the faceplate. You can also pick the controller up with a variety of different faceplate designs. This model comes with the black and white design to match the OLED Switch. But you can also get it with designs based on the 1-Up Mushroom from Mario games, Link from Breath of the Wild, and more. There’s even one with Tom Nook on there.
8Bitdo Pro 2 Wired
- Price: $34.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
8Bitdo makes excellent wireless controllers but did you know that they make some wired ones as well? The Pro 2 is a really neat option for the Switch because it comes in a style of an SNES controller.
As for features, it has two remappable back paddle buttons, vibration in the hand grips, and a profile switcher button. Best of all, the controller supports macros that you can set up with PC software. All-in-all a great controller option for the Switch that won’t cost a lot and has a few extra features. Not to mention it works with PC as well.
GameCube Controller for Switch (Nintendo)
- Price: $67
- Where to buy: Amazon
This is definitely the most expensive wired controller on here and that’s probably because it comes directly from Nintendo. But if you prefer the GameCube controller for games like Smash Bros. Ultimate, or really any other title, it’s a solid choice. Even at the almost $70 cost. Not much else to say about this one. It comes with an updated connector to work with the Switch and it’s a GameCube controller. Just like you remember it.
GameCube Controller for Switch
GameCube-Style Controller for Switch (PowerA)
- Price: $27.45
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you really love the idea of a GameCube controller for Switch, but don’t want to spend close to $70 for one, then PowerA makes a GameCube-style controller that is really close to the original. It’s the next best thing honestly if you aren’t going with the official one from Nintendo.
And at less than half the cost, it’s hard to not consider this one over what Nintendo offers. Again, pretty basic here with no extra features. Though this does have a 10 ft. detachable cable for easy storage.
HORIPAD Mini
- Price: $24.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
Rounding out the list here is the HORIPAD Mini, which comes with similar features to the HORIPAD but in a more compact design. There are however a few differences. It doesn’t have the fast action trigger and shoulder buttons (it does have triggers and shoulder buttons though), or the swappable d-pad. It does however have the turbo function button. Plus it comes in a variety of designs based on familiar characters like Mario, Peach, Bowser, Pikachu and others.