The Nintendo Switch has plenty of wireless controller options, but it can also be played with wired controllers if you prefer, and we’ve rounded up some of the best wired Nintendo Switch controller options out there right now.
As a console, the Switch can be played in a number of different ways and that’s exactly what makes it such a great console. It’s versatile. You can play it on the go as a handheld portable with the two Joy-Con controllers attached, for example. But you can also use it as a tabletop portable with the kickstand and play wirelessly with the Joy-Con controllers. You can also dock it at home and play with wireless or wired controllers. Whatever your preferences, or just what’s the best option for the time, the Switch can do it.
If you’re looking for the best wired Nintendo Switch controllers money can buy, look no further. Below you will find the best options. While wired controllers aren’t that convenient, they do have one big advantage. Costs. They will be noticeably less expensive. And that’s a huge bonus.
Best Wired Nintendo Switch Controllers
| controller | Cost | Where to buy |
| PowerA Spectra improved | $26.99 | Amazon |
| HORIPAD Wired | $19.99 | Amazon |
| PowerA improved wired | $16.99 | Amazon |
| PDP resit | $27.99 | Amazon |
| 8Bitdo Pro 2 Wired | $34.99 | Amazon |
| GameCube controller for Switch (Nintendo) | $68.75 | Amazon |
| GameCube-like Controller for Switch (PowerA) | $27.43 | Amazon |
| HORIPAD Mini | $24.99 | Amazon |
PowerA Spectra improved
- Price: $26.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you want a controller that’s a little more aesthetically flashy, you can’t go wrong with PowerA’s Spectra Enhanced. Thanks to the LED lighting that surrounds just about every button in addition to the entire controller shell. However, the lighting is not the only striking feature.
It also has two reassignable buttons on the back that give you a more customized control setup. However, one of the nicer features is the cable. It’s a heavier braided cable for better durability, and it’s detachable for convenient 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. First, there are the shoulder buttons for quick action. But there is also a turbo button that speeds up the input of some others. If you enable turbo mode, the d-pad, action buttons and trigger and should buttons can also be set to 5, 12 or 20 button presses per second. Imagine the power you give in certain games.
Another really cool feature, it’s an interchangeable d-pad. You have the standard 4-button d-pad, like on the Joy-Con. But on the back of the controller is also a normal cross-style d-pad that you can switch to. And it’s just really neat that the d-pad you’re not using is tucked away on the back of the controller. So you don’t have to worry about actually losing it. The controller is available in red, black and blue.
PowerA improved wired
- Price: $16.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you want something basic, ditch the Spectra and go for the PowerA Enhanced wired controller. It has the two reassignable buttons on the back and it comes in a wide variety of designs. All based on games for the Switch. It’s also a bit cheaper than the Spectra Enhanced, and like the Spectra Enhanced, it has a 3.5mm audio port for wired headphones.
It comes with a 10ft. cable too, so you shouldn’t have any issues 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 plenty of reasons. First, the price. $27.99 is a solid price for a wired controller. PDP also makes high quality controllers, and I’m a huge fan of them after the Pro PS5 controller I picked up. With the Rematch controller for Switch you have re-mapable paddle buttons on the back plus a 3.5mm audio port for wired headset connections.
If you want to change up your style, the controller also lets you swap out the front panel. You can also pick up the controller with 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 it.
8Bitdo Pro 2 Wired
- Price: $34.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
8Bitdo makes excellent wireless controllers, but did you know they also make wired controllers? The Pro 2 is a really nice option for the Switch as it comes in the style of an SNES controller.
As for features, it has two reassignable paddle buttons on the back, vibrations in the handles, and a switch profiles button. Best of all, the controller supports macros that you can set using PC software. All in all, a great controller option for the Switch that doesn’t cost much and has a few extra features. Not to mention that it also works with PC.
GameCube controller for Switch (Nintendo)
- Price: $68.75
- Where to buy: Amazon
This is definitely the most expensive wired controller 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, then that’s a solid choice. Even at the price of almost $70. 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.
GameCube controller for Switch
GameCube-like Controller for Switch (PowerA)
- Price: $27.43
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you really like the idea of a GameCube controller for Switch but don’t want to shell out nearly $70 for it, PowerA makes a GameCube-like controller that’s very close to the original. It’s honestly the next best thing if you don’t go for the official one from Nintendo.
And at less than half the cost, it’s hard not to consider this one in place of what Nintendo has to offer. Again, pretty basic here with no extra features. Although this does have a detachable 3m 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. However, there are a few differences. It doesn’t have the trigger and shoulder buttons for quick action (it does have triggers and shoulder buttons), or the interchangeable d-pad. However, it does have the turbo function button. Moreover, it comes in different designs based on famous characters such as Mario, Peach, Bowser, Pikachu and others.
