3 best controller deals to level up your Nintendo Switch gaming for less

8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller in yellow being placed in its charging cradle

(Image credit: 8BitDo)

published 8 October 2025

I'm very particular when it comes to console gaming – I need the right controller, for starters, and that's often not the one that comes with the machine.

Indeed, if we're talking about the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, a separate game controller is a must – you can play with a Joy-Con adapter, but it's hardly ideal. And while Nintendo's own devices are great, I personally prefer some of the third party alternatives.

That's not least down to the fact that they tend to use more advanced technologies, such as TMR or Hall Effect thumbsticks and are therefore impervious to stick drift issues. They also nearly always have additional buttons or customisable options. And you tend to get a bundled charging case too.

Here then are my three favourite controllers for the Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 – each of which with a very healthy Prime Big Deal Days discount right now.

What are TMR and Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers

Even since the issues gamers have experienced with stick drift – or "Joy-Con drift" in Nintendo's case – alternative controllers have been arriving on the market featuring technologies that are immune to the issue.

Hall effect was the first major breakthrough. By using magnets in the thumbstick module and a small electrical current, not only are movements read more precisely, there's no chance you can get a false reading.

The technology is more robust too, as sticks don't rely on physical connections, which can wear down. And this tech works great in triggers too, with potentially faster response times.

TMR technology is similar in that it also uses electrical currents and magnetic connections, but some alterations in the materials used allows for even greater accuracy and lower power. consumption.

Unfortunately, neither of Nintendo's official controllers feature these technologies, so as good as they are – especially the Switch 2 Pro Controller – I still prefer to use the ones above.

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Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.

Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.

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