Many Controllers Support Both Switch 1 & 2, But Not All Of Them Support The Wake-up Functionality
Given the Nintendo Switch success, and currently the Switch 2 as well. There are quite many controllers that work with them. Even some of the controllers intended for PC tend to have a Pro Controller mode. Including the small & tiny controllers I reviewed here in Tech Fairy.
Below is a list of the controllers I know they support wake-up functionality on Switch 1 & 2 either because I tried them myself or because I know about them (in the case of the official pro controller, for example). Some of the controllers have dedicated reviews here in Tech Fairy, which you are welcome to look at. I am totally thinking of expanding the list as I test & review more controllers in the future.
Bear in mind that in some cases, the wake-up functionality may not work right away. If that happened to you, make sure to remove the Joy-Cons & plug them in again right after pairing the controller in the change grip/order screen.
Now, let’s get started!
Quickly go to:-
EasySMX S10
✔ Wakes up Switch 1
✔ Wakes up Switch 2
EasySMX S10 is an awesome 3rd-party controller. It has all the bells & whistles you want from a controller (turbo, changeable d-pad, back buttons… etc). And of course, it supports waking up both the Switch 1 & 2.
It even works on other consoles, like PC or Android phones. You can pair a device to each of the connectivity modes it supports.
I had a very positive review about EasySMX S10 if you want to know about it.
#CommissionsEarned
Buy from AliExpress
The Official Pro Controller
✔ Wakes up Switch 2
Not to state the obvious, as everyone knows the official Pro Controller supports waking up the Switch 2. I just have to mention it for completeness. It’s the easy choice to go with. I personally don’t use one, because other controllers tend to have more features like a dock, turbo, back buttons, a cheaper price & more. Life is full of “guaranteed” choices that work, but sometimes the smart choice is to explore the other options; you will end up satisfied with that.
#CommissionsEarned
8bitdo Pro 3
✔ Wakes up Switch 2
- Works with Nintendo switch 1 & 2, PC, SteamOS, Android & iOS.
- Supports linear Hall Effect triggers or non-linear tactile triggers (you can switch between the two with a switch).
Supports unique Ball analog caps - Supports 3 connectivity modes:- (2.4G: Windows / Switch), Bluetooth (Switch / SteamOS / iOS / Android), Wired (Windows / Switch / Android / iOS / SteamOS).
- TMR Analog sticks.
- Has back buttons.
- Charging dock.
- Shake to wake (Switch 1 only)
- 1000mAh battery
- Available colors:- Purple, G Classic, Gray
#CommissionsEarned
Buy from AliExpress
GameCube NSO
✔ Wakes up Switch 2
You must have a paid Nintendo Switch Online in order to buy this controller, which is why there are no buying links. I included this controller for completeness.
Gamesir Clyclone 2
✔ Wakes up Switch 2
- TMR Analog sticks.
- 6-Axis gyro.
- Works with Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS & PC.
- Tactile D-Pad
- Lighting Strip
- Asymmetric rumbling
- Hall Effect or micro switch Triggers.
- Connect with Bluetooth, Wired or Wireless Dongle
- 860mAh battery
- Supports turbo
- Has back buttons.
#CommissionsEarned
Buy from AliExpress
Controllers That Only Wake Up Switch 1
Here are some controllers that only wake up the Switch 1. They do work with Switch 2, but without the wake up support. These can be a good option for a second controller.
Datafrog S80
✔ Wakes up Switch 1
X Wakes up Switch 2
As I am writing this list, this is my main controller for Switch 1. The wakeup function works very well with this. It’s a comfortable controller that resembles the Pro Controller. The buttons are nice to the touch. Its main issue is the large dead zone. Most of the Switch 1 games work well despite that. But I wouldn’t recommend playing shooters or any game that requires aiming with it (it works, but it doesn’t offer the best experience). The D-pad is nice, but pressing left & right while up is pressed is not easy, so I wouldn’t play a classic Tomb Raider game with it.
Datafrog S80 supports 2 modes of turbo. One where you hold the button down for continuous firing (e.g., holding the A button to continuously fire it and releasing it to stop) and one where you press the button once to start firing continuously (press A, and A will keep being pressed) and press it again to stop. Both modes are useful in many games.
Buy from AliExpress
And Finally
I hope you found this list of controllers that support wake-up functionality useful, and I’ll see you in another Tech Fairy article. Check out the mobile apps I developed, which I hope you find useful & interesting.