Our Top Picks
The best wireless gamepads for Switch and PC are the ones that name both platforms in the title, which in this set means the EasySMX X15 and X05Pro, the 8BitDo SN30 Pro and the 8BitDo Zero 2. The remaining listings are either PC-first or Switch-first, so they work for one device and need checking for the other. A full table follows, with twelve listings across both platforms.
Start with a platform check, then choose by stick type, back buttons and size.
Quick table: what each pad claims to support
8Bitdo Zero 2 Bluetooth Gamepad Keychain Sized Mini Controller for Switch/Switch 2, Windows, Android (Yellow Edition)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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EasySMX X15 Wireless PC Controller for Gaming, Hall Effect Joysticks | 2 Back Buttons, 1000mah Battery, Gamepad for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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FLYDIGI Apex 5 PC Controller, Forceflex Joystick, 3ms Ultra-Low Latency | ForceAdapt Triggers, RGB Light Bar, Full-Color LCD Display,1500mAh Battery, Trigger+Grip Vibration, 6 Extra Bottons
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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GameSir Nova Lite Wireless Controller for PC,Hall Effect Sticks & Trigger | Bluetooth Controller Gamepad with Hall Effect Trigger,Turbo,Rumble Vibration,Android, Switch & Steam Deck
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz Polling Rate, Hall Effect Joysticks and Triggers, and Remappable L4/R4 Bumpers (Green)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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EasySMX X05Pro Wireless Gaming Controller for PC, Switch, Android/iOS | Hall Effect Joysticks, Ultra-Quiet Buttons, 2-Stage Triggers, 1000Hz Polling, Programmable, Black
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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8Bitdo SN30 Pro Bluetooth Wireless Gamepad Retro Controller - Gray | Hall Effect Joystick, for Switch/Switch 2, PC, Steam Deck, Android, Raspberry PI, iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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Wireless Switch Controller for Switch/Switch 2/Lite/OLED Controller, Switch Controller with a Mouse Touch Feeling on Back Buttons, Extra Switch Pro Controller with Wake-up,Programmable, Turbo Function
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
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Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro (Black) Ergonomic Controller for Handheld Mode - Officially Licensed By Nintendo
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
View on Amazon| Model | Key point from title | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8Bitdo Zero 2 | Keychain mini, Bluetooth, Switch and PC | Budget | Travel |
| EasySMX X15 | Hall sticks, 2 back buttons, 1000mAh | Mid-range | PC and Switch |
| FLYDIGI Apex 5 | LCD display, 1500mAh, 6 extra buttons | Premium | PC power users |
| GameSir Nova Lite | Hall sticks and triggers, Bluetooth | Budget | Handheld PC and Switch |
| 8Bitdo Ultimate 2C | 1000 Hz polling, Hall sticks, L4/R4 | Mid-range | Windows and Android |
| EasySMX X05Pro | Hall sticks, 2-stage triggers, programmable | Mid-range | Switch and PC |
| 8Bitdo SN30 Pro | Retro layout, Hall stick claim | Mid-range | Many platforms |
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | First-party Switch pad | Premium | Switch |
| Wireless Switch Controller (back buttons) | Wake-up, turbo, programmable | Budget | Spare Switch pad |
| Hori Split Pad Pro | Handheld-mode ergonomic pad | Mid-range | Handheld Switch |
| Lyyes Switch Controller 2-Pack | Two Pro-style pads | Budget | Two players |
| NYXI Hyperion 3 | Switch 2, 9-axis gyro, Hall stick | Mid-range | Switch 2 |
The twelve gamepads
8Bitdo Zero 2 Bluetooth Gamepad
A keychain-sized mini controller for Switch, Switch 2, Windows and Android. The title gives a Bluetooth connection and nothing about battery size. It is a small, simple controller, so it trades comfort for portability and suits short sessions rather than a long evening. Keep it in a bag as a spare for a friend, or use it with platformers and retro titles where two buttons and a d-pad are enough.
- Pros: pocket size; works with both platforms.
- Cons: tiny for long play; no triggers mentioned.
Who it’s for: travellers who want a backup pad.
EasySMX X15 Wireless PC Controller
The title lists Hall effect joysticks, two back buttons and a 1000mAh battery, for Windows PC, Steam, Switch and Android. That platform list and the back buttons make it a useful all-rounder, though how the wireless link works is not stated, so check whether it uses Bluetooth or a receiver. On a PC, a 1000mAh battery is a modest size, so keep a charging cable nearby for long sessions, and read buyer comments on stick feel.
- Pros: Hall sticks; back buttons; broad platforms.
- Cons: connection type unstated.
Who it’s for: buyers who want one pad for both devices.
FLYDIGI Apex 5 PC Controller
The most feature-heavy pad in the set: Forceflex joystick, a 3ms low-latency claim, ForceAdapt triggers, an RGB light bar, a full-colour LCD display, 1500mAh battery, trigger and grip vibration and six extra buttons. It is titled as a PC controller, and the title does not list Switch. That feature stack is a lot to configure, so expect to spend time in the companion software, and check that the software runs on your operating system.
- Pros: large battery; many extra inputs.
- Cons: premium tier; Switch not listed; latency figure is a claim.
Who it’s for: PC players who want maximum features.
GameSir Nova Lite Wireless Controller
Hall effect sticks and triggers, Bluetooth, turbo and rumble, for PC, Android, Switch and Steam Deck. Hall effect triggers appear in only one other title here, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C, so check the claim on the product page. Steam Deck is named in the title, which makes it a sensible companion for handheld PC owners who want a second controller for a TV setup.
- Pros: Hall sticks and triggers; low-cost tier.
- Cons: few other details in the title.
Who it’s for: budget players on handheld PCs and Switch.
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller
Designed for Windows PC and Android, with 1000 Hz polling, Hall effect sticks and triggers and remappable L4/R4 bumpers. The title does not list Switch, so skip it if the Switch is a must. The polling rate is a seller figure that matters most for fast shooters. The remappable bumpers act like extra buttons, a feature usually found on pricier pads.
- Pros: Hall triggers; remappable buttons.
- Cons: Switch not named.
Who it’s for: PC and phone players.
EasySMX X05Pro Wireless Gaming Controller
Windows PC, Switch, Android and iOS are all named, along with Hall effect sticks, ultra-quiet buttons, two-stage triggers, 1000Hz polling and programmable inputs. The long compatibility list is its strongest point. It looks like the same maker as the X15, so choose between them on the details: the X05Pro leans on quiet buttons and programmable inputs, while the X15 gives a stated battery size.
- Pros: broad compatibility; quiet buttons.
- Cons: battery size not stated.
Who it’s for: players who move between devices.
8Bitdo SN30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad
A retro-styled pad, listed with a Hall effect joystick and a long platform list: Switch, PC, Steam Deck, Android, Raspberry Pi, iPhone, iPad, macOS and Apple TV. The compact body suits smaller hands. The Hall effect wording is the seller’s claim, so confirm it on the product page. Because it covers so many systems, it is a good pick if you game on a phone, a tablet and a PC.
- Pros: very broad compatibility; compact.
- Cons: no back buttons in the title.
Who it’s for: retro fans and multi-device owners.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The title is minimal, so check the listing for connection details. It is the first-party option and the reference for the Switch layout. PC use is not stated in the title, so look for official support notes before buying it for a computer. If you only play on the console, the familiar layout and name recognition are the main reasons to pay for it.
- Pros: first-party; familiar layout.
- Cons: premium tier; PC not stated.
Who it’s for: Switch players who want the standard pad.
Wireless Switch Controller with Back Buttons
A third-party Pro-style pad for Switch, Switch 2, Lite and OLED, with mouse-style back buttons, wake-up, programmable inputs and turbo. No brand is named in the title and PC is not mentioned. Wake-up means the pad can bring the console out of sleep, and turbo repeats a button press. Both are convenient, but neither matters if the pad is uncomfortable.
- Pros: low cost; back buttons.
- Cons: unnamed brand; PC not stated.
Who it’s for: Switch players on a budget.
Hori Switch Split Pad Pro
This is off-type for the keyword. It is an ergonomic controller made for handheld mode, officially licensed by Nintendo, so it is likely a grip-style pad that attaches to the console rather than a free-standing wireless pad for a PC. Check the listing before assuming otherwise. We include it only because it appears in the set and could mislead shoppers.
- Pros: comfortable in handheld mode; licensed.
- Cons: not a wireless gamepad for PC.
Who it’s for: handheld Switch players only.
Lyyes Switch Controller 2-Pack
Two wireless Pro-style controllers for Switch, Switch Lite and Switch 2. The two-pack is the main appeal, though PC support is not mentioned and the brand is little known. If you want two Switch pads for visiting friends, buying a pair in one listing is easier than matching colours, but check the return policy since quality control may vary.
- Pros: two pads; low cost.
- Cons: little-known brand; PC not stated.
Who it’s for: couch co-op on Switch.
NYXI Hyperion 3 Switch 2 Controller
The title calls it the world’s first third-party wireless controller for Switch 2, a claim we cannot verify. It lists a 9-axis gyro, Hall effect joystick, mechanical buttons, dual back buttons and adjustable vibration. Because it is designed around a new console, confirm that it works on the Switch model you own and whether it can pair with a PC before treating it as a dual-purpose pad.
- Pros: gyro and back buttons; Hall stick.
- Cons: Switch 2 focus; PC not stated.
Who it’s for: Switch 2 owners.
How we picked these
We worked from product titles, published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews, and grouped the pads by which platforms the title names. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Claims such as low latency or Hall effect durability are seller wording, and we mark them that way. Price tiers are relative within this set and prices change often, so check the listing before you buy. One listing, the Hori Split Pad Pro, is off-type for this keyword and is flagged as such.
What matters in a wireless gamepad
Platform compatibility
This is the first filter. The EasySMX models and 8BitDo SN30 Pro and Zero 2 name both Switch and PC. Others name just one.
Bluetooth versus 2.4G
Bluetooth is built into most PCs and the Switch, so it needs no dongle. A dedicated receiver can lower delay but takes a USB port. Check which method each listing uses, because several titles do not say.
Joysticks and drift
Hall effect sticks use magnets, which is claimed to reduce drift. Treat that as a claim, not a guarantee.
Triggers and back buttons
Two-stage or Hall triggers give finer control in racing games. Back buttons let you keep your thumbs on the sticks.
Battery and size
A 1000mAh to 1500mAh battery is listed on only two models, so check the others. Smaller pads suit small hands but can tire larger ones.
Pre-purchase checklist
Write down your devices, the connection you prefer, the number of players and whether you need back buttons. Then eliminate any pad whose title does not name every device on the list, and check the listing before buying a pad that names only one.
Quick scoring example
Give each pad one point per item: names Switch, names Windows, lists a battery size, has back buttons, claims Hall sticks. On that scoring the EasySMX X15 earns five, the X05Pro and SN30 Pro three each, while Switch-only pads score one or two. It is a rough method built from titles, but it exposes gaps quickly.
Pairing and interference
Several Bluetooth devices at once can crowd each other. If you use a wireless headset, keep the receiver away from the PC’s rear panel and test the pad in your usual room before relying on it.
Mistakes buyers make
- Assuming a Switch controller also works on a PC, when the title only names the console.
- Buying a handheld-mode accessory such as the Split Pad Pro when a free-standing pad was wanted.
- Trusting latency numbers and polling rates as measured results rather than seller figures.
- Ignoring battery size on pads that do not list one, then finding out the pad needs charging every session.
- Buying for a Switch 2 without checking that the title names Switch 2, since older Switch support does not always carry over.
- Paying for lighting and a display when the main need is a reliable stick and a comfortable shape.
Verdict
For one pad across Switch and PC, the EasySMX X15 and X05Pro are the best fit by title, with the 8BitDo SN30 Pro for smaller hands and the Zero 2 for travel. PC-only players should look at the FLYDIGI Apex 5 or 8BitDo Ultimate 2C. Switch-only buyers can choose the Nintendo Pro Controller for familiarity or a budget third-party pad for spares, and should skip the Split Pad Pro. If you run a wireless headset and a gamepad over Bluetooth, see our wireless gaming headset picks.
Common questions
Which wireless gamepad works on both Switch and PC?
Look for a title that names both Switch and Windows. In this set the EasySMX X15 and X05Pro list PC and Switch together, and the 8BitDo SN30 Pro and Zero 2 name both as well. Other listings name only one platform, so a gamepad can be excellent and still not connect to your second device. Confirm it on the listing.
What are Hall effect sticks and why do they matter?
Hall effect sticks use magnets instead of contact parts to sense movement, which is claimed to reduce the drift that wears out ordinary sticks. Several titles here use the term. It is a seller claim, so it is not a guarantee, but it is a useful sign when you are choosing between otherwise similar pads.
Is Bluetooth good enough for a PC gamepad?
For most single-player games, yes. Bluetooth adds a little input delay compared with a wired or dedicated wireless receiver, which matters mainly in fast competitive play. Some titles mention a polling rate of 1000Hz or a low-latency claim, which you should read as seller figures rather than measured results. A wired connection is the fallback if you notice lag.
Can I use a Switch Pro Controller on a PC?
Often yes, over Bluetooth or a USB cable, though the listing for the Nintendo Pro Controller here does not mention PC at all. Games and launchers handle it differently, so check the support page of your launcher. Third-party Switch pads with PC in the title are a clearer choice for dual use, and they save you from fiddly pairing steps.
How long should a wireless gamepad battery last?
The titles give capacity for only some models, such as 1000mAh on the EasySMX X15 and 1500mAh on the FLYDIGI Apex 5. Real play time depends on rumble, lighting and screen use, so treat any hour count as an estimate. Charging by USB between sessions is the safe habit, and a spare cable helps.
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